A review by doindevthings
Smoke and Scar by Gretchen Powell Fox

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

If you’re needing a break from the usual “he’s hundreds of years old and she’s barely 18” trope, this is the book you need to read next. The main character, Elyria, is a 261 year old pansexual fae who is a total badass and shadow mommy. Her love interest, Cedric, is a 28 year old knight who is a brooding, inner softie, and master swordsman. 

The story features deadly trials, found family, and a slow-burn romance that evolves from enemies, to allies, to lovers. It’s packed with action and keeps you on your toes from start to finish. The plot twists at the end had my jaw on the floor.

This book was absolutely incredible and there wasn’t a single dull moment. I quickly fell in love with the diverse cast of characters, each with unique personalities, abilities, and appearances. The worldbuilding was stunning, with vivid, beautifully descriptive writing that pulled me in completely.

I’m usually not a fan of such a slow-burn romance, but it worked so well here. The tension between Elyria and Cedric was intense, and I can’t wait to see more of their story unfold in the next two books.

I so badly wanted to apply for the next ARC, but unfortunately missed the deadline due to illness. Still, I’m counting down the days until the next book releases this fall!
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