Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Warring kingdom sequel not as compelling as Book 1.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In LADY SMOKE, Theodosia and Soren are picked up by the pirate Dragonsbane's ship after their escape from Soren's father, the Kaiser. Dragonsbane has a plan for Theo to win back Astrea from the Kaiser: marry her off to an eligible leader with money and troops to fight him. Theo isn't thrilled -- by tradition, Astrean queens do not marry -- but is willing to meet suitors and decide. So they sail to the desert kingdom of Sta'Crivero where King Etristo has gathered numerous royal suitors for a price. The kingdom is modern and affluent and Theo begins to get caught up in the spectacle of being on display in ball gowns. But that all changes when she visits her Astrean people in the refugee camps. People are starving and stuck behind walls unless they're called upon for cheap labor. That prompts Theo to decide on a suitor who can help save her people. But moments before she can extend an offer, her best prospect is poisoned in front of her.
Is It Any Good?
With far too much reflection and dialogue and far too little immediate action, this sequel fails to maintain the same visceral, absorbing energy as the first book. This sophomore effort of author Laura Sebastian falls into all the sequel traps, the worst being a long wait to the final action. Theo sits in a foreign palace not wanting to get married for hundreds of pages. When she gets out among her people in the refugee camps, she's moved to action, but so slowly that the reader will know what the plan should have been a whole lot sooner.
Lady Smoke is also slowed down by its main character's lengthy reflections. Many of this commentary feels redundant, as it's shown through the actions of the characters. The rest should have been shown this way to pull the story forward. It's so much better to show than tell, and it adds an immediacy for the reader. And when we get to the end, the expected battle, readers are also watching from a distance. Let's hope Sebastian comes back to the excitement she found in Ash Princess for her final installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the refugees in Lady Smoke. How are they treated by the country that took them in? What stigma do they face? Do you think there are enough resources for them?
Theodosia is willing to sacrifice her own happiness to marry someone who can help save her kingdom. What injustices does she face in the bargain? How are the standards different for women marrying for power and men?
Will you read the next in the series? What do you think is in store for Theodosia?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Pirates
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : February 5, 2019
- Number of pages : 512
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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