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Stars and Smoke #2
Icon and Inferno
New sparks. Old flames. And a mission that's playing with fire.
A year has passed since superstar Winter Young last saw secret agent Sydney Cossette. After barely surviving their first assignment together in London -- and their intense chemistry – the two haven’t spoken at all. Though they’re never far from the other’s thoughts, or fantasies.
So when Syndey shows up at Winter’s studio one day with a new mission from Panacea, he has no choice but to accept. With the clock ticking, the duo prepares to head to Singapore to rescue an operative in danger -- only to learn he’s none other than Sydney's ex, a rogue agent known as the Arsonist.
Of course, nothing is ever simple when it comes to Winter and Sydney. Especially not with the glamorous Gavi Ginsburg, a globe-trotting socialite and Winter’s one-time girlfriend, in the mix. Is she back for Winter’s heart – or does she have her eye on another prize?
The smoldering sequel to New York Times-bestselling Stars and Smoke follows Winter and Sydney on yet another treacherous mission that grows more sinister with each twist and turn. To make it out alive, they'll have to figure out how to be partners again -- and if they can resist the burn of something more.
A year has passed since superstar Winter Young last saw secret agent Sydney Cossette. After barely surviving their first assignment together in London -- and their intense chemistry – the two haven’t spoken at all. Though they’re never far from the other’s thoughts, or fantasies.
So when Syndey shows up at Winter’s studio one day with a new mission from Panacea, he has no choice but to accept. With the clock ticking, the duo prepares to head to Singapore to rescue an operative in danger -- only to learn he’s none other than Sydney's ex, a rogue agent known as the Arsonist.
Of course, nothing is ever simple when it comes to Winter and Sydney. Especially not with the glamorous Gavi Ginsburg, a globe-trotting socialite and Winter’s one-time girlfriend, in the mix. Is she back for Winter’s heart – or does she have her eye on another prize?
The smoldering sequel to New York Times-bestselling Stars and Smoke follows Winter and Sydney on yet another treacherous mission that grows more sinister with each twist and turn. To make it out alive, they'll have to figure out how to be partners again -- and if they can resist the burn of something more.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2024
About the author
Marie Lu
47 books135k followers[Note: Many apologies, but I'm woefully bad at checking my Goodreads emails! If you'd like to send a note/msg, please catch me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Marie_Lu . Thanks!]
I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. :)
I graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.
I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. :)
I graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.
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May 25, 2024
Hold onto your seats, readers, because Marie Lu's latest installment, Icon and Inferno, is a pulse-pounding sequel that takes the brilliance of Stars and Smoke to exhilarating new heights!
Picture this: superstar Winter Young and secret agent Sydney Cossette, thrown together once again after surviving a nail-biting mission in London. Their chemistry is undeniable, and despite a year of radio silence, Winter can't escape the magnetic pull Sydney has on him.
When Sydney reappears at Winter's studio armed with a fresh mission from Panacea, there's no room for refusal. The duo jets off on an urgent mission to rescue a fellow agent, only to discover that this agent is Sydney's snarky and smoldering ex. Cue the drama, the sparks, and a plot far more sinister than it initially appears.
This book is an absolute gem! It effortlessly surpasses the high bar set by Stars and Smoke, delivering on the promise of agents, spies, betrayal, and a romance that's the epitome of a slow-burn delight.
The sequel takes a deeper dive into Winter and Sydney's dynamic, adding new layers to their relationship. Complexities arise as old flames are reignited, jealousy simmers, and the narrative weaves a thrilling tale of love and espionage. The introduction of new love interests for both characters injects fresh tension and excitement into the mix.
Character development is a shining star in Icon and Inferno. Winter and Sydney undergo profound changes, and their romance, portrayed with adorable sincerity, tugs at the heartstrings. The inclusion of the new character, Tems, not only adds humor but also intensifies the narrative tension.
The pacing mirrors the breakneck speed of the first book, ensuring an unputdownable reading experience. Political intrigue adds a layer of complexity, elevating the stakes and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The rapid pace might leave you breathless, but that's part of the magic of Lu's storytelling.
Marie Lu's writing remains as addictive as ever, compelling readers to devour the book in one sitting. While the rapid pace adds to the excitement, a moment to linger and savor the characters' interactions would have been appreciated.
The ending, a trademark of Marie Lu's style, is both painful and surprising, leaving readers clamoring for a third book. The stunning cover captures Winter and Sydney's longing, providing a visual feast for readers. The emotional impact of the story lingers, making it a fast-paced yet impactful reading experience.
Icon and Inferno solidifies Marie Lu's position as a master storyteller, leaving readers hungry for more of her addictive narrative magic. While Winter and Sydney's story may have reached its conclusion, the thirst for a third installment remains unquenched. In the midst of the holiday season, this book serves as a heart-pounding, fulfilling read, showcasing Marie Lu's exceptional talent for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Buckle up for another thrilling adventure in the Stars and Smoke universe!
P.S.: We are in desperate need of the third book! Here's to crossing my fingers so tightly that Marie Lu may grace us with it sooner, satisfying the cravings of Winter & Sydney fans once and for all.
A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press for generously providing me with the digital reviewer copy of this exhilarating journey in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Picture this: superstar Winter Young and secret agent Sydney Cossette, thrown together once again after surviving a nail-biting mission in London. Their chemistry is undeniable, and despite a year of radio silence, Winter can't escape the magnetic pull Sydney has on him.
When Sydney reappears at Winter's studio armed with a fresh mission from Panacea, there's no room for refusal. The duo jets off on an urgent mission to rescue a fellow agent, only to discover that this agent is Sydney's snarky and smoldering ex. Cue the drama, the sparks, and a plot far more sinister than it initially appears.
This book is an absolute gem! It effortlessly surpasses the high bar set by Stars and Smoke, delivering on the promise of agents, spies, betrayal, and a romance that's the epitome of a slow-burn delight.
The sequel takes a deeper dive into Winter and Sydney's dynamic, adding new layers to their relationship. Complexities arise as old flames are reignited, jealousy simmers, and the narrative weaves a thrilling tale of love and espionage. The introduction of new love interests for both characters injects fresh tension and excitement into the mix.
Character development is a shining star in Icon and Inferno. Winter and Sydney undergo profound changes, and their romance, portrayed with adorable sincerity, tugs at the heartstrings. The inclusion of the new character, Tems, not only adds humor but also intensifies the narrative tension.
The pacing mirrors the breakneck speed of the first book, ensuring an unputdownable reading experience. Political intrigue adds a layer of complexity, elevating the stakes and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The rapid pace might leave you breathless, but that's part of the magic of Lu's storytelling.
Marie Lu's writing remains as addictive as ever, compelling readers to devour the book in one sitting. While the rapid pace adds to the excitement, a moment to linger and savor the characters' interactions would have been appreciated.
The ending, a trademark of Marie Lu's style, is both painful and surprising, leaving readers clamoring for a third book. The stunning cover captures Winter and Sydney's longing, providing a visual feast for readers. The emotional impact of the story lingers, making it a fast-paced yet impactful reading experience.
Icon and Inferno solidifies Marie Lu's position as a master storyteller, leaving readers hungry for more of her addictive narrative magic. While Winter and Sydney's story may have reached its conclusion, the thirst for a third installment remains unquenched. In the midst of the holiday season, this book serves as a heart-pounding, fulfilling read, showcasing Marie Lu's exceptional talent for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Buckle up for another thrilling adventure in the Stars and Smoke universe!
