-
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Book 1
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
- Categories: Teen, Literature & Fiction
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Premium Plus
$14.95 a month
Buy for $22.80
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Days of Blood & Starlight
- By: Laini Taylor
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.
-
-
It just dragged on...
- By Falon on 02-16-14
By: Laini Taylor
-
Dreams of Gods & Monsters
- Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Book 3
- By: Laini Taylor
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 18 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this thrilling conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, Karou is still not ready to forgive Akiva for killing the only family she's ever known. When a brutal angel army trespasses into the human world, Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat--and against larger dangers that loom on the horizon. They begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves--maybe even toward love.
-
-
Disjointed and way too long!
- By irishred507 on 07-25-14
By: Laini Taylor
-
The Darkest Part of the Forest
- By: Holly Black
- Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
- Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries' seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once. At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointy as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.
-
-
Another Perfect Adaptation of Classic Fairytales
- By Erzebet on 10-19-18
By: Holly Black
-
Frostblood
- By: Elly Blake
- Narrated by: Jennifer English
- Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a Fireblood who has concealed her powers of heat and flame from the cruel Frostblood ruling class her entire life. But when her mother is killed trying to protect her, and rebel Frostbloods demand her help to overthrow their bloodthirsty king, she agrees to come out of hiding, desperate to have her revenge.
-
-
Love this book
- By dennis wright on 02-05-17
By: Elly Blake
-
Illuminae
- The Illuminae Files, Book 1
- By: Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
- Narrated by: Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lincoln Hoppe, Johnathan McClain, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Audie Award, Multi-Voiced Performance, 2016. The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that's little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra - who are barely even talking to each other - are forced to fight their way onto one of the evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
-
-
Romantic Space Opera
- By Katherine on 11-30-15
By: Amie Kaufman, and others
-
Born at Midnight
- Shadow Falls, Book 1
- By: C. C. Hunter
- Narrated by: Katie Schorr
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls - a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just "troubled". Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side - learning to harness their powers, control their magic, and live in the normal world. Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she?
-
-
Outstanding!!
- By AngelaP on 05-06-13
By: C. C. Hunter
-
Days of Blood & Starlight
- By: Laini Taylor
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.
-
-
It just dragged on...
- By Falon on 02-16-14
By: Laini Taylor
-
Dreams of Gods & Monsters
- Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Book 3
- By: Laini Taylor
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 18 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this thrilling conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, Karou is still not ready to forgive Akiva for killing the only family she's ever known. When a brutal angel army trespasses into the human world, Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat--and against larger dangers that loom on the horizon. They begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves--maybe even toward love.
-
-
Disjointed and way too long!
- By irishred507 on 07-25-14
By: Laini Taylor
-
The Darkest Part of the Forest
- By: Holly Black
- Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
- Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries' seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once. At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointy as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.
-
-
Another Perfect Adaptation of Classic Fairytales
- By Erzebet on 10-19-18
By: Holly Black
-
Frostblood
- By: Elly Blake
- Narrated by: Jennifer English
- Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a Fireblood who has concealed her powers of heat and flame from the cruel Frostblood ruling class her entire life. But when her mother is killed trying to protect her, and rebel Frostbloods demand her help to overthrow their bloodthirsty king, she agrees to come out of hiding, desperate to have her revenge.
-
-
Love this book
- By dennis wright on 02-05-17
By: Elly Blake
-
Illuminae
- The Illuminae Files, Book 1
- By: Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
- Narrated by: Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lincoln Hoppe, Johnathan McClain, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Audie Award, Multi-Voiced Performance, 2016. The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that's little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra - who are barely even talking to each other - are forced to fight their way onto one of the evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
-
-
Romantic Space Opera
- By Katherine on 11-30-15
By: Amie Kaufman, and others
-
Born at Midnight
- Shadow Falls, Book 1
- By: C. C. Hunter
- Narrated by: Katie Schorr
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls - a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just "troubled". Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side - learning to harness their powers, control their magic, and live in the normal world. Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she?
-
-
Outstanding!!
- By AngelaP on 05-06-13
By: C. C. Hunter
-
Strange the Dreamer
- By: Laini Taylor
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 18 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around - and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old, he's been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.
-
-
Great until the ending
- By Shane A. McGarry on 10-23-17
By: Laini Taylor
-
The Darkest Star
- Origin Series, Book 1
- By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher knows firsthand the devastating consequences of humanity's war with the aliens. When she's caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head....
-
-
This was beyond amazing in typical JLA style
- By Maria Booklover on 10-30-18
-
Heartless
- By: Marissa Meyer
- Narrated by: Rebecca Soler
- Length: 14 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen. Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense secret courtship.
-
-
Wonderful!
