Review: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy #2)

onyxdarkling
Mar 24, 2014
3 min read

Karou is shocked and mourning after the end of the war and the death of her family. Determined to give the chimerea hope and a fighting chance, Karou becomes involved in the rebellion, helping the very soliers who condemned her when her name was Madrigal. Working alongside none other than Thiago, the general who ordered her execution, Karou picks up Brimstone's work helping the chimerea army - or what's left of it, anyways. All is not what it seems in the rebellion, however, and for all his kindness, the Wolf has his own agenda.

Karou's transformation as a character is striking. She's colder and somehow harder now, hoping for revenge. However, as much as she tries to convince herself that she hates Akiva for the art he played in Brimstone's death, she can't quite do it and misses him. I really don't think she hates him if she dreams about the two of them together. Karou is helping the rebellion to strike back at the empire because they're harsh and cruel, but the rebellion is also not quite what it seems. Karou has so many regrets. She's frustrated that she doesn't get more of a say in the rebellion, she regrets that the bodies she makes couldn't be put to a better use, and she wishes she was accepted for who she is. It's sad to see her so changed, but she's also doing what is, in theory, the right thing.

Thiago is in this sequel more than he was in the first book, and I can't say that I'm a fan. On the surface he seems to regret killing Madrigal and is kind to Karou, trying to speak kindly to her and provide her with help whenever she needs it. Under the surface, though, it's impossible not to be a little wary of him. I mean, other than because he killed Madrigal in the first place, because that's not cool. Thiago is very brave without being reckless, and his soldiers love him and are very loyal. He's always on the front lines with them, she they have a sense of kinship with their general. Of course, I'm not sure the feeling is returned. The White Wolf will do anything to get what he wants and is very ruthless and clever, leaving me to wonder how much he really cares about Karou. Is he lying or telling the truth? Does he cut her off from the other soldiers to isolate her or to protect her? Is karou a person to hm,or is she just a tool? Thiago is hard to read, and I love that!

The series deals with war, a sobering topic. I love how Days of Blood and Starlight especially talks about the moral aspect of war and what it does to people. It's thoughtful and dark, but also very relatable and understandable.

Days of Blood & Starlight had all the magic of the previous book in the series and them some. It had less mystery but more action, crazy good plot twists, and suspense to make up for it. I love the romantic relationships in this series. They're built slowly but surely, and I can't ait to see how things turn out for Karou and Akiva. The book asked good questions about things we deal with in real life. This sequel was delightfully dark and bittersweet, setting th stage for a magical, explosive finale! 5/5 stars!