"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.
Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.
In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.
While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.
But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?"
This sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone, was unprecedented. It is rare that a sequel fully lives up to its predecessor, but to surpass it is practically impossible. Days of Blood and Starlight left me breathless for the conclusion of the series. It provoked deep emotion and incited a familiarity with the characters. I love Karou. I ache for her; her loss, her heartache, her great, back-crushing responsibility, which she bears with the most beautiful and realistic grace. She doesn't do these things because she is noble, or brave or good- she does them because she has to. When life pushes you down and leaves you to rot, you stand up and keep going because you must. Even in the unending desert, surrounded by creatures of myth, with a past and future twain by the schism of your two selves.
The relationship between Karou and Ziri is heartbreaking. I found myself rooting for them, but almost guiltily as there has not been true closure between Karou and Akiva. Ziri's monstrous form is lost in his compassion, his genuine and pure nature, his humanity. I love his sacrifice, so unselfish and heartfelt, not the product of unrequited love, but driven by a desire to make things right.
The developing characters of Hazael and Liraz are also a compelling part of this sequel. Their relationship with each other and Akiva is tender and strong. Additionally, we see more of Zuzana and Mik, who bring humor and sass and impossible things to the Chimaera camp.
This book, more than anything, gave me a feeling of family. The relationships between friends, kin, lovers... they are deep, emotional and extremely gratifying to be a part of.
This sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone, was unprecedented. It is rare that a sequel fully lives up to its predecessor, but to surpass it is practically impossible. Days of Blood and Starlight left me breathless for the conclusion of the series. It provoked deep emotion and incited a familiarity with the characters. I love Karou. I ache for her; her loss, her heartache, her great, back-crushing responsibility, which she bears with the most beautiful and realistic grace. She doesn't do these things because she is noble, or brave or good- she does them because she has to. When life pushes you down and leaves you to rot, you stand up and keep going because you must. Even in the unending desert, surrounded by creatures of myth, with a past and future twain by the schism of your two selves.
The relationship between Karou and Ziri is heartbreaking. I found myself rooting for them, but almost guiltily as there has not been true closure between Karou and Akiva. Ziri's monstrous form is lost in his compassion, his genuine and pure nature, his humanity. I love his sacrifice, so unselfish and heartfelt, not the product of unrequited love, but driven by a desire to make things right.
The developing characters of Hazael and Liraz are also a compelling part of this sequel. Their relationship with each other and Akiva is tender and strong. Additionally, we see more of Zuzana and Mik, who bring humor and sass and impossible things to the Chimaera camp.
This book, more than anything, gave me a feeling of family. The relationships between friends, kin, lovers... they are deep, emotional and extremely gratifying to be a part of.
