Praise for Smoke and Rain
"Holmes weaves a tapestry of the forthcoming events with the skill of a thaumaturge."
- The San Francisco Review of Books
"Holmes’s writing style is somehow both lyrical and direct, and I was impressed with her patient attention to detail. If you’re looking for a fantasy series to invest yourself in, this is it!"
- Page Morgan, author of The Beautiful and the Cursed
"The beauty with which, V. S. Holmes weaves this epic tale is nothing short of remarkable. The words spring from the page painting a detailed picture in your mind."
- Cameron J. Quinn, author of The Starsboro Chronicles
"It's been a while since I've read a fantasy book that really engaged me. You know that gaping hole you're left with after you finish something like Harry Potter? Well, this came remarkably close to filling it...."
- Jaz Johnson, author of The Athena Universe
"I couldn’t put it down to save my life and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The plot line was incredibly unique ... Holmes gave me a lot of the things I look for in a wonderful story and so much more."
- Cassandra Carpio, The Bookish Crypt
“The writing style, characterization, and world-building...was a surprisingly refreshing change.... The very first page hooked me with the simple yet elegant narrative, which I haven't seen from a new author in quite some time. The characters' dilemmas were revealed in perfect timing yet kept me wanting more, and Holmes didn't disappoint with dropping tidbits of emotion, character growth, and internal struggle among all the the action and war-time maneuvers.”
- Kathrin Hutson, author of Gyenona’s Children and The Unclaimed Trilogy