I was excited to read this title. Smoke starts off really well. I could imagine the locations and I liked the characters, Charlie and Thomas. At about 30% though, it started to slow down and it was a slog to get through to the end. It felt as though the idea Vyleta had for this book were only 80% formed and needed a little bit longer to develop. Thank you for approving this title for me and I'm sorry it's taken so long to review.

I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Ive posted a full review on Goodreads, I'm looking forward to reading more from this author

There was much to enjoy here, but I found I couldn't connect with it. I'd read more from this author in the future though.

I swapped my kindle back in 2018 and am unable to recover this title. I appriciate the opportunity that was given for review but sadly can't complete it for this title. Many thanks.

Sadly didn't love this book. I couldn't get to grips with the writing style, though I did think that the plot was intriguing. Many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

This book has a fascinating premise. Part historical fiction, part paranormal dystopia, it imagines a Victorian world where sin is visible in the form of an ugly smoke that leaks directly from a person's body. But sorry, I could not finish the book.

Unfortunately, I never got around to reading this book, and have not seen it in stores.

This book has a fascinating premise. Part historical fiction, part paranormal dystopia, it imagines a Victorian world where sin is visible in the form of an ugly smoke that leaks directly from a person's body. Imagine it: your anger, lust and shame displayed for the world to see.

The beginning opens in a rich, upper-class boys' boarding school near Oxford. And, at first, it is compelling. Thomas and Charlie are the protagonists; each likable and sympathetic enough to capture our interest. The narration is mostly third person, but slips into many first person accounts, and the writing style is dense and descriptive, but this suits the setting and atmosphere of the novel.

There's a darkness and fear to this world that keeps the pages turning for the first few chapters. Crazy religious zealots and "innocent" teenage boys are a combination that draws us in.

Unfortunately, though, somewhere towards the end of the first 25%, this book becomes unspeakably dull. It loses its compelling rhythm surrounding the way the smoke is used to punish the boys and the hint at mysteries and lies behind it. Instead, we get pages and pages of description about country life, fancy manors, and characters far less interesting than Thomas and Charlie.

The denseness of the narrative works when paired with a plot that intrigues, but it felt like wading through thick mud when the plot slowed down and nothing was happening. The more time we spent in this slow section (which I'm sure eventually gives way to interesting things again), the less I cared about the story and the fate of the characters.

I tried but sorry not my kind of subject matter - I gave up very early on.

A very interesting execution of a fascinating premise. There were a lot of things happening in this novel, some felt superfluous but not distracting enough to complain about. The underlying message and twist was however, perfect for my dear heart.

A very good fantasy world - had me hooked! The premise is original and unique, and I'd like to see a series.

This book wasn't for me. I started reading it but couldn't get into it at all. i gave up reading it after a short time