Book Review: Burning Blue by Paul Griffin

By: Paul Griffin

Published by: Dial

To Be Released on: October 25th, 2012

Source: ARC from publisher to review

4 stars: It Was A Good Read

Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

How far would you go for love, beauty, and jealousy?

When Nicole Castro, the most beautiful girl in her wealthy New Jersey high school, is splashed with acid on the left side of her perfect face, the whole world takes notice. But quiet loner Jay Nazarro does more than that--he decides to find out who did it. Jay understands how it feels to be treated like a freak, and he also has a secret: He's a brilliant hacker. But the deeper he digs, the more danger he's in--and the more he falls for Nicole. Too bad everyone is turning into a suspect, including Nicole herself.

Award-winning author Paul Griffin has written a high-stakes, soulful mystery about the meaning--and dangers--of love and beauty -quoted from Goodreads

Burning Blue is one part thriller one part realistic contemporary. It's a complex story that connects the lives of two teens who are both dealing with some interesting situations, Jay and Nicole. Coming from two totally different back grounds, these two connect on a level that brings them both closer together, and allows them to slowly open up and confide in each other in a way that leaves them both exposed and vulnerable. Paul Griffin's writing is amazing! Not only does he weave together this incredible story of two teen's lives who suffered from life changing moments, but he creates this intense mystery surrounding Nicole's acid attack. Everyone is a suspect and when the real attacker is exposed it is down right insane, as in, I can't believe that's who was behind it, and I never saw that one coming.

This is story that is filled with suspense, fueled by an intense mystery, and in turn is given an intriguing storyline I couldn't stop reading. Written in a way that tells the story from the main character's POV of, Jay, along with the victims journal entries, Nicole, and from the point of view of one of the psychologists Nicole sees, made for an interesting read. I liked getting to see the story from so many points of views. It not only gave me an inside look behind these three characters, it allowed me to understand them a little more. At the same time is also created and deepened the story's complex mystery regarding the acid attack on Nicole. It's the type mystery that left me completely hooked, and I couldn't stop reading the book until I knew who did it. Believe me, you'll be shocked when you find out the who in the who dun it is.

Jay is a kid who once seemed like he fit in well with everyone at school, well for the most part, and  suffers from seizures. After having one at school exposed the embarrassing after math of what can happen from the an attack, and having it posted on youtube made him withdrawal from school to be homeschooled. Despite having a father who's often times lost to his work, a mother who passed away when he was young, Jay often times is by himself. Jay doesn't hail from money. He's kid who seems like he has a pretty good head on his shoulders, and I admire him for doing things he things are right. Though he shouldn't get involved, Jay finds himself in the middle of trying to solve the shocking who done it case of beauty queen and fellow student Nicole's acid attack that let's her scared, exposed, and extremely vulnerable. Nicole is someone who most people would find themselves envious of. She's that drop dead gorgeous girl with the flawless skin, wears the trendy clothes, comes from money, and is dating the hottest guy at school. What I loved about Nicole is how grounded, and nice she is. Like the type of girl who's nice to everyone. Her beauty/looks also have  her slated to be the new Miss New Jersey. That is until someone squirts acid on her at school.

In a story about beauty, infused with love, and given a jealous twit, Burning Blue will leave readers hooked until the last page. Paul Griffin's writing is one that I really liked, and I'm definitely picking up more of his book. I really like the way he unraveled everything that happens in Burning Blue. The way Jay and Nicole meet, the way they slowly start opening up to each other, and the twists into the attack were well written, and believable. I liked how everyone was a suspect and the way the real suspect was weeded out. I also liked that though Jay tries to solve the mystery himself, he does some not so legal things to solve it, and in the process has a few consequences he deals with because of it. I understood his motivation to solve the case, and why he does what he does, but I also like that he has consequences for those actions. Over all I felt like this was a good read. There is some mild language and a sexual reference in this book, making this one that may not be suitable for younger readers. If you're looking for a thrilling YA read I'd recommend picking this one up.