Gorgeous writing. Fantastic setting. Flame in the Mist is absolutely delectable. The story is fast-paced and will have you at the edge of your seat the entire time. There is plenty of action and adventure. There is a complex dynamic of the royal court adding in political intrigue. The characters are near impossible not to get invested in. The feministic issues will fire you up and have you cheering for Mariko every step of the way. This is one standout novel! There is even a glossary to quickly refer to for translation of Japanese words Ahdieh uses throughout. I cannot rave enough about the use of Japanese culture throughout the story. Highly recommended to readers of fantasy novels - not only YA because there is strong crossover appeal. Make sure you check out today!

Renee Ahdieh has become one of my favourite authors. I loved her previous books and this was just as good.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into but after that I couldn't stop reading it! I think the main appeal is a combination of beautiful, lyrical writing, a high stakes plot that builds tension and characters that you really care about.

I can't wait for the next book!

I'm going to be briefer than normal in this review because my lack of connection with this book and its characters may just have been a case of its-me-not-you. That said, I have read a large amount of fiction set in a historic, Japanese context and this book just didn't reach the measure of what I know is out there. The fantasy was light, sometimes hidden and mysterious.

There was a dual POV narrative to this book, told from twin brother and sister perspectives. I did like the dual POV narrative but unfortunately I stayed in a constant position of disconnect with both Mariko and Kenshin. With regards to Ōkami, he was utterly intruiging but I never got to the bottom of who he was and I was left wanting more. I found the description in this book to be heavy and it further hindered my connection with the characters. The black clan was the best thing about FLAME IN THE MIST for me and I enjoyed camp dynamics and hazing.

I am a fan of this author but I don't think this series is ultimately for me.

A copy of this book was provided by the author through netgalley in return for an honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

You would think, after the ending of The Wrath and the Dawn, I would have learned that the only way to read Renee Ahdieh's duologies is to read the first the day before the second comes out, so that I'm not left suffering over a cliffhanger for an entire year.

I didn't learn.

Flame in the Mist is a retelling of Mulan set in Feudal Japan. On her way to marry the emperor's second son, Mariko's convoy is ambushed and Mariko is left to die. Believing the ambush to have been the work of the Black Clan, she decides to infiltrate their ranks and find out why they tried to kill her.

Once again, Renee Ahdieh manages to weave a captivating story, full of twists and turns (and cliffhangers) that you would never expect. (Though you should probably expect the cliffhanger.) I saw none of the twists coming, and each had me a little more excited than the last. The characters are, as per usual, wonderful, and I loved each and every one of them.

So, really, the only complaint I have is that I now have to suffer an unknown amount of time until I can see this conflict resolved.

Flame in the Mist is such a wonderful read, from start to finish. Set in feudal Japan it breathes a breath of fresh air into YA fiction.

I kept seeing this being labelled a 'Mulan retelling' but the only way they can be linked is because Mariko dresses as a boy. However, that's not a bad thing! It's still such an epic tale without the Mulan storyline, and it means that you can't anticipate what will happen...

Be prepared to fall easily in love with Renee's writing. It's so addictive. I often find myself rereading parts just to experience her words again. If you've read Renee Ahdieh's first duology, The Wrath and the Dawn and The Rose and the Dagger, i'm certain you'll love Flame just as much. It focuses less on romance and more on Mariko's infiltration of the Black Clan and her life with them. But that doesn't mean there isn't any romance. I freely admit that I swooned multiple times.

The Japanese mythology element really intrigued me, I loved the mysteries of the forest. It gave me major Studio Ghibli vibes. The whole setting was a joy to read, Renee is great at capturing the setting with her words. I haven't read many books set in Japan, but I really want to. Japan is such a beautiful country and YA needs more Japan-based novels.

Mariko is a fantastic heroine. She's intelligent and resourceful, but not without her flaws. Every character interested me. They all had stories and secrets. They were all complex, real people. Complicated characters keeps things exciting.

The ending has me desperate for book 2. But first, I'm going to enjoy rereading this a couple of times.

4 Stars!

I absolutely loved Flame in the Mist, I'm definitely putting it in my favourite books of the year category and I'm already desperately awaiting the sequel. Renee Ahdieh's writing is so beautiful and she completely pulled me into her world from the first page. This story has obviously taken some inspiration from Mulan but it's set in Feudal Japan rather than in China and the story doesn't follow exactly the same path as the original. There is enough to remind you of Mulan but it equally holds up as a story in its own right.

Mariko has spent her whole life knowing that her only real task in life is to marry whoever her parents deem to be the best match for her. No matter how much she loves studying and no matter how skilled she is at alchemy her future has already been mapped out for her, especially now her parents have agreed to a political marriage to the Emperor's illegitimate son. She is on her way to the city to prepare for her marriage when her party is ambushed by The Black Clan, a notorious group of rebels who are considered a dangerous threat. When Mariko is left alone in the woods with no way back home and no idea who she can trust she decides to disguise herself as a boy and infiltrate The Black Clan to try and find out who paid them to kill her. When she finally manages to find the rebels she's in for quite a shock though, nothing is what it first seemed and the more she learns about them the more she starts to question everything she's ever been told.

While Mariko is infiltrating The Black Clan we also follow her twin brother Kenshin as he searches for his sister. Kenshin is a fierce samurai warrior who puts honour and decency above all else but he will do whatever it takes to find Mariko and bring her home safely, even if it means crossing lines he never would have considered before. I loved how multifaceted all of these characters were, nothing is black and white and they each have complicated motivations for their actions. Alongside Mariko and Kenshin there are some fabulous side characters who add lots of depth to the story, and Renee Ahdieh's descriptive writing will have you smelling the cherry blossoms as you read.

This is a story full of secrets and betrayal, everyone is hiding something and there are so many different plots going on it can be hard to keep track of them. There is just a hint of romance which I'm pretty hopeful will be expanded upon in the second book, I'm not going to say too much but there are several potential couples I'm already rooting for and there wasn't a single case of insta-love in sight. As much as I enjoyed The Wrath and the Dawn I think Renee Ahdieh has stepped things up a gear here and I can't wait to see how the story ends.

Renee Ahdieh’s The Wrath and the Dawn duology was one of the fantasy debuts that I most enjoyed in the last two years. She has a deft touch with words and is great at creating the atmosphere of each world. She’s definitely a fantasy author to look out for over the next few years. There are definite parallels to Mulan in The Flame and the Mist, but very loosely. The Flame in the Mist is set in feudal Japan, as opposed to feudal China, but an obvious parallel is lead character, Hattori Mariko, adopting the guise of a boy in order to infiltrate the mysterious Black Clan. By doing this, she seizes control of her own future for the first time in a life that had thus far been sheltered and her destiny (marriage) decided for her.

The pivotal moment, after she has apparently been attacked by the Black Clan and is threatened by a stranger, comes with this line:

‘I will not be bandied about by men any longer. I am not a prize to be bought or sold.’

With that, and the actions she follows it with, she reclaims her agency and sets the events of the story in motion. Ahdieh’s novel explores gender roles, and class, in feudal Japan (with definite relevance to the modern day too) and Mariko comes to stand out to the reader as a feminist mouthpiece within the culture of the book. When it seems sudden and forced, it is because there is not so much insight into her internal life (and can come across as being ‘told’ rather than ‘shown’ – this also goes for a few of Mariko’s other traits, such as her ingenuity) before the pivotal moment of her seizing control, but it becomes an invaluable part of who she is and will definitely be of value to readers, especially teen girls and boys who are reading fantasy for the first time.

The feudal setting of Japan is rich and detailed and was a joy to read about. It is a slow-burner and definitely a world that you grow into, but it’s very much worth it and is rich, vibrant and elaborate. My main reading experience of Japan has come through Haruki Murakami – which is obviously very different – so this was a new experience for me and Ahdieh drew me in masterfully. There’s definitely still a lot to be revealed about the characters’ pasts so I’m looking forward to that. Nothing about the book was predictable so I was genuinely riveted and eager to unravel the mysteries while reading. I am not a big fan of the romance angle that seems obligatory in YA fantasy, but the romance in The Flame in the Mist is very much secondary, a slow-burn and the element of disguise and mystery between the characters is very compelling. They are certainly interesting characters in their own right, with their own paths to follow – and very much equals, though I felt the male character did suffer from the brooding anti-hero trope.

The magical/fantastical elements are used sparingly in this book, and a little vaguely, but perhaps they will have a bigger role to play in the sequel. Mariko’s brother, Kenshin, also has some POV chapters and this provides a good foil – though we don’t get so much insight into his internal life. It will be interesting to learn more about Mariko’s family and their goals, and whether they’re all as honourable as she believes. I want to keep reading already.


I would recommend this to anyone even loosely intrigued by the premise. I think there’s much more to come from Ahdieh and I will certainly read on with interest. I really admire how she’s willing to dive into a variety of cultures and create such rich stories with many layers of mystery and intrigue that need time to be unpacked fully.

