“‘Let yourself think bravely, Winter Young. You may presume that you belong in the spotlight and I operate in a secret world, but perhaps we exist in the same place.’”

Nineteen-year-old Winter Young has it all: looks that could kill, a voice like velvet, and a career as an international pop sensation. Lately, though, he feels like his life has been missing something important: a purpose. When his trajectory crashes him into hotshot secret agent Sydney Cossette and Winter is tapped to help her infiltrate a major crime organization’s inner circle, the two of them are thrown together on the mission of a lifetime. With danger lurking everywhere and secrets piling up around them, Winter and Sydney will have to work together to get out of this mission alive. But can they escape with their hearts intact as well? Or will this mission change the course of their lives forever?

I have been a huge fan of Marie Lu’s books since I first read LEGEND back in middle school. I love her masterful wielding of action, adventure, and romance—and STARS AND SMOKE is no exception. Sydney and Winter are the perfect protagonists, and the espionage plot is SO FUN. Right after I finished the book, I wanted to pick it up and reread it immediately! There are so many fun elements in the story that it will appeal to anyone who loves action/adventure. Seriously, it’s the action/adventure book I’ve been wanting for a while! With characters that leap off the page, moments that make your heart pound, and scenes where you can’t keep a smile off your face, STARS AND SMOKE is a masterpiece—and definitely my favorite read of the year.

Content Warnings: Death of a loved one, moderate language, divorce, parental abuse, hospitalization, terminal illness, blood, violence, action, firearms, kidnapping

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

I read this as an ARC from NetGalley.

The premise of this book is promising - a young superstar musician is recruited by a secret agency to help bring down a crime lord. He is paired with a young agent who will play his bodyguard.. Unfortunately, the story was predictable. Maybe teens would like it but adults will probably find it average or boring.

Stars and Smoke is the newest release from veteran-YA author, and one of my personal favorites, Marie Lu.
In this story we meet Winter Young and Sydney Cossette. Winter is an international pop star and Sydney is a top-spy for a special-ops group. They're as opposite as opposite can be, but through an unusual set of circumstances they end up coming into one another's orbit.

It begins when the organization approaches Winter with the hopes of recruiting him. A major crime boss, Eli Morrison, who they have been trying to take down for years, has a daughter, Penelope, with an upcoming birthday.

Daddy Dearest is throwing the party of a lifetime for the occasion and wants Winter to perform at the event. The organization, Panacea, sees this as an opportunity to infiltrate Morrison's world. If Winter agrees to work with them, he can be their eyes on the inside. Not just Winter though. They can't send an unseasoned operative in by himself. Sydney will be going with him, posing as his bodyguard. She has plenty of experience for the both of them.

I wouldn't say that Sydney is necessarily excited about the assignment. She just knows this guy is going to do nothing but get in her way, but alas, orders are orders. The tension between the two is palatable. Will they be able to put it aside long enough to complete a successful mission, or will they crash and burn, risking everything, even their lives?

I had a blast reading this. I found this to be such a refreshing change of pace from my normal reads. It's unique, fast-paced and thrilling, with well-created characters and an exciting plot. I really enjoyed both Winter and Sydney. Initially, I was most excited for Winter because I tend to love characters who are musicians. This story didn't really focus much on that aspect, it was more about Winter's fame, but I was still here for it.

As I got deeper into the story, I found myself drawn to Sydney's story more. I love her character. A girl from a difficult background, Sydney joined Panacea as a way to escape her earlier life.

It's interesting because as agents of Panacea, they aren't supposed to really build prominent relationships because it makes it difficult to focus on their missions. This reminded me of the Jedi in a way and I feel like Sydney, in another time and place, would make an INCREDIBLE Jedi.

Nerdy-epiphanies aside, Sydney is just fantastic. I did enjoy watching the relationship between Sydney and Winter play-out as well, although I will say, I disagree with the synopsis calling this, a smoldering enemies-to-lovers story. I get it, but I wouldn't say that's accurate. I felt like, while some of that may come into play, anyone expecting 'smoldering' romance may be disappointed. Just a little warning and of course, my personal opinion. You're idea of smoldering may be completely different than mine.

I did really enjoy the twists and turns over the course of the story and as a start to a series, I think this is a great base on which to build. I am looking forward to seeing the direction Lu takes this one. I will absolutely be continuing on with it.

One final note, the audiobook has incredible narration, so I definitely recommend that format for my fellow Audiobook Lovers out there!!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Roaring Brook Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copies to read and review. Lu's writing never fails to transport me into her stories.

