Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3
Laini Taylor
Paranormal Young Adult
613 pages
Little, Brown
Available Now
Source: e-ARC from publisher for review
THE STORY (from Goodreads)
By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.
Common enemy, common cause.
When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.
And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.
But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz ... something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.
What power can bruise the sky?
From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.
At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?
MY THOUGHTS
Dreams of Gods and Monsters is one of those books that inspires conflicting reactions upon finishing it, the overwhelming love of the previous two books predisposing us to adore this final book as well, but even with our desire to love at its highest, we find ourselves perhaps less enthused upon finishing than we might have hoped. Reading this final book is a bit like watching a chess match without a full understanding of the rules, well aware each move on the board is leading up to either victory or defeat, but our ignorance keeps us from emotionally engaging in the epic battle of strategy.
Much the same way, Ms. Taylor spends nearly the entirety of this impressively substantial final installment moving pieces around her board, but where the first two books felt like an intimate game between she and us as readers, Gods and Monsters sees our single chessboard expanded to include so many more, and the sheer enormity of the expansion leaves us feeling slightly adrift. New players are introduced, and with them comes enormous implications for Karou, Akiva and the rest of their ragtag group. Suddenly, the final battle we were prepared to face in this last book is rendered nearly insignificant as the shadow of the new threat creeps into clarity. We’re left then with an end that is in fact a beginning–unarguably fitting given Karou and Akiva have called themselves a beginning all along, but also a bit frustrating after everything the characters have been through in this series.
All of that being said however, Dreams of Gods and Monsters is as gorgeous a story as its predecessors, Ms. Taylor’s writing achingly beautiful and her characters the stuff of cherished memories. The core characters of Karou, Akiva, Zuze, Mik, Ziri and Liraz carry this tale even when the tying together of disparate plot threads slows the pace to a near crawl, the six of them acting as emotional anchors who keep us tethered to this world and its questionable fate. Overall, beloved fans of the series will undoubtedly be pleased with some of the truly stunning moments Ms. Taylor paints on page, and I certainly can’t wait to see what her astoundingly imaginative mind has in store for us next.
Rating: 3.5/5
Find Dreams of Gods and Monsters:
Find the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy
*If you haven't had a chance already, be sure and check out my Karou artwork and enter to win a copy of Dreams of Gods and Monsters!
This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a
review.
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.
Hm so the ending was more open than a complete wrap up? I'm a little scared to read it now. I hate it when finishing a series to be left hoping for more books or for the story to go on...
ReplyDeleteWrote you an email!
Deleteoh it's a trilogy? I didn't know that. I should. I really need to try it, because I hear so many wonderful things about book 1. And even with some little points this one sounds good too. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt is! Daughter of Smoke and Bone (book 1) is my favorite of the three, I can't recommend it enough:)
Deleteoh Akiva!!! I'm not sure if I' ready to start this one. I don't one the series to end yet :(
ReplyDeleteI had to work up the courage to start it as well, I wasn't read to say goodbye to them either:(
DeleteI'm so nervous about these new plot developments! I want the story we were promised and that's prevented me from starting this, though my copy has already arrived. I'm still glad you enjoyed it, Jenny, and I hope I don't feel as frustrated as you did. Like you, I loved the intimate emotional attachments from the prior two books, so lets hope some of that is at least present in this one. Wonderful review, dear!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't expecting the turn of events in this one Keertana. I thought the main focal point would be the impending war with Akiva's uncle, and for majority of the book it was, but then toward the end much bigger things took precedence and threw me off a bit.
DeleteI get you, Jenny. I just finished this last night. I'm still processing. I'm about 25% into a fluffy, palate-cleansing contemporary romance that I'm planning to finish before I even attempt to review this book. I loved parts of it--the wonderful vindication of certain characters getting what they deserved, the individual growth of others, but . . . other things . . . I'm stilling processing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot to process for sure, I completely understand! Usually I write my reviews right away so I can move on to the next book (I can't pick up a new book without writing the last book's review first), but this one took me several days. I had to sort through a lot of feelings:)
DeleteDefinitely difficult when multiple new players are introduced in a final book, especially in a world as complex and nuanced as this one. Taylor's writing is so gorgeous -- looking forward to her next project, for sure!
ReplyDeleteYes. I just wanted to stick with characters I already knew - I didn't care much for the new girl Eliza, she was just too late in the game for me to want to spend time with her. I wanted back with Karou and Akiva or Ziri and Liraz:)
DeleteAhh this book isn't out over here until the 17th, so these early reviews are really killing me! Days of Blood and Starlight was a great read for me, but I didn't end up enjoying it as much as DoSab. So I am kind of nervous about going into this book. It sounds like a lot odes get thrown our way and Taylor once again creates another majestic world. Glad you enjoyed this Jenny despite some issues!
ReplyDeleteDaughter of Smoke and Bone will always be my favorite Jasprit! That book just blew me away. This was the weakest of the three for me, but still a beautiful story:)
DeleteLauren shared very similar thoughts to this book as you did, Jenny. It's always slightly disappointing when the final book in a trilogy disappoints.
ReplyDelete"Gods and Monsters sees our single chessboard expanded to include so many more, and the sheer enormity of the expansion leaves us feeling slightly adrift. New players are introduced, and with them comes enormous implications for Karou, Akiva and the rest of their ragtag group."
