Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Smoke and Key” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Smoke and Key

Kelsey Sutton (Goodreads Author)

3.74 · Rating details · 372 ratings · 176 reviews

A sound awakens her. There's darkness all around. And then she's falling...

She has no idea who or where she is. Or why she's dead. The only clue to her identity hangs around her neck: a single rusted key. This is how she and the others receive their names—from whatever belongings they had when they fell out of their graves. Under is a place of dirt and secrets, and Key is ...more

Get A Copy

ebook, 304 pages

Published April 2nd 2019 by Entangled: Teen

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Smoke and Key, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.74 ·

Rating details

· 372 ratings · 176 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Smoke and Key

Feb 10, 2019 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

Before I begin let’s just have a moment to appreciate the cover on this one, two thumbs up for the creator it’s probably one of my favorites so far this year. Smoke and Key by Kelsey Sutton is a young adult fantasy read that is one of those that has a bit of mystery and a bit of romance in the mix too.

The story begins with a girl falling into a mysterious dark cavern and not knowing where or even what she is. She meets a boy named Smoke who begins to explain that she is dead and has fallen out o ...more

flag 61 likes · Like · see review

Mar 15, 2019 Umairah | Sereadipity rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Plot: 4/5 Characters: 4/5 Writing: 4/5

Smoke and Key was a creepy yet intriguing novel that captivated me from the very first sentence.

The book was about a girl who was dead but fell down from her grave into a mysterious world called 'Under'. She didn't know why she was there, she didn't have any memories of her life before Under and she couldn't even remember her own name. The only possession she had on her was a key, so she called herself Key. All the other residents of Under were named after t ...more

flag 51 likes · Like · see review

Mar 30, 2019 Melanie (mells_view) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

“I suppose some things don’t have a proper explanation. They just are.”

You guys. Smoke and Key is such an amazing read! It’s like this suspenseful historical YA paranormal with a magical morbid feel to it. A genre mouthful I realize. While reading I kept thinking if The Wizard of Oz & the movie Clue had a love child in the early 1900’s and gave birth in a magical graveyard, then this book would be that baby. There’s a smidge of romance, but Smoke and Key is a highly plot driven story. We are fo ...more

flag 27 likes · Like · see review

Mar 04, 2019 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-books, arc-book-read

4.5 Stars!
If there is one thing I love more in this genre than anything else, it is originality and Smoke and Key is packed full of it.

It is utterly unique and utterly engaging. From the very first creeptastic chapter I was hooked and couldn't wait to read more.

I absolutely loved the imaginative world of the Under. The characters, the setting, how it all came about slowly through memories and trials. Truly this story was so well done and so irresistible and hard to put down. A truly imaginative ...more

flag 25 likes · Like · see review

Feb 04, 2019 Brittany rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3-star-reads

3 Stars!!
🌟🌟🌟

Smoke and Key begins with a girl falling out of her grave into a dark bottomless pit. As she struggles to come to terms with where she is, she starts to meet a group of others who share her fate and with no knowledge of what caused them to fall below into what they call "under".

She comes across a boy claiming to be no one, which makes her head spin. He then tells her that's she's dead. But she cant be dead. She sets off to uncover the secrets of the past with the hope of finding l ...more

flag 25 likes · Like · see review

Mar 26, 2019 Schizanthus Nerd rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, kindle-food, content-warnings

“You’re dead, darlin’. This isn’t hell, but it’s the next best thing.”

She hears a voice imploring her to wake up. She falls and finds herself surrounded by dirt. In Under she meets a group of strangers whose bodies are in different stages of decomposition. While they can all remember general knowledge they do not remember anything personal from their lives. Each awoke with an item that was buried with them, an item that helps their owner decide their Under name.

The girl who wakes at the beginning of the book becomes Key. She meets Ribbon, Smoke, Journal, Handkerchief, Doll, and many others. Shortly after Key arrives in Under the first murder occurs and there’s no waking up from this death.

We are ghosts, but we are the ones being haunted.

