After reading Grown last summer, i did NOT expect a horror story from Ms. Jackson...and she didn’t let down. Not only was it a horror story, it was a story that was a reflection on society, how those with money can do whatever they want, regardless of the ramifications and how those who survive day to day, live with a constant struggle. I felt as if the ending was left too open. Could there be a follow up, which would be more of an expose? Possible. I did enjoy the story, kept me guessing until the end

I love Tiffany D. Jackson and loved the boo, but the ending felt unfinished to me. I kept clicking on my kindle thinking I was missing something. That is the only reason I do not give it a 5. . Loved the fact the book explores everything from drug abuse, to anxiety to gentrification but the ending left me wanting more. I did love the twist though, but once again; after the twist, it felt unfinished

White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson is an incredibly well thought out horror story geared towards a YA audience. As a 9th grade teacher, many of my students are interested in horror, but there is less representation of people of color as main characters and authors. Since "Get Out" and "Lovecraft Country", there has been a sharp rise in a desire to understand horror as a form of social commentary. This text will prove to be integral as a recommendation for my students as it taps into some of the most pervasive "monsters" that they are encountering.

The text takes a "haunted home" gothic vibe and touches on concepts such as mental illness, gentrification, racism, blended family dynamics, and relationships. Jackson expertly weaves together several stories, in the past and present tense, while skillfully tackling topical issues that students are facing today.

The text follows a family as they move to become part of a program that is seeking to "revamp" the neighborhood with up and coming artists. As their stay progresses, they realize that their home, neighborhood, and selves are haunted by ghosts of trauma's past. It is quick, thrilling, and well paced.

In terms of character development and plot, Jackson is able to hold readers' attention while simultaneously avoiding the "good versus evil" trope found in horror. Each character is "flawed" in their own unique way which leads to investment without cliche.

In terms of critical feedback, the number of trigger warnings that I will need to give my 9th graders will be quite high. The text is so descriptive that there were several times I felt bugs crawling on my skin. In terms of the overall story arc, at times, it was hard to keep up with the plot lines that were running simultaneously. The ending felt abrupt as there was this intense build up and little room left for the ending. Finally, many of my students have rejected the notion of describing various races as food items, but I am simply nitpicking at this point.

This text is accessible on a surface level and for in depth analysis through synthesis of current and historical events. A must have for my classroom library!

Ok, so it pains me to say this but...this was a total miss for me.

I've loved all of Tiffany D. Jackson's work (GROWN was one of my Top 10 last year), but I could not get into WHITE SMOKE. While there was nuanced exploration of some of Jackson's repeated themes about trauma faced by Black children and the need for believing them, the ghost aspect lost me. I found myself skimming the last 20% to get to the end.

Highly recommend starting with GROWN or ALLEGEDLY instead if you're new to Jackson's work.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for an eARC in exchange for this review.

Let me start by saying—I wasn’t entirely sure how I would like this book. It’s not my usual choice, but I’ve heard great things about Tiffany D Jackson and have it a try.

I’m so glad I did. This book is excellent. On the surface it’s a scary story—creaks in the night, Marigold seeing figures in her room, and a lot more spooky happenings. But this story has *layers* to it. Recovery, blended family, forgiveness, change, gardening and it even touches on historical wrongs and perceptions in small-town life.
There is so much to like about this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an ARC copy of this book!

Disclaimer: I got this book in exchange for. an honest review.

Perfect for fans of The Haunting of Hill House X Get Out

I'm not typically a fan of horror books or the genre but I actually liked this one! Marigold is a young girl whose family/step-fam relocates due to an incident that occurred in her past. Everything came together seamlessly by the end and this is perfect for fans of either the show or the movie!

Marigold and her blended family are moving from California to a small Midwestern town called Cedarville for a fresh start. Mari left with her name in ruins after a bad OD and the entire family needed a fresh start. Marigold lives with her Mama, Stepdad Alec, Stepsister Piper, and Brother Sammy. All whose lives were affected by the choices she made. But as she starts to find friends and “normalcy” in Cedarville; she soon realizes this town ANYTHING but normal. Her house is labeled haunted, Piper has an imaginary friend (Ms. Suga) that turns out to have horrible intentions, and the town’s owners are corrupt, and every person in the town is a player in their game without ever knowing. Super abrupt ending and left you with soooo many questions, but still a major thriller and SUPER spooky. Would not recommend for late night reading 👻😬😳

Tiffany Jackson has done it- she made me read (and love) a horror/thriller book. It is so good— even if it’s a little out of your genre comfort zone, give it a chance. I did, and I loved it! It’s being released in September, so it’s the perfect cozy thriller for fall 2021.