P.S.: We are in desperate need of the third book! Here's to crossing my fingers so tightly that Marie Lu may grace us with it sooner, satisfying the cravings of Winter & Sydney fans once and for all.
A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press for generously providing me with the digital reviewer copy of this exhilarating journey in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium blog
June 14, 2024
Icon and Inferno is the 2nd-book in Marie Lu's fast-paced Spy Thriller series, Stars and Smoke. This romantic YA series features a Pop Star and a Secret Agent.
I had a lot of fun with the 1st-book, Stars and Smoke, so I was excited to continue on with these characters and this world. Unsurprisingly, Lu's exceptional writing drew me in from the start and kept me hooked throughout.
In this installment, we are reunited with our MCs, Winter, an international pop superstar, and Sydney, an operative for a mysterious organization known as the Panacea Group.
Winter and Sydney were paired together on a mission in London in the 1st-book, but have now, at the start of this, gone a year without any contact between them.
They're about to be thrust together again though, when Panacea calls upon Winter to assist them with a mission in Singapore, where he is set to perform a show.
The mission involves a lavish party, an assassination plot, and is the very highest of stakes. Panacea needs their best ops on the job.
The chemistry between our mains is still simmering directly under the surface, but we have their exs in tow as well, so that sets up some interesting tension.
Lu excels at character development. I love how well developed these characters are, particularly Winter and Sydney. It's impossible not to fall in love with them and yearn for them to be together.
I appreciate the slow burn feel of the development of their relationship. Even the pining isn't overdone. It feels natural and leaves the Reader wanting more.
The action is also gripping and believable. I love the idea of the Panacea Group, the mystery of it all; the operatives and missions. The possibilities for this series are truly endless.
My only small gripe about this is that I wanted more. I feel like the mission went almost too quickly. I could have definitely spent more time in Singapore.
That's obviously a personal preference, but I definitely could have done with it being built-out even more.
Overall though, I had a lot of fun reading this. The audiobook narration is fantastic, bringing the story to life.
Winter and Sydney compliment each other. Their personalities play off one another so well. He's always in the spotlight, she's always in the shadows. They're like two sides of the same coin and I only want the best for them.
The way this story left off at the end was great. I love that Lu left a bit of mystery. There's obviously more that could be explored, or we could leave it here. Personally, I am hoping for more, but we'll see...
Thank you so much to the publisher, Roaring Brook Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This series is highly underrated!!
I had a lot of fun with the 1st-book, Stars and Smoke, so I was excited to continue on with these characters and this world. Unsurprisingly, Lu's exceptional writing drew me in from the start and kept me hooked throughout.
In this installment, we are reunited with our MCs, Winter, an international pop superstar, and Sydney, an operative for a mysterious organization known as the Panacea Group.
Winter and Sydney were paired together on a mission in London in the 1st-book, but have now, at the start of this, gone a year without any contact between them.
They're about to be thrust together again though, when Panacea calls upon Winter to assist them with a mission in Singapore, where he is set to perform a show.
The mission involves a lavish party, an assassination plot, and is the very highest of stakes. Panacea needs their best ops on the job.
The chemistry between our mains is still simmering directly under the surface, but we have their exs in tow as well, so that sets up some interesting tension.
Lu excels at character development. I love how well developed these characters are, particularly Winter and Sydney. It's impossible not to fall in love with them and yearn for them to be together.
I appreciate the slow burn feel of the development of their relationship. Even the pining isn't overdone. It feels natural and leaves the Reader wanting more.
The action is also gripping and believable. I love the idea of the Panacea Group, the mystery of it all; the operatives and missions. The possibilities for this series are truly endless.
My only small gripe about this is that I wanted more. I feel like the mission went almost too quickly. I could have definitely spent more time in Singapore.
That's obviously a personal preference, but I definitely could have done with it being built-out even more.
Overall though, I had a lot of fun reading this. The audiobook narration is fantastic, bringing the story to life.
Winter and Sydney compliment each other. Their personalities play off one another so well. He's always in the spotlight, she's always in the shadows. They're like two sides of the same coin and I only want the best for them.
The way this story left off at the end was great. I love that Lu left a bit of mystery. There's obviously more that could be explored, or we could leave it here. Personally, I am hoping for more, but we'll see...
Thank you so much to the publisher, Roaring Brook Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This series is highly underrated!!
June 14, 2024
loved the first book, loved this one too--almost more because the emotional damage it did to me? 10/10
July 17, 2024
“Maybe love was not knowing and going ahead anyway.”
I can not get over this cover 😍. Winter and Sydney both look so stunning! I did not know there was going to be a second book to Stars and Smoke, but honestly with the ending in the last book, we deserved this one 😂.
Sydney and Winter’s tension in the last book was simply unmatchable. This book did explore their relationship much more and they began to become closer, but there wasn’t nearly as much tension and romance as I’d like between these two characters. They way they were unsure of how to act around each other was cute along with the jealousy that arose over every little thing 😂
More than a romance book, this felt like an action/spy movie with all the fast-paced events that happened in the last half of the books. It actually felt like the second half of the book simply flew by! The secrets that were revealed weren’t necessarily seen coming, but not jaw-dropping crazy either. There were a lot of high-stakes vibes in the air, that’s for sure.
No, but why is Marie the absolute best at stomping on our hearts 😭😭. What she did in this book was just cruel. After everything that happened and was set up, how could she have done that to us?? It took me a good couple of minutes to actually process that she really did that…
The ending I was way more happy with than the one in the first book. I liked how both of them, Winter, the one constantly in the spotlight, and Sydney, the one meant to hide in the shadows, did indeed find a way to be together. It seemed impossible, it was difficult…but they agreed they were ready to try to make it work as long as they could. I really do wish there was just a wholesome, cute epilogue to finish the book perfectly.
*:･ﾟ✧･ﾟ:* fav quotes *:･ﾟ✧･ﾟ:*
“I don’t love you,’ he murmured. ‘I don’t love you, too’ she whispered back.”
“But perhaps there was beauty in not knowing. Maybe that was its own form of love, the faith of coming together even when you couldn’t see the path in front of you, when you had no idea whether joy or heartbreak would await you further down the road of life, when you had nothing but a guiding light in the distance to yearn for.”
I can not get over this cover 😍. Winter and Sydney both look so stunning! I did not know there was going to be a second book to Stars and Smoke, but honestly with the ending in the last book, we deserved this one 😂.
Sydney and Winter’s tension in the last book was simply unmatchable. This book did explore their relationship much more and they began to become closer, but there wasn’t nearly as much tension and romance as I’d like between these two characters. They way they were unsure of how to act around each other was cute along with the jealousy that arose over every little thing 😂
More than a romance book, this felt like an action/spy movie with all the fast-paced events that happened in the last half of the books. It actually felt like the second half of the book simply flew by! The secrets that were revealed weren’t necessarily seen coming, but not jaw-dropping crazy either. There were a lot of high-stakes vibes in the air, that’s for sure.
