I have mixed feelings about this, because I want more insight into the cast of Daughter of Smoke And Bone. At the same time, there were major problems with the plot and flow of writing. I suggest you read DOSAB only if you have nothing better to read. Have you read all of John Green’s books first? When was the last time you reread all of the Harry Potters? Did you read Lani Taylor’s better book, Strange The Dreamer and its sequel, Muse Of Nightmares?
I’m not saying it was a bad book. It just wasn’t heartbreakingly good.
Karou: A human raised by chimera. She wished her hair blue, and spends scuppies on trivial things, to the ire of father/ minotaur Brimstone.
*Spoilers ahead*
She isn’t devoted to just anyone. She leaves her human friend alone for months, although judging by the amount of time she spends with Mik, might be for the best. She abandons her normal life to find her family, travelling across the world for months.
She has to find them. Brimstone may not be the most affectionate father, but he’s the one she’s got. And who wants a human life anyway, when the one that disappeared has magic?
But it isn’t the magic she’s after, though she takes advantage of it. It’s who she is. Who is she? It’s her family. The chimera put Hope in her. She’ll become hope, and earn her name.
*End spoilers*
Like I said, I had some problems with the book. Insta-love, two dimensional characters, and guessable ending. Here’s what I took away from it:
- Two traits pulled out of a hat does not make a fully fleshed out character! There’s more to life than wanting to paint and being good at killing. You need to spend time with a character and talk to them before you can write them well.
- I love the Supernatural vibe. The show and the creatures beyond natural. The war put me in the general headspace of angel-demon ammosity, from the perspective of demons. I want more recommendations for Supernatural-type books! Comment with books below! (I haven’t seen all of Supernatural, so no spoilers)
- Why the heck is the love so insta?!? This never happens in real life, and I don’t understand why it keeps happening in books. I believe in love at first sight, but it doesn’t happen like this!
I Heart Characters! is a weekly meme hosted by Dani @ Perspective of a Writer to showcase our book blogger love for characters! Post on whatever day suits you, about characters from whatever media you love (books, movies, K-dramas, television, manga, anime, webtoons, whatever!) and link up on the giveaway post ♡
Please put your recommendations below and take this survey I want to get more serious about what I post, since I’ve let it slack for a few weeks. Understandable, considering I am homeless, but I’m in a more stable position at a shelter program, and I want to refocus on things that matter to me.
I still have to read this one yet it’s been on my shelf for years now!!!!
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If you do read it I hope you enjoy it! It’s a well loved book, but aside from the world building it wasn’t for me.
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Neat choice! I want to read these books!
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Thanks, but wouldn’t you rather read all of the books. All books. Ever.
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I’m so glad to hear you are in a more stable situation Tanya!! ❤️ I love you picked a character from a book you didn’t exactly love… I have a slew on my list like that! Still I agree Karou is fascinating even with all the creation flaws… (BTW I feel like ALL of Laini Taylor’s characters fall in instalove, even Strange the Dreamer was like that TBH, its something I just accept about her writing, though I wish she would try a slow burn, lol) Supernatural type books… hmm Written in Red and the Others series always comes to my mind first.
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My first thought when I read The Other’s description was if Pretties (from Uglies) was supernatural. I will definitely check it out!
I don’t really remember there being there being insta love in Strange the Dreamer, more of a pull between them. Though I’m about to reread it and may change my mind.
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Oh man, Karou is my girl! I personally adored DOSAB, but I get what you’re saying. As far as Supernatural reads…Obviously Good Omens by Neil Gaiman. The Wish List by Eoin Colfer is a fun, quick MG read!
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Good Omens looks really good! I loved Coraline but haven’t looked at his other books before.
I loved what Artemis Fowl I could find, but I always found them out of order and didn’t really understand who he was. I’d love to read another book by the same author. Thanks for the recs!
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Luckily the Wish List is a standalone!
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I agree with you; this book seems so well-loved by so many people, but other than the idea and the worldbuilding, I just couldn’t get into it because I didn’t know who the characters *were* or why they cared for one another.
With regards to books with supernatural creatures, I recommend the Kate Daniels series, it’s awesome. Also the October Daye series, though that one is more faerie oriented.
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Both of them look awesome! I love that they have mystery as well as paranormal.
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