Smoke (Burned #2) by Ellen Hopkins

Published: September 10^th 2013

Pattyn Von Stratten’s father is dead, and Pattyn is on the run. After far too many years of abuse at the hands of her father, and after the tragic loss of her beloved Ethan and their unborn child, Pattyn is desperate for peace.

Only her sister Jackie knows what happened that night, but she is stuck at home with their mother, who clings to normalcy by allowing the truth to be covered up by their domineering community leaders. Her father might be finally gone, but without Pattyn, Jackie is desperately isolated.

Alone and in disguise, Pattyn starts a new life, but is it even possible to rebuild a life when everything you’ve known has burned to ash and lies seem far safer than the truth?

This is Hopkins at her absolute finest. A rich story filled with growth and finding hope in a time of hopelessness.

I absolutely loved that the story is told from the perspective of two sisters. No one has a connection quite like sisters, in their struggles and their triumphs they always hold an echo of eachother. It was believable, and at times inspiring. The contrast between their positions in their lives was powerful, and made the story flow at a perfect pace.

Ellen Hopkins is one of those rare authors with a distinct voice paired with a signature style of prose that always shines through and moves the reader to tears or cheers of happiness. Something about the way the characters, and the support characters were crafted makes them feel as though they were part of our world for the duration of the book.

If you liked Burned, you will be head-over-heels in love with Smoke. I would recommend to read Burned before reading Smoke, as it is not meant to be a stand-alone novel.

I have read everything Ellen Hopkins has written thus far, and I have yet to be disappointed. She always delivers a beautiful story packed with a strong emotional punch and a message of hope in the midst of madness.

A must read.

Thank you, Simon and Schuster Canada for providing the review copy.