This book is the
first in a trilogy, it was written by Laini Taylor and published in 2011. It
had been on my TBR shelf for quite a while before I finally picked it up and I
don't know why I waited this long because I absolutely loved it! Seriously I
was so pleasantly surprised with everything that happened that it became my
favourite book of 2013 and it also has a spot on my
Favourites of All Time list. But before I just go on
and on about how great it is, let's start with the actual review.
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| Paperback (version I read) |
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| Hardcover |
Warning
I
feel like I can't do this without revealing minor spoilers. I'm going to write
them like this so you
can skip these parts if you want to get through the review completely spoiler
free.
Synopsis (as written on the back of the book)
"Errand requiring immediate attention. Come,
The note was on vellum, pierced by the talons of the almost-crow that
delivered it. Karou read the message. 'He never says please', she sighed, but
she gathered up her things.
When Brimstone called, she always came."
In
general, Karous has managed to keep her two lives in balance. One the one hand,
she's a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to
a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in
our world, half in 'Elsewhere', she has never understood Brimstone's dark work
- buying teeth from hunter and murderers - nor how she came into his keeping.
She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn't
whole.
Now
the doors to Elsewhere are closing, and Karou must choose between the safety of
her human life and the dangers of a war-ravaged world that may hold the answers
she has always sought.
Story:
I
didn't really have much information about this book and so I was very surprised
with how it all turned out. The world was built beautifully and the story
developed so nicely. Generally Laini Taylor did a great job planning it
and all the pieces fell into place by the end of the book while also leaving us
with new questions and excitement for the sequel.
I
also liked how we discovered most of the mysteries just as Karou did. There are
some things you could predict but most of the story came as a surprise.
Another
point I particularly enjoyed about the story was that it's divided into
different parts. This suited very well because Karou also went through
different stages of finding out who she was and every part kind of matches with
one of these stages.
Characters:
I loved the
diversity of the characters personalities and that you actually care about them.
To me that is one of the most important things when reading and so I was very
glad to have it in this book.
The relationships
between all the characters were developed so beautifully and delicately which
lead to several very emotional scenes and I loved it. An example would be the
relationship between Karou and Brimstone. You only learn about the true
depth of their relationship towards the end but it's just so bittersweet
considering how coolly he threw her out and that he's possibly dead now.
Writing
Style:
The story was told
in third person which I do not always like but in a Fantasy novel like this it
was perfect because your view of the world is still focused on the main
character but you also have a broader knowledge of what is going on around her.
For once I even enjoyed the altering POVs because it let me learn more about
Akiva and his motives. Also the changes seemed fitting.
What was truly
amazing was Laini Taylor’s descriptive and vivid style of writing because it
really helped letting Karous world come to life in my head. You might feel a
little weirded out at the beginning because Mrs. Taylor has her way of weaving
in information which won't always make sense to you but as you read on it's
just like: Ahh now I see!
Overall
Opinion:
As you certainly
figured by now I really enjoyed the book and I'd definitely recommend it. There
is a bit of everything: romance, mystery, badassery... and once you get used to
that world and how Laini Taylor builds it you will fall in love with the story and
the characters. This is why I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I was very excited for the sequel and
started reading it right away. Now I can't wait for the final book which is
coming out in April.
