This was a fun take on the spy genre. The characters were interesting, the premise was fun. Stars & Smoke was a fun debut to a series and I look forward to more from Marie Liu.

I can definitely see the audience for this, between the boy band references and the spy business. I think it'll booktalk super easily to the kids too, which is nice.

Winter is a moody pop star who feels a calling to do more than entertain. Sydney has a foster child background who was recruited by the government, and has become an elite spy. As the government continues to try to ensnare billionaire businessman Eli Morrison and prove his shady dealings, they enlist Winter who will be performing at the tycoon's daughter's birthday party. Sydney and Winter do not mesh well at first, but later realize their adverse reaction to each other is hiding much different feelings.

Good YA action/adventure from a gifted author. This book is a great recommendation for library patrons looking for Ally Carter read alikes. Hopefully Marie Lu is intending a sequel; the story left the door open for one, and it would likely be a well followed series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this read. All opinions are my own.
Marie Lu is a fan favorite for YA novels. Enemies to lovers mixed with a spy thriller where an international pop sensation has to help take down a crime boss. Realistic? Not hardly. Fun and entertaining? Absolutely! I also liked the trope reversal where a woman is the bodyguard and more competent at espionage.

Marie Lu is the best! This was such a fun read!!! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review!

This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

This is another unsurprising winner from Lu, who does a great job of keeping readers on edges of their seat not only with the slow-burn of the enemies-to-lovers romance but also with the action and adventure of the overall narrative. Lu has excellent pacing in this book and creates well-rounded characters that we feel invested in. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one in the series!

I enjoyed this read once it got going, but apparently the superstar storyline is not my bread and butter. However, Marie's writing style is still fantastic, so worth the read.

This was a wild ride. For some reason I went into this book expecting some, and it was very different than I thought but in a good way. Very YA mission impossible. There's a lot of action and turns I wasn't expecting. Overall this was a fun read that I didn't want to put down.

Stars and Smoke is an interesting cross between an action packed thriller with a Kpop romance. It is compelling in a very different way than Marie Lu’s recent titles. At the end, you are left wanting more!

I love Marie Lu's books, and this is no exception. I was interested in seeing how she did with a new genre, and I am not disappointed. I felt like the characters were both very compelling in their own ways and that the pace was great for the story. The romance was well done. The only things that keep this from getting a 5 star rating is the gimmick-y nature of the perfect teen pop idol and scrappy street teen dynamics. It made parts of the story seem stereotypical instead of being a fully unique story. I am very much looking forward to the next installment of this series.

Winter Young: international pop star with a huge following
Sydney Cossette: youngest member of an elite covert ops group, with an ear for languages and lightning quick reflexes

An unlikely pair, but the two end up working together when a major crime boss asks Winter to perform a concert for his daughter's birthday. Using the opportunity to infiltrate by sending in Sydney as a bodyguard, will the pop star and the spy be able to work together and successfully take down the crime syndicate?

I love spy thrillers, but Stars and Smoke was a stretch. Sydney seemed to have more experience than someone twice her age, which really was not possible. The tech used was really cool and definitely advanced (without spoilers, I can only say that the tech was never around when it was needed). Sydney's character flaws did not make much sense, especially considering the fact that she was trained to stay under the radar. Winter's character development was spotty and did not come together for me. Overall, the plot was pretty transparent and the story was not all that interesting.

As a fan of many of Marie Lu's previous works, Stars and Smoke largely fell flat. YA readers might like the characters, as they both have plenty of characteristics that seem similar to those in the author's other novels.

I flew through this book. I love everything Marie Lu writes, but this was probably one of my favorites. I loved how fast paced the story was, I loved how well the characters were developed, I liked the strong FMC, and I loved the thriller/spy story line (the story was unrealistic as other reviewers have mentioned but that is part of the reason I liked this book). I liked these the sprinkling of romance as well and am looking forward to reading about the characters in the next installment.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

A little action and intrigue, a little romance, and a fun ride characterize Marie Lu's upcoming book, Stars and Smoke .

Winter Young is the biggest pop sensation in the world. His latest album tops the charts in 70 countries, and he’s a real heartthrob and fashionista. But despite his amazing success, he doesn’t feel fulfilled anymore. Inspired by the memory of his older brother, who died while in the Peace Corps, he starts yearning for more than fame.

Enter Panacea, a top covert-ops organization. They’ve been trying to bring down a major drug, arms, and human trafficker without success. But the mogul’s daughter is Winter’s biggest fan, so when she invites him to attend her birthday party, it will allow Panacea to infiltrate his home courtesy of their newest recruit—Winter.

Sydney is Panacea’s youngest operative, on her way to becoming their best agent ever. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and she’s not thrilled about having to babysit a pop star playing spy. But as Winter and Sydney get closer to their target, she starts to realize there’s more to him than meets the eye, and he finds that her icy exterior is hiding vulnerability.

This was a good, fast-paced read, with memorable characters and a good mix of intrigue and romance. I’ll read whatever Lu writes, and this was an interesting change of pace for her.

Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for an advance copy. The book publishes 3/28.

Stars and Smoke is an espionage thriller with little espionage and and even less thriller. It isn’t Marie Nu’s best but it was a bit entertaining. Some of the dialogue was forced and typical where I was rolling my eyes thinking “kinda hallmark-y”. I am not sure I will reach for the next book in the series.

Thank you fir the advance copy in digital and audiobook. The narrator was quite good though. I will look for other books she narrates.

Stars and Smoke is full of tension and thrills. I loved the relationship between Winter and Sydney. This was an exciting book that you won't want to put down.

Marie Lu is a YA author staple. This was a fun sci-fi that took a new twist on a well loved genre. Very fun!

I loved this
Fast paced, full of action and heart
Love that the series is continuing
The background characters are wonderful.
I had a great time

I enjoyed this book. It had an exciting and unique storyline I think teenagers will find this to be a great and enjoyable read.

My students will be a fan of this one-it was very different from what Marie Lu usually writes, but I think it was a super fun story that will attracted several of my mature YA readers.