After a year since superstar Winter Young saw secret agent Sydney Cossette, Sydney shows up at Winter’s studio with a new mission from Panacea. An operative is in danger and it is up to the duo to rescue him. The catch is that the man in question is none other than Sydney's ex. Complicating matters, Winter's on again and off again girlfriend Gavi Ginsburg is along for the ride, as a cover for Winter's real purpose for being in Singapore. When danger affects the mission, will it also compromise the lives of Winter and Sydney?

Marie Lu never fails to deliver an entertaining read, though the mystery parts are pretty predictable. The teenage angst is also par for the course, but the story itself has a good flow. The narration is well delivered by Becca Q. Co, who also narrates the first book in the series.

I had the opportunity to both listen to and read this novel. I largely preferred the audio version, as the performance of the characters were superior to the printed word. The audio grabbed my attention more, entertaining me as I drove, did household chores, and the like. This was not my favorite series by Marie Lu and this novel lagged behind Stars and Smoke.

Overall, I would not recommend readers new to the series to start with this one. The strength of this book came from Stars and Smoke, as it is a continuation of that novel.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Audio Copy of this novel by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to listen to this novel was entirely my own.

Marie Lu has done it again! I loved this thrilling sequel, and it absolutely delivers on everything I hoped for after the first book. The tension and stakes are dialed up 🔥, keeping me on the edge of my seat the entire time. From the heart-pounding action ⚔️ to the emotional arcs 💔, every moment had me eagerly anticipating what would happen next! 😱

What I appreciate most is how Marie Lu continues to develop her characters. They’re not just heroes—they’re layered, flawed, and so human. The dynamic between them, especially the moral dilemmas 🤔 and high-stakes choices, adds a level of complexity that really resonates. The audiobook narration 🎙️ was perfect, capturing the intensity and emotions, making the story even more immersive. I couldn’t stop listening! 🎧

The worldbuilding in Icon and Inferno is absolutely stunning 🌍. Lu’s ability to create such a vivid, intricate universe never fails to impress me, and this sequel expands on that even more. The twists, turns, and revelations left me constantly guessing 😵. Now I’m already hoping for another installment—I need to know what happens next! 📚✨

A huge thanks to @MacmillanAudio for granting me access to this incredible audiobook 🎧. If you’re a fan of fast-paced, dystopian thrillers packed with emotion and action, Icon and Inferno should definitely be at the top of your TBR list! 🔥🚀💥

#AudiobookReview #IconAndInferno #MarieLu #MacmillanAudio #DystopianFiction #YAReads #SequelGoals #ActionPackedReads #Bookstagram #SciFiReads #HighlyRecommend #EpicReads

This sequel to Stars and Smoke pairs up Sydney and Winter yet again on a fast-paced, dangerous mission, but now both of their exes are thrown into the mix. I think I enjoyed this follow up even more than the first, as it was a bit more character driven and their slow burn relationship developed more as they solidified their ability to depend on one another.

Great audio narration.

“Are we in the business of hiring popstars now?”
“Booming business, apparently.”

This is an action-packed new adult romantic suspense novel featuring a highly trained operative and a mega pop star. I thought the plot was interesting and the characters were compelling. It was interesting to see the juxtaposition of super stardom and undercover work. I really want to listen to some of Winter’s songs. I love that there are chapter titles!

I appreciated the Warcross references, even though they threw my “Marie Lu universe” timeline for a loop. In fact, I wonder if the events of this book might lead to the state of the world in the Legend series.

The audiobook is narrated by Becca Q. Co. I thought she did a great job bringing this story to life.

Note: This is the sequel to Stars and Smoke. The books are best read in order.

This sequel swings you back into all the spy action and tension between Winter and Sydney. Winter has been back on tour and Sydney is still working in the spy business. They have parted ways - they will see each other when they see each other - but that doesn't mean they aren't thinking about each other all the time. When the agency needs Winter's celebrity status again, Sydney agrees to partner with him again. What could go wrong when they are infiltrating a notorious arms dealer by performing at his daughter's birthday party. This novel has so many twists and turns that if you blink you'll miss something major. I really enjoyed all the turns the novel takes.

If you're in the mood for a fiery mission impossible type story, this is it!

