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beekins's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jenaucyde's review against another edition
5.0
This book reminded me of Layers of Fear (for the gamers) meets Hansel and Gretel. It is poetic, chaotic, twisty and lovely. It’s almost-flowery prose done right. I loved it, and will read it again.
elwirax's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"James. What an ordinary name for a terrible thing..."
Other Words for Smoke was an interesting wee book. However, while it had all the ingredients of a peculiar book, the atmosphere and lack of tension didn't do them much justice.
The second person for Bevan's character was an interesting choice and I enjoyed the subtle point of view changes within chapters. However, the flow got strange halfway through where a whole section was dedicated to previous and future summers before proceeding to the twins returning 3 years later. I think that many of the past summers could have been woven into the previous chapters or perhaps in the footnotes where other parts of the backstory were placed.
The overall atmosphere of the second summer didn't do much for me. The blurb suggests a mystery but this was very anti-climactic. The point of the competition between Sweet James and Bobby Dear is never really explained nor is the source of the magic. I'm sure there is a moral message in this book somewhere but it is buried amongst the plot (though the social commentary on the mistreatment of women and power was definitely there).
I must admit that the ending was very good and wrapped up the story wonderfully.
Overall, I think this book was definitely my vibe but some parts just didn't work for me.
atgerstner's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
somekindofmiriam's review against another edition
5.0
A true gem, this book. Haunting, enchanting and poetic and just my kind of weird.
notebooksandlaptops's review against another edition
4.0
What a gorgeously haunting book. This book is about grief; the particularities of it, the fear it inspires, and the love it is born from. It is about not being able to leave, and needing to go and what it means to be outcast. It is sometimes incredibly graphic in the evil, very bodily moments of blood and bones - it is also sometimes incredibly abstract and melodic and kind.
I think perhaps, if I had read this book at 15, it would have altered me on a fundamental level. As it is, I am 24 and thus the book created a softer impact than it would have when I was a young queer teen, but I still loved each moment of it. It was a whim I decided to read it before picking up 'The Jasmine Throne'; it's been sat snuggly on my shelf for a couple of years now without drawing my eye much. But I am very glad I read it.
It follows two twins who are sent to their Great Aunts house for the summer; they soon discover her house is haunted and that her lodger is a conduit for the evil within the house. One thing I really loved about the book was how our protagonist Mae is portrayed very realistically as a queer 14 year old girl, and then later as a queer 17 year old girl - I think some books shy away from the queer teen crushes you can have as a young wlw but that is central here.
I didn't give it five stars, as it wasn't the type of exceptional book I reserve the five stars for, but it was absolutely wonderful, and I devoured it in under 48 hours. Griffin is a very talented writer, and I will perhaps be picking up some of her other books.
I think perhaps, if I had read this book at 15, it would have altered me on a fundamental level. As it is, I am 24 and thus the book created a softer impact than it would have when I was a young queer teen, but I still loved each moment of it. It was a whim I decided to read it before picking up 'The Jasmine Throne'; it's been sat snuggly on my shelf for a couple of years now without drawing my eye much. But I am very glad I read it.
It follows two twins who are sent to their Great Aunts house for the summer; they soon discover her house is haunted and that her lodger is a conduit for the evil within the house. One thing I really loved about the book was how our protagonist Mae is portrayed very realistically as a queer 14 year old girl, and then later as a queer 17 year old girl - I think some books shy away from the queer teen crushes you can have as a young wlw but that is central here.
I didn't give it five stars, as it wasn't the type of exceptional book I reserve the five stars for, but it was absolutely wonderful, and I devoured it in under 48 hours. Griffin is a very talented writer, and I will perhaps be picking up some of her other books.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
5.0
Other Words for Smoke is the most beautifully written creepy tale, set over several Irish summers. The owl that lives in the wallpaper of Bevan's room has her twisted round his wing, demanding bones in exchange for glimpses into the other rooms. He is named Sweet James, which seems even more sinister and he teaches Bevan to be manipulative. Bobby is more than a cat who warns them all away from the owl, knowing just how much damage he can do.
The pages contain the awkwardness of coming of age, adolescent feelings, first loves and period pains, mingling with the wrongness of the house. Bevan's chapters are told in second person, something I'm getting more used to, and it helps get across the idea that there's something getting into her head. It is one of those occasions where second person just works, adding to the atmosphere.
I loved the intertwining of a dark piece of Ireland's past, the wrongs done to girls in the name of religion coalescing into something other. The ending was fitting and it was the perfect standalone. It's as gorgeous on the inside as it is on the outside.
The pages contain the awkwardness of coming of age, adolescent feelings, first loves and period pains, mingling with the wrongness of the house. Bevan's chapters are told in second person, something I'm getting more used to, and it helps get across the idea that there's something getting into her head. It is one of those occasions where second person just works, adding to the atmosphere.
I loved the intertwining of a dark piece of Ireland's past, the wrongs done to girls in the name of religion coalescing into something other. The ending was fitting and it was the perfect standalone. It's as gorgeous on the inside as it is on the outside.
aunt_sissy's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0