No, but why is Marie the absolute best at stomping on our hearts 😭😭. What she did in this book was just cruel. After everything that happened and was set up, how could she have done that to us?? It took me a good couple of minutes to actually process that she really did that…
The ending I was way more happy with than the one in the first book. I liked how both of them, Winter, the one constantly in the spotlight, and Sydney, the one meant to hide in the shadows, did indeed find a way to be together. It seemed impossible, it was difficult…but they agreed they were ready to try to make it work as long as they could. I really do wish there was just a wholesome, cute epilogue to finish the book perfectly.
*:･ﾟ✧･ﾟ:* fav quotes *:･ﾟ✧･ﾟ:*
“I don’t love you,’ he murmured. ‘I don’t love you, too’ she whispered back.”
“But perhaps there was beauty in not knowing. Maybe that was its own form of love, the faith of coming together even when you couldn’t see the path in front of you, when you had no idea whether joy or heartbreak would await you further down the road of life, when you had nothing but a guiding light in the distance to yearn for.”
May 9, 2024
While I didn't love Icon and Inferno quite as much as I did Stars and Smoke, I still had a really good time with this story. I love Marie Lu's writing style, and this series has a maturity that isn't seen in all of her earlier work. I did find the plot twists in this book a little more predictable than in the first, and the plot didn't grab me quite the same, but the pacing was still really solid and I loved the romance. And finally, the story wrapped up quite neatly, but if Marie Lu ever adds more onto this series, I will be reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 2, 2024
marie lu releasing a mid book. brb i'm in mourning :(
June 26, 2024
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
“What is a mission but a performance?”
If it wasn't for the first book's very attractive cover, I would have probably never been lured to giving this YA spy thriller a shot; but I was tempted enough to give it a go, and while it didn't have the most promising of results, it had been a slightly entertaining one, which still left me wary that the sequel would prove the same feelings. It hurts that my expectations were proven accurate, where once again the strongest point of Icon and Inferno would have to be its alluring cover. 😞
“In another life, that could be the easiest decision in the world.
But it wasn’t—they were in this life, and in this life, the scenario was impossible. So what was the point of thinking it?”
It's been a year since Winter and Sydney last crossed paths with each other - each wistfully yearning for the other, knowing though that it is futile to ever envision that their paths could ever cross again, let alone a future in which they could ever be together. 'Laughable, of course. Why would they ever need him again? He was nothing but an entertainer.' 👨🏻🎤 But when a rescue mission - an extraction of one of their field agents - arises in which Panacea has to enlist the aid of Winter as an undercover ruse in stopping a plot that threatens the American president, while also rescuing one of their own agents, Sydney is once again called in to act as his bodyguard, as his tour dates of Singapore so very opportunely coincide with their own need to seek out the necessary information that will assist them in preventing the threat from ever seeing daylight. It is another fast-paced dangerous adventure that neither of them is entirely prepared for - and that doesn't count for the desire in their heart that stirs when they finally have to face what it is they've tried so desperately to deny since then and now. 💟💟
With thrilling expectations I dove back into their world - keen to see how their dual perspective on their sway of emotions would lead me to the forefront of seeing how they would address their repressed feelings. Winter definitely has a lot on his plate - that he doesn't need to add Sydney to the inferno, as well. With a tell-all book set to expose his darkest secrets of the life of an icon, he's desperate to find out who is behind it - that brings up a wave of past memories that remind him just how challenging his difficult childhood had been. 'Your deception to your loved ones will protect their lives.' 🥲 It doesn't hurt either that Gavi seems to know more than she's telling and that the traumatic guilt over his brother's death still weighs heavily upon him, as well as the sadness that he would always live a life of distrust - fearful that anyone was ready to take advantage of him for a story. 'It was the love. He just wanted to create something and know that it mattered to someone, that he mattered.' I felt for him in those moments of anguish and even more so when he discovers who really is behind the book that threatens to reveal all. It shows that underneath the veneer of that perfect celebrity lies the face and heart of a person that is just as human as anyone else - someone who feels that under different circumstances - he could be with someone as brave and beautiful and captivating as Sydney - someone who lives her life like everyday's the last - 'that I can survive without being tethered to anyone else... And then I met you.' 🥺🥺
“Because I can’t swim,” she answered quietly. “That’s what I’m afraid of, Winter. I don’t know how to follow you.”
“Then don’t,” he replied.
She searched his gaze. “What?”
He moved closer to her, until she could feel the warmth radiating from him. His body brushed against hers. “I’ll come to you.”
And while she's nowhere near retiring just yet, we get the glimpse of someone who respects those who do want to give it up for the ones they love - that as much as her job is her life - she, too, hopes that what she shared with Winter in their past life, so to speak, wasn't just for show - that it had been real for the both of them. To reconnect - to spark that feeling - we were then able to get a few moments where their feelings threatened to bubble over, but be it the interference of Gavi, Winter's necessary date to their shindig and Tems, the agent they'd come to retract as well as Sydney's ex, they never really had the chance to openly convey their feelings. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 But, they were there - latent as they were - that lingering attraction clings to them both. It exists in soulful heartfelt lyrics that belong solely to the effect Sydney has on Winter's heart - 'You are my meditation./ Am I ever yours, too?' - that makes for star-crossed romance all the more heartbreaking.
The yearning for something that neither could have - a longing for a love that is virtually impossible given their circumstances, when it's the job - the mission - the performance that takes precedence over anything else. 🤌🏻🤌🏻Those few instances that captured their own individual growth in not only recognizing that shared pain, but trying to work around it, so that they could savor just a taste of what could be theirs, if not for everything that stood between them - was raw and palpable and felt deeply within me. 'Maybe love was not knowing and going ahead anyway.' That despite knowing that imagining a time that they could ever be together was futile and living in denial - that even for just one night - they would take a chance on it. Yes, I'm a sucker for angst - okay!? 🥹😭
“How strange an emotion love was, how powerful it must be to fuel kindness and hatred and empathy and revenge and grief, all at once.”
Even though the characters aren't exactly in their teens, the writing was very Young Adult, which I suppose had its merits and its flaws. It made the writing accessible and movable, as in it was easy to follow the narrative, despite the unevenness in shift in perspective. The mystery, itself, was a very weak one; however, I do have to give credit for the hard-hitting twists that caught me by surprise and how it depicted how much Sydney had grown as an agent, and how she took her duty and loyalty to her country very seriously - that she was willing to sacrifice everything to ensure the success of the mission. 🕵🏻♀️ 'Loyalty to a secret, above all else. Above emotions, above human bonds, above love. Loyalty to duty, to making the world a safer place.' I would have liked a bit more believability to the villains' agenda, but if you look that it was more of a character-driven evil scheme then I think it achieved that goal. For the thing that really got me going was to suspend disbelief over the motives - the actions - the intentions - in order for me to continue reading. 😮💨
It's not that I wasn't taking it seriously or laughing at it - when they gave Winter that Bond-esque protective suit, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes - but, y'know, it is what it is. 😅 A rather half-baked convincing mystery with a smidge of action and suspense and somewhat relevant political intrigues that delivers with a reasonably sensible balance of serious and light-hearted tones that manages to keep your attention till the end, despite how boredom may be eating away at you. And I can't really fault it that much for how it's written with the stakes being high, but still not enough for me to really believe that the threat will play out. I was a bit disappointed to see that it is setting itself for a potential third part; I mean, really. 🙄 Some characters I felt didn't live up to their full potential, so maybe there's hope that it will be redeemed later one. It really isn't a bad book - it caters to what it intends to be, an entertaining YA espionage romance that promises to intrigue and beguile, while also stirring your heart in the affections of two distant stars that are destined to always pass each other, but never fated to cross and meet half-way. 'A little like the sun and the moon, aren’t we? Never in the sky at the same time.' ☀️💞🌕
“What is a mission but a performance?”
