Hey! This is a pretty interesting introduction. The idea of opening at the end is one that works pretty well. I mean, now we know this character has to die, we won't be waiting to see if he does or not (depending on what the actual meat of the novel is). I like a lot that you take the time to see the smoke death slowly and by pieces. There are a lot of details and sensory cues, which makes it feel real and thoughtful.
I don't like the cheese at the end, though. It starts here:
praying that it would reach her.
I understand the sentiment of speaking to the people you love even if they can't hear you, because you want to pretend, in some corner of your mind, that they're there, that you have one last moment to speak to them, to tell them what you want them to know, and it's unbearable to know in your last moment it's not as you want it. But I don't buy the idea that this person literally thinks that his words can reach her. Even though she's dead, like, I dunno. If he thinks she's in heaven, wouldn't he just be waiting to get there with her and tell her.
And seriously? Playing on her name with the thorn thing? Eek! Talk about taking away the humanity from a character. Even if someone's named Rose, they are people. They are not characters to play with, if you write them well. Like, you might know someone named Rose, but you don't constantly think of her in terms of the puns on her name, right? Why would someone who loves this person as a HUMAN ever put her in that kind of hollow box? Eek!
Think about it more realistically. Make them people. Make them real and genuine, and you will bring us closer to them.
PM me if you have any questions!
Good luck and keep writing!
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