What I loved most: the chemistry between Winter and Sydney, an author not afraid to kill off a main character, a fast paced plot

I quite enjoyed this second installment. I loved Winter and Sydney’s relationship, loved the slow-burn delight. Lu’s writing drew me in (like normal) and didn’t let go.

- ICON AND INFERNO is the sequel to STARS AND SMOKE, and it’s even better than the first book.
- I loved being back with Winter and Sydney. Their chemistry and care for each other is such a great mix.
- The audiobook, narrated by Becca Q. Co, had me on the edge of my seat during action scenes (literally, I was on the Metro and nearly missed my stop)!
- The twists and turns of the plot were fantastic, and I wish this series was a dozen books long.

A HUGE thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for providing an eARC and advance audio book one of my most anticipated releases of 2024.

*Internal screaming*

Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu is a YA fantasy spy novel set after the events of Stars and Smoke. And boy do you need to read this one immediately A year has passed since superstar Winter Young last saw secret agent Sydney Cossette. After barely surviving their first assignment together in London -- and their intense chemistry – the two haven’t spoken at all. Though they’re never far from the other’s thoughts, or fantasies. So when Syndey shows up at Winter’s studio one day with a new mission from Panacea, he has no choice but to accept. With the clock ticking, the duo prepares to head to Singapore to rescue an operative in danger -- only to learn he’s none other than Sydney's ex, a rogue agent known as the Arsonist. Of course, nothing is ever simple when it comes to Winter and Sydney. Especially not with the glamorous Gavi Ginsburg, a globe-trotting socialite and Winter’s one-time girlfriend, in the mix. Is she back for Winter’s heart – or does she have her eye on another prize?

I have no other words except, go read this book right now.
.

I’ve read every Marie Lu book that’s out there and I rarely rate her less than 5 stars. But this was a case of a not so amazing Marie Lu book for me.

I loved the first book in this series. Secret agents, bodyguard romance, action and adventure! It was so great and I was hoping to continue that theme here.

This book really suffered from the sophomore slump of series for me. It was flat compared to the first book and I got the feeling that this book was teeing up a third book (not confirmed, just a hunch I have) and that made the story a bit lackluster for me.

I did, however, enjoy the narration a lot. I think this was very engaging as an audiobook and I would continue the series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A rock star and a secret agent team up to work on another case for Panacea. Sparks are still flying and when you add in an ex-girlfriend everything is more complicated.

A cute romance/thriller sequel, I found this book very similar to the first book in this series, Stars and Smoke. That said, this series is a departure from Marie Lu's other books, so fair warning to those who are expecting that. I use the term "thriller" lightly; it's got action and intrigue, but nothing too seriously thrilling. I found the romance aspect to be lacking chemistry between the 2 main characters. Otherwise, this book hit all the right buttons.

I listened to the audiobook which was well done. The narrator was clear and she varied her voice enough to distinguish between characters' dialogues.

Overall 4 out of 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher for an audio arc!

I really love this genre of YA where teenagers are secretly spies and have to solve this mystery while also falling in love, so I knew reading this duology would be right up my alley.

At first I was skeptical on whether I would enjoy this as much as the first book because the plot gets the main characters' exes involved. I just really dislike the love rival trope where these characters only exist to cause drama and don't have a life or personality beyond getting together with the love interest. But I think the author did a good job of not doing that. Actually making them important to the main characters' backstories and relevant to the plot without having too many jealousy moments (I'm not a fan) made this so much better.

I flew through this on audio. Finished it in about two days. Though I think I like both books in the duology equally.

As for the main characters, Winter and Sydney, I loved seeing their romance develop across the story. They had some up and downs, a bit of miscommunication in the beginning, but the romantic tension was so good. Everytime they were working together and had to keep things professional were some of my favorite parts.

As for the thrilling plot and mystery, I kinda went with the flow while reading. Some characters were suspicious from the getgo and so I wasn't as invested in the mystery as I would've liked, but the times where everything was fast-paced because they had to escape or were being chased after were really fun.

If I talk about Agent A and Agent B, I will cry. Just know this book will serve you with a heavy, emotional gutpunch.

Overall, I had a good time with this. It had the emotional moments, the thrill, the romance, and everything else I could want from a YA spy thriller.