If it wasn't for the first book's very attractive cover, I would have probably never been lured to giving this YA spy thriller a shot; but I was tempted enough to give it a go, and while it didn't have the most promising of results, it had been a slightly entertaining one, which still left me wary that the sequel would prove the same feelings. It hurts that my expectations were proven accurate, where once again the strongest point of Icon and Inferno would have to be its alluring cover. 😞
“In another life, that could be the easiest decision in the world.
But it wasn’t—they were in this life, and in this life, the scenario was impossible. So what was the point of thinking it?”
It's been a year since Winter and Sydney last crossed paths with each other - each wistfully yearning for the other, knowing though that it is futile to ever envision that their paths could ever cross again, let alone a future in which they could ever be together. 'Laughable, of course. Why would they ever need him again? He was nothing but an entertainer.' 👨🏻🎤 But when a rescue mission - an extraction of one of their field agents - arises in which Panacea has to enlist the aid of Winter as an undercover ruse in stopping a plot that threatens the American president, while also rescuing one of their own agents, Sydney is once again called in to act as his bodyguard, as his tour dates of Singapore so very opportunely coincide with their own need to seek out the necessary information that will assist them in preventing the threat from ever seeing daylight. It is another fast-paced dangerous adventure that neither of them is entirely prepared for - and that doesn't count for the desire in their heart that stirs when they finally have to face what it is they've tried so desperately to deny since then and now. 💟💟
With thrilling expectations I dove back into their world - keen to see how their dual perspective on their sway of emotions would lead me to the forefront of seeing how they would address their repressed feelings. Winter definitely has a lot on his plate - that he doesn't need to add Sydney to the inferno, as well. With a tell-all book set to expose his darkest secrets of the life of an icon, he's desperate to find out who is behind it - that brings up a wave of past memories that remind him just how challenging his difficult childhood had been. 'Your deception to your loved ones will protect their lives.' 🥲 It doesn't hurt either that Gavi seems to know more than she's telling and that the traumatic guilt over his brother's death still weighs heavily upon him, as well as the sadness that he would always live a life of distrust - fearful that anyone was ready to take advantage of him for a story. 'It was the love. He just wanted to create something and know that it mattered to someone, that he mattered.' I felt for him in those moments of anguish and even more so when he discovers who really is behind the book that threatens to reveal all. It shows that underneath the veneer of that perfect celebrity lies the face and heart of a person that is just as human as anyone else - someone who feels that under different circumstances - he could be with someone as brave and beautiful and captivating as Sydney - someone who lives her life like everyday's the last - 'that I can survive without being tethered to anyone else... And then I met you.' 🥺🥺
“Because I can’t swim,” she answered quietly. “That’s what I’m afraid of, Winter. I don’t know how to follow you.”
“Then don’t,” he replied.
She searched his gaze. “What?”
He moved closer to her, until she could feel the warmth radiating from him. His body brushed against hers. “I’ll come to you.”
And while she's nowhere near retiring just yet, we get the glimpse of someone who respects those who do want to give it up for the ones they love - that as much as her job is her life - she, too, hopes that what she shared with Winter in their past life, so to speak, wasn't just for show - that it had been real for the both of them. To reconnect - to spark that feeling - we were then able to get a few moments where their feelings threatened to bubble over, but be it the interference of Gavi, Winter's necessary date to their shindig and Tems, the agent they'd come to retract as well as Sydney's ex, they never really had the chance to openly convey their feelings. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 But, they were there - latent as they were - that lingering attraction clings to them both. It exists in soulful heartfelt lyrics that belong solely to the effect Sydney has on Winter's heart - 'You are my meditation./ Am I ever yours, too?' - that makes for star-crossed romance all the more heartbreaking.
The yearning for something that neither could have - a longing for a love that is virtually impossible given their circumstances, when it's the job - the mission - the performance that takes precedence over anything else. 🤌🏻🤌🏻Those few instances that captured their own individual growth in not only recognizing that shared pain, but trying to work around it, so that they could savor just a taste of what could be theirs, if not for everything that stood between them - was raw and palpable and felt deeply within me. 'Maybe love was not knowing and going ahead anyway.' That despite knowing that imagining a time that they could ever be together was futile and living in denial - that even for just one night - they would take a chance on it. Yes, I'm a sucker for angst - okay!? 🥹😭
“How strange an emotion love was, how powerful it must be to fuel kindness and hatred and empathy and revenge and grief, all at once.”
Even though the characters aren't exactly in their teens, the writing was very Young Adult, which I suppose had its merits and its flaws. It made the writing accessible and movable, as in it was easy to follow the narrative, despite the unevenness in shift in perspective. The mystery, itself, was a very weak one; however, I do have to give credit for the hard-hitting twists that caught me by surprise and how it depicted how much Sydney had grown as an agent, and how she took her duty and loyalty to her country very seriously - that she was willing to sacrifice everything to ensure the success of the mission. 🕵🏻♀️ 'Loyalty to a secret, above all else. Above emotions, above human bonds, above love. Loyalty to duty, to making the world a safer place.' I would have liked a bit more believability to the villains' agenda, but if you look that it was more of a character-driven evil scheme then I think it achieved that goal. For the thing that really got me going was to suspend disbelief over the motives - the actions - the intentions - in order for me to continue reading. 😮💨
It's not that I wasn't taking it seriously or laughing at it - when they gave Winter that Bond-esque protective suit, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes - but, y'know, it is what it is. 😅 A rather half-baked convincing mystery with a smidge of action and suspense and somewhat relevant political intrigues that delivers with a reasonably sensible balance of serious and light-hearted tones that manages to keep your attention till the end, despite how boredom may be eating away at you. And I can't really fault it that much for how it's written with the stakes being high, but still not enough for me to really believe that the threat will play out. I was a bit disappointed to see that it is setting itself for a potential third part; I mean, really. 🙄 Some characters I felt didn't live up to their full potential, so maybe there's hope that it will be redeemed later one. It really isn't a bad book - it caters to what it intends to be, an entertaining YA espionage romance that promises to intrigue and beguile, while also stirring your heart in the affections of two distant stars that are destined to always pass each other, but never fated to cross and meet half-way. 'A little like the sun and the moon, aren’t we? Never in the sky at the same time.' ☀️💞🌕
May 6, 2024
Listen, this was a freaking blast!!! I liked Stars and Smoke, but I feel like Icon and Inferno is even better. Spies and government conspiracies meet YA romance in this tech-heavy near-future thriller. And even better? This book links up with the Warcross series, setting it in the timeline of the Marie Lu universe! I love a good crossover and it's very cool seeing how this fits in.
Pop superstar Winter is back a year after the events of book one, this time being brought onto a mission in Singapore to prevent the assassination of the US President. And of course Sydney is back, posing as his bodyguard. Things between them heat up even more than a year before, despite their other obligations. And this mission is about to get much messier than expected...
I thoroughly enjoyed this and the audiobook is really well done. If you like spies and romance, or a good crossover, this one is for you. I received an audio review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Pop superstar Winter is back a year after the events of book one, this time being brought onto a mission in Singapore to prevent the assassination of the US President. And of course Sydney is back, posing as his bodyguard. Things between them heat up even more than a year before, despite their other obligations. And this mission is about to get much messier than expected...
