Book Review :: Smoke in the Sun, by Renee Ahdieh

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh
ISBN: 9781473658011
Series: Flame in the Mist #2
Also in this series: Flame in the Mist
Published by Hachette NZ
on 5th June 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 432
Source: Hachette Publishing NZ
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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.

Last updated on 14 April 2023

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What is Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh about?

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh is about Mariko, who is in the Heian Palace, not pretending to be a boy this time, as in Flame in the Mist, but as a willing bride-to-be to Emperor Roku’s younger brother, Raiden. While that’s the last place she wants to be, she must stay and figure out how to ger Okami, her love, out of the torture chamber the Emperor has encased him in, and free them both from the clutches of the Empire.

But when opportunity strikes for Mariko to do just that – free the boy she loves, escape with them – she decides the best way for her to aid the Black Clan in the fight against the Emperor is to stay within the palace grounds, become a mole, if you like, for the side she’s actually fighting for.

“Everything in life began with an idea.”

Meanwhile, Kenshin her brother is having a hard time remembering sections of his day; Tsuneoke is leading the Black Clan on the outside of the Palace; Yumi and Kanaka are strong women pulling the strings behind the backs of the men, and while they’re pulling different strings, they’re definitely turning the wheel. That was one too many metaphors, but you get what I mean.

As Mariko and the Black Clan fight against the Emperor, loyalties are tested, family ties are broken, love is grieved, and hope falters.

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My thoughts on Smoke in the Sun

I have to say it took me a long time to get into this book. It didn’t help that I couldn’t quite remember all the characters from the first one, Flame in the Mist (though I really enjoyed it), and only semi-remembered the ending. Even once I got into the groove of the story a bit more, I struggled with a few things in this book.

Firstly, not a lot seems to happen. Mariko and Okami are stuck/imprisoned in the palace, just sort of hanging out there, not doing too much; the Black Clan are chatting about the conflict between Emperor and the people; Roku is torturing people (namely Okami); Raidan (Mariko’s soon-to-be husband) has anger issues and can’t quite get his stuff together; and Kenshin is having lady troubles. I know this seems like a lot, but in reality, I didn’t feel like much actually happened until the end quarter. Then things started coming together and we got more action and movement.

“Our deepest truths are usually the hardest to conceal.”

Having said all that, I do enjoy the characters in this book (despite the fact that there are so many ‘R’ names I had to keep reminding myself who was who), and the newcomers to the story who shared their point of view were a good addition to the tale. Instead of just Mariko and Okami’s POV, we get a range of character insights, which weave together the story that eventually concludes in some rather exciting turns of events. Having the multiple POVs was good to get a fuller picture of the scene and what was going on behind the main characters, but at times I did feel like there were a few too many.

I’m 99% sure this is a duology, so the series has now ended. I was pretty happy with the ending, even though I thought there was going to be a third book (perhaps a sad assumption that I make with Young Adult, especially YA fantasy). Overall I’ve given it 3.5 stars.

Have you read Smoke in the Sun yet? What did you think?

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I received this book for free from Hachette Publishing NZ in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.