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The Revere Trilogy #1
Smoke and Other Storms
Welcome to the Rim.
Come seek your fortune in a paradise of endless sun. Land is cheap and the possibilities endless, where the edge of the map meets the end.
The mining campaigns always forget a few details. Moon Season makes storms volatile. You’re more likely to be killed by your neighbor than strike a crystal vein, and there’s only one name you should bother knowing around here: Revere.
Moira and her granddaughter Adelaide are professionals. Smugglers, thieves, and arms dealers, the Revere women have lifted their family business from the dust, and with their train they’ve become the most notorious gang in the territory.
After an accident damages her sister’s eyes, Adelaide finds an opportunity that will not only pay for a sight-saving operation but pull the family from the shadows of the back market for good. Accompanied by her sisters, Adelaide guides a survey crew into the uncharted West Rim –a poisonous desert concealing untapped riches– with the full intent to claim the fortune for themselves.
But when Moira learns a bounty has been placed on the family, she discovers a deeper plan already in motion that will change the Rim forever.
CIBA OZMA FINALIST (2022) for Fantasy Fiction
Feathered Quill Book Award FINALIST (2023) for Debut Author & Science Fiction
RONE Nominee (2023) for Fantasy
Come seek your fortune in a paradise of endless sun. Land is cheap and the possibilities endless, where the edge of the map meets the end.
The mining campaigns always forget a few details. Moon Season makes storms volatile. You’re more likely to be killed by your neighbor than strike a crystal vein, and there’s only one name you should bother knowing around here: Revere.
Moira and her granddaughter Adelaide are professionals. Smugglers, thieves, and arms dealers, the Revere women have lifted their family business from the dust, and with their train they’ve become the most notorious gang in the territory.
After an accident damages her sister’s eyes, Adelaide finds an opportunity that will not only pay for a sight-saving operation but pull the family from the shadows of the back market for good. Accompanied by her sisters, Adelaide guides a survey crew into the uncharted West Rim –a poisonous desert concealing untapped riches– with the full intent to claim the fortune for themselves.
But when Moira learns a bounty has been placed on the family, she discovers a deeper plan already in motion that will change the Rim forever.
CIBA OZMA FINALIST (2022) for Fantasy Fiction
Feathered Quill Book Award FINALIST (2023) for Debut Author & Science Fiction
RONE Nominee (2023) for Fantasy
466 pages, ebook
Published June 7, 2022
23 people are currently reading
1502 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Delavega
3 books46 followersJ.L. Delavega is the award-winning author of feminist bloodbath THE REVERE TRILOGY.
Her work has been recognized for its unique blend of western gothic meets dark fantasy and horror. Smoke and Other Storms has been nominated for several awards and won the Reader’s Favorite silver medal for western fiction (2024).
She lives in the desert and could say she makes all her own clothes but that would be a lie.
Find her on:
www.jldelavega.com
Instagram: @ninjenaiyauthor
Threads: @ninjenaiyauthor
Her work has been recognized for its unique blend of western gothic meets dark fantasy and horror. Smoke and Other Storms has been nominated for several awards and won the Reader’s Favorite silver medal for western fiction (2024).
She lives in the desert and could say she makes all her own clothes but that would be a lie.
Find her on:
www.jldelavega.com
Instagram: @ninjenaiyauthor
Threads: @ninjenaiyauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 5, 2022
“Smoke and Other Storms” is a most surprising and edgy frontier survival adventure!
Read full review in the 2022 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2022 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 2, 2022
5 Brilliant Alkaline Stars!
There are 6 reasons to read and celebrate this book. They are Adelaide, Moira, Tesla, Vesta, Leagan, and Navy. The Revere women, and notorious gang of outlaws.
Welcome to the Rim, where even the toughest men who try to survive the frontier will need to pay them for protection.
They are 6 of the strongest and most courageous women you'll ever meet on the pages of fiction. They are women owning their power in a brutal reality where men write the rules of a lawless country. Every woman who reads Smoke and Other Storms will find a spark of themselves in these phenomenal characters.
With Smoke and Other Storms, J.L. Delavega has achieved the perfection of what feels like a new genre of fiction. It's brave, intelligent, trailblazing writing at it's best.
The story is told from the POV of two characters. Adelaide (aka the Stranger) and her Grandma, Moira (the Revere gang's leader).
Adelaide's is a new kind of character with elements of every well written western outlaw - and SO much more. She has otherworldly traits that give her a deadly edge, and she's fiercely loyal to the women in her family. That alone makes her a force to be reckoned with.
"People who notice things push me to the next level of defensive. I notice things. And I'm not the kind of person I'd recommend trusting."
The descriptions of characters, places, and action are fascinating and so exceptionally vivid! The stark and often desolate landscape of Delavega's well crafted world is breathtaking. Especially under the night auras and stars.
The momentum of suspense in Smoke and Other Storms is gripping and riveting. The revelations, and twists and turns, aren't just surprising, they are powerfully illuminating. Especially when Moira's POV occasionally gives us backstory. Her words reveal a history that explains the motivation of the women in the present and makes you want to stand with them as they fight for their future and what they believe in.
It's a wild adventurous ride with the Revere gang on the rails and on horseback through the West Rim, a place where ghosts (even feral ones) haunt the bones of deserted places under the hot sun and dry terrain.
I mean, who doesn't love a shoot-out on a fast moving train? Leagan can customize me a weapon and Navy can make me the explosives. I'll jump the couplings between train cars along with Adelaide, and stand with Moira and Vesta, while Tesla pushes the engine to its limits.
This novel contains elements of so many different types of fiction - western, historical fiction, gaslamp fantasy, and so on. And I think many readers will make comparisons with popular shows like Westworld. But I maintain that this story is something altogether NEW and unique among all fiction.
Strong women drive this story. Delavega courageously gave them each a voice that makes you sit up and listen when they speak, or draw their weapons. I wouldn't turn my back on any of them. And I'd sure as hell want them on my side in a gunfight.
This book packs one powerful emotional punch. I don't know how I'll come back from this one. I've been blinded by the brilliance of the sun reflecting off the glittering Salt Waste of the Rim.
I am SO happy I read this. THANK YOU, J.L. Delavega for sharing the start of a wonderful, trailblazing series. I can't wait to ride with the Revere gang again!
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving this review.
There are 6 reasons to read and celebrate this book. They are Adelaide, Moira, Tesla, Vesta, Leagan, and Navy. The Revere women, and notorious gang of outlaws.
Welcome to the Rim, where even the toughest men who try to survive the frontier will need to pay them for protection.
