Review | Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1)
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre/s: Paranormal Fantasy, Young Adult
Published September 29th 2011 by Hodder & Stoughton
How have I not read this book before now! I've been putting off reading this for what seems like forever, mainly because whenever anyone talks about it they can never really give any information to what it is about and when they do it mainly consists of; demons and angles and teeth and that's about it. Honestly from that I was a little put off because I didn't think it would be something I would like.
But I am so glad that I did finally give in and read this though because I surprisingly enough, loved it and I think it might even have made it to be one of my favourite books that I have ever read which is really saying something. It was just fabulous, and I understand now why people always find it hard to give any information because almost everything would be a spoiler. My review is probably going to be a lot like that. I would say though, if you have been putting off reading this like I had, just pick it up and don't think too much about it and go into it blind and hope for the best because I think it's likely that you will love this too and be as surprised as I am about it. If you like books with amazing characters that are well developed, super different and interesting you will really love this. The side characters are wonderful and the relationships not only romance but also the friendships, are so good. I even loved the characters that were supposed to be bad; especially Kazmir but he was just funny.
Now, in the next part I'm not going to talk about the plot too much but there may be small spoilers so you have been warned!
“Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.”
I absolutely adored Karou. Her and Zuzana's friendship was hilarious, it was very realistic representation of friendship and one of my favourite things about this book. Laini Taylor's writing was perfect for this sort of fantasy because there is a kind of lyrical feeling to it and its very beautiful it also fit well with the story and the characters that she created. The drawing scene near the beginning where Kaz comes in and is the model was so uncomfortable to read but that made it perfect. I was crying with laughter, it was just so funny and has most likely scarred me for life. However there are also some really deep and serious parts of this book that are really heart wrenching to read. This book has it all.
“Have you ever asked yourself, do monsters make war, or does war make monsters?”
There are a few things that you would probably call tropes but I think that the way they were written and developed in this book made them very different from other books and authors. The main one that sticks in my mind is the main character is torn between two lives. But this is one of my all time favourite tropes and almost always means I will enjoy whatever book this is in. But it terms of how it was done in this, I can say it is probably my favourite adaption of it that I have ever read. Just Wow!
“I don't know many rules to live by,' he'd said. 'But here's one. It's simple. Don't put anything unnecessary into yourself. No poisons or chemicals, no fumes or smoke or alcohol, no sharp objects, no inessential needles--drug or tattoo--and...no inessential penises either.' 'Inessential penises?' Karou had repeated, delighted with the phrase in spite of her grief. 'Is there any such thing as an essential one?' 'When an essential one comes along, you'll know,' he'd replied.”
There are several things that I did not expect when I first picked this book up and one of them was definitely the amazingly hilarious speech and the one liners that the author weaved; they were fabulous. It is probably one of the most quotable books that I have ever read. Seriously, every line seems an essential part of the story. The way Laini Taylor puts words together is jaw dropping.
“Hey! My body may be small, but my soul is large. It’s why I wear platforms. So I can reach the top of my soul.”
The world building and descriptions are eerie and whimsical and I loved it. Taylor was really able to come up with a very interesting take on both angels and demons. Whenever I picked the book up I instantly became immersed in this strangely beautiful story.
“She had been innocent once, a little girl playing with feathers on the floor of a devil's lair. She wasn't innocent now, but she didn't know what to do about it. This was her life: magic and shame and secrets and teeth and a deep, nagging hollow at the centre of herself where something was most certainly missing.”
I really enjoyed this book, I feel like I have mixed feelings on the last few chapters and the way they were done but I feel like that was a way of leading up to the next book; plus I am a little suspicious about some things and not sure if I believe them. Every other part of it was utter perfection. I am so very excited to find out which way this trilogy goes. I will definitely be reading Laini Taylor's new book Strange the Dreamer as soon as I finish this trilogy and probably everything else she ever comes out with. I really fell in love with her writing.
5/5 Stars
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