Marie Lu has this ability to make me cry and laugh and feel jealous and swoony and sad. Just all the emotions her characters are feeling, she has the ability to transfer to me and make me feel them too, and this book is no different from the many other Marie Lu books I've read. This book DESTROYED me. After reading Stars and Smoke I fell in love with Winter Young and Sydney Cossette. A spy and a pop star? HOOKED. Their little enemies-to-lovers situation had me obsessed, and the tension, pining, and longing stares continue in Icon and Inferno. Nothing makes the heart want what it can't have like seeing someone else with the person you secretly want to be with. Bringing their exes into the picture? It's the perfect storm for continued pining, longing and a bit of jealousy. The action scenes in this book were INTENSE. Had me sitting on the edge of my seat, feeling like I just jumped out of an airplane without a parachute kind of intense. And while I found Stars and Smoke to be a bit predictable, Icon and Inferno really threw me for a loop. I didn't see the twist coming, which was refreshing! (spoiler alert?!) The death of one of the characters I did NOT see coming, and it left me sobbing very real tears over a very fictional character. Irrational? NOPE NEVER. Kinda mad at Lu for making me love this character only to kill them- this is why I have trust issues! The ending wasn't necessarily an easy, clean positive outcome which I appreciate. It felt very real-world rather than just a fairytale with the perfect happy ending. I'm obsessed and will forever and always welcome the hurt that Marie Lu inflicts upon my emotional psyche. Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the first book (Stars and Smoke) and I love this one too! Marie Lu knows how to write a fight scene as well as an overall entertaining story. I was so excited to see the little Hideo and Emika cameo! I was looking forward to this book since I finished the first one and I am happy with how it turned out. Also, the cover art is incredible!

I really liked this!! I knew i would because everything Marie Lu writes is incredible, but this was no exception. I found a new love for Winter and Sydney, especially for their relationship. I love that it's slowly burning, and even though we as an audience know they're going to be together, we still don't know when. Their conflicts don't magically resolve so they can be together, and I love that. I also love how chill this series is. Although it's as action-packed as ever, it doesn't stress me out to read. It's just nice and comfortable. Although I do miss the emotional devastation Lu's other books holds, I still love this saga.

It would be a dream come true to interview Marie Lu on my podcast, Raise Your Words. Icon and Inferno is a fast paced novel. Icon and Inferno is one of my highly anticipated novels!! I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read more of Marie's books. Sign me up!!

(I have to say there is a spoiler, though I don’t know if it really is…)
“I promise I’m yours.”

Oh my gawd!!! Gutted me! Completely. Sobbing with like a bigness that even disturbed me a little. I mean, I know their reality doesn’t allow for anything else, but gggaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!! “I want them together!!!” she whines! Sure. I’m 60 and it’s more than a little embarrassing and certainly completely ridiculous for me to be crying about fictional characters. But I did. I do. I will. Because Marie Lu is that good. Heavy gutted sigh. 💜💜💜📚