The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: North, Claire. Notes From the Burning Age. Hatchett Book Group, New York, NY, 10104, 2021. Kindle AZW file.

Notes From the Burning Age is set in the distant future in a world that was almost destroyed by man. The people have built a new society that deems the good of the world as more important than the wishes and desires of the individual. Ven Marzouki is just a child in this world when he goes to play in the forest with his friend Vae under the watchful eye of Vae's sister, Yue. The three children are forced to run for their lives from a forest fire. Though they make it to the river, Ven loses his grip on Vae's hand, and she is washed away to her death. This new society's worship centers around the belief that everything has a spirit and a kakuy is the embodiment of that spirit. While the forest is burning, Ven sees a kakuy on the shore. Years later, Yue refuses to admit she saw anything other than the forest fire.

Twenty years later, Ven meets up with Yue again. By this time, Ven has become an inquisitor – a member of the Temple who is responsible for translating and classifying the archaic documents of the past. Ven is working undercover as a translator for a man named Georg who is a powerful member of the Brotherhood. Georg and his followers believe the individual has rights above the needs of society as a whole. Ven discovers that Georg and members of the Brotherhood are willing to do many things that have been classified as heresy – including reviving mining and industry – without any fear that the kakuy will be driven to revenge. While Ven has been following his chosen career, Yue has become a part of the government, working with members of the Council.

Georg's ruthlessness leads him to manipulate others, including Ven. Ven learns that someone in the Council is feeding Georg information, but no one seems able to identify this person. When Georg plunges the world into war, Ven refuses to continue his work as a translator and is relegated to menial work in the kitchen.

Eventually, Ven escapes and reunites with Yue. During a meeting with the remaining Council members, Ven reveals that he knows Yue is the traitor who has been giving Georg information. Yue reveals that Georg has held Ven and kept him alive as a means of manipulating Yue to continue working for him. As Georg and his forces advance, disasters begin to occur. These include diseases and mudslides, all that can be attributed to the kakuy or to the natural progression of the increased industry and war. When Georg's forces finally meet the Council's army on the final battlefield, Georg is surprised to discover Ven has set a trap. The field is the remnants of a coal mine. A series of well-placed and well-timed explosions kills Georg and his entire army. Ven looks to the sky where he sees another kakuy. He later knows that it could have been merely the right combination of fire and wind.