Whilst this doesn't add much in the way of story Renee Ahdieh writes like a dream and it was nice having a chapter from Okami now we truly know who he is. It isn't necessary to read this as it's so short and takes place straight after the first book. I was hoping we'd find out more on his backstory, but unfortunately not to be.

Book: Flame in the Mist

Author: Renee Ahdieh

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Adventure/Romance

Summary: 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. - G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2017.

I really quite liked this one. Flame in the Mist was the first book I read by this author and it was a pleasant surprise. It was set in feudal Japan, so it immediately had this mysterious feel about it. Mariko as the main character was a strong young girl who sets out on an interesting quest.

I would like to see where this story is going from here.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I had already written a review for this book but my computer decided not to cooperate and I lost it...

So here we go again!

I really enjoyed this story. I think that Mariko is a great main character. She is so strong and so delicate at the same time; I liked the fact that she still has her feminine side while being a warrior. I agree this is something really typical in most YA books, but I never get tired of it. It is, I think, something important that girls need to be reminded of.

The setting was what appealed to me the most in this book. It takes place in feudal Japan and it is definitely something I’m not used to in YA books! It was amazing to see how Mariko could easily pass as a boy and that nobody noticed. It emphasizes the place of women in this society; they don’t realize she is a girl because a girl would not be capable of what she does. The fact that her brother don’t even recognize her (or thinks he does, but then he knows it can’t be her) is even more reveling.

The plot was interesting but was not what I preferred in the book. It felt a bit too long at certain moments then a bit rushed at the end. But in general, I enjoyed the story.

However, I have one major disappointment: the love interest. I would have preferred it not to happen like that, but then again, it is only my personal opinion.

Also, I thought it was a standalone while reading it and I was frustrated at the end, so I’m really glad there will be other books in the series because I definitely want more of this world.