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The Girl Born of Smoke
When Aurora is thrust into a world torn apart by war, she realizes she is the magically gifted child everyone is searching for. Haunted by the guilt of her sister's accidental death and terrified of being found out, she swears never to use her powers. But all that changes when her best friend is mistaken as the wizard and kidnapped. In her struggle to rescue him, she finds evidence the opposing armies may be connected, controlled by a single individual with his own agenda. With loved ones on both sides of the war, she is forced to decide who she can trust as she tries to stop the fighting. But, can she even trust her own sanity?
310 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2010
16 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Billings
7 books16 followersJessica Billings is currently going to school in Michigan, but will always consider herself an Oregonian. She likes photographing bugs and majored in biology and education at Oregon State. She is now pursuing a master's degree in environmental engineering. She learned to scuba dive when she was 14, but refuses to dive into the frigid waters of Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 1, 2012
This started off really strongly and got me excited for the rest of the book. Unfortunately, from about 30% on, it went downhill fast. The main character started having massive personality switches (extreme even for a teenager). Secondary characters pretty much allowed the main character to do whatever for no good reason at all. In the end, when her powers came and it was the major battle, it really felt like a bad episode of Dragonball Z - with more extreme and over the top stuff happening. To top it all off, there were some science explanations that felt like the author remembered 9th grade science class. So glad this book was free.
May 1, 2010
This book starts out with a lone girl, Aurora, leaving her home town. Along the way, she comes across a man and woman who take her back to their home to raise her as their daughter. While there, she befriends a boy, Djerr, who is an absolute sweetheart. The boys tells her of the time when there were wizards in the world, but the wizards were hated by some people who fought to exterminate them all. Legend has it that another wizard will one day come.
Except, this is more than a legend, and two armies are willing to stake their lives on it. One army will fight to defend the wizard while the other seeks to kill the wizard. Aurora discovers that she is the wizard. Not only that, but things aren't necessarily as they seem and it's up to her to figure out the truth from what everyone's been led to believe.
I really enjoyed this book. The twists and turns the author took me on were amazing. Just when I thought I had one person or situation figured out, the author threw me for a loop! I had a hard time knowing who I could trust and who I couldn't--and at times that included the main character! This fantasy also had a clean romance, and the author explained aspects of how magic was possible on this world which I often hear fantasy readers wishing were in more fantasy novels. The book was well written and the blend between dialogue, action, and description was expertly done. I think people who are looking for a fantasy with an epic feel to it will be delighted with this book.
Except, this is more than a legend, and two armies are willing to stake their lives on it. One army will fight to defend the wizard while the other seeks to kill the wizard. Aurora discovers that she is the wizard. Not only that, but things aren't necessarily as they seem and it's up to her to figure out the truth from what everyone's been led to believe.
I really enjoyed this book. The twists and turns the author took me on were amazing. Just when I thought I had one person or situation figured out, the author threw me for a loop! I had a hard time knowing who I could trust and who I couldn't--and at times that included the main character! This fantasy also had a clean romance, and the author explained aspects of how magic was possible on this world which I often hear fantasy readers wishing were in more fantasy novels. The book was well written and the blend between dialogue, action, and description was expertly done. I think people who are looking for a fantasy with an epic feel to it will be delighted with this book.
August 2, 2012
I have no idea...Why so many people loved this story!?! First off the main character Aurora/Tarana has major issues!!! She has almost what we call a split personality and the author’s writing wasn’t clear enough so it takes awhile for you to figure it out. Along with the split personality, you have her want to be mother Roxanna and her want to be father Karien; both of these characters weren’t developed enough for you to “like” them. And then there is Dejrr, he was a lost puppy in love and a total fool for Aurora/Tarana and I felt completely sorry for him the entire story!!! The plot was ok, but nothing new and the world was under developed.
Now, the whole story was basically a journey from Aurora/Tarana’s home town to the Wizard’s Army stronghold. Along the way you find out that she is suppose to be the one and only wizard left on earth and who basically is to lead the Wizard’s Army to the victory over the Citizen’s Army. However, the way the war is taking place is very weird or I should say convenient. And everyone knows war should never be convenient. And that is really the meat of things, I however will probably never read another piece of work from this author; to me…this story could have been so much better if only more time had be spent developing character with real emotions.
