A review by lezreadalot
Smoke & Ashes by Alexis Hall

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.