I thoroughly enjoyed this and the audiobook is really well done. If you like spies and romance, or a good crossover, this one is for you. I received an audio review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
June 4, 2024
2024 reads: 153/250
i received an advanced listening copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
this is the sequel to stars and smoke.
a year has passed since winter and sydney’s undercover mission. though they haven’t spoken since then, they haven’t stopped thinking about each other. now, though, they’ve been put on another mission together, providing the opportunity to rekindle what they once had…though the situation might not be the most romantic.
it’s been over a year since i read book one, and honestly, i had forgotten just how much i loved these characters! i loved seeing their character growth throughout this book. we also got more detail about how they grew up, which definitely helped put their stories into perspective. as a superstar, winter is dealing with more than just the mission at hand. part of this involves family issues. i think that marie lu handled this subject very well, with both characters.
narration: becca q. co narrated this audiobook and did a wonderful job! i felt very immersed in the story while listening. i’ll definitely be on the lookout for more audiobooks narrated by her.
if you enjoyed stars and smoke, i’d recommend continuing the story with this book. also, marie lu fans are in for a treat🫶
i received an advanced listening copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
this is the sequel to stars and smoke.
a year has passed since winter and sydney’s undercover mission. though they haven’t spoken since then, they haven’t stopped thinking about each other. now, though, they’ve been put on another mission together, providing the opportunity to rekindle what they once had…though the situation might not be the most romantic.
it’s been over a year since i read book one, and honestly, i had forgotten just how much i loved these characters! i loved seeing their character growth throughout this book. we also got more detail about how they grew up, which definitely helped put their stories into perspective. as a superstar, winter is dealing with more than just the mission at hand. part of this involves family issues. i think that marie lu handled this subject very well, with both characters.
narration: becca q. co narrated this audiobook and did a wonderful job! i felt very immersed in the story while listening. i’ll definitely be on the lookout for more audiobooks narrated by her.
if you enjoyed stars and smoke, i’d recommend continuing the story with this book. also, marie lu fans are in for a treat🫶
Shelved as 'dropped'
February 10, 2024
— unrated (dnf @ 54%).
i think it's about time i stop applying for e-arcs, honestly, because it's becoming a trend for me to not finish them and then feel bad about it. i think stars and smoke (and by association, obviously, icon and inferno) are books that i just have to read physically to really appreciate.
i'll start with two positives: winter. sydney.
but that's... kind of it. not saying i didn't enjoy the story of what i did read, but... it felt really, really anti-climatic? considering i finally had to say enough is enough at the fifty percent mark because it genuinely felt like nothing was going on despite there being a lot going on. i'm not sure if that's just because of marie's style of writing, but it was really kind of boring, which makes me sad because i really enjoyed stars and smoke.
eh. not going to rant, but this book suffers from "kind of mid second book" syndrome :(
i think it's about time i stop applying for e-arcs, honestly, because it's becoming a trend for me to not finish them and then feel bad about it. i think stars and smoke (and by association, obviously, icon and inferno) are books that i just have to read physically to really appreciate.
i'll start with two positives: winter. sydney.
but that's... kind of it. not saying i didn't enjoy the story of what i did read, but... it felt really, really anti-climatic? considering i finally had to say enough is enough at the fifty percent mark because it genuinely felt like nothing was going on despite there being a lot going on. i'm not sure if that's just because of marie's style of writing, but it was really kind of boring, which makes me sad because i really enjoyed stars and smoke.
eh. not going to rant, but this book suffers from "kind of mid second book" syndrome :(
Want to read
June 4, 2023I bet whoever gave this a 1 star didn't even read this because they didn't read the first book. Haters are going to hate...
August 18, 2024
This was a fun ride through a plot to assassinate the president.
Sydney must team up with Winter again to use his fame to get access to an event to try to stop the plot.
Things quickly go off the rails, and the double-crossing comes from multiple angles. Exes are brought to the forefront for both main characters, as if their parental relationships.
The way things are at the closing it seems like a lot will be unveiled in the next book. I hope this isn't meant to be just a duology because I have many questions.
I really like Winter and Sydney together and this was a fun time.
4 Stars
Sydney must team up with Winter again to use his fame to get access to an event to try to stop the plot.
Things quickly go off the rails, and the double-crossing comes from multiple angles. Exes are brought to the forefront for both main characters, as if their parental relationships.
The way things are at the closing it seems like a lot will be unveiled in the next book. I hope this isn't meant to be just a duology because I have many questions.
I really like Winter and Sydney together and this was a fun time.
4 Stars
July 4, 2024
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Icon and Inferno is the second book in the Stars and Smoke series. This is a fun spy type story taking a famous pop star and using him as cover to get into places that the Panacea group (Offshoot of the CIA) might not be able to get into. Winter and Sydney get a second chance at both another mission and exploring the feeling they have for each other as they team up again to find a missing agent and try and stop an assassination.
This is a really good follow up story to Stars and Smoke and while I don't think it was better than the first book, it was a great book for some character growth and overall story development. The chemistry between Winter and Sydney is undeniable and even though both have their exes a bit in the picture for this story it never really felt like a love triangle or square, it just pushed them into really evaluating their pasts and prior relationships to discover what they want in their futures.
The plot to the story was fast paced and fun. There is a plot to assassinate the President of the United States and it is really hard to tell who is on team good or evil in this. In an attempt to thwart the assassination true alliances and huge deceptions will be revealed. It looks like Sydney might also be targeted in this story, which means her cover has been blown and someone in Panacea can't be trusted. Sydney and Winter will learn that they can only trust themselves and possibly find a bigger bond in that.
The story ties up in the end really well and I think we will get to see more Rock Star Spy stuff in the future. Marie Lu has set this up well for at least one more story to the series. I liked the tone of the story and the nice blend of all the action with the romance between Winter and Sydney. Both were balanced well and never overshadowed the other aspects making it a really fun read. Sure you have to suspend some disbelief in this book, but I think that is known going in based on the concept of the story.
Overall a great YA read with a good blend of both action and romance. Just a fun series so far.
Narration:
My first experience with Becca Q. Co was in Stars and Smoke the first book of the series. She looks to be a relatively new narrator to the scene with only a few titles to her credit so far. I think that will not last long as her performance of all the characters was great. Her diction and voice changes made it easy to tell who was talking and she was able to capture both the fun and solemnity of the characters in various situations. I was able to listen to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Icon and Inferno is the second book in the Stars and Smoke series. This is a fun spy type story taking a famous pop star and using him as cover to get into places that the Panacea group (Offshoot of the CIA) might not be able to get into. Winter and Sydney get a second chance at both another mission and exploring the feeling they have for each other as they team up again to find a missing agent and try and stop an assassination.
This is a really good follow up story to Stars and Smoke and while I don't think it was better than the first book, it was a great book for some character growth and overall story development. The chemistry between Winter and Sydney is undeniable and even though both have their exes a bit in the picture for this story it never really felt like a love triangle or square, it just pushed them into really evaluating their pasts and prior relationships to discover what they want in their futures.
