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aliciaclarereads 's review for:
Smoke in the Sun
by Renée Ahdieh
I'm honestly a little disappointed I didn't like this more! I loved [b:Flame in the Mist|23308087|Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist, #1)|Renee Ahdieh|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476724612s/23308087.jpg|42862752] so much! I wasn't really sure where I expected the story to go, but I knew it was going to be slightly different because now we'd get to see Mariko weaving her way through court instead of out in the forest. But there was just too much going on. This book flitted between so many perspectives that I felt like I only got half a story. There was significantly less romance than the first book, which is a shame because Ahdieh writes really incredible romance.
As I reflect on this book, I just really wish this had been a longer series. This was a really great story, but it got shortchanged by being stuffed into a duology. The last third of the book had so much action, but parts of it was completely glossed over! These characters are so interesting, and really deserved more of a chance to shine. Raiden's development didn't seem as sincere because it happened to quickly. And frankly, Mariko deserved to do more. She's out main character but we only spent around half the book with her.
Look, I love Ahdieh's writing style. It's lyrical and immersive. She's incredibly talented at pushing her reader into a world that's morally complicated. You don't always know who to root for, and I love it. She also writes gorgeous romance. But the follow through is a little disappointing. I'll definitely read whatever she publishes next, but I want her to get the chance to write a trilogy or a longer series and really flesh out these great ideas she has.what happened to Okami's mom? I want that story!!!! It think it's fabulous that we ahve an Asian woman writing Asian fantasy stories, and I know I still want more from her.
Perhaps I'm a glutton for punishment, but I really wanted Mariko and Raiden to stay married. Mariko could've been a fantastic empress, and I wanted Okami and Mariko to silently pine for each other forever. This book was dark and sexy, and I think that really could have fit the vibe!! But to be fair I was also rooting for the love interest in her other duology to die. I like happy endings, but I want something more complicated from her stories than wrapping things up with a nice little bow
As I reflect on this book, I just really wish this had been a longer series. This was a really great story, but it got shortchanged by being stuffed into a duology. The last third of the book had so much action, but parts of it was completely glossed over! These characters are so interesting, and really deserved more of a chance to shine. Raiden's development didn't seem as sincere because it happened to quickly. And frankly, Mariko deserved to do more. She's out main character but we only spent around half the book with her.
Look, I love Ahdieh's writing style. It's lyrical and immersive. She's incredibly talented at pushing her reader into a world that's morally complicated. You don't always know who to root for, and I love it. She also writes gorgeous romance. But the follow through is a little disappointing. I'll definitely read whatever she publishes next, but I want her to get the chance to write a trilogy or a longer series and really flesh out these great ideas she has.