Book 2 of 2 in Flame in the Mist
Smoke in the Sun
by Renée Ahdieh
After Okami is captured in the Jukai forest, Mariko has no choice--to rescue him, she must return to Inako and face the dangers that have been waiting for her in the Heian Castle. She tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was being held by the Black Clan against her will, playing the part of the dutiful bride-to-be to infiltrate the emperor's ranks and uncover the truth behind the betrayal that almost left her dead. With the wedding plans already underway, Mariko pretends to be consumed with her upcoming nuptials, all the while using her royal standing to peel back the layers of lies and deception surrounding the imperial court. But each secret she unfurls gives way to the next, ensnaring Mariko and Okami in a political scheme that threatens their honor, their love and very the safety of the empire.
- Spice
- 2/5
- Burn
- Slow
- Pages
- ~416
- Ending
- HEA
HEA means happily ever after: they end up together, for good.
How spicy is Smoke in the Sun?
Smoke in the Sun is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.
- Steam: Behind closed doors
- Burn: Slow burn
- Pairing: One man, one woman
- POV: Third person, multiple POVs
- Ending: Happily ever after
Content warnings
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Show 6 content warnings
- Sexual assault
- Torture
- Death of a loved one
- Murder
- Kidnapping
- Manipulation / gaslighting
Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.
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Smoke in the Sun: quick answers
How spicy is Smoke in the Sun?
Smoke in the Sun is a 2 out of 5 on our spice scale: simmer (closed door). Sex happens, but the door closes (or it is brief and non-graphic). Tension without the details.
Is Smoke in the Sun a standalone?
No. Smoke in the Sun is book 2 of 2 in Flame in the Mist. Start with Flame in the Mist. The series is complete.
What tropes are in Smoke in the Sun?
Smoke in the Sun features secret identity, court intrigue. It is a slow burn M/F romance that ends with a happily ever after.
Does Smoke in the Sun have content warnings?
Our notes for Smoke in the Sun include: sexual assault, torture, death of a loved one, murder, kidnapping, manipulation / gaslighting. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.
What should I read after Smoke in the Sun?
If you loved Smoke in the Sun, try The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig. They share its secret identity and court intrigue energy at a similar spice level.