Review of 'Lady Smoke'

The Kaiser murdered Theodosia's mother, the Fire Queen, when Theo was only six. He took Theo's country and kept her prisoner, crowning her Ash Princess—a pet to toy with and humiliate for ten long years. That era has ended. The Kaiser thought his prisoner weak and defenseless. He didn't realize that a sharp mind is the deadliest weapon.

Theo no longer wears a crown of ashes. She has taken back her rightful title, and a hostage—Prinz Soren. But her people remain enslaved under the Kaiser's rule, and now she is thousands of miles away from them and her throne.

To get them back, she will need an army. Only, securing an army means she must trust her aunt, the dreaded pirate Dragonsbane. And according to Dragonsbane, an army can only be produced if Theo takes a husband. Something an Astrean Queen has never done.

Theo knows that freedom comes at a price, but she is determined to find a way to save her country without losing herself.

Review

Lady Smoke continues Theo’s journey to reclaim her kingdom as she filters out her enemies and figures out who is truly on her side.

Storytelling

Let me begin by saying I did like Lady Smoke. However, I felt like it fell into the trap most series’ do. When it comes to trilogies, it is often the second novel that makes or breaks a reader’s interest in continuing. Authors can start with a bang, but the second novel tends to falter, becoming more like filler.

That is the trap Lady Smoke fell into. Unlike the first novel, Ash Princess, which was more plot-driven, by taking to the sea, Lady Smoke is more character driven. Not much happens in the book, or that’s how it feels.

Lady Smoke is slow compared to its predecessor, making it a challenging read when you come down from the high stakes and tension of the first novel. However, Theo is navigating her new role as princess and hero, not captive. In some ways, she reminds me of Sansa, constantly used as a ploy in someone else’s plot but always watching, always learning. It is a chess game and one she is learning how to master. And that is why you’re reading, to see Theo grow and master the game, to become the hero her people need her to be.

Dynamics

Alongside Theo’s character development, we see more growth in the side characters. There wasn’t much character development for these characters in the first novel due to the structure, so this was the chance Sebastian needed to flush out these characters.

We learn more about Dragonsbane and Artemisia, Theo’s aunt and cousin. Dragonsbane may look like her mother, but her attitude and how she treats her niece show how bitter she has become. All her anger for her sister, for dying, for leaving their country undefended, has left her angry and resentful. Moreover, it is reflected in the way she treats her daughter. Artemisia lost her brother when they were both captured and put to work in the mines. Dragonsbane lost a son. As a result, their relationship is strained, leaving Artemisia hard around the edges. But she is eager to help her cousin; she is keen to bond with Theo.

Theo learns from both, shifting the characters’ dynamics and allowing for more character growth.

Final Thoughts

Lady Smoke is a good sequel, allowing for more character development. And even though the story’s pacing lacks and seems like filler, it is memorable and allows for a strong opening to the final act.

• Writing Quality : 8/10
• Character Development : 9/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 7/10
• Intellectual Depth: 9/10
• Originality: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 4 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.