Breaking by Danielle Rollins

"Prep school gets a twist of supernatural suspense in this commercial YA thriller."

"Charlotte has always been content in the shadow of her two best friends at the prestigious Underhill Preparatory Institute. Ariel is daring and mysterious. Devon is beautiful and brilliant. Although Charlotte never lived up to the standards of the school—or her demanding mother—her two best friends became the family she never had. When Ariel and Devon suddenly commit suicide within a month of each other, Charlotte refuses to accept it as a coincidence. But as the clues point to a dangerous secret about Underhill Prep, Charlotte is suddenly in over her head. There’s a reason the students of Underhill are so exceptional, and the people responsible are willing to kill to protect the truth…" (goodreads)


Non Spoiler Review: Burning

How is Breaking a companion novel to Burning!?
The answer is part of the mystery...

I always wondered if reading Burning first would matter to this series (since Breaking is a companion novel). And I finally have an answer, sort of. I think you could read Breaking before Burning if you really wanted to, but I really suggest you don't. There is a reason Rollins wrote the series in the order that she did so read Burning first. Everything will make a lot more sense, especially the ending of Breaking. Burning left me with some questions about the characters when it concluded, and I think fans would be happy to know that those questions will have answers in Breaking, which is a main reason you should read Burning first!!

I was so excited for the cover reveal of Breaking and am still completely in love with it. I had no idea how the cover would fit into the story but it was amazing. It was yet another mystery about Breaking I didn't know.

I loved these characters. As Mean Girl as Ariel and Devon seemed to be I did still love them and really felt for Charlotte when she lost the only 2 people in her life she considered her family. I really wish I could have gotten more from their friendship because it seemed so special intense. I also wish I could have known Ariel and Devon when they were alive, and Charlotte when she was her normal, happy self. I feel the Charlotte we are introduced to is already a darker, tortured version of herself, and not necessarily her true self. I want more from her, I don't want this story to be over. I need at least two more books Danielle!! A prequel to Breaking with Ariel and Devon alive and a sequel! BECAUSE THAT ENDING. OH MY GOD. Danielle really knows how to leave a reader hanging in suspense.

I originally read Burning last Spring when it was released and I loved it. Breaking was definitely a fun twist on the story already being told and like I said, I hope this story isn't over because it does have a potential future. Things were left unresolved for Charlotte. What will happen to her now?
The prep school setting was so fun and very different from the juvenile center I never would have figured out how the two were related. But yet, once you start it becomes so obvious and you just absorb it after getting invested in Charlotte's life.

The supernatural twists to this series is so fun and unexpected. When you are binge reading and don't have too much time to think about what is going on you can still be completely thrown off by the supernatural parts because it is so unusual! I picture this series in our world perspectives but it isn't.

I highly recommend reading Breaking, but only after reading Burning first.
If you needed any other motivate to start this series, here is a tweet sent out by Danielle Vega/Rollins:

"Some things you'll find in BREAKING: mean girls, evil scientists, sword fighting."


Burning Series:

Book: Burning

Companion: Breaking

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars