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Dana (24 KP) rated Flame in the Mist in Books

Sep 8, 2017

Flame in the Mist

Renee Ahdieh | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry

7.3

(8 Ratings)

Book Rating

It got off to a great start with a gripping opening. The last half of the book also gripped me and didn't let go until I was done. The characters, the setting, the details; all fantastic. (0 more)

After that opening, it slowed and I had to force myself to continue reading. The pace just felt.... off. And you're left with more and more questions. (0 more)

Enjoyed from beginning to end

Overall, I freaking loved this novel. It's set in feudal Japan and follows a young woman as she is being married off the the emperor's second son. Mariko is a badass, There's no other way to put it. She will take no shit from others which gets her into a lot of trouble. She's also flawed in that aspect too; she's so blinded by her stubbornness to see the actual world around her sometimes. But she's not the only character who gets depth. Her brother, who we see in almost alternating viewpoints in the story, is a character filled with flaws and pride. But that's not all. Several characters get fleshed out back stories (some more in depth than others) and seeing them all grow was a delight to read.

Let's move on to the rich details of the setting. Feudal Japan can be tricky and Renee Ahdieh did it so much justice. It's described so well, I could easily put myself into Mariko's shoes and lose myself in the story. It's so nice to have that level of detail paid attention to in novels set in a different time and place.

And that romance.... oh boy, it was steamy. I must admit my weakness for slow burn romances (especially ones that are hate-to-love) and this did not disappoint. It was a bit awkward; at first I wasn't sure who she was going to get together with, but when it hit it's stride, I was in love. I really don't want to give much away, but it was fantastic to read and fall in love with them.

I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series!