From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn, comes a sweeping, action-packed YA adventure set against the backdrop of Feudal Japan where Mulan meets Throne of Glass. The daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has long known her place—she may be an accomplished alchemist, whose cunning rivals that of her brother Kenshin, but because she is not a boy, her future has … but because she is not a boy, her future has always been out of her hands. At just seventeen years old, Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden, the son of the emperor’s favorite consort—a political marriage that will elevate her family’s standing. But en route to the imperial city of Inako, Mariko narrowly escapes a bloody ambush by a dangerous gang of bandits known as the Black Clan, who she learns has been hired to kill her before she reaches the palace.
Dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and track 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.
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I am constantly on the hunt for a fabulous YA Fantasy series with a swoon worthy romance and Flame in the Mist delivered and more! I loved Ahdieh’s Wrath and the Dawn series and eagerly picked this one up hoping for a great read. This one cemented itself as one of my favorite books of the year.
Ahdieh’s writing style is beautiful and easy to read, immediately sucking the reader into the story. Her world building is exquisitely done and Japan comes to life on each page. Flame in the Mist follows an intricate plot filled with many twists and turns that will keep you on your toes.
The book’s strength, though, is its characters. Mariko is a wonderful heroine who is smart and strong, feminist and powerful. Her voice is fun and engaging and she is the sort of character I would love to be friends with in real life. I don’t want to give away any spoilers as to his identity–because it unfolds wonderfully and organically–but the hero is equally well-written and as a couple they are perfectly matched.
If you love YA Fantasy, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s exquisite.
Wow. WOW. Flame in the Mist was SO GOOD. Can the next one come out like, yesterday, please?
Action, adventure, mystery, hints of magic, a dash of romance… Take Arya Stark, mix with the best parts of Six of Crows, build on loose threads of the 47 Ronin and set it in Imperial Japan. Pure enchantment.
I picked up this book when I read a review on Goodreads recommending it if you liked stories steeped in Japanese history.
With vibrant settings, dynamic characters who foil off one another, and action-packed pacing this duology series will keep you turning the pages (I picked up Book #1 at Half Price Books, gobbled it up the next day, and just HAD to check out the e-book sequel asap through the Metro Library OK.) I’m a sucker for anything Japanese-related, but I’m really glad I found this. Now, the ending to Book One did leave me irate…before I realized there was a Book Two! Huuuuuge cliffhanger!
Samurai, mysticism, romance subplot, breaking social classes, secret cross-dressing, plot twists, feudal court life, arranged marriages, heartbreaking scenes —it’s got it all!
….Maybe it’s not so much a romance “subplot”, but rather a historical fiction/romance genre-blend. The main characters wouldn’t do what they do in the story line if they hadn’t fallen in love, so I think I’ll change my classification.
Probably the most admirable thing the author pulls off is how slowly, very deliberately, she reveals pieces of the characters’ pasts to drive the plot. This strategy leads to awesome storytelling! Way to go, Renee Ahdieh!!
Flame in the Mist is a good decent book, it teaches readers a lot about culture and women rights at that time. It is a bit twisted and talks about spirits and demons; also mentions shape shifters. There are a couple scenes of romance, one being vivid for younger readers, I honestly had to skip half the chapter, but others might view it differently. I like the clan raids, and the mystery. Overall it is a good book, I couldn’t put the book down once I started it.
I received an ARC Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh from First to Read of this title and I absolutely loved it. This is my first book that I have read by this author and I can tell you this will not be the last. I was absolutely entranced in this book and didn’t want to put it down until I turned the last page and I was extremely upset with how it ended. The characters just drew me into their lives and I just felt for the characters and this book just had me guessing on what was going to happen next and which character was going to surprise me next. I sincerely hope she writes another one and does it soon because it is tortured to be left hanging like this.
Let’s get down to business to defeat The Huns.
So this is literally what has been playing in my head since I finished this book I’m not complaining because I love Mulan.
This is a loose Mulan retelling that takes place in Japan.
I am really glad that I waited so long to read this book when it first came out there was a lot of hate because people expected a strict Mulan retelling. This story takes place in Japan so the culture is very different than the movie since it takes place in mainland China. I think that this might be why people felt let down by the retelling aspect.
The Mulan essence lives in our main character Mariko. Due to actions out of her control, Mariko has to dress like a boy to survive. Mariko fights for what she feels is right no matter the cost. Also, we have the hate to love trope that we all know I am such a sucker for.
There are some big thing that happens at the end of this book that really has me on the edge of my seat to see what happens. This book is told from a few different perspectives that should all come together in the Smoke in the Sun. Well, at least I really hope they do.
I am going to read the two short stories that came in between books 1 and 2. And just in case you did not know this but they appear to be free on Amazon.
This story is part of the duology so I’m super excited to pick up the second installment.
Best book ever!!!!
‘Flame in the Mist’ offers a firsthand look into the strength that a woman can possess, even when raised with cultural barriers blocking her way. Mariko is intelligent and cunning, things that she is looked down upon for simply because she is female. After being attacked and nearly killed, she is forced to use her wits to survive.
