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For weeks, seventeen-year-old Mariko pretended to be a boy to infiltrate the notorious Black Clan and bring her would-be murderer to justice. She didn't expect to find a place for herself among the group of fighters—a life of usefulness—and she certainly didn't expect to fall in love. Now she heads to the imperial castle to resume a life she never wanted to save the boy she loves.
Ōkami has been captured, and his execution is a certainty. Mariko will do what she must to ensure his survival—even marry the sovereign's brother, saying goodbye to a life with Ōkami forever.
As Mariko settles into her days at court—making both friends and enemies—and attempting Ōkami's rescue at night, the secrets of the royal court begin to unravel as competing agendas collide. One arrow sets into motion a series of deadly events even the most powerful magic cannot contain. Mariko and Ōkami risk everything to right past wrongs and restore the honor of a kingdom thrown into chaos by a sudden war, hoping against hope that when the dust settles, they will find a way to be together.
Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, Smoke in the Sun is the breathless, romantic, not-to-be-missed fiery conclusion to a spell-binding adventure.
Review:
With its setting in Japan, and story of a stolen bride falling for a disgraced nobleman, Flame In The Mist, by Renee Ahdieh was a very entertaining book. The sequel, Smoke In The Sun, is equally enjoyable.
What I Liked:
Setting:I love books set in royal courts, and this novel is mostly set in the imperial court of feudal Japan. The aesthetic beauty of that period comes alive through vivid descriptions.
Characters:
I love how strong the women are in this book. Even without Mariko and Yumi (the tea house entertainer) not sneaking out to stretch their fighting muscles, the women in this book have a quiet strength. I lived in Japan, and I can attest to women there having this inner fortitude. I loved the subtle ways the women in the book flexed their power.
We also learn a lot more about Ōkami (the rebel leader) in this book. What happened to his family? How did he come to make a deal with a demon? And what does that mean for his possible future with Mariko?
Romance:
There was a very heart-wrenching romance, where the lovers were both willing to sacrifice for the other. What will Mariko be willing to do for love? Can she marry another in order to save Ōkami. How much torture can Ōkami actually take?
Audio Book Performance:
Narrator Nancy Wu did a superb job of playing the many characters. Her cadence showed a wide range of abilities, enabling her to convey both the formal manner of the gentry, and the gruff style of the rebels.
What I Didn't Like:
Torture:This book has extensive descriptions of torture, which I found disturbing. While I understand this was done to show how cruel and psychotic the emperor was, it was really hard to listen to (this was an audio book).
Rating:
Release Date: June 5th, 2018
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Narrator: Nancy Wu
Audio Length: 11 Hours, 58 Minutes
Source: Public Library
Format: Audio Book
Recommendation: A worthy sequel to the book Flame In The Mist. This book is full of action and romance.
Trigger Warning for scenes of torture.
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