Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh - ESSENTIAL

Ahdieh, Renee Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist, #1), 392 pgs.  G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2017.  $17.99 

Language: PG-13 (7  swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: R.  

Mariko has been betrothed to the emperor’s second son, but as she is traveling to the palace, her convoy is attacked and she is left for dead. Mariko escapes and disguises herself as a young man in an attempt to infiltrate the Black Clan, whom she thinks tried to kill her.  As Mariko tries to uncover why someone would try to kill her, her samurai brother, Kenshin, is looking for her.  Mariko learns a lot about herself, her family, the empire and the men of the Black Clan and nothing is as she thought.  

I enjoyed this fast pace novel because it has all the elements of a good book-great characters, action, magic and romance.  Mariko is a strong and likable character who is witty and smart.  There are surprising twists and I can’t wait to read more from this series.  The mature content is off page sex and make-out scenes.  The violence is gruesome including a slit throat and a beheading.  I enjoyed this book and I think it’s essential, but the violence really is cringe worthy.  

MS – ADVISABLE.  HS – ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.