Tirado’s writing is atmospheric and intense, creating a world where the supernatural feels like an extension of the harsh realities the characters face. The novel expertly navigates the tension between the supernatural elements and the lived experiences of its characters, making the horror feel grounded and relevant. The portrayal of Ximena’s relationship with her family, her struggles with belonging, and her journey toward self-discovery add emotional depth to the story, grounding the fantastical events in authentic human experiences.

What stands out in Burn Down, Rise Up is Tirado’s deft handling of social themes, especially the intersection of race, class, and community. The book does not shy away from exploring how these issues impact the characters' lives, both in the real world and within the supernatural framework. The tension between cultural preservation and gentrification provides an additional layer to the narrative, as the characters grapple with what it means to hold on to their heritage while navigating the pressures of a changing world.

However, Burn Down, Rise Up is not without its flaws. At times, the pacing can feel uneven, especially during the buildup to key plot twists, which may leave some readers feeling slightly disengaged. Some of the secondary characters, while interesting, are not as fully developed as Ximena, and their arcs may feel underexplored in comparison to the protagonist’s journey.

Overall, Burn Down, Rise Up is a powerful and evocative story that blends horror and social justice with emotional depth. Tirado’s ability to weave together the personal and the supernatural makes for an unforgettable reading experience. It’s a novel that speaks to the resilience of marginalized communities while reminding readers that the fight for justice is both a personal and collective endeavor. Fans of diverse YA horror with a thoughtful message will find a lot to appreciate in this unique and haunting tale.

Wow. What a great premise for a book! At first, I was reminded of the Japanese horror film, Suicide Club, which begins with a group of teenagers throwing themselves on train tracks in front of moving trains. So, the train element and the idea of the challenge made me think of that movie, but in the era of social media challenges.

What I ended up getting instead was a smart YA horror novel with a basis in true events. The Bronx apartment fires in the 1970s were the foundation to this supernatural horror story, but becomes an educational gateway to learn more about this history of how this country has systemically disadvantaged people of color and folks from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

I found myself deeply engaged with the story and really rooting for its character who were well-developed and smartly written.

I went in thinking of Suicide Club, but what I got was a queer, Black Stranger Things (also based on some possibly true events, the Montauk Project).

This book was really good, incredibly haunting, and taught me something about history. All in all, a winner of a novel.

Young Adult paranormal books are always a good time and this one was no exception! I loved the mystery and atmosphere of this read!

The way emotions and love were portrayed was so fun to read. This book has a fun sub genre of horror called “rules horror” where the scary part of what you’re reading is the rules that come with what the characters are doing. They play and game, break the rules, and learn how to fix it. The whole book was such a roller coaster and the main character was so strong while dealing with everything like a boss.

This book had me on the edge of my seat a few different times. The writing style and descriptions of some of the “monsters” gave a sense of tension and fear.
I enjoyed the story quite a bit. The idea of two worlds and crossing between the two with little to no warning was very interesting.
My only criticism was the constant repetition of the characters repeating what they thought was happening but because the characters around them didn’t believe them, it was repeated several times. I think perhaps changing the descriptions and the dialog in those repetitive moments could help the book be a bit more engaging.
However I did quite enjoy the story and would give it a solid 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel!

I am so late to review this but alas! As a sapphic Stranger things fan (another thing I was way late too I just watched it when season 4 aired) I was definitely super interested in this! I struggle a lot with reading ebooks but that's the only thing that made me take longer with this book. The story starts right off with a mistery hook and keeps that fishing line tight the entire way through (to keep the metaphor going). I also love how imaginative the writing is and how the horror actually relates back to the history of the place where it happens. Definitely something I'll revisit in physical form to appreciate it more!

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

This story was everything I want in a book!!!

I loved the New York setting, as that is a dream place of mine to live, and the stranger things vibes were so prevalent. The stranger things comparison was what made me want to read in the first place and I’m so happy I did. It was eerie and spooky from the first page and I was rooting for our main characters the whole way through. This is a YA book, but I think it’s perfect for any age. It’s so perfect for spooky season, but any time of the year works if you’re looking for a fun and spooky time. This book was such an experience and I’m so glad I read it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy of Burn Down, Rise Up, in exchange for my honest review!

If Jumanji were in the Bronx and fueled by the ghosts of systemic racism's past, you'd get this book!

Vincent Tirado manages to weave so many elements together in this dark adventure. Part history, part social commentary, part high school kids just trying to save their friends and and complete their history report due later that week; we see the generational and long-term effects of systemic racism like redlining and environmental racism play out in a horrible new game sweeping the city and other parts of the world.

I learned a lot from this book and really appreciated all the history. And I loved Raquel's journey. I also really love the idea that we might be able to take the history we've learned and the traditions passed down from our ancestors and overcome.

