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epilieaspiechick's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog!
Thank you to Roaring Brook Press for providing the arc for an honest review.
Sequel stories can be tricky because sometimes the buildup from the first can create unachievable expectations. I was very excited to read this one and even knowing that, I still loved this story. It takes all the elements of the first and builds on them, including creating problems that added to the characters' development this time.
Thank you to Roaring Brook Press for providing the arc for an honest review.
Sequel stories can be tricky because sometimes the buildup from the first can create unachievable expectations. I was very excited to read this one and even knowing that, I still loved this story. It takes all the elements of the first and builds on them, including creating problems that added to the characters' development this time.
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
Thank you to NetGalley and Libro FM for the e-ARC and ALC - reading this in two formats was so much fun, and I especially appreciated the narration by Becca Q. Co. I highly recommend the audio if that's accessible to you.
This was such a fun follow up to Stars and Smoke. I don't read premises, so once I realized both Winter and Sydney's exes were involved in the plot of this book, I squealed. I love a messy ex situation hahaha. I did not predict the mystery elements of this book, and was pleasantly surprised with the big reveals. I also really appreciated the arc of Winter and Sydney's reunion and romance. It developed really organically and felt authentic.
I highly recommend and can't wait for the next one hehe.
Steam Rating: 1/5 - There is one non-graphic but open-door scene? Like nothing graphically described, but you know they are messing around.
Thank you to NetGalley and Libro FM for the e-ARC and ALC - reading this in two formats was so much fun, and I especially appreciated the narration by Becca Q. Co. I highly recommend the audio if that's accessible to you.
This was such a fun follow up to Stars and Smoke. I don't read premises, so once I realized both Winter and Sydney's exes were involved in the plot of this book, I squealed. I love a messy ex situation hahaha. I did not predict the mystery elements of this book, and was pleasantly surprised with the big reveals. I also really appreciated the arc of Winter and Sydney's reunion and romance. It developed really organically and felt authentic.
I highly recommend and can't wait for the next one hehe.
Steam Rating: 1/5 - There is one non-graphic but open-door scene? Like nothing graphically described, but you know they are messing around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, War, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual content
eyeleash's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Gun violence and Blood
annawilson's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
roget's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
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. :)
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. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Car accident, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, Violence, War, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
lilibetbombshell's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
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 Romance/Espionage Thriller/LGBTQ Fiction/Rockstar Romance
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Murder, Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
theoverflowingbookshelf's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0