As she hides amongst those whom she sees as her enemies, she learns things about herself and her family that she never knew, and not all are pleasant. Her character is well written and a good role model for younger women. The question of morality is constantly present, whether it be her deception of being a boy to her other lies and thievery, she constantly wonders if she is doing the right thing, leaving the reader to wonder as well.
This book is a strong case for gender equality, showing stereotypes along with those who accept that women and men can be equal. ‘Flame in the Mist’ is a good read for those who want to read about a strong female character who is still unsure about herself, yet who lives her life her own way.
Great read for young adults
LOVE IT. Renee Ahdieh is a sorceress of writing.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was different and I couldn’t stop reading it. I loved the characters and can’t wait to read the sequel.
I devoured this book AND can’t wait for the sequel. It is inspired by the story of Mulan, and has (surprisingly) multiple perspectives. I loved the journey Mariko takes to become comfortable in her own skin — ironically done while pretending to be a boy.
I love a story where the heroine does not need saving, she is inventive (yes to a plug for more women going into stem fields), she is thoughtful and wise. There is still a need for character growth — she is not perfect. But this is her journey and it is not based on finding the love a guy. It was refreshing and yes, to featuring a story about characters that are not from Western cultures and are people of color. I so cherish this writer for doing this in all the books I have read.
I seriously loved this book so much!! I picked it up intending to just start it, but ended up finishing it in one sitting.
I’ve been dying to read it since I first heard about it for several reasons. I loved watching Mulan growing up, so I was of course really excited that Flame in the Mist is a Mulan retelling. You can’t get much better than a bad ass woman warrior paving her own path. I also really enjoyed Renee Ahdieh’s the Wrath and the Dawn series, so I was definitely looking forward to more of her writing. She just tells her stories so beautifully. Lastly, I am super in love with the cover of this book. I had to buy the hardcover version just so I could have that lovely book on my shelf.
On to the actual story, I thought it was so well done. You really get a feel of the characters and locations. Yet the descriptions don’t drag on so much that they’re boring. The pacing of the book is good and kept me constantly wanting to know what would happen next. I also have to say the romance was really well done. It doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the plot and feels really believable.
I also think that Renee does a fantastic job utilizing different character’s points of view. All of these moving parts get brought together in a great way. Since our main character Mariko isn’t aware of everything, it really gives the reader more insight into what’s going on. We’re also allowed to see what’s going on with her brother Kenshin, and what’s happening with the emperor. I’m really excited to see how the plot continues to unfold in the next book.
Another aspect I like is the conflict you feel for Mariko and the other characters. Hard choices are made. Mariko struggles with things she faces and it’s completely understandable why. I love it when a book pulls me in enough to make me feel so emotional right along with the characters.
I’m not going to spoil anything, but there is a twist at the end that I definitely didn’t see coming. I had been curious about some things as I was reading, but I didn’t expect what happened. Now I just need this sequel in my life ASAP!
A novel by Renée Ahdieh
Suffice it to say that when there is power to be had, there are many in the medieval Land of Wa who will stop at nothing to obtain it for themselves or those they hold dear. Here in the ancient Land of the Rising Sun, there are wheels within wheels, lies, hatreds, scores to settle and a fair amount of magic to boot.
Hattori Mariko is the intelligent, odd and rebellious daughter of the Daimyo Hattori Kano, a vassal of Emperor Minamoto Masaru. Without her consent, she is to marry Minamoto Raiden, son of the emperor and his concubine Kanako. Putting it mildly, Mariko is incensed that she is a pawn in her father’s political maneuvers.
Nor is she the only one to take exception to the joining of the Minamoto and Hattori Clans; And they decided to have Mariko murdered while she is in route to the Imperial Capitol, Inako, for the formal betrothal.
With luck and gritty determination, Mariko survives the attack but becomes lost in the foreboding Jukai Forest; a fearsome place thought to be haunted by demons. And is known to be the hunting grounds of a group of bandits known as the Black Clan. The same clan of ronin she believes attacked and killed her retinue and tried to murder her. Now, rather than crawl back home in disgrace, she decides to find the Black Clan; and after she finds them, what then?
“ Follow orders.
Engender trust.
Strike when they least expect it.”
Ms. Ahdieh has crafted a fine mystery, filled with vivid details and enough “who dun it” to satisfy all but the penultimate mystery aficionado. She has also given “Flame in the Mist” that authentic flavor present in novels written by Japanese authors.
As a frequent reader of Japanese feudal history and historical fiction, the opportunity to read “Flame in the Mist” was one I could not resist. If you are of a like mind, I recommend it to you. I certainly will be looking forward to seeing what else lies in store Hattori Mariko and the Black Clan.
Now comes the unpleasant part: In her attempt to set herself apart, or so I believe, Ms. Ahdieh has developed a “style” that is contrived. This “style” consists of unusual paragraph breaks, fragmented sentences, sentences without a subject and strange usage of familiar words; There are lots of “sentence words” too. I cannot believe that a middle-school student would get away with mangling an assignment as badly. And to those at who allowed this talented young woman to get away with this bit of malpractice, I say Shame. On. You.
Many thanks to Penguin Random House’s First To Read program for providing me with an advance galley in return for this review.