Happy Christmas Season! November was a busy month with the start of basketball season combined with finishing up The Evolution of Lillie Gable. I only read two new books (although I did read another a book a second time). With only two reviews, I decided to skip the video post, especially since both books are two in the same trilogy. If you are looking for an original, beautifully written fantasy series, start with Daughter of Smoke and Bone, then continue on to those below. By the way, the audio book versions are also phenomenal.
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (Book 2 of the series) - Days of Blood and Starlight is a fantastic second installment in a trilogy. The book is darker than the first, and the story is bigger than the love story of the first. The first half is a slower pace, setting up the characters for the action in the later half of the book. Speaking of the characters, the character growth is phenomenal. Taylor introduces us to a few new characters while strengthening our feelings toward the others. The ending was big and epic. I saw one aspect coming, but that didn't take from its grandeur. I can't wait to read the final act! 6 out of 7 stars
Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor (Book 3 of the series) - The third and final book in this trilogy was bigger than the first two. Taylor introduces more characters, more world-building, more intrigue, while continuing the epic love story of Karou and Akiva. The story centers on Karou and Akiva bringing together the chimaera and seraphim to stop the Apocalypse on the planets of Earth and Eretz, but when Taylor wraps up that plot line, the book isn't over. She could have wrapped up the story nice and neatly. Instead, she goes bigger and beyond the chimaera and seraphim to the bigger forces of light and dark at work in the world. I found her decision to leave threads of the story untied interesting, and I wonder if one day she will continue this bigger story arc. Overall, I loved the book and series. Taylor's writing is breathtakingly good. 7 out of 7 stars
I am aiming for a better selection of books to review the next month, or at least back to the regular number of four books each month.