Title: Burn for Burn (Burn for Burn #1)
Authors: Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Release Date: September 18, 2012 (hardcover)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 368
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.  

My Thoughts: 
When I first heard that Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian would be co-writing a trilogy together, I must have squealed out loud. I absolutely loved reading Jenny Han's Summer series and Siobhan Vivian's Not That Kind of Girl, so there was no way I could contain my excitement for Burn for Burn. And you know what? The book absolutely lived up to my expectations!

A traumatic event forced Mary to leave Jar Island several years ago, but she's found the courage to finally return. She's a very sweet and gentle person, obviously still scarred by her past, and it really did break my heart learning what really happened to her. But now that she's back, Mary's not going to let anyone hurt her that way again. Kat may have a tough girl exterior, but it masks the hurt she feels inside when girls like her ex-best friend, Rennie, throw insults at her. She's not afraid to sharply retaliate with words, but there's only so much a girl can take before she cracks, and this time, Kat has greater plans in mind to make others pay.

Then there's Lillia– pretty, rich and popular, it would appear she has everything going for her. However, Lillia's not happy about the person she's become lately, and finds it harder and harder to relate with her circle of so-called friends. She's also protective of her younger sister, and doesn't want her to make the same mistakes she has. Out of the three girls, I think I felt the most mixed feelings for Lillia. She's been friends with Rennie for awhile now, but it's not always obvious to her that it really does appear Rennie is only using her. I wanted Lillia to take more charge in her life, rather than following the whims of others... so I was happy to see her grow as a character as the novel progressed!

When Mary, Kat, and Lillia are together, there's no need for any pretenses; they can be their true selves. The girls may form an uneasy alliance at first, but their emotional vulnerability and thirst for payback brings them closer together. While no one can know they're friends at school in order to avoid suspicion, you just know they'll have each other's backs when the time comes.

Burn for Burn is deliciously dramatic, bringing out your inner dark to play as the three unlikely friends plan how to exact their revenge. A part of myself was taken aback by the delight I felt seeing their enemies in pain, but I shoved those thoughts aside because the anticipation of payback was too much fun. The ending of Burn for Burn is wickedly suspenseful, leaving me absolutely desperate to know what will happen next in Fire With Fire!