This year has been a great year for sequels, indeed! We at THP can never resist a new series or continuing ones we’ve stuck with for some time. Today, we’re reviewing Marie Lu’s Icon and Inferno, the sequel to her Stars and Smoke duology!
Marie Lu has been a legendary staple of our reading lists since day one, and we’re honored to have been able to review her latest release! Icon and Inferno picks up one year after the end of Stars and Smoke, where secret agent Sydney Cossette partners up with international superstar Winter Young once again.
With a mission to extract one of Panacea’s top agents from the bustling city-state of Singapore, Sydney and Winter must navigate government officials, ex-flings, and (multiple) life-threatening schemes. A fast-paced read you can’t put down, here are three things we love about Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu!
Book Overview: Icon And Inferno
Content Warnings: character death, murder, violence, torture, slight gore, childhood trauma, mention of physical and verbal abuse (Read at your discretion!)
Summary: New sparks. Old flames. And a mission that’s playing with fire.
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 Sydney 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?
The smoldering sequel to New York Times bestselling Stars and Smoke follows Winter and Sydney on yet another treacherous mission that grows more sinister with each twist and turn. To make it out alive, they’ll have to figure out how to be partners again — and if they can resist the burn of something more.
The Action Sequences
One thing about us: we love spy fiction and secret missions. The action sequences in Icon and Inferno did not come to play! When Sydney and Winter’s mission doesn’t go according to plan and war becomes imminent, finding a way out of Singapore is much easier said than done. Sydney has some of the coolest fight scenes we’ve read, and we couldn’t pry ourselves from the book even if we wanted. And we absolutely love the high-speed chase scenes, especially those involving motorcycles. It doesn’t get any more badass than this!
So Much Romantic Tension
A spy and a superstar make for a fabulous, star-crossed romance with plenty of yearning. Whether as mission partners or potential lovers, they truly see each other. Since their last mission in London, Sydney and Winter have been unable to stop thinking about each other. And their lives make it nearly impossible to maintain contact. While Sydney operates in the shadows, Winter lives in the spotlight. Their romantic tension is off the charts in the rare moments they have alone.! And if they let down their walls and give in, then what? Then what?!
Winter’s Superstar Advantages
We also can’t get over how many perks Winter gets in Icon and Inferno because of who he is. Winter has gotten himself and Sydney out of so many dangerous scenarios by pulling the “international superstar” card. And it works every single time! From private planes and VIP invites to getting out of police barricades and border control officers, Winter is just that guy. His strength and agility from being a dancer make him an ideal spy, so that’s another bonus. He can charm anyone, and he knows it. (We know we definitely fell for him!)
With Sydney and Winter now facing government officials, ex-flings, and even more life-threatening schemes, Marie Lu’s Icon and Inferno is a daring, fast-paced read you won’t want to put down!
Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu is available June 11th, and you can preorder a copy of it here!
Have you read Stars and Smoke yet? Are you excited for Marie Lu’s Icon and Inferno? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
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