ICON AND INFERNO, by Marie Lu, Roaring Brook Press, June 11, 2024, Hardcover, $20.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up/ new adult)
An international pop star once again joins forces with a secret agent in Icon and Inferno the follow-up to Marie Lu’s Stars and Smoke.
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? —Synopsis provided by Roaring Brook Press
Is Icon and Inferno as good as its predecessor, Stars and Smoke?
No.
Does that matter?
Not really.
This dual point of view sequel is fast-moving and full of action, but it misses out a little bit without that initial spark that permeated through Stars and Smoke.
That spark might have gone a bit dormant, but that’s to be expected in an ongoing relationship, and it’s nice to see both characters working through different emotions. There’s not as much growth but enough to satisfy.
Lu’s pacing, however, is spot on, and her cinematic prose really moves the story forward — I could easily see both books as movies.
The ambiguous ending leaves room for Lu to re-enter this world in the future, and I hope she does.
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