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grav_ityI said of the first book in this series, DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE, This book is kind of like the TARDIS: First you're all "Hey! It's bigger on the inside!", and then you're all "HOLY CRAP THERE'S A SWIMMING POOL IN HERE!"
In keeping with the theme, DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT was like traveling with the Doctor: there's danger and beauty, and the inevitability of heart break. Also, there is AWESOME.
The one element I missed was that in DoS&B, I spent a lot of time yelling "That's lovely, but WHAT ABOUT THE TEETH?". DoB&S was missing that element of OMG, JUST TELL ME, but made up for it in spades as you watched two people who had hope and lost it, try to find it again. Karou's arc, in particular, was heartwrenching. Watching her work so hard with no direction, and then bite down and just go for it was fantastic.
And Akiva! Boy's a hot mess, obviously, but he's trying so hard, and he doesn't even know what for! I loved getting more details of the Misbegotten, and watching him make decisions, and hard ones at that, was very compelling.
The supporting characters were all great. Thiago and Ten were terrifying (and frustrating), Zuze and Mik were ADORABLE, the other seraphim were awesome, and the new chimaera were brilliant. I loved Ziri in particular, but also The Shadows Who Live.
And then, of course, there was the ending. THE ENDING. So much action and tension, and then brilliant lines to match the brilliance of the scenes. I won't spoil you here, but...man. I didn't think the end of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONES could be topped, and Taylor totally managed to anyway!
All told, another excellently written story, with fantastic characters and wonderful imagery, and an ending that defies description.
Oh, and also THERE WAS A MAP.
9/10
In keeping with the theme, DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT was like traveling with the Doctor: there's danger and beauty, and the inevitability of heart break. Also, there is AWESOME.
The one element I missed was that in DoS&B, I spent a lot of time yelling "That's lovely, but WHAT ABOUT THE TEETH?". DoB&S was missing that element of OMG, JUST TELL ME, but made up for it in spades as you watched two people who had hope and lost it, try to find it again. Karou's arc, in particular, was heartwrenching. Watching her work so hard with no direction, and then bite down and just go for it was fantastic.
And Akiva! Boy's a hot mess, obviously, but he's trying so hard, and he doesn't even know what for! I loved getting more details of the Misbegotten, and watching him make decisions, and hard ones at that, was very compelling.
The supporting characters were all great. Thiago and Ten were terrifying (and frustrating), Zuze and Mik were ADORABLE, the other seraphim were awesome, and the new chimaera were brilliant. I loved Ziri in particular, but also The Shadows Who Live.
And then, of course, there was the ending. THE ENDING. So much action and tension, and then brilliant lines to match the brilliance of the scenes. I won't spoil you here, but...man. I didn't think the end of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONES could be topped, and Taylor totally managed to anyway!
All told, another excellently written story, with fantastic characters and wonderful imagery, and an ending that defies description.
Oh, and also THERE WAS A MAP.
9/10