They are 6 of the strongest and most courageous women you'll ever meet on the pages of fiction. They are women owning their power in a brutal reality where men write the rules of a lawless country. Every woman who reads Smoke and Other Storms will find a spark of themselves in these phenomenal characters.
With Smoke and Other Storms, J.L. Delavega has achieved the perfection of what feels like a new genre of fiction. It's brave, intelligent, trailblazing writing at it's best.
The story is told from the POV of two characters. Adelaide (aka the Stranger) and her Grandma, Moira (the Revere gang's leader).
Adelaide's is a new kind of character with elements of every well written western outlaw - and SO much more. She has otherworldly traits that give her a deadly edge, and she's fiercely loyal to the women in her family. That alone makes her a force to be reckoned with.
"People who notice things push me to the next level of defensive. I notice things. And I'm not the kind of person I'd recommend trusting."
The descriptions of characters, places, and action are fascinating and so exceptionally vivid! The stark and often desolate landscape of Delavega's well crafted world is breathtaking. Especially under the night auras and stars.
The momentum of suspense in Smoke and Other Storms is gripping and riveting. The revelations, and twists and turns, aren't just surprising, they are powerfully illuminating. Especially when Moira's POV occasionally gives us backstory. Her words reveal a history that explains the motivation of the women in the present and makes you want to stand with them as they fight for their future and what they believe in.
It's a wild adventurous ride with the Revere gang on the rails and on horseback through the West Rim, a place where ghosts (even feral ones) haunt the bones of deserted places under the hot sun and dry terrain.
I mean, who doesn't love a shoot-out on a fast moving train? Leagan can customize me a weapon and Navy can make me the explosives. I'll jump the couplings between train cars along with Adelaide, and stand with Moira and Vesta, while Tesla pushes the engine to its limits.
This novel contains elements of so many different types of fiction - western, historical fiction, gaslamp fantasy, and so on. And I think many readers will make comparisons with popular shows like Westworld. But I maintain that this story is something altogether NEW and unique among all fiction.
Strong women drive this story. Delavega courageously gave them each a voice that makes you sit up and listen when they speak, or draw their weapons. I wouldn't turn my back on any of them. And I'd sure as hell want them on my side in a gunfight.
This book packs one powerful emotional punch. I don't know how I'll come back from this one. I've been blinded by the brilliance of the sun reflecting off the glittering Salt Waste of the Rim.
I am SO happy I read this. THANK YOU, J.L. Delavega for sharing the start of a wonderful, trailblazing series. I can't wait to ride with the Revere gang again!
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving this review.
June 24, 2022
SMOKE AND OTHER STORMS is in a category of its own, which I've termed: Literary Feminist Weird Western Science Fiction. Okay, technically this is not the Weird version of the American West "as we knew it" (a subgenre I adore), but when you read, you will see that its desert-and-mountains-and-mining-and-rocks setting is akin, if not identical, to the American Wild West in the 19th century, even to the Westerners' disdain for eastern city rubes.
It's also strongly and strikingly feminist (I loved that!) and also strongly on the side of supporting Differences and Divergence, so resounding cheers for the promotion of these themes. This is a rereader for certain, and excitingly, Book One in a Trilogy! Can't wait!
It's also strongly and strikingly feminist (I loved that!) and also strongly on the side of supporting Differences and Divergence, so resounding cheers for the promotion of these themes. This is a rereader for certain, and excitingly, Book One in a Trilogy! Can't wait!
June 26, 2023
Brutal as the desert. This novel leaves the reader parched and thirsting for more.
The Rim is a place where only the strong survive. The Revere women know this all too well. And they've made it their business to survive. The infamous band of outlaw women, having risen from the ashes of a life lived by the rules of others, now answer to no one. They're as tough as the land they operate in and twice as unforgiving. But they're efficient, successful, and their reputation as being amongst the greatest smugglers in the Rim precedes itself.
But some jobs are too good to be true. When Adelaide, the eldest of the Revere granddaughters, happens upon a job that promises to be so lucrative that not only will they be able to afford to fix her sister's eyesight but potentially even retire from their life of crime, the girls are all too eager to venture forth. The job? Guiding a survey crew far into the depths of the Western Rim and to the hopeful location of a long abandoned mining town. The events that lead to Eden's downfall are shrouded in myth and legend and the tales of its abandoned riches are tempting to say the least.
But as Adelaide and her sisters set out to accompany the expedition deep into the heart of the wasteland, a hefty bounty ends up placed on all their heads and it all seems a little too convenient to be a coincidence. But only time will tell if the Reveres are able to weather the coming storm and continue to do what they have done best: survive.
What a ride! This was a book I just couldn't put down. The mix of gritty, brutal western combined with the feelings of steampunk science that Delavega has woven into her tale of family survival against the odds made for the perfect setting. From the moment I began reading the sense of desolation and desperation that is a constant for those living on the Rim was felt deep in my soul. The Revere women are all tough as nails and take no quarter. Yet the love they share for each other permeates every page. These are women who have walked through flames and come out stronger again and again.
The pace of the novel was pretty steady. I never really felt like there was a moment where things popped off suddenly. There was just this strong steady build-up of pressure that was so very subtle. I didn't realize I was reaching the climax until it was too late and then all I could do was brace myself and hang on for the ride.
I was left with so many more questions than answers. I cannot wait to read book two. I need to see where the rest of this story goes. I have a thirst for Vengeance and it must be sated.
The Rim is a place where only the strong survive. The Revere women know this all too well. And they've made it their business to survive. The infamous band of outlaw women, having risen from the ashes of a life lived by the rules of others, now answer to no one. They're as tough as the land they operate in and twice as unforgiving. But they're efficient, successful, and their reputation as being amongst the greatest smugglers in the Rim precedes itself.
But some jobs are too good to be true. When Adelaide, the eldest of the Revere granddaughters, happens upon a job that promises to be so lucrative that not only will they be able to afford to fix her sister's eyesight but potentially even retire from their life of crime, the girls are all too eager to venture forth. The job? Guiding a survey crew far into the depths of the Western Rim and to the hopeful location of a long abandoned mining town. The events that lead to Eden's downfall are shrouded in myth and legend and the tales of its abandoned riches are tempting to say the least.
But as Adelaide and her sisters set out to accompany the expedition deep into the heart of the wasteland, a hefty bounty ends up placed on all their heads and it all seems a little too convenient to be a coincidence. But only time will tell if the Reveres are able to weather the coming storm and continue to do what they have done best: survive.
What a ride! This was a book I just couldn't put down. The mix of gritty, brutal western combined with the feelings of steampunk science that Delavega has woven into her tale of family survival against the odds made for the perfect setting. From the moment I began reading the sense of desolation and desperation that is a constant for those living on the Rim was felt deep in my soul. The Revere women are all tough as nails and take no quarter. Yet the love they share for each other permeates every page. These are women who have walked through flames and come out stronger again and again.
