Series: A Stars and Smoke Novel
(#1)
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: March 28, 2023
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Thrillers & Suspense / Espionage
This smoldering enemies-to-lovers novel from #1 New York Times bestselling
author Marie Lu puts a superstar global phenomenon and a hotshot young
spy on a collision course with danger – and Cupid’s arrow – in an
electric new series perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Nicola Yoon
Meet Winter Young – International 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 this “brilliant, breathtaking ride that will leave
you clamoring for the sequel.” — Tahereh Mafi, #1 internationally
bestselling author of Shatter Me.
Stars and Smoke, by author Marie Lu, is the first installment in the authors Stars and Smoke series. This is a series that alternates between two entirely different characters, from a variety of backgrounds. One is world famous, the other is a secret agent for the Panacea Group who are thrown together to help bring down one of the most dangerous men in the world: Eli Morrison. This book has forced proximity, fake dating and some hints of enemies to lovers tropes. It also has a few transcripted dialogues between two covert agents, Sauda and Niall, that gives the reader some additional background.
Winter Young is one of the most famous superstars in the world, 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. After being kidnapped, temporarily by Sauda Nazari of Panacea Group, he is told that because of his status, he is needed for a mission that could save the world and save millions of lives. He also learns a secret about his brother who allegedly died while part of the Peace Corps.
Sydney Cossette is part of an elite covert ops group known as Panacea 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. Sydney has to stay in the shadow as Winter is aim to live in the spotlight. Even though they achieve to complete their mission, how could they stay away from each other against all odds?
When Eli Morrison gifts his daughter Penelope with a private concert with Winter for her birthday in London, 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.
Winter is a character who has had a heavy weight put on his soldiers. First, his brother dies, then his mother acts as though Winter doesn't exist. Winter chooses to put all his energy into his music and his performances, and that's why he's a character you can root for. Sydney basically lost everything before the age of 16. She was recruited at a young age, she quickly picks up on languages which allows her to fit in anywhere she goes, she's made mistakes, but she refuses to let those mistakes and her past from dragging her down from being the best agent she can be even if that means losing her heart to Winter.
This story could easily have been a standalone, and I would not have minded. However, I do think there is more to the Winter and Sydney connection that needs more adventures. One can call this K-Pop meets Mission Impossible. While this book has been labeled as young adult, the two main characters are at least 19, including Winter's back up dancers, as well as Winter's handler Claire who is as much of a mother to Winter, than his own.
Nice! This one is in my TBR pile! I love Marie's books! Even when they aren't paranormal or fantasy there's still something very exciting about them and this spy like book sounds like a real trip! I thought I heard that each book would be a kind of standalone mission between Winter and Sydney, though I thought she said something more about it too. But I can't recall. Time will tell I guess! Nice review!
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