Marie Lu is one of my favorite fantasy style authors..... Legend anyone?! So while this book was good, and I would still recommend it, it probably isn't my favorite of hers.
Again, if you've read Legend, or Warcross, then you know.
The characters I felt weren't very realistic, which is funny because I'm talking about a fantasy/mystery book.
I will say that this is a light and easy read, while enjoyable enough, the plot just wasn't for me. However, it is worth a read. I think it would be a great book to get you out of a reading slump.

Thank you netgalley for an arc copy of Marie Lu Stars and Smoke

An enemies to lovers story with plot similarities to The World is Not Enough? Absolutely, yes!

When Winter Young, an international pop star, is recruited by a covert organization, he couldn't have anticipated his cagey partner, Sydney. Together, they'll infiltrate the inner circle of a shipping tycoon and attempt to stop an upcoming terrorist attack. But nothing could have prepared them for the plot twist.

I absolutely loved everything about this and can't wait for the next installment!

I like Marie Lu, but the enemies to lovers trope isn't really my wheelhouse. That being said, a teen and new adult audience will enjoy this. I loved the premise though!

Any time I get to dive into a new world crafted by Marie Lu, it feels like a privilege. This book is an absolute breath of fresh air. She continues to strike a masterful balance between heartbreak and hope which is one of the things I love most about her books. I loved Sydney and Winter so much and I'm so excited to read about their future adventures together. 

I especially loved though that Sydney had a chronic illness, and that her illness didn't keep her from being a complete badass. It was just part of who she was, and although it created some tension for her character, it wasn't the main issue or conflict for her which I found refreshing. Every bit of the fear she had about being found out and having her entire life taken away from her over something she couldn't control hit me straight in the heart as someone who constantly has to worry about whether or not I'll lose out on opportunities because someone chooses to see my health conditions before they see my qualifications. I also really enjoyed the glimpses into Dameon and Winter's past, and the way that although they aren't together anymore, Dameon holds nothing but respect and care for Winter still and serves as a grounding force for him as everything spirals out of control. It would've been easy to make him into just a jealous ex who happened to be one of Winter's dancers but instead, he was so much more, which I was glad to see.

This was an excellent read that will appeal to a wide audience, not just YA. The characters are great and the premise is unique and intriguing. I was sucked into the story and so invested. Winter was so much more than it appeared at first glance. There is a lot of character development. I was excited to learn this is the first in a series. I look forward to more.

Marie Lu has been one of my favorite authors since I first discovered her back in 2013. While I've enjoyed all her releases, this is the first one that I loved as much as the Legend series. I went into Stars and Smoke knowing it was a pop star turned spy with a dash of bodyguard romance thrown in. That's what I was given and more, which I expect from the talented Marie Lu.

Winter, a gorgeous pop star, is the perfect person to help a secret agency take down a crime boss for the government since the man's daughter is Winter's number one fan. Agent Sydney is quickly making her way up the ranks of the Panacea Group, and the next assignment would get her a promotion. Even though she is less than thrilled to be paired with Winter, she's determined to complete the mission. When the mission goes sideways , they find themselves targets and their hearts getting attached is the least of their worries.

I loved both the main characters. Pop star Winter is beautiful and talented, yet he hasn't let stardom give him a big head. His family situation hurt my heart, but I loved that he had such a close relationship with his team. Also, I was here for the queerness he added to the story He's bisexual, and it isn't a throw away comment but elaborated and validated by his past relationship that he's still close to. Then we have Sydney, who is constantly motivated by her past. She's not a warm character but she does thaw around Winter as the feelings between them grow. Their relationship is a slow burn with a touch of steam, with plenty of bickering/bantering along the way.

The story line itself had me engaged from beginning to end. It alternates between Winter and Sydney's POVs and a few mission logs between Sydney's handlers. It was full of twists and turns that I hadn't seen coming. Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu is a fantastic story with diverse characters, bi rep, MCs with personal childhood traumas, a pop star and a spy, Necco wafers high-tech gadgets, danger, an unexpected connection and a mission completed. I can't wait for the next book.

4.5 Stars

Stars and Smoke is a wild ride from beginning to end. This dual point of view book is smart, fast and full of action.

Readers familiar with author Marie Lu’s dystopian novels will be happy to learn that she easily slides into a more contemporary setting.