The pace of the novel was pretty steady. I never really felt like there was a moment where things popped off suddenly. There was just this strong steady build-up of pressure that was so very subtle. I didn't realize I was reaching the climax until it was too late and then all I could do was brace myself and hang on for the ride.
I was left with so many more questions than answers. I cannot wait to read book two. I need to see where the rest of this story goes. I have a thirst for Vengeance and it must be sated.
March 26, 2024
Riveting and dark, Smoke and Other Storms is a compelling, white-knuckle ride through a harsh, unforgiving desert world that feels as familiar as Portis's True Grit and as fresh and visceral as Westworld. Modern and unapologetically feminist, Delavega's roving band of women renegades are both fierce and endearing as they repay old debts with a vengeance, while never straying from their steadfast loyalty to one another. This dystopian, genre-bending gothic pulls you in fast and doesn't let go!
September 2, 2022
Reviewed exclusively for InD’Tale Magazine. Please see the September 2022 issue.
Personal review:
“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥—𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵.”
Meet my new Western heroes:
Moira ‘The Raven’ Revere
Tesla ‘The Widow’ Revere
Vesta ‘The Slip’ Revere
Navy ‘The Rook’ Revere
Leagan ‘The Raptor’ Revere
Adelaide ‘The Stranger’ Revere
These women have learned to survive the harshness of the Western Rim, a desert frontier on the edge of the Republic of Delilah. It’s a place of danger, and betrayal, and the typical misogyny found in a semi-feral settlement. They are ingenious, resourceful, and ruthless and I loved every minute of this read, especially, and despite, the hard parts. This is western fantasy that feels real. The epitome of strong feminine perspective and survival.
Personal review:
“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥—𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵.”
Meet my new Western heroes:
Moira ‘The Raven’ Revere
Tesla ‘The Widow’ Revere
Vesta ‘The Slip’ Revere
Navy ‘The Rook’ Revere
Leagan ‘The Raptor’ Revere
Adelaide ‘The Stranger’ Revere
These women have learned to survive the harshness of the Western Rim, a desert frontier on the edge of the Republic of Delilah. It’s a place of danger, and betrayal, and the typical misogyny found in a semi-feral settlement. They are ingenious, resourceful, and ruthless and I loved every minute of this read, especially, and despite, the hard parts. This is western fantasy that feels real. The epitome of strong feminine perspective and survival.
July 31, 2023
Smoke and Other Storms is the first book in the Revere Trilogy by J.L. Delavega, and damn, what a book!
"He thinks that by knowing the rules of the Rim, they're enough to play with. He's wrong. The Rim has no rules."
Delavega has an immensely unique storytelling ability, and combines femininity, grit, and perseverance with the utter ruggedness of the desert. To the core, it's a story about family.
This book is incredible. It gives off total Mad Max: Fury Road vibes, which is one of my absolute favorite movies, and the Revere women remind me so much of the Vuvalini (The Many Mothers tribe). They are the badass protectors of the wasteland.
I was completely enthralled by this story, and I can't wait to dive into the second book! It gets released on August 8th, so you have plenty of time to binge read this one!
If you're a fan of dystopian worlds, steampunk, westerns, or Mad Max, I'd highly recommend reading this! It's brutal, unforgiving, and will stick with you for a long time.
Welcome to the Rim. 💀
"He thinks that by knowing the rules of the Rim, they're enough to play with. He's wrong. The Rim has no rules."
Delavega has an immensely unique storytelling ability, and combines femininity, grit, and perseverance with the utter ruggedness of the desert. To the core, it's a story about family.
This book is incredible. It gives off total Mad Max: Fury Road vibes, which is one of my absolute favorite movies, and the Revere women remind me so much of the Vuvalini (The Many Mothers tribe). They are the badass protectors of the wasteland.
I was completely enthralled by this story, and I can't wait to dive into the second book! It gets released on August 8th, so you have plenty of time to binge read this one!
If you're a fan of dystopian worlds, steampunk, westerns, or Mad Max, I'd highly recommend reading this! It's brutal, unforgiving, and will stick with you for a long time.
Welcome to the Rim. 💀
July 10, 2022
This book has six badass females that are strong smart and will help you survive the rim for a price. i love they are not to be messed with and that they ruthless
March 25, 2023
I’ve been sitting on this book since I finished it because I don’t think any review could do it justice. J.L. Delavega has painted an unforgettable world with her words and a cast of characters you’re never going to be able to let go of. The stars aligned when I discovered Smoke and Other Storms on bookstagram. Not only is it a fantastic book but J.L. Delavega is another connection I’ll forever be grateful for.
Western meets fantasy meets steam punk elements. It’s the kind of book I had to read after the chaos of daily life settled down because I needed to be completely focused on the storyline and immersed in the world and the characters. There are moments of brilliant dialogue and moments that will give you the chills. There is action, tension, intrigue, strength, tough choices, loss, fierce loyalty, and the kind of love that goes far beyond the pages of the book. When I went into the book I had several questions and J.L. answered each and every single one of them by with her unique storytelling.
What I wouldn’t give to be taken in by the Reveres. To learn to make my own way like Tesla, to watch Navy in her lab and take away even a fraction of her brilliance, to learn how to shoot with deadly accuracy like Leagan, to have a good time with Vesta and learn how to balance that with doing what needs to be done, to learn to be quiet and stealthy with Adelaide/The Stranger. And finally Moira, the matriarch of the family, I’d want to learn how to be as protective and love as fiercely as her.
Smoke and Other Storms is the first book in the Revere Trilogy. Book 2, Ash Like Vengeance is due out 8.8.23
Western meets fantasy meets steam punk elements. It’s the kind of book I had to read after the chaos of daily life settled down because I needed to be completely focused on the storyline and immersed in the world and the characters. There are moments of brilliant dialogue and moments that will give you the chills. There is action, tension, intrigue, strength, tough choices, loss, fierce loyalty, and the kind of love that goes far beyond the pages of the book. When I went into the book I had several questions and J.L. answered each and every single one of them by with her unique storytelling.
What I wouldn’t give to be taken in by the Reveres. To learn to make my own way like Tesla, to watch Navy in her lab and take away even a fraction of her brilliance, to learn how to shoot with deadly accuracy like Leagan, to have a good time with Vesta and learn how to balance that with doing what needs to be done, to learn to be quiet and stealthy with Adelaide/The Stranger. And finally Moira, the matriarch of the family, I’d want to learn how to be as protective and love as fiercely as her.