The plot to the story was fast paced and fun. There is a plot to assassinate the President of the United States and it is really hard to tell who is on team good or evil in this. In an attempt to thwart the assassination true alliances and huge deceptions will be revealed. It looks like Sydney might also be targeted in this story, which means her cover has been blown and someone in Panacea can't be trusted. Sydney and Winter will learn that they can only trust themselves and possibly find a bigger bond in that.
The story ties up in the end really well and I think we will get to see more Rock Star Spy stuff in the future. Marie Lu has set this up well for at least one more story to the series. I liked the tone of the story and the nice blend of all the action with the romance between Winter and Sydney. Both were balanced well and never overshadowed the other aspects making it a really fun read. Sure you have to suspend some disbelief in this book, but I think that is known going in based on the concept of the story.
Overall a great YA read with a good blend of both action and romance. Just a fun series so far.
Narration:
My first experience with Becca Q. Co was in Stars and Smoke the first book of the series. She looks to be a relatively new narrator to the scene with only a few titles to her credit so far. I think that will not last long as her performance of all the characters was great. Her diction and voice changes made it easy to tell who was talking and she was able to capture both the fun and solemnity of the characters in various situations. I was able to listen to this at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
July 31, 2024
This had potential, but the execution was lacking. Things just keep happening, and I had zero interest in romance.
.
.
June 20, 2024
INSANE INSANE INSANE INSANE INSANEEEEEEEEEE-
Marie Lu does it again, guys.
Winter. Sydney. Even TEMS was designed perfectly as characters and their pasts were given away more and more as the story went on, fitting their pieces together like the puzzle that this book was.
I loved the TENSION between Winter and Sydney. Marie Lu is not gonna let us have this couple easily (and we know it) but there NEEDS to be a book three. As much as I loved the agonizing tension, we need them as endgame.
BOOK 3 NOTIFICATION SOON PLEASE???
(Also idk what happened my gr went through a massive glitch because I was out so I hope you didn't get 1000000 status updates 😭)
Marie Lu does it again, guys.
Winter. Sydney. Even TEMS was designed perfectly as characters and their pasts were given away more and more as the story went on, fitting their pieces together like the puzzle that this book was.
I loved the TENSION between Winter and Sydney. Marie Lu is not gonna let us have this couple easily (and we know it) but there NEEDS to be a book three. As much as I loved the agonizing tension, we need them as endgame.
BOOK 3 NOTIFICATION SOON PLEASE???
(Also idk what happened my gr went through a massive glitch because I was out so I hope you didn't get 1000000 status updates 😭)
June 21, 2024
kocham wintera i sydney tak bardzo ze wy sobie chyba nie wyobrazacie i placze dlatego ze to prawdopodobnie ostatnia ich ksiazka😭😭😭 swoja droga tyle ile ja tutaj przeplakalam to sie nie spodziewalam ale uwielbiam ta ksiazke
Want to read
January 17, 2023YES! I cannot wait to dive back into Winter and Sydney's world!
June 23, 2024
say what you want about this duology or this book, but it was hella fun and entertaining to read. not as much romance as i expected, but this still reads like a fanfic that i would stay up all night reading just because it's fun
May 8, 2024
Okay seriously what stars aligned for me to receive an ARC of this?! I AM SHOOK
On another note, this is my first time reading a Marie Lu book and WHAT? HOW DID NO ONE TELL ME LU'S BOOKS ARE THIS GOOD AND ADDICTIVE?!😍😍
I went into the second book expecting mysterious, romantic and an all and all happy vibe but what the heck? Please, someone explain to me why I was sobbing in my bed at 4 in the morning? The first book had me crying too but I thought the crying was over after book one, but boy was I wrong. 🥲
This book continues from book 1 and shows our two MC’s going on another spy mission together. Like the first book, it’s fast paced, thrilling, and super easy to read especially if you have a short attention span, like I do. We get to see a little bit more about Winter’s pop star life than we did in book 1 which I found really nice. There were a few mysteries in this book that all kind of tied together but I liked how one of them specifically dealt with Winter’s life as a pop star and some of the public issues that happen. Sydney of course takes the cake, again, for being an absolute icon. She went through SOOO much in this book, and honestly she just needs a happily ever after from all she had to endure in this book in particular.
I could go on but let me just skip to THE ENDING?!
GIRL WHAT?! DON’T LEAVE US HANGING LIKE THAT I NEED MORE!!!😭😭😭
Currently will be dying inside because the third book (if we get one) probably won’t be out for over a year and a half. I shall sleep until then.
All safety info is on my review from book 1 but here is safety info for book 2:
Both Winter and Sydney’s ex’s are in this book and are side/ main characters.
- They don’t have feelings for their ex’s anymore and if they did it was shot down at the end of the book (iykyk)
- Winter’s other ex fling is also in this story since they are still best friends but no romantic feelings between them anymore. It seems like they both moved on.
- No kissing ex’s but Winter’s ex did kiss his cheek a few times when he took her as his date to a gala.
- It wasn’t stated if they were with others during the separation so i’m not sure about that
On another note, this is my first time reading a Marie Lu book and WHAT? HOW DID NO ONE TELL ME LU'S BOOKS ARE THIS GOOD AND ADDICTIVE?!😍😍
I went into the second book expecting mysterious, romantic and an all and all happy vibe but what the heck? Please, someone explain to me why I was sobbing in my bed at 4 in the morning? The first book had me crying too but I thought the crying was over after book one, but boy was I wrong. 🥲
This book continues from book 1 and shows our two MC’s going on another spy mission together. Like the first book, it’s fast paced, thrilling, and super easy to read especially if you have a short attention span, like I do. We get to see a little bit more about Winter’s pop star life than we did in book 1 which I found really nice. There were a few mysteries in this book that all kind of tied together but I liked how one of them specifically dealt with Winter’s life as a pop star and some of the public issues that happen. Sydney of course takes the cake, again, for being an absolute icon. She went through SOOO much in this book, and honestly she just needs a happily ever after from all she had to endure in this book in particular.
I could go on but let me just skip to THE ENDING?!
GIRL WHAT?! DON’T LEAVE US HANGING LIKE THAT I NEED MORE!!!😭😭😭
Currently will be dying inside because the third book (if we get one) probably won’t be out for over a year and a half. I shall sleep until then.
All safety info is on my review from book 1 but here is safety info for book 2:
Both Winter and Sydney’s ex’s are in this book and are side/ main characters.
- They don’t have feelings for their ex’s anymore and if they did it was shot down at the end of the book (iykyk)
- Winter’s other ex fling is also in this story since they are still best friends but no romantic feelings between them anymore. It seems like they both moved on.
- No kissing ex’s but Winter’s ex did kiss his cheek a few times when he took her as his date to a gala.
- It wasn’t stated if they were with others during the separation so i’m not sure about that
June 11, 2024
2/11/2024: 4.5 stars
6/10/2024: UPDATED REVIEW WITH SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
(*Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for an honest review*)
Marie Lu does all once again in this follow-up conclusion to the Stars and Smoke duology, and it was fun getting to read about what was in store for Sydney and Winter again! When I first heard about Lu planning to release Stars and Smoke, the concept of having a secret agent and an ultra-famous popstar team up sounded unique, and fun! I had never read a book with this type of partnership, and it did not disappoint. Icon and Inferno did the same exact thing, but even better!
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action packed novel with high tension energy (and some good ol’ YA romance between the MC’s) this one is for you! Even though it gives nods to first book, this can also stand as its own story with new characters, plots, and some familiar faces from Lu’s other novels (the crossover with Warcross made me *oh so* excited for a few chapters).
