A review by pagesofplatypus
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson

tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Another knock-out from Tiffany D. Jackson! A haunted house horror that will have you thinking one it's going one way and then another and another.

Mari is a flawed protagonist, dealing with anxiety, obsession/trauma of bedbugs, and weed addiction. Nevertheless, she's still a character you root for as her house becomes more and more haunted. Once again you kind of want to slap the adults because they. do. not. listen!

So the annoying adults and the abrupt (in my eyes) ending are the only reasons I have for giving this a 4.75 instead of a full 5.

I read a good portion of this at night and would say it's on the creepy/eerie side rather than full-on scary, nor is it a gore fest. However, since Mari is absolutely terrified of bedbugs there are a lot of detailed descriptions of bed bugs so if you're squeamish about bugs as I am proceed with caution.

And one last thing for sensitive souls:

Breathe easy because the dog does live

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