Mundie Moms

Friday, February 2, 2018

FLAME IN THE MIST by Renee Ahdieh / Book Review #FlameInTheMist


ABOUT THE BOOK

By: Renee Ahdieh
Published by: Putnam 
Released on: May 16th, 2017
Series: Flame In The Mist Series #1
Rating: 5 Stars 
Source: Purchased book
Add it to Goodreads

The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.
 


This book is a book hanger I'm happy to not be over. Ahdieh wrote a richly detailed story I easily was immersed in. With her vivid, lush world building, hypnotic lore, larger than life characters, and sizzling romance, I didn't want this book to end. It is one of my all time favorite reads. 

Mariko has found herself a place among one all time favorite heroines. This girl may hail from a sheltered royal life, but she quickly proves she's more than a bloodline and a royal title. Given the situation she quickly finds herself in, she proves she is incredibly resilient, brave, intelligent, fearless when she needs to be, flawed, and a heroine I absolutely loved getting to know. She embodies girl power in all the right ways. I admired her for ability to do what she does. 

Mariko is one of many fascinating characters in this mesmerizing story. From the members of the Black Clan, to her twin brother Kenshin, to the the Emperor and those in his party, this book is fueled by interesting characters, all of whom who's stories I was fascinated by. This is one series I hope has a lot of books, because there are a lot of characters who's stories I hope we get to read more of. 

I don't know how Ahdieh does it. She has created a story that not only gives you characters that are larger than the pages they were written on, she creates a world that is easy to visualize. Her incredible details in every aspect of this book, no matter how small or little, made me feel as though I was in the story. It's rare to come across a book that completely immersed into a story the way this book did. I love how effortlessly this book pulled me in, and made me feel as though I was apart of it. 

I could not put this book down! It has everything I love, and so much more. From the characters, to the storytelling, the world building, and the romance.... Oh the romance! The romance in this book is one of my favorites. It's full of sexual tension, and a few swoon worthy moments. It's not without complications to say the least, nor without a few humorous moments, because of those complications. It's so perfectly developed! It is sizzle and swoon, and leaves you wanting more.

This book is definitely a must read! I don't know why it took me so long to read it. This book will definitely be among my all time favorites reads this year. I'm impatiently waiting to get my hands on it's sequel. If you haven't yet read this book, do now before i'ts sequel, SMOKE IN THE SUN, is out. 

Cassie Clare Shared An Exclusive Sneak Peek from The Red Scrolls of Magic #Shadowhunters


Happy Friday Shadowhunters! Earlier this week when Cassie sent out her newsletter, she not only included the information about the 1st editions of Queen of Air and Darkness here, and the Jem and Tessa art here, she also shared this exclusive sneak peak from The Red Scrolls of Magic. This is the first book in The Eldest Curses series. Here's what she shared: 

Exclusive Sneak Peek from Red Scrolls of Magic

“Great,” said a voice from the back of the group. “Because I want to talk to Alexander Lightwood in private.”

Helen Blackthorn stepped away from the crowd and stood, her arms crossed, staring Alec down.

Aline froze, staring. Alec’s first impulse was to run and jump out the window. Then he remembered how high above the ground they were.

Helen herded him into the records room, which jutted out from the side of the Rome Institute so there were windows on all sides, and only one door. Aline followed them. She had gone entirely quiet and was being no help. Leon followed along, giving Alec a little wave.

Helen stood in front of the only exit, and said:

“So, Alec. First you refuse to come to Rome for questioning, then you hightail it out of Venice from the scene of a crime, and head for Rome under your own steam. Rome, which is where our informant Mori Shu told us the cult of the Crimson Hand was headed. That was the last piece of information we received from him, before he was found dead.”

“Are you following me?” Alec asked.

“I don’t have to follow you,” said Helen. “Wherever you go, you leave a trail of dead bodies and collapsed mansions! Where is Magnus Bane? What happened in Venice?”

Helen was clearly about to level several more questions when Aline waved a hand in between them. "Excuse me."

"What!" Helen seemed to notice her for the first time. Their eyes met.

"Hey," said Aline.

There was a momentary pause.

"Hi," said Helen.

More silence followed.

"Sorry," said Alec. "I was too busy getting interrogated to make proper introductions. Helen Blackthorn, this is Aline Penhallow. Aline, this is Helen."

“And I’m Leon,” said Leon. Aline did not even glance at him.

Helen kept staring at Aline. Alec wondered if she was suspicious of her as well.

“Right,” Helen muttered at last. “Anyway, I have questions.”

“I have a question too,” said Aline, and swallowed. “Who do you think you are, Helen Blackthorn, and why are you talking to my friend as if he’s a criminal?”

The Red Scrolls of Magic is co-written with Wesley Chu, and set to be released on March 5th, 2019 from Saga Press. The first in The Eldest Curses series, which will be Cassie's first adult series. You can add it to Goodreads now. More about the book below:

ABOUT THE BOOK

From #1 New York Times bestseller Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new trilogy featuring the centuries-old High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood after they survive the Mortal War.

Magnus Bane, a centuries old High Warlock, has taken possession of one of the great relics of the supernatural world, a powerful spell book of dark magic known as The Book of the White and there are many who want to claim it for themselves.

After the Mortal War where the part-human and part-angel Shadowhunters teamed with the part human-demon Downworlders to fight against the incursion of an army of demons, Magnus and his new lover, the mortal Alec Lightwood celebrate their survival and victory by escaping the supernatural battlefield of New York City by touring the world, but the world won’t leave them alone.

The first adult novel set within #1 New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter series, written with award-winning science fiction author Wesley Chu, is a fantasy thriller that will give new readers a great way to enter the Shadowhunters world and give the millions of readers across the globe answers they’ve been looking for in this start of The Eldest Curses trilogy.


*Image above is from Cassie Clare's newsletter 

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