A review by jackelz
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson

dark mysterious medium-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
This was creepy AF. That’s it. That’s my review. 
 
Tiffany D. Jackson is an auto-buy author for me. What I love most about her books is that she brings up some seriously heavy topics but doesn’t do the thinking for you. 
 
In White Smoke, Jackson brings up how marijuana laws, mass incarceration, and gentrification disproportionally affect people of color. These laws have sent a majority of the town’s population to jail. None of these issues are fully addressed, because BIPOC are exhausted, and that’s not the plot of the story. Jackson just plants ideas in your head and inspires you to do the work. 
 
I loved Mari’s character development. She had a lot of shit to figure out, and the creepy new house didn’t help matters. Sammy was the best little brother. And I loved the platonic friendship between Yusef and Mari. 
 
Also, can we talk about Piper for a sec? She was the absolute worst. I know this was done intentionally, but I just can’t get over how much I disliked her as a character. She was a snobby, little (white) brat and she got away with everything. 
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