Daughter of Smoke and Bone

In the city of Prague, blue-haired art student Karou leads a double life between her normal school routine and secret missions collecting teeth for her mysterious adoptive family. Her family consists of chimera - beings who combine features of different animals and humans - who grant wishes in exchange for these teeth. The story takes place across multiple worlds: our familiar Earth and Eretz, a realm of ancient conflicts between chimera and seraphim. When Karou encounters Akiva, a seraph warrior, she becomes entangled in a cosmic struggle that forces her to question everything about her past and identity. This first book in a trilogy combines elements of urban fantasy and epic mythology, building a universe where wishes have power and teeth hold secrets. The narrative explores the space between the mundane and magical, weaving through the streets of Prague and beyond into unexplored realms. The novel tackles themes of identity, the cost of war, and the possibility of love across seemingly impossible divides. Through Karou's journey, it raises questions about the nature of family and the price of wishes.

Readers call this book imaginative and lyrical, with beautiful prose that some say verges on purple at times. Many praise Taylor's worldbuilding and the Prague setting, with readers noting the vivid descriptions make the locations feel real. Likes: - Strong character development, especially Karou - Original take on angels and demons - Atmospheric writing style - Art school subplot adds authenticity Dislikes: - Pacing slows significantly in middle sections - Romance feels rushed/instalove for some readers - Second half shifts tone dramatically - Some find the writing overly flowery Ratings: Goodreads: 4.03/5 (263,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,300+ ratings) Common reader comments point to the unique mythology and world-building as highlights. Multiple reviews mention getting lost in the prose but struggling with pacing. One frequent criticism notes the book "takes too long to get to the point," while positive reviews often highlight the "haunting and magical quality" of Taylor's writing style.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo A young woman discovers her magic powers while navigating a fantasy world filled with monsters, romance, and a battle between light and dark forces.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor A librarian journeys to a lost city where gods, myths, and forbidden love intersect in a tale of identity and destiny.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab A woman makes a deal with a dark god, leading to centuries of immortality and a romance that defies the curse of being forgotten.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson A mortal portrait painter becomes entangled in the dangerous world of the fae when she captures the true essence of an immortal prince.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern Two rival magicians train their proteges for a mysterious competition that unfolds within a magical circus that appears without warning.

🦷 The teeth-collecting aspect of the novel was inspired by Taylor's own childhood experience with her grandfather's dentures, which she found both fascinating and unsettling. 🏰 Prague was chosen as the setting after Taylor visited the city and was captivated by its gothic architecture and mysterious atmosphere, though she wrote most of the Prague scenes before ever visiting. 🎨 Before becoming a writer, Laini Taylor worked as a freelance illustrator and designed fantasy book covers for other authors. 🦁 The chimera creatures in the book draw from various mythological traditions, particularly Greek mythology where the original chimera was a fire-breathing hybrid of lion, goat, and serpent. 📚 The book took Taylor over two years to write and underwent major revisions, including a complete rewrite of the first 200 pages before publication.