A review by shoni
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

This time I made the mistake of not having the third book on hand when I finished. I honestly am just in awe and shock at everything. Laini truly created a world full of monsters and angels and somehow neither is fully bad or good. Which I appreciate. While reading I just kept hoping for Karou and Akiva to just talk it out because they are fighting for the same thing I get why they had their own journey separated from each other. They needed to see that there is good as there is bad in their people. Needed to learn and grow apart from each other while knowing the other is still alive and okay. Doesn’t mean I wasn’t frustrated with their constant longing. They both are pulled towards each other but won’t just admit it! 

Seeing how in the second book we see the aftermath of the war and the chimeras not giving up was great. It made it clear that the first book was an introduction to the world. So the reader wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the craziness that all occurs in the second book. It felt like we weren’t being rushed to take action but go at it slowly till they had their strengths. Though as I kept hoping Karou would realize sooner that Thiago was just using her. It took way too long for her to realize and by then things have already escalated too much. Though she needed that. Karou even before was hidden from the worst of the worst of the war and the people. She needed to see it for herself. Their character development was just done so well and not forced. Showing how a war could change someone. 

And honestly, Zuzana stole the show. I said it before and it stays true now. She’s the best. She brought such a nice relief to the dark tone of the book and brough Karou some hope herself. Plus everything about Zuzana is just amazing, and her relationship with Mik was so cute. They truly show that when you love someone they are willing to go through tasks for you. Honestly Zuzana, Mik, and Karou are such a great trio I need more. 

So much can still happen and as there is an entire book still to go I wonder how the human world will react to it all. Honestly so much can happen and if any of the main people get hurt imma riot. I will not accept it and will fight.

though I'm curious if Karou and Akiva will figure things out as now they're on the same side. And what happened between the last chapter and the epilogue? Does the epilouge with that longing look mean they understand each other? Did Karou tell Akiva that the wolf isn't the wolf but Ziri?! I have to many questions that need to be answered now.