Smoke By Ellen Hopkins

Smoke

By Ellen Hopkins

Published Sept. 10, 2013

Published by McElderry Books

543 pages

Sequel to burned

5 Stars

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?

Opening Thoughts

I went into this book knowing I would love it. Her first book in the series was so amazing that I knew the sequel would be just as good. I thought Burned was finished when I was done crying over it but I was so glad to find out she had another book about it. I knew I was going to cry in this book because of how much Burned had crushed my soul. I was right because by the time the climax hit I was in tears reading just to see what happened. I went into this book confident it would give me what I wanted and I was not disappointed. 

Characters

In the first book I fell in love with Pattyn and I was excited to see her again in Smoke. It was not all from her point of view though. When I found out that her sister, Jackie,was narrating part of the story I felt a little unsure about it. The impression I got of her from the first book was that she was a good mormon girl was was nothing like Pattyn. I was wrong though, I fell in love with her story as much as her sister's. I really did not like their mom at all. She was to dependent on her husband, soft, but the biggest thing about it is how she threw Jackie under the bus. No one should ever do that to their child. I could fell how betrayed Jackie felt after she found out the truth. She kind of redeemed herself at the end of the book but I don't think it was enough to make up for what she did.  Then you have Angel from Pattyn's side of the story. I did not love him as much as Ethan from the first book. He really didn't strike me as an important character until close to the climax. I never got any real characterization from him either. She tells us he's a poet and romantic but nothing else really. I would like to learn more about him considering he was really important in the end of the book. The biggest character flaw though is Deirdre. I knew she was going to do something but I never thought it would be like what she really did. I never saw her as someone who would be a big part in the climax. Then you never hear anything about her after that. Also you have a big questions on why she was doing what she was doing. There was never any explication on any of that. I would have really like to have known about what provoked her to. Besides her, all the characters have mostly met my expectations for the book. 

Plot

My favorite part about this how the climax sneaks up you. It always seems like a normal scene until you know it's happening. Though, for me it was too similar to the climax in Burned. I would be nice if it was a little bit different. Also, I can see how some people can find some slow parts in the book. It never really bothered me because of the suspense, but I could see how it would bother someone. One other problem is that it's written in verse. It didn't bother me a lot but I could see where it can bother someone. I know people who would not be able to read it just because it's in verse format. In addition, this book could also have some religious issues. I have a friend who has a lot of mormon pride and I would never recommend this book to her. She would have a freak out and yell at me for reading and liking such a bad book.So just be aware that it might be a little insulting. In conclusion, I didn't have that many problems with the plot line but there are somethings that might bug some people.


Overall, the book really stole my heart. If I had to chose between burned and smoke I would chose burned. For me most of the time sequels are not as good as the first book. The characters again are my favorite part in the book. I loved her sister just as much as I loved her. I hope she can make a third book about everyone again. I highly recommend the book.

Hope you keep reading,
Grace