Ōkami by Renée AhdiehBook 1.25 of the Flame in the Mist series
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 24, 2018
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Purchased Kindle copy
Summary (from Goodreads):
At the close of Flame in the Mist, to end a bloodbath between the Black Clan and imperial soldiers, Ōkami allows himself to be taken prisoner by Prince Raiden, Mariko’s betrothed. For someone who doesn’t believe in heroes, it’s a surprising choice: to trade his life for the lives of his friends and the one he loves. For he will surely be killed when he arrives in the Imperial City. But he decides if his life is the cost of love, it may not be too high a price after all.
What I Liked:
This is going to be super short because this short story was super short! Like maybe a chapter's worth of content or less. But I can't complain because (1) it was $0.00 and (2) it's all about Ōkami. This short story takes place immediately after the ending of Flame in the Mist, with Ōkami being captured by Prince Raiden and Kenshin, and Mariko also sacrificing herself and going with them. It's basically one scene that is shared Ōkami's POV, and he reflects on many different things. As you can imagine, Ōkami is not a happy camper, not with being captured, not with his friends dead, not with Mariko agreeing to marry her fiance, Prince Raiden. This short story sets up things nicely (well, "nicely") for Smoke in the Sun. I can't wait to start reading the conclusion!
What I Did Not Like:
Nothing specific!
Would I Recommend It:
Well, this short story is free, and it was quite insightful, so I'd definitely recommend it. I love getting into Ōkami's head and it was really fun to read. The tension and rage is boiling within Ōkami, so you know some sort of showdown is coming, in Smoke in the Sun.
Rating:
4 stars. Thank you, Renée Ahdieh and Penguin, for making this short story happen! I really hope that the author writes more short stories (besides Yumi's which I'm about to review next), and there is some sort of novella bindup. Everyone, please "buy" these free short stories!
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Yumi by Renée Ahdieh
Book 1.75 of the Flame in the Mist series
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 15, 2018
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Purchased Kindle copy
Summary (from Goodreads):
When Yumi receives word of the battle led against her brother and the Black Clan by Prince Raiden and the Dragon of Kai, and of Ōkami’s sacrifice, she resents the bars of her gilded cage all the more. She’s tired of being a sheltered bird, protected in the Hanami. What Yumi really wants is to strike a blow against all the forces that control her life. The time has come.
What I Liked:
Honestly this short story got me even more about Smoke in the Sun than Ōkami’s short story did. This is about Yumi, who is his sister, who he guards fiercely and makes sure that she is well taken care of and out of harms way. But this short story takes place immediately after Flame in the Mist, and Yumi receives a message which details Ōkami’s situation. Yumi has always protected and shuffled around, but now she is going to take matters into her own hands, and write her own fate. Yumi wasn't really a major player in Flame in the Mist, but I have a feeling she will be very important in Smoke in the Sun. This short story hinted at a lot of girl power to come, from Yumi and likely from other female characters. I can't wait!
What I Did Not Like:
Nothing specific!
Would I Recommend It:
Like Ōkami’s short story, this short story is free, and it's also very engaging and worth the read. It may be short - like 8 pages or less - but the scene is worth it. To get into Yumi's head is absolutely worth it. And to get such strong foreshadowing of Smoke in the Sun is also worth it.
Rating:
4 stars. One more short story that would have been neat is Kenshin's! But I'm excited for book two nonetheless. I do hope these short stories (and any others that the author decides to write) will be put into a print bindup edition. Fam, please go and "buy" these short stories from Amazon!
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I "bought" my copies! thanks for the post today. I'll spread the word. Your reviews today made me intrigued about these short stories.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that these existed! I still have yet to read Flame in the Mist (what am I doing!) but it's great to hear that there are short stories out there that pick up right after!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know these books were free so I just grabbed them. I haven't read (or even purchsed) Flame in the Mist yet so I'll have to wait before I can read these short stories but at least I have them on my Kindle now. Yay! :D
ReplyDeleteI am so behind on reading that I didn't even realize that this short stories were a thing! I really need to get moving and start reading the main books in the series. Glad you enjoyed these ones! Thanks for putting them on my radar!
ReplyDeleteAmber ♥ The Book Bratz
Oh, hahahahaha. Your thoughts about Yumi. That it hints at more girl power to come. There was NONE of that in Smoke in the Sun. Hahaha. At least, nothing that I could tell :\ There was barely any Yumi even. I was beyond disappointed in that sequel. Sigh. But I did enjoy these very very very short stories too :) Lovely reviews Alyssa. <3
ReplyDelete(Also, I just realized that I did not click that notify button on any of the comments I have left, and will not do so either, but just letting you know, so if you might want to discuss something, just DM me. <3)