- By Debbie on 12-21-16
By: Marissa Meyer
-
The Winner's Curse
- Winner's Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Marie Rutkoski
- Narrated by: Justine Eyre
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him - with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
-
-
A Winning Story
- By Wendy on 03-24-16
By: Marie Rutkoski
-
Sky in the Deep
- By: Adrienne Young
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raised to be a warrior, 17-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: train to fight and fight to survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield - her brother, fighting with the enemy - the brother she watched die five years ago. Eelyn loses her focus and is captured. Now, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered.
-
-
A rich character-driven narrative, well performed
- By Megan on 04-28-18
By: Adrienne Young
-
Vampire Academy
- By: Richelle Mead
- Narrated by: Stephanie Wolf
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school - it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic, and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now, they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s - the very place where they’re most in danger....
-
-
Narrator is awful. They should re-record this book!
- By Amazon Customer on 12-18-18
By: Richelle Mead
-
Muse of Nightmares
- By: Laini Taylor
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 15 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep. Lazlo faces an unthinkable choice - save the woman he loves, or everyone else? - while Sarai feels more helpless than ever. But is she? Sometimes, only the direst need can teach us our own depths, and Sarai, the muse of nightmares, has not yet discovered what she's capable of.
-
-
Just. Wow.
- By Amazon Customer on 03-23-19
By: Laini Taylor
-
Ruby Red
- Ruby Red Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Kerstin Gier, Anthea Bell (translator)
- Narrated by: Marisa Calin
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth who, in the middle of class, takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential.
-
-
A suspenseful, funny YA with stellar narration!
- By Anna on 11-18-11
By: Kerstin Gier, and others
-
Night of Cake & Puppets
- Booktrack Edition
- By: Laini Taylor
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam, Kevin T. Collins
- Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her friend, Karou, calls her "rabid fairy", her "voodoo eyes" are said to freeze blood, and even her brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or "Violin Boy", her courage deserts her. But Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It's a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter's night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself!
-
-
I really enjoy the story with sound effects
- By beth on 10-27-16
By: Laini Taylor
-
Hunting Prince Dracula
- By: Kerri Maniscalco
- Narrated by: Nicola Barber
- Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.
-
-
Very good
- By booklover on 10-23-17
By: Kerri Maniscalco
-
The Dysasters
- The Dysasters Series, Book 1
- By: P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast
- Narrated by: Emma Galvin
- Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Adoptive daughter of a gifted scientist, Foster Stewart doesn’t live a “normal” life (not that she’d want to). But controlling cloud formations and seeing airwaves aren’t things most 18-year-olds can do. Small town star quarterback and quintessential dreamy boy next door, Tate “Nighthawk” Taylor has never thought much about his extra abilities. Sure, his night vision comes in handy during games, but who wouldn’t want that extra edge? From the moment Foster and Tate collide, their worlds spiral and a deadly tornado forces them to work together....
-
-
Enthusiastic and Exciting!
- By jailyn on 03-14-19
By: P. C. Cast, and others
-
Legend
- By: Marie Lu
- Narrated by: Mariel Stern, Steven Kaplan
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect.
-
-
Very Interesting Dystopian!
- By Tabitha on 07-21-12
By: Marie Lu
Publisher's Summary
In a nation on the brink of war, a young art student's star-crossed love begins to bloom in the first book of the New York Times best-selling epic fantasy trilogy by award-winning author Laini Taylor.
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages - not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers - beautiful, haunted Akiva - fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
Featured Article: Best Young Adult Audiobook Series to Listen to Right Now
Is there any better feeling in the world than discovering a new young adult book series to devour? Whether you're into epic fantasy, the supernatural, rom-coms, or a great mystery, there is definitely a YA book series out there for you. And in audio, there’s the added benefit of talented narrators bringing these stories to life in exciting ways. We've compiled 20 of the best completed and ongoing YA audiobook series out there and broken them down by genre.
More from the same
What listeners say about Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Coffee
- 09-04-12
Amazing story & INCREDIBLE Narrator!
I cannot believe I doubted this for a minute. Brava, Ms. Taylor! *standingovation*
Karou, a seventeen-year-old, lives in Prague and has a few friends at the art school she attends. With her naturally blue hair and gifted drawings of a magical world her classmates don't believe exists, Karou has more secrets than even she knows what to do with. Regularly called on by Brimstone, a creature with a ram's head who runs a curious shop filled with teeth, to complete mysterious tasks requiring her sudden departures, it's not a surprise for others to write off her disappearances. While her best friend, Zuzana might raise an eyebrow to Karou's answers, she doesn't pursue more detail. No one knows that Karou speaks multiple languages and uses magic to travel from Prague to Morocco and other cities within a blink of an eye. Brimstone, almost a father-figure for Karou, regularly reminds her that, while magic may be fun, it always comes with a price. It's only when Akiva comes into her life, a glorious angel who knows much more about her past than she does, that Karou learns just how much of a price it actually is. Her own mysterious past could be even more than she can handle.
