Books & Literature

Audiobook Review: Burn Our Bodies Down, by Rory Power

YA THRILLER: When angst-ridden teen Margot discovers an old family photo, she runs away from home to discover the heritage that her mother tried to hide.

For the story and narration, bravo. For the central character, it is a very strong thumbs down for this one.
2.5

Angst-ridden teenager Margot has no past. Her troubled relationship with her secretive mother is cemented only in the present day with all attempts to learn about her heritage well and truly destined to fail.

The chance discovery of an old photograph amongst discarded belongings leads Margot to run away from home to the town of Phalene in search of her roots. Once there, she discovers the grandmother she always wanted, and a town with an inbred hatred of her family. As the days pass and relationships form, Margot slowly begins to unravel the secrets that her mother tried to hide.

Rory Power has delivered a nice little YA thriller that offers plenty of twists and a cast of characters that may not be what they initially seem. Those that begin as cardboard cutouts soon reveal deeper aspects to their personalities… except the protagonist herself.

Perhaps it is Lauren Ezzo’s stellar narration that is at fault here. Margot’s petulant teen antics are a mainstay of the novel and are so brilliantly realised by Ezzo that the character fast becomes an annoying brat that you wish would run away. Rather than driving the story forward, Margot’s excessively selfish and miserable personality often threatens to drive the listener away. It’s only Power’s ability to tell a good thriller, and Ezzo’s notable narration that keeps one listening. Perhaps other angst-ridden teenage girls will fully relate to the main character’s belligerent, whiny hype, but the lack of any real light-and-shade in the character will make her unbearable for most.

If Power’s aim was to have such an unlikable main character, then he has excelled. Given that all the other characters are so much better fleshed out however, makes it an unlikely choice. It is rare to have a character engender such a strong sense of annoyance as to turn a reader away. For this alone, Burn Our Bodies Down is a note-worthy work.

For the story and narration, bravo. For the central character, it is a very strong thumbs down for this one.

Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet

Distributed by: Blackstone Publishing
Released: July 2020
RRP: US$19.95

More News

To Top