Dreams of Gods & Monsters

Starred review from March 24, 2014
In the final book of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, Taylor revives the strong interweaving of reality and fantasy that gave the first story such cross-genre appeal. When a seraphim army with a terrifying message arrives in Rome, fittingly taking up residence at the Vatican, humanity is brought face to face with the chimaera and seraphim universes. Meanwhile, Karou and Akiva, now in control of their respective armies, doggedly pursue their dream of forging an alliance between their enemy races and themselves. The opening scene introduces a new character, a scientist with a secret past; her story builds in satisfyingly intricate pieces to culminate in a pivotal role. The twists and turns of the dense plot deepen the complexity and the danger, leading to a potential apocalypse. Delivering less blood and gore than Days of Blood & Starlight and more yearningâfor love, for peace, for a homeâthan both preceding books, the story is borne along by an increasingly strong undercurrent: the hope of overcoming embedded prejudices and instinctual hatreds to create a more harmonious world. Ages 15âup. Agent: Jane Putch, Eyebait Licensing & Literary Management.

July 28, 2014
A mesmerizing conclusion to this popular fantasy trilogy will leave fans utterly satisfied. A band of angels descends to Earth, and humanity is brought face to face with the chimaera and seraphim universes. Meanwhile, Karou and Akiva, now in control of their respective armies, doggedly pursue their dream of forging an alliance between their enemy races and themselves. The Romeo and Juliet-esque love affair between Karou and Akiva is described in well-balanced tender moments with a backdrop of battles, terror, and various life-threatening situations. The narration is tight and skillful, giving listeners heart-stopping action as well as a deftly paced backstory. Taylor’s often-poetic prose is translated with incredible voice talent, balancing lyricism and brutality with masterful skill. Short musical interludes complement Hvam’s performance and add to the atmosphere of the book as a whole. For new listeners, this isn’t a story that one can jump into, with a multitude of characters introduced in the beginning. A Little, Brown hardcover.

In the epic conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, Karou becomes an epicenter for both Chimera and Misbegotten Seraphim as they struggle to save their home world, Eretz, from the newly crowned Emperor Jael. The war's emotional toll is hauntingly evident in Taylor's novel. However, Khristine Hvam's narration brings levity and hope to listeners as Karou's friends and former enemies band together to fight the evil that could destroy them all. Hvam's accents and cadence for these characters, Zuzana especially, give lightness to this rich, dark tale. At the same time, she captures the tension in each scene, keeping listeners riveted until the final sentence. J.M. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine