Book of the Month: “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” by Laini Taylor

PHOTO: Fantasy novel “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” follows 17-year-old art student Karou with a double life in Prague

By Sarah Griffiths,

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

Going into the second month of the year still in quarantine can get a little boring. Senior Elyse Lowrie recommends an adventurous, fantasy novel, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, for February’s book of the month.

This is the first book to the New York Times Bestselling trilogy published by Laini Taylor in 2011.

Set in Prague, a 17-year-old art student Karou has a double life as an errand girl for Brimstone, a creature mixed of human and animal. The blue-haired, tattooed protagonist is fearless and independent, although still on a quest of self-discovery. 

“The book started out pretty slow and it took a while to figure out the main plot but it still managed to captivate my attention,” Lowrie said.

The reader is introduced to Akiva, an angelic being at war with the chimeras. He plans to end the war by closing off all portals that Brimstone uses to enter the human world and collect the teeth that are the source of his magical powers.

Karou ends up closed off from the chimera world, and she seeks a way back to Brimstone. She realizes Akiva has followed her and expects a fight, although the two quickly fall for each other. With help from Akiva, Karou uncovers secrets about who she really is.

“I really enjoyed the way the characters in the book interacted with each other and how the author built up the story,” Lowrie said.

Taylor reminds her readers to always be careful what you wish for.

“The book made me think of how many different aspects there are to each decision a person can make and what their consequences might be,” Lowrie said.

Follow Karou on her journey for a much needed escape from reality.