Reviews

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

allivenger's review

4.0

Karou is just like any other girl her age: she goes to art school, avoids her ex boyfriend who is still somehow hung up on her, and collects teeth for a demon in her spare time. Ok, so Karou is not like the other girls at all. She is actually quite beautifully written and unique and the world itself is beautifully written and vibrant.

Karou was adopted by a young age by a random cast of characters straight out of nightmares. But she is kept apart from the inner workings of the world around her, only given access to certain things her whole life. But when she follow's her father figure through a door she shouldn't she is cast out and unable to return to those she loves. Thus starts her quest to get them back by tracking down "wishes" in order to open the gates that are now closed.

But nothing is as it seems. Right in the middle of this is the angel Akiva, one of the beings responsible for the gates being closed. Karou is now in the middle of a millennia old battle between good and evil and the lines between the two are so skewed it makes your wonder who the real villain here is.

The second half of the book giving us answers to questions Karou has been asking since her birth was lovely as well. You got a bigger dive into the world itself and the past atrocities both sides have committed in the name of winning the war. I can't wait to read the second book and see what it has in store for Karou and Akiva.

phoenix2's review

2.0

One thing I like about Laini Taylor is that she can write impressive, complex worlds with interesting and mesmerizing mythologies. However, also, I wouldn't say I like the actual stories.

So, with Daughter of Smoke and Bone, the story didn't really impress me. The pace and timeline didn't work to its advantage, and the love story was boring. There were a lot of cringe, eye-rolling moments as well.

On the other hand, the whole angel-monster universe was unique and enjoyable. If the story was more about their war, things would have been different... The setting of the story was spot on as well.

mintyminthy's review

5.0

GOOD FREAKING BOOK. i am on the second one in the series and i am so into it

nicola_95's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

sonibookoroni's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I think my new favorite thing is going into books blind. This was such a fun ride, and the writing is, absolutely phenomenal. So rich and beautiful and deep and evocative. This is my first Laini Taylor, but most definitely not my last. Karou is a blue hair girl artfully living in two worlds and hiding the truth of one of them in plain site. Before she knew it she’s thrown (literally, and figuratively) out into the cold dead, middle of a war she knew nothing of, with a wishbone granting more than the wishes she helped Brimstone harvest teeth for. Doors become portals to places both full of pleasure and unexpected pain, magical adventures and like any good fantasy, fated love that cannot possible survive. I love Zuzana, may we all have one of her and grow many of her. 

I really look forward to the second installment, after some time healing of course, really hoping my #teamakiva heart will be mended. . 

Happy reading! 

kla_something's review against another edition

5.0

Magical!

jupiterlee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

emmasalas_7's review

4.0

4.5 stars

sumayyaha's review against another edition

3.0

In all fairness I went into this book not expecting much. It seemed like your typical fantasy romance novel adored by your average teen girl. And, well, I wasn't wrong. The romance felt thin. What I mean by that is it was there, all the love and adoration, the attraction all of it but there was no rhyme of reason. No attractive quality was even there besides a poignant sexual attraction. Even when it was explained later I felt the same, that it was just there, not really to be questioned. The character's ambitions so to speak were too valiant and chivalrous for my taste, especially since nothing actually happened with them. Although I will give it that since it's only the first book more can be expected in the later novels. Anyway, I suppose I like my characters to have more complexity instead of throwing fancy words at the reader to make it seem like it is so. Their personalities and ambitions fell flat, as it has been done many times before and this was not much different. Two star crossed lovers fall in love and against all odds they want to restore peace. If I had known that I wouldn't have picked it up. Oh well, you get what you came for. I will say this though, it is a great time passer especially since there is so much drama and things happen left and right after the first 1/4 of it I'd say. I definitely feel like the main characters come from some 2013 emo movie though.

yodamom's review

5.0

Audio- Nothing in this was what I expected. I could not predict anything, a rarity. The author took me to a world of angels, magics and mixed animal beings that took my breath away. An amazing multileveled mystery that starts with teeth and ends with the backlash of an ancient war. The characters are strong, week and even humbling. It's just a beautifully written story not to be missed. The ending left me hanging and hoping. I have to have the next book