Now, the whole story was basically a journey from Aurora/Tarana’s home town to the Wizard’s Army stronghold. Along the way you find out that she is suppose to be the one and only wizard left on earth and who basically is to lead the Wizard’s Army to the victory over the Citizen’s Army. However, the way the war is taking place is very weird or I should say convenient. And everyone knows war should never be convenient. And that is really the meat of things, I however will probably never read another piece of work from this author; to me…this story could have been so much better if only more time had be spent developing character with real emotions.
July 13, 2012
This book took forever to finish. It just didn't hold my interest. It was not written in the style I like. There were a lot of shrugs and whatever moments where it seemed like the Author didn't really care. The idea was great, and so I kept going back to it eventually. Can't say if others will like it or no, because there are a lot of bad reviews in the books that I love.
July 2, 2012
It was alright. An intriguing concept but the writing didn't draw me in as I had anticipated.
November 19, 2013
First off, the major problem I had is that I had no sense of when this was supposed to take place. From the scenery descriptions it seems like the houses and buildings are rudimentary and primarily made of dusty stone. The cities are just larger versions of the towns with similar buildings and a market day. The armies wear metal armor and fight with swords and there are no means of communication other than face to face. All of this leads me to believe that this story takes place in a time long ago when people didn't understand things like molecules and other science related items and explanations. I suppose you could write that off by saying, "well, the person explaining them is a wizard so maybe he knows more about that stuff than an average person" but I don't buy it. It just didn't seem to fit.
Second, I felt like this book had a lot of nothing happening in it. Tara walks a lot, joins up with the citizen's army, decides it's not for her, walks a lot, joins up with the wizard's army, decides that's also not for her, so she walks some more. With the exception of the last 10% of the book, there was little or no action taking place and very little to make me really care about any of the characters in the book.
Second, I felt like this book had a lot of nothing happening in it. Tara walks a lot, joins up with the citizen's army, decides it's not for her, walks a lot, joins up with the wizard's army, decides that's also not for her, so she walks some more. With the exception of the last 10% of the book, there was little or no action taking place and very little to make me really care about any of the characters in the book.
July 1, 2020
The storyline wasn't necessarily unique, but it was definitely a creative spin on a semi-common fantasy story. There was great character development for the primary character, and overall the book had some wonderful imagery, though I wish it had been a tad more detailed.
I had a couple problems with the book, however. The primary being that given the setting of the story and the lack of technology, the large scientific advances Rupert explains to her about magic are extremely out of place and it really bothered me.
The second problem was the major personality issues of the main character. I actually really liked the personality switches and thought it was a nice addition to the story, and given her background, it fit very well and seemed realistic and credible from a psychology point of view... My problem with it was just that at times it was a little bit extreme than it should have been.
On top of it, the author seemed to fall into the "blank face" trap with the secondary characters. There was little personality, little development, and they kind of took a back seat. I would have liked a little more resistance from them in the book.
The ending, though, is where I had another big problem. About 75% of the way through the book it began moving too fast, became less detailed, and seemed almost rushed; as if the author had realized a deadline, realized it was getting long, or just ran out of steam.
Overall, though, I really did enjoy it.
I had a couple problems with the book, however. The primary being that given the setting of the story and the lack of technology, the large scientific advances Rupert explains to her about magic are extremely out of place and it really bothered me.
The second problem was the major personality issues of the main character. I actually really liked the personality switches and thought it was a nice addition to the story, and given her background, it fit very well and seemed realistic and credible from a psychology point of view... My problem with it was just that at times it was a little bit extreme than it should have been.
On top of it, the author seemed to fall into the "blank face" trap with the secondary characters. There was little personality, little development, and they kind of took a back seat. I would have liked a little more resistance from them in the book.
The ending, though, is where I had another big problem. About 75% of the way through the book it began moving too fast, became less detailed, and seemed almost rushed; as if the author had realized a deadline, realized it was getting long, or just ran out of steam.
Overall, though, I really did enjoy it.
