Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor: A Review

15Dec11

What makes a good novel?

Usually there are a few of the following: Compelling and distinctive characters. A thought-provoking world. Evocative writing. A gripping storyline and a skillfully woven plot. A challenging subtext. Or that X factor that latches onto your heartstrings and guarantees that 10% of you is off dreaming, and only 90% of your attention is devoted to everything else in your life.

In Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Laini Taylor gets all of these and so much more. It’s simply a fantastic read that is miles ahead of its competition. As I read, I kept thinking that it’s got to start sucking soon, because it couldn’t possibly be that awesome all the way through.

(Warning: THAR BE SPOILERS)

However, I hit on a nasty surprise when I turned the last page. The novel ends on a cliffhanger. The main plotline was left fluttering in the gust of wind created by the story’s abrupt departure.

It might be argued that this otherwise charming book isn’t a self-contained story in itself; it felt more like a tragic backstory that ended right after the big reveal in the main plot. I had no closure, and if I were the vulgar sort, I’d compare it to… well, but I’m not.

Even so, this wrenching backstory was beautiful and tragic enough to warrant five stars. It begins like this:

Once upon a time
An angel and a devil fell in love.
It did not end well.

… setting an otherworldly stage for something of an epic Greek tragedy. Like another reviewer said, it made my heart ache. And perhaps that’s the best recommendation I can give for this one-of-a-kind story.

I am waiting avidly for book two.