I was NOT expecting this from Marie Lu. It felt like a real change from what she usually writes but oh boy was I not disappointed! Bodyguard/spy/popstar romance. This was such a fun read! Perfect for those that loved Ally Carter but want something a bit more grown-up.

I'm a big Marie Lu fan and this book did not disappoint. A twisty plot set in a spy sphere, the main characters were swoon-worthy. Cannot wait for the next book!

This YA spy mystery by Marie Lu was a fast-paced and entertaining read. I enjoyed character dynamic of Sydney and Winter, who both felt like well developed characters. More action and only a hint of romance here, but this worked well with the storyline. I'll definitely be reading any future missions these two take on.

I loved this. The plot was fantastic and I loved the characters. I can see this evolving into a much loved series

This a young adult spy thriller. Our male main character is the biggest pop star in the world, which gives him access to places that normal people can't get to - so he is recruited by a spy agency.

It's just supposed to be for this one job, and he's partnered with our female main character who is already an excellent spy, despite being a teenager. There's friction between them but also some burgeoning romantic feelings. They're alone trying to find evidence against some very dangerous people and if they fail a biological weapon will be released.

The two main characters are very capable and accomplished teenagers. Although it is less inexplicable to me for the male main character given his role as a pop star, than it is for her who's just a very good, very young spy. Which is possibly unfair of me!

The villain reveal wasn't particularly surprising, as it makes sense for the book, so I don't feel that it's a negative that I figured that out.

This is the first in a series but it could be read as a standalone as future books will essentially cover future missions.

4 stars, I would definitely read more in this series

I loved everything about this book. Spies. Deceit. A good plot twist. If you like gun, pacy YA thrillers, with Hollywood glamour and James Bond-esque storylines, you need to pick this up.

I enjoyed this book, but it struck me as one that I would probably forget in time. The characters didn't stand out as anything special. The romance was good, I enjoyed it a lot, but I'm not really one to remember romance in books.

An interesting premise: pop star Winter becoming a spy and working with Sydney to take down a criminal. Obviously it wasn't easy as their first plan and there were a lot of twists and turns along the way. I guessed one of the major plot points, which didn't ruin it for me, but it might have for some people.

I honestly just don't have much to say about this one. It was a good read but nothing really stood out about it.

Winter, a mega pop star is chosen to be a spy with an established spy alongside him. He is invited to sing at a birthday party for a young fan as a cover. Although this isn’t my usual type of storyline I found I got quite drawn into the characters and action. There was one part that would probably translate well as an action movie.
All in all an interesting read

How do you get access to an exclusive, high security party being hosted by a criminal mastermind? You send in the famous pop star headlining the guest list. From unlikely spy to their most valuable asset, can Winter Young work with veteran Sydney Cossette long enough to pull off the job of their careers? Or will the tension between them derail this mission before it even begins?

Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu was a fun YA with high stakes and plenty of tension. It's greatest strength was its brilliant protagonists - I loved Winter and Sydney. Winter was very believable as a superstar performer and I loved the on-stage moments. A complicated mother-son relationship, and found families, with both Winter and Sydney finding support from other adults, rather than their parents (I especially loved Claire, and the moments with Sauda and Niall were always enjoyable!)

Of course, no spy novel would be complete without cool gadgets, high stakes and twists - of which there were plenty! I'm intrigued to see where it goes next (assuming/hoping there's more to come).

I have loved every book Marie Lu has written and Stars and Smoke scratch that itch for me again! A wonderful story, highly recommend!

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher for allowing this.

I wanted to read this because I’ve heard absolutely amazing things about this author. This book didn’t work for me personally but I would still read more from the author, the pacing was good, there were unexpected moments, it didn’t feel overwritten. The writing itself was good.

I am certain that other people will love this, especially if you like enemies to lovers romance. I often do like this trope, but it didn’t work for me here.

