4.5/5 stars

This sequel gives off the same vibes as the first book but with a fun twist as we get to meet Sydney and Winter’s exes as they embark on a new mission.

I enjoyed getting to see more of our main characters as they grow emotionally and have a fun action packed spy adventure. The mission takes place in Singapore which was a unique location to read about - especially since I have just traveled there.

The story follows our two main characters in an alternating perspective as they navigate a mission with their exes. I had a great time following along and felt like I was watching a kdrama about spies and a little bit of romance. I did feel that the plot was a little predictable but I still enjoyed seeing how the characters grew from their journey. The romance that we did see could feel very frustrating to the reader but felt very in character and realistic with who the characters are.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a lighter read that is fast paced and has cute kdrama moments.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What a fun story! Marie Lu really excels in building tension and writing well-developed characters with witty dialogue, and all of those skills shined in both Stars and Smoke and Icon and Inferno.

I also deeply appreciate how Lu writes about grief; there were several instances where I highlighted sections where she talked about grief because I related to them so much and know I'll want to revisit them.

Both of these books were fast-paced, quick reads, with a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat! I devoured both books because I was desperate to see where the story was going.

Unfortunately, Icon and Inferno didn't hit quite as hard for me as Stars and Smoke did. I thought the overall writing and story structure was stronger in the first installment. The plot points in this story were more predictable, especially when it came to a character death.

Anytime a spy starts to talk about retiring, you know they're not long for this world. On top of that, when you add in wanting to make amends, confess love to someone, having a letter written to an estranged relative... this character's impending death was jumping off the page, and I was ready for it. As a result, I didn't feel anything when they died, and I wanted to! Their death should've been a gut-punch, but I was pretty unaffected by it.

As usual, I found the resolution to be a bit quick for my tastes and wish we weren't in such a hurry to wrap everything up. However, I did enjoy Sydney and Winter's endings. It felt honest and realistic for their characters, and I always appreciate when an author takes the honest route instead of the easy one that would please everyone.

Despite my criticisms, I did really enjoy this book, and I would definitely recommend picking up both Stars and Smoke and Icon and Inferno! There may even be a couple cameos waiting for you, if you know where to look...

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu is a high-stakes thriller that transports readers to the world of secret agents. Set after the events of Stars and Smoke, this one delves into the main characters’ pasts and doesn’t disappoint with the action scenes. This is a fun addition to the thriller genre that fans of the author’s previous work will love.

Set a year after Stars and Smoke, this sequel follows Winter and Sydney’s reunion as they are tasked with a new and dangerous mission—rescuing another agent, who happens to be Sydney’s ex. However, when they arrive in Singapore, the situation is more complex than they imagined, and they quickly find themselves caught in a high-stakes assassination plot. With targets on their own backs and their own complicated feelings about each other to unpack, Winter and Sydney must find a way to save not only a life but also the world from a potential war.

❀ ENTERTAINING CHARACTERS

I adore both Winter and Sydney, and it is so entertaining to read about them as a team. Like the first book, I find the balance between them with their different lifestyles—one in the spotlight and one in the shadows—so fascinating. This instalment dives deeper into their pasts and vulnerabilities, and I enjoyed getting to see so much character development.

❀ ACTION-PACKED STORY

As a story about secret agents, this one really delivers on the action. It is so thrilling to read about the characters’ strategies to gain information as well as their clever escapes when things get out of hand, and I particularly enjoyed the way they use Winter’s star power to find a way out of difficult situations. All of this makes for an entertaining read that kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page.

❀ PERFECT FOR THRILLER FANS

Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu is an action-packed spy novel that is perfect for fans of the YA mystery/ thriller genre. I loved the main characters’ dynamic, and I found myself completely immersed in the story. I hope to see a third instalment in this unique series in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.

Okay, look, I was a sucker for Stars and Smoke because like.....spies? forced proximity? just....the concept in general. This one did not disappoint with Winter and Sydney coming together again to save the world....and some other stuff. I do kind of feel like the plot was a bit messier in this one, but also it definitely just...dumps you in to the action. There were also some moments I didn't think were necessary and while it was for the plot...I don't think it's explained that well?