With love, magic, battles, and loyalty, the creative tale from author Laini Taylor unfolds with style and intrigue. Each and every character was crucial to the story, thoughtful and compelling in their own ways, whether innocent, selfish, or even creepy and malicious. I particularly loved Zuzana, but that could be attributed as well to the incredible narrator bringing her to life. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is an adventure that in its last few pages becomes so incredibly amazing with each event that I was left thoroughly breathless and awestruck at the creative tale.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: fantasy stories are just that.much.better in audio. Even more so in this case, as Daughter of Smoke and Bone is read by Khristine Hvam, one of the most talented narrators in town. This was my first time listening to her voice, but I can assure you, it will not be my last. With Hvam in control, every character became so immensely distinct that the story stepped up with its magical moments.
My absolute only issue is pretty ridiculous and more than likely to be expected, as I'm well out of my teen years. *sadface* At first, all of the "ooey-gooey-lovey-dovey" stuff was a little over the top, but I had to remind myself I'm not the intended audience. As a general reader who is appreciative of Young Adult fiction, however, the initial first blush of romance was a little more than actually needed. But, no matter. It's simply my own gentle reminder that you should push through it; a little elderly eye-roll every now and again is no big deal when the story ultimately is so incredibly worth it.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone will not let you down; it will likely make you stamp your feet, though, annoyed that you have to wait for Days of Blood and Starlight, the next installment in the series, to be released on November 6, 2012. I think I'm going to just pre-order it right now because I am so impatient. *hatestrilogies*
Khristine Hvam was absolutely wonderful for this story. She clearly felt comfortable voicing each of the characters, easily punching up drama and emotion and love when necessary. What a talent she is! I can't wait to listen to more from her.
53 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- FanB14
- 05-24-12
Beautiful Writing, Mediocre Romance
Blue haired, free spirited Karou runs between worlds to gather special items for her mentor/father figure, Brimstone. He gives her wishes when she completes her tasks and like a spoiled child, frivolously wastes them at times. On one particular errand, she meets someone from her past whom she doesn't yet remember and you travel with her to find out the answers.
The writing is fluid, detailed, and rich with character development in this YA novel. The explanation of why Karou collects the items is fascinating.
Khristine Hvam is flawless and sounds exactly as I imagine Karou would.
What I would change is the characters' flawless beauty. A little imperfection makes the story more plausible and the references to perfection are irritating. Also didn't care for the half animal, fantastical other world and relationships. The book would have been better without it, however the writing is lyrical, lovely, and I recommend this YA romance.
62 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joki
- 03-03-14
Good Book But Just Didn't Interest Me
Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a nicely dark urban fantasy featuring an unusual setting (Prague) and a variety of interesting characters. This is definitely a Romeo and Juliet story playing upon several mythos but at its heart a devil and demon pairing in the midst of a centuries old war.
Story: Karou is a human art student raised by 'monsters' - beasts made up of several different types of animals living in the underground. Then an angel appears trying to kill her and slaughter her friends/family, and she soon realizes that there is a lot more to her life and family then she ever knew. But will she learn enough in time to save those important to her - or even herself?
I fully understand why there are so many 5-star reviews for this book - it's decently written, interestingly dark, and makes a lot of moral dilemmas for the main characters. And yet, it never really captured me. Not enough happens and a lot is remembering a past that already happened - making half the book feel very passive. I listened to the audible version and I found myself oddly disconnected and even bored with the story. I didn't really like Karou, her friends, or the angel. As well, the villains were almost cookie cutter macho bad guys and the good guys just a bit too good. That lack of complexity warred with a story that was trying very hard to not be so simplistic.
I attribute my malaise more to my personal tastes and interests rather than the fault of the author, however. So for me it was a 2 star book but recognizing the appeal, I offset that against the 5 stars and find a 3.5 star rating.
Don't let my experience discourage you from this book - it is by no means a bad book at all and I can definitely see why so many enjoyed it.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Katherine
- 07-16-12
Looking forward to the next book
Where does Daughter of Smoke and Bone rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
It's in my top 20
What was one of the most memorable moments of Daughter of Smoke and Bone?
When Karou and Akiva see each other again in Marrakesh. It was just so beautifully written.
What does Khristine Hvam bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I liked the different accents she used for all the characters. I really enjoyed Brimstone and Zuzana the best.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
"Be careful what you wish for" or "The truth may not set you free"
Any additional comments?
