I'm giving this one a solid four. I liked it but compared to Ahdieh's The Wrath and the Dawn series it just pales in comparison. Mariko is a complex character, but in some way's just too complex. She just didn't really connect with me. 
 Plus her attitude about some things in this book is just so laughable it's painful. However, the story was intriguing enough that I found myself not bored in the slightest. There are definitely Mulan vibes going on in this story and that's part of what kept me entertained just comparing Mariko to Mulan. 
 I liked the tiny bits of romance in this novel, it wasn't overdone but the ending just was not fair. Too much of a cliff hanger for me. 
 So in conclusion, Ahdieh's Flame in the Mist pales in comparison to the Wrath and the Dawn. Mariko as a character is difficult to connect to and I feel like she could have been developed just a bit more. It's a good novel, just not a great one.