Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war. 
This is not that world. 
Ar student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is--and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it. 
In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life. 
While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope. 
But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?
I have to admit that it took me a bit to get into the book. Not because anything was lacking but because I was trying to catch up in my mind as to what had happened before. Yes, this is a series that must be read in order and also not too far apart. I just think you'd be able to get into the book quicker that way.

Oh but when I did... I really didn't want to put down this book. I was worried that it would lack as some second books do, but when I dreamed of scenes in this book at night, I knew there was nothing lacking here. Her words are as lush as the first one and the scenes they invoke are as interesting as the first. In some ways more so since we are ever so much more invested in these characters.

There were parts of this book that are heartbreaking and twists and turns I never saw coming. As soon as you thought things would do as planned HUGE wrenches would be thrown in and your heart twists at the outcome. There were times I wanted to throw the book and yell... NO! It can't be and then hold my breath to see if I was right. And although I will never have that same feeling again when I reread this book, I just know that eventually I'll be reading this series more than once.

Oh I give this book 5 stars. It ends in a bit of a cliffie, but nothing you can't handle. I think I'd be more upset if I had to leave this world after this book than knowing I'll be back hopefully soon. I recommend this to the older YA and adult crowd who enjoys adventure, fantasy and a lot of twists in a story that keep you on the edge of your seat. Oh I do think Laini Taylor has a fan in me!
I received this eARC from Little Brown Books and no compensation for my review was given.

23 comments:

  1. OK NOW I REALLY NEED TO READ THE FIRST BOOK....ASAP (i won it in a giveaway).....

    amazing review...

    Le' Grande Codex

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    1. Yes, read that first one... well, first! I hope you enjoy!

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  2. Gah! I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone last year, and I can't wait to get my grubby mitts on this book!
    Heart-breaking twists and turns?!
    NEED NOW!

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  3. I'm glad that you got into the book. I think I need to re-visit the first book and hopefully get into it.

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    1. I think that is wise. I didn't but everything did come back to me after a couple of chapters. :)

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  4. MELISSA!!!! I'm DYING for this book! I think it's probably a good a idea for me to at least reread the end of Daughter of Smoke and Bone because I can't really remember what happened. I'm so nervous about these wrenches you speak of, and I have a feeling I'm going to want to toss this book across the room and scream "no!" at times as well. SO GOOD THOUGH!

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    1. I know! I jumped at the chance to read this one. I HAD to! It was a moral imperative. :)

      I can't wait for your review... or at least tell me what you think when you read it.

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  5. OMG, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy! I was so swept away with the first book and there were twists in that book that took me by complete surprise. I'm REALLY nervous about these wrenches you speak of! I might have to reread the last few chapters of the first book to jog my mind. Can't wait!

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    1. Yea, you might reread just to remind you. I want that next one now!

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  6. hopefully you remembered everything a part of the book. I haven't tried this series yet bit this cover is really beautiful. I don't remember what is the first one, I also have a good memory lol, I'll have to check it out.

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    1. I did! It just took me a bit and it was written as if you knew everything (which I did... eventually.. LOL). I hope you get both and enjoy!

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  7. I cannot wait to read this one! I have a date with it for Thanksgiving! I LOVED the first one and am excited to see that this really made you feel something!

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  8. I really liked the first part of Daughter of Smoke and Bone but then it lost my interest when it went into flashback mode. So now I'm undecided about picking up the second book when I didn't love the direction that the first book headed in. Maybe I'll wait until the whole series is completed and read it all then.

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  9. Amazing review! I'm so excited for this one, so I'm thrilled that you really enjoyed it. I'm expecting so much heartbreak from this novel, so I simultaneously thrilled and terrified, but I know I won't be able to resist this cover for long! Laini Taylor has a fan in me too! ;)

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  10. I am salivating over this one, sitting beside me. But I have three books to read before I can read it. I did read the first six chapters I think on line. I loved them! This is one that just stayed in my head. The vivid imagery and story line has been swirling in my head since I put Daughter of Smoke and Bone down last year. I'm so glad you gave it a five. And that it's as much of a ride or better than Daughter.

    Awesome review!
    Heather

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  11. I picked this one up yesterday. I've heard the start is a bit slow, so I'm prepared, though maybe a bit scared since I'm low on patience. But I'm sure it'll be wonderful. I just have SO much catching up to do with all the new books coming out! I'm glad you really loved it though!

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  12. This is on my 12 for next year as I read the first one this year. The first one was really well done on audio so I will probably stick with that :)

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  13. I was yelling noooo too! This book almost broke me a few times.

    You are right though. I had forgotten quite a bit and needed a little while to catch up to speed again. Everything ties together so beautifully though.

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  14. Noooo! I can't handle cliffies! I listed to Daughter of Smoke and Bone over the summer and I LOVED it. It was so heartbreakingly beautiful. I can't wait to read this one. I want to dream the scenes too. Taylor makes that easy to do because her words are so illustrative.

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