Days of Blood & Starlight

By: Laini Taylor

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

An art student and monster's apprentice must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people in this riveting sequel to the mesmerizing, acclaimed book Daughter of Smoke & Bone by National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor—now with a gorgeous new package!

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

©2012 Laini Taylor (P)2012 Hachette Audio

greatness

love these books please keep them coming, love the story and all the passion put into these books

Fabulous narrator brings story to life!

If you could sum up Days of Blood & Starlight in three words, what would they be?

Guilt, danger and redemption

What other book might you compare Days of Blood & Starlight to and why?

Obviously Daughter of Smoke and Bone since it''s the first in the series. The writing is so superb that I'd liken it to the Throne of Glass series. The characters are written phenomenally. So rich with background and complex emotions at work. And then there are the political machinations and the underlying shame that runs through the work. Shame and guilt.It's an amazingly complex story.

What does Khristine Hvam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I could never picture Zuzana or Mic's voices and I love hearing Zuzana's pouty voice. I love it!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No laughing or crying but I adored the book. I will listen to it again. I experienced some fear for Karaou some times at her situation.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this novel! I think I'd go back and listen to the first book in the series even though I read the book. I can't wait to listen to the next book!

Another Homerun by Laini Taylor & Khristine Hvam!

Well, my friends. Laini Taylor has hit it out of the park yet again with her sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and partnering yet again with incomparable audio narrator Khristine Hvam, I am simultaneously thrilled and pained that the wait has now begun for the final book.

Picking right up where Daughter of Smoke and Bone left off, this fast-paced and emotional book will not disappoint, as second books in trilogies sometimes can. Instead, Taylor sparkles with wit and depth, continuing the intelligent, wistful, and adventurous tale of Kerou, the heartbroken chimera. Left alone and considered a traitor, Kerou is still dealing with her conflicted feelings for Akiva, the seraphim angel. And although she is completely dedicated to her chimera people, and her wonderfully loyal and hilarious friends Zuzana and Mick (loved them!), Kerou doubts the leader of her chimera people, Thiago, and his motives. Final chapters leave the listener reeling, shocked by events, and breathless for the final book.

I refuse to divulge anything more for fear that it might give anything away for either book in the series, however suffice it to say that:

-- Book 2 is just as spectacular, creative, and innovative as Book 1
-- It is excellent on audio
-- It is the perfect book to listen to while running (it will make you run longer just to hear what happens next)
-- I wish that this was a longer series simply because I believe that Taylor has created a universe just as full and magnificent, and could equal a long duration, as the successful Harry Potter series
-- Bottom Line: You should read this

That is all I can say about this stunning Young Adult fantasy tale of angels and monsters, good versus evil, love and heartache, loyalty and betrayal. Laini Taylor keeps the fierce momentum going in Days of Blood and Starlight, powering through to the final emotional scenes, that ultimately leave you determined for more. Well done yet again, Ms. Taylor!

Audio Notes: Khristine Hvam returns to book two, thank goodness, and is a theatrical genius. I enjoyed her brilliant narration for all characters. Each is distinct and memorable.

Parental Notes: While the books are for an older young adult crowd, bear in mind that while it should be expected that there are battle-worthy moments of sword fighting and more, this one has moved a little more into scenes with consensual s3x, but also attempted s3xual assault. These are tougher to read/hear than the previous story. Make sure you have a conversation with your young reader to see if they have any questions.

Super Sequel

Would you listen to Days of Blood & Starlight again? Why?

YES!!! I spent every spare minute I had listening to it and I am jonesing to listen to it again to catch details I missed in the first listen. I loved the story and fantasy of the story. It was really one of those books that took me to a different world. I felt like I was right there with Karou through the whole book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Days of Blood & Starlight?

It's hard to choose just one. I think that some of the best were the parallel desires of Karou and Akiva, even though they were rarely together. I don't want to give anything away for people whom haven't got to listen/read yet.

What about Khristine Hvam’s performance did you like?

She does a wonderful job with each individual character. She has such a presence through the whole story. Wonderful work!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes I did. I went through many emotions throughout the whole book and I attribute that not only to the great writing of Taylor but also the narration of Hvam. I was able to feel each characters own feelings throughout.

Any additional comments?

It is a great read/listen and I recommended it to several of my students. They also loved it. It was a great sequel that strays from the typical sequel blues. It was full of surprises, twists and turns. I had to force myself to stop listening when I had things that I had to do but it was turned right back on as soon as I could. Many late nights were spent listening because I could not stop.

An amazing book

OMG! This book was so amazing. I didn't think that the second installment would be as good as the first but it's still exceeds my expectations. It is heart wrenching and funny and just such an amazingly told story. All I can say is that I loved this book and I am looking forward to the next book.

So worth it

This read is so worth it. Laini Taylor has a unique writing style that I find very refreshing. If you enjoy fantasy books- I believe you'll love this series.

Can't wait for the third installment!

What did you love best about Days of Blood & Starlight?

The visuals the author manages to create are truly stunning. It is so easy to imagine Karou's world, and so easy to get attached to all of the characters. They are developed very well, and the storyline is absolutely fascinating.

What does Khristine Hvam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator can really make or break an audiobook, and Khristine Hvam really brings the novel to the next level. Her voice is perfect for the novel, and an example of how adding an accent to your reading can compliment the story. Very well done.

I love this trilogy so much!

This is an amazingly beautiful symphony of words, preformed by a narrator which brings it to life! It is literary music.

Another great story

love love this trilogy. such a wonderful narrator and story. loved rereading it. yes baby

Ah! So good!

Rife with tension, the second book in the series is just as good as the first. I have no complaints.