Before I start this review I think I need to say that Mulan is my favourite movie ever and I apologise if the references get a bit out of hand. Now, if you have heard anything about this book it is probably that it's Mulan inspired. I found that aspect quite clear with Mariko, our main character, as her and Mulan have similar personality traits and experiences. They are both strong women who are objectified and judged on conformity to make their family proud, through marriage. Both women face their enemies by using intelligence as a weapon over brute force (I'm thinking here when Mulan causes an avalanche with the last remaining rocket rather than shooting it at a smaller group of enemies). Also, they both cut their hair and dress as a man in order to be accepted.

"Mariko removed the jade bar from the last ring of hair at her crown. The black tangles tumbled around her shoulders, unfurling to her waist in a fall of scented ebony. She gathered her hair in one hand, near the nape of her neck.
Later she would marvel at how she did not hesitate. Not even for an instant.
Mariko sliced through the gathered strands in one blow."

The similarities continue as the plot continues, however, don't take this to mean that there is no originality at all. The issue of sexism is more openly talked about as we are privy to Mariko's thoughts. We are led to bristle alongside her whenever she is explicitly being treated differently due to her sex. Furthermore, Mariko's story is more complicated than Mulan's, as she is forced to choose between family and others. This is then complicated by side stories full of betrayal and corruption. Adhieh has taken inspiration from Mulan and added layers of complexity, depth, and mystery, which sucked me in completely.

Now, I am a self-proclaimed romantic and boy the romance in this novel is just the right amount of steamy. When I was attempting, very badly, to describe the romance in my instagram stories (click here for a shameless plug) I said something along the lines of, "it was like steamy, but not painful steamy, but like nice steamy when you want to cleanse your face." Like I said, very badly. I can't say too much without spoiling it but I wasn't expecting to reach half way in the novel and then discover myself in the middle of such a beautiful romance where Mariko's purpose was not overshadowed by a man (I mean that would be ironic considering Adieh's message). Side note, if you ask me who my biggest movie crush is, I will, without a doubt say Li Shang. I mean...

The last positive I want to mention about this novel is that I feel as though Ahdieh's writing, since her previous Wrath and the Dawn duology, has greatly improved (I gave the duology an average of 7.5/10). In her previous work, I found myself jarring against a few passages and became a bit sleepy in parts. However, in Flame in the Mist, I greatly appreciated the increased pace of the novel and was unable to put it down. But why didn't I give it 10/10?

There are two reasons why I didn't give this novel 10/10. First of all, as much as I loved Ahdieh's writing, I found myself guessing some of the characters’ physical descriptions. Although I could easily build a mental picture of the setting and scenery, I found that some of the characters still had blank faces and were slightly 2D. I could draw some conclusions, such as ethnic features seeing as this novel is set in feudal era Japan, however I was afraid that my visualisations where based on stereotypes and wished that physical features were more explicitly described.

Secondly, I got confused at the end. The names all kind of mushed together when all the plot twisty parts were revealed. So, my advice to any intrepid readers out there, when you start the novel make sure you have all the characters straight in your mind.

Overall, I adore this book and recommend it to anyone who likes strong women going against societal norms, healthy romances, action, a fast pace, and a little bit of mystery.