Mari and her recently blended family leave California and seek a fresh start in a Midwestern town. Mari’s mom has accepted new opportunity from the Sterling Foundation. As the foundation seeks to renovate and revitalize rundown parts of town, Mari’s family is given a newly renovated house to stay in during the program. Immediately, Mari is picking up really sketch vibes from the house- strange smells, unexplained noises, objects moving on their own, shadows and voices. As Mari learning about her new town she begins to and uncover secrets and mysteries.

Tiffany Jackson weaves together a thrilling story that will keep you up late reading in suspense while also exploring themes of family, change, gentrification, and social justice. It is not easy to pull off book that is exiting and entertaining while exploring these complex themes without coming off as preachy. I will certainly be getting a copy of this book for my classroom library, but I’m also thinking it might make a great option for literature circles!

I think I should get bonus points for reading a this book about a creepy haunted house the week we moved into our new house (built 60 years ago)! With each floor creak and dishwasher running, I wanted to jump!

I cannot recommend White Smoke enough.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

This was a pretty fun read. Jackson knows how to ramp up the creepy factor, although character development tales a back seat. I found it hard to suspend disbelief: Mari’s mom and stepdad are exceptionally obtuse, and there are lots of convenient coincidences with no nuance. And what is up with the Scott Clark channel that every household keeps their TVs tuned to?

Race issues aren’t explicitly addressed, but underpin a lot of the tension of the town.

Two and a half stars rounded up to three.

Thanks to Katherine Tegen Books and NetGalley for the electronic arc.

Tiffany D. Jackson is my favorite YA author, and I will always pick up anything she writes. This one is intriguing and definitely a departure from her other works. It’s an atmospheric Tiffany D. Jackson is my favorite YA author, and I will always pick up anything she writes. It’s an atmospheric horror/suspense novel that also tackles many issues including gentrification, racism, addiction, and mental health struggles. The ending wasn’t quite what I was looking for, as it felt a bit rushed and didn’t quite fit my expectations, but perhaps the story will continue in some way in the future. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I love all of Tiffany Jackson's books and this one was no exception. Jackson is an expert at writing hard-hitting, suspenseful stories that you can never guess the ending of. I can't wait for this one to arrive at our library so I can recommend it to our teens.

Overall, this was a fun spooky read. Parts of the story felt like it dragged out too long or were repetitive. I like the tie into social issues. Teens will enjoy the connection to The Haunting of Hill House. The ending, if you could call it that, is abrupt.

Wow! Ms. Jackson has done it again. Effortlessly weaving in relevant societal issues (i.e gentrification, Marijuana use, etc) with perfect and seamless, engrossing storytelling. I was pulled in from the first page and honestly, could have completed it in one sitting!

First, thank you to Katherine Tegan Books (Harper Collins) and NetGalley for this ARC copy. I LOVE a good horror story and White Smoke delivered! Tiffany D. Jackson is one of my favorite authors, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this title.

Mari, a 16 year old recently released from rehab, moves cross country with her blended family due to a new job opportunity for her mother. When Mari starts seeing supernatural activity in her new house, she knows she can't tell anyone because everyone will think she's getting high again.

Pros: Jackson weaved in the Detroit abandonment issues, gentrification and systemic racism into a classic haunted house story. One night after reading the book, I was too scared to turn off my lights.

Cons: I would have loved to recommend this book to my middle school and lower high school students, but the constant mention of weed and the need for it to calm anxiety isn't appropriate for younger audiences. As an adult, I definitely understand why Jackson included this aspect of the story. Also, the only reason for my 4.5 stars is the story ended WAYYY too abruptly. So many holes and issues were left unanswered. I really hope when the final book is released, Jackson will include an epilogue to explain all the loose ends.

Otherwise, I LOVED it and I will definitely be adding this book to my 12th grade recommendations page on my website. Tiffany D. Jackson is a genius author.

This is a story about the ghosts of gentrification past

This was such a solid, unsettling horror story! I could feel the dread creep in, and at one point towards the end my heart was literally pounding. I loved the exploration of the protagonists experience & the cautionary tale woven throughout. The author is brilliant & I hope she writes more scary stories. There was one particular trope that didn’t work for me- it’s why this wasn’t a 5⭐️ read, so stop reading if you want to go in totally blind

*Trope Spoiler*
I don’t enjoy the drunk/addicted woman trope in horror or thrillers. The preoccupation with marijuana in this book was overwhelming- and I think that might have been the authors way of exploring the insidious & constant nature of addiction? But it was distracting for me personally from what was otherwise a really scary book.

Thank you so much netgalley & HarperCollins Children’s !