Quotes:

“We are so much more than what we do!” Mariko drew closer, as if nearness could invoke a sense of truth. “We are …” she searched her mind for the right things to say. “Our thoughts, our memories, our beliefs!” her eyes dropped to the dying boy. To the evil tree, slowly draining him of life. “This tree is not the forest,” she said softly. “It is but one part.”
I don’t want you to be a hero. And I don’t need anyone to save me.’
'Mariko nudged the handle of her spoon with a bound fingertip. “Are you ever angry you were born a woman?” Yumi sat back on her heels and studied Mariko for a spell. “I’ve never been angry to have been born a woman. There have been times I’ve been angry at how the world treats us, but I see being a woman as a challenge I must fight. Like being born under a stormy sky. Some people are lucky enough to be born on a bright summer’s day. Maybe we were born under clouds. No wind. No rain. Just a mountain of clouds we must climb each morning so that we may see the sun.’
'Mariko supposed it was possible all women and men were forced to wear their own kind of masks’

*Thank you to Hodder and NetGalley for a chance to read an eARC of the book.

I definitely was not expecting to like this book as much as I did but oh my goodness did I enjoy every single second of it! Even when I first started it I wasn't completely sure about it, but it just hit me all of a sudden about half way through that I absolutely adored these characters. The beginning is a little bit slow and hard to get into but I feel as though if I were to re-read the first chapter now I would understand it a lot better having already read about these characters and what happens if that makes sense at all.

This book follows Mariko the daughter of a prominent samurai. 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. Dressed as a peasant boy, Mariko sets out to infiltrate the ranks of the Black Clan, determined to track down the person responsible for the target on her back. But she's quickly captured and taken to the Black Clan’s secret hideout, where she meets their leader. As Mariko gets closer to the Black Clan, she uncovers a dark history of secrets and betrayal, which force her to question everything she's ever known.

“Sometimes we must fall forward to keep moving. Remain motionless—remain unyielding—and you are as good as dead.
Death follows indecision, like a twisted shadow. Fall forward. Keep moving. Even if you must pick yourself up first.”

There were some things that were very heavily Mulan inspired but there were some things that caught me so off guard and surprised the hell out of me. Thinking about the plot twists now, I have no idea how I didn't see some of them coming but they were just so good. Some really brilliant things happened that I did not expect and this book really kept me on my toes. The whole book was much more mysterious and magical that I first expected, and most definitely in a good way.

Some of the characters are very unreliable however I found that very interesting and it really added to the banter between the characters and there were moments I just couldn't believe what was being said, it was hilarious. Very important morals are weaved throughout the plot and I am extremely excited to see how those things progress in the next book and that cliffhanger had me screaming at the pages, because I literally need to know what happens next right now.

“I believe the stars align so souls can find one another. Whether they are meant to be souls in love or souls in life remains to be seen.” 

There is a very swoon-worthy slow burning romance that I enjoyed and I feel was done right in my opinion and certainly didn't take up the plot or become too overpowering which I am really glad about. Not to mention amazing friendships that start to develop that are very cute and I am intrigued to see how all of these relationships fare in the next book.

Some of the scenes between Mariko and Okami were just hilarious! For starters Okami reminds me a little bit of Rhysand from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas. Whether thats because of recently reading A Court of Wings and Ruin or not I don't know but he has some of the same characteristics and I couldn't help but thinking after reading of some of the things that Okami's character says that it was such a Rhys thing to say. I think that is partly why I fell in love with his character. Especially when he says:

“You are first and foremost a person. A reckless, foolish person, but a person nonetheless. If I ever say you are not permitted to do something, rest assured that the last reason I would ever say so would be because you are a girl.” 

Renée Ahdieh's writing style was beautiful to read, this is the first book that I have read by her but I will be picking up other books of hers soon because I really really enjoyed this, probably one of my favourite reads of the year so far! The plot was really fast paced and full of exciting twists and I flew through it. I really recommend!

5/5 Stars!

Flame in the Mist had an interesting premise. A girl who longs to invent things and be of more use to her family than the standard role of being a nobleman's daughter allows, bandits who are more than they appear, and a dash of fantasy for good measure. Unfortunately, although entertaining enough to read, Flame in the Mist falls just below the mark on more than one of these counts.

Mariko is a great idea for a character. She is very smart, with a mind for inventions, and a desire to be and do more than her family allow. Unfortunately the reader is simply told these facts over and over, with very little in the way of actually being shown these aspects of Mariko's personality. Mariko does invent things, such as throwing stars and smoke bombs, but her motivations often seem muddy at best. What is clearer is Mariko's motivation to infiltrate the Black Clan in the first place. Mariko's desire to end her life's pattern of being ordered around by men is a constant thread throughout the story and something I, for one, never fail to enjoy seeing in YA fiction.

If there is one strength here it is in Mariko's need to align herself within her growing relationships with the Black Clan and her lasting allegiance to her family and her brother, who will not rest until he finds her. It is only a shame that these relationships are let down at times by an inability to really see who Mariko is as a person, rather than simply being told what she is.

You may have seen Flame in the Mist described online as 'Disney's Mulan set in Feudal Japan' but, aside from Mariko's time spent disguised as a boy in a camp of men, the two stories really have very little in common, which is likely a good thing. Mariko's story is interesting in its own right. However, this entire novel almost feels like a set up for the real story, the true beginning of which is revealed in the last few pages.

With the elements revealed to the story in the last few pages of this book, there is every chance that the next in the series may be full of a lot more excitement and, hopefully, a lot more character but I, unfortunately, will probably not be picking it up to find out.

Although I have given this book 4 stars and I did enjoy reading this book, it was a bit disappointing. I read both of Ahdieh's other books and loved them (5 Stars all around) so i had high expectations of this book from my experience of her previous books, as well as i read somewhere that it had been inspired by Mulan. So I thought 'great author, amazing inspiration, what could go wrong?' but it just wasn't as wow as either her other books or what I was expecting. However, it wasn't all bad to here is my - mixed - thoughts:

This book starts by following Mariko on her way to marry the emperor's son when her escorts are killed and she flees for her life. In many ways in these first scenes Mariko comes across as quite a feeble and scared character as she is thrust into this difficult situation, however she is also a determined character who has awareness of the impacts of her situation.

As well as Mariko's point of view (POV) some of the book is also told from her twin brothers POV as he searches for her. The first few chapters from his POV made me love him and his relationship with his sister. He had a way of being worried for her while also having faith in her cleverness and holding onto hope while everyone else had lost theirs. It's a shame that this worry, loss and protectiveness in his character seem to twist him into a completely different person though this book.

There was a -what i would call a - "character dump" where a large number of characters are suddenly introduced. I found this a bit confusing at the point in which all these guys were suddenly playing a vital part in the plot, however after a scene or two I finally cottoned onto who was who. Once i had got over this it was interesting to see the different personalities of the Black Clan members and loved the verbal sparing between our main character and Okami (AKA The Wolf). We also got a good old fashioned love-hate romantic relationship in this book which i can't flaw Ahdieh for putting in because I love this trope.

I (as well as the slightly less informed) main character spent this book trying to uncover who the "villain" is who ordered Mariko's death, something I thought I had sussed out but after a twist late in the book I am now not sure. This book leaves us what feels a lot like a cliffhanger with a world in upheaval and unknown consequences which i look forward to reading about in the next book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, it was a bit of a mix between Mulan and Robin Hood. It just didn't have anything amazing about it to make it stand out for me.

The first of a new trilogy by The Wrath and the Dawn author, Renée Ahdieh, A Flame In The Mist is an exciting mash-up of Mulan and 47 Ronin. It isn't a retelling of The Ballad Of Mulan, but rather a faint echo of Mulan's spirit (and, you know, the passing oneself as a boy, thing), giving us Mariko, a girl who is bright and brave and unafraid to enter into a world reserved almost exclusively for men. We switch out the concept of a girl replacing her father in the army (with her family's blessing, unlike in the Disney retelling of the Ballad) for a girl bound for an arranged marriage, who finds herself cast out into the world with little reason to head for her betrothed and all the reason in the world to choose her own path. But what begins as a quest for answers and for revenge, turns into a complex series of events that will change Markio's life--and her heart--forever.

When Hattori Mariko is told she must marry into the Imperial family, she accepts this duty as any good daughter might: she wishes to honour her family and do what is best for their reputation, in spite of marriage being the last thing from her mind. Especially since she has far better things to do than play at being a doll in which to dress prettily in silks. Things such as continue tinkering with her many inventions, however small. She has a bright mind and wants nothing more than to prove her worth beyond her station and gender. Yet things are as they must be, and Mariko accepts her fate with grace and honour.

Except that inside she is slowly dying at the notion of what her life will become. Hattori Mariko was never meant for the dull security of marriage. She was always meant for more.

When tragedy strikes on her way to the Imperial palace and she is betrayed, Mariko seizes her chance and flees into the night; it's that, or die. Though she could make herself and the fact that she survived known, she has no idea who it was who betrayed her and if, should she finish her journey to meet her betrothed, she would be again only travelling to meet her doom. With only the knowledge that the infamous Black Clan is responsible for the attempt on her life and the blood spilled in the Jukai forest that night, Mariko takes on the appearance of a boy and thrusts herself into the hidden world of mercenaries and dark power. Soon she finds herself in the midst of the very people she believes tried to murder her, taken into their fold and privy to their secrets.

