Monday, August 29, 2016

Review: Bright Smoke Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Bright Smoke Cold Fire
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Series: Book One (series untitled)
Published By: Balzer & Bray (September 27, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched.

The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.

Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.

Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.


Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . . . 








What we've all come to love, trust, and even respect about Hodge's writing is her ability to weave a familiar tale, put a beautifully dark twist on it and make it all her own and her latest release is no exception to her brilliance.

Wonderfully told with twists around ever bend including the very fact that this tale is not told from Juliet and her Romeo's point of view but instead from Paris and Runajo, our hero and heroine of the story. Don't get me wrong, Juliet and Romeo play a very big part in this story, but this story isn't all about them nor their star crossed love. After all, if it was, how ordinary would that be? And if Hodge has taught us anything over the years, it is that her writing is anything bur ordinary.

Rich is detail, imaginative, creative, and wonderfully dark, this tale will leave your imagination running wild, your expectations high and most of all by the end, leave you longing for the rest of the story. 









*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or the publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

42 comments:

  1. This sounds really good - thanks for putting it my radar :)

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and checking it out!

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  2. Looks good!! So glad it worked for you. This author's books are always so original :D

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    1. They are and so dark too, I love that about them. ;)

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  3. This is new to me, thanks for sharing. I'm glad it was great!

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    1. Thanks so much Tyler! She always has original takes on classic fairytales.

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  4. Oh I didn't realize she had another series. Love that cover!! Great review!

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  5. Oh Kindlemom I love the concept of this one its going on my list! Great review

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  6. I haven't had much luck with her first novel, but I started this one and the writing is just lovely. I look forward to reading it.

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    1. So glad you are liking it so far, hopefully it continues that way. ;)

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  7. Great review! I haven't read anything by this author but I've heard such good things. This one sounds fantastic!!

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    1. They are fun because they are so different from the normal re-tellings.

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  8. That sounds very interesting :)

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  9. Great pick!! I haven't read any of this author's books, but I need to. This one sounds so amazing!

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  10. Not gonna lie, I haven't had any appetite for her books but this one is just right up my alley! Love me some undead. Lol. Great review, Ali!

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  11. I adore Hodge's writing, so I can't wait to read this. Great review!

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  12. Oh interesting! I like that it's not in Romeo and Juliet's POV but they are still characters.

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  13. This sounds great, glad you enjoy it, the POV twist on the story really intrigues me. Great Review!

    Tori @ In Tori Lex

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  14. SWEET! I have this coming up in my tbr and now I cannot wait to get to it. I also love her writing.

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  15. Sounds like and interesting take on the Romeo and Juliet story. Is this one an actual romance then (since I don't consider R&J a romance at all, but a tragedy. I know some people feel differently) Glad you enjoyed it.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. It's part of a series but I think it will end up being more of a tragedy as well.

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  16. Glad to see you got to read and enjoy the book that was once among your WOW selection.

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  17. I am not big on re-telling's but I am glad this was a good one for you. Romeo and Juliet was always my favorite Shakespeare story but so tragic! Still, I loved the romance. Great review Ali!

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    1. It was tragic but yes, the romance was good too.

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  18. I think I'll start this one next. I was going to set it aside, but then remembered it's by this author.

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  19. I've loved the cover of this one since I first saw it, and it does sound good. When I first read the blurb I thought Romeo and Juliet retelling, but it looks like it's more than that. And the reviews are pretty good too! I might have to try this one.

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    1. All her covers for her books are fantastic and it is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet with a lot of twists along the way. I hope you read it and enjoy it. :D

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  20. Very clever about the perspective. I have yet to try this author but love the darker aspects.

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    1. That is what drew me to her work Anyone can do a retelling but putting your own spins on them and darker ones at that, it always fun and more unique.

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