Regardless, I didn't see some of the twists and turns and plot events coming...which is always a good thing. I also liked how their relationship developed but also didn't? Like, it feels very closed off at the end while also remaining open for more books featuring Winter and Sydney -- although, I am curious how they're going to use Winter in anymore plots....since his cover isn't blown but it's blown?

Anyways, this was still such a good, fast-paced read.

Icon And Inferno:⁣
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Thank you @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 for my gifted copy!⁣
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“A little like the sun and the moon aren’t we?Never in the sky at the same time.” But sometimes the sun and the moon were visible together. Sometimes they were.”⁣
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What’s that quote that’s like “If they have a million fans, I’m one of them. If they have one fan, it’s me. If they have zero fans, I’m dead?” That’s actually (actually) how I feel about Sydney and Winter. I will ride for this series until the breaks fall off. I loved Stars and Smoke and Icon and Inferno was just as good!⁣
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Winter’s back to help his Panacea friends in making sure no one tries to off the literal IS President. All while starting his tour, dealing with a tell-all book that’s coming out without his permission, saving another agent, and trying to figure out his feels for Sydney. Easy, right? ⁣
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Can we get a live recording of the song please Marie Lu? Like.. let’s get that bonus footage on the audiobook?! Just asking. The audio was amazing as always. I loved that Becca Q. Co whispered when they whispered and really gave me the shocks I needed. Highly recommend.⁣
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Overall, another hit for me. It’s a hill I’ll die on with this series. Please let us have more Winter and Sydney! Out June 11th!⁣
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QOTD: What’s a band or artist you like? Or, name a song you like?

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, only below K. Ancrum's Icarus, and I had loved Stars and Smoke, and Marie Lu's books have all been 4 or 5 star reads for me for over a decade, so I fully anticipated loving its follow-up and getting another peek into Sydney and Winter's worlds.

Instead, I found myself struggling to even get through this book. The spark felt like it was missing in this one, and I really only found myself finally feeling like I was reading one of Lu's novels when we hit the last 10% which is not what I was at all expecting. The twist is visible from the very start, Sydney's disability is nonexistent except for where it's suddenly useful to mention to slow her down, and Winter's team who had been a joy when they were present in book one are almost nonexistent too. I'm not sure that I'd give this one a reread and that absolutely breaks my heart.

Starts and Smoke had felt like pure joy, and it was clear that it had been written as a way to counter the amount of awful things going on in the world at the time of writing it, whereas Icon and Inferno tries to be more angsty and emotionally devastating, which is a common presence in Lu's books but isn't what I was expecting as the tone of the second book of a series that was initially created to be joyful and counter the negativity present in the everyday world. I had loved the initial concept for this series when Lu shared it, and I can't lie that I'm disappointed in both the shortening of this series into a duology, or the major tonal shift that shortening seems to have brought.

Lu delivers on a thrilling and romantic follow up to “Stars and Smoke”!

“Icon and Inferno” follows Sydney Cossette and Winter Young as they reunite to rescue a compromised agent, uncover an assassination attempt, and prevent a war from happening. To make it out alive, they’ll have to figure out how to be partners again—and if they can resist something more.

The stakes are higher in this book with the threat of a world war on the horizon. I found myself holding my breath at all times as I tried to anticipate what would happen next and what forces would tear Sydney and Winter apart. The action sequences, fast-paced narrative, and jaw-dropping cliffhangers made it impossible to put this one down. What’s more, with Sydney and Winter having grown attached to each other after their mission in London, there is an added layer of pressure as they try not to let their feelings get in the way of their objective. The introduction of both Sydney and Winter’s exes only amplifies the tension between them. Their partnership is tested, but they ultimately come out stronger than ever in the end. Despite how different their lives are with Winter in the spotlight and Sydney in the shadows, they can’t help but gravitate towards each other and I could not get enough of their relationship.

I should have known better than to think I wouldn’t shed a couple tears…this is a Marie Lu book after all. I’ve grown so attached to Sydney and Winter as characters across both serials, so watching them experience hardships and undergo growth made me so emotional. In this book, we get more on their respective backstories with Winter’s manipulative father trying to blackmail his way back to into his life and Sydney reflecting on her own abusive father as her father figure prepares to retire from Panacea. Marie Lu handles tough subjects with care and manages to mold her characters into real people.