August 9, 2010
Right from the very beginning, we have a sense that there is something different about this girl Aurora, who is beating a hasty retreat from her home, with no sense at that point of where she is going.
As if by fate, Aurora connects with an odd couple who seem to revel mostly in their differences, who just happen to be sojourning in Aurora's former neighborhood. Soon, they are prepared to bring her to their home, far away, and help her establish a new life.
Establish she does! When she settles into her new home, she connects with some interesting people, the most significant of whom is Djerr, someone who will join her in the Citizen's Army, which has been locked in battle with the Wizard's Army. The Wizard's Army is not, at this stage, composed of Wizards, but rather by people who await the arrival of the new wizard, with the intention of serving that wizard, whose destiny is to bring peace and order to a beleaguered, war-torn land. Little do the faithful realize that the wizard they seek is in their midst!
Billings writes a crafty tale that will surprise readers with many twists and turns. Aurora is a strong enough character to withstand some rather dark aspects of her personality that make her more real, more human, than most protagonists.
The Girl Born of Smoke should be on your bookshelf today! Thanks for an entertaining read Jessica!
Jim Henry
As if by fate, Aurora connects with an odd couple who seem to revel mostly in their differences, who just happen to be sojourning in Aurora's former neighborhood. Soon, they are prepared to bring her to their home, far away, and help her establish a new life.
Establish she does! When she settles into her new home, she connects with some interesting people, the most significant of whom is Djerr, someone who will join her in the Citizen's Army, which has been locked in battle with the Wizard's Army. The Wizard's Army is not, at this stage, composed of Wizards, but rather by people who await the arrival of the new wizard, with the intention of serving that wizard, whose destiny is to bring peace and order to a beleaguered, war-torn land. Little do the faithful realize that the wizard they seek is in their midst!
Billings writes a crafty tale that will surprise readers with many twists and turns. Aurora is a strong enough character to withstand some rather dark aspects of her personality that make her more real, more human, than most protagonists.
The Girl Born of Smoke should be on your bookshelf today! Thanks for an entertaining read Jessica!
Jim Henry
July 12, 2013
This book is quite confusing although the concept is a good one. In a world torn apart by magic and whether or not you had it, as the wizards are dying out, they infused their power deep into the earth, to be reborn at a later time by a male wizard who will lead the Wizard's Army and magic will once more be dominant. Well, that's the plan anyway!
Along comes Aurora, a strange girl with a shadowy past who gets picked up by a couple travelling to see more of the world. They take her home and for a while everything is ok.
But then this story takes a turn and becomes confusing. There are major character shifts that are extreme to say the least. There are characters who turn up and disappear at will, including one that supposedly looks like our main female but she disappears without a trace and even though I have finished the book, I still am not sure who she was! The war between the opposing armies is supposed to be chaotic but it appears that the chaos has boiled over into every page, every character and every moment. This is also a 'medieval' fantasy based on the world and the clothing but when Aurora is receiving her sleep training, the wizard talks about atoms, neurons etc. The two just don't quite mesh.
On the whole an interesting story with gets confused along the way.
Along comes Aurora, a strange girl with a shadowy past who gets picked up by a couple travelling to see more of the world. They take her home and for a while everything is ok.
But then this story takes a turn and becomes confusing. There are major character shifts that are extreme to say the least. There are characters who turn up and disappear at will, including one that supposedly looks like our main female but she disappears without a trace and even though I have finished the book, I still am not sure who she was! The war between the opposing armies is supposed to be chaotic but it appears that the chaos has boiled over into every page, every character and every moment. This is also a 'medieval' fantasy based on the world and the clothing but when Aurora is receiving her sleep training, the wizard talks about atoms, neurons etc. The two just don't quite mesh.
On the whole an interesting story with gets confused along the way.
May 27, 2012
I started this as a backup book of sorts; the other book I'm reading doesn't have Kindle Text To Speech enabled, and I needed something to listen to when I can't read it. The Girl Born of Smoke turned out to be so engrossing that I chose it over the other book even when I didn't need TTS. There were many twists that I didn't see coming, the characters were engaging and sympathetic, and I couldn't wait to see how things would play out.
