A review by shoni
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I just finished and have the second book just staring at me waiting for me to pick it up. I knew going in I would fall in love with the world as Laini Taylor creates such beautiful words and visuals that you can’t help but fall in love with. I loved the little separation for each section of what is the main topic but also tell the story of Karou’s life in small ways. I love that this first book focuses on finding out who Karou is while there is this underlying greater plot of why handprints were on the doors and while Karou is the way she is. It makes for a good first book in the series to establish the character really well. By the end you not only know her but understand all her choices and why she is the way she is. Whereas with a lot of first books in a series by jumping in straight into the conflict here we grow to understand it just as the character herself.

While it did go back and forth a lot from POV and time it was done in such a way that it worked and didn’t give anything away so the story could progress naturally. Just always revealing just enough information to keep you curious but not enough to give all the information all at once. And by using some classic tropes with their own spin it created such a unique story that fulfills the classic tropes used but also changes them enough that they stand out. That it isn’t the same thing over and over again. It makes you unsure if it will work, it makes you wonder if it will follow the same basic plot of having things work out. 

I did find it interesting how this first book was heavily based on romance, which in a sense makes sense. Karou wants to find out who she is, what she is. And when she found someone that makes me feel a little less alone it makes sense that she would try to stick by that feeling. Though I do hope in the second I see more of the world and the other issues that we were left off with. As I am so curious what this otherworld looks like. As for the idea that “heaven” and “hell” is essentially its own world/planet  I find such an interesting concept and honestly love it. 

Honestly, I can’t think of much knowing I have the second copy right now waiting so let's dive into that and see what happens.