Smoke and Other Storms is the first book in the Revere Trilogy. Book 2, Ash Like Vengeance is due out 8.8.23
August 27, 2022
This is a story about sisters.
About mothers and daughters, women working together for both common and individual goals, and a badass family loyal to the bone.
To each other, that is.
Everyone else is fair game.
This is not a love story.
The Rim is a ruthless place, not for the kindhearted, graveyard of fools. Be careful who you trust. Even compasses lie during Moon Season.
This is the story of a woman of few words.
Adelaide owns her silence.
We've seen the male counterpart plenty of times. You know him: strong and silent, brooding by the campfire while the ghosts howl in the distance.
I wanted to read about a woman who doesn't have the perfect snappy comeback in the holster at all times. Not because she's afraid to speak her mind, the shy girl who finds her voice. No, this girl’s an introvert and she chooses to ignore your meaningless comments because...fuck that.
I've waited a long time to read that girl's story.
So I wrote her.
If you are like me and enjoyed:
Nevernight (or any of Jay Kristoff's adult books), Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye, Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames; Westworld or Godless; Red Dead Redemption (1 and 2); Uncharted (video games); and sabotage as a lifestyle, read this book.
About mothers and daughters, women working together for both common and individual goals, and a badass family loyal to the bone.
To each other, that is.
Everyone else is fair game.
This is not a love story.
The Rim is a ruthless place, not for the kindhearted, graveyard of fools. Be careful who you trust. Even compasses lie during Moon Season.
This is the story of a woman of few words.
Adelaide owns her silence.
We've seen the male counterpart plenty of times. You know him: strong and silent, brooding by the campfire while the ghosts howl in the distance.
I wanted to read about a woman who doesn't have the perfect snappy comeback in the holster at all times. Not because she's afraid to speak her mind, the shy girl who finds her voice. No, this girl’s an introvert and she chooses to ignore your meaningless comments because...fuck that.
I've waited a long time to read that girl's story.
So I wrote her.
If you are like me and enjoyed:
Nevernight (or any of Jay Kristoff's adult books), Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye, Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames; Westworld or Godless; Red Dead Redemption (1 and 2); Uncharted (video games); and sabotage as a lifestyle, read this book.
September 8, 2022
When I received this ARC, I wasn’t sure what to expect. A few pages in and I couldn’t believe what I was reading; trains that run on crystals? Double Shadows? A Fantasy Western?
A few more pages in and I couldn’t put this book down! Having a multigenerational female girl gang narrating the story was fantastic. The world building was great, I wanted to know more about the Tov Shadow Nation, the unexplored areas of the Rim, who Moira was before she was sold to Hannah.
I can’t wait for another book in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley, J.L. Delavega, and City Owl Press
A few more pages in and I couldn’t put this book down! Having a multigenerational female girl gang narrating the story was fantastic. The world building was great, I wanted to know more about the Tov Shadow Nation, the unexplored areas of the Rim, who Moira was before she was sold to Hannah.
I can’t wait for another book in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley, J.L. Delavega, and City Owl Press
July 29, 2024
Wild West Meets Dark Fantasy
I was genuinely excited to read this book. Not only does it include strong female leads, dark fantasy, and steampunk; it’s set in the Wild West!
I’ll be honest: Smoke and Other Storms started off a bit slow. I felt a little lost in this world because I needed a little more context to understand this world, its history, and its magic. There wasn’t a good explanation of what the Stranger was until pg. 180! I wish there had been a few paragraphs in the beginning that introduced this world: the foxes, the Stranger, the history of the Rim, the pestilence, and the people of Eden. Just a little bit of context would have gone a long way.
That said, J.L. Delavega’s descriptive and suspenseful writing pulled me into her world. Her descriptions were by far my favorite part of this book! I grew up in the Wild West, and Delavega’s descriptions were eerily similar to the desert I call home. I could picture it so clearly and even smell the sun-cooked juniper.
I’m not sure if this was intentional or not, but I think Adelaide was asexual. Love to see inclusivity and representation! Honestly, I really appreciated that romance wasn’t the focus of this story. If you’re looking for a romantasy, this one’s definitely not for you!
Moira was my favorite character, but Adelaide really grew on me. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, and whatever else J.L. Delavega writes. I would recommend this book to fantasy readers who want something different and edgy.
Also, if you want to learn more about J.L. Delavega, read my interview with her at https://somebodytopen.com/f/j-l-delav....
I was genuinely excited to read this book. Not only does it include strong female leads, dark fantasy, and steampunk; it’s set in the Wild West!
I’ll be honest: Smoke and Other Storms started off a bit slow. I felt a little lost in this world because I needed a little more context to understand this world, its history, and its magic. There wasn’t a good explanation of what the Stranger was until pg. 180! I wish there had been a few paragraphs in the beginning that introduced this world: the foxes, the Stranger, the history of the Rim, the pestilence, and the people of Eden. Just a little bit of context would have gone a long way.
That said, J.L. Delavega’s descriptive and suspenseful writing pulled me into her world. Her descriptions were by far my favorite part of this book! I grew up in the Wild West, and Delavega’s descriptions were eerily similar to the desert I call home. I could picture it so clearly and even smell the sun-cooked juniper.
I’m not sure if this was intentional or not, but I think Adelaide was asexual. Love to see inclusivity and representation! Honestly, I really appreciated that romance wasn’t the focus of this story. If you’re looking for a romantasy, this one’s definitely not for you!
Moira was my favorite character, but Adelaide really grew on me. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, and whatever else J.L. Delavega writes. I would recommend this book to fantasy readers who want something different and edgy.
Also, if you want to learn more about J.L. Delavega, read my interview with her at https://somebodytopen.com/f/j-l-delav....
November 13, 2024
Wow this story never let up! An action filled adventure with a core of strong-gunned and stronger-willed female characters, I couldn't put it down. In essence a story about staking a claim in a world that aims at crushing you, Smoke and Other Storms shows that no matter what sparkles in the desert, it's family that you need to survive.
The story oscillates between Adelaide, a dangerous woman living on the edge of society with some ancient protections, and Moira, the grandmother who leads and cares for and leads the women who make up her family. Together they form the Revere gang, a fearsome group of outlaws who are feared almost as much as the ghosts of the desert.
The world building in this story is off the charts. From the language used by the characters to the lore built into the time and place, every sentence was a new gem to be discovered. Shout out to the author for line after line of amazing description. I'm not a huge one for deep settings in general, but I could see this in my mind and feel it in my desert-bleached bones.
The story has a satisfying ending but still left me anxious to get started on the next book. I can't wait to see how these ladies, and the men who cross them, fare in the next book!
