Smoke Sky by Amy Braun

Happy book birthday to author Amy Braun and the new novella in the Dark Sky world, Smoke Sky.  As in the first novella, Amber Sky, Smoke Sky gives us a look at this backstory of one of the secondary characters from the Dark Sky novels. This one delivers the love story between Gemma and Nash from Gemma’s point of view.

I received an ARC of this book  from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

Title: Smoke Sky
Author: Amy Braun
Series: Dark Sky, Book 0.5
Publish Date: December 6, 2016
Genre: Dystopian, dark fantasy
Cover: Deranged Doctor Designs
Source: Provided by the author

Publisher’s Description: To survive in a horrific world overseen by bloodthirsty monsters, young thief Gemma will do whatever she must to see another day. Even though that means working for a damaged man convinced to make her a permanent member of this thuggish family.

So when her employer tells her that he’ll release her from his clutches, Gemma is obviously skeptical. Especially since the job is easy enough– recruit the two marauders that the gang has been spying on to take her place.

But as Gemma lies to Nash and Sawyer, she commits the greatest mistake a spy can make–– she begins to see them as friends, and perhaps more. Soon, she will have to choose: Sacrifice two strangers to ensure freedom from a brutal future, or risk her life to save them…

Set two years before the events of CRIMSON SKY, this prequel novella tells the story of how Gemma met Nash and Sawyer, and what prompted her to chose their safety over her own. While best enjoyed before reading CRIMSON SKY, this bonus story can be read at any time or enjoyed as a standalone.

Possible spoilers beyond this point.

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Nervous Nellie says…

The love affair that is Gemma and Nash.  This world that Amy Braun has created is a cruel one and the characters have to do whatever they have to in order to survive. Gemma has choices to make and she has to decide to turn on these two men that are becoming her friends.  The world is a mess and the Hellions are out to eat everyone.  This is the type of adversity that binds people together and some a little tighter than others.  Nash finds the love of his life and Gemma finds a home to call her own.

This is Gemma’s story and it can be read in any order you want.  The story leaves the impression of what the world is like, how much danger there is to face and how trust is hard to come by.

Invested Ivana says…

I really liked Amber Sky, which is the Dark Sky novella that gives us a look at Nash’s background. In it, we learned that Nash, despite his hard conditions of his survival, has a soft heart that’s made for loyalty and love.

Smoke Sky, then, introduces us to Gemma, who we know from the Dark Sky novels is Nash’s other half; the passionate love they have for each other is evident throughout the novels. Now we learn how Gemma survived the hard, hard world of post-Hellion Westraven, how she met Nash and Sawyer, and how she and Nash found such a strong and passionate love.

Smoke Sky is another great story from Amy Braun–touching and hopeful despite the dystopian world in which its set.

Our reviews in this series…

• Amber Sky, Book 0.25
• Smoke Sky, Book 0.5
• Crimson Sky, Book 01
• Midnight Sky, Book 02
• Obsidian Sky, Book 03 — expected Feb 7, 2017

I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.