Review: "Smoke," by Dan Vyleta

I liked this story, but it felt like it took me forever to read. I read a lot of dystopian novels, and this one didn't meet the standards of some of the others I've read. But - it has a very interesting premise. When someone sins or even thinks/dreams "impure" thoughts, their bodies produce a black smoke. There is no hiding from your sins when it takes physical form. Thomas and Charlie are students at a boarding school that is attempting to train students to live their lives smoke-free. Their laundry is closely examined for smoke stains and they are subjected to serious inquests any time a stain is found. One of the head boys never smokes, even though he is one of the most foul boys in the place. Thomas and Charlie happen upon a mystery that leads them to discover a secret elite club that can produce ways to prevent the body from smoking even in the most despicable of circumstances. My favorite line in the book was something like, "I'm starting to think that it isn't the smoke that makes people bad, but that they're bad all along." There were some great parallels to today's wealthy=perfect and poor=dirty mentality. Not a bad book at all, but not my favorite dystopian novel.

Mrs. Denney's Rating: **1/2

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