Flame in the Mist

“Flame in the Mist” is the first in a duology, written by Renee Ahdieh. The novel follows a Japanese, seventeen-year-old, named Mariko who was raised one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. On her way to her betrothed, her journey is cut short when Mariko's party is savagely attacked by the Black Clan, which is a dangerous group of outlaws who have been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace. As a survivor of the attack, she dresses as a peasant boy to infiltrate the Black Clan.

The novel was interesting, and enjoyable. I thought Mariko was a strong character. There is romance in the novel, that was okay. The novel is not a Mulan Retelling! I gave the novel a 3/5 Stars.