Bright Smoke, Cold Fire

Sabriel meets Romeo and Juliet in this stunning and atmospheric novel—the first in a duology—from the author of Cruel Beauty and Crimson Bound.

When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched.

The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou, share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on the Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.

Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding the Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.

Mahyanai Runajo only wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.

Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . . .

• A Romeo and Juliet Retelling: This tragic fantasy reimagines the classic star-crossed lovers in a city where the dead rise and ancient magic demands a terrible price.
• Unlikely Alliances: Two pairs of enemies—a reluctant guardian bound to his ward’s killer, and a novice bound to the girl she resurrected—must learn to trust each other to survive.
• Multiple POVs: Told from the perspectives of four distinct characters, this epic tale weaves together threads of love, betrayal, and a desperate fight to save a dying city.
• Tragic Romance: A love deeper than duty is put to the ultimate test when Romeo kills Juliet’s cousin, forcing her to choose between her heart and a magical compulsion to avenge her family.
• Intricate World-Building: Explore the walled city of Viyara, a society powered by blood magic, haunted by the risen dead, and protected by a failing wall that holds back a world consumed by the Ruining.

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When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the city of Viyara was left untouched.

As the heirs of Viyara’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life. But the magic laid on the Juliet at birth compels her to punish her clan’s enemies, and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.

Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding the Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his clan.

Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls the Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl, only to learn she might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.

Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the city’s walls, death is waiting. . . .

Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, Bright Smoke, Cold Fire is a darkly romantic and atmospheric fantasy from acclaimed author Rosamund Hodge. |

Praise for CRUEL BEAUTY: “A completely engrossing tale.” - Alex Flinn, New York Times bestselling author of Beastly and Towering

Praise for CRIMSON BOUND: “This novel will captivate readers. Outstanding.” - School Library Journal (starred review)

Praise for CRIMSON BOUND: “An intoxicatingly dark story of love, lust, murder, and redemption.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

Praise for CRIMSON BOUND: “The unusual, intricately woven story and themes make for a worthwhile read.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Hodge tackles a well-known tale…with a tougher heroine and a dark twist.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Praise for CRUEL BEAUTY: “Hodge has created a rich, complete world in this twist on ‘Beauty and the Beast.’” - Publishers Weekly

Praise for CRUEL BEAUTY: “Will have readers clutching the book and flying through the pages.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Praise for CRUEL BEAUTY: “[A] fast-paced romantic fantasy.” - Booklist

“A bloody and bold tale for those who want some Romero with their Romeo” - Kirkus Reviews

“An atmospheric tale that pits loyalty to kin against loyalty to self and loyalty to loved ones.” - School Library Journal

“High stakes, desperate love, and a healthy dose of gore keep this update fresh and intriguing.” - Booklist

Praise for CRIMSON BOUND: “Plot twists and romance keep the pages turning in this grim and intricate take on the classic tale.” - Booklist

Praise for CRUEL BEAUTY: “A dazzling and clever retelling, Cruel Beauty is delightfully dark, lushly romantic, and utterly spellbinding. I adored it, and can’t wait to read Hodge’s next novel!” - Sarah J. Maas, New York Times bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series

Praise for CRUEL BEAUTY: “What a stunning debut. This is a book you will want to read as fast as you can for the intricate plot and as slowly as you can to savor the gorgeous world-building and the ravishing love story.” - Sherry Thomas, author of The Burning Sky

Praise for CRUEL BEAUTY: “An intricate and arresting tale.” - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for CRUEL BEAUTY: “The push and pull romance between Nyx and Ignifex is pure fairy tale, but the characters themselves are complex and genuinely human as they struggle with their own culpability in a situation that forces them to choose between selfishness and selflessness.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for CRUEL BEAUTY: “An entertaining read for teens who enjoy romantic fantasy.” - School Library Journal