Only nothing is ever as it seems, and soon Mariko learns that the Black Clan is not what they appear. As she grows closer to the members of the clan, Mariko realises that the world has never been black and white, but is cast in infinite shades of grey. The only constants are power and honour and she begins to rethink everything she ever thought she knew about both.

Meanwhile, Mariko's twin brother, Hattori Kenshin, refuses to believe that Mariko is dead. He is a skilled tracker and he finds evidence that leads him to believe that she escaped the slaughter that befell her party in the forest. He can't fathom where she went, but he trusts that his cunning sister has a reason for having vanished. But with the betrothal to the prince being such an important step in their family's ascension, Kenshin knows he must tread carefully so as not to draw suspicion and shame. Mariko is now by herself in the wild and with unknown persons possibly still eager for her death--the last thing he can do is draw attention to the fact that she survived at the same time as not wishing to jeopardise the marriage by news of his sister's death. Kenshin, the Dragon of Kai (the moniker bestowed for his prowess in battle and his skill as a samurai), must navigate carefully if he is to bring Mariko home and keep her both safe and leave their family's honour--and his own--intact.

But a force moves in the shadows, with its own agenda and with eyes where those it watches least expect. The only question is when it will move.

During all this, two boys are bound together by more than blood and through a bond that runs deeper than the honour their parents chose to throw to the wayside before them. One has designs on revenge and reclaiming his rightful title and position, whilst the other wishes only to quell the anger and shame at their pasts and live in anonymity. Yet when all these paths finally converge and become entangled with one another, everything is set to change.

A Flame In The Mist is the first of what is set to be a trilogy that is equal parts political intrigue and adventure, with a lost legacy to reclaim, a powerful betrothal at stake and the true meaning of both honour and friendship on full display within the vivid and exciting world that Adieh has presented. Easily one of the best books I've read so far in 2017, A Flame In The Mist blends an rebellion against gender roles and conformity seamlessly with an exhilarating story of exiled warriors and old magic, all whilst delivering a page-turner of a book that left me eagerly awaiting the next.

The single disappointing aspect is that there is absolutely no suggestion whatsoever of queer rep, and, given the echoed time period and setting, this is thoughtless on the part of Adieh. Literally: she just didn't think. Sure, we have some ~vague~ suggestion that maybe (if the planets align and the waxing and waning of the moon is juuuust right) Mariko's love interest wouldn't have minded entirely if she'd been a boy [we have some vague implications that he'd started having feelings even for Boy Mariko and made him 'question things about himself' which is, okay, I guess...]. It's not difficult to research the acceptance and even celebration of queer relationships between samurai (yes, specifically samurai) and, given the Black Clan? Yeah. We needed queer rep, man. No excuse imo.

(Not sure whether this next applies more to the writer or the publisher, since italicising foreign words is a Thing in publishing, or if it was an inconsistency of the eArc I received from NetGalley by the publisher, but there seemed to be little to no reason or rhyme regarding which Japanese words were typed in italics and which weren't. Arguably the words that are more "familiar" and less "foreign" were left un-italicised (e.g. kimono, samurai, sake, etc), and yet words such as 'tabi', 'hakama', 'tantō' and 'rōnin' were presented in italics, even though it's also arguable that these words are just as familiar. To further illustrate the seemingly random choices regarding italics, words such as 'kata' were left without italics, when in fact this is a word related specifically to martial arts and form and therefore would be less familiar than perhaps 'rōnin'. Generally the italics seemed a little confusing regarding where they were used, with little consistency. But then I'm of the opinion that no italics to designate foreign words is better.

Further, it would have been amazing for, in the glossary of terms, perhaps, for the kanji used to write all of the character's names to be included. As someone studying Japanese (including kanji), it would have been a nice little touch and also I am a nerd so there's that, too.)

Having read The Wrath and the Dawn, I expected a lot from Flame in the Mist and it delivered. Mariko was a great heroine, strong and intelligent but she does at times make stupid decisions which for me, lent an air of believability. The side characters were all interesting and I can't wait to see more of them fleshed out in the sequel.

Although not as romantic as a The Wrath and the Dawn, it was regardless a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I wound up with two review copies of this one. I first put in a Netgalley request which I figured was a long shot, and when I didn’t hear anything back in months, I used some of my Penguin First to Read points to secure a copy when it popped up on their read to review site. And then when I’m half way through the book my Netgalley request was approved. Oh well.

I don’t really know what to make of the novel in the end. I gave it a generous 3 stars, but it’s more like two and a half. While I can appreciate the journey of inner strength from the main character, Mariko, I didn’t actually like her all that much. I found the first 100 pages or so incredibly boring.

