Marie Lu returns to our bookshelves with this masterful spy epic in which the spotlight and the shadows are entangled in a dangerous plot to save the world.
From the blurb;
'A Superstar.
'A secret agent.
'A once-in-a-lifetime mission.
'Global phenomenon Winter Young is the pop star of a generation. With sell-out tours and smash-hit records, everyone wants him, or wants to be him.
'That's why a top-secret government organization thinks he'll make the perfect spy.
'His target is infamous business tycoon, and all-round bad guy, Eli Morrison. Because Morrison's daughter has just one birthday wish: a private concert with Winter Young.
'Winter must use his stardom to crack his target's inner circle and bring Morrison down. With him will be expert spy, and expert bad-ass, Sydney Cossette - and she's convinced Winter doesn't have what it takes.
'But as the stakes get higher and the tension ramps up, Sydney and Winter might find their best chance is each other...'
This fast paced story is told through the switching perspectives of Winter and Sydney. Swinging the reader between a life under the spot-light and a life in the shadows. As we delve further into this page turner we also delve further into Sydney and Winter's pasts, swiftly learning that the same pain and suffering can result in two people on completely different trajectories.
As to be expected with any fictional spy epic at some points the reader must let go of reality to accept the exciting things happening in the book. From the futuristic spy technology to the daring action sequences this novel will keep readers on their toes though does ask you to suspend reality to do so.
As always Lu is able to create lovable characters with realistic emotions, backed by a well thought-out history and life. In Stars and Smoke we are gifted with a host of fantastic supporting characters, encouraging us to ask for a prequel, in particular, in regards to the senior agents Sydney shadows.
As we tumble from the USA to London, United Kingdom, we are gifted with an insight into the worlds of the uber rich and glamours, dripping with wealth and luxury, as seen through the eyes of Winter and Sydney. This elusive life-style sparks some sense of desire in the reader, while we equally jump for joy to see it torn down.
By it's conclusion Stars and Smoke remains a light-read. Full of excitement, passion and adventure that will make for excellent holiday reading for any star-crossed-lover story fan. However, following on from Marie Lu's most recent novel's Stars and Smoke does not quite hit the same notes as Warcross and Skyhunter.
We look forward to seeing were Marie Lu takes us next.
We Give Stars and Smoke Four Stars
ISBN - 978-0-241-64653-3 Hardback Cover Price - £14.99 First published in the USA by Roaring Brook Press 2023