The story oscillates between Adelaide, a dangerous woman living on the edge of society with some ancient protections, and Moira, the grandmother who leads and cares for and leads the women who make up her family. Together they form the Revere gang, a fearsome group of outlaws who are feared almost as much as the ghosts of the desert.
The world building in this story is off the charts. From the language used by the characters to the lore built into the time and place, every sentence was a new gem to be discovered. Shout out to the author for line after line of amazing description. I'm not a huge one for deep settings in general, but I could see this in my mind and feel it in my desert-bleached bones.
The story has a satisfying ending but still left me anxious to get started on the next book. I can't wait to see how these ladies, and the men who cross them, fare in the next book!
February 20, 2024
I won this book via Goodreads giveaway.
DNF, so take my review with a grain of salt since I seem to be a dissenter to the many high reviews.
I just couldn’t get into this. I think the author spent a lot of time on creative world building but it did not feel immersive to me. The references to people, places, concepts, and general infrastructure need context or explanation. If that is further on in the book, then I just didn’t get there. The switching first person POV with so many characters at the onset was kind of confusing as well. The writing was okay, but not fluid enough. Some sentences I had to go back and reread because it was a little awkward or flowery. I wanted to like this but I struggled to keep my attention on it.
DNF, so take my review with a grain of salt since I seem to be a dissenter to the many high reviews.
I just couldn’t get into this. I think the author spent a lot of time on creative world building but it did not feel immersive to me. The references to people, places, concepts, and general infrastructure need context or explanation. If that is further on in the book, then I just didn’t get there. The switching first person POV with so many characters at the onset was kind of confusing as well. The writing was okay, but not fluid enough. Some sentences I had to go back and reread because it was a little awkward or flowery. I wanted to like this but I struggled to keep my attention on it.
January 24, 2024
3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up for Goodreads
“But survival is what you do when that’s your only hope. I deserve a better life than that.”
Was I confused at times when I read this? Yes. Is it a bit slow in the beginning? Also yes, but is it a cool book and good read? Absolutely! This is a feminist western, there is a literal multigenerational girl gang. There’s also some steampunk, sci-fi elements as well. It’s the first in a trilogy, the second book is released(will be picking it up ASAP) and both are on Kindle Unlimited!
There are no damsels in distress in this book, only survivors.
“But survival is what you do when that’s your only hope. I deserve a better life than that.”
Was I confused at times when I read this? Yes. Is it a bit slow in the beginning? Also yes, but is it a cool book and good read? Absolutely! This is a feminist western, there is a literal multigenerational girl gang. There’s also some steampunk, sci-fi elements as well. It’s the first in a trilogy, the second book is released(will be picking it up ASAP) and both are on Kindle Unlimited!
There are no damsels in distress in this book, only survivors.
August 26, 2022
I loved this book for so many reasons; it's honestly difficult to know where to start!
The story centers around an all-woman band of outlaws in a steampunk dystopia similar to the Wild West, which is a phenomenal idea on its own. It is written in a unique, lyrical style that made even the bleakest scenes beautiful. Each character in the cast is strong, clever, and flawed in their own way, but the ways in which they work together and supported each other was truly the heart of the story. We need more creative, thoughtful, empowering books like these, and I'm eager to see what happens in book two!
The story centers around an all-woman band of outlaws in a steampunk dystopia similar to the Wild West, which is a phenomenal idea on its own. It is written in a unique, lyrical style that made even the bleakest scenes beautiful. Each character in the cast is strong, clever, and flawed in their own way, but the ways in which they work together and supported each other was truly the heart of the story. We need more creative, thoughtful, empowering books like these, and I'm eager to see what happens in book two!
January 24, 2023
What an absolute ride!
This book has the absolute brutality and grit that I love about Westerns. You have to be tough if you even want a chance of making it on The Rim. It is not for the faint of heart.
I really enjoyed the world that Delavega built. I could see the wide expanses of flats and the peaks of the ridges and mountains. The rail system connecting all the cities. It was easy to jump into.
There was a lot going on throughout the book, but I never felt lost. It kept me on my toes the entire time. I never knew quite what was going to happen.
I also loved the entire Revere family. Each member brought something to the table that made them unique.
All around, I really loved this. It has everything I want in a Western, and I cannot wait for Book 2.
This book has the absolute brutality and grit that I love about Westerns. You have to be tough if you even want a chance of making it on The Rim. It is not for the faint of heart.
I really enjoyed the world that Delavega built. I could see the wide expanses of flats and the peaks of the ridges and mountains. The rail system connecting all the cities. It was easy to jump into.
There was a lot going on throughout the book, but I never felt lost. It kept me on my toes the entire time. I never knew quite what was going to happen.
I also loved the entire Revere family. Each member brought something to the table that made them unique.
All around, I really loved this. It has everything I want in a Western, and I cannot wait for Book 2.
November 1, 2023
This book was absolutely brilliant. It's refreshingly unique, I loved it and can't wait for the next one!
June 12, 2022
I found this story dark and involving with lots of strong female characters, great world building, loved the atmosphere setting and descriptions with its wild West theme. It is a long detailed, entertaining story that hooks you from the first page. Superb.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 2, 2023
What a wild adventure Smoke and Other Storms by J. L. Delavege was. From first page of this book it sparks curiosity and it only continues to captivate you attention with each turn of the page.
This western syfy with mad max vibes story takes place in the Rim, where only the strongest survive. Just as the Rim has a ruthless reputation, so do the outlaw Reverse women being the greatest smugglers.
"He thinks that by knowing the rules of the Rim, they're enough to play with. He's wrong. The Rim has no rules."
To be honest, I don’t think I can truly give a review that will do this book justice. It’s captivates your attention down to your soul. It will leave you with questions that await in book two, Ash Like Vengeance.
This western syfy with mad max vibes story takes place in the Rim, where only the strongest survive. Just as the Rim has a ruthless reputation, so do the outlaw Reverse women being the greatest smugglers.
"He thinks that by knowing the rules of the Rim, they're enough to play with. He's wrong. The Rim has no rules."
To be honest, I don’t think I can truly give a review that will do this book justice. It’s captivates your attention down to your soul. It will leave you with questions that await in book two, Ash Like Vengeance.
September 8, 2022
Once I got into this book, I could not put it down! I’m on the edge of my seat for the next one.
I loved how J.L. Delavega crafted her world… familiar enough to be accessible but also intriguingly different. The family of protagonists are well developed and their story drew me in and left me aching for more! I wished this book was longer. Can’t wait for the next!
