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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I couldn't put it down. Great world-building, great character building, well-told; I just got lost in the story. I bought the next installment immediately after finishing this book and can't wait to jump right in.
Even though this is the first in a series, this book felt complete enough -- not a cliff-hanger.I simply love this story and can't wait to find out what happens.
Even though this is the first in a series, this book felt complete enough -- not a cliff-hanger.I simply love this story and can't wait to find out what happens.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Found it to be a bit slow in the beginning, the world building was well written. Got into the story more once found new characters come into play and the end left me wanting to know more. Interested in the next book for sure! Need to know what happens with Lanni, Walsh and also Alec!
Initial Thoughts
I was super excited to find this book in one of my reviewer groups - I really enjoy dystopian stories and honestly, don’t read enough of them.
Some Things I Liked
A unique take on vampires. I thought the premise of how the vampires were created was really interesting. I liked that it was different than traditional vampire stories.
Sci-Fi and science that didn’t bog the story down. I loved that this was a futuristic world but I feel like I didn’t get hung up on the details of the technology or the science. I often find myself distracted with thoughts of “that’s not possible, or that’s dumb” in regard to science elements in futuristic stories but that was not the case here.
One Thing I Wasn’t Crazy About
I wanted more romance. I’ve never been a fan of friends to lovers so I didn’t love the first love interest and I love enemies to lovers but I feel like there wasn’t too much of that in this story.
Series Value
I’d definitely keep reading this series. I want to see if the ship I’m rooting for sails!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a unique / dystopian vampire story, give this series a try!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was super excited to find this book in one of my reviewer groups - I really enjoy dystopian stories and honestly, don’t read enough of them.
Some Things I Liked
A unique take on vampires. I thought the premise of how the vampires were created was really interesting. I liked that it was different than traditional vampire stories.
Sci-Fi and science that didn’t bog the story down. I loved that this was a futuristic world but I feel like I didn’t get hung up on the details of the technology or the science. I often find myself distracted with thoughts of “that’s not possible, or that’s dumb” in regard to science elements in futuristic stories but that was not the case here.
One Thing I Wasn’t Crazy About
I wanted more romance. I’ve never been a fan of friends to lovers so I didn’t love the first love interest and I love enemies to lovers but I feel like there wasn’t too much of that in this story.
Series Value
I’d definitely keep reading this series. I want to see if the ship I’m rooting for sails!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a unique / dystopian vampire story, give this series a try!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! This is the first book from Megan O’Russell I have read and I couldn’t put it down! The book just keeps you guessing! Where did the vampires come from? Who is the mysterious C? Who is their mother’s “friends”?
I absolutely loved Lanni’s character, she is so protective of her sister and in the dark dystopian world the author has made you can see why! There is a lot of world building in this book and the author pulls you in with likeable and mysterious characters that hook you in to the end!
I’m looking forward to reading the next book Soul of Glass!
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommend ✅
I absolutely loved Lanni’s character, she is so protective of her sister and in the dark dystopian world the author has made you can see why! There is a lot of world building in this book and the author pulls you in with likeable and mysterious characters that hook you in to the end!
I’m looking forward to reading the next book Soul of Glass!
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommend ✅
I am not the normal dystopian genre reader. Not at all. I was only drawn to this book by the beautiful cover. It’s a young adult book, but I will say that with some of the violence that is described it may be best for the older young adult readers. It took me a few chapters in to start understanding what was going on and taking place. However, once I was finally into the story it became a page turner and had so many twists and turns I was on the edge of my seat. I loved the main character. I could see a lot of myself in her at that age. I did feel that there were several unresolved issues once I reached the end. Since this was the first series in the installment I am hoping that these issues will be resolved in the next book.
A future dystopian where social unjust is prevalent and vampires roam the night. This book was great! It has a promising plot and a strong female lead which I always love. And I’ll admit I’m a sucker for the “protect your sibling not matter the cost” trope. If done right, it gives the character so much depth and this one didn’t disappoint.