I was so excited to listen to the next installment, and hopefully not the last, in this young adult spy/romance novel. I loved getting Winter and Sydney back together for another action-packed yet dangerous adventure. I also really enjoyed the viewpoints of their handlers and I found myself invested in their relationship as well. With both of their exes involved in this plotline working together is a challenge and I loved seeing them figure it out. The audiobook is a fantastic way to read this book and the narration is spot on.

Marie Lu truly never disappoints with her books. I've read all of her previous books, including of course the first book of this series, and this one lives up to expectations. It was great to see how this series continued after absolutely loving Stars and Smoke. I once again loved Sydney, Winter, and all the side characters in this next installment. There really was growth by the characters, and especially after how this ended, I am early anticipating the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for the early access! Although I rarely listen to audiobooks, this narrator was great and kept me so engaged I completely lost track of time and listened to it in one go. The narrated was somehow exactly as I had imagined Sydney's voice to be. My only complaint about the audio book was that there was only one narrator, since the POV switches between Winter and Sydney, it would have been great to hear his voice more clearly as well.

I decided to reread Stars and Smoke before listening to Icon and Inferno, and I am so glad that I did. That being said, although one could technically read this as a stand alone, and it is advertised that you can, I would really advise against skipping right to this book because of it would feel incomplete without that, especially because of the development of the relationship between Winter and Sydney in this book. Knowing exactly what happened definitely made me enjoy this book far more.


Overall, I give this book 4.5 stars, rounded to five.

Thank you s much to NetGalley for giving me a copy of the audiobook! It was an absolute joy to read! There a great many gasps and shocked yelps as I was reading!

i'm sorry, this book was ungodly boring. I DNF'd it, but i didn't even check how far i got. I gave it a good effort but i was so bored.

This one was so fun! I started off with 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑒𝑠 and instantly loved Winter and Sydney’s dynamic. Winter the superstar meets Sydney the secret agent. After reading book one i immediately moved to the audiobook for book 2.

Book 2, 𝑰𝒄𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒐 has Winter & Sydney back at it when Sydney has a new mission and pulls Winter back in with her. I actually enjoyed book 2 a bit more as we find out more about each of the characters, Winter and Sydney. That brought me a bit more closer to Winter especially. I really enjoyed the book because of the two being total opposites working together. Winter was definitely out of his comfort zone keeping up with the quick witted Sydney.

Along with the action which book 2 has more of, we see our two main characters forming a more closer, romantic relationship that I am here for. I do hope that Marie Lu continues this YA mystery series because the way that it ended, there seems to be more to explore here!

This is such an easy read as well as easy to get addicted to along with the characters!

I knew it would be good but didn't think I would enjoy it more than book 1. I did! I loved the character development and that we got a sub plot as well as a peak more into Minter Young's family life and childhood. We got to see the progression and regression in Winter & his mother's relationship. We also were introduced to new characters like an ex-girlfriend. It was such a fast and entertaining read and was not expecting a cameo of the characters from Warcross. If you enjoy contemporary novels or YA espionage novels, this series is for you!

This book was better than the first one. I could follow Sydney and Winter on a hundred adventures and not get sick of them. There is an honesty to their characters that grounds the larger then life worlds they have found themselves in. The dichotomy between the two and the constant pull to one another despite trying to deny it and turn the feelings off is brilliantly written. The stakes of the mission ballon and twist in unexpected ways like a good action spy movie but there is a comfort in the writing style just as I have found in any other of Lu’s works.

This is a fantastic spy romance with the added twist of Winters superstar world that has you rooting for them despite impossible odds. This book feels like you are watching the next season of a show that you don’t want to end and you can’t wait for the next season when it’s over and I do hope we get to visit these characters again. I was sad to reach the end in the best way and highly recommend this one for a fun escape from reality.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Pick up this YA if you enjoy:
🔥Romance
🔥Heist
🔥Mystery

Icon and Inferno starts slow - giving you a chance to meet the characters and get the set up for the mission. The pace picks up speed as we get closer to the moment of the mission - and then hang on from there through the twists and turns to the exciting finish.

Don’t worry if you haven’t read the first book - I haven’t either! I jumped right into this second in the series with no problems.