
Enter Kayla Edwards' City of Smoke and Brimstone, where fantasy romance meets relentless action. This 784-page epic marks Edwards' triumphant leap from self-publishing to Penguin, earning 4.8 stars from readers captivated by its emotional intensity and cliffhanger ending. BookTok's obsession continues.
Kayla Edwards is the author of City of Smoke and Brimstone, the fourth installment in her bestselling House of Devils series, and a rising voice in new adult fantasy and romantasy. Known for creating immersive worlds filled with dark magic, dangerous romance, and morally complex characters, Edwards began writing the series' debut, City of Gods and Monsters, while still in high school, making the story and its characters deeply personal to her work.
The House of Devils series has captivated readers worldwide, with previous titles including City of Gods and Monsters, City of Souls and Sinners, and City of Lies and Legends earning widespread acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Edwards also authored the upper-YA romantasy novel Dreams of Ice and Iron. She engages with readers through her Facebook group, Dare's Devils, and maintains an active presence on social media.
Published by Simon & Schuster and Penguin Books, her books have garnered over 109,000 ratings on Goodreads, with City of Smoke and Brimstone spanning nearly 30 hours in audiobook format.
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:
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.
Ressentez le livre à travers la voix de l'auteur
Transformez les connaissances en idées captivantes et riches en exemples
Capturez les idées clés en un éclair pour un apprentissage rapide
Profitez du livre de manière ludique et engageante
"I'm insanely in love with you," he confesses.
"You made someone who always wanted to die want to start living."
"Breaking his chains is proving to be the hardest fight of his miserable fucking life."
"I'll never let you have him."
True bonds transcend blood.
Décomposez les idées clés de City of Smoke and Brimstone en points faciles à comprendre pour découvrir comment les équipes innovantes créent, collaborent et grandissent.
Condensez City of Smoke and Brimstone en indices de mémoire rapides mettant en évidence les principes clés de franchise, de travail d'équipe et de résilience créative.

Découvrez City of Smoke and Brimstone à travers des récits vivants qui transforment les leçons d'innovation en moments mémorables et applicables.
Posez n'importe quelle question, choisissez la voix et co-créez des idées qui résonnent vraiment avec vous.

Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco
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Imagine a city carved apart like a snowflake-some areas pulverized, others eerily intact. A supernatural darkness creeps through the streets of Yveswich, consuming everything it touches. Buildings crumble, plants wither, metal corrodes on contact. At the center of this apocalyptic scene stands Loren Calla, a young woman with less than ten months to live, desperately searching for Darien Cassel-the enigmatic leader who inexplicably tied his fate to hers through an ancient blood ritual. What makes this catastrophe truly terrifying is how it transforms familiar spaces into alien landscapes. The local park where children once played now hosts grotesque creatures that phase between solid and liquid states. Streets teem with Hollow Ones-ancient predators with glowing stones in their foreheads who feed on human memories. Shopping centers warp into maze-like death traps as reality itself begins to fracture. Why? Because the Veil-a metaphysical barrier separating our world from Spirit Terra-is failing, and when worlds collide, chaos reigns supreme.