Before we begin, I want to address the controversy that surrounds this book. As always, please be sure to check out own voices reviews, because as a white reader, my opinion on the matter is not truly relevant, and I will just be reporting what I read online. The book has been accused both of antisemitic takes and racism.
Let’s start by the antisemitism, but be aware that it’s a bit unclear to me: Jewish reader have pointed out that the use of blood magic is antisemitic, however I have also seen Jewish reviewers saying that a witch using blood magic is not antisemitic. If you know more about this topic, feel free to explain it to me in the comments, because I am interested in learning, but I am afraid that the Internet won’t be helpful and will give me wrong info.
As far as the racism is concerned, the reviews by Black people are also divided. I will report both sides, and you can then decide what to think. In the book, the royal family is portrayed as POC, and the main character is white. According to some reviews, there the reverse racism trope, because the royalty and government is oppressing witches. However, other reviews point out that not all witches are white and they are not oppressed because they are white, but because they are witches, so it’s not really reverse racism.
I believe that the problem with this particular thing is how badly the book is written. Personally, I think the author shouldn’t have written this oppressor-oppressed thing with the oppressor being Black, since she is white, but I also think that there are contrasting opinions on the matter because the book was truly awful as far as world building is concerned.
Aside from its issues, I found this to be a below average YA fantasy, which was trying to do too many things and accomplished none of them: the characters were extremely stereotypical, even the one character I enjoyed (Percy) was clearly written to be the fan favourite, stringing together a bunch of clichés; the world building, as I said, is lacking and left me with a bad taste in my mouth, because it could have been great; the plot was so basic and boring I found myself dozing off in the middle of chapters. The writing wasn’t good either and it contributed, at least in my opinion, to make the issues above more prominent.
In general, this reminded me a bit of Sweet & Bitter Magic, another instance where a witchy sapphic book disappointed me. At least Sweet & Bitter Magic wasn’t controversial.
Anyways, I would not recommend this book, because despite the fact that there are contrasting takes on the antisemitism and racism, I believe that if so many Jewish and Black people have pointed out its problems, even if there are some that were not offended by this, the issue is still there and I would much rather recommend an uplifting book for marginalised groups. Moreover, it’s really not a good book and you won’t missing out on anything.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the audio book.

Ranka has been chosen to kill the prince of the human kingdom because he is the oppressor to her people. When Ranka learns that everything she's been taught is far from the true she has to decide what it is right and what it is not.

I enjoy the politics and the moral debate that take place through out the book.

The audiobook is very enjoyable and very well done.

Brilliant book and narrated well.
Doesn't deserve all the hate around it at all.
People need to read/listen before they comment.

This was a really interesting YA read. You have the humans and you have the witches and all the mistrust and ill feeling between them.

We follow Ranka, a blood witch who is engaged to the Prince Galen as part of a treaty which, frankly, is doing zero good. Galen is soft and sweet, with a magic of his own, but no desire to rule and certainly no desire to marry Ranka. Galen's twin sister, Amaris (I apologise if I'm butchering spellings - audiobook problems) is a fiery thing with a love of science and medicine.

There is a plague of sorts spreading through the witches. There are secrets and mysteries, threats of a coup. Lots of really deep and interesting characters that I'd love to see more of.

That's about as vague as I can be without spoilers, but it was engaging and I was eager to keep reading!

I really loved the way Ranka's magic worked, the control it had over her. And I was rooting for her to somehow overcome it.

I loved the diversity of the characters, and I loved the found family aspect. I loved that they all made mistakes, and that all their loyalties were being tested in their different ways. I felt a real connection to these characters, because they felt so real.

I kind of could see most of the plot coming, but it was still written so well that I felt triumph when my suspicions were confirmed. It didn't fall flat.

I'd say this was probably a solid 4 star read for me — it was a really well written, well narrated book. I've seen the stir that has been caused around certain topics in the book, but I personally feel it's an undeserved attack. It was clear that Rebecca Mix didn't intend harm, and in fact most of this book is very progressive and inclusive.

A well written dark tale of witchcraft with some interesting characters and plenty of drama. Ranka is a rare and powerful blood-witch, which gives her the power to save the entire witchdom form what she believes to be a tyrannous monarchy.



The premise is good and it’s nice to see representations of gender and sexuality in this way, BUT it is very inward looking - I am not sure if the author was oblivious to the intonations of racism.


I enjoyed the narrator overall.

Combined with dramatic moments and gorgeous writing, the narration of this book is both beautiful and gripping.

Dark at times but handles important topics like abuse and mental health.

