Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: Teen Fiction, Fantasy Fiction
Publication Date: September 27, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
ISBN-13 Book: 9780316134026
Audiobook Publisher: Hachette Audio
Length: 12 hrs. and 32 minutes (Unabridged)
Disclosure: I purchased this audiobook from audible.com. This is my honest review!
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini TaylorMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summary:
Karou has lived a double life as long as she can remember. She was raised as a child of two worlds. Her guardians were chimera who raised her from the time she was a little child in a mystical shop. In our world she is an art student, who on occasion runs errands for the chimera Brimstone. When the gateways to the chimera world are closed by angels, Karou searches for a way back, and along the way she finds out the truth about who she really is.
Review
I honesty don't know what took me so long to pick up this book. I admit I wasn't a big fan of Taylor's Lips Touch, and perhaps that was what was holding me back. I am so glad that I finally got around to reading this one.
The setting in this book was wonderful. I loved that she set the book in Prague. The portions of the book in the real world were just as wonderful and magical as the portions that took place in the world of the chimera. Taylor does a wonderful job describing both worlds, and Karou's place in them.
Karou was instantly likable. While so much of her life was shrouded in mystery, you knew you liked her. She is a tough heroine, and one that isn't afraid to go after what she wants. I loved her strength, determination, and her ability to stand up for herself.
It really felt like this novel was two books in one. First you have Karou's story and then you have the story of her former life. I am not sure I liked the way the flashback was told, but the telling was necessary to understand who Karou really is. It felt like we spent too much time in the flashback, when we were desperate to get back to Karou in the present. I don't know how else Taylor could have done it, but it did take up a considerable chunk of the book.
Audio Book Review:
The audio version was fantastic, and definitely a great way to experience this book. I purchased the book from audible during one of their sales. It is narrated by Khristine Hvam, who did a superb job with all of the voices. I loved listening to her narrate this story, and all of the accents. The audio was produced by Hachette Audio and is a nice clean production. It is an unabridged audio which lasts 12 hours and 32 minutes. This was definitely a great listening experience.
Overall:
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I am only sorry that it took me so long to get around to reading. I do plan on reading the next book in the series, Days of Blood and Starlight. Despite the prolonged flashback, I really did enjoy the story, and finding out more about this wonderful world. The cliffhanger ending definitely left me wanting more.
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I'm so glad the audio version does the writing justice! Love this series, and Laini Taylor's one of my favourite story-spinners.
ReplyDeleteI loved the audio. I am seriously thinking about listening to book 2 on audio as well. I really liked the narration.
DeleteI read Daughter of Smoke and Bone and I'm listening to the audio of Days of Blood and Starlight and I really wished I listened to the first book too. The audio is definitely great!
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know. I am going to have to listen to Days on audio. Thanks!
DeleteI adored this book, and I've heard amazing things about the audio version. I want to listen to it too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being part of the YAAC!
~ Jen @ A Book and a Latte - 2013 YA Audiobook Challenge
This is one of my favorites of 2012! I listened to it on audio and fell in love with the story within the first few chapters. I can't wait for the third book!
ReplyDelete