At the center of Lu’s story are Winter and Sydney. The two are as opposite as possible, and that’s a great setup for this sort of book. Both characters are extremely well written and their inner thoughts and emotions are well explored. Though I finished feeling as though I knew Winter better than Sydney, leaving her with a little mystery fits well with her position as a spy.

Lu’s pacing is superb, and the world she’s created is believable. Her cinematic setting is easy to get lost in.

Stars and Smoke is a fast-cased action/thriller that you won’t want to put down. I can’t wait for the sequel.

It has been years since I’ve read anything from Marie Lu. Her writing has a special place in my heart. I remember being a freshman in college and enjoying reading the Legend series. When I got approved for a digital copy I was extremely content and started reading Stars and Smoke immediately. I love how Marie Lu writes her characters. They are always likable. Winter and Sydney were adorable and especially dealing with enemies to lovers. Enemies to lovers will forever be my favorite type of trope. I enjoyed the creativity and the worldbuilding of the story. I am used to Marie Lu’s fantasy style and this was such a captivating story. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for this amazing opportunity!

Sydney a budding spy is hoping for the one big job she can do to become a full-blown agent. Enter Winter a pop star that has the eye of the daughter of who job is about so Winter is recruited as a special asset into this world only to find out his deceased brother had worked for this group as well and that got him killed and this is Winter’s one chance to know the truth.
This is a wonderful, very fast pace, action packed book that I believe will appeal to a wide audience. The characters are awesome and realistic and it seems no one holds their punches throughout the book, but come together when it is needed. I hope people of all ages like it as much I do.

Enemies to lovers. Body guard romance. Spies! Seriously everything one could ever want in a romance. LOVED this one!

Marie Lu can do no wrong and I am anxiously awaiting the next book

This is a bodyguard meets spy thriller as Winter and Sydney dance around their mission and their feelings trying to complete the task assigned to them. It’s fun to suspend belief in an effort to delve into this one and Winter’s rockstar lifestyle as you imagine him putting on private concerts and living the lavish lifestyle. I was intrigued by seeing that there was more to him than met the eye, and I liked that we got to know Sydney more by her examination of who Winter was and by how people largely reacted to her in her role as his female ‘bodyguard’ and how they perceived that. I would definitely read more in this world. Even though it doesn’t shatter any ground, for YA readers this is a fun, fast-paced read.

It's fun! Who doesn't love some young adult spies who get to experience all the fun of fame and fortune? I think the storyline tries to get very involved because it's a spy story but because we're mostly focused on Winter and Sydney, the spies, rather than the people they are trying to expose, it gets a little bit messy and confusing. I wasn't that into the action at the end, but the rest was pretty fun to read.

Marie Lu is back, but this time with a spy/thriller/romance contemporary YA novel. It’s different than her previous works, but it still has the same captivating writing style that we first saw in the Legend Trilogy.

I really enjoyed this first installment in the series and I can’t wait to see how this series plays out.

A major departure from Lu’s typical science fiction fare, this bodyguard romance was enjoyable if a bit predictable. However, YA audiences will enjoy the romance and references to Kpop.

Half spy thriller, half enemies-to-lovers bodyguard romance, Marie Lu's new book is definitely a good time. The two main characters had a lot more depth then I was expecting and I especially liked the exploration of Winter's relationship with his mom. The book was just suspenseful enough to keep me hooked and was full of delightfully clever banter. It also found a good mix between romance and plot, hitting some of the best tropes of the romance and spy genres. Lu's easy to read writing style paired well with the romance genre, making the book a quick but enjoyable read. My only complaint is that the twist was super obvious and the plot was pretty predictable in general, but since the book leans more towards romance, it didn't bother me too much.

Overall, this book is a fun read and I'm excited to experience the rest of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press for the ARC!

DNF @ 20%. It’s me and not the book. I used to be a massive fan of Marie Lu, and I still think she’s a wonderful person and deserves all the best in life, but I’m just not compatible with the formula of her books any longer.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and of course, Marie Lu for providing me with an eARC of this novel. I am voluntarily leaving a review, all opinions are my own.

I liked this book alright. The world building, as per usual, was wonderful. It wasn’t quite the same as some of Lu’s fantasy novels, but I enjoyed it a lot. It gave me some major Kingsman/ MIB vibes. But other than that, I didn’t find myself wanting to know what was happening, or how things played out.

Winter was okay, but I really didn’t connect to any of the characters in this book and found myself forgetting details because I just didn’t have the desire to keep it all.

For those who are fans of spy novels/ some action and MIB vibes, then this will definitely be the book for you.