Review: Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2)

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2)
Renee Ahdieh

Published By: Hodder and Stoughton
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Date Read: May 5, 2020
Genre: YA - Fantasy
Source: Bought
Format: Hardback
Pages: 408

From Goodreads:
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.

"We must distance ourselves from comparison. That is the only way to be truly free."

Smoke in the Sun was one of my most anticipated reads of 2018. I remember reading Flame in the Mist back in 2017 when it first released and I fell head over heels in love with it. It was the first Renee Ahdieh book I read and it made me into a huge fan of hers. I put this one off for so long because I couldn't really remember the ins and outs of the events and the characters by the time this one released. Finally, after re-reading Flame in the Mist I finally picked this one up. I was so excited to finally read it and see how this duology ended. I really wish I could say that I loved it as much as the first book... but honestly, I'm left feeling a little... deflated and disappointed.

Smoke in the Sun picks up where Flame in the Mist left off with Okami captured and Mariko off to the city to help him. It was the perfect set up for this book to be fast paced and action packed but unfortunately that just didn't happen. The pacing of this story slowed down so much. I was bored through the vast majority of Smoke in the Sun. I really can't fault Renee's writing style, it was just as beautiful as always... my issue was nothing was really happening. Plot wise, nothing really happened in the first 250 pages. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that I loved the first book so much, I probably would have DNF'd this one.

I still love the world and the characters that are in this series and I am so glad that I persevered and got to see the ending for Mariko and Okami. Pretty much everything was rammed into the last 100 pages. I have such mixed feelings because I felt like the book really dragged but then at the same time I felt like the ending was really rushed and I needed a bit more. I don't really feel like the ending wrapped up everyone's story. I'm still left with so many questions about what happened to them next and that makes me feel really sad.

I am so upset that I didn't love this one as Renee is one of my all time favourite authors and I loved the first book so much. Unfortunately it just didn't live up to my expectations and a part of me think this would have been so much better if it'd have stuck as a standalone and added the final 100 pages on to the end of Flame in the Mist. As sad as I am about being disappointed by this one Renee is still cemented as one of my favourite authors and I can't wait to read whatever she releases next.

"I would rather die for love than stand by and watch my love perish."