Key’s flashbacks provide frequent snippets of information about her life before death, building towards revelations that may hold more danger than she could imagine. I found the flashbacks interesting but expect readers who aren’t a fan of multiple flashbacks could find their frequency and slow drip of information irritating.

Given the exponential growth of my TBR pile I was definitely attracted to a life after death that included books and no need for sleep. I loved guessing who the characters may have been before their deaths, the mysterious writings on the wall, the magic and Journal’s tower with all of his books.

I liked getting to know the main characters but found many of the minor characters interchangeable. I didn’t always know which minor character was being referenced as I didn’t know much more about them other than the item they were buried with. I was disappointed by the lack of resolution surrounding Doll; I did learn who she was in life but I have so many unanswered questions about her.

While I enjoyed some aspects of the love triangle I did find the kissing scenes when the characters were dead a tad squirmy, although I acknowledge I probably overthought it. Maybe if I hadn’t already read about the putrid death breath of other characters (who don’t need to breathe because they’re dead, but anyway) it wouldn’t have bothered me so much, but the idea of death breath kisses didn’t exactly make me want to go, “Awww!” I can only hope that Tintype found some toothbrushes and toothpaste for these kissing corpses to use that I wasn’t aware of.

I adored the concept of this book and loved the initial world building but would have liked to learn more about Under and its residents. Had this book covered all of the details I craved it would have been close to twice the length though. The magic was interesting but could have been fleshed out (sorry!) more. I also found the mystery fairly predictable. The final few chapters wrapped up the story too quickly for my liking. Despite my need for more, most of my questions were answered and a sneaky tear did escape quite unexpectedly.

Content warnings include physical abuse and abandonment. Characters also discuss a death by suicide that occurred before the events in this book.

Overall this was an enjoyable read (one I can see myself rereading) and I am interested in reading more of this author’s books. I don’t usually wander into historical fiction territory but this book made me wonder what I’m missing out on. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Entangled Teen, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC, for the opportunity to read this book. ...more

flag 25 likes · Like · see review

Apr 17, 2019 JenacideByBibliophile rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Death, lost love, walking corpses, corsets, propriety, falling from graves, curious momentous and magic.

Finally.

The spooky Historical Romance that your Gothic little heart was searching for.

description

Smoke and Key was just as beautiful, dark, sorrowful and mysterious as I’d hoped it would be.
Kelsey Sutton is Queen when it comes to ingenious and creatively mind-bending YA plots. She brings fantasy to life and completely astounds me with her imaginative ideas for books. Countdown clocks to death in Garde ...more

flag 22 likes · Like · see review

Feb 09, 2019 Danielle's rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Smoke and Key is an interesting mysterious read and I know my review isn’t going to do it justice. It’s set in a dystopian world and has a tainted edge. It’s dark and has a twist.

Imagine waking up in a place close to death. Everyone has lost their memory and your body feels undead. The name given to you links to the object given to you in your new skin. Key is new to the dystopian world but she’s also different. She is the start of the cracks. Everyone has a story but nobody can remember how it ...more

flag 23 likes · Like · see review

May 17, 2019 Alaina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-arcs, romance, 2019, fantasy, fiction, young-adult

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Smoke and Key was better than I expected it to be. It was like all of Tim Burton's movies were combined into this book (or that was the feeling I was getting - deal with it). This also sort of spoke to my own super dark soul because I just loved everything about it.

Enter a world, where dead people are kind of alive. Kind of like zombies.. but not really. They are alive in the form of their body that they died in - sounds ki ...more

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

Mar 29, 2019 Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019, genre-romance-deliberately, review-on-amazon, best-of-2019, g-a-magic, reviewed, genre-mental-health, fiction-young-adult, g-a-strong-family, imo-best-narrative

Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

The Buzz

I first read a Kelsey Sutton book when I first started as a book blogger. It was an intriguing premise, well executed and enjoyable. I loved the fusion nature of the story between slice of life, mystery, action and light romance. When I read my next Sutton book I really fell hard for the characters and was totally sucked into that mystery too. When I learned she had another standalone out I knew I HAD to read it... and now I considered ...more

flag 19 likes · Like · see review

Apr 07, 2019 ʙᴇʟʟᴀ.: ☾**:.☆*.:｡. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Smoke & Key was probably the most Tim Burton-ish book I've ever had the pleasure to read. (I listened to Corpse's Bride OST while reading this and geez, it really set up the mood!). It starts with a dead girl waking up in her grave and falling into 'Under', a world where some Dead people live but not in ghost form but in body, exactly as they died, some even already decomposing (Basically, think of Burton's Corpse Bride). No one had memories of their former lives so they name themselves with pos Smoke & Key was probably the most Tim Burton-ish book I've ever had the pleasure to read. (I listened to Corpse's Bride OST while reading this and geez, it really set up the mood!). It starts with a dead girl waking up in her grave and falling into 'Under', a world where some Dead people live but not in ghost form but in body, exactly as they died, some even already decomposing (Basically, think of Burton's Corpse Bride). No one had memories of their former lives so they name themselves with possessions they had with them when they fell. Our heroine names herself Key because she has a necklace with a mysterious key. Key makes friends with some other residents: Journal, Doll, Tintype, Ribbon and the very alluring Smoke. Some short time after Key's arrival, some residents start to be murdered (yap the dead die for real) and those murders are somehow connected to Key.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book: it was mysterious and very atmospheric. The author wrote it beautifully and It kept me at the edge of my seat trying to figure out the mystery: who is the murderer? Why everyone lost their memories? Why is Key the "key" of the mystery?
The first half was a breath of fresh air. I adored it, I adored the macabre feel, the historic touch of the Victorian Era, the uniqueness of Under. The second half was significantly weaker and if I have any complaint is that I saw the twist coming very early. In my opinion, I would have liked to see a less predictable twist. Nevertheless, I still really enjoyed it very much. About the expected romance, It was a bit weird to see two dead people romancing each other but once we get an explanation of their connection, everything makes sense (oh and the insta-love could have been avoided).
I really liked most of the supporting characters, they added a lot to the eerie feel. (And Journal was a precious cinnamon roll, I loved his interactions with Key so much more than Smoke's.).
So yes, I do recommend this little gem to fans of Tim Burton, Crimson Peak, and Gothic romance!

TW: Death, Disturbing Witchcraft and a sex scene. ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Mar 18, 2019 Erin Arkin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019

I was intrigued when I read the summary of Smoke and Key by Kelsey Sutton and that seems to be the trend with her books. I find that her stories have an interesting twist that grabs my attention and so far, I haven’t been disappointed.

The story begins with an unknown character falling and finding herself in a place where she has no recollection of who she is, why she is dead (yes…dead), and what the key around her neck means. Everyone who has fallen to Under has one identifier and as the main ch I was intrigued when I read the summary of Smoke and Key by Kelsey Sutton and that seems to be the trend with her books. I find that her stories have an interesting twist that grabs my attention and so far, I haven’t been disappointed.

The story begins with an unknown character falling and finding herself in a place where she has no recollection of who she is, why she is dead (yes…dead), and what the key around her neck means. Everyone who has fallen to Under has one identifier and as the main character has a key, that is what she is called by everyone. I loved how Sutton built this world and slowly revealed the story and characters. Its focus is on Key and how she is linked to all the characters in Under but there is also a bit of a mystery because once Key does show up, others in Under are showing up dead and no one can figure out who is doing the killing.

Key was an interesting character. She knew something weird was going on and as she kept having flashbacks of the characters in Under, she started to uncover what was really going on. I loved that even though it meant she was in danger, she wasn’t willing to stop digging into what was going on. She needed to figure things out to determine who she could trust, and, in the end, she was resigned to face whatever danger she needed to in order to figure out who was killing the others.

Smoke is someone Key meets when she finds herself in Under. He saves her from another character and she’s immediately drawn to him even though she doesn’t really know if she can trust him. Smoke has an air of mystery to him and it was hard, at first, to know what his story was but as Key’s flashbacks move the story forward and his background unfolds, it was hard not to like him.

