I hardly know where to begin with this review. I read Daughter Of Smoke And Bone because Carla had talked it up and I trust her recommendations unequivocally. Y’all, I was swept away by Laini Taylor’s scrumptious prose. Imagine if Sarah Addison Allen wrote paranormal YA, and you would have Daughter of Smoke And Bone, which on top of being a page turner, is beautifully written.
Daughter Of Smoke And Bone
Karou is a blue-haired art student living in gorgeous Prague. Yet, she is no ordinary girl. You see, she was raised by chimaera – creatures with human and animal aspects. She runs errands for foster father Brimstone, a sorcerer who pays Karou in wishes. Yet, Karou feels empty on the inside. She does not know who she truly is. As her identity is pieced together, it’s as though a spell is woven over the reader.
“The wind carried the memory of magic, revolution, violins and the cobbled lanes meandered like creeks.” – pg. 25 ARC
The worldbuilding in Daughter Of Smoke And Bone is to die for. I could believe in Brimstone’s portals, located all over the world. I could picture Prague, modern and ancient at the same time. I could see Eretz, a land torn apart by war. You see, Taylor’s book takes place in both our world, and an imaginary world where angels and devils have fought for centuries, and it seems will never stop fighting.
Further, Prague is not the only sexy thing about Daughter Of Smoke And Bone. You see, there is love depicted in this book, but instead of falling into the creepy trap, it falls into a place of sighs. I say that because I couldn’t read this without feeling something. I couldn’t read without being swept away by the forbidden romance which traverses SO MUCH. We see a relationship develop against all odds. And there is kissing and attraction and magic. Yet we do not see a love triangle, HALLELUJAH!
Yet, this book is far from sunshine and daisies. There is legitimate tragedy and sacrifice. None of the characters get off easy. They have to make actual hard choices. And that ending, what a way to just rip the reader’s heart apart.
Laini Taylor takes what passes for angel fiction to a whole new level. There was never a point where I was like ‘gross’ or ‘holy crap is this book over yet‘ or ‘why does this bish think she has any feminist sensibilities‘. And frankly, I love that Taylor has taken what is typically terribly written and turned it into something AMAZING. I love this whole concept. This whole battle of good and evil that may not be so black and white. I love that there are consequences for the characters. I love that this does not sacrifice writing for action and vice versa. I love that I have a true sense of Karou, her friends, and Akiva, her love interest.
I will actively seek out more by Laini Taylor as I am stunned by her writing in Daughter Of Smoke And Bone. This is definitely a favorite of my 2011 reading thus far.
Disclosure: Received for review at Book Expo America.
Other Reviews of Daughter Of Smoke And Bone by Laini Taylor:
I Eat Words
Books I Done ReadÂ
Fantasy Book Cafe
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Sounds amazing-this was already on my list but I didn’t know much about it. I’m definitely interesting in exploring more angel books.
Yes, yes! I loved this one. Definitely a favorite of 2011. Did you see my review?
I totally LITERALLY just finished reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone and it was just…it was basically a perfect book. That’s the only way I can put it!
Never heard of this title or the author. I shall definitely be keeping an eye open now, though. Thanks for the review!
Wow, this book truly does sound amazing! Just that small quote you added made me want to read it. I can’t wait for it to be released now. Great review 🙂
This sounds fantastic! My friend sent me an ARC of this & the Angel fiction was a bit off putting, but now I’m excited!! I’ll have to get it read soon! 😀
are you for series? decent angel YA with no love triangle, amazing world building AND gray areas? YES PLEASE. solid review, per usual.
Yes, precisely, what you said, this is an amazing book! It’s also one of my favorites of 2011. Laini Taylor writes beautifully, and I thought she really did everything else well too – world and mythology/background, characters, plot, dialogue, and even some humorous scenes/conversations.
Oh my gosh, I loved this book too. I just finished it last week and it’s definitely a favorite of the year. You used a word that I kept thinking of while I was reading – stunning. The prose and the story both stunned me with their beauty. Nice review. 🙂
Really looking forward to reading this one! I read Lips Touch a couple of weeks ago and fell in love with Laini Taylor’s writing. I have a feeling this one will end up in my favorites for this year as well. September can’t come soon enough – Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Lola and the Boy Next Door will both be released next month!
I’m so glad to see this novel is living up to its glowing reviews. I’ve been thinking really critically about reviews a lot lately, and why I prefer some reviewers over others. This was such an articulately-written interpretation of exactly why you enjoyed this novel. I’m tired of reading, “Well, I LOVED IT but can’t say much about it because I don’t want to give it away but OMG READ THIS NOW PLEASE.” I love reading how a novel affected someone, and I know that you don’t have to explain an entire story in order to share this information, you know? Anyways, solid review. I’ll definitely be reading this one. =)
I wasn’t familiar with this book but your review makes it sound amazing! I like reading books set in Prague so there is a plus in its favor right away and the writing style and romance also sound promising. If this is your favorite book read of 2011 then I will have to give it a try. Thanks for your review!
Oooh. You had me at Sarah Addison Allen, Prague and chimaera. I’m curious.
I LOVED this book as well! So freaking good.
I like the idea of Prague. I like the idea of NO romantic triangle. I love the cover. Very nice thoughts too, by the way. You would have sold me on that book even if it wasn’t on my TBR already.
Wow, how could I not pick this up now. P.S. Though I read Carla’s review too, you had me at Sarah Addison Allen goes paranormal. Love it!
WORD!!! I’m not even going to write a review for this one, i’m just going to be like, go read Aprils review because THATS HOW I FEEL.
I came to seek this out after your comment on my last IMM. I did read it! I loved it sooo much. I wrote my review already, but I”m waiting to post it.. because I am making a little Sim Trailer for it.. I want to wait to post when I’m finished with it.
I finished this book two weeks ago. I still can’t get it out of my hand.
“As her identity is pieced together, it’s as though a spell is woven over the reader.” <——- this! Exactly. I love how everything fits together as you go.
DoSaB is seriously one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read.. I read a borrowed copy, so you bet I'll be buying my own for my shelf.
LOVE LOVE LOVE.. I can't even comment properly I'm so in love with it.