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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.
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him - and face the consequences.
When Feyre kills a wolf, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a magical land Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it....
The faerie Magpie Windwitch, granddaughter of the West Wind, flies over the ocean with her small flock of crows. Ill-advised sailors all too often open bottles floating near their ships, and Magpie has vowed to recapture the devils released upon the world from their sea-borne containers. But there is one bottle in which a great menace was trapped by the ancient Djinn King, and when this bottle is opened, the evil of the Blackbringer threatens to engulf the world.
Laia is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire's greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.
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.
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him - and face the consequences.
When Feyre kills a wolf, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a magical land Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal. As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it....
The faerie Magpie Windwitch, granddaughter of the West Wind, flies over the ocean with her small flock of crows. Ill-advised sailors all too often open bottles floating near their ships, and Magpie has vowed to recapture the devils released upon the world from their sea-borne containers. But there is one bottle in which a great menace was trapped by the ancient Djinn King, and when this bottle is opened, the evil of the Blackbringer threatens to engulf the world.
Laia is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire's greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.
In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. But becoming the Queen Crowned isn't solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it's not just a game of win or lose...it's life or death. The night the sisters turn 16, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.
When 19-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin - one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of 17 princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most - a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian's heart to the Sea Queen and or remain a human forever.
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price - and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone.
Kell is one of the last Travelers - magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes. As such, he can choose where he lands. There's Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, ruled by a mad King George. Then there's Red London, where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. There's White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne.
Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin's Guild, Celaena yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam. When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes - and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: Humanity has conquered all those things and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life - and they are commanded to do so in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe - a role that neither wants. These teens must master the "art" of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.
"You can't touch me," I whisper. I'm lying, is what I don't tell him. He can touch me, is what I'll never tell him. But things happen when people touch me. Strange things. Bad things. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own.
Alosa's mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father's justice. When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King.
A Great Winged One will soon arise and cast his fearsome shadow upon the land. And just as Night slays Day, and Day slays Night, so also shall another Black Witch rise to meet him, her powers vast beyond imagining. So foretells the greatest prophecy of the Gardnerian mages. Carnissa Gardner, the last prophesied Black Witch, drove back the enemy forces and saved her people during the Realm War.
Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she's been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she's received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear. Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He's a man who can get you anything you want...at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects. But for one client, he's never asked for repayment. Not until now.
Eugenides, the queen's thief, can steal anything - or so he says. When his boasting lands him in prison and the king's magus invites him on a quest to steal a legendary object, he's in no position to refuse. The magus thinks he has the right tool for the job, but Gen has plans of his own.
"Errand requiring immediate attention. Come."
The note was on vellum, pierced by the talons of the almost-crow that delivered it. Karou read the message. 'He never says please', she sighed, but she gathered up her things. When Brimstone called, she always came.
In general, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she's a 17-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in 'Elsewhere', she has never understood Brimstone's dark work - buying teeth from hunters and murderers - nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn't whole.
Now the doors to Elsewhere are closing, and Karou must choose between the safety of her human life and the dangers of a war-ravaged world that may hold the answers she has always sought.
I really liked the premise for this book. The mystery of the teeth and why Karous is running the mysterious errands is enough to keep you hooked but ultimately I didn't....
SPOILER
... buy into the chemistry between Karou and Akiva. There just wasn't enough to it and I found that I didn't care enough about their relationship. I would also have loved to hear more about Karou's other family but there just wasn't enough details on this either.
I really liked Karou as a character, she was interesting and brave but otherwise I don't know if I will bother with the next book. This book just didn't draw me in enough.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I first read this book just before it was released and was immediately captivated by it. having read the whole series now it was really interesting to listen to the audio book version of it. The lyrical magic of the writing fits beautifully in an audio book. I love it.
Totally lived up to the hype! The story and writing was beautiful and absolutely fantastic, the narrator was surprisingly great (I love the accents especially!) and the ending was completely heartbreaking...
If you could sum up Daughter of Smoke and Bone in three words, what would they be?
Eastern fantasy mystique
What did you like best about this story?
It is so unusual in style and story line. I loved every minute and hungry for the next!
What about Khristine Hvam’s performance did you like?
The accents and interpretation of lines brings the book to life brilliantly. She makes the story fly!
Any additional comments?
Buy it now!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
When I first started reading this story I got really bored and ended up putting it down, but it had come highly recommended by a trusted source so I turned back to it several months later and pushed on through. I'm so glad I did.
What did you like best about this story?
The characters in this story are really captivating and whilst they seem to start out ambling aimlessly through the pages without very much excitement at all, that soon changes and you find yourself willing them forward.
What about Khristine Hvam’s performance did you like?
