Page to Post: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

In the Page to Post series, the Teen Book Guild spotlights the books that caught our attention after scoping out an entire shelf of titles in the Winter Park Library. From that first spark of interest to how we really felt after reading, you’ll get our honest take—no sugarcoating, just real talk from teens who love books (or sometimes don’t!).

If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: Flame in the Mist
Author: Renée Ahdieh
Chosen by: Anna M.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

Romantasy

Why I picked it:

It had a beautiful cover, and the summary was truly interesting.

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

On her trip to the imperial palace to marry the Emperor’s son, Mariko is the one who survives a severe attack. Left with essentially nothing in a strange, magical forest, she assumes the identity of a peasant boy . . . and then falls in love with someone she shouldn’t.

Swoon Factor:

3 - "Cute and Cozy" - Sweet moments like hand-holding, blushing, or a first kiss. The romance is warm and heart-fluttering but still innocent and light.

Rating my choice:

4 - "I'm Hooked" - I couldn't put it down. The book is exciting, emotional, or meaningful, and I'm fully invested in what happens next.

My take on this book:

Overall, it was an excellent read. The pacing was a little difficult for me to get into at first, but once it got going, I didn’t want to put it down. The novel ended with a compelling cliffhanger, so be sure to have the sequel on hand!