Thank you to the publisher for the arc of this book! A great follow up to the first by the same author.

I will not be giving feedback on this book as I couldn’t really get into it but I think others may enjoy it.

Beautiful book. God, I love this series so much. I love Renee Ahdieh. I will probably never get over anything she writes.

DNF. I couldn't connect with this book at all and found it really hard to get into. I had high hopes for this, which is a shame.

Unfortunately I no longer wish to review this book as the first few chapters did not reel me in. Thank you for the opportunity.

Renee Ahdieh is a magical writer, and I will always read their books – they never disappoint. A fantastic story that was brilliantly written and I would recommend to fans of the genre. Great writing and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Beautifully written and the characters are completely loveable.

I really liked Flame in the Mist so really wanted to enjoy this one but it just didn’t capture me in the same way. Which is a shame I didn’t feel like I really wanted to pick it up at any point and the characters felt a bit washed out compared to book one.

Why did I pick it?
I was late getting to this second book in the Duology, over a year! so much so I had to go back and refresh my memory on book one before I got started.

I gave the first book 4 stars but things had got going towards the end so I was hopeful that book 2 was going to be a good one!

What I loved about it
The second book really kept pace where the first one left off. Not so much in terms of action initially but more of a move towards political intrigue and customs within the imperial court. We got to see a whole other side of Mariko, more calculating and careful, using her words to play the long game to get what she desires.

I loved the first book for its world-building and in this second book, we get to explore other locations which are equally as fascinating. I could definitely have waited for a third book just to have more of this, it’s one of the things I love about Renée’s writing.

What I loathed about it
MORE, I wanted more! It was such a great story I didn’t want it to end. Although I was satisfied with the ending I would love more from some of the secondary characters, Yumi in particular, I feel she has more of a story to tell.

Thoughts
A change of pace from the first book with a very satisfying end to the duology even if I was left wanting more.

I don’t understand why it has taken me so long to get around to reading this book! I absolutely loved Flame in the Mist (you can find my review for that here), and now that I’ve read Smoke in the Sun I have to say that this is a really great duology. So, here are my thoughts on why I loved Smoke in the Sun by Renée Ahdieh and, as always, Spoiler Alert…

After Okami is captured in the Jukai forest, Mariko has no choice – to rescue him, she must return to Inako and face the dangers that have been waiting for her in the Heian Castle. She tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was being held by the Black Clan against her will, playing the part of the dutiful bride-to-be to infiltrate the emperor’s ranks and uncover the truth behind the betrayal that almost left her dead.

With the wedding plans already underway, Mariko pretends to be consumed with her upcoming nuptials, all the while using her royal standing to peel back the layers of lies and deception surrounding the imperial court. But each secret she unfurls gives way to the next, ensnaring Mariko and Okami in a political scheme that threatens their honour, their love and very the safety of the empire.

The World:

This book was really interesting compared to the last one. In the last one of the story was mainly centred in Jukai forest. In this book, the focus shifts to the palace where Mariko is to marry her betrothed Raiden, and Ōkami faces execution. It was really great to see such a shift in the world and to explore a different part of the world. What worked really well for this shift was the extra world building that Renée Ahdieh did. The politics and structure of the palace was explained throughout the book, meaning that although the story focused on Mariko and Ōkami mostly, it was easy to understand what was happening and why.

What I also really liked was how place linked the characters together. The tea house in the city where Yumi works once again makes an appearance. Just like in the first book, it becomes a place that bridges the gap between characters, especially later on in the book when Mariko and the others free Ōkami while she stays at the palace.

The Characters:

As I mentioned, Mariko and Ōkami are undoubtedly the main focuses of the story. I loved how much these characters interacted and changed over the series. In Flame in the Mist we saw the blossoming romance between these two, and in this story it just grows and grows in such a realistic way that it made me love these characters and their relationship even more.