The Warcross easter eggs in this book made me so happy, but perhaps not so much as the ending! I hope another installment is in the works. Keep them coming!

A fun spy-thriller/romance and an enjoyable read. A duology I'd recommend to high school students and to high school teachers.

Icon and Inferno was absolutely amazing! Spies and government conspiracies with fast paced action...this book had me on the edge of my seat!

I loved finding out more details about Winter's backstory and of course Sidney is back as his bodyguard! Things definitely heats up between them and I appreciated how the author explored their relationship with the obligations they have.

I'm definitely hoping for a 3rd book in the series because with that ending I need more of them both!

Icon and Inferno is the second book in Marie Lu's high-stakes, romantic spy series featuring a young secret agent named Sydney Cossette and a superstar-turned-temporary-agent named Winter Young.

It was fast-paced, emotionally evocative, and entertaining--all things I want from a spy story, but with a backbone of ethical complication and philosophical musing that I found satisfying. Lots of twists and turns, here, too. Some of which I saw coming, others of which I was shocked by.

It should also be noted: this book is not a standalone, but I read it like it was one. In fact, I chose possibly the *weirdest* entry point for getting into the Warcross universe (which is home to Marie Lu's Warcross series, the Legend books, and the first book of this series).

Prior to reading, I had no idea that this series would be connected to some of Lu's other works, and I had little to no idea about those other works as well (I missed the bandwagon, before!).

And yet. I had a great time? There were some moments where cameos and such were apparent, even for an "outside reader," and I suspect readers familiar with the other series will find those moments rewarding. As for me, Lu centered me in the world and series with enough context to find it coherent, but not so much info-dumping that I was bogged down.

I'd heard this was YA, but in some places, it read as a little more mature than that, in my opinion. In some places, it seemed more New Adult to me, but in others, it carried a tone that felt more in step with a YA audience.

Overall, this was a fun read! It's made me more curious about some of Lu's other works, for sure. :)

Approximately one year ago, Sydney Cossette and Winter Young were two unlikely partners on an extremely dangerous mission. Now, they have been paired together once more to rescue a Panacea agent in Singapore. But when their arrival in Singapore is rockier than initially anticipated and an unexpected guest is awaiting their arrival at the hotel, the duo soon discover that there is more to their mission than they realized, and myriad lives are in danger. As their situation becomes ever more precarious, Winter and Sydney must decide whether they will adhere to all the rules of their mission—including their relationship parameters—or if they will follow their instincts, instead.

This second book in the Stars and Smoke series picks up just as the case gets off the ground. Readers are reminded of the interactions among Sydney and her superiors from the first book, as well as the relationship between the superiors themselves. While it is best for readers to have experienced the first installment before beginning this one, there are elements of this story that can stand on their own, as well. Winter is still troubled, despite his international musical success, and he finds himself thinking of Sydney often. Because of the stakes of their mission and the rules Panacea has laid out for them, the two are not permitted to pursue their romantic feelings for one another, which creates a palpable tension throughout the novel.

Alternating perspectives between Winter and Sydney, the narrative unfolds in a way that permits readers to understand the inner drive of both characters even when they do not divulge that information aloud. Because the book is written in the third person, it is the actions that define the characters as opposed to their individual voices, which makes the narrative feel more like a documentary than a first-person account. Throughout the novel, readers find themselves on the edges of their seats as danger rises and the distinction between good and evil becomes more difficult to discern. Best for mature readers due to the danger, violence, and romantic interludes included within the story, this is an excellent addition to both the Stars and Smoke series and to library collections for young adult readers.

Winter and Sydney are back on a secret mission. Can they stay partners, or will their short romance last mission continue?

Winter can’t stop thinking about Sydney, his ex Gavi pops back up in his life with some questionable interests in Winter, and he’s about to be on another world tour. While he’s practicing, Sydney and Pancea pop back into his life, sending him on a whirlwind mission to save the world again.

This book was a great follow up to Stars and Smoke. It wasn’t as action packed, but the mission has more twists and turns!

Icon and Inferno is the second book in the Stars and Smoke series. This is a fun spy type story taking a famous pop star and using him as cover to get into places that the Panacea group (Offshoot of the CIA) might not be able to get into. Winter and Sydney get a second chance at both another mission and exploring the feeling they have for each other as they team up again to find a missing agent and try and stop an assassination.