So much of my own reading experience was anticipating what was going to happen next, and I LOVE books that can keep you yearning for more by the end of each chapter. The intensity of the plot rang so much deeper since the consequences of their mission failure was so much higher this time around (WWIII type of consequences), and I think that’s part of why the novel kept me reading until the very end!
What I liked:
Sydney and Winter’s relationship: I feel like this book helped developed both of their characters even more. Even though their jobs are literally the definition of Night and Day, they have a great understanding of each other’s life situations and feelings. The chemistry of their relationship was also written well, and I found to be bittersweet and wholesome.
The dialogue: Marie Lu is SO GOOD at writing dialogue that tugs at your heart, and makes her characters very relatable. There were a number of times I was like, “Yeah, I would totally say that to someone.” or, “Yup. That is a line of Love right there.” When it comes to romantic and witty lines, this novel did a great job!
Easy reading experience: I think because this was fast-paced it made it easy to understand and follow. There were so many events happening one after the other, and given this takes place in a more urban, modern setting made the settings easy to visualize.
What could've been better:
Use of Gavi: I really wished that Gavi was used more throughout the book. She only really appears through the first half and I was waiting to see if she would show up again. I think she could’ve been used for building a lot more tension and drama between Sydney and Winter, but seeing this isn’t a romance driven novel, I could see why
Plot Twists: To me, the plot twist was spotted from afar, but that could be me picking up on Marie Lu’s writing style over the years. I thought it was fun seeing the pieces add up in the end, and the satisfaction one gets from seeing the story continue after the twists are out!
Another great YA book for readers to look forward to this year! Give this a try if you like modern day thrillers and secret agent tropes!
Another great YA book for readers to look forward to this year! Give this a try if you enjoy modern day thrillers and secret agent tropes!
6/10/2024: UPDATED REVIEW WITH SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
(*Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for an honest review*)
Marie Lu does all once again in this follow-up conclusion to the Stars and Smoke duology, and it was fun getting to read about what was in store for Sydney and Winter again! When I first heard about Lu planning to release Stars and Smoke, the concept of having a secret agent and an ultra-famous popstar team up sounded unique, and fun! I had never read a book with this type of partnership, and it did not disappoint. Icon and Inferno did the same exact thing, but even better!
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action packed novel with high tension energy (and some good ol’ YA romance between the MC’s) this one is for you! Even though it gives nods to first book, this can also stand as its own story with new characters, plots, and some familiar faces from Lu’s other novels (the crossover with Warcross made me *oh so* excited for a few chapters).
So much of my own reading experience was anticipating what was going to happen next, and I LOVE books that can keep you yearning for more by the end of each chapter. The intensity of the plot rang so much deeper since the consequences of their mission failure was so much higher this time around (WWIII type of consequences), and I think that’s part of why the novel kept me reading until the very end!
What I liked:
Sydney and Winter’s relationship: I feel like this book helped developed both of their characters even more. Even though their jobs are literally the definition of Night and Day, they have a great understanding of each other’s life situations and feelings. The chemistry of their relationship was also written well, and I found to be bittersweet and wholesome.
The dialogue: Marie Lu is SO GOOD at writing dialogue that tugs at your heart, and makes her characters very relatable. There were a number of times I was like, “Yeah, I would totally say that to someone.” or, “Yup. That is a line of Love right there.” When it comes to romantic and witty lines, this novel did a great job!
Easy reading experience: I think because this was fast-paced it made it easy to understand and follow. There were so many events happening one after the other, and given this takes place in a more urban, modern setting made the settings easy to visualize.
What could've been better:
Use of Gavi: I really wished that Gavi was used more throughout the book. She only really appears through the first half and I was waiting to see if she would show up again. I think she could’ve been used for building a lot more tension and drama between Sydney and Winter, but seeing this isn’t a romance driven novel, I could see why
Plot Twists: To me, the plot twist was spotted from afar, but that could be me picking up on Marie Lu’s writing style over the years. I thought it was fun seeing the pieces add up in the end, and the satisfaction one gets from seeing the story continue after the twists are out!
Another great YA book for readers to look forward to this year! Give this a try if you like modern day thrillers and secret agent tropes!
Another great YA book for readers to look forward to this year! Give this a try if you enjoy modern day thrillers and secret agent tropes!
June 14, 2024
miss those days when marie lu used to actually Write.
Want to read
June 14, 2024Although, I didn't like the first book much because it was so slow, I'm going to give this a try. Don't look at me
June 10, 2024
Full Review on The Candid Cover
Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu is a high-stakes thriller that transports readers to the world of secret agents. Set after the events of Stars and Smoke, this one delves into the main characters’ pasts and doesn’t disappoint with the action scenes. This is a fun addition to the thriller genre that fans of the author’s previous work will love.
Set a year after Stars and Smoke, this sequel follows Winter and Sydney’s reunion as they are tasked with a new and dangerous mission—rescuing another agent, who happens to be Sydney’s ex. However, when they arrive in Singapore, the situation is more complex than they imagined, and they quickly find themselves caught in a high-stakes assassination plot. With targets on their own backs and their own complicated feelings about each other to unpack, Winter and Sydney must find a way to save not only a life but also the world from a potential war.
❀ ENTERTAINING CHARACTERS
I adore both Winter and Sydney, and it is so entertaining to read about them as a team. Like the first book, I find the balance between them with their different lifestyles—one in the spotlight and one in the shadows—so fascinating. This instalment dives deeper into their pasts and vulnerabilities, and I enjoyed getting to see so much character development.
❀ ACTION-PACKED STORY
As a story about secret agents, this one really delivers on the action. It is so thrilling to read about the characters’ strategies to gain information as well as their clever escapes when things get out of hand, and I particularly enjoyed the way they use Winter’s star power to find a way out of difficult situations. All of this makes for an entertaining read that kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page.
❀ PERFECT FOR THRILLER FANS
Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu is an action-packed spy novel that is perfect for fans of the YA mystery/ thriller genre. I loved the main characters’ dynamic, and I found myself completely immersed in the story. I hope to see a third instalment in this unique series in the future!
Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu is a high-stakes thriller that transports readers to the world of secret agents. Set after the events of Stars and Smoke, this one delves into the main characters’ pasts and doesn’t disappoint with the action scenes. This is a fun addition to the thriller genre that fans of the author’s previous work will love.
Set a year after Stars and Smoke, this sequel follows Winter and Sydney’s reunion as they are tasked with a new and dangerous mission—rescuing another agent, who happens to be Sydney’s ex. However, when they arrive in Singapore, the situation is more complex than they imagined, and they quickly find themselves caught in a high-stakes assassination plot. With targets on their own backs and their own complicated feelings about each other to unpack, Winter and Sydney must find a way to save not only a life but also the world from a potential war.
❀ ENTERTAINING CHARACTERS
I adore both Winter and Sydney, and it is so entertaining to read about them as a team. Like the first book, I find the balance between them with their different lifestyles—one in the spotlight and one in the shadows—so fascinating. This instalment dives deeper into their pasts and vulnerabilities, and I enjoyed getting to see so much character development.
❀ ACTION-PACKED STORY
As a story about secret agents, this one really delivers on the action. It is so thrilling to read about the characters’ strategies to gain information as well as their clever escapes when things get out of hand, and I particularly enjoyed the way they use Winter’s star power to find a way out of difficult situations. All of this makes for an entertaining read that kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page.