The secondary characters are interesting as well and help to move the story along. As I alluded to, a number of them link to Key from her life when she was alive and although I won’t say anything specific here, it is important to note that through each of them, Key starts to tie everything together. I really appreciate that as the reader, I was learning everything right along with Key and it made it so that I didn’t want to put the book down.

If you are looking for a book that will introduce you to a unique story and interesting characters, consider checking this one out when you can. I have enjoyed the books I’ve read by Sutton so far and will definitely be looking forward to her next one.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 13, 2019 Sarah (thegirltheycalljones) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: loved-the-idea, paranormal-supernatural

Err... I don't know, mate. I picked it up completely oblivious it was mainly romance. For my defense it was one in the morning and I didn't have my glasses on.

The main idea is great, imo, and this book would have benefited from being less romance and more mystery. Now, don't get me wrong as there is quite a lot of mystery around but even the mysteries are romance-related, so...
Overall, I had the feeling of something that could have been. Something - if explored deeper, taking its time to create ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Feb 04, 2019 Kelsey Sutton added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Update on September 12th, 2018:

The truly incredible Salome Totladze sent me the completed character portrait I commissioned from her. I can't stop staring at it. She got Smoke and Key so right.

...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Mar 27, 2019 Kristi Housman Confessions of a YA Reader rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: physical-books-i-own, from-publisher

Book provided by Entangled Teen for review. RTC

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Mar 30, 2019 Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: in-my-habitat, got-blessed-early

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Kelsey Sutton sucked me right into Smoke and Key.
I thought Smoke and Key would be a fascinating murder mystery set underground with the dead. But as I got in the story, I discovered I was so so wrong. From early in the novel, Sutton sucks me into the world of Under. Key wakes up dead with no memories other than a key around her neck. Oth ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Feb 01, 2019 Lili Marcus rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance, 2019-arcs, fantasy, 2019-reads

The story opens with a dead girl who fell down from her grave into a world called Under. She has no recollection of her past or why she fell down. She didn’t even know that she’s dead. The only thing that connects her with her past is a key in a chain around her neck, so eventually she was named Key. As everyone else in Under, she’s named after the only possession she has with her. In Under, she met Smoke, Doll, Journal, Ribbon, Tintype and others. All of them had bodies that looked like they al The story opens with a dead girl who fell down from her grave into a world called Under. She has no recollection of her past or why she fell down. She didn’t even know that she’s dead. The only thing that connects her with her past is a key in a chain around her neck, so eventually she was named Key. As everyone else in Under, she’s named after the only possession she has with her. In Under, she met Smoke, Doll, Journal, Ribbon, Tintype and others. All of them had bodies that looked like they already started decaying. Key, though, is different. Her body is intact. Then she started remembering things. And then the murders start; bodies that are burnt to a crisp. After being burned, the dead stay dead. Key is running out of time to discover who she was—and what secret someone is willing to kill to keep hidden—before she becomes the next victim…

The beginning of the novel really pulled me in, it started right where the interesting part of the story begins. It was so intriguing and atmospheric. First, because Key and the others are being too mysterious, mainly because they can’t remember a thing about their lives before they died. Like, who are they? I was immensely curious. And they kept me interested in them till the last page. I also think their character ARCs are well done and even though there are sad parts about the characters’ lives, I was content as to how everything ended for everyone. Especially Key. The reveal of her past and her relationship with Smoke. It was really interesting and intriguing.

And there’s Under. I find Under as one of the most interesting fictional world I’ve ever read. It’s so eerie and so secretive. Like something would pop out in its walls any moment.

As for the overall plot, it’s worth reading. I love the idea of dead people being murdered and a setting that’s a pure mystery. My only issue on this book is at some point, the pacing turns too slow. I put down my tablet (it’s where I read since I haven’t bought a new Kindle yet after I lost my old one) twice before I finished the whole novel. There are also parts, that for me, are just fillers and the novel can do without. Same with the Romance. It was fine it’s part of the story, but even if it’s not, it would be fine.

