Stars and Smoke is a fun and exciting spy-thriller novel where a secret agent and a global superstar must team up in order to prevent a (potentially) catastrophic event from occurring.
Enemies-to-lovers tropes in the YA genre are always a joy to read, but when spies and musical superstars are also thrown into the mix, can it get any better than that? Marie Lu seamlessly blends these elements together to form a story that brings us two characters from very different worlds who stand well on their own as individuals, but make an epic duo when they’re thrust together. The worldbuilding was vivid, the writing was fast-paced yet easy to understand, and the progressing, action-packed plot urges to you keep reading until the very end!
Lu does a great job of giving readers two solid main characters to follow throughout the story. Since the point of view is put in the third person by two characters, it really gives a fuller-scale perspective as to what is happening in this story. Winter Young is the 19-year-old Chinese-American popstar who has taken the world by storm, but deals with life hurdles of his own. He finds himself dwelling on the passing of his brother, Artie, and dealing with his not-so-present mother who also has troubles of her own. Sydney Cosette, the female protagonist of the novel, didn’t have the best childhood given she lost her mother to lung disease (which Sydney has also inherited) and had to put with her abusive father. In order to start a new life, she leaves her small-town and eventually becomes an agent for a secret organisation called Panacea. Niall and Sauda, agents from the organisation, take Sydney in as their own as they see her potential to become even greater than them.
Something to understand about these two characters is even though their upbringing and backgrounds are completely different, both of them find a mutual understanding in one another—at the end of the day, we see two teens trying to understand and navigate their lives as best as they can. Sydney and Winter put their differences aside in order to get the job done, but the churning chemistry between them is undeniably present which keeps you wanting for more.
As for the plot’s direction and writing, this is where complexity meets simplicity. Winter, being the world-renowned popstar he is, is recruited to be a spy for Panacea to take down Eli Morrison, one of the world’s most dangerous crime lords. During his recruitment, Winter also finds out Artie was an agent for Panacea and he might finally get the answers he seeks regarding his death. It’s all perfectly timed since Eli asks him to put on a private concert for his daughter, Penelope’s birthday, in London. This makes Winter the perfect spy with little to no suspicion in his direction. Sydney is paired with Winter as his partner, but she can’t help but roll her eyes at the fact she is babysitting a popstar in the midst of unfolding chaos.
The main plot is clear as day. There were some aspects that were a tad bit confusing, but that could’ve been from me reading too fast in anticipation for what happens next. The romance subplot is so nicely integrated it feels like one whole story instead of two separate ones. This might be because Winter and Sydney’s relationship very much gives off a slow-burn tone, and it doesn’t seek to overwhelm the story or their main goals as characters. Having read all of Lu’s books, I found some of the added twists and turns on the predictable side. However, it was enjoyable to read, nonetheless.
This book definitely spoke to the anxiety and tension I felt from Lu’s previous Legend trilogy, and is toward the top of my favorites from her (Legend being first, obviously). Winter gave off BTS’ Jimin vibes, for reasons I will not go into because of *spoilers*, and Sydney encompasses all traits of a badass YA female character; my absolute favorite character type. The ending was appropriate, and it has me wondering what else might be in store for these two!
Special thanks to Marie Lu for putting out another wonderful YA book to read! This one is sure to keep you flying through the pages from start to finish, and I would highly recommend this to readers who want to add a bit of thrill and spy-crime adventure to their shelves!
Stars and Smoke is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
Will you be picking up Stars and Smoke? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
The Hating Game meets Mission: Impossible in Stars and Smoke, a smoldering new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu about a superstar tapped to become a secret agent and the reluctant young spy assigned to be his partner.
Meet Winter Young—rookie backup dancer turned global pop phenomenon. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. Now he’s bringing his swoon worthy assets to a whole new arena. . .
Infamous criminal tycoon Eli Morrison has just one weakness—his daughter, Penelope. And Penelope has just one wish for her nineteenth birthday—a private concert with Winter Young. When covert ops organization The Panacea Group approaches Winter with this once-in-a-lifetime chance to infiltrate Morrison’s inner circle, Winter must use his fame, cunning, and charisma to pull it off—only he won’t be on his own.
Posing as Winter’s bodyguard is the fiery Sydney Cossette, Panacea’s youngest spy. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter’s charms, but as the mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit there’s more to this A-lister than slick dance moves and a handsome face. Panacea’s unlikeliest partners just might become its biggest heroes—and maybe even more—if they can survive each other first.
