Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Title: Days of Blood and Starlight
Author: Laini Taylor
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: November 6th, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
Pages: 517
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Age Group: Young Adult

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?

I am speechless. I am completely and utterly speechless. Not really, since I do have stuff to say about this book, but wow.

When I read the first book I thought that nothing could ever top this. Taylor as such a way with writing, there's this poetic nature to it, and I think that's the initial appeal to me about that book. So, when I read this book I could not believe how well Taylor kept the voices of Karou and Akiva alive. Her poeticness traveled across and held strong.

I was so mad at Akiva and Karou. I wanted the best for them but at the same time I knew that wouldn't be possible because of all that happened between them. Still, I have hope. And hope is the main theme of the series. It spreads across the pages, dancing into the minds of the readers as they soak in all that occurs.

What I found interesting is that I can't be mad at one or the either, I have to be furious at both. They both did things that were unpleasant but they felt were necessary or at least tricked into thinking it was necessary. They were both placed into difficult situations that neither were prepared for. And the events that played out, the foreshadowing of what will most likely happen in the last book, and the revelations that occurred just took me by surprise.

I was not expecting so much. There was never a moment when I wanted to put the book down and never pick up again. Action occurred on every page and brought the story to life.

The sacrifices that were made, the heartache, the sadness, the hallow victories, the choices - everything fell into place. There were so many moments when Taylor took me by surprise; jaw-dropping moments, to be more specific.

I didn't want to the story to end. The atmosphere that Taylor creates in her world takes hold and never wants to let you go - and to some extent you don't want to leave. I know I didn't. And even though Karou and Akiva are anything but fully human, they make choices and mistakes just like us; they have failures and heartbreaks, and I'm sure that this is the only reason why they seemed so alive. Taylor creates memorable, realistic characters/world.

And as for the surprise twist? I love how they didn't just come out of nowhere; the moments were coming and the readers knew. Just not knowing exactly how things would play out.

Honestly, Taylor has probably written my favorite book of the year. I am so glad I finally read it. When is book 3 coming?!!!! I need it now!!!!

Readitreaditreaditreaditreadit!!