Stephanie's Review of Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)

by Laini Taylor

Errand requiring immediate attention. Come.

The note was on vellum, pierced by the talons of the almost-crow that delivered it. Karou read the message. 'He never says please', she sighed, but she gathered up her things.

When Brimstone called, she always came.

In general, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she's a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in 'Elsewhere', she has never understood Brimstone's dark work - buying teeth from hunters and murderers - nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn't whole.

Now the doors to Elsewhere are closing, and Karou must choose between the safety of her human life and the dangers of a war-ravaged world that may hold the answers she has always sought.

This review was originally posted on Once Upon a Chapter

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor is one of those books that everyone claims is one of the best books in the universe. And it is. What they don't tell you is that it takes time to appreciate it. What they don't tell you is that it is so confusing until all of a sudden it's not anymore.

Karou is living the life that most older teenage girls would love. She's got her own apartment, attends art school, has an amazing best friend, and an endless supply of small wishes. I really don't want to get into too much of the plot because I think it's more valuable for you to discover it all for yourself.

What I do want to discuss is Taylor's amazing skill as a wordsmith. She blends reality and fantasy so well, not only do you truly want to believe it, if you close your eyes, you can almost hear Brimstone's deep voice. You can certainly feel all of the emotions running through Karou and Akiva. I've never had more clear visions of a foreign country than I have Prague. It sounds beautiful!

I am very much excited to continue reading this series!

Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)

by Laini Taylor

Reviewed by Stephanie on Mar 14, 2015

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