The Burning Tree
Her small Georgia town is divided by an ancient curse at the heart of the forest. Now she must bring down The Burning Tree.
Join the Lorehaven Guild, our castle in the cloud, to explore this book starting Monday, Nov. 4. Subscribe free here at Lorehaven.com to get your exclusive Guild invitation!
Book Quest guidance: The Burning Tree
- Quest guide: E. Stephen Burnett
- Genre: contemporary fantasy
- Skill level: age 16 and older
Reading schedule
- Nov. 1–6: chapters 1–7
- Nov. 7–13: chapters 8–17
- Nov. 14–20: chapters 18–27
- Nov. 21–27: chapters 28–35
- Nov. 28–30: chapters 36–38
Find the book
Lorehaven reviews The Burning Tree
Ellie Caster likes a boy. Unfortunately he now likes Charlotte Levy, who is not just Ellie’s rival, but part of her Southern town’s other long-feuding family. But when the mysterious tree that curses the feuding individuals suddenly begins branching out, endangering the life of Ellie’s sister and many dozens of other residents, Ellie must set aside prejudices to work with Charlotte (and her crush’s cousin Curtis) to unearth the mystery. Helen Dent’s debut The Burning Tree brings magical realism to rural Georgia, untangling thickets of familial strife with colorful characters and heartfelt prose. Ellie’s flaws and regrets only add to her likeability, similar to the lively cast that helps her seek a supernatural solution to this spiritual condition.
Best for: Teens and YA-adjacent readers who enjoy realistic settings.
Discern: Ellie frequently deceives others in her desperation to fight the curse; references to small-town bigotries, based only on familial connection; some basic romantic attraction includes a “love triangle” derivative; teenage boy constantly pursues a teenage girl who rebuffs his advances, leading to a physical assault, but is later repentant and effectively faces consequences.
About the Lorehaven Guild
The Lorehaven Guild serves a community of heroes who gather to celebrate Christian-made fantastical fiction with delight and discernment.
Guild heroes can join monthly Main Quest parties that travel into the fantastical worlds of new books. We will explore these stories’ beauty, goodness, and truth (and opposites!), applying their meanings to the real world of our ultimate Author.
All of our Lorehaven quest guides follow a Sacred Scrolls faith statement.
Every hero must uphold the Code of Honor to respect Jesus and other heroes, avoid vulgar language, celebrate great stories, and keep to the Quest road.
How to join the Guild
- Subscribe free to Lorehaven! We’ll send you the exclusive invitation link.
- If you’re already subscribed, search your existing email for that link.
- Then, use the Discord app or your browser to enter the Lorehaven Guild.
Share your thoughts, faithful reader (and stay wholesome!)