City of Smoke and Brimstone by Kayla Edwards Summary

City of Smoke and Brimstone is the fourth installment in Kayla Edwards' House of Devils urban fantasy romance series. The book follows Loren Calla as she fights to stay alive six months after the events of Book 3, relying on her newfound friends and her relationship with a Darkslayer. This action-packed continuation features multiple character perspectives, intense battles against monsters, mysterious deaths, and escalating stakes as the found family navigates dark supernatural threats in a richly-developed fantasy world.

Kayla Edwards is the author of the House of Devils series, which includes City of Gods and Monsters, City of Souls and Sinners, City of Lies and Legends, and City of Smoke and Brimstone. She also wrote the upper-YA romantasy novel Dreams of Ice and Iron. Edwards began writing the first House of Devils book during high school, making the characters deeply personal to her. When not writing, she enjoys traveling, spending time in nature, and watching television with her husband.

City of Smoke and Brimstone is ideal for readers who love new adult urban fantasy romance with high-stakes action, found family dynamics, and steamy romantic tension. Fans of dark fantasy, multi-POV narratives, complex world-building, and monster-filled supernatural settings will find this series captivating. This book specifically appeals to readers invested in the House of Devils series who crave emotional roller coasters, character-driven plots, and intricate relationship development across an extensive cast of characters.

City of Smoke and Brimstone receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with most readers rating it 5 stars and praising Kayla Edwards' ability to maintain intensity throughout the 800+ page story. Readers highlight the nonstop action, emotional depth, character development, and satisfying progression of romantic relationships. However, some critics note the plot moves slowly despite the length, and the numerous POV switches can feel disjointed. Overall, fans of the House of Devils series find it worth reading for its edge-of-your-seat storytelling and beloved characters.

Yes, you absolutely must read the previous House of Devils books before City of Smoke and Brimstone. This is Book 4 in an ongoing series with continuous plotlines, and it picks up directly after the cliffhanger ending of City of Lies and Legends. The story builds on established character relationships, unresolved plot threads, complex world-building, and previous revelations. Reading order is essential: City of Gods and Monsters (Book 1), City of Souls and Sinners (Book 2), and City of Lies and Legends (Book 3).

City of Smoke and Brimstone explores themes of survival, found family, resilience in the face of darkness, and the power of love during crisis. The book emphasizes how characters support each other through impossible situations, forming deep bonds that transcend blood relations. Additional themes include sacrifice, identity, trust, the cost of power, and redemption. The story also examines romantic love across multiple pairings with intense sexual tension, while addressing darker elements like moral ambiguity and the psychological toll of constant danger.

City of Smoke and Brimstone by Kayla Edwards features an ensemble cast with multiple POVs. Primary characters include Loren Calla, the protagonist fighting for survival; Darien, a beloved Darkslayer and romantic lead; Roman, who has become a fan-favorite character; Malakai, whose personality shift frustrated some readers; and Aspen. Supporting characters include Travis and his group, along with various side characters who receive brief POV chapters. The book's strength lies in its diverse character dynamics and the complex relationships between different groups navigating the supernatural threats together.

City of Smoke and Brimstone does end with a cliffhanger, but readers report it's significantly less cruel than the cliffhanger in Book 3 (City of Lies and Legends). Many plot threads are resolved throughout the book, providing a sense of closure and contentment despite the lingering questions. The final scene is described as emotionally impactful, leaving readers eager for Book 5 but not devastated by unresolved tension. Several major developments occur late in the book that fans had been anticipating throughout the series.

City of Smoke and Brimstone is approximately 800+ pages in print format, consistent with the other lengthy installments in the House of Devils series. The audiobook version narrated by Wen Ross and Zura Johnson runs 29 hours and 49 minutes, making it a substantial time investment. Despite the length, readers report the pacing keeps them engaged, with nonstop action throughout. However, some reviewers questioned whether 800 pages were necessary for the plot developments that occurred, suggesting tighter editing could have improved the reading experience.

Reader reviews of City of Smoke and Brimstone are predominantly positive, with most giving it 5 stars and calling it their most anticipated read of 2025. Fans praise the intense action, emotional depth, character relationships, and dark fantasy elements. Readers specifically love the found family dynamics, romantic tension, and how Kayla Edwards keeps them on edge. Common criticisms include:

• The plot dragging despite the length
• Numerous short POV switches that disrupt flow
• Character inconsistencies (particularly with Malakai)
• Concerns that the story feels like filler between major books rather than advancing the overarching plot significantly.

City of Smoke and Brimstone maintains the high-energy, character-driven storytelling established in earlier House of Devils books, though reader opinions vary on its execution. Many fans consider it an improvement over Book 3, with better pacing and more satisfying developments. The action intensity remains consistent, and character dynamics continue evolving, particularly regarding romantic relationships. However, some readers feel the plot progression has stalled compared to earlier installments, with too many loose threads and less forward momentum. The book solidifies the series' reputation while setting up Book 5's anticipated resolution.

The City of Smoke and Brimstone audiobook, narrated by Wen Ross and Zura Johnson, offers an immersive way to experience this 29-hour, 49-minute urban fantasy epic. Dual narration suits the multiple POV structure, helping distinguish between different character perspectives throughout the story. The substantial length makes it ideal for commutes or long listening sessions. Given the book's action-packed nature and emotional intensity, audiobook listeners can fully experience the dramatic tension and romantic moments. However, the complexity of multiple characters and plotlines may require focused attention to avoid confusion.