Burn by Patrick Ness

Burn by Patrick Ness

On a cold Sunday evening in early 1957, Sarah Dewhurst waited with her father in the parking lot of the Chevron gas station for the dragon he'd hired to help on the farm...

Sarah Dewhurst and her father, outcasts in their little town of Frome, Washington, are forced to hire a dragon to work their farm, something only the poorest of the poor ever have to resort to.

The dragon, Kazimir, has more to him than meets the eye, though. Sarah can't help but be curious about him, an animal who supposedly doesn't have a soul but who is seemingly intent on keeping her safe.

Because the dragon knows something she doesn't. He has arrived at the farm with a prophecy on his mind. A prophecy that involves a deadly assassin, a cult of dragon worshippers, two FBI agents in hot pursuit--and somehow, Sarah Dewhurst herself. 

• Secrets and Spies: In 1957 Washington, the threat isn't just atomic bombs--it's ancient magic, hidden cults, and two FBI agents who think Sarah knows more than she's telling.
• Unlikely Allies: Sarah must trust Kazimir, a mysterious blue dragon with a secret of his own, who seems to be the only one standing between her and a deadly assassin.
• Coming of Age Story: As an outcast in her own town, Sarah Dewhurst must find the strength to face a destiny she never asked for and protect the people she loves.
• An Unforgettable Dragon: More than a beast of burden, Kazimir is intelligent, secretive, and may be the key to everything--if Sarah can figure out whose side he's truly on.

Patrick Ness is the author of seven novels and a collection of short stories. He was born in Virginia and raised in Hawaii and Washington. He has twice been awarded the Carnegie Medal, as well as the Guardian Children's Literature Prize and the Costa Children's Book Award. A Monster Calls, his best-selling novel, was the first to win both the Kate Greenaway and Carnegie Prizes in 2012. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages. He is based in London.