Scan barcode
A review by jdglasgow
Smoke by Joe Ide
4.0
I’m disappointed that I’m through with the IQ series (for now—it’s clear that a sixth one is in the works), but feel good about SMOKE, the fifth offering. It doesn’t so much pay off the “redemption” arc I saw building from HI FIVE, but there are plenty of tense action moments which are a lot of fun and that’s kind of enough, I guess?
One thing I noticed in this book, though it maybe was present in earlier installments, was how much of the book wasn’t centered on Isaiah. Between his chapters there were multiple dedicated to Dodson’s exploits in advertising, Grace encountering Skip Hanson, Deronda’s legal issues, and TK’s new relationship with Gloria. It’s really become an ensemble.
There’s still a lot that’s kind of silly, but for the most part it all works together toward the end, unlike the loose threads of HI FIVE, and I was bothered by dialogue that feels too *written* at times, but these criticisms aside I was hooked. I particularly liked Dodson’s repeated successes in his advertising internship even though I’m beginning to wonder how many times he’s going to realize his own worth.
I guess another thing that bothers me is that Sheriff Cannon, introduced being blatantly racist, is seemingly redeemed by the end despite never making any changes to his character; in fact, at one point Isaiah/Ide excuses his use of excessive force as understandable heightened emotions. But for the most part Cannon is an obstacle, and Isaiah’s attempts to work with and around him—while Cannon erroneously thinks Isaiah is a criminal—are thrilling. Isaiah’s planned meeting with Cannon in a parking lot, followed by a foot chase through the woods, is a high point.
I faulted the early books in the series for having forgettable villains. Things are pared down here, with a pair of serial killers as the primary antagonist and driver of the plot. They’re certainly memorable and the climactic campsite battle is another very powerful and tense moment.
The last thing I want to highlight is that I am loving the way these books are taking Isaiah’s PTSD seriously. Too often in pieces of entertainment like this the gravity of what the characters have experienced is not developed. Seeing somebody killed in front of you is scarring. It makes sense that all of what he has experienced would haunt him. The idea that the book lands on in the end—that Isaiah *needs* danger to keep the PTSD at bay, like a junkie who *needs* a fix to function (e.g. Bobby James’ sister)—is an interesting take, and feels like it provides a lot of opportunities for Isaiah’s slide to go deeper. How reckless will he become to get his high?
I’m eager to find out. Book 6 can’t come soon enough.
One thing I noticed in this book, though it maybe was present in earlier installments, was how much of the book wasn’t centered on Isaiah. Between his chapters there were multiple dedicated to Dodson’s exploits in advertising, Grace encountering Skip Hanson, Deronda’s legal issues, and TK’s new relationship with Gloria. It’s really become an ensemble.
There’s still a lot that’s kind of silly, but for the most part it all works together toward the end, unlike the loose threads of HI FIVE, and I was bothered by dialogue that feels too *written* at times, but these criticisms aside I was hooked. I particularly liked Dodson’s repeated successes in his advertising internship even though I’m beginning to wonder how many times he’s going to realize his own worth.
I guess another thing that bothers me is that Sheriff Cannon, introduced being blatantly racist, is seemingly redeemed by the end despite never making any changes to his character; in fact, at one point Isaiah/Ide excuses his use of excessive force as understandable heightened emotions. But for the most part Cannon is an obstacle, and Isaiah’s attempts to work with and around him—while Cannon erroneously thinks Isaiah is a criminal—are thrilling. Isaiah’s planned meeting with Cannon in a parking lot, followed by a foot chase through the woods, is a high point.
I faulted the early books in the series for having forgettable villains. Things are pared down here, with a pair of serial killers as the primary antagonist and driver of the plot. They’re certainly memorable and the climactic campsite battle is another very powerful and tense moment.
The last thing I want to highlight is that I am loving the way these books are taking Isaiah’s PTSD seriously. Too often in pieces of entertainment like this the gravity of what the characters have experienced is not developed. Seeing somebody killed in front of you is scarring. It makes sense that all of what he has experienced would haunt him. The idea that the book lands on in the end—that Isaiah *needs* danger to keep the PTSD at bay, like a junkie who *needs* a fix to function (e.g. Bobby James’ sister)—is an interesting take, and feels like it provides a lot of opportunities for Isaiah’s slide to go deeper. How reckless will he become to get his high?
I’m eager to find out. Book 6 can’t come soon enough.