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anca_antoci's review
Are you looking for an epic dark fantasy novel to blow your mind? Well, you just found it! And the best part is that this is the first book of a series (Reforged), so there’s more to come!
Smoke and Rain was the first book I read by V.S. Holmes, and I must say that at first, I had a love-hate relationship with the beginning of this book. I’ll start with the bad so that I can get it out of the way. I don’t have a lot of time to read, so when I read, I want to get immersed in the story asap. I’m not a patient person, sue me! So, soon after I picked up this book (about 60 or 70 pages in) I put it down and looked up reviews about it. It’s not one of those kinds of books that start with a hook. This one starts slow, explaining things, introducing characters, and so on. You also have to learn some hard to remember names. Have I mentioned that I’m not a patient person? Upon reading several fabulous reviews, I discovered that despite being a bit slow in the beginning, it more than makes up for it afterward. I can now confirm this! So I picked it up again. It may not hook you right from the beginning, but when it does, it won’t let go!
The book starts with a calendar and maps to help you visualize this world and keep track of what’s going on. The story is written in the third person POV, so we get acquainted with each characters inner struggles and growth, which is nice. I think it’s impressive how the author managed to flesh out each character and give them appropriate page time. By the way, this is not a quick read, but quite a thick book and I love how unpredictable and unique this story turned out.
The main character is Alea, dealing with survivor’s guilt in the aftermath of a tragedy and eqqually important is Aman, a weapon designer that becomes her guard. Both are troubled characters, easy to sympathize with, yet frustrating at times. There is no instant romance threatening the plot, which is awesome because it makes their relationship believable. It’s all based on friendship and loyalty.
The world building in this novel was exquisite and immersive. The descriptive passages, which I sometimes find boring in other books, were epic in “Smoke and Rain”! You don’t have to take my word for it, here a random description:
“The trees were leafed in brilliant green and blossoms began to peek from vines. She did not see them. Instead, she saw shadow creeping into her thoughts. It hovered on the edge but she felt it grow.”
V.S. Holmes is more than a writer; a wordsmith would be a more suitable synonym. The way she describes things makes reading a very vivid and visual experience. Here’s another phrase (unimportant in the grand scheme of things) that caught my eye:
“Venom and fear soured his glare at Alea as he obeyed. She hoped he could not see her skin crawl”
“War brought legends and monsters scuttling out like wood roaches after a storm.”
I’m trying not to give away spoilers, so I’ll say this: this is an epic dark fantasy novel, so expect badass superpowers! Sweet Alea is not the damsel in distress you’d expect; she has some kick-ass magic going on:
“Swelling power broke from her body. Black fog exploded from her open mouth and filled the room with churning darkness.
The power rolling from the fort was not obvious at first. It crept across the ground like rising floodwater. Cold soaked into hands and boots, halting adrenaline and rage. Despite the rain, thirst crept up the throats of the soldiers, faint but persistent. Those closer to the blast watched droplets of water burst from their skin to skitter across the ground. Soon it was not just water ripped from their bodies, but lymph and bile and blood. Water trickled, moving even faster between the stones and swirled up Alea’s legs. And each death burned through Alea’s mind”
Do you have goosebumps yet? Buy the book, read it and feed the fantasy monster nesting inside you!
Smoke and Rain was the first book I read by V.S. Holmes, and I must say that at first, I had a love-hate relationship with the beginning of this book. I’ll start with the bad so that I can get it out of the way. I don’t have a lot of time to read, so when I read, I want to get immersed in the story asap. I’m not a patient person, sue me! So, soon after I picked up this book (about 60 or 70 pages in) I put it down and looked up reviews about it. It’s not one of those kinds of books that start with a hook. This one starts slow, explaining things, introducing characters, and so on. You also have to learn some hard to remember names. Have I mentioned that I’m not a patient person? Upon reading several fabulous reviews, I discovered that despite being a bit slow in the beginning, it more than makes up for it afterward. I can now confirm this! So I picked it up again. It may not hook you right from the beginning, but when it does, it won’t let go!
The book starts with a calendar and maps to help you visualize this world and keep track of what’s going on. The story is written in the third person POV, so we get acquainted with each characters inner struggles and growth, which is nice. I think it’s impressive how the author managed to flesh out each character and give them appropriate page time. By the way, this is not a quick read, but quite a thick book and I love how unpredictable and unique this story turned out.
The main character is Alea, dealing with survivor’s guilt in the aftermath of a tragedy and eqqually important is Aman, a weapon designer that becomes her guard. Both are troubled characters, easy to sympathize with, yet frustrating at times. There is no instant romance threatening the plot, which is awesome because it makes their relationship believable. It’s all based on friendship and loyalty.
The world building in this novel was exquisite and immersive. The descriptive passages, which I sometimes find boring in other books, were epic in “Smoke and Rain”! You don’t have to take my word for it, here a random description:
“The trees were leafed in brilliant green and blossoms began to peek from vines. She did not see them. Instead, she saw shadow creeping into her thoughts. It hovered on the edge but she felt it grow.”
V.S. Holmes is more than a writer; a wordsmith would be a more suitable synonym. The way she describes things makes reading a very vivid and visual experience. Here’s another phrase (unimportant in the grand scheme of things) that caught my eye:
“Venom and fear soured his glare at Alea as he obeyed. She hoped he could not see her skin crawl”
“War brought legends and monsters scuttling out like wood roaches after a storm.”
I’m trying not to give away spoilers, so I’ll say this: this is an epic dark fantasy novel, so expect badass superpowers! Sweet Alea is not the damsel in distress you’d expect; she has some kick-ass magic going on:
“Swelling power broke from her body. Black fog exploded from her open mouth and filled the room with churning darkness.
