Stars and Smoke
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4.3 • 41 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
An Instant New York Times bestseller!
*Featuring a steamy Winter and Sydney bonus chapter*
He's a secret.
She's an agent.
This mission might just be impossible.
A smoldering enemies-to-lovers novel about a global superstar and a hotshot young spy on a collision course with danger―and romance. This electric series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu is perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Ally Carter.
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 . . .
Romance and danger abound in Stars and Smoke, a “brilliant, breathtaking ride that will leave you clamoring for the sequel.” — Tahereh Mafi, #1 internationally bestselling author of Shatter Me.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this well-paced series opener by Lu (the Skyhunter duology), a secret agent teams up with a pop star to bring down a powerful crime syndicate. Chinese American 19-year-old Winter Young, "the most famous superstar in the world," never imagined he'd be involved in a covert spy operation, until he's recruited by espionage organization the Panacea Group—the institution his late older brother belonged to before his death. Winter is soon partnered with 19-year-old operative Sydney Cossette, a white polyglot hiding a fatal lung condition. Their mission: take down crime boss Eli Morrison, who's suspected of transporting something called "chemical warfare's answer to the atomic bomb." Under the guise of attending and performing at Eli's daughter's multiday 19th birthday celebration, Winter—with Sydney disguised as his bodyguard—must infiltrate Eli's inner circle and gather as much information as possible without getting caught. As the mission unfolds, Winter and Sydney contend with their growing romantic feelings toward each other while diving deeper into Eli's nefarious deeds. Via Winter and Sydney's deftly cultivated budding romance, brimming with barbed banter and moments of earnest, emotional resonance, Lu crafts a lively action adventure full of espionage, mystery, and starry-eyed glamour. Ages 14–up.
Customer Reviews
Let the spying begin
A pop star sensation becomes a spy for a secretive group. In an attempt to finally get a bad guy.
This book was an average read for me. I was able to figure out what happened early on. The pacing was slow at the beginning but it picked up pace towards the end. My favorite scenes were of learning of all of the top secret gadgets. I could have stayed in that room listening to what all they can do.
The characters are well rounded and as the series progresses we discover a bit more of their backstory and quirks.
The narrator, Becca Q. Co voice was fun listening to. I wasn’t a fan of the tones and inflections used for Penelope. It sounded nasally but thankfully it wasn’t the entire book. I did enjoy the voices she used for Winter and Cindy.
This would be perfect for fans of group bands and The Recruit and CIA shows.
I loved this book
I absolutely loved this book! It was about a spy and the world’s biggest pop star. It has everything you want in a book. It was full of action sequences and I felt like I was watching a movie. It had cool spy technology that you would find in the top action movies. It had the wonder and awe of being a rich and famous pop star. It had a “will they won’t they” romance vibe. It had family drama and disappointment. It had suspense and some mystery. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading this book but I was pleasantly surprised. I haven’t read a story that has this theme before. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and character and plot development. I felt so many emotions while I read was reading this book. I smiled at the romance and the banter between the characters and later I cried about the family relationships and the way the story ended.
With Love
Thank you Marie Lu for creating yet another beautiful world with beautiful characters for me to escape. I can’t wait for the next one <3