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smateer73's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting. It has a very interesting concept, like Harry Potter but with religious trauma instead of magic. Overall I liked it, but the author needs to utilize the “show, not tell” rule a little more. The ending also felt rushed and the explanations given weren’t totally satisfying.
willjacks's review against another edition
4.0
If you’re a reader that loves following character development or you want a concise plot, this isn’t the book for you.
The whole novel is a 400+ page allegory (which some readers just won’t get into). It does actually have some incredible ideas and themes which is what most reviews don’t discuss.
You can tell what the author is trying to touch upon, but they feel obligated to include pointless character perspectives and deadpan relationships which is what puts readers off after the first or second part. They paint a picture of social commentary, but can be skippable sometimes.
The idea of smoke is multi-faceted. It discusses religion, race, colonialism, class, gender and industrialisation all in one go which is quite remarkable. However, those who don’t pay attention to subtext just think it’s secondary to the plot and seems like a pointless piece of fantasy magic.
The front cover making bold claims about pullman and harry potter are completely ridiculous and mislead prospecting readers. The book feels less like a fantasy novel that’s perfectly executed, and more like a speculative look into England’s shady past and the author trying to figure out what the purpose of his novel should be. The latter is revealed to be true in the afterword written by the author.
The author had the concept and themes nailed, but the overly simple characters need improving upon. Sometimes there’s wonderful character development moments such as Livia experiencing the mines, but then there’s a million perspectives and characters introduced that are too one-dimensional.
The whole novel is a 400+ page allegory (which some readers just won’t get into). It does actually have some incredible ideas and themes which is what most reviews don’t discuss.
You can tell what the author is trying to touch upon, but they feel obligated to include pointless character perspectives and deadpan relationships which is what puts readers off after the first or second part. They paint a picture of social commentary, but can be skippable sometimes.
The idea of smoke is multi-faceted. It discusses religion, race, colonialism, class, gender and industrialisation all in one go which is quite remarkable. However, those who don’t pay attention to subtext just think it’s secondary to the plot and seems like a pointless piece of fantasy magic.
The front cover making bold claims about pullman and harry potter are completely ridiculous and mislead prospecting readers. The book feels less like a fantasy novel that’s perfectly executed, and more like a speculative look into England’s shady past and the author trying to figure out what the purpose of his novel should be. The latter is revealed to be true in the afterword written by the author.
The author had the concept and themes nailed, but the overly simple characters need improving upon. Sometimes there’s wonderful character development moments such as Livia experiencing the mines, but then there’s a million perspectives and characters introduced that are too one-dimensional.
treasuressecret's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
canaanmerchant's review against another edition
4.0
What happens in a world where sin and desire literally stain you? That's the question explored here. You'd think an author wouldn't be able to get far with such and conceit but Vyleta with a perfect tone that describes a world more shadowy than our own for more reasons than just the extra smoke.
Cinematic scenes help add to the heavy weight of everything our characters endure as they struggle against society and themselves.
Also in pure serendipity this was the second book I've read this year that used historical fiction from this time period to explore questions of reason and faith. The other book was the excellent Essex Serpent. In Smoke the language is more contemporary than the setting might suggest but what it lacks is pastiche it makes up for in style.
The book is moody and dark but also seductive and hints at a great heat. All qualities of Smoke as well.
Cinematic scenes help add to the heavy weight of everything our characters endure as they struggle against society and themselves.
Also in pure serendipity this was the second book I've read this year that used historical fiction from this time period to explore questions of reason and faith. The other book was the excellent Essex Serpent. In Smoke the language is more contemporary than the setting might suggest but what it lacks is pastiche it makes up for in style.
The book is moody and dark but also seductive and hints at a great heat. All qualities of Smoke as well.
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
#OUABC 2023 Reading Challenge: 40 Prompts (24. An ebook or audiobook)
Speculative • Dickensian • Atmospheric • Suspenseful • 4 Stars
First published in May 2016, this novel is set in an alternate historical England where people who are wicked in thought or deed are marked by the Smoke that pours forth from their bodies, a sign of their fallen state. The aristocracy do not smoke, proof of their virtue and right to rule, while the lower classes are drenched in sin and soot.
The novel follows the lives of three young people who learn everything they’ve been taught is a lie - knowledge that could cost them their lives. The story is a combination of thriller, fantasy, and historical novel with a dash of horror. It’s chilling and complex and amazingly imaginative. The novel has been described as a narrative tour de force, a tale of Dickensian intricacy and ferocious imaginative power, richly atmospheric and intensely suspenseful.
#DarkAcademia #Smoke #DanVyleta #4Stars
Speculative • Dickensian • Atmospheric • Suspenseful • 4 Stars
First published in May 2016, this novel is set in an alternate historical England where people who are wicked in thought or deed are marked by the Smoke that pours forth from their bodies, a sign of their fallen state. The aristocracy do not smoke, proof of their virtue and right to rule, while the lower classes are drenched in sin and soot.
The novel follows the lives of three young people who learn everything they’ve been taught is a lie - knowledge that could cost them their lives. The story is a combination of thriller, fantasy, and historical novel with a dash of horror. It’s chilling and complex and amazingly imaginative. The novel has been described as a narrative tour de force, a tale of Dickensian intricacy and ferocious imaginative power, richly atmospheric and intensely suspenseful.
#DarkAcademia #Smoke #DanVyleta #4Stars
carolyn0613's review against another edition
2.0
This book wasn't for me. I started reading it but couldn't get into it at all. i gave up reading it after a short time
nderiley's review against another edition
3.0
Great premise, but the book was slow to progress and the ending not very satisfying
clearly's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A strong premise, but I wasn’t really clear on what the point of it all was or what the villains were trying to do. Maybe the second book has more answers?
grayjay's review against another edition
2.0
The idea was fun and mysterious, and the characters were okay, but the ending was very frustrating. It was as if the author came upon the ending unprepared and was forced to wrap it up quickly. The most interesting strands, like how the smoke began, were left untied.