Mariko becomes so much stronger in this story, but she learns that strength isn’t always brute force. There’s a moment where she says: “Ingenuity could be a weapon, in all its forms. Her mind could be a sword. Her voice could be an axe. Her fury could ignite a fire.” This just sums up Mariko’s character throughout the story. It’s especially shown in her relationship with Kenshin. That relationship ebbs and flows and changes to the point where Mariko can no longer connect with her brother because she has just changed so much. It was sad to see the breakdown of a brother, sister relationship, but I really appreciated, in a way, that it did because no all relationships end up being salvageable as we grow up and change.

Ōkami, now revealed to be the real Ranmaru, is a character who is deeply explored in this novel. There are scenes where the new Emperor, Roku, is interrogating Ōkami, and in these moments so much about his past are explained, his fears, his loyalties. It was really interesting to see the snippets of information that were revealed about Ōkami based on what character he was talking to: Mariko, Raiden or Roku.

Of all of the characters that became main focuses in this story, Raiden and Roku were two of my favourites. It was a really interesting dynamic to have two brothers in the story, where the younger one (Roku) was the Emperor, the one with the most power. These two brothers are like day and night. Roku in the beginning is cunning and quiet and sneakily evil. Whereas Raiden is much more a hard hewn blade, wearing his anger on his sleeve. I really loved how these characters grew and developed over time and changed. They almost switched places, with Roku dying as an angry crazed Emperor, and Raiden becoming the calm and calculated leader. I think the moment that I fell in love with Raiden’s character the most, was the moment that he admitted to Mariko that his view on the world had changed, and that the main reason for that change was Mariko herself. There’s definitely a feeling with these characters in this book that the ways we grow and develop as people are always heavily influenced by those we surround ourselves with.

The Plot:

Initially the plot of this book is essentially what it says on the cover. Mariko, while in the palace, tries to find ways to free Ōkami, who is imprisoned below the palace. Everything in the story was focused on this for the first two-thirds. Of course, in true fantasy fashion, it wasn’t until Mariko’s wedding (the day Raiden was meant to executed Ōkami) that Mariko and the Black Clan manage to finally free Ōkami. I genuinely didn’t think she would marry Raiden. I had this hope in the back of my head that there would be something that would stop the wedding. Alas, that didn’t happen. Ōkami escapes and Mariko is married to Raiden and that is when everything starts to really go wrong.

Underneath all of this is a slightly more sinister plot that was kind of hinted at but not really brought to light until the last third of the book. That is the plot by Kanako, Raiden’s mother, to put Raiden on the throne. Of course, we know that it was the Empress who killed the Emperor at the end of Flame in the Mist, but I could never have guessed what Kanako would do in this book. In the end her magic and her planning is what sets off the chain of events that sends Roku mad (prompting Raiden to have to kill him) and therefore putting Raiden on the throne. In the last third of the book I really appreciated the subtlety of this storyline as it wasn’t immediately apparent in either book.

Of course, the ending of the novel was basically just a fairytale. I was so worried that Mariko would stay married to Raiden. But it was really nice to have that moment between Ōkami and Mariko where she asks him to marry her!

Why Was It a 4-Star Read For Me?

Despite what I’ve said, the main reason this book was a four and not five star read for me is because of Kanako’s moments in the books. I had expected Kanako, as Raiden’s mother, to have a larger role in this book. However, for much of the book I wanted to skip over her chapters because, for me, they confused a lot of the story. It wasn’t until her final two chapters that I realised how important her character was to the plot. She is, after all, one of the main reasons that Raiden ends up becoming emperor. The lack of clarity, however, made me not really like her character moments for much of the book.

How It Follows on from the Previous Book:

All in all I think this book was a really great sequel and a really great end to this duology. It answered alot of the questions that I had after the last book, especially about Ōkami and the animosity Raiden has for him. It also developed the characters even more than the previous book, following the trajectory of where I would have expected the characters to be when the last book ended. The final chapter, while short, literally had me crying ugly happy tears at two in the morning, which is always a win for me. It was the kind of read where, as soon as I was 50 pages in, I didn’t want to put it down.

Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton for sending me a copy of Smoke in the Sun to review.

In 2017 I read Flame in the Mist and had a great time with it. And I was super excited for its sequel, but it took me over a year to get to it because I’m a disaster. Smoke in the Sun eventually proved to be a great follow up to the opener.