I loved how J.L. Delavega crafted her world… familiar enough to be accessible but also intriguingly different. The family of protagonists are well developed and their story drew me in and left me aching for more! I wished this book was longer. Can’t wait for the next!
July 29, 2024
I was really intrigued by the premise of this novel. I mean, Wild West + dark fantasy + strong female leads?! That checks all the boxes! I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of fantasy being set in the Middle Ages or the Victorian Era. It’s boring! And it’s been done to death! So, I was really excited about a fantasy set in the Wild West.
But a good idea does not always equal a good book. Don’t get me wrong, I quite enjoyed reading this story! But I think it was a few tarnishes short of being polished.
When reviewing a book, I always consider that the writer poured their heart and soul into the story. I know from experience how much a bad review hurts, and I never want to give that hurt to someone else.
However, I believe criticism is entwined with creativity. Something I learned in college is criticism refines you. What’s important is that the criticism doesn’t tear the creator down but rather builds them up. So, I’m going to talk about two things I liked and one thing I didn’t. My dislikes will be sandwiched by my likes to soften the blow, and instead of saying I just didn’t like this, I will share some thoughts on what I think would have made it better.
My first like may appear to be a double negative. Because the thing is, I hate first tense! I don’t know if it was Hunger Games or college, but I really, really don’t like first tense. That’s my preference. However, J.L. Delavega's use of first-person tense was engaging and evocative. I could feel the characters’ emotions, and I grew to care about them. First tense is perhaps the most intimate view of a character. There is no distance between the character and the reader, and it makes for a very intimate read.
What I think could use some work is Delavega’s worldbuilding or, rather, lack thereof.
Smoke and Other Storms has what I call a Dune problem. To understand the Dune problem, we have to discuss the Dune movies. Denis Villeneuve’s vision with Dune is for the audience to feel like they were watching a documentary. That’s why he doesn’t take the time to explain the world, history, or context. And that’s why everyone who has watched the Dune movies, no matter how much they love them, walks away scratching their heads. Because the Dune problem is that we are never properly introduced to the world. Instead, we’re thrown in without context, which doesn’t work with sci-fi or fantasy.
If you’ve studied worldbuilding at all, you’ve probably found this advice: don’t info dump; instead, sprinkle it throughout your novel. That’s good advice, but I think it leaves something out. Take the time to introduce your world! Ask yourself, what does my reader need to know to understand my world.
Like Dune, Smoke and Other Storms throws you into its world without an introduction or context. The Rim is not the Wild West that we know and love. It’s a new world with a different history and magic system (I’m still not exactly sure what the Stranger is). My suggestion to fix the Dune problem is to take a paragraph or two to introduce your world and its magic system. For example, the in-a-galaxy-far-away text that begins every Star Wars movie. It’s short and sweet, but we’re given all the information we need to understand Star Wars.
Finally, my favorite thing about this book was the descriptions. Delavega’s descriptions were absolutely beautiful! I absolutely loved her use of metaphor, simile, and the five senses. The thing about good description is it really brings the setting to life. Perhaps the descriptions resonated with me so strongly because I grew up in the Wild West, and Delavega’s descriptions were so vividly familiar to the desert that I call home. Here are a few descriptions that really stood out to me:
“Juniper only grows near Winchester. Bands of blue sage fill the deep canyons, their skytone-colored roots visible like my veins where the rock has been eaten away. But the juniper cooked by the sun is the greatest smell in existence.”
“The shadows of a storm blooms like a bruise a few miles northwest. The taste of burned atmosphere hasn’t charged the air yet. But this is a shitty place to weather one.”
“The bones of a fortress lie in ruin below, piled and broken where the hillside sloughed away. A rib of tarnished metal protrudes from the dirt.”
These are just a few of the lovely descriptions waiting for you in Smoke and Other Storms. Seriously, the book is worth reading for the descriptions alone!
But a good idea does not always equal a good book. Don’t get me wrong, I quite enjoyed reading this story! But I think it was a few tarnishes short of being polished.
When reviewing a book, I always consider that the writer poured their heart and soul into the story. I know from experience how much a bad review hurts, and I never want to give that hurt to someone else.
However, I believe criticism is entwined with creativity. Something I learned in college is criticism refines you. What’s important is that the criticism doesn’t tear the creator down but rather builds them up. So, I’m going to talk about two things I liked and one thing I didn’t. My dislikes will be sandwiched by my likes to soften the blow, and instead of saying I just didn’t like this, I will share some thoughts on what I think would have made it better.
My first like may appear to be a double negative. Because the thing is, I hate first tense! I don’t know if it was Hunger Games or college, but I really, really don’t like first tense. That’s my preference. However, J.L. Delavega's use of first-person tense was engaging and evocative. I could feel the characters’ emotions, and I grew to care about them. First tense is perhaps the most intimate view of a character. There is no distance between the character and the reader, and it makes for a very intimate read.
What I think could use some work is Delavega’s worldbuilding or, rather, lack thereof.
Smoke and Other Storms has what I call a Dune problem. To understand the Dune problem, we have to discuss the Dune movies. Denis Villeneuve’s vision with Dune is for the audience to feel like they were watching a documentary. That’s why he doesn’t take the time to explain the world, history, or context. And that’s why everyone who has watched the Dune movies, no matter how much they love them, walks away scratching their heads. Because the Dune problem is that we are never properly introduced to the world. Instead, we’re thrown in without context, which doesn’t work with sci-fi or fantasy.
If you’ve studied worldbuilding at all, you’ve probably found this advice: don’t info dump; instead, sprinkle it throughout your novel. That’s good advice, but I think it leaves something out. Take the time to introduce your world! Ask yourself, what does my reader need to know to understand my world.
Like Dune, Smoke and Other Storms throws you into its world without an introduction or context. The Rim is not the Wild West that we know and love. It’s a new world with a different history and magic system (I’m still not exactly sure what the Stranger is). My suggestion to fix the Dune problem is to take a paragraph or two to introduce your world and its magic system. For example, the in-a-galaxy-far-away text that begins every Star Wars movie. It’s short and sweet, but we’re given all the information we need to understand Star Wars.
Finally, my favorite thing about this book was the descriptions. Delavega’s descriptions were absolutely beautiful! I absolutely loved her use of metaphor, simile, and the five senses. The thing about good description is it really brings the setting to life. Perhaps the descriptions resonated with me so strongly because I grew up in the Wild West, and Delavega’s descriptions were so vividly familiar to the desert that I call home. Here are a few descriptions that really stood out to me:
“Juniper only grows near Winchester. Bands of blue sage fill the deep canyons, their skytone-colored roots visible like my veins where the rock has been eaten away. But the juniper cooked by the sun is the greatest smell in existence.”