I've given the performance four stars; it could have been five since Khristine Hvam performs this audiobook brilliantly capturing all of the individual characters with one voice. The only slip ups which dropped the star for me were several mispronunciations of words like gibbet (which appeared a lot in the text and so it got distracting), which you can forgive the reader for if they don't know the word, but what was unforgivable and very annoying was the complete change of pronunciation of the character's name Liraz, which she ended up changing to Leeeraz, towards the end of the series.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
What I loved most was the intertwining of plot: how so much that happened was dependant on events previous with cause and effect being wielded like a master. It had wonderful continuity and fluidity, and you found yourself willing Karou and Akiva to achieve their goals.
Any additional comments?
It is a slow start, but don't let that stop you. Loved it.
I loved this story and the sequel. Laini Taylor is one of the best contemporary fantasy writers.
Would you listen to Daughter of Smoke and Bone again? Why?
I almost never listen to an audiobook twice unless it is part of a series and the next book in the series has come out and I can't remember the previous book. So, I guess I will listen to this book again when the sequel comes out.
What did you like best about this story?
I liked that it is innovative and deals with a completely new concept in the YA-world.
Which scene was your favorite?
Ah, it is hard to pick a favourite scene since I enjpyde the whole concept so very much. I like that the author has managed to create an entire new world and that it is logical in it's own way.
I've chosen this book on a whim and was very happy I did so. It is a magical story, somewhat different from the typical fantasy set-up: you won't find the was of angels and chimerae in many books. I was starting to feel a bit bored when getting to the middle of the book, but then it was as if the whole new world has suddenly opened before me and I became totally engrossed again.
I am pretty sure, it is mostly meant for teenagers, but still it was refreshing to find a fantasy book without mountains of gore and pages of love-making.
It is also very well narrated.
Sadly it quickly becomes tedious. Too much drama and too many stunningly beautiful people. The story gets lost in the endless descriptions. The narrator did her best with what she had.
What did you love best about Daughter of Smoke and Bone?
The story line, the way it gripped you and them as you read the more revealed of what things were and why.. found it all very fascinating and gripping
What was one of the most memorable moments of Daughter of Smoke and Bone?
the betryal
Have you listened to any of Khristine Hvam’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
nope
If you could take any character from Daughter of Smoke and Bone out to dinner, who would it be and why?
Brimstone - as he is a contradiction of sorts and a strong grounded character
I listened to this on audiobook courtesy of my beautiful monthly membership to Audible. It was astonishingly good. The prose was colourful, imaginative and sophisticated. There were moments when I found my brain chewing over a dazzlingly brilliant metaphor or simile that just left me reeling in a post-literary glow. I don't even care how dodgy that sounds.
I am in love not only with Taylor (who has very pink hair, by the way), but with her wonderful protagonist, the tattooed, blue-haired Karou. She was a girl who lived between worlds and who knew just how to sharpen the pointy-end of a witty one liner. I am in love with all of Taylor's characters. Akiva (a swoon-worthy Seraph) was a fairly typical male interest who was rather predictable. Nonetheless, he was a literary hottie. Karou's best buddy, a tiny Czech girl by the name of Zusana kept me giggling throughout.
The characters were beautifully drawn, the setting made me want to hop on the next plane to Prague and Taylor's writing made me want to keep chipping away at the dense old block that is my skill at crafting words. I don;t want to write too much about the plot here as I wouldn't want to give the game away. I will, however, say that the structure of Taylor's narrative was, if not a breath of fresh air, then a good old spritz of Fabreeze to the somewhat stale and tattily-woven fabric of some YA reads.
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A rare 5 stars for this and a whole lot of bated breath for the sequel!Lx
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
First: I really enjoyed this book. I actually fell asleep listening (not 'cos it was boring but because it was late) and this gave the whole experience a definitely dreamlike quality. Re-listening awake, its still good, even for a not so young adult. Of course seen in context of the fantasy genre as a whole, this ticks all the well known boxes, another world on the the side of a door (CS Lewis, Pullman), angels (Pullman again) so the underlying ideas aren't really new. But this need not matter as it is beautifully, lyrically written and read (even if in a US accent). And it takes the ideas and adds romance, which is certainly lacking in all the other versions. So I'm on tenter hooks for the next instalment.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This is a wonderful book. The style is quite modern but it is beautifully written. I absolutely loved the narration as well and have been looking for more more more from the writer and narrator both. MUST get this if you love fantasy. So good.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
If you could sum up Daughter of Smoke and Bone in three words, what would they be?
This book starts in a deceptively simple way, with a girl acting as a carrier for her family. Albeit this is a rather unusual family of mixed creatures. Karu herself lives in Prague, and has a fairly normal school life, but one day she sees something she shouldnt, gets very hurt, and makes the reader start to wonder just what is behind the doors, and why is she collecting teeth?!