That's really weird that new characters were introduced into the series at this point. That would bother me as well.
I wasn't a fan of the first book as everyone else, so I never continued the series, but I don't think I want to.
I'm glad to hear that the writing was still great though! Lovely review.
I guess I was just expecting one thing when I picked this one up and got another. Not the book's fault, but it still knocked me off-kilter!
DeleteCrud. Jenny, your review makes me realize I still haven't read book 2 in this series. I should maybe get on that...
ReplyDeleteHehe:) It's probably good that you waited so you can read 2 and 3 together, I struggled in the beginning to remember what happened at the end of the last one!
DeleteI'm finishing up Days of Blood & Starlight now so I can get started on my copy of Dreams of Gods & Monsters. I'm so nervous to explore these new characters, with their new story lines. My mind is to busy trying to grasp what I just read in DoB&S.....
ReplyDeleteWell see, i guess! Thank you so much for you thoughts and review!
Michelle ~ Book Hangovers Blabs Books
I'll be looking forward to see what you think Michelle!
DeleteI love that you compared this to a game of chess which can be super fast one minute with the players pounding out their moves or slow and painful when they are concentrating their strategy.
ReplyDeleteLovely review Jenny!
That's definitely what this book was like for me Ali! There were some truly beautiful moments, and then other times it dragged a bit and I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. Still, the characters were amazing as always and I can't wait to read anything and everything Laini writes!
DeleteOh, it's a shame that this wasn't as strong as its predecessors, but I can always appreciate when an author takes risks. It sounds like the writing and the characters are just as incredible as ever though, and that's what will keep me reading :) Lovely review, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteThe characters are fabulous, with the exception of Eliza who just wasn't of interest to me despite the major role she ends up playing. My love for everyone else just eclipsed her so when we got bounced to her (as we did often), I just couldn't really connect to those chapters.
DeleteI am waiting for the library to get book 1
ReplyDeleteHope you love it!
DeleteMy associate reviewer has been MIA for the past few days, and I suspect it's because of this book. LOL In fact, I see she's already been by to comment. Hehe With all of the buzz this series has been getting, I may have to give it a go even if the conclusion isn't a 5-star read.
ReplyDeleteCarmel @ Rabid Reads
For me this series started stronger than it finished, but Laini is an amazing storyteller and her characters are unforgettable:)
DeleteWow, Jenny, your rating is shocking! I'm glad that you enjoyed most of it but I'm sorry it was disappointing. I felt the same way when it came to the Everneath series this year. I'm still very excited to read it but I have to say the page length is intimidating!
ReplyDeleteI know. I was a bit bummed when I finished this one Rummanah, I had such high hopes. It's not terrible, she just lost me somewhere in there when the new developments came to light. It's like the story got so big around that my connection to it thinned as it stretched.
DeleteI tried reading DoS&B twice, but couldn't get into it. I'm going to try again since I now have the audiobook. It deserves another chance. :) Great review, I'm looking forward to getting into this series!
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing lots of reviews for this book, I do want to give it a try. not sure though...Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI stink. I haven't read the previous one yet. But I kind of did it on purpose because it's a complicated world and story line and I didn't want to forget everything. So now I can read them back to back. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm... Well, I've heard some mixed things about this installment, but everyone seems to agree that the writing is beautiful. I'm going to read the trilogy no matter, I just hope I like this installment.
ReplyDeleteYea, I could see why that expansion would make you feel more adrift. I've seen it happen in books before especially when you are used to the close knit group. Still, I want to read this one and then perhaps reread it on audio or something. I do enjoy this series!
ReplyDeleteWell, I thought I was not gonna read your review till I was done reading the book, but once I read the beginning with a new character being introduced... I just had to come back and read your review! Great review and at least you assure me that there'll be plenty of Akiva and Karou and the rest to keep me engaged through the 613 pages of the book!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Jenny!
Oh this tome sits beside me beckoning me to open it. Now, it may languish with the other last in the series books waiting to be read.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read the final Harry Potter. Wonder how long I will let this one sit?? UGH! I do love her writing, I was hoping for a spectacular finish. Think I'll let it sit a bit longer.
I agree that the ending felt like more of a beginning, and I do wonder if she's going to write a spinoff series (I would definitely not object :D). Your comparison to a chess game is wonderful! Somehow the maneuvering and the rather ambitious zooming out on the world didn't bother me, I just got lost in the writing and the characters. I totally understand your disappointment though. Still I'm glad to hear you loved the writing and you'd be on board for what she writes next. Lovely honest review!
ReplyDeleteSince I haven't read this series yet, I only skimmed your review, but I'm SO SO happy that you liked it. It's always disappointing to find a series and the end isn't as good. So now I'll have more of an incentive to start this :)
ReplyDeleteLoved book 1 & 2, but when Karen from FWIW was less than enthused I was sad. This makes me a bit anxious too, but I think I will still have to read it.
ReplyDeleteWe talked at length about this but YESSSSSS to this review. I completely resonated with this: "Reading this final book is a bit like watching a chess match without a full understanding of the rules, well aware each move on the board is leading up to either victory or defeat, but our ignorance keeps us from emotionally engaging in the epic battle of strategy." DO NOT CHANGE THE RULES IN THE FINAL BOOK, especially the last 15%. I'm still so disappointed by this one, but I'm trying to remember all of the good parts, and I'd still recommend the series as a whole.
ReplyDelete