Back of Book: 

Meet Winter Young―Global pop sensation, with a voice like velvet and looks that could kill. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. His rabid fans would move heaven and earth for even a glimpse of him―just imagine what they’d do to become his latest fling.

Meet Sydney Cossette―Part of an elite covert ops group, Sydney joined their ranks as their youngest spy with plans to become the best agent they’ve ever had. An ice queen with moves as dangerous as her comebacks, Sydney picks up languages just as quickly as she breaks hearts. She's fiery, no-nonsense, and has zero time for romance―especially with a shameless flirt more used to serving sass than taking orders.

When a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday, Sydney and Winter's lives suddenly collide. Tasked with infiltrating the crime organization’s inner circle, Sydney is assigned as Winter's bodyguard with Winter tapped to join her on the mission of a lifetime as a new spy recruit. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter's charms, but as their mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit that there's more to Winter Young than just a handsome face... 

Book Number: One 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Thriller | Romance

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A global pop sensation and a elite spy form an unlikely pairing in this thrilling novel that is as intense as it is romantic.

Winter Young has never been one to shun the spotlight. So when a covert ops group kidnaps him and demands that he works as a secret agent for them, he is beyond surprised. Sydney Cossette is one of the youngest and most successful undercover agents in the industry, and she wants nothing less than to babysit another musical brat with an inflated ego. When the pair are assigned to take down a major crime boss, they are forced to work with one another. As the case deepens, some unexpected sparks fly as the duo find that this mission might be more than they can take. . .

I've devoured everything that I have ever read by Marie Lu, so when I got the opportunity to claim a review copy of "Stars and Smoke," I took it and ran. And boy am I glad that I did. I loved every page of this book, and I read it within the first forty-eight hours of it entering my household.

I am enamoured with both Winter and Sydney. I found that they both have really cool personas, with him being a popstar and her being a secret agent. Beyond this though, I appreciate the realistic issues that they both cope with. Winter is a superstar loved the globe over, but the only person he desperately wants to pay attention to him is his mother. Unfortunately, she is seemingly stuck in the distant past and wants no reminder of the failures that Winter brought into her life. Sydney deals with an abusive childhood and a severe health concern, which made it interesting to see how she hides her secrets from the agency.

Both Winter and Sydney are used to being alone, so it was super cute to see them start to depend on each other. Their "fake flirting" soon led to real crushes, and I am totally here for it! I love their chemistry and I think that they are really cute together. I'm really interested to see how their relationship will continue to develop throughout this series and if they will give in to their feelings for one another.

Lu once again writes another story packed to the brim with action. Despite my interest in secret operations, I think this is only like the third series I've ever delved into that deals with spies. I found it really interesting to see how Sydney's world works and I can't wait to read more in book two!

Overall, I devoured every part of "Stars and Smoke." I was totally into the romance, the superstar/spy vibes, the thrilling plot line, and the intense writing style. I am so curious to see how a second covert mission will go now that Winter has been involved with one. I can't wait to get more of Winter and Sydney in the next installment. Marie Lu once again delivers a literary masterpiece and I will be anxiously awaiting the next entry in this series!

Back of Book: 

Spies meet romance meet popstars in this thrilling follow up to Stars and Smoke by bestselling author Marie Lu.

A year has passed since superstar Winter and secret agent Sydney Cossette went undercover—on a dangerous mission to bring down the baddest man in London.

Winter hasn't stopped thinking about Sydney since, and she's been trying not to think about him

Family secrets and nasty newspapers has Winter desperate to re-enter the secret world. And it's not long before he gets his chance.

Sydney is back, and this time the mission goes right to the heart of the United States of America. A rescue gone wrong, an assassination attempt—and the return of an old flame—puts Winter right back into the action... and into a country on the brink of chaos.

And when a murder accusation has Sydney on the run, suddenly it's not just a life at stake, but all-out war.

Book Number: Two 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Thriller | Romance

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Worldwide phenomenal popstar Winter Young and undercover agent Sydney Cossette are back in the thrilling sequel to Marie Lu's "Stars and Smoke." 

It has been one year since Winter and Sydney almost died on their undercover mission in London and there has been absolutely zero contact between the two. So when Sydney suddenly appears at his dance studio, Winter is shocked to see her. Sydney's presence can only mean one thing: Panacea has another top secret mission for the two. They have been tasked to find an agent dubbed The Arsonist, who also just happens to be Sydney's ex. Smothered feelings for one another may just be brought to light if Winter and Sydney are not careful, but they will do anything to complete their mission, even put their feelings for one another aside. 

It felt so nice to be back in this world. I truly love Winter and Sydney both as individual characters and as a couple, so it is always a joy to read about their adventures. Adding Winter's ex Gavi and Sydney's ex Tems into the mix really added to the tension of the story, and made this tale even more interesting than the last. 

One thing I was not expecting from this book series was it to take place in the same universe as the "Warcross" series. I literally exclaimed aloud at the first mention of it and was so excited to hear from Emika and Hideo again. Their appearances were very brief, but I still thought this was the coolest thing, especially because I didn't expect it. Obviously, this entails the briefest of spoilers, but nothing too major. 

It felt awesome to return to the world of secret agents and mysterious popstars. I seriously love every aspect of Winter's performing life and it is neat to see the juxtaposition between him and Sydney's worlds. He lives in the spotlight, and she delves in the shadows, yet their chemistry is just so good; I can't get enough of it. This one was a tad bit steamier than the first, but I wasn't complaining that their relationship went a bit further than flirting and a pool make out session this time around. Their pinning for one another felt legit and I really am loving the vibe of their relationship. I hope to see more of these two in future installments of this series! 

Overall, I am once again impressed by Lu's work. "Icon and Inferno" was a great addition to her catalog and I would read any number of books in this world if she was willing to write them. I love the high stakes, the romantic tension, the larger than life characters, and the atmosphere of the writing. I eat books like this up so quickly and I hope Lu is willing to give us more someday.