I'm at a loss for words. This novel seems so out of place for Lu. I'm used to her fantasy novels like Skyhunter and Steelstriker. So Stars & Smoke really threw me. Somehow, the writing doesn't even seem to come close to Lu's style. I felt as though she's trying to step out of the box and write something different. But it fell flat for me. Maybe it's a romance? Maybe a spy thriller, but it seems to be bent toward a romantic attraction between Winter and his soon to be bodyguard.
And, really? A pop-star singer as an undercover agent?
And, really? A pop-star singer as an undercover agent?