“The shadows of a storm blooms like a bruise a few miles northwest. The taste of burned atmosphere hasn’t charged the air yet. But this is a shitty place to weather one.”
“The bones of a fortress lie in ruin below, piled and broken where the hillside sloughed away. A rib of tarnished metal protrudes from the dirt.”
These are just a few of the lovely descriptions waiting for you in Smoke and Other Storms. Seriously, the book is worth reading for the descriptions alone!
August 23, 2022
This is a thrilling and substantial page-turner of a fantasy adventure, set in a rough and gritty frontier where mining is king and a weapon might be a girl’s best friend. A solid debut and beginning of a series!
The story centers on the Revere family, an all-woman criminal gang of con artists, pickpockets, robbers, smugglers, and stone-cold killers scrabbling for a life on the Rim. Led by matriarch Moira “The Raven” Revere, they live, travel, and smuggle aboard their own train, the Absolution. Tesla is engineer and strategist; Vesta uses her beauty and charm to steal valuables and information from hapless men; Navy is the family’s “mad scientist” and bomb maker; Leagan is their sniper and weapons designer; and Adelaide shares body and mind with The Stranger, who observes everything and forgets nothing. After Navy’s eyes are damaged in a lab accident, the family is desperate to raise the money for surgery to save her sight. Adelaide accepts an invitation to guide an expedition searching for a legendary lost mine in a region where the previous residents were wiped out by a horrifying pestilence. Meanwhile, the Reveres are framed for a heist they didn’t pull, and the price on their heads is high enough to put them in everyone’s sights.
The steampunkish wild-West type setting is well drawn, with some of the history revealed through journals and letters that feel authentic … and chilling. I was particularly impressed with the character development. The story is narrated alternately by Adelaide and Moira, and their characters and motivations are revealed thoroughly yet organically. The other characters are also fully fleshed out, seen through the lenses of these narrators. Adelaide is an appealing protagonist in part because she doesn’t want to be liked. An adopted halfbreed, she is an outcast and an oddball, even more so as she fights to keep the Stranger’s rage in check. She doesn’t want friends or a husband. She wants nothing but her family’s wellbeing and a place for them to be independent. Can that happen in this violent, misogynist world? We might have to wait for the rest of the series to find out.
The story centers on the Revere family, an all-woman criminal gang of con artists, pickpockets, robbers, smugglers, and stone-cold killers scrabbling for a life on the Rim. Led by matriarch Moira “The Raven” Revere, they live, travel, and smuggle aboard their own train, the Absolution. Tesla is engineer and strategist; Vesta uses her beauty and charm to steal valuables and information from hapless men; Navy is the family’s “mad scientist” and bomb maker; Leagan is their sniper and weapons designer; and Adelaide shares body and mind with The Stranger, who observes everything and forgets nothing. After Navy’s eyes are damaged in a lab accident, the family is desperate to raise the money for surgery to save her sight. Adelaide accepts an invitation to guide an expedition searching for a legendary lost mine in a region where the previous residents were wiped out by a horrifying pestilence. Meanwhile, the Reveres are framed for a heist they didn’t pull, and the price on their heads is high enough to put them in everyone’s sights.
The steampunkish wild-West type setting is well drawn, with some of the history revealed through journals and letters that feel authentic … and chilling. I was particularly impressed with the character development. The story is narrated alternately by Adelaide and Moira, and their characters and motivations are revealed thoroughly yet organically. The other characters are also fully fleshed out, seen through the lenses of these narrators. Adelaide is an appealing protagonist in part because she doesn’t want to be liked. An adopted halfbreed, she is an outcast and an oddball, even more so as she fights to keep the Stranger’s rage in check. She doesn’t want friends or a husband. She wants nothing but her family’s wellbeing and a place for them to be independent. Can that happen in this violent, misogynist world? We might have to wait for the rest of the series to find out.
May 17, 2025
🌵 Welcome to the Rim—where land is cheap, life is cheaper, and the sun never sets on the danger. And in this brutal, no-rules frontier, you do not mess with the Revere women.
From page one, Smoke and Other Storms had me HOOKED.
The Revere Gang = EVERYTHING
Adelaide “The Stranger” – deadlier than the desert and twice as sharp.
Moira “The Raven” – the iron-willed matriarch who built an empire from dust and grit.
Tesla, Vesta, Navy, and Leagan – weapon-makers, train-runners, gunfighters, and queens of survival.
These women don’t just live in the Rim, they OWN it.
💣 The plot? Oh, it simmers.
It’s not a runaway train of nonstop action, it’s a slow-build, sandstorm of secrets, revenge, and revelation.
One job promises salvation.
One bounty promises ruin.
And somewhere between the glittering Salt Wastes and the haunted ruins of Eden lies the truth that could burn it all down.
✨ “Sometimes I am a monstrous creature, preying on the dreams of others. But I did not create this world—I have just learned to survive in it.” —Adelaide, aka my new obsession.
Told through alternating POVs from Adelaide and Moira, the book pulses with raw emotion, family loyalty, and world-shifting stakes.
Delavega’s writing is vivid and unforgiving like being dropped into the dust-choked wind of the Rim and told to run.
🚂 Train heists. Ghosts. Explosives. Sisterhood. Betrayal. Gaslight tech. A lawless land with no rules but the ones you make.
This isn’t just a western. It’s a wild, genre-bending ride through a new kind of frontier. One where the women have all the power, and they’re not afraid to shoot first and ask never.
Absolutely obsessed. Can’t wait to ride again with the Revere gang in Book Two. Saddle up, because this series is about to redefine the West.
From page one, Smoke and Other Storms had me HOOKED.
The Revere Gang = EVERYTHING
Adelaide “The Stranger” – deadlier than the desert and twice as sharp.
Moira “The Raven” – the iron-willed matriarch who built an empire from dust and grit.
Tesla, Vesta, Navy, and Leagan – weapon-makers, train-runners, gunfighters, and queens of survival.
These women don’t just live in the Rim, they OWN it.
💣 The plot? Oh, it simmers.
It’s not a runaway train of nonstop action, it’s a slow-build, sandstorm of secrets, revenge, and revelation.
One job promises salvation.
One bounty promises ruin.
And somewhere between the glittering Salt Wastes and the haunted ruins of Eden lies the truth that could burn it all down.
✨ “Sometimes I am a monstrous creature, preying on the dreams of others. But I did not create this world—I have just learned to survive in it.” —Adelaide, aka my new obsession.
Told through alternating POVs from Adelaide and Moira, the book pulses with raw emotion, family loyalty, and world-shifting stakes.
