Reviews

Smoke & Ashes by Alexis Hall

cozmyer's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

3.75

roquinn's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

I've really enjoyed this entire series, and I look forward to more of the adventures of Kate and her wacky supernatural supporting cast. Where else would you find not just the usual paranormal romance steadies of vampires, werewolves, sorcery and the fae, but also multiple living sculptures, a celibate incubus, a Delphic oracle, a sun god, and the living embodiment of the holy grail?  

Probably in another Alexis Hall book. 😂

lezreadalot's review against another edition

4.0

Here likes Kate Kane. Was in a hole; didn't stop digging. Beloved daughter. Sorely missed.

  
So much fun! I don't actually have a lot to say about this, since spoilers, but believe me, there's a lot of stuff that happens, a lot of action, a lot of advancement in the plot, a lot of supernatural madness, a lot of women swooning over Kate. So, business as usual! Sometimes series can be frustrating when they give you a bunch of mysteries and not a lot of answers with each successive book, but I think this walks a satisfying enough line. We're figuring out certain things, getting certain reveals, but there's always something keeping you guessing, further mysteries to solve. I love Alexis Hall's writing and his way of writing humour and banter and character interaction, and the ways different myths and supernatural beings are incorporated. Some stuff finally happened in this book that I was very happy with (though I have to admit, I'd have preferred seeing said event when it started). There was also a really touching and lovely moment with just a mundane character in this book, and I adored it. IDK what's coming next but there were some explosive occurrences near the end that made me super shocked/excited. It's definitely a happier ending than the last book, but also there's a sorta cliff-hanger? I can't wait for whatever comes next.

Listened to the audiobook as read by Henriette Meire, which was okay. I actually really liked her voice, and I thought her accent perfectly suited Kate, but it was definitely jarring after having listened to the last three books in quick succession with a different narrator. There wasn't any continuity. Julian suddenly had a French accent, Patrick suddenly had an American accent, Tara didn't have that husky quality that I loved... if she'd been the narrator from the beginning I wouldn't have cared, but this definitely threw me.

I can't believe I'm all caught up! This is why I usually avoid unfinished series; I hate having to wait lol.

arimcewan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

theyreadromanceetc's review against another edition

4.0

So much fun. Slutty lesbian paranormal Sam Spade but if she were a grown up version of the girl in the Twilight books only her ex-boyfriend the 150-year old teenaged vampire is still around and keeps falling in love with new 17-year olds. What more do you need to know, people? Start with book one, but this was one of my favorites in the series.

t_f's review against another edition

dark hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

kerraaay's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

3.75

unorgaynized's review against another edition

5.0

stayed up until 3am

ALEXIS HALL YOU’RE GONNA KILL US
Somehow, due to finals and hell week and the pandemic, I completely missed the fact that this book was coming out. Discover it about four hours ago on a lucky series reread, sped through the third book and headed to read this one.

A fantastic continuation to Kate’s difficulties from Book the Third, and a great introduction to new characters, new difficulties, and a book without much of characters we know and love. Fire&Water made me at first feel like something was ripped out, this one carries on in an almost soothing way, addressing Kate’s (many) issues.

I can’t wait for the next one, and this one I hope I can be aware of before it comes out, not too months later.

beulah_devaney's review against another edition

Yes! Loved this! Also inconsolable that the last instalment in the series has an unspecified publication date and that I can't immediately gallop through book 5.

jakinabook's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.5