The novel is beautifully written, the scenery is fantastic and the descriptions are vivid and lyrical. The fantasy setting in a Japanese world is fascinating. All marks of a fantasy I should love. But personally, I just could not get into the plot. I found Mariko almost aloof, I didn’t get much of a sense of personality from her at all. I couldn’t connect with her character in a way that would make me as a reader care about what happened to her.

That being said, as the novel progressed, the plot did get better and Mariko did show some pretty impressive growth and strength. She’s definitely intelligent and determined, you have to give her that. On the way to her politically arranged marriage her carriage party is attacked by a notorious mercenary group the Black Clan. Mariko survives the attack and doesn’t cower in fear. She’s furious and decides she wants to know the reasons behind. Disguising herself as a boy, she follows the Black Clan and worms her way in.

Back in her home province, Mariko’s twin brother Kenshin, is convinced she survived the assassination attempt. Other plots include devious goings on between the Emperor and his Mistress who seems to have some hint at dark dangerous magic and her own political agenda. The Empress who seems quite passive but there’s more to her than meets the eye. The Emperor’s legitimate son (Mariko’s intended) and the illegitimate son with their own squabbles. And while all this is going on Mariko in the guise of a boy is uncovering the inner secrets of the Black Clan.

Of course there are lots of plot twists and everyone has secrets of their own. Mariko uncovers some shocking truths about the lands she came from and how her lord father runs them, and must decide where her true loyalties lie. There’s a romance agenda as well for Mariko when the truth about her identity is revealed. There are secrets within the Black Clan itself.

The plot did improve as the novel goes on and starts getting more into the twisty secrets, there’s a barest hint of some sort of magic involved, but very little of it is explained. Though it’s enough to make the reader want to know more (or it certainly worked that way for me). While Mariko was a difficult character to warm to, her journey throughout the novel is impressive, even with a kind of predictable romance, I want to know what happens next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for approving my request to view the title.

Thank you to Penguin First to Read.

a good enjoyable read, Very easy to get into just like her other series

The story: Mariko is on her way to be married to a member of the royal family when her carriage is attacked and her companions murdered. Disguised as a boy, she sets out to find and infiltrate the notorious Black Clan, defend her family’s honour and discover who wants her dead and why. At the same time, her twin brother will stop at nothing to find her again, while others are scheming away in the background to manipulate events to suit their own agendas.

My thoughts: Mariko is a strong main character, and over the course of the novel she undergoes a real transformation. Disguised in a male dominated environment, the characteristics she was always taught to value above all others are useless and she has to learn from scratch the practical skills that others take for granted. As the novel progresses, she also has to come to terms with various home truths about herself and the world she was brought up in, casting off her privileges to become her own person for the first time in her life.

As a female in feudal Japan, she feels that her life has been mapped out for her based on duty and honour. She feels that her gender has her boxed into a corner with no other options available. However, her experiences and the characters that she meets help her to redefine herself, her relationships with the people around her and her place in the world.

I also really enjoyed reading about all of the different members of the Black Clan, their backgrounds and how they functioned as a group – and I found the history of the Samurai and it’s honour code fascinating.

The story itself is action packed and well paced, and I really enjoyed reading about the Japanese culture – although it took a while before I was fully immersed in it. I found a glossary of Japanese terms at the end of the ebook, which would have been helpful to know about while I was reading.

There were a couple of things that I didn’t enjoy. While Mariko is generally likeable, some of the decisions she makes are ridiculous. There a number of occasions where it felt like her actions were written in simply to force the plot along. I still don’t understand how spending more time in the forest alone with a gang of rogues and thieves would in any way help to restore her lost honour, which threw the whole premise of the novel onto shaky ground for me. There’s also a decision she makes closer to the end of the novel which defies all common sense and seems contrived just to bring some of the central characters into conflict.

I also wasn’t sure about the use of the supernatural in this book. It wasn’t really explained and I didn’t feel like it was properly built into the world the author had constructed – so much so that whenever it was mentioned it felt jarring and unnatural.

All in all though, this was an enjoyable read and I’ll definitely be looking out for the next in the series.

As a fan Lian Hearn’s Tales of the Otori, I was really excited to discover that there was a new series coming out influenced by Japan. In addition to this the plot is loosely based on Mulan and that is something that I can never say no to! However, for all of its promise (and I really hate to admit it) I felt that Flame in the Mist fell short in a number of areas.

I have not read any of Renee Ahdieh’s other books, and in all honesty I found it took me a while to get into her style of writing. It wasn’t until I was about halfway through that I managed to settle into the story and really feel involved.