Overall, this is an amazing read. It’s actually a little refreshing. I know this won’t be the last book I’ll read from this author. Kelsey Sutton’s writing is almost lyrical and really atmospheric. I just love her devices and overall writing style.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Apr 10, 2019 Michelle rated it really liked it

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Smoke and Key is a young adult paranormal by author Kelsey Sutton. First off, I have to just point out how crazy beautiful the cover is. I was immediately drawn in because of it, but then the mysterious summary really hooked me. I had to know what Smoke and Key was all about. And talk about starting the book off with a bang. The first chapter was completely creepy and spooky and set the stage for a haunting and myste **You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Smoke and Key is a young adult paranormal by author Kelsey Sutton. First off, I have to just point out how crazy beautiful the cover is. I was immediately drawn in because of it, but then the mysterious summary really hooked me. I had to know what Smoke and Key was all about. And talk about starting the book off with a bang. The first chapter was completely creepy and spooky and set the stage for a haunting and mysterious story that I simply could not put down. Smoke and Key was fascinating and something wholly different than I was expecting. If you are a fan of gothic style mysteries, I think you will absolutely love this novel. In Smoke and Key we start out with Key finding her way into the Under. The Under is a world where some individuals find themselves after death. It is named the under because it is literally the ground underneath their graves, and the only way to enter it is to fall into by bottoming out your grave. Totally creepy, right? No one in the under has any memories of their life on earth. Our story starts out with our main character waking up in her grave and falling into the Under. She can't remember her name, but she quickly learns that no one can. Each of her new inhabitants picks their own name from whatever belongings they had with them when they fell out of their graves. Key enters the under with a Key hanging around her neck. Key is determined to get her memories back. I really loved Key right from the start. She was an immediately engaging character for me, and actually so was Smoke. I loved the world of the Under that Kelsey Sutton created. I loved all of the curious characters, and I loved meeting them through Key's eyes and deciding together who we could trust and who we couldn't. Take this fascinating world and couple it with a really creepy mystery, and you have a paranormal read that felt totally fresh and unique to me, which is no easy feat. The mystery was excellent as well. Murders in the under! Who would kill so many people that are already dead? And why? Smoke and Key's twisty plot is sure to keep you turning pages in anticipation for the entire novel. I really applaud Kelsey Sutton on what she has created in Smoke and Key. It is a fascinating world with intriguing characters and a mystery plot that kept me guessing and engaged until the very end. This is a book that I would easily recommend to anyone looking for a creepy paranormal mystery.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 04, 2019 Lindy rated it really liked it

My Thoughts:

Smoke And Key was a unique story. It begins with "Key," hearing a voice urging her frantically to "Please wake up." She finds herself lying down in darkness, and starts to panic when she realizes she is trapped inside of a casket. As she tries to break out by hitting, kicking, and screaming, she finds herself falling to down below. She soon learns that she is in a place where nobody has memories of their names, or their pasts; including herself. Instead, everyone refers to themselves My Thoughts:

Smoke And Key was a unique story. It begins with "Key," hearing a voice urging her frantically to "Please wake up." She finds herself lying down in darkness, and starts to panic when she realizes she is trapped inside of a casket. As she tries to break out by hitting, kicking, and screaming, she finds herself falling to down below. She soon learns that she is in a place where nobody has memories of their names, or their pasts; including herself. Instead, everyone refers to themselves by an item that they had on them when they woke up in "Under." She had a key around her neck, therefore "Key" becomes her new name.

Nobody really knows what under is, other than a place where each of it's inhabitants fell from their caskets to down below or under. This place is made of dirt, with no sky, homes or civilization as we know it. The inhabitants have made the best of this place. Friendships have been made, individuals have their roles to play, and there are those that are nice and welcoming, as well as those with malicious intent. Some inhabitants in under are well-preserved, while others are grotesque looking.

