Though “Bright Smoke, Cold Fire” wasn’t what I initially expected, it turned out to be a unique read.
Runajo, a Sister of the Thorn, is convinced that her city is in real danger, but no one else sees the threat or agrees to help her. During her investigations, she accidentally saves a girl named Juliet from death. Juliet isn’t just any girl; she’s the protector of her clan. Romeo, the man Juliet loves, is kept apart from her because of feuding gangs. Then there’s Paris, Juliet’s guardian, who feels responsible for her death.
These four characters are about to unearth dangerous secrets where death lurks.
Although I’d had Rosamund Hodge’s novels on my reading list for a while, I hadn’t picked one up until now. This new novel grabbed my attention, and I was eager to read “Bright Smoke, Cold Fire.” Stepping into this book, I was met with a mix of content and emotions, and it quickly became clear that this isn’t a straightforward retelling of Romeo and Juliet. The author takes creative liberties to present variations we haven’t seen before.
Shakespeare’s language is something I struggle with, but the tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet has always intrigued me. Recently, Julian Fellowes’ adaptation revived the story in an engaging way. “Bright Smoke, Cold Fire” captures the essence of the ill-fated romance without being just another retelling. This unique approach was surprising.
What stood out most was how separate the characters and their stories felt. The book keeps Romeo and Juliet apart for more than half of its length, diverting from a romantic storyline. We only see Romeo and Juliet together in occasional flashbacks. The narrative primarily focuses on Runajo and Paris, though Runajo is closely linked to Juliet, and Paris teams up with Romeo in a separate quest. This structure made the story complex and sometimes hard to follow, but it could have been due to my scattered attention.
The writing itself is poetic and beautiful, and the ending, while satisfying, left me curious for more. According to Hodge’s website, this is the first book in a duology. If you’ve enjoyed her previous novels, like “Cruel Beauty” and “Crimson Bound,” you’re likely to enjoy “Bright Smoke, Cold Fire.”
“Bright Smoke, Cold Fire” will be available on September 27th wherever books are sold.
For those looking for a good pairing, a film adaptation would pair well with this book, especially any version of Romeo and Juliet you prefer.
Overall Rating: Hello, Gorgeous.
Romance Rating: Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.
Book Info:
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Balzar + Bray (HarperCollins)
Genre: YA Fiction, Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Re-telling
Author Website: Rosamund Hodge
Thanks to HarperCollins for the complimentary review copy of “Bright Smoke, Cold Fire,” sent for review consideration.
