Smoke & Mirrors

Smoke & Mirrors is a raw, unforgettable coming-of-age story about addiction, art, and the fight to heal.  Seventeen-year-old Jalen is drowning in silence—haunted by his mother's disappearance, disconnected from his father, and numbing the pain with smoke and denial. But when a near-overdose forces him to reach out, he finds himself in a youth center surrounded by strangers who carry their own scars.  Through sketchbooks, group therapy, and fragile friendships, Jalen begins to climb out of the fog. Each chapter marks a step—The Slip, The Mirror, The Trigger—toward a life he never thought possible. This debut novel by KRillaWrites is a gritty, emotionally charged portrait of resilience, perfect for readers who crave truth, transformation, and stories that don't flinch.