Stephanie's Review of Smoke (Burned, #2)

by Ellen Hopkins

Pattyn’s father is dead. Now she’s on the run in this riveting companion to the New York Times bestselling Burned.

Pattyn Von Stratten’s father is dead, and Pattyn is on the run. After far too many years of abuse at the hands of her father, and after the tragic loss of her beloved Ethan and their unborn child, Pattyn is desperate for peace. Only her sister Jackie knows what happened that night, but she is stuck at home with their mother, who clings to normalcy by allowing the truth to be covered up by their domineering community leaders. Her father might be finally gone, but without Pattyn, Jackie is desperately isolated.

Alone and in disguise, Pattyn starts a new life as a migrant worker on a California ranch. But is it even possible to rebuild a life when everything you’ve known has burned to ash and lies seem far safer than the truth?

Bestselling author Ellen Hopkins continues the riveting story of Pattyn Von Stratten she began in Burned to explore what it takes to rise from the ashes, put ghosts to rest, and step into a future.

This review was originally posted on Once Upon a Chapter

After I finished Burned by Ellen Hopkins, I tried to forget that I read it. It was too sad and absolutely no closure was given. I am so happy that I decided to continue and read Smoke.

Smoke is split between both Pattyn and Jackie each girl is dealing with the fallout of tragedies their life has thrown at them. This book does have it's own sadness but it didn't feel as bad as Burned did.

Jackie has to deal with the aftermath of, without going into too much detail, quite a lot. Her world has been rocked by quite a few blows and sorting that out is going to take some time. Naturally she isn't getting the kind of support she truly needs at home. It's wonderful when she finds in a few unlikely sources.

Pattyn is put through quite a bit more in this book. But really after all she endured in the previous book, I think this wasn't quite as trying for her. Really Smoke was like a reawakening for Pattyn. She truly is asleep at the beginning and by the end, she's learned quite a bit about herself.

The absolute best part for me was the ending. It did wrap up nicely and yes it felt a bit too clean after the devastation from Burned, I needed an ending that provides hope. If you really want to know, I'd say Smoke by Ellen Hopkins has a pretty neutral ending. It isn't overly happy and it isn't deveetating either. It's made me brave enough to give Hopkins's books one more try. I know they won't all be happy but I think I can live with that now.

Smoke (Burned, #2)

by Ellen Hopkins

Reviewed by Stephanie on Mar 20, 2015

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