#Review - Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh #YALIT #Fantasy

Series: FLAME IN THE MIST (#2)
Format: Hardcover, 432 pages
Release Date:  June 5, 2018
Publisher: G.P. Putnam Sons
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy

The highly anticipated sequel to New York Times bestselling Flame in the Mist—an addictive, sumptuous finale that will leave readers breathless from the bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn.

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.

Smoke in the Sun, by author Renee Ahdieh, is the second installment in the author's Flame in the Mist duology. The story picks up right where the previous book left off. Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, Smoke in the Sun is the breathless, not-to-be-missed fiery conclusion to a spellbinding adventure. For weeks, seventeen-year-old Mariko pretended to be a boy to infiltrate the notorious Black Clan and bring her would-be murderer to justice. She didn't expect to find a place for herself among the group of fighters—a life of usefulness—and she certainly didn't expect to fall in love with the mysterious Ōkami.

Now she heads to the imperial castle to resume a life she never wanted in order to save the boy she loves. As Mariko settles into her days at court—making both friends and enemies—and attempting Ōkami's rescue at night, the secrets of the royal court begin to unravel as competing agendas collide. One arrow sets into motion a series of deadly events even the most powerful magic cannot contain. Mariko and Ōkami risk everything to right past wrongs and restore the honor of a kingdom thrown into chaos by a sudden war, hoping against hope that when the dust settles, they will find a way to be together.

This book isn't just Mariko's story to tell. It's also Kanako, the Emperor's scheming consort who wants nothing more than to see her son become the next Emperor. It is also Yumi, a geisha who is fighting against her brother's misogyny in not allowing her more freedom to work with his group, as well as injustices done to her people. It's Tsuneoki Asano who is the spirited leader of the Black Clan. It's Kenshin, the twin brother of Mariko, a Samurai who is lost in his own world after losing the woman he loves. It's Prince Raiden, Mariko's soon to be husband, and the brother of the newly named Emperor Roku, who is by far the most destructive, and the most violent character in this book.

I could almost forgive Kenshin for his behavior, but not the way he treats his own sister. On the other side of the coin, Roku should have had his own narrative. Readers don't really get a chance to get into his head like we do the rest of the already mentioned characters. I for one would have loved having his side of things explained instead of cheering for his fall from grace. I am also happy that this book is the ending of the series. One could say that the series could have ended after the first book, but I'm glad that Ahdieh was able to bring this series to a satisfying conclusion. 

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Monday #Review - Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh #YALit #Fantasy

Series: Flame in the Mist # 1
Format: Hardcover, 392 pages
Release Date: May 16th 2017 
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons 
Source: Library
Recommended By: 
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.

“Be as swift as the wind. As silent as the forest. As fierce as the fire. As unshakable as the mountain. And you can do anything...” 

Flame in the Mist is the first installment in author Renee Ahdeh's Flame in the Mist series. The story begins with 17-year old Mariko Hattori, the main protagonist of this story, being sent away to Inako where she is to meet her betrothed Prince Raiden. Along the way, her norimono is attacked by a mysterious group who Mariko believes belongs to the dreaded Black Clan. As the only survivor, Mariko has to make a choice; return home to her family where they will most likely send her on to Inako, or disguise herself as a boy and track down the Black Clan who she believes is responsible for attacking her group.

Mariko chooses the second option, and away on a fantastical adventure we go. It has been said by many people that this story reminded them of 47 Ronin meets Mulan. I can get behind that comparison. I loved the strength that Mariko shows throughout this book. She is a very curious person who loves to learn. Even though, at times, she is rather foolhardy, far too prone to ask questions that can get her in trouble, and being in the wrong place at the wrong time, she does manage to catch the readers fantasy as a character who doesn't lay down and let others dictate terms to her. 

“Sometimes we must fall forward to keep moving. Remain motionless—remain unyielding—and you are as good as dead. Death follows indecision, like a twisted shadow. Fall forward. Keep moving. Even if you must pick yourself up first.” 

One of the other things I loved about Mariko, is that she is an inventor who is in a world all her own. As the daughter of a noted Samurai, and the sister of Kenshin, known as the dragon, she has tries to carve out a niche all her own. She knows that she is a political pawn to be used by her father, but at the same time, once she does contact the Black Clan, she comes into her own by upping her game even more. She has an golden opportunity to not only find out who ordered her death, but discover a world that would be open to her had she been born a boy.

This story isn't just about Mariko though. Kenshin plays a part as he tries track down his twin sister, and discover whether she is dead or alive and who was behind the attack on her convoy. Kenshin is the absolute opposite of Mariko. He is hard, and cold, and dangerous. We also find ourselves deep in political intrigue in what is feudal Japan and the Empire of the Wa. We meet the very twisted royal family where nothing is at it seems, and the key players who all have an apparent agenda just waiting to be sprung. Then, there is the curious connection between Mariko and Okami and his ability to shape shift. This is a story that is filled with action, adventures, surprises, betrayals, bloodsucking trees, samurai, sorcerers, and a bit of romance.  

