Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (audiobook)

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Narrator: Khrisitine Hvam
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Length: 12 hours and 32 minutes
Source: Audible
Edition: audiobook

From the Back of the Book:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages - not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers - beautiful, haunted Akiva - fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My Thoughts:

I bought this first in book form and just never picked it up. Then the other day I got an email from audible and this book was only $7.95. I was bored at work so I thought I would buy and listen to it. THE BEST DECISION EVER! I am so glad that I did. Laini Taylor is a master storyteller. Daughter of Smoke and Bone has the most unique take I have ever heard of on the age old tale. The characters and world are unlike any I have ever encountered. The vivid imagery used in this book is simply beautiful. I could not get enough. Instead of just listening at work, I listened between classes, in the car, washing dishes, you name it until I finished.  The main character Karou is a girl who's grit and determination will steal your heart. Akiva? Oh, Akiva! In him a my favorite male character of any book in quite a long time is born. Even the secondary characters are funny and simply amazing. The setting of this YA novel is unique also. It takes place in Prague!  This is a country that I don't often think about, but if it's anything like Laini describes it, I want to go there. I cannot wait until the next book. Daughter of Smoke and Bone ends in a HUGE cliffhanger. Will I be listenint to/reading the next book? Oh yes! I will be getting a print and an audio copy!

 One of the things that made this audiobook amazing was the person who read it. Her voices for each character is one of if not the best I've ever heard. I've probably listened to around 25 audio books. Each character's voice is unique, not over the top, and is age appropriate. There is nothing more that turns me off of an audio book than a 60 year old woman voicing a 17 year old girl. This is one of the best books I have heard/read in a long time and is a definite must read. I give Daughter of Smoke and Bone a 5 STAR rating.