❀ PERFECT FOR THRILLER FANS
Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu is an action-packed spy novel that is perfect for fans of the YA mystery/ thriller genre. I loved the main characters’ dynamic, and I found myself completely immersed in the story. I hope to see a third instalment in this unique series in the future!
May 13, 2024
Marie sure knows how to create a fun and fast paced story! I thoroughly enjoyed another adventure with Winter and Sydney. The glitz, the glamour, the secrecy, the drama of the rich and famous! I really hope there will be a future story for them but I'm pretty happy with the ending if there won't be.
Thank you Macmillan Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you Macmillan Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
January 2, 2024
the insane rapid of this book had me devouring the book in one sitting. if you enjoyed stars and smoke crazy plot and the tension between winter and sydney you will love icon and inferno. (and like the 1st book you just gotta squint and not question the politics and the insanity of pancea)
i do desperately wish we got more of the characters backgrounds, winter and sydney but also the side chronicles as well. i feel like every time we start getting more we get interrupted, move on, and never come back. the amount of trauma baggage to unpack would have been nice to dive more into.
i can not figure if we going to get a 3rd book? similar way where the first book where it felt like its a possibility or just a open to interpretation type of ending.
i still absolutely loveedd the book, its not perfect and probably not going to reread it but marie lu writing is so addicting to just absolutely devour all at once.
THANK YOU NETGALLERY AND ROARING BOOK PRESS FOR THE E-ARC
i do desperately wish we got more of the characters backgrounds, winter and sydney but also the side chronicles as well. i feel like every time we start getting more we get interrupted, move on, and never come back. the amount of trauma baggage to unpack would have been nice to dive more into.
i can not figure if we going to get a 3rd book? similar way where the first book where it felt like its a possibility or just a open to interpretation type of ending.
i still absolutely loveedd the book, its not perfect and probably not going to reread it but marie lu writing is so addicting to just absolutely devour all at once.
THANK YOU NETGALLERY AND ROARING BOOK PRESS FOR THE E-ARC
April 28, 2024
I've been in the process of reading all the books Marie Lu has written so I was really excited when I got accepted for the audio arc for this one! I read stars and smoke back in December of 2023 and I remember enjoying it! With that said I do think I preferred Icon and Inferno more than S&S! Since we already know the characters we were able to focus a lot more on the plot, and the relationships which I prefer usually prefer in books. Winter grew on me so much in this book! I liked him okay in bk 1 but he completely won me over in bk 2! Gabby made me so angry (which lets face it she's supposed to so A+ for writing her character) I will admit at about 35% I did have a few theories of what was going to happen and some of those were right, which is fine cause I still enjoyed the lead up to the reveals. overall great Duology and would def recommend! I recently read Warcross a few weeks ago (which quickly became my favorite Marie Lu) so I got so beyond excited when I realized this series was set in the same world as Warcross!! Sydney and Winter are just 😍 adorable. (the cover is also like 10/10)
With the audiobook I do wish it would have been 2 narrators rather than just 1 but the narrator still did a fantastic job.
overall great action packed Duology that I would def recommend!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an Audio Arc in exchange for an honest review!
With the audiobook I do wish it would have been 2 narrators rather than just 1 but the narrator still did a fantastic job.
overall great action packed Duology that I would def recommend!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an Audio Arc in exchange for an honest review!
August 2, 2024
Oh Marie Lu can write a story, and this sequel gave me more of what I wanted from the first book, it was a bloody good ride with this one!
Imagine your favourite bias idol becoming an international spy at the side? (teehee) For some unknown reason, I kind of imagined Mingyu from Seventeen whilst reading this second book and GOOD LORD IT GOT ME GIGGLING and reeling cause he kind of fits the vibes for Winter (in some ways). Hamin from PLAVE can be a candidate too (anflanfklna) but yeah, if you have a bias and you somewhat imagine them as Winter whilst reading this, it will definitely upped the joy ride for this one!
Unlike the first book, I kind of liked how the second book went. More high stakes, and the fact that the setting was in Singapore (its somewhere familiar for South East Asians) makes it a more exciting read. I am at a point of my life that I will enjoy young adult reads when its done right and Marie Lu definitely did it right. There was angst and longing for the romance, the action scenes were pretty cool and above all, I love the character growth for each of them in here.
ALSO GIVE ME THE 3RD BOOK QUICK STOP TEASING US LIKE THIS (haha).
I enjoyed the sequel more than the first one. This is a book that is PERFECT for anyone who wants a quick read, has a dash of spy and mostly if you're a fangirl of any kind, just imagine ur idols in here and you're all set to go :p
4.25🌟 for this one! Loved it!
Imagine your favourite bias idol becoming an international spy at the side? (teehee) For some unknown reason, I kind of imagined Mingyu from Seventeen whilst reading this second book and GOOD LORD IT GOT ME GIGGLING and reeling cause he kind of fits the vibes for Winter (in some ways). Hamin from PLAVE can be a candidate too (anflanfklna) but yeah, if you have a bias and you somewhat imagine them as Winter whilst reading this, it will definitely upped the joy ride for this one!
Unlike the first book, I kind of liked how the second book went. More high stakes, and the fact that the setting was in Singapore (its somewhere familiar for South East Asians) makes it a more exciting read. I am at a point of my life that I will enjoy young adult reads when its done right and Marie Lu definitely did it right. There was angst and longing for the romance, the action scenes were pretty cool and above all, I love the character growth for each of them in here.
ALSO GIVE ME THE 3RD BOOK QUICK STOP TEASING US LIKE THIS (haha).
I enjoyed the sequel more than the first one. This is a book that is PERFECT for anyone who wants a quick read, has a dash of spy and mostly if you're a fangirl of any kind, just imagine ur idols in here and you're all set to go :p
4.25🌟 for this one! Loved it!
August 6, 2024
“I don’t love you,” he murmured.
“I don’t love you, too,” she whispered back.
I had fun reading the first installment, but not as much as I had in this sequel. This one is even better for the following reasons: first, it was solid, fast-paced, engrossing, and unputdownable, keeping me on the edge of my seat as the story unfolded. Second, we get to witness more of Sydney, especially Winter's life, and how their character developed. Third, I was glad that this time I could finally feel the sparks I was looking for, even if it was just a little. I also loved the jealousy lol that arose between them in every interaction they got involving the side characters that were part of their past relationships. Lastly, the emotional damage it caused me
“I don’t love you, too,” she whispered back.
I had fun reading the first installment, but not as much as I had in this sequel. This one is even better for the following reasons: first, it was solid, fast-paced, engrossing, and unputdownable, keeping me on the edge of my seat as the story unfolded. Second, we get to witness more of Sydney, especially Winter's life, and how their character developed. Third, I was glad that this time I could finally feel the sparks I was looking for, even if it was just a little. I also loved the jealousy lol that arose between them in every interaction they got involving the side characters that were part of their past relationships. Lastly, the emotional damage it caused me
Want to read
June 11, 2024omg the sequel is out?! SHUT UP THAT COVER
July 14, 2024
I swear, there's something nostalgic about every single book Marie Lu writes, I don't know how to explain it.
Loved the Warcross crossover in this, it was so cute!!
Loved the Warcross crossover in this, it was so cute!!
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