Review #312: Smoke- Ellen Hopkins

Title: Smoke
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Series: Burned #2
Pages: 543
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Summary: 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?
Review: I love Ellen Hopkins' books and I loved Burned so when I saw that the sequel had came out I needed it. This one is just as good as the first, it has both love and loss, plus we get to see some backstory. Also we find out some other things that we may not have known about otherwise. I really despise the girls mom in this book. She is such a coward ( well has really always been one) and I can't believe the shit that she pulls. I really want to smack her. I mean she finally redeems herself at the end but was pretty much forced into it. Deirdre was such an uncomfortable character and now I know why, she just gave me the worst feeling from the get go. She was a bomb ready to explode. Now after what happened I still want more. I know that Hokpins didn't even plan on writing this book so it's not looking good for a third now but one can hope. I think everyone who enjoys Ellen Hopkins' writing should pick this book up and also those looking for an amazing contemporary that isn't the typical fluffy young adult read.

About this author

Ellen Hopkins is the New York Times bestselling author of Crank, Burned, Impulse, Glass, Identical, Tricks,Fallout, Perfect, Triangles, Tilt, and Collateral. She lives in Carson City, Nevada, with her husband and son. Hopkin's Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest pages get thousands of hits from teens who claim Hopkins is the "only one who understands me", and she can be visited at ellenhopkins.com.

Like most of you here, books are my life. Reading is a passion, but writing is the biggest part of me. Balance is my greatest challenge, as I love my family, friends, animals and home, but also love traveling to meet my readers. Hope I meet many of you soon!