In Under, Key meets Ribbon, Spoon, Doll, Journal, Handkerchief, Tintype, and many others. However, no one catches Key's eye the way that Smoke does. He instantly becomes her protector, and these two share a connection. Shortly after arriving in "Under" "Key" begins to have memories of her past return to her. Simultaneously, murders are taking place in Under, and the bodies are being burned. Key is desperate to uncover her past, and the closer she gets, the closer she comes to becoming the next victim.

Smoke And Key was an intriguing mystery. I rapidly read the story, and was riveted with each new memory that Key unlocked. There was danger, magic, romance, deceit, a curse, and love interwoven throughout the plot of Smoke And Key. While the beginning of the story had a slower start, and had me confused at times, the second half of the story had me devouring pages and excited to unravel the mystery of Key and Smoke's past, as well as all of the other inhabitants down in Under. If you enjoy a story heavy on mystery, light on romance, and a mixture of paranormal and historical fiction; Smoke and Key will be a delight for your senses!

3.5 Stars! ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 22, 2020 Stacy Fetters rated it liked it · review of another edition

"You’re dead, darlin’. This isn’t hell, but it’s the next best thing."

It’s no secret that I’m intrigued by all things dark and morbid. (I know! Shocking!) The afterlife is something that I sit and ponder about from time to time. No one really knows what happens when we die but I like to think we get reunited with loved ones. Kelsey gives us another look at what may happen to certain people in the afterlife and it’s wild.

A girl wakes up disoriented and in the dark. She fell through a hole in the ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 07, 2019 ☾❥ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: five-stars-5

Thanks to Dani@perspectiveofawriter I was introduced to the amazing author Kelsey Sutton and all of her amazing work. I plan on buying all of her books sometime this year because wow.

The whole story itself is so special and well written and ugh, I don’t even know how to properly articulate my feelings. The words on the pages are a lyrical masterpiece, so imaginative. Sutton has a way with words that just sucks you right into a story. I am, however, am not feeling the insta connection between Key ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 02, 2019 Kira Simion rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-2020-favorites, 2019

Was it unique? No. But was it enjoyable? Yes.
Did the romance have to have a triangle? No, definitely rooted for the two without that extra tidbit and it just made me sad when the other guy was left out because who wants to be on that side at the end of that?
Will I remember it? Vaguely. I enjoyed the murder mystery because it had more than just running around finding a killer. They were also trying to find themselves and, though not as deep as I thought (but is fantasy like this supposed to be?), ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Mar 24, 2019 Raven_Blake (dreamy addictions) rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019, netgalley, young-adult, horror, romance, stand-alone, historical

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars!
Same Review Also Posted On My Blog: Dreamy Addictions

*eARC received from the publisher Via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Smoke And Key is a stand-alone novel written by Kelsey Sutton. It was a very unique read set in historical time period. The concept of the book was very dark and intriguing. I loved the mystery aspect in this book, but as for the romance part I’ve mixed feelings about it. Other than that, this was an engaging read and I really enjoyed Actual Rating: 3.5 stars!
Same Review Also Posted On My Blog: Dreamy Addictions

*eARC received from the publisher Via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Smoke And Key is a stand-alone novel written by Kelsey Sutton. It was a very unique read set in historical time period. The concept of the book was very dark and intriguing. I loved the mystery aspect in this book, but as for the romance part I’ve mixed feelings about it. Other than that, this was an engaging read and I really enjoyed it. It was actually my first book by the author and it definitely won’t be my last.

The story begins with a girl falling from her grave to under where she meets other people who’re also fallen under just like her. As soon as she falls, she meets a broody guy named Smoke who tells her that she has died and she had to spend the rest of her afterlife in under. She doesn’t remember anything about herself not even her name. She calls herself Key because it’s the only thing that was found on her. Key isn’t ready to give up and tries to search for answers. Soon she makes new friends and gets acquainted with Under but suddenly she starts to regain memories which never happened to the other people in Under. When a series of murders takes place, she wants to know the true purpose of their existence in Under and her memories might be the only key to the answers.

