A Genre-Bending Mystery with Mythological Flair

Before diving into this review, I want to note that City of Smoke and Sea is an advanced reader copy (ARC), and the book will officially be released on April 1, 2025. If you’d like to grab a copy, check out Red Hen Press or visit your local bookstore or a major retailer.

Malia Marquez’s City of Smoke and Sea is a genre-blending novel that seamlessly weaves together crime, mystery, fantasy, and mythology. The story follows Queenie Rivers, a down-on-her-luck writer who, despite living with her grandmother, isn’t writing much of anything. As she recovers from a serious accident and tries to regain her footing, her grandmother helps her land a job at a local restaurant—one that may have ties to an unsavory character from her grandmother’s past. When Queenie accepts the position (and maybe a bit of hush money), she finds herself entangled in a murder mystery that unfolds in unexpected ways.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is its unpredictability. Just when you think the story is heading in a certain direction, it pivots, keeping you on edge. The characters are written in a way that challenges first impressions—you’re never entirely sure who to trust. Marquez also introduces elements of mythology and gods into the narrative, though these aspects remain relatively light compared to the mystery and crime elements.

If you primarily read mystery/thrillers and want to dip your toes into fantasy or mythology, this book is a great transition. The supernatural elements build gradually, becoming more prominent in the latter half of the novel. Conversely, if you’re a dedicated fantasy reader, the slow introduction of these elements might not be as immersive, but the engaging mystery still makes it a worthwhile read.

At just 169 pages, City of Smoke and Sea is a quick yet immersive read, packed with strong character development and world-building. The ending hints at the possibility of future stories within this world, and I’d be eager to see where Marquez takes it next.

Are you planning to read City of Smoke and Sea? Let’s discuss in the comments! If you have recommendations for other books that successfully blend multiple genres, I’d love to hear them.

Release Date: April 1, 2025
Format: Digital (ARC)
Platform: NetGalley

The premise of this book sounded super interesting, I was exited to read about Queenie's journey learning about her grandmother's history and secrets. Unfortunately, this book didn't land well for me. The writing felt a bit disjointed to me and there were some confusing sentences throughout the book. These elements made it difficult to truly sink into the characters and the story.

I love a generational mystery. Queenie's journey to uncover her grandmother's past brought up a lot of surprises, some a little scandalous, and some very tragic. I loved how the author connected the universal feelings and problems that connected the two women although they lived very different lives. The characters were complex and the twists and turns keep the reader engaged. I think the ending could be a little divisive but in general it was a good read.

This book follows queenie as she tries to uncover secrets about her grandmothers past, with twists and turns that will keep you hooked until the last minute.

This book did not end up where I thought we were going. The twists and turns as Queenie continues to uncover her grandmother's secrets were juicy (and heartbreaking).

Admittedly I may not have picked this up off of the description alone but the length and eerie (?) cover vibes make it a good beach read with a dense subject matter.

Queenie sets out to uncover the truth about her grandmother Anke’s life—and death—only to stumble upon shocking revelations about her family’s past.

I love how Márquez crafts Queenie’s journey. As she pieces together Anke’s past, she also wrestles with her own personal struggles. The story beautifully explores themes of legacy, self-discovery, and the untold stories that define us. It left me reflecting on how people are complex—living layered lives, carrying secrets we may never fully uncover.

Although the suspense isn’t particularly intense for a murder mystery, the steady pace and intricate storytelling kept me engaged, making this an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This was okay. The writing didn't captivate me, but I enjoyed seeing how the story played out. I liked the cast of characters a lot. Sometimes things felt like they happened all at once, and there are a few things that never get explained. Overall, a good experience, though.

At first, I wasn’t sure where this book was going, but by the time I got deeper into the story, I found myself drawn in. Queenie’s relationship with her grandmother, Anke, is at the heart of the narrative, and it’s such a fascinating and complex portrayal. The way Queenie uncovers layers of Anke’s life—full of mystery and surprises—was both enchanting and thought-provoking. It made me think about how we often don’t truly know our family members until we start digging into their pasts.

Anke’s past, as revealed through Queenie’s search, feels almost mythical in its depth. The revelations show just how multifaceted people are and how we only get glimpses of their true selves over time. Queenie’s journey of uncovering these secrets is a powerful exploration of family history, identity, and the way legacies shape us. The balance of discovering Anke’s past while dealing with her own personal struggles gives the book emotional weight.

While it didn’t completely captivate me from start to finish, I still found the book to be a thoughtful and compelling read. It wasn’t an overwhelming favorite, but it’s one that sticks with you. I’d give it a solid 3 ⭐—it was good, but not quite as memorable as I expected.

3.5 rounded up

At first, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to finish this book, but once I reached the 20% mark, I was completely hooked. Queenie’s grandmother, Anke Rivers, is a beautifully complex character. And the way Queenie uncovers the story of Anke’s life, although mystical and fantastical somehow mirrors how many of us come to understand our grandparents. The person they are in the present often feels worlds apart from the person we find out that they once were. People are layered, living multiple lives, holding secrets that we—especially as grandchildren—may never fully comprehend. Malia Márquez does a brilliant job of portraying Queenie’s journey as she unravels Anke’s past while also grappling with her own struggles. It’s a poignant exploration of identity, legacy, and the hidden histories that shape us.

This was my first encounter with Malia Márquez, and I’m eager to dive into “This Fierce Blood” very soon.

Such a fun read, with so many unexpected twists and turns!

I did feel as though there were a lot of continuity errors that confused the story, especially towards the end, however overall I really enjoyed reading this. The way secrets were revealed slowly throughout kept me guessing right until the end.

3.5 stars out of 5 ⭐️

This was such a good book! I love the twist of the story how our main character is now a murder suspect. This story had a lot of twists and turns, it had really good pacing of its timeline, and it was just entertaining overall.


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!