My issue came quite early on. We meet Winter (a famous pop star) first who seems quite sweet and good hearted. When he meets Sydney she instantly attacks him and is just rude and horrible to him. But there’s absolutely no reason for this! She’s never met him before, she has no reason to dislike him. She’s making assumptions on the basis that he’s famous and she attacks him for it. I found her so unpleasant and from that point the romance was just completely unbelievable. I didn’t want it to work either because she was so unkind.

I liked Winter, he seemed really creative, hard working and kind. He’s polite and respectful to those around him. I liked the healthy relationship he has with his manager where they both support each other. This relationship is a surrogate for his distant mother.

I disliked Sydney. I had some sympathy for her when you find out about her health and her past, however it wasn’t enough to overcome her abrasive personality.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Children’s UK for letting me have an e-arc copy of this book! And a massive thank you to Marie Lu for writing this book, I loved it!

Marie is usually the queen of YA sci-fi, so when I heard she was writing a YA bodyguard romance book??? You know I was ready.

This book lived up to everything that I was hoping for from this book - a small dose of enemies to lovers (kinda), bodyguard romance and a little bit of action. The plot was fast paced, and the writing was easy to read. I think I ended up binging this over a couple of days. 😂 It still had the classic writing style of Marie Lu, with the classic snarky characters which you end up falling in love with. I really wanna be as badass as Sydney Cossette one day. I loved the chemistry the main characters shared, like an instant connection, even though they would deny it for as long as possible.

The only critique from me is that I felt the story could have gone on a bit longer, and possibly a little more action and drama from the fight scenes. Apart from that, I loved this book and I can only hope that there will be a sequel to this book.

If you are into YA romance, I would definitely recommend this book!

Before starting the book I didn't read the synopsis. I just saw Marie Lu and thought "I need to read this!" The book is so different from her usual style that I had to check that it was the same author. The further I got into the book the more I could see Marie Lu in the snarkiness of the characters, the humour, and banter between them. As well as in the twists and turns that appear out of nowhere.

I think the reason that I didn't get hooked to this book as I usually do with Marie Lu's writing is that the way that some of the book was written, made it feel like it was for a younger audience than the plot would suggest it was.

Whilst not my absolute favourite book by Marie Lu, the book grew on me and I did really enjoy it. It's a fun start to what I'm sure will be a fantastic series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. The views expressed are my own, and are freely given.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last.

I loved the characters, the writing style, everything. It flowed really well. I’m excited to read more

Marie Lu never disappoints - I am a huge fan of her writing since I read Legend back in my teenage years and I can say with confidence Stars and Smoke is just as special as I thoguht it would be!

High stakes, fast plot and impossible situations: a fun read with the best enemies to lovers scenario! A James Bond like setting, witty characters and twisty plot. Absolutely loved it and cannot wait for the next book! I need more Winter and Sydney!!

Thank you so much for Penguin Random House Children’s UK for the ARC!

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This was an easy read but think it's intended fornyounger audiences. The plot fell flat for me unfortunately, it was repetitive and I struggled with loving the characters. Overall I think this book would be better for teens in secondary school.

Stars and Smoke was unputdownable, and SO much fun! This book is everything YA should be. I adored the main characters, Winter and Sydney, and their slow-burn romance arc was Everything. Lately I've been feeling like I'm aging out of YA books, preferring more romance and spice than what the age category can (understandably) offer, but Marie Lu is a proven expert at toeing that Upper YA line; Stars and Smoke brings her third(!!!) slightly steamy water scene and I loved it. Characters and ships aside, the plot is fast-paced and keeps you on your toes. Every time life forced me to put my Kindle down, this story was all I could think about. This is a standalone, but I believe Marie Lu has said she plans to make it a series (of interconnected standalones, so the plots will be self-contained but the characters will return). I can't wait for the next book, and to see more of Winter and Sydney! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Stars and Smoke to anyone!

Marie Lu is back with another fantasy adventure epic that will have your heart racing and take your breath away from page 1.

This was a great book for young and old to read. A quick read and very exciting. I love Marie’s books and was pleased to get this one. So different from her others and I hope for more. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.