Key is a pretty likable protagonist. She’s a brave and stubborn girl. I enjoyed her character but I wouldn’t say she was my favorite either. Smoke on the other hand is your typical broody guy with dark charms. His character was both mysterious and dark. From the start, I really wanted to know his backstory. The romance between Smoke and Key was pretty much insta-lovey which isn’t my favorite trope but In the second half, I grew to love them because we finally get the answers about their instant connection. I’m not going to say anything more because it’s a spoiler. And also there’s a light triangle in this book which I know many people aren’t fond of. As for the supporting characters, I liked Journal, doll, and maybe Ribbon too. There’re still some other characters but I didn’t paid much attention to them.

The plot was a perfect mix of mystery and a light romance. I found the story dragged in some places but overall the pacing was okay. I loved the mystery and the fantasy aspect in this book. As the story progressed, the secrets unfolded with each memory . The backstory was pretty interesting and I liked how everything was connected but sadly I predicted the villain from the start. The author’s writing style was easy to follow. The whole book was written in Key’s POV which was shifted between the past and the present. The shifting might confuse some readers but I didn’t had any issue with it. I think I enjoyed the backstory more than the present one. The setting was pretty good. I liked the dark and creepy atmosphere the author had set in the story. Before getting into this book, I really didn’t know it was a historical fantasy.

Overall, it was a good read with decent plot, unique concept, and interesting characters. Despite the issues, I enjoyed the story and the refreshing concept which was weirdly interesting and compelling. I would definitely check out this author’s other works.

Recommend it?
YES

If you’re looking for a good YA historical fantasy read with mystery aspect then definitely give it a shot. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 08, 2019 Nicole M. Hewitt rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-addiction-read

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction. Also on the blog is a list of Kelsey Sutton's Top Ten Addictions!

One woman’s choices in life follow her into the afterlife … and she can’t escape the consequences without unraveling the truth of her past.

What Fed My Addiction:

Creepy and atmospheric.
The book takes place Under, which is a creepy afterlife that’s literally under the graveyard. All of the characters show signs of their deaths–often quite gruesome–and th ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 24, 2019 Carrie (brightbeautifulthings) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-fantasy, romance, underrated, i-do-believe-in-spooks, horrorshow, netgalley, best-read-in-2019

Flash Book Review: A dark, atmospheric afterlife story with a dash of romance. Exactly my kind of weird.

---

I received a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at Entangled Publishing, LLC. Trigger warnings: death, body horror, eye horror, violence, blood.

When Key falls into Under, a world of dirt and forgotten objects, she has no memory of who she is or why she’s dead. All she has is the scar on her back and a key around her neck. All the residents of Under are named for the objects th Flash Book Review: A dark, atmospheric afterlife story with a dash of romance. Exactly my kind of weird.

---

I received a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at Entangled Publishing, LLC. Trigger warnings: death, body horror, eye horror, violence, blood.

When Key falls into Under, a world of dirt and forgotten objects, she has no memory of who she is or why she’s dead. All she has is the scar on her back and a key around her neck. All the residents of Under are named for the objects they brought with them: Ribbon, the kind girl who tries to make Under feel like home, Doll, the spooky child who never speaks, Smoke, the mysterious but protective boy with a scar across his neck, Journal, the reclusive bookworm, and enough others to fill the strange town. Key is desperate to remember who she was, but when bodies turn up burned almost beyond recognition, she realizes that even the dead can be killed and some secrets are meant to stay buried.

This book is exactly my kind of weird, with a side of gruesome. Sutton’s world of Under calls up images of Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005) without the slapstick humor or the singing. It’s dark, grim, and imaginative, and it’s a case of a fascinating premise given the execution it deserves (pun totally intended). Undead mysteries can keep my mind spinning for days, and the plot of Smoke & Key is interesting without ever being too over the top. Occasionally, the pace lags when Key is more wrapped up in her returning memories than what’s happening in Under, but there were also times those captured more of my attention too. Sutton’s old-world England is almost as interesting as Under. I guessed the overall villain but not some of the minor twists; I wasn’t expecting a dose of witchcraft with my undead, but it works well.

