Take a photo of a barcode or cover
forevermorepages 's review for:
Flame in the Mist
by Renée Ahdieh
As per usual, I'm reviewing books practically ten years after I read them, so pardon me if I completely forgot everything. (Actually it's only been a month, but it feels like an eon).
“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 was actually a huge disappointment, especially after Renee Ahdieh's debut The Wrath and the Dawn. I didn't really love Flame in the Mist until the last third of it. It started off rather boring and uneventful. It was also rather unbelievable in the beginning. For example, Mariko's brother sees girl's clothes and hair on the ground and a man without clothing on and automatically assumes correctly that she is dressing as a boy now. That just didn't seem realistic to me. No one is that good at solving things within less than a minute. Also, how did only a few characters figure out she's a girl? She couldn't have been that good at passing at male.
As well, there were far too many characters in the Black Clan and I found it hard to keep track of them all. Though, I do understand the inclusion of so many characters...I just wish I weren't so confused by it all. I also only really liked a few of them, especially Okami, my love.
Anyway, aside from the beginning being not so fantastic, the last part was amazing. It introduced the hate to lovers trope (which is one of my all-time favorite romance tropes) and I shipped it so hard. I really liked the dynamic between Mariko and Okami, especially considering he wasn't aware she was who they were sent to kill until later. Argh it was just super cute and I loved it. He also has some wonderful lines about her being a completely separate person. When will other YA authors take Ahdieh's note and write feminist romances? It's so wonderful to read a book where the two love interests see each other as equals and they don't try to overpower each other.
“You are first and foremost a person. A reckless, foolish person, but a person nonetheless. If I ever say you are not permitted to do something, rest assured that the last reason I would ever say so would be because you are a girl.”
Also, the action really improved and I became more invested in the characters and what happened to them. When they met up with Mariko's family, I was super involved in it. Though, I do have to say, I think Ahdieh has a thing for writing books where the main character betrays her family. I'm not complaining because it totally spins things a completely different direction, but I do wish she had a little variety in her storylines.
I love Mariko and she's such a strong character. So much love for this girl <3
“If I am marching to my death, then I will march to it as a girl. Without fear.”
Okay, so the verdict is: It wasn't nearly as good as Ahdieh's other books, but the ending was great and I will definitely be reading Smoke in the Sun when it comes out.
-Book Hugger
“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 was actually a huge disappointment, especially after Renee Ahdieh's debut The Wrath and the Dawn. I didn't really love Flame in the Mist until the last third of it. It started off rather boring and uneventful. It was also rather unbelievable in the beginning. For example, Mariko's brother sees girl's clothes and hair on the ground and a man without clothing on and automatically assumes correctly that she is dressing as a boy now. That just didn't seem realistic to me. No one is that good at solving things within less than a minute. Also, how did only a few characters figure out she's a girl? She couldn't have been that good at passing at male.
As well, there were far too many characters in the Black Clan and I found it hard to keep track of them all. Though, I do understand the inclusion of so many characters...I just wish I weren't so confused by it all. I also only really liked a few of them, especially Okami, my love.
Anyway, aside from the beginning being not so fantastic, the last part was amazing. It introduced the hate to lovers trope (which is one of my all-time favorite romance tropes) and I shipped it so hard. I really liked the dynamic between Mariko and Okami, especially considering he wasn't aware she was who they were sent to kill until later. Argh it was just super cute and I loved it. He also has some wonderful lines about her being a completely separate person. When will other YA authors take Ahdieh's note and write feminist romances? It's so wonderful to read a book where the two love interests see each other as equals and they don't try to overpower each other.
“You are first and foremost a person. A reckless, foolish person, but a person nonetheless. If I ever say you are not permitted to do something, rest assured that the last reason I would ever say so would be because you are a girl.”
Also, the action really improved and I became more invested in the characters and what happened to them. When they met up with Mariko's family, I was super involved in it. Though, I do have to say, I think Ahdieh has a thing for writing books where the main character betrays her family. I'm not complaining because it totally spins things a completely different direction, but I do wish she had a little variety in her storylines.
I love Mariko and she's such a strong character. So much love for this girl <3
“If I am marching to my death, then I will march to it as a girl. Without fear.”
Okay, so the verdict is: It wasn't nearly as good as Ahdieh's other books, but the ending was great and I will definitely be reading Smoke in the Sun when it comes out.
-Book Hugger