Wow. From the first page, I was hooked. I'm not always a fan of horror/suspense because I'm a chicken. But I really enjoyed this fast paced novel. Like, there is a virus, and mysterious disappearances. And of course when it happens close to home, you want to do something about it which kicks the story off. This was really a fun read and I recommend it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

This book hit so many topics - concise, brutal. I could have easily finished in one day. Very well written. I certainly became obsessed.
Raquel is a total icon - struggling with her sexuality; her mom falls under the sickness, forcing her to reconnect with her estranged father; embracing her community - her found family; the strength to keep going back until it ends on her terms.
Racism - the history of Raquel's neighborhood; first generation of those who fled war/starvation/death in homelands. With the use of horror, urban legends and facing demons.
I could go on. One of my best books of this year.

This was a fun and campy read. I'm glad it took place in a city that im familiar with. I wouldn't mind watching a short indie movie adaptation if it was to happen.

I've never visited The Bronx but it feels like it did after having read Burn Down, Rise up. It amazing to poc authors given a chance to publish something , even better when the book is fucking amazing. Vincent Tirado hit it out of the park. I've done research after ( documentaries and reading non fiction) and this felt like a A love letter to the Bronx. This book is creepy and suspensul as heck. The creepy cover doesn't;t do it justice. A perfect read for the spooky and Halloween y readathons later in the year

Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast-paced read that I think younger queer readers will really enjoy. If I were to make a suggestion I think the world-building of the Echo game could be better, and to add a little more reasoning behind character's actions.

This book really keeps the mystery going the whole way through! There’s just something that feels like just before you get shivers down your back that stays there the whole time.

There is a challenge that you have to go to the subway / underground at 3am to visit The Echo, which the characters in this book decide to take part in as one of their friends, Francisco, has gone missing. Of course things go wrong and Charlize is left in The Echo.

This book genuinely has me swiping each page so fast because I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next, if they make it out of The Echo, if the fungal type infection that’s killing Raquel’s mum will win.

If I had to describe this book with one word it would be ‘tense’.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is up for a fast paced thriller with nods to Stranger Things or the anime movie … as The Echo is kind of like a ghost world, a memory a bit like the Upside Down. I am giving Burn Down, Rise Up 4 stars.

4.5 stars
The flow of this story is effortlessly smooth, unlike my heart rate!

I enjoyed the characters in this story. Of course, they had their fault, some that felt flat or strange, but I don't want perfect characters; I want believable characters in a thriller/horror like this. My only problem is that Raquel didn't feel as upset as I would expect with her mother's coma, but I put that down to trauma, shock & everything happening.

This book has excellent layers, examples/metaphors for how a place can change, but the trauma & pain of suffering in a place can linger. I believe in the supernatural, and that energy after such horrible events like the Bronx burning stays with a place & bizarre effects or events could happen. And while I believe in the Supernatural, I will be STAYING THE HELL AWAY from it. Our main character sort of had common sense - which you can understand why they went into the 'game'.

A YA horror with a Black protagonist? Yes, please. This book was compelling from the beginning and the author did not fail to deliver a great wrap up. It's a very interesting and engaging text. I believe anyone who enjoys horror or "stranger things" will enjoy this read.

actual rating: 3/5 stats

this one was super fun and has been one of the only books to deliver on the vibes it promised. it definitely was giving stranger things vibes and this is coming from an absolute stranger things lover. i honestly think that was the strongest point of the whole story as well as diving into the history of the bronx. it talked about the bronx history and the racism that is embedded into that history

the alternate universe we dive into that is similar to the upside down in stranger things, was accessed through a game similar to like bloody mary or another paranormal game which i think could have been a really cool horror element but combining that with this upside down type atmosphere just felt disjointed for me personally. i think both were cool but there was such exact rules to get into a very vague world.

the characters were okay but not my favorite. i did enjoy them and their relationships but they really could have been developed and fleshed out more. i wasn't attached or obsessed because there wasn't much background to any of the relationships or characters outside of the main character.

the horror was alright but i did not like some of the "characters" we have as villians in the alternate universe. it felt a bit like corny and cheesy and the real like "big bad" wasn't really built up enough for me. i was more scared of the creatures chasing the characters than the big bad the whole book. it's like being more overall scared of the demobats in stranger things than vecna. there was no impending sense of doom that is had over me.

i would still recommend this book and i had a good time but i think it could have been more fleshed out, more polished, and combined elements in a more flawless way.

thank you to sourcebooks, vincent tirado, and netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Weird and twisted, a thrilling yet strange read. This will bring in those who enjoy a read that leaves them unsure about what each page keeps bringing them.