Although the majority of the book is well written, there were moments where I had to stop and re-read passages, either because they were too convoluted or because I just didn’t get it. I also felt that there was a lot of telling us information, rather than showing it. For example, Mariko is described as being intelligent and always outsmarting other people, yet we are told this more than it is demonstrated by things Mariko does which made me question whether or not to believe it.

In general, I disliked Mariko as a central character. I didn’t feel like she was particularly developed, and the problem of being told what Mariko was like, rather than seeing it for myself the character development feel a little lazy. For a book that was meant to be loosely based on Mulan, I was expecting a kick-ass female heroine, and I found Mariko to be lacking in that respect.

I would have loved more from the secondary characters. I would have loved to see interaction between Mariko and her brother, Kenshin. I understand how this wasn’t really possible with the way that the plot played out, but it would definitely be something I would like to see. I also would have loved to have explored the backstory to Okami, Ranmaru and the Black Clan. I feel that they were more engaging characters who I wanted to have more page time and could have been really developed into fully rounded characters.

I wasn’t convinced by a lot of the relationships in this book, I feel that they could have been more developed and the interaction between some characters evolved very quickly and I found it hard to believe it. My main example of this would be the relationship between Mariko and Okami. Their interactions were so up and down that I couldn’t believe either that they liked each other, or that they hated each other, which left me in a weird middle ground where I just was confused and didn’t know how to feel about their interactions at all.

The one thing that I enjoyed without question was the world. I was already completely prepared to love the Japanese feel of it and was not disappointed by the way Renee created her world. I felt like I had been transported into a world of samurais and ronins, and I LOVED the fact that there was a glossary at the back of the book so I could do my nerdy thing and sit looking at all of the different meanings for words used.

So after setting out with such high hopes for this book, I feel my high expectations where what brought this book down for me. I really liked the concept and a lot of research had clearly gone into the Japanese influences, which really showed, but just felt that the execution missed the mark a bit when it came to characterisation.

I was lucky enough to be sent an arc of this book from the publishers, and then I ended up winning an arc in a Goodreads giveaway! It was amazing to be able to hold this highly anticipated book in my hand; the cover was even more gorgeous in person and the arc was floppy! It was a floppy paperback, which is one of my favourite types!

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 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 ranks of the Black Clan, determined to track down the person responsible for the target on her back. But she's quickly captured and taken to the Black Clan’s secret hideout, where she meets their leader, the rebel ronin Takeda Ranmaru, and his second-in-command, his best friend Okami. Still believing her to be a boy, Ranmaru and Okami eventually warm to Mariko, impressed by her intellect and ingenuity. As Mariko gets closer to the Black Clan, she uncovers a dark history of secrets, of betrayal and murder, which will force her to question everything she's ever known.

It is not very often that the young adult genre gets Mulan re-tellings, and I am so glad that Renée Ahdieh took it upon herself to create this beautiful story. But even then, this book doesn't even feel like a re-telling. For one, it is a beautiful novel set in feudal Japan - not China, so the culture is different and our female protagonist does not have to go to war - she infiltrates a 'gang and doesn't want them to learn about her identity. However, after finishing the book and looking back, I don't think that this is a re-telling at all. This is its own original story in its own right. Not once whilst I was reading it did I think 'ooooh this sounds like that bit in Mulan where...'

The novel is set in a feudal Japan and follows the story of Mariko who is hell-bent on infiltrating the Black Clan to find out whether they set out to kill her or not. What is so good about this story is that all of the characters have these amazing character arcs that just continue to impress me. Mariko is shown not to shy away from trouble; she confronts it, she puts her mind to hard work and doesn't stop until she accomplishes the task in front of her. She is quick-witted, sarcastic and knowledgeable and these characteristics shine through whenever she is talking.





""Are you every angry you were born a woman?" Yumi sat back on her heels and studied Mariko for a spell.

"I've never been angry to have been born a woman. There have been times I've been angry at how the world treats us, but I see being a woman as a challenge I must fight. Like being born under a stormy sky. Some people are lucky enough to be born on a bright summer's day. Maybe we're born under clouds. No wind. No rain. Just a mountain of clouds we must climb each morning so that we may see the sun.""

- Renée Ahdieh, Flame in the Mist





In true Ahdieh style, she explores feminism through her characters and in Flame in the Mist, we see out protagonist constantly questioning why things are different for her because she's a woman. We see her breaking down those invisible social barriers and proving to herself and to those around her that being a woman does not make her weak. There is also very little romance in this book until the ending, but even then, there is just the right amount of it. Sometimes, it felt a little bit 'too-in-your-face' but I really didn't care because it was perfect and I just wanted to cry.