Content warnings: torture, violence, death, grief, imprisonment, drowning

As this is a sequel I will put the synopsis of the first book so it isn’t spoiled for you. Smoke in the Sun starts right after the end of Flame in the Mist so if you need to it definitely helps to read a summary of the first book.

After Mariko is attacked in the forest on her way to meet her future husband she assumes a disguise of a male to find out who wants her dead and why. She assumes it is a clan who live in the forest called the Black Clan so she infiltrates them. What she finds is not a group of murderers but a family of outcasts. Who she soon becomes close to.

I love Mariko. Her tenacity is incredible. When things got really tough in this novel she refused to give in and kept pushing to find another possible way to solve her problems. This is something I appreciate in characters, especially female characters. I also really enjoyed the rest of the cast of characters. They all have different intentions and this is made clear through the writing and their voices.

As expected, Ahdieh’s writing still has her classic flowery flare. I find her writing so addictive, but this book still didn’t hit the favourite pile for me. All of her books were ones I had a great time with but were just missing something that would make them a favourite. Thankfully since this book The Beautiful came out and it was one of my faves of 2019. Her style can draw you in unlike the majority of authors I have read. You feel completely enraptured in the world and the plot, and this book was no different.

I did wish that the magic system was better explained as I often found myself a bit confused with what was happening. I couldn’t really imagine certain scenes and would have to read them over again. Ahdieh could have stretched this series out a bit more to pack in more detail, however, I don’t think a third novel would have fit.

Overall I think the series is worth a read. It’s a little on the slow side and I found my attention waning sometimes but they’re still enjoyable books.

This wasn't as good as the first I have to admit but I do love the writing style. I wanted to see more of a deeper level to the characters and more intenseness between Mariko and Okami.

And just more.

Hard to explain.

Decided I no longer have interest in reading this series after hearing a lot of negative reviews. This was marketed as a Mulan retelling but I have since heard that this is not accurate. The 'Mulan' retelling was the aspect that most interested me, as this is no longer the case, I have lost interest in reading this book.

I loved Flame in the Mist and could not wait to read Smoke in the Sun. It dd not disappoint.

It was great to see how the rebellion was changing and progressing after the damage done to it at the end of Flame. I love the characters, writing and setting.

I would love to see what happens further down the line and where the characters have got to.

I adored Flame in the Mist, so as soon as I had my hands on Smoke in the Sun I knew that I was in for a treat. Renee Ahdieh's descriptions of feudal Japan are stunning. They drew you in and at once you feel like you are standing by the characters as they battle, scheme and love. Smoke in the Sun switches it up a little bit and we focus more chapters on the secondary characters.From Kanako, the former Emperor's scheming consort, to Kenshin, Mariko's brother and dedicated samurai. Characters who at first appear to be villains turn out to be so much more. So many twists and turns appeared in this book, that the shocks keep coming. You just get over one reveal and the next suddenly appears.  Yet the twists make sense and by the end it is a completely satisfying read. Smoke in the Sun shows that while the men battle it out, it is the women that actually pull their strings. I also loved Mariko's friendships with Yumi and Suke, showing that even the smallest gesture can have the most powerful impact.  This is a book that I never wanted to end. I was desperate to find out what was happening but at the time I didn't want to turn to the last page. This is a book that gave me a book hangover. And it has taken a while to actually pick up my next read.

The sequel/finale to Flame in the Mist was as unexpected in its storyline as the first - though I don't know why I expected familiar tropes to play out in the book. It takes the story in a different direction than I had assumed, with more depth to the characters in this installment, with some backstories, and continues the theme of duty and honor. Mariko is in the palace, trying to get Okami out, while also trying to be a backup for the Black Clan over there. Meanwhile, Raiden's mother has put in motion plans that would help her son take the throne; plans which not many people know about and in which Kenshin is trapped. As for Raiden, who seemed to be brute, there is another side of him coming to light in this book, as he starts to see Roku for who he really is. There were some plot points that I thought were going to be significant but didn't turn out to be (like that enchanted sword) and I did feel that the ending was a bit too rushed, even if it ended well. Overall, it is a satisfactory sequel and good conclusion to the duology.

