Take a photo of a barcode or cover
elfduchess 's review for:
Daughter of Smoke & Bone
by Laini Taylor
Sometimes you start reading a book, not really expecting to like it, but out of an unnamed desperation - wanting something new, something different and, yes indeed-y, begging for a strong woman in a sea of pantywaists (let it be known, I have more of a problem with mental pantywaists than physical pantywaists) you find the book. The book that everyone you know has already read and loved and you are left sitting there scratching your head wondering why it took you so long to pick it up.
What? No, you mean that's just me?
Well, anywho, this book is not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting typical: super special snowflake of a teenaged girl gets drawn into a world of angels and demons and teeth. Okay, honestly, I wasn't expecting the teeth, either. (Who would?)
Against all odds - including choosing to read this at a time that I felt I wouldn't much enjoy anything - I really liked this book. It was different and unexpected and kind of like two stories in one. And I love Karou. Akiva I had slight problems with - he was probably the most problematic character in the book for me, really - but Karou? Love her.
I will say that this book is very much the first in a trilogy. It spends a lot of time setting up the characters and informing you of their backstories. (And, let me tell you, there are some beautiful characters here. I find myself especially fond of Brimstone.) The book ends at a natural place and, in fact, a place that I long suspected it would end at. (I am very hopeful that the second in the series will feature more fighting.)
Now, I'll leave you with what is probably my favorite quote in the book.
"Have you ever asked yourself, do monsters make war, or does war make monsters? I've seen things, angel. There are guerrilla armies that make little boys kill their own families. Such acts rip out the soul and make space for beasts to grow inside. Armies need beasts, don't they? Pet beasts, to do their terrible work! And the worst is, it's almost impossible to retrieve a soul that's been ripped away. Almost. But it can be done, if ever…if ever you decide to go looking for yours."
What? No, you mean that's just me?
Well, anywho, this book is not at all what I was expecting. I was expecting typical: super special snowflake of a teenaged girl gets drawn into a world of angels and demons and teeth. Okay, honestly, I wasn't expecting the teeth, either. (Who would?)
Against all odds - including choosing to read this at a time that I felt I wouldn't much enjoy anything - I really liked this book. It was different and unexpected and kind of like two stories in one. And I love Karou. Akiva I had slight problems with - he was probably the most problematic character in the book for me, really - but Karou? Love her.
I will say that this book is very much the first in a trilogy. It spends a lot of time setting up the characters and informing you of their backstories. (And, let me tell you, there are some beautiful characters here. I find myself especially fond of Brimstone.) The book ends at a natural place and, in fact, a place that I long suspected it would end at. (I am very hopeful that the second in the series will feature more fighting.)
Now, I'll leave you with what is probably my favorite quote in the book.
"Have you ever asked yourself, do monsters make war, or does war make monsters? I've seen things, angel. There are guerrilla armies that make little boys kill their own families. Such acts rip out the soul and make space for beasts to grow inside. Armies need beasts, don't they? Pet beasts, to do their terrible work! And the worst is, it's almost impossible to retrieve a soul that's been ripped away. Almost. But it can be done, if ever…if ever you decide to go looking for yours."