The writing was lovely and helped ignore some cringe moments, such as whenever the main character would trip she would always get caught by the waist instead of her arm…Haha I mean, I get it. It’s all the right stuff for heart flutters but I feel like it happened one too many times.
Besides that, I very much enjoyed it. It was a easy and fun read. I am definitely going to be reading the rest of the books in this series and hopefully that will bring more answers to this world for me.
The writing was lovely and helped ignore some cringe moments, such as whenever the main character would trip she would always get caught by the waist instead of her arm…Haha I mean, I get it. It’s all the right stuff for heart flutters but I feel like it happened one too many times.
Besides that, I very much enjoyed it. It was a easy and fun read. I am definitely going to be reading the rest of the books in this series and hopefully that will bring more answers to this world for me.
*I received a free digital copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Trigger warnings: violence (loss of body parts, burned bodies), swearing
The first book in a new dystopian series that promises darkness and danger, yet also the strongest bond of family.
Herat of Smoke is a YA dystopian novel about social inequality, social injustice, and family bond. Set in the future, the Earth is too polluted to live in, except in the Domes, where privileged residents live in comfort and protection. Lanni is not so lucky. With an always absent mother and no father, Lanni works hard and struggles to keep her family safe in the hostile environment outside the Domes. I find this dystopian setting decent and interesting (especially when I learn how vampires came to be – Wow). A fiction addressing inequality and environmental damages is just what the world needs right now.
The plot was a bit dull at first (maybe that’s because I was still trying to understand the setting), but it caught up and became fast-paced, with twists and turns that made me keep reading. I soon found myself devouring the book, always wanting to know what happened next. I love Lanni’s determination to protect her little sister, no matter the cause. For a 17-years-old, she is a bit immature at times, throwing tantrums and making hast decisions, and that can be a bit annoying. Yet, her protective love for her sister is so touching. I love how she loves and cares for her family so much that she is willing to sacrifice herself. It also makes me a bit sad that such a young soul like her is forced to be mature so quickly.
However, there were so many loose ends. A POV other than Lanni’s was never explained. There were just too many loose ends to be merely a “cliffhanger.” I enjoyed reading it, but I felt empty after I finished it, like the book was incomplete and should have more. All things considered, Heart of Smoke is a quick and fun read. I would be interested in reading a sequel.
Trigger warnings: violence (loss of body parts, burned bodies), swearing
The first book in a new dystopian series that promises darkness and danger, yet also the strongest bond of family.
Herat of Smoke is a YA dystopian novel about social inequality, social injustice, and family bond. Set in the future, the Earth is too polluted to live in, except in the Domes, where privileged residents live in comfort and protection. Lanni is not so lucky. With an always absent mother and no father, Lanni works hard and struggles to keep her family safe in the hostile environment outside the Domes. I find this dystopian setting decent and interesting (especially when I learn how vampires came to be – Wow). A fiction addressing inequality and environmental damages is just what the world needs right now.
The plot was a bit dull at first (maybe that’s because I was still trying to understand the setting), but it caught up and became fast-paced, with twists and turns that made me keep reading. I soon found myself devouring the book, always wanting to know what happened next. I love Lanni’s determination to protect her little sister, no matter the cause. For a 17-years-old, she is a bit immature at times, throwing tantrums and making hast decisions, and that can be a bit annoying. Yet, her protective love for her sister is so touching. I love how she loves and cares for her family so much that she is willing to sacrifice herself. It also makes me a bit sad that such a young soul like her is forced to be mature so quickly.
However, there were so many loose ends. A POV other than Lanni’s was never explained. There were just too many loose ends to be merely a “cliffhanger.” I enjoyed reading it, but I felt empty after I finished it, like the book was incomplete and should have more. All things considered, Heart of Smoke is a quick and fun read. I would be interested in reading a sequel.