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.
Days of Blood and Starlight is the sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bones by Laini Taylor where we are introduced to two lovers: Karou, an art student, and Akiva, an angel. In Days of Blood and Starlight we find Karou with her kind, chimaera, who have attributes of both animals and humans. In fact she is carrying on the work of Brimstone and acting as the resurrectionist for the chimaera, bringing back fallen chimaera to life. While Karou is fighting for her side, Akiva is fighting a different sort of battle, one for redemption and for hope. You see, Karou blames him for the near destruction of her people and doesn't want anything to do with him anymore.
Told in alternating chapters we see Karou and Akiva both fighting mightily to change their worlds. Angels are good and chimaera are bad. I mean, chimaera are good and angels are bad. It is really obvious that there are both good and bad members of angels and chimaera and it isn't always abundantly clear which is which. And then, just when we think that the story could have a happy ending, we find out that the world is bracing for a catastrophe of epic proportions and we are left dangling with a to be continued....
Agh......that is me screaming. I want to know how the story ends. NOW. But the third book in the trilogy won't even be out until next year. Why do I do this to myself? I should know better than reading the 2nd book of a trilogy before the 3rd is published. It happens to me every time. 2nd books in trilogies tend to have the "Empire Strikes Back" story-lines. Know what I mean? In the Empire Strikes Back the bad guys make great gains and the good guys seem stymied and possibly near defeat. That is sure the case with Days of Blood and Starlight, lots of bad stuff with just a bit of good sprinkled in here and there.
I am a huge fan of this series and obviously can't wait for the next installment.
I liked the first book in the series but LOVED this one. I feel like you do--ready for the next one to come out, right now!! I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteJust skimmed this review since I'm reading it right now. I just think it's hilarious that you have to explain the "Empires Strike's Back" reference (which I have to say is the *best* Star Wars movie). :D
ReplyDeleteI didn't really expect to like _Daughter of Smoke and Bones_ as much as I did and I've been eager to see how the series progresses, but I'm going to try to hold off on reading this one until the 3rd book is out.
ReplyDeleteI think you are wise, Karen. I had a hard time remembering characters and events from the first book and wish that I'd had the second and third to read immediately after finishing the first. Wait until the third is ready to launch before picking this one up, and you might want a quick review of the first before you do.
DeleteI haven't read the first book yet, so I think I'll hold off on this one (or maybe both, until the third book is out.) I know exactly what you mean about Empire Strikes Back syndrome, though. It's amazing how many trilogies and even longer series follow that story arc, where the second-to-last book is darker than the previous ones and ends with everything in a right mess...
ReplyDeleteLove your review. I can't wait to read this book. I love this series. Great job at telling me what the book is about. It's weird because I wasn't quite sure till now. And you gave nothing away. Awesome!
ReplyDelete