This is a really good follow up story to Stars and Smoke and while I don’t think it was better than the first book, it was a great book for some character growth and overall story development. The chemistry between Winter and Sydney is undeniable and even though both have their exes a bit in the picture for this story it never really felt like a love triangle or square, it just pushed them into really evaluating their pasts and prior relationships to discover what they want in their futures.

The plot to the story was fast paced and fun. There is a plot to assassinate the President of the United States and it is really hard to tell who is on team good or evil in this. In an attempt to thwart the assassination true alliances and huge deceptions will be revealed. It looks like Sydney might also be targeted in this story, which means her cover has been blown and someone in Panacea can’t be trusted. Sydney and Winter will learn that they can only trust themselves and possibly find a bigger bond in that.

The story ties up in the end really well and I think we will get to see more Rock Star Spy stuff in the future. Marie Lu has set this up well for at least one more story to the series. I liked the tone of the story and the nice blend of all the action with the romance between Winter and Sydney. Both were balanced well and never overshadowed the other aspects making it a really fun read. Sure you have to suspend some disbelief in this book, but I think that is known going in based on the concept of the story.

Overall a great YA read with a good blend of both action and romance. Just a fun series so far.

The second installment was delicious! Bringing Sydney and Winter back together for another high stakes event including possible president assassinations and espionage and of course you can't have assassins and spies without some counter terrorism and double agents! Bringing in some possible love triangle like situations with Sydney's old flame Tems and Winter's Gabi didn't stand a chance in really deterring fans from rooting for whatever Sydney and Winter have going.

There was a perfect blend of action, thoughtfully thrilling with a mix of solid plotting and energetic scenes that felt like watching a movie, and character building including some emotional scenes about who we want to become and who we leave behind.

And... the Easter eggs to Warcross! Emiko Chen!

I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since it was announced because I just knew it was going to be good. It was so much more than good: it was excellent! I enjoyed Icon and Inferno even more than I did Stars and Smoke. Marie Lu took the magic of Stars and Smoke and turned everything that made that novel work up to 11. What came out is an amazing sequel to a fantastically fun book.

We’re exchanging organized crime for an international special agent extraction and a murky conspiracy against a head of state. We’re exchanging a nascent romance for pining like a forest, opportunist exes, and vulnerable hearts. We’re going from narrow focus to wide. The cast is bigger, the stakes are larger, the action is more intense, and the fall is long and hard.

It’s like a romantic Bourne Identity, but without the mind erasure.

I love these books because it’s just like watching a movie like The Bourne Identity: I don’t care if every little bit makes sense or if it’s a little predictable. I just care about how much fun I have reading these books, and these books are an absolute treat to read. They make me happy in the part of my heart that loves fun, fast, action-packed, romantic, improbable-situation books. I loved every page. If Lu wanted to write another one I’d read that one too.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Book Series/Conspiracy Thriller/Contemporary Thriller/Espionage Thriller/LGBTQ Fiction/Rockstar Romance

I love these two together so it was so great watching their next adventure. Loved the shout out to Warcross one of my fav series. An interesting nugget was dropped on the last page. Could there by another adventure?

Icon and Inferno is the 2nd-book in Marie Lu's fast-paced Spy Thriller series, Stars and Smoke. This romantic YA series features a Pop Star and a Secret Agent. I had a lot of fun with the 1st-book, Stars and Smoke, so I was excited to continue on with these characters and this world. Unsurprisingly, Lu's exceptional writing drew me in from the start and kept me hooked throughout.

In this installment, we are reunited with our MCs, Winter, an international pop superstar, and Sydney, an operative for a mysterious organization known as the Panacea Group. Winter and Sydney were paired together on a mission in London in the 1st-book, but have now, at the start of this, gone a year without any contact between them.

They're about to be thrust together again though, when Panacea calls upon Winter to assist them with a mission in Singapore, where he is set to perform a show. The mission involves a lavish party, an assassination plot, and is the very highest of stakes. Panacea needs their best ops on the job.