I'm looking forward to the next book. I usually don't read books that are part of a planned series until at least 2 books are published. (I don't enjoy big cliffhangers) However, if you don't mind the wait then I highly recommend reading this book now. Otherwise, wait until the 2nd book is released.
25 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- cynthia
- 09-10-12
Incredible narration brought the story to life
I would have loved the book if I had read it myself, but the narration brought the characters so vividly to life. There was never a false moment or mispronunciation that reminded you there was a narrator and a story, just a fascinating tale where the voices/accents helped to color the image the author created. Can't wait for the next one.
14 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David
- 02-01-12
Mary Sue, her hair is blue, her name's Karou
The good:
Laini Taylor's worldbuilding is rich within the constraints of the dual framework of an otherworldly, very loosely mythological, paranormal romance and a Romeo and Juliet riff.
Her writing is luxuriant and evocative, definitely a cut above for YA.
Her characters approach three dimensions at times.
The story is compelling when it's not faffing off about hard-bodied angels with satiny shoulders and creamy-skinned blue-haired Mary Sues.
The bad:
This is yet another book that would not exist if not for Twilight, and the 5-star reviews seem to mostly be written by teenage girls who will 5-star anything with a hot boy in it.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a YA paranormal romance pretending to be a doorway fantasy with angels and demons. Karou is a preternaturally adept teenager living in Prague, raised by magical beings who hide in an extra-dimensional cubbyhole, who goes on errands around the world, and incidentally picks up tons of languages and skills all over the place. Then an angel shows up and tries to kill her, something like a covert Armageddon goes down, and the rest of book becomes Karou uncovering her secret past while making out with angel-boy.
The rest of the book had an almost Narnia tone when it went to Elsewhere and the war between the seraphim and the chimaera. If only the author had capitalized more on these fantasy elements! But the epic war between these races is subsumed by, you guessed it, a pair of star-crossed lovers making kissy-face at masked balls and rolling on grassy hills.
I give this book 2.5 stars. The writing is great, the story and the setting are interesting enough to stand up with most fantasy novels. But at its heart, this is just another angsty teen romance with supernatural lovers, and many, many pages are spent dwelling on the physical perfection of the two protagonists and how they make each other feel hot and gooey inside.
I recognize that I am not the target audience. I picked this book by chance, and it's not for me. But that said, you can deliver a mature, sophisticated fantasy novel with romance, even for teenagers. This is not that book, though it does come painfully close at times.
135 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jules
- 02-15-13
Definitely a Favorite
Awesome!!! I didn't want this story to end. The author created a truly unique and very visual world. This is a fast paced fantasy that is filled with action, adventure, heroic girls, dreamy boys and a star-crossed romance. I will highly recommend it.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Niki Rogers
- 08-06-12
I Loved this Book
A really interesting premise. I read lots of paranormal fantasy and romance and this is new and different. I loved the writing style, the character building and the world building.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Diane Daniels
- 10-29-11
Laini Taylor is a Master Storyteller
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book at first because of the unwanted sexual details of the heroine's misadventure with her disgusting exboyfriend. However, I held on because I had read her amazing "Blackbringer' series and I hoped it would get better. It did not disappoint me! She drew me in and held me captivated by her amazing fantasy world. The angels in this are not your traditional, religious angels. They are something else entirely, a whole different race involved in a war with monsters who aren't really monsters. i can't even fault her with the cliff hanger ending because the book is just that incredibly original and enjoyable.
19 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sash & Em: A Tale of Two Bookies
- 09-20-13
WONDERFUL Fantasy
This book is flippin fantastic. I read it in about a day and was pretty much caught up in "Elsewhere". And that is just one of the many, many things that makes Daughter of Smoke and Bone so darn good. Here are some reasons why you should read this book:
The world building is stunning.
I mean, really. Some of the best world building I've seen this year between the demons, the angels, and the war. The descriptions of the places that Karou sees while she is in "Elsewhere" and also just the whole notion of this other world where demons are reincarnated during battle. There are such intricate details of this world that it feels real. If you like fantasy, you're going to love this book. So epic.
Great Writing
The writing in this book is incredible, bar none. Great descriptions, whisking you away in this fantasy tale of star-crossed lovers and a battle as old as time. I could literally see everything playing out right in front of me. I haven't read Ms. Taylor's other work but I've heard great things about Lips Touch: Three Times and if it's anything like Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I'll be raving over it as well.
The Ending
Simply amazing. I was on the edge of my seat and now I'm waiting for more.
Side note: I do not like Prague. This is a personal bias against the city because of a bad experience there while I was studying abroad. Going into this book, I was extremely skeptical because it's set in Prague. I have been to the Charles Bridge and some of the other destinations mentioned and you know what? I actually liked this Prague. Seeing the city through Karou's eyes made me actually like Prague. Kudos, Laini Taylor!
10 people found this helpful