Title: Dreams of Gods & Monsters Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone #3
Author: Laini Taylor
Published: April 8, 2014
Genre(s): Fantasy
Page Count: 613
Rating:
Summary from Goodreads:Two worlds are poised on the brink of a vicious war. By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera's rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her.
When the brutal angel emperor brings his army to the human world, Karou and Akiva are finally reunited - not in love, but in a tentative alliance against their common enemy. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves.
But with even bigger threats on the horizon, are Karou and Akiva strong enough to stand among the gods and monsters?
I’ve lost my ability to even. I can’t. Cannot. Laini Taylor, my goddess, my master, my idol—I bow before thee. I don’t know how your mind managed to conceive of such a book, but thank you. THANK. YOU. You are a rockstar.
Obviously, I really freaking loved Dreams of Gods & Monsters. I make no apologies for this review’s incoherency. None. There is a point where rational writing and objectivity must take their cue to exit, and I believe that point is now.
There’s honestly nothing to say here. Laini Taylor writes like nobody else. I’m in awe. She has a truly impressive maturity and lyricism to her prose that goes beyond anything I’ve seen. Laini Taylor writes for the young adult like they’re an intelligent, complicated group (which of course they are). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if there is ever a YA series that will appeal to adults, it’s this one. Taylor does not pull punches or sugarcoat, and even though this is fantasy, what’s happening to Karou is very, very real. On top of that, this series is highly creative, original, and unique. I’ve never heard of a story like this, ever.
But seriously: why was this book (and series, and author) so perfect? Why? How is that allowed. I can’t handle it.
Dreams of Gods & Monsters is a brilliant conclusion to the series. It’s tense, it’s emotional, it’s raw, it’s brutal, it’s adorable, it’s highly satisfying. I don’t know what more you could want. The battle between angels and demons has come to earth, and, in a strange twist, the reader is rooting desperately for the demons. Karou, our amazing protagonist, has become responsible for the entire universe, and she has things to do. Lots of things. Things you probably couldn’t even have thought of, unless your name is Laini Taylor. For real.
When I first began reading, I was skeptical. 600 pages? How could that possibly be necessary. And yes, while Dreams of Gods & Monsters can sometimes be wordy and frustrating, since there are so many perspectives to switch between, Taylor doesn’t really waste time. There were a few new characters added and I was super not on board, but they turned out to be just as integral to the plot as Karou and Akiva. And after all, this is a book about saving the universe—a mere 300 pages simply would not do.
The writing is vivid, the story is beyond gripping, the characters are real and genuine, and the conclusion just…perfect. This entire review is basically just a flaily mess and I don’t even care. Dreams of Gods & Monsters is flawless and too precious for this world. Laini Taylor, I salute you. (And please for the love of all that is holy and unholy, never ever stop writing ever.)
