Days of Blood & Starlight

De: Laini Taylor

Narrado por: Khristine Hvam

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.

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?

Found a new favorite narrator

I wasn't sure if it was possible, but damn, this book was just as good or BETTER than the first book, Daughter of Smoke & Bone. The saga continues between the fight of Angels and Demons. Both sides are fighting really dirty, as a war of over 1000 years would be. At the end of the first book I was left completely broken hearted and didn't know where Laini Taylor would take this story. Oh a story she did indeed.
I must say again, the narrator is phenomenal. She had different unique voice for every character which made it much easier to listen to the story. It made the story more interesting, if possible.

I have to say, which I didn't before, I'm super impressed by the author, Laini Taylor. In her method of writing, she again is able to change points of view between characters, change tenses and it just FLOWS. She makes it seem so easy, but I know a lot of other authors would have had me totally confused. Like Quentin Tarantino directing Pulp Fiction, she writes a scene and the reader isn't sure what happened to have gotten there. Then she slowly fills in the blanks and never without twists, turns and surprises.

I'll try and stop my ranting now! Zuzana, Karou's best friend is still in this one. She plays a larger role in this one and we are able to hear her POV more often. She is still funny and witty as ever. I totally love her!
Karou has been through a lot. She's still processing everything that happened in book 1. And just like the first book, there is SO much that happens in this book. I believe it was longer than the first which is saying something, since I thought that one was long. It feels like an epic fantasy novel, so indepth, so many different things happening at once. I LOVED IT!!

Surprises, betrayal, heart break, are some of the feelings I went through in this book. Along with feelings of hurt, disgust, love and amazement. I was definitely talking out loud in certain scenes of this book, since it was the audiobook it was a lot of 'HELL YEAH' and 'That's RIGHT'.

The end of this book is still left open for the next book, but it gives me more HOPE then the ending of the last. Karou and Akiva are in a slight better position and I hope they continue to work on their relationship and continue fighting to end the war.

My favorite series!

I am really not sure I can write in words exactly how much I love this book and series. Taylor has a way of telling a story that makes you live it, breathe it, love it. She gives you enough tension and suspense that you absolutely cannot stop reading, without drawing it out so much that you lose interest. That's a hard balance to find, I think, and Taylor has mastered it. Her writing is colorful and alluring, and her imagination is unsurpassed.

Her characters are nothing short of amazing. This second book in the series delves deeper into the world of the Chimera and Seraphim. We find out more about the characters we loved (and loved to hate) from the first book and are also introduced to some new ones. Each individual character carved out into a unique being that fits into place in the story to reveal a piece of the puzzle Taylor has created with her words.

This second book is darker than the first. They are now in the midst of war, and there is fighting and violence all around. Through the darkness, though, there is sunshine, hope, love, and friendship. I am waiting quite impatiently for the next book. In the meantime, I will have to re-read the first two.

Audio Review: Khristine Hvam does such a great job making the characters come to life. She is able to add emotion where needed, and her voice is smooth and clear. She has quickly become one of my favorite narrators.

Laini Taylors is for real.

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

The story was really nice and not at all repetative as some sequeals can be. The Love rules all is temporary thrown out to bring morals trials into play.

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

When her friends show up after assuming she was there and not knowing completely. Her friends are crazy!

Any additional comments?

The only problem I have with this series is that they take to long to come back with the next book installment.

Amazing!

The narrator did a great job, and the story kept me interested. I look forward to the next book!

Fantastic Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Days of Blood & Starlight to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version but love the way the production of the audiobook is done. The narrator does an excellent job with the voices, accents and intonations. The story is very well crafted and I love the author's writing.

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

When you realized Thiago was alive after Karou killed him and you are not sure how or why.

Have you listened to any of Khristine Hvam’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but she is an excellent narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I was sad when it ended. I can't wait for the next one.