The chemistry between our mains is still simmering directly under the surface, but we have their exs in tow as well, so that sets up some interesting tension. Lu excels at character development. I love how well developed these characters are, particularly Winter and Sydney. It's impossible not to fall in love with them and yearn for them to be together. I appreciate the slow burn feel of the development of their relationship. Even the pining isn't overdone. It feels natural and leaves the Reader wanting more.

The action is also gripping and believable. I love the idea of the Panacea Group, the mystery of it all; the operatives and missions. The possibilities for this series are truly endless.

My only small gripe about this is that I wanted more. I feel like the mission went almost too quickly. I could have definitely spent more time in Singapore. That's obviously a personal preference, but I definitely could have done with it being built-out even more.

Overall though, I had a lot of fun reading this. The audiobook narration is fantastic, bringing the story to life. Winter and Sydney compliment each other. Their personalities play off one another so well. He's always in the spotlight, she's always in the shadows. They're like two sides of the same coin and I only want the best for them.

The way this story left off at the end was great. I love that Lu left a bit of mystery. There's obviously more that could be explored, or we could leave it here. Personally, I am hoping for more, but we'll see...

Thank you so much to the publisher, Roaring Brook Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This series is highly underrated!!

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and were not affected by the free copy.

Winter and Sydney are back to save the world again! With a rescue mission, assassination plots, returning exes, this book is full of action. The placing was pretty well done, I didn't get bored, and my favorite part? We got a tiny hint of Warcross, which is my favorite series by this author!

This book was a little more angsty than the first, to me, which I am not a huge fan of. However, I am not a secret agent or a pop star in love with the other, so who am I to judge how angsty that probably makes a person. I did enjoy the ending, with it's touch of a future vibes. If there ends up being a third book, I will most likely be reading it. This series is perfect for Spy School/Charlie Thorne/City of Spies fans!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam Level: 🔥🔥 (one vague open door)

Sydney and Winter are back together with a new mission for Panacea. With another agent missing, Winter's star status will allow entrance to an elite gala in Singapore. Little do they know, there's much more at play than a simple agent extraction. As they try to focus on the mission, they're also confronted with their growing feelings for each other. Can these two make it out safely and guard their hearts at the same time?

I definitely liked this more than book one. Since there was already history between Winter and Sydney, the chemistry was hot from the start. There was lots of yearning from Winter, and Sydney was torn between her job and her attraction to him. The mission provided lots of action in the second half, although I did find one twist easy to predict. I was also hoping for a little more tension from the exes who were brought into the story. Overall, though, this was enjoyable, and I found myself liking the characters more than in the first book. I especially liked the ending between Winter and Sydney. I thought that was really tender and romantic while still providing drama and angst. It seemed like a satisfying ending that still left things open for a possible third book.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Icon and Inferno" by Marie Lu picks up a year after superstar Winter Young last saw secret agent Sydney Cossette. After barely surviving their first assignment in London and grappling with their intense chemistry, the two haven’t spoken at all, though they’re never far from each other's thoughts—or fantasies. When Sydney shows up at Winter’s studio with a new mission from Panacea, Winter has no choice but to accept. Their new mission takes them to Singapore to rescue an operative in danger—none other than Sydney's ex, a rogue agent known as the Arsonist.

I enjoyed "Stars and Smoke," the first book in this YA series, because it embraced its ridiculous premise without taking itself too seriously, making for a fun read. Unfortunately, "Icon and Inferno" didn’t manage to capture that same sense of fun. Instead, the suspension of disbelief became overwhelming, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story, especially when the sequel tried to up the ante with an already absurd premise.

Both Sydney and Winter became frustrating characters in this installment. Their self-wallowing, particularly Sydney’s, was grating. I found myself skimming through most of her chapters due to her monotonous and repetitive internal monologues. This detracted from the overall experience, as it made her sections of the story drag.

The action scenes, which should have been a highlight, were hard to follow, adding another layer of frustration. Instead of feeling the excitement of the high-stakes missions, I often found myself confused and disconnected from the action.

In summary, "Icon and Inferno" fell short of the mark set by its predecessor. The suspension of disbelief required was too great, and the characters' development leaned too heavily into self-pity. The action scenes, which could have redeemed the narrative, were difficult to follow. While the premise had potential, this sequel lost the balance between fun and seriousness, resulting in a less enjoyable read.