Lady Smoke by Laura Sebastian

About

The Kaiser murdered Theodosia's mother, the Fire Queen, when Theo was only six. He took Theo's country and kept her prisoner, crowning her Ash Princess--a pet to toy with and humiliate for ten long years. That era has ended. The Kaiser thought his prisoner weak and defenseless. He didn't realize that a sharp mind is the deadliest weapon.

Theo no longer wears a crown of ashes. She has taken back her rightful title, and a hostage — Prinz Soren. But her people remain enslaved under the Kaiser's rule, and now she is thousands of miles away from them and her throne.

To get them back, she will need an army. Only, securing an army means she must trust her aunt, the dreaded pirate Dragonsbane. And according to Dragonsbane, an army can only be produced if Theo takes a husband. Something an Astrean Queen has never done.

Theo knows that freedom comes at a price, but she is determined to find a way to save her country without losing herself.

Thoughts

The entire story reads like a typical fantasy novel with added layers of themes and epic plot twists. It's a whole journey with the characters, and yes, sometimes I wanted to throw certain characters off a cliff and protect others forever, but that's how good stories work.

There was quite a bit of LGBTQ content throughout the story that frustrated and bothered me, but other than that, all of the content was handled delicately. I'm excited to read the third book in the trilogy and read the conclusion of this wild ride called the Ash Princess trilogy.

Content

Language

Alcohol/drugs

• "gods" (used once)

• "a**" (used three times)

• "h*ll" (used once)

• Underaged drinking

Romance

• Slightly detailed kisses

• Theo sleeps in the same bed as two different men throughout the story (but nothing explicit happens)

• A full conversation about her virginity (things are worded carefully)

LGBTQ

• Gay side characters

• Multiple conversations about characters being attracted to the same sex