But as entertaining as it was, there was also one character transformation that seemed too extreme and abrupt and a major revelation that didn't work because it shouldn't have been introduced then put aside until the ending. For readers like me who read for pure entertainment and tend not to be overly critical about novels, this is a great read. Other kinds of readers might not agree.
Very minor spoiler below:
In as non-spoilery a way as possible, the plot point that didn't work was that a character was unsure whether something significant from her past had been real or imagined. That suggests the possibility of a serious break from reality which was then mostly ignored from the time of the revelation until the book's conclusion.
But as entertaining as it was, there was also one character transformation that seemed too extreme and abrupt and a major revelation that didn't work because it shouldn't have been introduced then put aside until the ending. For readers like me who read for pure entertainment and tend not to be overly critical about novels, this is a great read. Other kinds of readers might not agree.
Very minor spoiler below:
In as non-spoilery a way as possible, the plot point that didn't work was that a character was unsure whether something significant from her past had been real or imagined. That suggests the possibility of a serious break from reality which was then mostly ignored from the time of the revelation until the book's conclusion.
July 12, 2012
this book could be so much better. the story is great but theres so many under-developed moments in the story. i feel it is written from the hand of a beginner and with continued writing, once she has more experience, should be revisited. to much he said she said and things happening with no purpose..maybe theres not enough character thoughts... it flows well.. but it gets to a potental reader catching moment and these strangers just keep asking if the main character is ok... and the story goes on... its not progressing purposefully in a direction but skipping here and there in a random path. She then seems to be reminded of where the story was supposed to go so drops the thread she was running with. I as a reader am left looking at the end of the thread wondering what to do with it.. having to put it down and running to catch up with her missing the scenery as i go only to grasp another thread... author! revisit this in the future! remember im hovering behind your characters like a speckter... tell me whom to follow, where they are going and what they are thinking. :-)
June 1, 2010
4.5 Stars!
A Girl Born of Smoke starts off with an young girl, Aurora, running from a mysterious man and finding sanctuary with two strangers. After I read the first few chapters, I thought I knew what was going on, but I was wrong. Jessica Billings spins a tale that takes you through fascinating and unexpected twists and turns that truly leave you guessing about what is going to happen next. The moment you think you know who the good guys are, you will find yourself proven wrong in the next paragraph. I managed to catch on to some of the twists, but one took me by surprise and had me eagerly reading more.
Beyond the well-crafted story line, the characters are diverse and distinctive and a pleasure to get to know as the story progresses.
This is an excellent first novel of a new author who I hope will be writing more.
A Girl Born of Smoke starts off with an young girl, Aurora, running from a mysterious man and finding sanctuary with two strangers. After I read the first few chapters, I thought I knew what was going on, but I was wrong. Jessica Billings spins a tale that takes you through fascinating and unexpected twists and turns that truly leave you guessing about what is going to happen next. The moment you think you know who the good guys are, you will find yourself proven wrong in the next paragraph. I managed to catch on to some of the twists, but one took me by surprise and had me eagerly reading more.
Beyond the well-crafted story line, the characters are diverse and distinctive and a pleasure to get to know as the story progresses.
This is an excellent first novel of a new author who I hope will be writing more.
July 24, 2010
This was a very well written book that kept me questioning the very fabric of the storyline. I think I know what's happening and then everything turns about with a wonderful expressiveness that few authors have the ability to manage.
The story features a lone girl named Aurora who befriends a boy and finds out about an unknown world of magic and wizards. Her journey of self-discovery and awareness gave me a great journey of my own into a new and fantastical world.
As a magician, I thoroughly enjoyed the magical aspects that the author managed to express with great word-play and a nice style. I wonder if her background includes experience in magic, because she certainly writes as though she has.
This was one of those full-evening reads and I was unable to put it down till I finished it. That hasn't happened in a while... till now.
The story features a lone girl named Aurora who befriends a boy and finds out about an unknown world of magic and wizards. Her journey of self-discovery and awareness gave me a great journey of my own into a new and fantastical world.
As a magician, I thoroughly enjoyed the magical aspects that the author managed to express with great word-play and a nice style. I wonder if her background includes experience in magic, because she certainly writes as though she has.
This was one of those full-evening reads and I was unable to put it down till I finished it. That hasn't happened in a while... till now.