This novel begun just where the previous had ended, meaning there was no need to look back on the events that had happened in Flame in the Mist. To me Flame in the Mist was a simple but enjoyable fantasy novel with an interesting setting. Smoke in the Sun was much more complex and because of this I lost track occasionally with who was plotting what and taking action where..
There were one two many story lines with not enough depth or insight. Actions were being taken without the reader fully understanding the reasons behind them. For example we learned that Roku was considered cruel and sadistic while Raiden was aggressive yet supportive. For two brothers raised within the same castle walls there wasn't enough exploration of their individual characters to explain the big differences in their perspectives.
Okami and Mariko were the saving grace of this book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the debates and discussions they continued to have, their arguments and verbal battles were always light hearted fun.
If the world of this book and it's characters had been explored in more depth with greater character arcs this duology could have been a 5 star read.

I was interested by Flame in the Mist, but felt like there was a lot of room for the story to grow and that the first book didn't reach its full potential. I hoped that it would develop on what was started in the first book, but I felt in general the pacing was slow and I found myself getting impatient for the story to push forward. Personally, I didn't feel like I really got what I wanted out of this book and some of the things that niggled me about the first book, like the overly poetic language (that often comes out as a little forced), still featured in the sequel.

I adored Flame in the Mist; it was quite possibly the best book I read that year actually. Gripping, exciting with a likeable romance and a strong female lead. The only thing missing was a bit more of that sprinkling of magic we were given. But Smoke in the Sun has magic, and then some!

If I'm entirely honest, I should have re-read Flame in the Mist before starting this second book. I couldn't remember all of the names of characters and which clan each person belonged to. But it soon came flooding back! I just love these characters. Mariko is strong-willed, fights for females and is just outrageously witty. I love her interactions with Okami; they have the kind of banter-filled relationship I want to read about.

This book picks up right where the last one ended, plunging us back into Mariko's battle to rescue Okami from the clutches of the Emperor (whilst trying to avoid marrying his brother!). I think Roku makes such a convincing corrupt Emperor, with the sinister (but perfectly magical and ruthless) Kanako working her plans behind the scenes. She's one of the best parts of this book - cunning, deceptive but with a seemingly selfless and good natured cause at her heart.

The more secondary characters like Mariko's brother Kenshin, and the Emperor's brother Raiden, are more central in this book. But there is less of a divide, or war, at the forefront and this did detract a little from the pace of the plot - the political intrigue is most certainly there though.

This isn't by any means as powerful as Flame in the Mist. I didn't race through it desperate to see the outcome - it was quite predictable. There was something beautiful about the world-building of the first book which this second instalment was definitely missing - whilst the plot pulled forward and was interesting, the world felt much less developed.

A satisfying conclusion so far; I can't help but love any world Mariko and Okami are in!

This was a glorious part two to a wonderful duology!

The characters were by far my favourite aspect of this book. The protagonist Mariko is clever and strong willed, making for a powerful character to read about.

So often 'strong women' in literature are portrayed quite literally with actual strong physical skill and strength and that's great but you can be strong in other ways than physically! I can't relate as much to that as to a character that is strong mentally or intellectually or even emotionally. There are so many different types of strength and everyone relates to different characteristics for different reasons.

I loved that the actions the characters take, take centre stage in this novel and their progress and development is really what this book is all about. I haven't found a book where I related to the character so much in a long time. The different perspectives intertwine much more in this second novel and the result of the author's talent where it comes to plotting is clear.

“Respect is not a thing granted. It is a thing earned.”

I'm always searching for empowering fantasy reads that have real feminist undertones or characters, because the contemporary genre seems so much further ahead in this regard and I need more from fantasy. I feel as though fantasy stories more often than not flash back to not only old world culture but also old-fashioned views. And a lot of the time sadly enough it is accurate regarding history but fantasy doesn't always have to be historically accurate. It's not non-fiction and it's not historical fiction. We live in a much more aware time and I think it's important that we keep pushing to make the awareness even better. So why not write a story that has the culture and style of a past time but a more modern view on equality?

