Stars and Smoke

I think I already outgrew Marie Lu's YA work.

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.

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 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.