The main cast is spooky and well-drawn. It’s easy for a book with undead characters to drag readers down in the misery of being dead, but these feel very much alive. I admired Key’s bravery and her willingness to bend the conventions of her time, Ribbon’s sweetness and level head, Doll’s spookiness, and Journal’s obsession with books. There’s a heavy dose of romance to balance out the horror, but Smoke is a mysterious and somewhat dashing love interest. I enjoyed their interactions perhaps most of all, which is unusual for me.

There’s a love triangle element, but it’s nowhere near the worst I’ve read. In fact, it forces some pretty interesting character development on either side. There’s some angst while Key wallows in her guilt about not returning someone’s feelings that started to wear on me; I’ve rarely seen a male character that feels bad about this, but it seems to be the default for females. However, Sutton ultimately takes it to a healthy place, which is nice to see in fiction. If you’re looking for a mix of horror and romance or simply something that’s off the beaten path, I highly recommend it.

I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 29, 2019 Vanessa B. ☽♡ rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019-reads, netgalley

Smoke and Key is one of the books that I am not quite sure how to rate. I settled for 3 stars.

The book begins with a girl falling from her grave to what is called Under. There she meets other people that experienced the same thing and she discovers that no one remembers anything from their previous lives, not even their names. A boy informs her that she should pick a name and that the rest of them has chosen theirs from an object they found on them. He is Smoke she is Key. As the story unfolds K ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 09, 2019 Kirsti rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

This is one of those books you just wish you had time to read sooner. Unfortunately we will never read every book we want to, but I'm so glad I found the time to get into this one, because I adored it. It had like a Coraline vibe to it; our main character wakes in a grave, only to fall through the earth into a dingy kind of hell below. Named only by the objects they possess, Key must work out why she's the only one with me ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 08, 2019 Jazmen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I rather enjoyed this unique fantasy. It was unlike anything I've ever read and it's a book I won't soon forget.

Key is in under. Under Earth? In hell? In between hell? We're not sure. But she's just fallen from her grave into another world. She's dead and the only clue she has to her former life is a key that lies around her neck.

The "Under" world was an intriguing yet scary and beautiful place. This in-between world with dead people living and not breathing was one I found very thrilling. I ado ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 29, 2019 Kristen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Ahh I really loved this book! Has a Tim Burton feel to it! I was instantly captivated and had to know what would happen next. Very quick read and lots of fun!

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jul 30, 2019 SAB rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: not-what-i-expected, love-triangle, borrowed, young-adult, pleasantly-surprised, stand-alone, creepy-and-disturbing

Actual rating 3.5 stars. This book surprised me. I didn't have any expectations going in and at first I wasn't sure about it, but the story and the mystery quickly grew on me.

This has quite an interesting premise, where the MC wakes up to find she is actually dead and is living in 'Under' with other people who have 'woken' from their death. Not long after Key 'wakes' up, people start being murdered with no chance of re-awakening. Key also starts remembering her past - and this is where things be ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Videos About This Book

Add a comment

Genres

Fantasy

50 users

Young Adult

29 users

Romance

21 users

Mystery

16 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

14 users

Historical

6 users

Fiction

6 users

Fantasy > Supernatural

5 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Fantasy

5 users

Horror

4 users

See top shelves…

About Kelsey Sutton

Kelsey Sutton

470 followers

Kelsey Sutton is a young adult and middle grade author. She lives in Minnesota, where she received a dual bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Bemidji State University. She recently earned a master's degree from Hamline University. Her work has received an Independent Publisher Book Award, an IndieFab Award, and was selected as a Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of 2013. When not wr ...more

Books by Kelsey Sutton

Where Silence Gathers (The Other Plane, #2)

More…

Horror, Weird Fiction, and Slasher Justice in ‘The Only Good Indians’

With his new horror novel, The Only Good Indians, author Stephen Graham Jones conjures one of the most effective scary images to ever hover in that...