“Our deepest truths are usually the hardest to conceal.”

I found a connection to Mariko because she uses her intellectual skill and the way she thinks as her weapon of choice. Even though I love badass assassins and skilled warrior women and I will always love reading about them, I will continue to want to see a larger variety of strengths portrayed in the books that I'm reading and I know I'm not the only reader who feels like this. But Smoke In The Sun actually did so much in such an amazing way. Renée Ahdieh created a very special tale here, and an incredible protagonist that I know I will often think about. It's one of the most well written young adult novels that I've ever read.

“You do not know what it means to be happy. Happiness is not a thing to be found here in the imperial court. We take moments of pleasure. Collect them and keep them tight in our chests. And we hope they are enough to fill whatever holes our truths leave behind.”

This book is a tale of trust, belief, and fear. It is strikingly beautiful. The first book 'Flame In The Mist' was a great read but this one just takes the story up about ten levels. The plot in 'Smoke In The Sun' continues shortly after the ending of the previous novel. I know some people don't like long time gaps between novels so I just thought I'd mention that as a plus side. I fell instantly back into the story, even though it'd been a while since I'd read 'Flame In The Mist' and I didn't remember absolutely everything that happened I was still captured by what was going on and was quickly brought up to speed.

I didn't love the ending quite as much as the rest of the novel, it felt a little rushed. Although I do understand why the author chose to do it that way, I mostly didn't like it because I didn't want it to end. But the story had to come to an end even though I didn't want it to.

“Ours is a love stronger than fear and deeper than the sea”

The book is full of feminist undertones and the author didn't just mention something without giving context like I've seen before so many times in other books. She actually took the time to create a story with it and I feel like so many people could learn from these characters (mainly Mariko, Yumi and Okami). She shows the bad and takes the protagonist on a journey that confronts it. In addition the love interest isn't there to support Mariko, she doesn't need him. He's their to stand beside her. And there's a massive difference. I just flipping love this story, and EVERYONE needs to read it!

Rating: 5 Stars

"Her mind could be a sword. Her voice could be an axe. Her fury could ignite a fire."

* *
2 / 5

I really wanted to like Smoke in the Sun. I wanted to write a raving review about what an improvement this book was over Flame in the Mist; alas, it was not to be. I'm not sure if it was the setting I was trying to read this book in (Britain's one and only heatwave) or if this book really was just such a drag.

"This boy, who was her magic"

I couldn't really remember what happened at the end of the previous book so I had to look it up. Then I had to double check all the characters. Only then could I dig into Smoke in the Sun. We open with Mariko alone and friendless in the court, promised to marry her betrothed Prince Raiden whilst her real love, Okami, is locked in the dungeon.

The plot is slow throughout. There's lots of thinking about Okami, lots of minor characters dominating the pages, and loads of lengthy sections of information. It's surprising, because thinking back there were several exciting actions scenes full of swords and arrows and murder, but it never makes the plot speed up. It moves like the M4 on a weekday at rush hour.

"The measure of any life is not in greatness. But in goodness"

Then there's the writing; just like Flame in the Mist, Smoke in the Sun falls prey to the incredibly short sentences and is plagued by overly poetic prose. Everyone talks like this:

"My mind exists on a mountain. Yours exists in a field. Should the mountain kneel before the field?"

It sounds kind of nice, but really makes very little sense and gets pretty irritating after a while; it's like every single sentence is supposed to be an inspirational quote that goes on a postcard. I can appreciate beautiful poignant writing (really, I can!) - consider Strange the Dreamer - but this was just grating after a while.

What did I like? I liked Mariko, I thought her character really developed and flowered into someone interesting; I liked that this series was a duology, so that the plot wasn't overly dragged out; I liked the romance and thought that it was sweet. Smoke in the Sun wasn't a great book for me, but for the right reader (probably the one who really liked Flame in the Mist), this could be a fun read.

My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of Smoke in the Sun.