Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist, #2)

by Renée Ahdieh

The highly anticipated sequel to New York Times bestselling Flame in the Mist--an addictive, sumptuous finale that will leave readers breathless from the bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn.

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 honor, their love and the very safety of the empire.

Reviewed by jeannamichel on

4 of 5 stars

Share
4.5 stars! Dare I say, I liked this a little more than Flame in the Mist. I flew through it! As always, Ahdieh's writing is so fantastic- I will read any and everything she writes. As much as I loved the disguised as a man trope in Flame in the Mist, I think we got a bit more romance in this one and a lot more development between the characters which was stunning to see on the page. Mariko is one of most clever characters ever and being able to witness her brain in action was so cool! The plans she came up with were so calculating and thought-out. Smoke in the Sun was such a great conclusion to the duology!

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 28 January, 2019: Finished reading
  • 28 January, 2019: Reviewed