April 20, 2010
Readers and fans of the magical will enjoy this tale as we follow the lead character in her journey to not only find out who and she will ultimately is but also as she struggles to find a place. Searching for best friend who has been mistaken to be a wizard, she also must discover if there is a place in his life for her at the end.
Magic users, wizards, vying armies seeking her...all very wonderful components to this story that will have you turning each page in anticipation. Never a dull moment in a well-crafted story.
Magic users, wizards, vying armies seeking her...all very wonderful components to this story that will have you turning each page in anticipation. Never a dull moment in a well-crafted story.
June 7, 2010
The Girl Born of Smoke by Jessica Billings is an interesting tale of one girl’s struggle with a power she had tried to deny since birth. You follow her struggle with herself, her friends, and the family that she forms before the world that she knows thrusts her into a role of a powerful wizard even though she does not want it. Slow at the start, Jessica’s story picks up speed through out. Though a few continuity issues and typos are present, this story is a good read for a stormy night next to a crackling fire.
- Shawn Weaver, Author Sense of Honor
- Shawn Weaver, Author Sense of Honor
June 9, 2012
I have never read anything this intriguing in a long time. The way the story is written keeps you guessing and wondering what will happen next. Just when I thought I had it figured out it took a twist in a direction I didn’t see coming. One thing that nagged me was how naïve she seemed to be with accepting to live with strangers help without asking questions. On side note plenty of exercise was had throughout this story.
November 12, 2012
If i could i would rate it 3.5.. so please dont get me wrong.. i really liked it.. but not.. like liked it.. as in i wouldn't share it to everyone.. but to some.
I liked half of it more than the other .. and that half is like bits from other bits.. and its so hard to explain.
I did like the concept and ideas throughout it.. and it was something very different to what i have read :)
http://basicallybooks1994.blogspot.com/
I liked half of it more than the other .. and that half is like bits from other bits.. and its so hard to explain.
I did like the concept and ideas throughout it.. and it was something very different to what i have read :)
http://basicallybooks1994.blogspot.com/
July 21, 2013
The writing is so amateur! The sceneries aren't clear and the characters aren't clear, I don't even know what's going on! I gave up half way, I got tired of the so-called "twists" when actually it's just been written so badly you don't know what's happening. One minutes she called Aurora, then the next minute shes called Tarana who's extremely vile then she goes back to being Aurora! who is she?! I'm completely confused!
Sorry for being rude but third person does not work for this book.
Sorry for being rude but third person does not work for this book.
July 18, 2012
I hate stories where the hero is struggling all through the story to figure something out and at the end of the story during the big fight the hero all of a sudden knows how to do everything. The main character has multiple personalities and is crazy. It's hard to read a story where I have no respect for the main character.
January 9, 2013
I don't know what to put here. I enjoyed the story and thought it was original but I felt that there hadn't been enough time spent polishing the writing and making the story flow. I almost put it down several times. I think it was worth the read but I feel as though the ideas were all just splurged on the page.
March 17, 2013
Was a decent story, but one major issue I had was the name used for the main character changed what seemed arbitrarily later in the book. It also has one of my biggest pet peeves, then and than are not interchangeable, then is a time reference, than is a comparison, a writer should know the difference.
December 4, 2010
.Jessica Billings book, "The Girl Born of Smoke" is story about Aurora as she journeys forward to self discovery. It turns, runs and keeps you guessing as who is "good" helpful and who is "bad" the meanies. Each character is as in living color - a true interesting character. A most enjoyable read.
November 2, 2014
I really struggled with this and had to stop myself from giving up altogether quite a few times. I found the characters unlikable and predictable, as was the story line. It wasn't written well, with poor dialogue.
June 18, 2010
Fantastic! Loved every word of it.
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February 3, 2012so far so good
January 5, 2013
Ehh...that's all I've got
February 6, 2013
I had a hard time staying motivated to finish this read. Plot began to feel predictable.
July 2, 2014
When I got this book free on my kindle, it was not what I was expecting. It was better than I thought it would be. A wonderful book.
June 21, 2016
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September 3, 2012
It was a decent story, could have done with more development.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews