Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh 
 -5/5 Stars- 
 If you haven't preordered this book, you definitely should. 
 Flame in the Mist went above my expectations, I couldn't help but be pulled into its world. I loved the characters, the plot, and the fantastic world-building! 
 The Good: 
 -The characters! I was expecting Mariko to be one of the "I grew up sheltered/rich/whatever but still somehow magically posess infinite skills with little to no training," and she ACTUALLY WASN'T. THANK YOU RENEE AHDIEH. Mariko did grow up very sheltered, and she doesn't have any of the skills many of the other characters posess (going to try and avoid any spoilers here sorry for the awkward phrasing), like lighting a fire or holding a sword. She also develops so much as a character (view spoiler)[ she goes from being ignorant but seeing herself as super-smart and perceptive, to understanding her flaws and all the things she was ignorant of without losing her confidence (hide spoiler)] . No male character goes head-over-heels in insta-love for Mariko, and she doesn't either. YAYAYYAYAY! Also, no male characters whose sole purpose is to be attractive. (view spoiler)[ It was also nice that Okami wasn't the perfect, over-protective, attractive, one-dimensional love interest. He had his own character, his own flaws, and I honestly loved that both him and Mariko were assholes to each other at several points. Also, no love triangle! (hide spoiler)] 
 - Romance was not the main plot point and never even came close to taking over the book. Enough said. 
 -The plot..... I would like the sequel right now please thanks 
 The Not-So-Good: 
 - I did have one problem with this book, and that was Ranmaru. Now don't get me wrong, I liked him as a character, but (view spoiler)[ again with the ridiculously young military leader thing again? ugh. (hide spoiler)]. 
 Overall a solid five stars, and I will most certainly be reading the sequel. 
 PS I like the cover :)