Delavega’s writing is vivid and unforgiving like being dropped into the dust-choked wind of the Rim and told to run.
🚂 Train heists. Ghosts. Explosives. Sisterhood. Betrayal. Gaslight tech. A lawless land with no rules but the ones you make.
This isn’t just a western. It’s a wild, genre-bending ride through a new kind of frontier. One where the women have all the power, and they’re not afraid to shoot first and ask never.
Absolutely obsessed. Can’t wait to ride again with the Revere gang in Book Two. Saddle up, because this series is about to redefine the West.
March 22, 2023
A book that is perfect for Women's History Month. This book should be celebrated in the placing of a family of women front and center. These women take no prisoners (almost literally) and are big enough to face nearly every challenge with just their own ingenuity.
I have had the pleasure of reading Bram Stoker, James Michener and Herman Wouk. This work belongs on a shelf with those classics. This author is a wordsmith. The dialogue is so fresh and incredible, it is jaw dropping in its magnificence. There are not one or two memorable lines. The memorable lines are innumerable. It has not been but a couple of days of reading and I now concern myself if something might go sideways. This book simply seeps into your pores. More akin to a symphony, this book is a work of art and worthy of being bought by everyone with eyes.
That this is the first book of a trilogy makes this a must read as well as the next book in this saga. A reader quickly gets addicted to Adelaide and she becomes the focal point of interest. What will the next book bring for our heroine?
Recommended for every fan of western fantasy will love this. Fans of women's action western will have to get this book. Truly a book that has to be read to be understood how good it is.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
I have had the pleasure of reading Bram Stoker, James Michener and Herman Wouk. This work belongs on a shelf with those classics. This author is a wordsmith. The dialogue is so fresh and incredible, it is jaw dropping in its magnificence. There are not one or two memorable lines. The memorable lines are innumerable. It has not been but a couple of days of reading and I now concern myself if something might go sideways. This book simply seeps into your pores. More akin to a symphony, this book is a work of art and worthy of being bought by everyone with eyes.
That this is the first book of a trilogy makes this a must read as well as the next book in this saga. A reader quickly gets addicted to Adelaide and she becomes the focal point of interest. What will the next book bring for our heroine?
Recommended for every fan of western fantasy will love this. Fans of women's action western will have to get this book. Truly a book that has to be read to be understood how good it is.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
July 7, 2022
I received a copy of this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In the end I really enjoyed SMOKE AND OTHER STORMS, but it was difficult to get into at first. The main problem is that there's very little to distinguish the voices of the two narrators, so I didn't even realise there were two until a few chapters in. Once I realised that and checked the chapter titles to ensure I knew who was narrating, it made a lot more sense and I was able to get into the story.
I enjoyed the mystery and felt the diary snippets added a lot of necessary context, though I still don't understand why one of the diary authors made the choices she did. The ending felt a bit rushed and I wished we'd learned some key facts leading to one of the character's deaths earlier, as it would've made it more suspenseful and really hammered home the emotional impact.
I'll likely read the sequel if I come across it, but it's not one I'll be actively waiting for. That being said, I understand this is the author's first book and if she's able to correct some of these issues I'm confident that I'd love her next ones.
In the end I really enjoyed SMOKE AND OTHER STORMS, but it was difficult to get into at first. The main problem is that there's very little to distinguish the voices of the two narrators, so I didn't even realise there were two until a few chapters in. Once I realised that and checked the chapter titles to ensure I knew who was narrating, it made a lot more sense and I was able to get into the story.
I enjoyed the mystery and felt the diary snippets added a lot of necessary context, though I still don't understand why one of the diary authors made the choices she did. The ending felt a bit rushed and I wished we'd learned some key facts leading to one of the character's deaths earlier, as it would've made it more suspenseful and really hammered home the emotional impact.
I'll likely read the sequel if I come across it, but it's not one I'll be actively waiting for. That being said, I understand this is the author's first book and if she's able to correct some of these issues I'm confident that I'd love her next ones.
September 6, 2022
Our heroine comes from a family of tough ladies who stick together. So when her sister needs help, our heroine comes up with a plan. A very dangerous plan, but a plan nonetheless.
This is book one of the series, so all good there.
This is a steampunk story with a wild west setting. The setting is gritty and detailed which makes for an excellent background. The characters are diverse and well developed, with their our personalities and motivations. The plot is well done and somewhat complex with a nice mix of action and intrigue. All together, this combines to make an excellent, highly engaging story. I definitely look forward to seeing where it goes next.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is book one of the series, so all good there.
This is a steampunk story with a wild west setting. The setting is gritty and detailed which makes for an excellent background. The characters are diverse and well developed, with their our personalities and motivations. The plot is well done and somewhat complex with a nice mix of action and intrigue. All together, this combines to make an excellent, highly engaging story. I definitely look forward to seeing where it goes next.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
June 14, 2022
The snapshot for this book sounded like a really neat mashup. It was to be an exciting supernatural western with a touch of outlaw family. The premise itself is a neat idea but the execution fell a little short. In the beginning, the dialogue and the style of writing is very cut and choppy. For a time, it seemed to work a little in the sceneries’ favor by adding a Stephen King’s “Gunslinger” feel, but it wasn’t consistent. Also, major details about the family had the potential to be really exciting had they actually been explained. It’s always hard to see something with great potential fall just a bit short.
March 10, 2023
Take everything you know about Westerns... Now buy this book and see how it can be enjoyed from a completely different angle!
For a debut author, Delavega has an incredible knack for worldbuilding and character development that doesn't feel forced. You're dropped into the world right off the bat, and J.L. just keeps adding more coal (or in this case, crystals) to the train boiler and doesn't let up.
I have a whole new appreciation for the Western genre because of Smoke and Other Storms, and I can't wait to see where J.L. Delavega takes us next in the series!
For a debut author, Delavega has an incredible knack for worldbuilding and character development that doesn't feel forced. You're dropped into the world right off the bat, and J.L. just keeps adding more coal (or in this case, crystals) to the train boiler and doesn't let up.
I have a whole new appreciation for the Western genre because of Smoke and Other Storms, and I can't wait to see where J.L. Delavega takes us next in the series!
July 23, 2023
From page 1 I knew I would like this book. The introduction of a character who has a mysterious force called the “shadow” or stranger, it drew me in and I wanted to know more.
The setting a fantasy western. The characters span generations. Like any western genre there is adventure, trains, and shootouts. I liked the girl power, how love and family were important to these characters they could be hard without being heartless.
The setting a fantasy western. The characters span generations. Like any western genre there is adventure, trains, and shootouts. I liked the girl power, how love and family were important to these characters they could be hard without being heartless.
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