I really enjoyed the side characters and I hope we get a spinoff where we get to see Percy and Galen's adventures!

Also, I loved the inclusion of therapy in a fantasy novel.

I am excited to see what this author does next

This book was gorgeously written, the world really is stunning and the characters jump off the page. The magical elements just make this amazing.

I was instantly drawn to this book by the cover with the axe and the title, seemed right up my street. The narrator had a gorgeous and clear voice too which suited the audiobook as a whole!

Obviously there are some tough subjects encountered here, so please do mind the trigger warnings! However, they were handled and written well although descriptions are very vivid so be aware of that. I personally love a book that doesn’t sugarcoat what is happening so this was perfect in that sense.

Thank you netgalley, I love audio and this was perfect to take me away during my journeys to and from work!

A thrilling tale of magic, betrayal, and monsters with wonderful narration that kept me glued to the story. I felt so deeply for poor Ranka and enjoyed that wasn't the typical beautiful, clever YA heroine. I am excited to see what both this author and this narrator do next!

Tied up with beautiful quotes, the writing of this book is phenomenal. The overall pace of the book moves a like a tempo of a well-written song, adjusting its speed at the right instances. With that, the book has a clear representation of a few of the colours of the LGBTQ spectrum. Clearly one of the top 5 witchy books I read this year.

It will make you feel things, root for the best pair and keep you turning pages. The best part for me was that it did not have any unnecessary drama of a twin jealousy angle because sometimes when you put everything into a story - nothing really stands out.
The only con I felt was a slow start but give it an hour and you will be good to glide on.

A well-deserved 4/5
Genre: #fantasy #paranormal #witches #lgbt #ya

Thank you @netgalley @hodderstoughton and @@mix.becca for the Digital ARC

A new take on witches with a dash of sapphic tension.
The magic system could have been better explained but the plot was good and was concluded well.
A bit YA for my tastes but that’s just personal preference.
3/5 stars.

The One We Burn is a sensational debut book about young blood witch name Ranka who tried to ended treaty with pretending to doing her duties to married human prince. The premise is interesting expecially when our FMC finally learned the real truth from peoples she thought as her mortal enemies. I like how author trying to provide diversity in characters expecially at the court. The pace is slower than my usually but still enjoyable and suitable with Ranka's narration. Ranka suffered since young age and badly traumatized. I feel sympathy, understand her angsty, and appreciate saw her character growing in whole story.

The writing style is smooth and easy to understand. Author can fleshed out her characters and delivered her story. I think need extra work on world building development because right now the book only scratches the surface all the potential. I enjoyed the banter between character, and wishes extra chemistry on the romance side.

The audio version is perfect. The narrator suitable with Ranka's voice and capable to flesh out her character and feeling. The intonations is good and clear. I switched between both version and the audio totally enriched my reading experience with this book.

Overall this isnt perfect but a solid enjoyable read from debut book. Halloween is near and I am glad got my hand on this book full of dark magic and bloody badass witches.

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton (Audio) and Netgalley for provided my copy. Really appreciate and my thoughts are my own

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook, the narrator had a very soothing voice and for the most part the characters were given distinct voices. The story itself is a complex high fantasy about abuse in childhood and it’s effects. The world building is brilliant and the characters wonderfully done. There are some brutal parts to this book that were at times difficult to hear. The emotions were raw and I found myself in tears with some parts.

audio as part of an advanced reader group in return for a honest review.

I was at frist drawn into the cover art. It was soo eye catching the powerful Great axe and around it the furry of fire.

The words just above the title
" I am the Weapon. Use me "

Together it was like a sirens call. I needed to know who or what they burned .Who was this weapon that was spoken of?

It turned out the ones they burned were witches. Children born with magic in their veins.
.

One such child was Ranka . Her magic was different from that of others it demanded sacrifice , it demanded a life. Ranka was a blood witch.

After her magic destroyed her life with her sister , she was found by the leader of Skra.

The old witch took her, claimed her for the coven and told her she would be strong and she would be powerful.
Her adoptive family the Skra coven took her and taught her to use her magic for the good of the coven.

Then she was named Bloodwinn. The plan was simple she would go to the Prince as part of the treaty between the Witches and non magic peoples and when her blood magic built within her she would kill the prince and her adoptive people as well as others would cease power and reclaim their lands . No more burning.

It seemed simple.

As a debut novel this is breath taking and utterly sensational. It was slightly slow to start but once it did...I couldn't put it down I had to know what was going to happen next. I had to know if Ranka survived.

Pure epic story telling. I expect we will be seeing great things from this talented wordsmith.