Parents' Guide to

Brightly Burning

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Engaging reboot puts Jane Eyre in space.

Book Alexa Donne Science Fiction 2018
Brightly Burning Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

Sarah Geisel
Sarah Geisel Adult
October 4, 2022
age 12+

Cute love story with futuristic elements

Very cute love story. It is futuristic and has a smart female lead. It has some elements of science. There is some kissing, but that is as far as the sexual content goes.

This title has:

Educational value
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

BRIGHTLY BURNING tells of orphaned Stella Ainsley, 17, working as an engineer aboard the ancient, failing spaceship Stalwart. Rationing and power outages are a way of life on the Stalwart, but Stella dreams of more. When her application to be a governess aboard the private, luxurious spaceship Rochester is accepted, Stella's finally got her ticket off of the Stalwart for good. But things on the Rochester aren't all that they seem. There are mysterious noises in the night, a medical officer who never shows her face, and off-limits areas of the ship said to be used for "cold storage." To say nothing of the moody, brooding captain, Hugo Fairfax. Hugo's not all he seems, either, but he's definitely hiding something. As romance blossoms, mysteries deepen, along with Stella's determination to learn the truth.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Author Alexa Donne's re-imagining of Jane Eyre in space is engaging, but will be enjoyed best by readers who come to it with an open mind. It's not Jane Eyre, and die-hard fans may be frustrated by the differences between Jane and Stella. It's not hard sci-fi, either, and die-hard fans may find too much romance for their taste. But readers who can leave their expectations behind will enjoy this blend of mystery, romance, and science fiction.

Donne effectively creates a vivid, richly populated world among a fleet of spaceships in orbit around Earth. Readers familiar with Jane Eyre won't find any surprises in the plot, but the setting and colorful characters add some interest to hopefully see them through to the end, when the excitement really starts to build. Teens will easily relate to Stella as she struggles to find her place in strange new surroundings, to learn the truth about Hugo, and to start a new life on her own terms.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Brightly Burning puts the characters and events from Jane Eyre into space. Is it OK to tell old stories in new ways? Why or why not?

  • How does the book portray alcohol use? Is it realistic? What are the consequences of too much drinking, in the book and in real life?

  • Have you ever read Jane Eyre? If so, what did the author change besides the setting? If not, would you like to now?

Book Details

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