With a creative twist on witch mythology that extends beyond the medieval witch trials, 'The Burning Times', into modern day British society, Burn Mark has an intriguing premise. In Powell's alternate world hstory, approximately 1 in 1000 people become Witchkind, usually it is a hereditary condition. The Fae (witch magic) doesn't make itself known until late teens/early twenties and the earlier it appears generally indicates the strength of the power. Witches are regulated, controlled citizens barely tolerated by ordinary society. Iron bands moot their power and punishment for the unsanctioned use of magic is swift and harsh. Unsurprisingly given the blatant discrimination, there are witches who resent the government and hide within mafia like gangs spread out over the city. Powell's world is quite complex, politically and socially, and as a result it takes quite some time for her to establish the systems and rules that provide the framework for the novel. Powell only narrowly avoids the pitfall of an information dump, and the details tend to make the first quarter or so of the novel drag.
The story unfolds from the perspectives of two teenagers, Lucas and Glory. Lucas Stearne is the teenage son of a 12th generation Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition who hopes to follow in his fathers footsteps until the day he unexpectedly discovers he has the Fae. With his future dreams in tatters, Lucas volunteers to infiltrate a gang of witches suspected of multiple crimes in London's East End. Given Lucas's background it is surprising that he is not simply a privileged git, instead Lucas has a strong moral core that believes in fair treatment for all, even before his power manifests. He can be a bit smug and overconfident at times but in general his intentions are good.
Gloriana Starling Wilde is fifteen, living with her great aunt, Angel, on the fringes of society as part of a criminal gang of witches, desperately hoping her powers will prove to be as strong as those of her murdered mother, and twin great aunts - the infamous Starling Sisters. She is smart, tough and a touch arrogant with a definite bias against the government and the Inquisition. She resents being forced to cooperate with the Inquisitors but is compelled to do so after learning of a deep betrayal and agrees to assist Lucas in destroying the Wednesday Coven.
What Lucas and Glory discover together is evidence of a high level conspiracy amongst society's elite that threatens to trigger a war between the Inquisitors and the witches, and plunge society back into a maelstrom of chaos and violence. Once the pace of the plot picks up you come to appreciate the groundwork Powell has laid earlier as secrets are revealed and betrayed, however the action really needs to start much earlier in the book and carry through. It takes far too long to reach the first crisis point and I'm not sure how many teens would bother to persevere.
Burn Mark is the first in a new young adult paranormal series by author Laura Powell involving magic, politics and danger. With the framework now firmly established, the next installment has the potential to be an exciting and fast paced adventure in her alternate world.
I am now reading
