Are you a fan of Renee Ahdieh? I have loved all her books and am so honored to be on the blog tour for her latest, Smoke in the Sun.
About the Book
Smoke in the Sun
By: Renee Ahdieh
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Publisher: Putnam’s Books for Young Readers
Summary:
The highly anticipated sequel to 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 very the safety of the empire.
My Thoughts:
It didn’t take me long to get right back into this world and characters that Ahdieh so expertly created. The setting was much different than Flame in the Mist since Mariko is in the Heian Castle. I found it so interesting to read about her character adjusting back into this lifestyle- the one she was always supposed to have. Her determination to make a change and even put aside her own wants was so impressive. I’ve loved watching her character grow and develop.
Her relationship with her brother was strained but also one that moved me. These two have so much standing between them but Kenshin begins to see things differently in this novel. He has lost so much and maybe he can find hope in his sister.
Poor Okami is being tortured and held prisoner and Mariko knows this but she really doesn’t have much power to help him. Between pretending to be rescued from the Black Clan and an unassuming bride to be she also plots ways to help free Okami. Because of her time with the rebels she is not trusted by her betrothed or the emperor. She is constantly trying to placate them into trusting her. I really enjoyed getting to know Raiden a bit more. His relationship to his younger brother, the emperor, was interesting if not disturbing. Ahdieh has created some really intriguing character dynamics.
The pacing of this book was a tiny bit slower than the first to me since there wasn’t as much physical action sequences. I loved the descriptions and tidbits about the supporting cast of characters. I found Ahdieh’s writing to be beautifully done and once again I was swept up into the world and setting. I recommend these books to anyone looking for immersive characters!
Tour Schedule
FLAME IN THE MIST
WEEK ONE
May 21 – Velaris Reads – Makeup Look + Creative Instagram Picture
May 22 – Live Laugh Read – Favorite Moments from Book 1
May 23 – My Friends are Fiction – Creative Instagram Picture
May 24 – Novel Novice – Creative Instagram Picture
May 25 – Enchanted with Words – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
WEEK TWO
May 28 – Adventures of a Book Junkie – Spotlight + Giveaway
May 29 – That’s Normal – Social Media Promo
May 30 – Seeing Double In Neverland – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
May 31 – One Way or an Author – Playlist + Book Graphics
June 1 – Book Is Glee – Creative Instagram Picture
SMOKE IN THE SUN
WEEK THREE
May 21 – Velaris Reads – Makeup Look + Creative Instagram Picture
May 22 – Live Laugh Read – Instagram Picture
May 23 – My Friends are Fiction – Review
May 24 – Novel Novice – Styled by Books
May 25 – Enchanted with Words – Review + Creative Instagram Picture
WEEK FOUR
May 28 – Adventures of a Book Junkie – 5 Reasons To Read It
May 29 – That’s Normal – Giveaway
May 30 – Seeing Double In Neverland – Moodboard
May 31 – One Way or an Author – Playlist + Book Graphics
June 1 – Book Is Glee – Creative Instagram Picture
