Book review: “White Smoke” by Tiffany D. Jackson
I was lucky to receive an ARC of “White Smoke” from Harper Collins in exchange for a review. However, it came in the mail after the release date on Sept 14. I am basing my review on the ARC I have received.
I was lucky to receive an ARC of “White Smoke” from Harper Collins in exchange for a review. However, it came in the mail after the release date on Sept 14. I am basing my review on the ARC I have received.
Synopsis
The Haunting of Hill House meets Get Out in this chilling YA psychological thriller and modern take on the classic haunted house story from New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson!
Marigold is running from ghosts. The phantoms of her old life keep haunting her, but a move with her newly blended family from their small California beach town to the embattled Midwestern city of Cedarville might be the fresh start she needs. Her mom has accepted a new job with the Sterling Foundation that comes with a free house, one that Mari now has to share with her bratty ten-year-old stepsister, Piper.
The renovated picture-perfect home on Maple Street, sitting between dilapidated houses, surrounded by wary neighbors has its . . . secrets. That’s only half the problem: household items vanish, doors open on their own, lights turn off, shadows walk past rooms, voices can be heard in the walls, and there’s a foul smell seeping through the vents only Mari seems to notice. Worse: Piper keeps talking about a friend who wants Mari gone.
But “running from ghosts” is just a metaphor, right?
As the house closes in, Mari learns that the danger isn’t limited to Maple Street. Cedarville has its secrets, too. And secrets always find their way through the cracks.
LINK: https://www.harpercollins.ca/9780063029095/white-smoke/
Review
I admit I struggle reading YA contemporary (i.e., non-fantasy/sci-fi). I was hesitant to start reading “White Smoke” because I was worried I would not be able to get into it. However, the premise of a haunted house theme was just too appealing!
I am so glad I picked up this book. And the best thing is - it was an easy read and I flew through it in just one day!
Mari is a complicated character. Not exactly lovable at first glance, but she has a whole plethora of problems to deal with which makes her very relatable. She is an unreliable narrator in some ways but the growth that she goes through by the end of the novel makes it worth it.
The premise of “White Smoke” is a blend of a haunted house and ghost possession themes. Parts of it reminded me of “Omen”, other parts of “The Ghost Who Wore Yellow Socks” (which is still one of my favourite suspense/thriller stories). The story has a great pace, but some predictable turns. I enjoyed the thrill of the suspense. Especially, the parts about that strange little town.
We have a potential love interest, a supportive best friend, a potential friend but there is no insta-love or insta everything, really. Even though by the end of the book, Mari is safe - she is not okay. Nobody is and there is still a lot of mysteries and baggage to unveil.
I found supportive characters to be more likeable than Mari herself. I especially liked her brother Sammy and her mother. There are certain tropes that are played well about “new husband/step-father” that I enjoyed as well.
While reading the book, I kept thinking that it would make it into a great movie. It has all the right hooks, a chilly atmosphere, and a perfect pace. We are left with many hanging threads at the end. I was, honestly, surprised by that as I thought it was a stand-alone novel. It obviously left enough for the author to pick up if she decides to write a sequel.
There are a lot of discussions about mental health, and Mari has several episodes. The descriptions of those are very true to life. I felt triggered reading some of those. So, I would like to include some trigger warnings: drug use, depiction of panic & anxiety attacks, specific bedbugs phobia. (The last one hit me hard.)
I am giving this book an uneven rating as there were some aspects of Mari that I did not like, but I enjoyed the story nevertheless.