Night of Cake & Puppets

By: Laini Taylor

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam, Kevin T. Collins

In this stand-alone companion to the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone series comes the story of Mik and Zuzana's fantastical first date--as a gorgeously illustrated gift edition with bonus content included.

Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her "rabid fairy," her "voodoo eyes" are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or "Violin Boy," her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to make the first move, 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 leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy is not going to know what hit him.

New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy--the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Originally published as an ebook, this new print edition will include breathtaking black and white illustrations, plus bonus content in a gorgeous package perfect for new and current fans of the series.

A romantic tale with a tablespoon of magic

If you could sum up Night of Cake & Puppets in three words, what would they be?

Beautiful, romantic and funny

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

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

This short story is well written and perfectly narrated. An audible must for all listeners who enjoy the books by Laini Taylor.

Engaging and satisfying

A lovely set of short stories that are original and insightful. Some of them I’ve listened to over and over again, some of them are merely very good.

I’m middle-aged, female, and like to read a broad range of genres from vapid young adult fantasy to heavy non-fiction intellectual essays. I have a particular fondness for authors who imbue their characters with complex motivations and have a deep understanding of the human condition.

Laini Taylor is an author that checks all my boxes and I have enjoyed reading along as she develops as an author. In terms of skill, I would rank this book as slightly more skillfully written than the daughter of smoking bone trilogy, and below strange dreamer (all of which I loved), but it’s hard to compare short stories with a series.

I very much enjoyed listening to this book, and then again later with my 11 and 13-year-old daughters.

Perfect Short Story while waiting for Book 3!

In a novella from Laini Taylor, author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, comes the story of a romance between Zuzana, Karou's human best friend, and Mik, the violin player. For those that have read the first two books in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, you will have met Zuzana and Mik, but for those that haven't discovered this series yet, this short story is a great place to learn about two secondary characters, that deserve a story of their own.

I listened to the audiobook of both Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight and was absolutely mesmerized by Khristine Hvam's narration. Zuzana leaps off the pages of the books and practically springs out of my ipod with her energy and I loved every second of her scenes. When I heard she was getting a novella of her own I was excited - although I'm pretty sure she thinks she deserves a entire book!! The reason I love Zuzana so much is that she has a fantastic friendship with Karou. She is there for Karou through thick and thin and believes in Karou. More than the romantic angles of both of their lives, I love the friendship between Zuzana and Karou. Karou plays a mild part in this story, via text messages, but this story is all Zuzana. And Mik of course!

The story is romantic and fun and tells of Zuzana and Mik really meeting for the first time and finding each other and a first date of sorts. It is so romantic and it made me want to run out and seize the world as Zuzana and Mik do.

I LOVE Khristine Hvam's narration of these characters. I haven't listened to her narrate any other series yet but I plan to soon. She's narrates Zuzana and Karou so perfectly and I couldn't imagine anyone else doing the narration. I recently finished listening to Kevin T Collins narrate Beautiful Creatures so it was interesting to hear him narrate Mik, which is a completely different accent. He does a great job of narrating Mik's feelings as he goes on a treasure hunt of sorts for Zuzana. Kevin T Collins' is definitely on my radar of narrators to listen to more in the future.

Recommended for urban fantasy fans and readers that are looking for something a little different, but still romantic.

Lovely and Magical

Originally posted at: A Girl that Likes Books

Life doesn’t need magic to be magical. But a little bit sure doesn’t hurt

Why I read this book

Ever since I started reading the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy I've likes Zuzana. She is a fun character to read and to hear, since I am doing this series in Audio. So when I learn that there was a tiny novella dedicated to her I had to read it.

What the book is about

Taylor gives us in this book the story of Zuzana's and Mik's first date. With a bit of help from Karou and a lot of input from her own unique persona, Zuzana finally makes the first move and marvels Violin Boy with a wonderful night in Prague.

First impressions

Independent of the magic in this story, this is such a lovely first date. Two people that have liked each other all along, but cannot gather the guts to ask each other out finally getting the little push they needed.

Final thoughts

While the reason why I like Daughter of Smoke and Bone so much is because it doesn't revolve solely on a lovey dovey couple but mostly in effect difference and ignorance can affect everything, this novella was sweet without being sickeningly so.

It showed a side of Zuzana that was endearing without losing her strength, which happens so often, like you have to choose between one and the other. And Mik is adorable; the way he talks (Kevin Collins does a wonderful job impersonating him), the way he expresses himself, is absolutely charming. The fact that the story is told from both POVs is a plus, and when it finally merges it is…well, I don’t like to say perfect, but I guess for this two it was.

Listening to this novella, right before going through Dreams of Gods and Monsters gave me a whole new light for their relationship as well as the one between Karou and Zuzana. Almost 3 hours of delightful charm and sassiness.

I want to build spires in their minds and dance shadows through like marionettes, chased by whispers and hints of the unspeakable.

A wonderful Addition to the Series

If you could sum up Night of Cake & Puppets in three words, what would they be?

Laugh Out Loud

Who was your favorite character and why?

Zuzana, although that was an easy choice to make. these short story addition to the daughter of smoke and bone series didn't have many choices to choose from however that being said. the few that are in there are memorable and well faceted. that being said however in the majority of the daughter of smoke and bone series it's Karou whom is my favorite.

Which scene was your favorite?

hard to choose, maybe the cigarette buts in the coffee piece or mabybe...every part of the book!

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

Yes