That’s when a shadow appears in the door sill and the footsteps stop. My breath hitches. Sammy wraps his arms around me, squeezing his face into my back, and I’m nearly convulsing in fear.”
💨
Marigold is ready for a change. She left California in disgrace: having OD’d on bad drugs she’s ready for a fresh start. The Midwestern town of Cedarville is where her mother, little brother, new stepdad and his daughter, Piper, end up after her mom wins free rent in a once-abandoned home provided by the Sterling Foundation. Nothing seems right about the town or Maple Street. Things go missing, weird noises are a daily occurrence, foul smells, random lights going on/off and a locked basement push Mari to her breaking point. When Piper’s imaginary friend, Ms. Suga, turns out to be anything but friendly Mari has to decide if she should outrun her ghosts or stay and fight for her family.
💨
Hailed as Get Out meets The Haunting of Hill House (with a side of Paranormal Activity thrown in for good measure) this was by far the scariest YA book I’ve ever read. When students ask for a scary story: I will be running to the shelf for this one. White Smoke will have you sleeping with the lights on. Thank you @netgalley for an ARC. This young adult book releases 9.14. BUY IT IMMEDIATELY.

It seems the world is telling me I need to be more afraid of bedbugs...

This book was great! It follows Marigold (Mari) and her family as they move from California to the Midwest for a new beginning. They move to a nice town and get to live in a nice house for free (as long as her mom follows the contract and keeps writing her book). It seems like a great place to start over, leaving issues they had in California and learning to grow together as a family.

The only problem is that the house seemingly wants Marigold to leave. Immediately.

This is more than just a horror novel, it explores family issues, like learning to live with your father in another country and your step father and step sister taking his place (father and the family are all still very much on good terms and talk regularly).

It also shows a lot about anxiety, as we see Mari struggling with her own intrusive thoughts about bedbugs, the constant fear that they are lurking anywhere and everywhere (sounds a bit silly, but bedbugs are serious).

As a method of self medication, this book also shows Mari's relationship with drugs and the lasting effects they've had on her and her family, but also Cedarville in the wake of mass incarceration in the past.

This book was great, both on the surface of being a scary horror story (bonus points for reading alone in the dark), but also for having depth in the characters and their lives. I'd definitely recommend this book if you're looking for something a little spooky.

Tiffany Jackson’s latest is described as her take on The Haunting of Hill House meets Get Out, and it is trademark Jackson, with twists, turns, and a pace that keeps you flipping pages. A ghost story, yes. A horror story, yes. A psychological mystery-thriller, yes!

It’s not just the house that haunts Mari; it’s personal struggles that got her blended family looking for a fresh start in a creepy town, in a creepy neighborhood, in a creepy house surrounded by abandoned wrecks. Mari’s demons and their effects on her interactions with people and on her perception of reality—is she delusional or is all this crazy-spooky stuff happening for real--add depth to the story, as does Mari’s edgy voice and difficult history, giving Jackson room to explore anxiety and addiction and to comment on other societal issues. I agree with readers who find some of the story’s strands underdeveloped and the ending too abrupt. I also think the religious references add little to the plot, though they might work in a movie script. Still, this novel will appeal to teen readers who, in our high school library, have already been asking for Tiffany Jackson’s next book. They’ll eat this one up.

Potential triggers: Bed bugs! If you’ve ever experienced an invasion, be prepared to relive it. Also, casual alcohol and drug use, and talk about the positive uses of marijuana (by a teenager who self-medicates and is admiringly described at one point as sounding like she has “professional" knowledge) with no mention of the potentially heightened negative impact on developing teenaged brains. The medical research on this issue is ongoing and much more complicated than the teenaged protagonist suggests, which may trip up some teen readers but also make for some good discussions. For instance, I think White Smoke would be an interesting selection for a biology class in which, among other things, the more complex story of marijuana’s effects on the teenaged brain could be researched and discussed.

Rating: 3 stars

New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson has another book coming out this September: (Amazon affiliate link) White Smoke.

Marigold is running from the secrets and anxiety of her life. When her mother is given an opportunity for a fellowship which includes a free house, Marigold finds herself being moved across country with her faithful dog, younger brother, and new little stepsister. Thrown into a nightmarish block of burned houses which have sat empty for 30 years, secrets start coming to life. Mari will have to start facing them if she hopes to save her family.

Jackson does a superb job of weaving in information from Mari’s history, as well as the history of the area, into the main story line, giving readers a peak into the past without revealing everything at once. The twists in the plot are fun for middle school age readers. However, I wish the author had gone more into detail. I was left feeling that the story was a bit flat when she could have added in a lot more detail to fully round out the plot line, characters, and history. The book ends a bit abruptly, and there are many questions left unanswered.

Overall, this is a fun, suspenseful book for younger YA audiences looking for a light read with some highlights of important social issues.

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of the book was provided by HaperCollins Children’s Books.

I really enjoyed the spookiness of this book, but I feel like there was no ending. It was so abrupt. It was still in the middle of all the action that made up the culmination of the whole plot. I love this author a lot, but I need the style of her other books please.