Reviews with content warning for Confinement - White Smoke

*********kind of spoiler *********

Upgrading to a four after some thought. It's a good allegory for racism in the US. Would be a good book to teach in high school, if I had it my way ;-)

Felt like I was reading a version of the Korean movie Parasite. But it was a lot less creepy.

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greywolfheir's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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amandadevoursbooks's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

OK, of all the TDJ books this is my least favorite so far, and I still really liked it. Marigold's family moved across the country to escape Mari's past addictions. Mari struggles with her mental health, her new school, her creepy house, and her bratty step sister. The tale gradually unfolds, and by the end of the book, I was breathless.

What did I like? I loved the themes of family, community, gentrification, monstrosity, mental health, and friendship.

What did I not like? The depiction of weed, like the MC fiends for it. I've never met someone like this. it makes sense later as you find out more but

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wrensreadingroom's review

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challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

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lovealwaysadi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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catsandbookstacks's review

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4.0

Do you have a fear of bed bugs? If the answer is yes, skip this book.

White Smoke is a YA haunted house horror with a lens focused on addiction, gentrification, blended families and the criminalization of marijuana.

I love a haunted house story, asking yourself whether it's paranormal, just in your head or some other explanation. The author blends social commentary into the horror, which is what I typically expect within the genre these days. I'm upset at myself for sleeping on Tiffany D. Jackson until now and look forward to reading more!

Jackson set the ominous scene of Cedarville and Maple Street through the dilapidated neighbourhood, construction workers leaving the site as soon as 5pm hits and odd things happening around the house.

The steady build of peculiar occurrences are balanced by Marcella Cox's vivid narration. I felt anxiety each time Marigold spiraled over her fear of bed bugs. I admit, I checked my bed halfway through this book.

Marigold struggles to find her footing within her family and in a new town. The relationship she has with her brother is heartwarming, though she holds a lot of guilt over him finding her overdosing. Stepsister Piper is just as annoying as you'd expect a ten year old to be from the eyes of an older sibling.

The ending was somewhat abrupt and I could have used an epilogue to provide a little more closure for the characters and town. Perhaps a sequel?

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