Get In On The Magic Of ‘Daughter Of Smoke And Bone’: A Captivating Review
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Like all readers there is a list of books that are in my do I read this? Or do I just unhaul it? stack. And for me, one of the books that is squarely in that pile is Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I own multiple copies of it, from the standard edition to a Litjoy special edition with silver foiled edges. And if this isn’t persuasive let me just say that among that stack of Daughter of Smoke in Bone is the original covers with the feathers!
On the one hand Daughter of Smoke and Bone sounded like the perfect atmospheric read. Something with great detailed world-building and if the commentary is correct on Laini Taylor’s writing style, then smooth lyrical prose. All of this does appeal to my senses. But I must admit there was a block on my brain when it came to this trilogy. Since I pulled it from my TBR box of wonders the universe was shouting at me that it was time to read it.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone Synopsis
In cities across the globe, strange phenomena are stirring whispers of the extraordinary. Black handprints adorn doorways, left by ethereal beings who slip through celestial cracks. Meanwhile, in the shadowed recesses of a quaint shop, a dwindling supply of human teeth hints at darker dealings. Amidst the cobblestone streets of Prague, a young artist named Karou finds herself on the precipice of an otherworldly conflict.
Karou is no ordinary girl. Her sketchbooks overflow with creatures both fantastical and unsettling, and her wanderings often lead her on enigmatic journeys. Multilingual and adorned with vibrant blue locks, she is a puzzle unto herself, haunted by the mystery of her own identity.
“Once upon a time, an Angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well.”
When Karou’s path crosses with the enigmatic Akiva in the alleys of Marrakesh, their encounter sparks a chain reaction of blood and stardust. Secrets unfurl, and amidst the tumultuous dance of their fates, love blossoms with roots anchored in a turbulent history. But as Karou delves deeper into her past, she grapples with the possibility of uncovering truths that could reshape her world forever.
Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: Paranormal, YA Fantasy
Star Rating: 4.5 stars
Spice Rating: 0 chili peppers
Tropes: Forbidden Romance, Angels and Devils, Enemies to Lovers
Daughter of Smoke and Bone Thoughts Unfold…
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy starts with a book of the same name. When the story opens we are introduced to Karou an art student living in Prague. To say the least, Karou is a mysterious girl with striking blue hair. Tattoos covering her body (including a pair of Hamas on her hands) and origins that no one truly knows about including Karou.
What Karou does know is that the only family she has known is chimera (human-beast mashups) and that her “father” has her trekking the world to look for teeth. When burned palm prints show up on the portal doors connecting Karou’s “human” world with her magical family, things start to unravel.
To put it mildly, Daughter of Smoke and Bone was an excellent read. While not always what I thought it would be, it goes without saying that Laini Taylor’s writing is beautiful. It has a whimsical quality, morphing the story into something all its own. While still fitting squarely into the fantasy mythology category.
But Daughter of Smoke and Bone isn’t just about the lore of the story. It is about the love that you experience, truth and prejudices, and life and its hardships. Is this a story of angels and demons? Yes and no. Yes in the classic sense that there is good and evil but it is a story turned on its head. The angels are the ones with the fire instead of the demons. It adds a flair to the story that you won’t know you needed. Again, uniquely it’s own.
Once upon a time,
a little girl was raised by monsters.
But angels burned the doorways to their world,
and she was all alone.
The initial glimpse into the magic system within Daughter of Smoke and Bone is undeniably captivating, sparking a profound curiosity within me. The concept of wishes stemming from harvested teeth, coupled with the mystery surrounding Brimstone’s necessity for them, intrigued me deeply. Little did I anticipate the eventual revelation of their purpose!
Yet, above all, my connection to Karou blossomed during these initial chapters. Her vibrant personality leapt off the pages, fully fleshed-out and instantly endearing. I found myself deeply invested in her journey, caring deeply about her well-being and eagerly anticipating the next part that lay ahead.
Laini Taylor is a master when it comes to showing us not telling us. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is well-paced because of this. Taylor’s writing is beautiful and has a whimsical quality to it while being slightly on the darker side. Taylor carries you through all of Karou’s emotions, her doubts about herself, and the questioning of who she is and where she comes from and it is wonderful to see.
The plot of the story would be categorized as a complete mindfuck. We are taken around with Karou and she adventures through the world. With major twists as if you are reading a thriller. Taylor writes in a way that makes you think. Understanding the world and Karou on a deeper level. By the end of the story things that happened initially are explained. Adding closure to the things that you forgot about.
SNAP
Such a little thing, brittle, and the sound it made: a sharp, clean snap.
WHOLE
She was whole.
Then there is Akiva. He is mythic and beautiful. With wings of literal fire, and honeyed eyes. While it does feel like Karou and Akiva’s connection feels “insta lovey” it makes sense when explained. Adding nuance to their epic love.
In contrast, parts of the story do feel disjointed. Jumping around, feeling like you are losing the flow of the story. Karou will be flying through a tear in the sky and you turn the page and she’ll be in a taxi. Most times this isn’t a bother. But certain instances like the example mentioned it is annoying, to put it mildly.
Overall, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a story that you won’t want to end. It completely lives up to the hype. If you haven’t read this and are considering it DO NOT PUT IT OFF. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is bursting with beautiful brilliant writing. Imagery that will vividly be displayed in your mind’s eye and is an extremely original tale. Add it to your TBR!
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