Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy #1)

Magic, war, and romance
Mar 14, 2014
3 min read

Walking the streets of Prague is a very ususuall young girl. Karou is the oject of many curious glances and admiring looks. The young art student makes quite the impression with her blue hair and many tattoos, and her sketchbooks, full of drawings of monsters and whimsical creatures, are legendary at her school. Little do those around her know the truth. Karou's hair isn't dyed blue. And her drawings are of real things. Raised by the strange creatures that she draws, Karou knows nothing about her parents or who - more like what - she is. Her father figure, a monster named Brimstone, won't answer her questions. When disaster strikes and Karou is forced to fend for herself, she learns more abot her strange past. She alone could help her people, but does she want to, after what happened to her?

Karou is unlike any character I've ever seen before. The facts that she's a talented artist and speaks a wide variety of languages alone makes her an interesting person. Karou is brave and wants to help other people, but she also feels like a part of her is missing becauce she knows next to nothing about who/what she really is. Karou loves Brimstone as someone who almost as close as family, but she's a lso frustrated and a little angryt hat he won't answer her questions. Karou is also tiredof carrying the burden of truth about what she can do and what her family is like from everyday people, which can gwt in the way of her relationships with those around her. She can't tell them much about herself and often has to leave, suddenly and without explanation, to run strange errands for Brimstone. Karou is magic and enchanting, but also not without conflict, and I can't wait to see more of her!

The monsters of Karou's family are also endlessly intriguing. Brimstone is wise but also sometimes surly, and he doesn't like questions or explaining his work to others, although he has good reasons. He understands how much Karou gives up to work for him, and he's grateful for it, despite how crabby he sometimes comes across as. Brimstone is very wise and love Karou like a daughter. Issa is sort of the opposite, a kind and motherly woman with the body of a snake that played with Karou as a child, speaks with her often, and always wants to look at her drawings. Brimstone and Issa are both kind, but they have different ways of showing it.

Part of the book includes a fantasy world that I hope to see more of in the next two books in the trilogy. So far, I'm interested and a little scared by it. There is a war going on, so it's very brutal and vicious. However, the lore and people of the land are delightful with interesting myths and colorful history.

I was blown away by this book! Daughter of Smoke & Bone had amazing characters that developed well. A smooth style and fast, twisting plot mane the book a joy to read and gave it plenty of action and suspense. I was hanging on to every word, and I have a serious book hangover now! The book had the perfect blend of action, magic, and a hint of possible romance to ensnare me, and I think this is a must-read for any fantasy fan or just someone who wants a good book. 5/5 stars! I can't wait to read the sequel and see what happens next.