This is an interesting story, where you are kept guessing as to who exactly is good or bad, and it doesnt get any easier as the protagonists history is revealed. Easily one of the best of the current paranormal slew of angel based books, and one suitable for older children, but not younger ones due to some of the fights and deaths, none of which are in great detail, and well justified in the storyline.
Gave it four stars, as I hate books ending on deliberate cliff hangers, why cant they at least write a partial ending, and be a good enough read anyway for me to buy the next book? That said, a lot of ends were tied up, so wouldnt be too frustrating to read alone.
So, in 3, engaging, exciting, and immersive.
What other book might you compare Daughter of Smoke and Bone to, and why?
I would compare this to wicked lovely, another book that keeps you guessing without making too much of this as a plot device.
What about Khristine Hvam’s performance did you like?
I liked most of her voices, she makes it really easy to keep track of who is speaking.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Does addiction to the storyline count??
Any additional comments?
Does need a bit of concentration at times, so not the best book for driving to, but a good bedtime or sunbathing book.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I'm sorry to say that this is the first audiobook I ever stopped listening to. I listened exactly halfway through and when it did not pick up I decided to just drop it and wait for my next credit.
What I should say is that this is not terrible, but also not very good. I think the mistake I made was listening to this as an adult, because I do think I would have enjoyed this as a teenager. If you like the Twilight films chances are you will love this book, and if so don't let this review put you off.
The story in itself isn't so bad and after a few hours I even thought the book did show some promise, but as is made painfully clear it turns into a love story and not a very good one. Slow, sleazy and a serious amount of words describing two people looking at each other. Again and again. Other 'side'-parts of the book, mostly when Karou, the hero, hung out with her friend Suzana made me cringe. Tried to be funny but didn't work.
I'm really making this sound worse than it is, as said before I probably would have liked this fifteen years ago. Overall, don't bother if you don't like Twilight and books/shows similar to that.
10 of 13 people found this review helpful
Would you consider the audio edition of Daughter of Smoke and Bone to be better than the print version?
Loved the story. Bought the next volume in the trilogy right away and now I cannot wait until September 2014 when the next volume of trilogy is published. One of the best narrators I have listened to. Very enjoyable indeed.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Akiva and Karou, main characters. Chemistry and tragic impossibility.
What about Khristine Hvam’s performance did you like?
Loved it!!!!!! I will be searching for more books read by her.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
YES, definitely!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This book feels like a teenagers romantic tradey, like an angles and demons version of Romeo and Juliet, without the poison. It's good at keeping you in, to follow a romance between two people who have been told that their love is wrong, and this is the biggest grip. Although, at times, it feels very drawn out and darts back and forth from past to present, making it feel a little tedious at parts, however it's also needed to build to the pinnacle of the story, which is brought together in the last chapters of the book (after chapter 40..). In all however, it's a great story that mixes sci-fi, adventure, woman's strength, romance and sadness. It was good enough that I look forward to delving further into the story in the following book, since I feel, and hope, book one was more of a set up for the greater adventure that I expect will continue in books 1 and 2.
I love reading and listening to YA literature. Most good stories can be enjoyed by people of all ages. But this book just did t do it for me. I'm quitting before the end. The characters are childishly gruesome and the story is predictable. The narrator doesn't help. She has an overly bubbly tone and the accents are pretty terrible. Pick a better story, like The Red Queen.
10/10... Truely beautiful story.. Loved every second of my time spend in this world. must read for every (YA)fantasy fan!
Just another teenage soap opera... too much drama for my taste. strong female main character.
An excellent, heart moving work; disguised at first as a trashy genre novel. love it.
Loved it! Didn’t want it to end! Wish there was a movie. It was great!
What a great start to the trilogy. Here I am humming through the first part of the book thinking ok, the main character is quite interesting and POW! The second part blows me away. No more words now, must start book 2! Ps. The narrative aspect also rocks. Love love love!
I had already read this book a few years ago and listening to it was such a wonderful treat. it made it even more real!!
Every now and again I indulge in YA fiction, and find it can be very formulaic - this one however left me guessing till the very end! And I had totally guessed wrong! well worth a listen
I liked the book for the rich character imagery. Fantasy creatures fighting a battle with treachery and love all rolled up in a mystery. The story unfolds slowly, I found it easy listening.
Narration was great, the characters are well read.
I bought this book thinking it was adult fantasy as nowhere in the description did it say for young adults. The main character is painfully arrogant, selfish, childish and stupid. I think she is supposed to be cool, quirky and ‘hard core’ but any intelligent person over the age of 17 is probably going to find her annoying. I persevered as I’d already paid for the book but got about halfway and couldn’t bear the main character any longer. This was disappointing as the other characters, storyline and narrator was otherwise pretty good.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful