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A review by leilaxx
Through Smoke and Sand: The Folly of Wishes by Corrie Hathaway
2.0
Thank you, NetGalley and Tabitha, for reaching out and providing this arc for me.
Initially, from the start of the book, I was hooked. I was curious to read a fantasy novel where the main character's issue arises because of her need to help. The people around her enter a haze where they all suffocate her with problems, and she tries to figure out a solution to drown it all away. So we follow her character choosing between the unknown escape or suffocating in the present. The introduction to her new life was exciting because this premise is a unique one that I have yet to read about. Fairy godmothers with an academic twist. It was a fresh start for me. But the more I continued the book, the more frustrating she became. Lexi though 19, had the thought process of a 13-year-old. Her behaviour and recklessness were all very juvenile acts. It was hard trying to sympathise with her. Character, wise I liked Oliver's character. I enjoyed Harriet and Oliver's personalities and how close their friendship had grown as individuals. I would like to have seen more of Oliver's background. Lexis' inner thoughts, I won't lie, resonated with me at times, and she was pretty funny throughout the novel.
I hoped for a more substantial background to her abilities, the villain's origin, the history behind the godmothers and their individual powers. This is more of a YA fantasy than an adult fantasy. I recommend it if you're looking for a YA light-hearted fantasy novel with friendship, funny characters and an easy read. This is a good choice for a younger audience wanting to dip their toes into fantasy.
Initially, from the start of the book, I was hooked. I was curious to read a fantasy novel where the main character's issue arises because of her need to help. The people around her enter a haze where they all suffocate her with problems, and she tries to figure out a solution to drown it all away. So we follow her character choosing between the unknown escape or suffocating in the present. The introduction to her new life was exciting because this premise is a unique one that I have yet to read about. Fairy godmothers with an academic twist. It was a fresh start for me. But the more I continued the book, the more frustrating she became. Lexi though 19, had the thought process of a 13-year-old. Her behaviour and recklessness were all very juvenile acts. It was hard trying to sympathise with her. Character, wise I liked Oliver's character. I enjoyed Harriet and Oliver's personalities and how close their friendship had grown as individuals. I would like to have seen more of Oliver's background. Lexis' inner thoughts, I won't lie, resonated with me at times, and she was pretty funny throughout the novel.
I hoped for a more substantial background to her abilities, the villain's origin, the history behind the godmothers and their individual powers. This is more of a YA fantasy than an adult fantasy. I recommend it if you're looking for a YA light-hearted fantasy novel with friendship, funny characters and an easy read. This is a good choice for a younger audience wanting to dip their toes into fantasy.