The power rolling from the fort was not obvious at first. It crept across the ground like rising floodwater. Cold soaked into hands and boots, halting adrenaline and rage. Despite the rain, thirst crept up the throats of the soldiers, faint but persistent. Those closer to the blast watched droplets of water burst from their skin to skitter across the ground. Soon it was not just water ripped from their bodies, but lymph and bile and blood. Water trickled, moving even faster between the stones and swirled up Alea’s legs. And each death burned through Alea’s mind”
Do you have goosebumps yet? Buy the book, read it and feed the fantasy monster nesting inside you!
sfilson's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly this will give you that Magic,Swords and Sorcery type fix that demands filling, the story starts with the inn and moves quickly to the angry peasants,onto the action that doesn't stop. read into the wee hours ,didn't want to put it down finished it it record time, now can't wait for the next 1.
amesqueak's review against another edition
5.0
It's been a while since I forayed into dark fantasy, and I was a little nervous as the genre reminds me of when I was at my most annoying. Still, the cover and excerpts that I had come across intrigued me and I was excited to give it a try.
I immediately found the character of Alea compelling and sympathetic. While she goes through great tragedy, it isn't the only focus of herself or the book, though you do see her believably dealing with the aftermath. The relationships in the book are sweet and light-handed although the feelings themselves are very strong. You see Alea's strength and fortitude throughout the books, as well as believable and honest weakness, and want to see where the story will take her.
The few times that I found myself thinking, "Oh, I see where this is going" the book ended up going in a different direction, which I very much appreciated as adventure books can tend toward being formulaic. I'm excited, but also a little scared, to read the next ones. Would definitely recommend to readers of all genres!
I immediately found the character of Alea compelling and sympathetic. While she goes through great tragedy, it isn't the only focus of herself or the book, though you do see her believably dealing with the aftermath. The relationships in the book are sweet and light-handed although the feelings themselves are very strong. You see Alea's strength and fortitude throughout the books, as well as believable and honest weakness, and want to see where the story will take her.
The few times that I found myself thinking, "Oh, I see where this is going" the book ended up going in a different direction, which I very much appreciated as adventure books can tend toward being formulaic. I'm excited, but also a little scared, to read the next ones. Would definitely recommend to readers of all genres!
vondav's review against another edition
4.0
When Cehn was invaded Alea barely survived. Bought to Vielrona to recover, she strikes up a friendship with Arman, the landlady’s son. With the battle between the Laen and the Mirikin getting intense, no-one is safe.
As you are taken on a journey, you are exposed to a magical land, where the Gods play an important part in people’s lives. The minutest features were explained in detail and it has you feeling that you are there. The character’s backstories help you understand what the conflict the war had done to all their lives giving you an understanding of the importance of their beliefs. As more of their lives are revealed you are taken through their every emotion as they contemplate what part they are expected to play in the war.
The first 17% was a bit confusing but I am glad that I persevered as it explained the history of the land and introduced us to the important characters. After that point, I was invested in the story as I followed them on their journey. Watching Alea become a confident woman after suffering so much I wanted to see her succeed. The friendship between Arman, Wes (my favourite character) and Kam was as strong as brothers, supporting each other in their choices and reading about their antics broke up the intensity of the story. Whilst this did not end on a cliff-hanger, there is more to come as Lightening and Flame is already out.
This is the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be the last. If you enjoy reading Epic Fantasy then pick up this book.
As you are taken on a journey, you are exposed to a magical land, where the Gods play an important part in people’s lives. The minutest features were explained in detail and it has you feeling that you are there. The character’s backstories help you understand what the conflict the war had done to all their lives giving you an understanding of the importance of their beliefs. As more of their lives are revealed you are taken through their every emotion as they contemplate what part they are expected to play in the war.
The first 17% was a bit confusing but I am glad that I persevered as it explained the history of the land and introduced us to the important characters. After that point, I was invested in the story as I followed them on their journey. Watching Alea become a confident woman after suffering so much I wanted to see her succeed. The friendship between Arman, Wes (my favourite character) and Kam was as strong as brothers, supporting each other in their choices and reading about their antics broke up the intensity of the story. Whilst this did not end on a cliff-hanger, there is more to come as Lightening and Flame is already out.
This is the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be the last. If you enjoy reading Epic Fantasy then pick up this book.
claudiearseneault's review
It's a fine story but I can't seem to really get into it. Also just heterocisnormative as heck and I have too many incredibly queer fantasy that are more up my alley. But to be clear: it's perfectly good writing in itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide
aconitecafe's review
5.0
This book has been on my TBR list forever! So glad I finally was able to read it. It was amazing! This is the first of four books, and is what looks to be a well laid out series. So don't expect any resolution in this first installment.
The character development in this book is on point, we get to know the main players and really get drawn into who they are as individuals before we get to why they will be important to the story, which I LOVE. No one is an insta-hero, or whatever, and there isn't any insta-love or insta-solutions.
The plot is dark yet the characters are very real about dealing with the parts they play, so very much engulfing. I about throw my phone when I go about 80% in, so serious worth reading! I can't wait to read book 2!
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The character development in this book is on point, we get to know the main players and really get drawn into who they are as individuals before we get to why they will be important to the story, which I LOVE. No one is an insta-hero, or whatever, and there isn't any insta-love or insta-solutions.
The plot is dark yet the characters are very real about dealing with the parts they play, so very much engulfing. I about throw my phone when I go about 80% in, so serious worth reading! I can't wait to read book 2!
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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