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#Wednesday Review - The Rose & The Dagger by Renee Ahdreh (Young Adult, Fantasy)

Series: The Wrath & The Dawn # 2
Format: Hardcover, 420 pages
Release Date: April 26, 2016
Publisher: GP Putnam & Sons (BYR)
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. 

Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.

Renee Ahdreh's The Rose and The Dagger is the conclusion to The Wrath and the Dawn duology. 16-year old Shahzrad al-Kharzuran finds herself between a rock and a hard place. Intent on gaining revenge against Khalid, Caliph of Khorasan for the killing of her best friend, Shazi instead found herself falling hard for the troubled boy-king who has been cursed and troubled to lead an unhappy existence. After her own father Jahander helped the enemies of her husband attack her home, and her sanctuary, Shazi was taken away by her once romantic interest Tariq.

As the story unfolds, Shazi is basically a prisoner of circumstances. She's found herself among those who are eager to see Khalid brought to his knee, and they have distrust in their eyes when it comes to why Shazi didn't kill him when she obviously had the chance. With Shazi being the Calipha, they also believe they have leverage against Khalid. But, Shazi refuses to give up, even it it means using her new magic carpet to seek assistance and a way to break Khalid's curse. Even if it means keeping secrets from her sister Irsa who more than makes her presence felt in this story.

I am not one of those readers who gets all mushy and bushy eyed over couples who find a way through all of the heart break and pain to find each other. But, I do adore Shazi/Khalid and the way they each find the road uneven and dangerous as they try to fight their way back together again. Yes, the romance started off as insta-lust. Yes, there was a rather eye-rolling quick in the bed sex scene. But, 

I am so happy that the dreaded love triangle of doom never had a chance to raise its ugly head. Tariq may have been Shazi's childhood crush, but Khalid holds her heart and her future.

"For the first time, Tariq saw what Shahrzad saw when she looked at Khalid Ibn al-Rashid.He saw a boy. Who loved a girl. More than anything in the world."

Ok, let's get to the likes and dislikes. I love the authors writing. I love her characters. I adore Shazi and yes, Irsa who has her own budding romance possibility. I was worried that Despina and Jalal would end up getting written off. As in, dead. This duology featured a wonderful world where things are dangerous, and yet, the curse seemed to easily broken when the time came. I was hoping for some more bloodshed, or screaming, or anything than what happened. Ok, so, let's talk about the epilogue quickly. Nawww let's not because if I do, I'll spoil the ending! 

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#Wednesday Review - The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh (Young Adult, High Fantasy)

Series: The Wrath and the Dawn # 1
Format: Hardcover, 395 pages
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, High Fantasy 

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?

Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end. 

The Wrath and the Dawn is the first book in author Renee Ahdieh's The Wrath and The Dawn series. It is a reimaging of either The Arabian Nights, or A Thousand and One Nights depending on how you look at things. The story is set in a mythical land of Khorasan where 18-year old Khalid Ibn al-Rashid is the Caliph of Khorasan. Khalid is trying to live a life atoning for his past sins by taking a new bride every night and leaving a silk cords wrapped around the women's throats come morning.  

"One hundred lives for the one you took. One life to one dawn. Should you fail but a single morn, I shall take from you your dream. I shall take from you your city. And I shall take from you these lives, a thousandfold. "

But, Khalid never imagined meeting 16-year old Shahrzad al-Khayzuian. Shazi volunteers as tribute in an effort to undermine Khalid and get revenge for the killing of her best friend Shiva. Shazi attempts to do the impossible; get close to the Khalid and kill him for all the pain and suffering he has caused multitudes of families. But, after continually delaying the inevitable with her stories and her slick moves, something happens between Shazi and Khalid that pretty throws all of her plans into disarray.

"I will live to see tomorrow's sunset. Make no mistake. I swear I will live to see as many sunsets as it takes. And I will kill you. With my own hands." 

For me, this book is very similair to A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston. The books male protagonists are eerily similair except when it comes to the ending and the dangers that face each character. Both male characters are hiding deep, dark secrets that keep them from revealing what is actually behind the killing of brides. So Shahrzad and Khalid go from adversaries, to companions, to a romance that blossoms in the face of severe challenges from inside and outside of Khalid's kingdom.

There are other characters to pay close attention to. Tariq the boy who loves Shazi, and would do anything to save her life from the Caliph. Despina, Shazi's handmaiden and the person who has her back despite all indications to the contrary. Jalal al-Khoury is the Captain of the Guard, and the one who allows Shazi some freedom and flexibility and makes a fateful choice when all is said and done. The last character is Shazi's father Jahander who was once vizier to the former Caliph, and is driven by revenge and hatred to see an end to Khalid's rule.

I could say that this book is far from perfect but it managed to hold my attention from beginning to end. I could say that Shazi doesn't come close to the original Scheherazade who was brave, intelligent, and admired by all around her. There is also the dreaded love triangle that continues to slap me upside my head and call me names while giggling maniacally at my pain and suffering. But, the one thing that really put me in a foul mood, was the cliffhanger ending. I realize that this is a two book series, but, really?  

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