Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
Hardcover, US
418 pages
Published September 27th 2011
by Little, Brown & Company Thoughts:
A spectacular story about starcrossed lovers ala Romeo and Juliet between an angel and a devil. A devil? Yup you heard me right. I’ve read many positive reviews about this one and the story really is beyond my greatest expectation. I was expecting a typical cool kick ass chick but wow. And I really mean..wow! Karou is not your average run of the mill angsty teenager. Instead she’s a blue haired art student in Prague who was raised by four chimaeras.
Likes:The setting. Prague oh Prague! I can just picture its beauty by the writer’s vivid description. Thank you for making a book setting that is actually located outside the US. And Europe just sounds so dreamy!
Characters. How can I say this without sounding of like an obsessed fangirl? Karou is cool! She can speak many languages even devil tongue, she’s a talented sketcher, martial artist expert and a faithful friend. But I love the four chimaeras the most. Issa; the snake lady, Twiga; the giraffe necked, Yasri; the bird hybrid and of course wise and loving Brimstone with his great ram’s horns. And not forgetting our out of this world gorgeous angel; Akiva. Swoon.
Dislikes:Well except for Karou’s annoying ex-boyfriend; Kaz and the scary war general; Thiago, I like every aspect of this book. Really even Karou’s petite best friend; Zuzana is funny. Okay so maybe I have some issues with the cover. It’s too damn simple. Feature some scary or beautiful monster in front instead.
The cliff hanger ending left me breathless. Seriously, my eyes went all watery reading about the really sad parts between the lovers. Okay, I’m trying really hard not to include any spoilers in this review but gosh I had these vivid images of the movie Underworld while reading this. This is how a love story with angels should be written. Tragic but at the same time action packed and with a twist. Kudos to Laini Taylor for not making an angel love story a bore!
Verdict: 5 stars!
I loved this book SO much! We did it for the Fall Book Club with Words On Paper, and I absolutely devoured it, it was that good =) I agree with you on the Prague setting - so unique and gave the book so much more atmosphere than if it had been set in the USA. Glad you enjoyed it too!
ReplyDeleteI've got this book coming to me in the post. I really can't wait to get my hands on it, especially when I read reviews like this one!! =D
ReplyDeleteI love this book so much! The writing and imagery are so beautiful, magical, and simply fantastic. I really love Karou and how kickass she is. Her family is so important to her that she's willing to do anything to get to them. I love the romance in the book, too! It was so heartbreaking to see what happened in the end. I can't wait for the next book!
ReplyDeleteI know I enjoyed this one a lot. Will be voting for Karou in the Heroine Tourney. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to read this. I'm feeling that it won't fail me. :) Good review!
ReplyDeletefranchie15_nina@yahoo.com
I have heard such amazing things about this book. I love when an author is able to describe a place so vividly that you feel as though you can see it. I really need to get myself a copy of this book.
ReplyDeletethis sounds great.
ReplyDeletethe cover does intrigues, yes?
=)
I just got this book and I can't wait to start it! I love the cover!!
ReplyDeleteThis is also one of my favorites of the year. I also loved the setting but I really do like the cover. I LOVED Karou's family of chimaeras. OK, I basically love this whole book - can't wait for the sequel! :)
ReplyDeleteit seems like a great book. It's on my wishlist now
ReplyDeletethis is one of my favourite books lately!
ReplyDeletei still reading it, its so good!
thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the review. Now I can't wait to read this book. :D
ReplyDeleteI didn't fall in love with this book like everyone else did but I thought the setting was beautiful. I also LOVED Madrigal. I'm reading a book now called Angelfall that is reminding me of it a bit. I think it's the great world building and feel.
ReplyDelete- Steph @ The Night Bookmobile
This was my FAVORITE book of 2011. I love it SO SO SO much. I agree completely: this is how an angel love story should be. :) Tragic and intense. I am dying for book 2, as I am sure you are as well!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea this book was even about angels! Thanks for the great review. I will have to pick it up and take my own little imaginary trip to Prague:)
ReplyDeleteI have been going back and forth about wanting to read this book..but you just sent me over the edge! I will soo be searching out a copy! But I do agree the cover stinks..which I think is part of the reason I have been on the edge..which goes to show that I do what I shouldn't and judge a book by its cover! :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this yet, but I do have sat on my shelf waiting. I have the gorgeous purple feather cover :-)great review!
ReplyDeleteoh wow, this is on my list to read..thanks for the review. Made me want to read even more.
ReplyDeleteLatoya
Haven't read this but I'm planning to! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteOooh it does sound promising!
ReplyDeleteI've already got this on my TBR shelf but haven't gotten round to reading it yet. I can't wait to though! Thanks for the great review!
Thanks for the review! Sounds like a great book! Putting it on my TBR list :)
ReplyDeleteI love Prague, too. And I think the cover is good. Yeah, it's simple, but has this coolness, that I like :)
I just finished this last night, and I was also left stunned with the ending. I can't wait until the next one is released.
ReplyDeleteI was dissapointed. Writing was very good, but the story could be better...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this book. I'm not much of a sci-fi reader but i was pleasantly surprised with this book. It sucked me in from the first page & i could not stop til the last. I'm hoping that there will be another installment because the ending left me wanting more!
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