All of the characters were beautifully written and the just seemed so real. They were all flawed in their own way; no one was perfect. Mariko's brother, Kenshin was this deeply affectionate man who cared for his sister and wanted nothing more than to bring her home safe and care for her, but then there were sides to him that were far from perfect. This went for the guys in the Black Clan as well. They were deemed this scary, violent group of guys who would murder anything or anyone that would get in their way. This is true in some aspect, but then we are shown how they can be caring, accepting, and forgiving. As I mentioned earlier, all of the characters have amazing character development that I just couldn't get enough of!

If this review doesn't make you want to go and buy the book when it comes out, then I should just probably quit reviewing books right now. The hype surrounding this book is real, this book actually has hype for a reason: because it's so darn brilliant. Well done to Ahdieh for creating another beautiful world that I devoured, and for giving me another female protagonist that I can look up to.



Disclaimer: this book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Released 18th May

I absolutely loved this book. I think that the storyline and the setting of this book are so interesting. It was very different to many other YA fantasies I have read and kept me guessing at every turn. I enjoyed every aspect of the book and Renee doesn't give everything away at once meaning the story keeps on giving you something new which keeps you on your toes

Spoiler free!

A badass story with an awesome main character named Mariko defying the hell out of gender stereotypes! They don't apply to this lady! Women who defy norms always make my heart happy. We are unstoppable.

This book is basically Mulan in Japan! In the best way possible! (I mean how can anything based off Mulan be bad?). Mariko is so clever and awesome and I just adored her endlessly. She is a pleasure to read, and so great (I'm sorry I use the word 'great' so much in all my reviews).

This book is about Mariko, who gets sold by her father into a marriage with the emperor of Japan's second son. However, on her way to the palace, her journey gets intercepted by an attempt on her life. Mariko is faced with the decision of what to do to save herself and attempt to uncover who tried to kill her and why. Throughout her journey, we see more and more of Mariko's clever tongue and wit, as she discovers who she is and who she wants to be.

The action in this book was perfect. It was descriptive so I understood everything, but at the same time not too fleshed out or fast that I got confused or bored. You get tired about hearing the same people fighting after a while. Not this book, though!

The romance was on point! Don't even get me started! ON POINT. I was freaking out from the goodness! I can't wait for it to come out so I can talk about it with people who know what I mean! Badass woman + badass love interest = match made in heaven. The encounters between the two were enchanting.

But is Mariko better than Shazi from The Wrath and the Dawn? I have to sadly say no! I loved Mariko, but she didn't reach Shazi-level. Maybe I just have a soft spot for Shazi because of the Arabic words in The Wrath and the Dawn. It makes me feel somewhat closer to her. Regardless, this is a fantastic read, and Renée Ahdieh is definitely an auto-buy for me now!

Love,
Yomna

Hattori Mariko is promised to Minamoto Raiden, one of the emperor’s sons, as a political marriage. On the way to the palace, Mariko’s convoy is attacked and her entourage killed by the notorious Black Clan. Mariko was never meant to reach the imperial city as someone had ordered her to be killed. Determined to find out who and why, she disguises herself as a boy and infiltrates the Black Clan. There Mariko is forced to face many truths, lies and her own conflicting feelings.

Flame In The Mist is definitely a top priority 2017 read of mine. Not to sound dramatic but I was on it like a fly when it popped up on NetGalley. Being a huge fan of Renée Ahdieh’s other books, there really was no question whether I’d read this or not. I started this book fully expecting to adore it. That’s why it’s so hard to say that it didn’t really meet my expectations.

There are a few aspects to this books I really enjoyed. The writing, for starters, is definitely one of them. Ahdieh’s melodic writing may not suit everyone’s fancy, but it suits mine. I still love the descriptiveness – it’s so serene and enticing. The other aspect that I enjoyed is the setting. While I found some of world-building a bit lacking, the atmosphere is beautiful in its complexity. There’s no doubt that Ahdieh has a way with words.

One of the things I disliked was how flat the characters fell for me. I had a hard time remembering some of them and struggled to keep up with who is who for a while. In my opinion, they weren’t given enough time to fully develop. It’s a bit of a show-and-tell where you read about their characteristics, but don’t actually see them. Moreover, the relationships between the characters felt stiff and, again, flat. They, too, didn’t have enough time to develop so they softly float around on the surface.

(I did, however, enjoy Mariko’s internal struggles with loyalty and her strong resolve to prove herself in a world where women are considered less than men. Considering the circumstances, she makes the best of her situation and tries to do right both by her heart and her familial duties.)

Overall, Flame In The Mist did not manage to meet my high expectations, but it didn’t fail me completely either. It’s not a bad book by any means and I’m sure many people will enjoy it. Despite the issues I have with it, Flame In The Mist is a worth-while read, even if only for the setting and Ahdieh’s beautiful writing.