Stars and Smoke
Ratings9
Average rating3.9
*Featuring a steamy Winter and Sydney bonus chapter*
He's a secret.
She's an agent.
This mission might just be impossible.
A smoldering enemies-to-lovers novel about a global superstar and a hotshot young spy on a collision course with danger―and romance. This electric series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu is perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Ally Carter.
Meet Winter Young—Global pop sensation, with a voice like velvet and looks that could kill. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. His rabid fans would move heaven and earth for even a glimpse of him—just imagine what they’d do to become his latest fling.
Meet Sydney Cossette—Part of an elite covert ops group, Sydney joined their ranks as their youngest spy with plans to become the best agent they’ve ever had. An ice queen with moves as dangerous as her comebacks, Sydney picks up languages just as quickly as she breaks hearts. She's fiery, no-nonsense, and has zero time for romance—especially with a shameless flirt more used to serving sass than taking orders.
When a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday, Sydney and Winter's lives suddenly collide. Tasked with infiltrating the crime organization’s inner circle, Sydney is assigned as Winter's bodyguard with Winter tapped to join her on the mission of a lifetime as a new spy recruit. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter's charms, but as their mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit that there's more to Winter Young than just a handsome face . . .
Romance and danger abound in Stars and Smoke, a “brilliant, breathtaking ride that will leave you clamoring for the sequel.” — Tahereh Mafi, #1 internationally bestselling author of Shatter Me.
Series
Featured Series
2 primary books#1 in Stars and Smoke
Stars and Smoke is a 2-book series with 2 released primary works first released in 2023 with contributions by Marie Lu.
Reviews
Popular Reviews
Reviews with the most likes.
This was just such a fun read! It's like an undercover agent movie in book form and is so hard to put down! The mystery around the villain is quite predictable but you'll still be at the edge of your seat (especially during action scenes) wanting the two MCs to just be okay, and to just kiss already! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
I have received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book through a giveaway hosted by the publisher. This has not affected my rating or review in any way.
Stars & Smoke is everything I want in a young adult adventure novel- enemies-to-lovers (!!!), a pop star boy, a secret agent girl (and y'all already know how much I love spies and secret agents), and one big espionage mission. Fortunately for me, Marie Lu delivered on exactly what she promised.
This novel was brilliantly written, and I loved every second of it. The characters were well-developed and entertaining, I especially loved the spy Sydney Cossette. The popstar Winter Young was also great. As for the plot, it's a spy thriller with plenty of action and steamy romance sprinkled in- it's definitely upper young adult level romance.
My favorite part of the novel was definitely the secret agent and espionage aspects of the story. I've loved spy stories since I was young; Black Widow is my favorite Avenger and one of my favorite book series is the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter. Would I have loved this novel without all of the spy stuff? Yes, but probably not as much as the novel wouldn't have a plot otherwise (lol).
I'm eagerly waiting for the next novel!
This was a pretty fun read! Very much feels like a spy movie, with a bunch of high-tech devices involved and some cool sneaking and action scenes. A little gender reverse on the bodyguard trope is always fun, and the MMC is bisexual, which I feel like I don't normally see in romance books; it's usually the other way around.
I had a good time reading this but on the whole I just think it fell a little short of everything it was supposed to do. The spy parts were cool, but mostly sparse on the action front. I feel like they could've spent a little more time on it. The romance too felt a little bland and underdeveloped. Although I did laugh during their first kiss cause girl you were literally just POISONED!! You were dying a few minutes ago maybe don't lock lips right now!!
I could definitely see this being someone's cup of tea but it wasn't mine. Atmospheric though, and with good writing and some really hard-hitting emotional moments. I don't regret reading it but I won't be picking up the sequel.
