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jhollebrands's review against another edition
4.0
I can't think of the last time I read a good urban fantasy! Usually I will read twilight or cassandra clare type books where it's just a fun, easy read but objectively the story and writing aren't very good.
This book was pretty good! I'd recommend it.
This book was pretty good! I'd recommend it.
kanncarlson's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this book after [b:Strange the Dreamer|28449207|Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519915549s/28449207.jpg|48158509] found a special place in my heart mostly because of what was going on in my life when I read it (Oh and the descriptions of the library...man I love that made up place!) I am not usually a science fiction/fantasy girl. I find that it's hard for me to keep up with all the different creatures and worlds. However, Taylor does it in a way that I find enjoyable.
This book tells the story of an odd teenager living in Prague, living two different lives and one of those is in a completely different world. The girl isn't quite sure who she is, where she came from or why she's straddling two different existences. Some things happen and she ends up with answers to some of those questions one of which is that she belongs to a people who have been in a long war with another race. Enter the love interest and, of course, he's from the other race. A spin on Romeo & Juliet involving angels, devils and magic ensues.
I do feel like this book read as pretty YA. However, it was a good read for me because it took my mind to a completely different place during a pretty stressful time at work. I also feel like sometimes Taylor can get a little overly flowery with her language but underneath that idea...I enjoy the flow and occasional excess in her writing. I'll certainly be finishing the rest of the series and keeping up with Taylor's work.
This book tells the story of an odd teenager living in Prague, living two different lives and one of those is in a completely different world. The girl isn't quite sure who she is, where she came from or why she's straddling two different existences. Some things happen and she ends up with answers to some of those questions one of which is that she belongs to a people who have been in a long war with another race. Enter the love interest and, of course, he's from the other race. A spin on Romeo & Juliet involving angels, devils and magic ensues.
I do feel like this book read as pretty YA. However, it was a good read for me because it took my mind to a completely different place during a pretty stressful time at work. I also feel like sometimes Taylor can get a little overly flowery with her language but underneath that idea...I enjoy the flow and occasional excess in her writing. I'll certainly be finishing the rest of the series and keeping up with Taylor's work.
ltaylorv5's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't even read this book but it will not allow me to unrate it sooooo
thetogaparty22's review against another edition
5.0
edit 2: i can't believe that past me gave this book 4.5 stars, what a dumb bitch
Edit: I reread this with Hannah, because it has been a year since we became friends and this is the series that made us talk to each other LOL (we are super extra). The reread made me love this even more, and I am now rating this five stars because it is just amazing. Laini Taylor's writing forever amazes me and leaves me shook.
4.5
What is this series OMG
Edit: I reread this with Hannah, because it has been a year since we became friends and this is the series that made us talk to each other LOL (we are super extra). The reread made me love this even more, and I am now rating this five stars because it is just amazing. Laini Taylor's writing forever amazes me and leaves me shook.
4.5
What is this series OMG
amiascah's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Too many emotions, thoughts and feelings for this book, not sure how I'll sum it up.
'Daughter of Smoke & Bone' is Laini Taylor's first book in her series of the same name. In the first part of the book we follow Karou, a regular art student in Prague. That is if regular is someone who grew up the ward of a 'wishmonger', runs odd errands for him, including collecting teeth, has blue hair that grows out of her head, speaks more languages than can count, including some non human ones. Life is what it is for her until one day some winged person is burning black hand prints on doorways. When Karou meets Akvia we are transported to another tale, another person and another world. In Akvia's past we meet Madrigal. From her we learn of good vs evil, angels vs demons and the truth about Karou.
spoilers
I have no idea where to start. I listened to the audiobook, it was slow to start but then you get invested in Karou and her life is interesting, you want to know more about Brimstone, what's with the teeth. Then it got confusing, did I miss something? Suddenly theres an angel running around, and the mysterious tattoos she's always had on her hands hurt him so obviously they have to be enemies. right? When we switch to Madrigal's point of view I found it confusing because the time line didnt stay linear. There was too much bouncing around for me. And I found some of them lacking in entertainment. There was a bit too much internal talking, explaining and not enough doing and seeing as Madrigal for me. And then theres the insta-love, with bitter enemies they have been raised to hate, I didnt feel plausible to me. Then once they meet and with zero reason they have to be together and start doing things no one does. The dance scene that Akavi sneaks into, that he would have been murdered if he was found out. I felt kinda checked out from it, it lost my interest.
I will probably listen to book two to see if it was me and not the book that was off.
'Daughter of Smoke & Bone' is Laini Taylor's first book in her series of the same name. In the first part of the book we follow Karou, a regular art student in Prague. That is if regular is someone who grew up the ward of a 'wishmonger', runs odd errands for him, including collecting teeth, has blue hair that grows out of her head, speaks more languages than can count, including some non human ones. Life is what it is for her until one day some winged person is burning black hand prints on doorways. When Karou meets Akvia we are transported to another tale, another person and another world. In Akvia's past we meet Madrigal. From her we learn of good vs evil, angels vs demons and the truth about Karou.
spoilers
I have no idea where to start. I listened to the audiobook, it was slow to start but then you get invested in Karou and her life is interesting, you want to know more about Brimstone, what's with the teeth. Then it got confusing, did I miss something? Suddenly theres an angel running around, and the mysterious tattoos she's always had on her hands hurt him so obviously they have to be enemies. right? When we switch to Madrigal's point of view I found it confusing because the time line didnt stay linear. There was too much bouncing around for me. And I found some of them lacking in entertainment. There was a bit too much internal talking, explaining and not enough doing and seeing as Madrigal for me. And then theres the insta-love, with bitter enemies they have been raised to hate, I didnt feel plausible to me. Then once they meet and with zero reason they have to be together and start doing things no one does. The dance scene that Akavi sneaks into, that he would have been murdered if he was found out. I felt kinda checked out from it, it lost my interest.
I will probably listen to book two to see if it was me and not the book that was off.
absbia777's review against another edition
2.0
So much hype from this book. Everyone recommends it, but I just didn't get it. This had the potential to be a totally cool story about Karou's mysterious past and the angel aspect, but it had to be all about the romance. I was not at all interested in Akiva and was very quickly bored. Sorry Laini Taylor, I'm sure you're a great writer. I just don't like your book.
kittyparade's review against another edition
4.0
Totally drags you into a new and exciting world without losing sight of reality. The main character, Karou is super fun and relatable. All of the supporting characters have different personalities that come together in a good way. This book will give you so many emotions without making you feel overloaded! I loved it.
walshml's review against another edition
4.0
Totally drags you into a new and exciting world without losing sight of reality. The main character, Karou is super fun and relatable. All of the supporting characters have different personalities that come together in a good way. This book will give you so many emotions without making you feel overloaded! I loved it.
dreamy_reader99's review against another edition
4.0
My rating is a 3.5. Honestly I didn't hate but I also didn't love it, it was goodish. The characters were good and the imagination behind the book was incredible! After awhile I was just bored with the book and it was kind of predictable. This isn't a "I can read this over and over again" book but I am willing to try the next book. I can hope it gets better.