Synopsis From Goodreads
Sonya was born with the rare gift to feel what those around her feel—both physically and emotionally—a gift she’s kept hidden from the empire for seventeen long years. After a reckless mistake wipes out all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer.
Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. But Sonya’s power is untamed and reckless, and she can’t always decipher when other people’s impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.
As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the charming-yet-volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.
Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. But Sonya’s power is untamed and reckless, and she can’t always decipher when other people’s impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.
As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the charming-yet-volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.
Buy from: Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US) || Book Depository
Published March 1st 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books
ISBN13: 9780062412362
Series: Burning Glass
Source: Bought
My Review
4.5 Stars
I had heard mixed reviews on this book, so didn't grab it at the first opportunity. Burning Glass has remained on my TBR though since it's release and I have finally delved into pages. I found the actually plot to not that unique, for my what drove this story was exploring (and slowly understanding) Sonya's powers, as well as the interesting set of characters.
I enjoyed following Sonya as she tried to understand and find her feet a new environment so different from the one in which she grew up. As well as trying to shoulder all of her new responsibilities that have been thrust upon her. She was a wonderfully complicated character.
Anton, is one of favourite type of characters, he begins by being cold and hostile, but warms up as time passes. The happens quite early on in the book as Anton and Sonya travel to the palace. However, once Anton task of delivering her to palace is done, me comes an increasingly mysterious character carrying many secrets. The Emperor is a bit of confusing character, during the book he treats Sonya as a confidant and friend but is quick to reprehend her harshly when she steps slightly out of line.
For those who are worried for the whole love triangle thing, it wasn't a major thing in this book. Although Sonya feels for both boys I think it’s clear who Sonya prefers, but her power to feel other’s emotions does impact her and make her question her own feelings.
I enjoyed the interactions between these characters, as well as the friendship which Grows between Sonya and her handmaden. Overall, I enjoyed this story, full of characters full of secrets, and slightly morbid/ dark magic which help to make our main character such a great complex character to follow.
