Stars and Smoke

ByMarie Lu

Release Date: 2023-03-28
Genre: Romance for Young Adults

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 43 Ratings

Description

An Instant New York Times bestseller!
*Featuring a steamy Winter and Sydney bonus chapter*

He's a secret.
She's an agent.
This mission might just be impossible.

A smoldering enemies-to-lovers novel about a global superstar and a hotshot young spy on a collision course with danger―and romance. This electric series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu is perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Ally Carter.

Meet Winter Young—Global pop sensation, with a voice like velvet and looks that could kill. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. His rabid fans would move heaven and earth for even a glimpse of him—just imagine what they’d do to become his latest fling.

Meet Sydney Cossette—Part of an elite covert ops group, Sydney joined their ranks as their youngest spy with plans to become the best agent they’ve ever had. An ice queen with moves as dangerous as her comebacks, Sydney picks up languages just as quickly as she breaks hearts. She's fiery, no-nonsense, and has zero time for romance—especially with a shameless flirt more used to serving sass than taking orders.

When a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday, Sydney and Winter's lives suddenly collide. Tasked with infiltrating the crime organization’s inner circle, Sydney is assigned as Winter's bodyguard with Winter tapped to join her on the mission of a lifetime as a new spy recruit. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter's charms, but as their mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit that there's more to Winter Young than just a handsome face . . .

Romance and danger abound in Stars and Smoke, a “brilliant, breathtaking ride that will leave you clamoring for the sequel.” — Tahereh Mafi, #1 internationally bestselling author of Shatter Me.

Reviews

With Love
5
By Nikki renéé
Thank you Marie Lu for creating yet another beautiful world with beautiful characters for me to escape. I can’t wait for the next one <3
Thrilling spy novel
5
By bean1234321232321232313232
This book was an amazing and thrilling novel. I enjoyed it very much and am excited for the next book to come out. I can say Marie Lu has made better novels, but this one is still amazing. I loved how the charecters developed and changed through the story. This book is probably better for a YA audience or 14/15+ it can get intense for sensitive readers, and at multiple points talk about sexual content, though it never gets into any detail. Overall this book was an amazing start to the series, and I am in anticipation for the next book!
A Brilliant Story
5
By Lauren214
Stars & Smoke is everything I want in a young adult adventure novel- enemies-to-lovers (!!!), a pop star boy, a secret agent girl (and y’all know how much I love spies and secret agents), and one big espionage mission. Fortunately for me, Marie Lu delivered on exactly what she promised.

This novel was brilliantly written, and I loved every second of it. The characters were well-developed and entertaining, I especially loved the spy Sydney Cossette. The popstar Winter Young was also great. As for the plot, it’s a spy thriller with plenty of action and steamy romance sprinkled in- it’s definitely upper young adult level romance.

My favorite part of the novel was definitely the secret agent and espionage aspects of the story. I’ve loved spy stories since I was young; Black Widow is my favorite Avenger and one of my favorite book series is the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter. Would I have loved this novel without all of the spy stuff? Yes, but probably not as much as the novel wouldn’t have a plot otherwise (lol).

I’m eagerly waiting for the next novel but for now, I’m giving Stars & Smoke by Marie Lu 5 out of 5 stars.
Let the spying begin
4
By Laura-01
A pop star sensation becomes a spy for a secretive group. In an attempt to finally get a bad guy.
This book was an average read for me. I was able to figure out what happened early on. The pacing was slow at the beginning but it picked up pace towards the end. My favorite scenes were of learning of all of the top secret gadgets. I could have stayed in that room listening to what all they can do.
The characters are well rounded and as the series progresses we discover a bit more of their backstory and quirks.
The narrator, Becca Q. Co voice was fun listening to. I wasn’t a fan of the tones and inflections used for Penelope. It sounded nasally but thankfully it wasn’t the entire book. I did enjoy the voices she used for Winter and Cindy.
This would be perfect for fans of group bands and The Recruit and CIA shows.