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What Members Thought
This book. Laini Taylor is an incredible wordsmith; the prose is breathtakingly gorgeous. I want to live in Prague and be best friends with mysterious blue-haired art student Karou. Both Prague and the Elsewhere of Karou's strange family are evoked with charm and depth. The worldbuilding is just--it's amazing, and enveloping, and I loved it. One of my favorite books of the year.
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Karou is one of the best YA heroines I've read in years, and her story is wonderful-- original, funny, heartbreaking, and pulls you through the pages. When I finished it, I had to talk myself out of immediately buying the sequel and instead just putting it on hold at the library, because I can't wait to find out what happens next. Thanks to my friends who insisted I read this.
March 2014: YEP STILL AMAZING. ...more
March 2014: YEP STILL AMAZING. ...more
One of the most imaginative stories I've read in a long time, especially regarding the characters and world-building. It's hard to even describe what the story is about without giving too much away so I'll just say I appreciated the creativity and the well-thought out backstory. The backstory actually almost eclipsed the main action, which was a little strange from a pacing standpoint, though I had more of a problem getting into the book in the beginning because I had a hard time picking up on t
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Karou lives a double life. By day, she is an art student in Prague, hanging out with her best friend, Zuzana, at the Poison Kitchen, filling her sketchbook with pictures of fantastical creatures. But at night, she serves as the international courier for the real-life versions of the characters she draws — Brimstone, the Wishmonger, who trades wishes for teeth; chimaera Issa, Yasri, and Twiga; and tiny, bird-like Kishmish — the only family she has ever known.
It’s a stressful life for a young woma ...more
It’s a stressful life for a young woma ...more
Wonderful fantasy novel filled with love, loss, strange creatures and angels.
Taylor has created a fresh world full of magic that draws the reader in from the beginning. Karou, the main character, is a strong-willed young woman determined to protect her foster father and her friends at any cost. When she meets Akiva, she is drawn to him not only by his good looks but also by something she cannot name.
The book has great twists and turns and the ending is excellent. Can't wait for the next one! ...more
Taylor has created a fresh world full of magic that draws the reader in from the beginning. Karou, the main character, is a strong-willed young woman determined to protect her foster father and her friends at any cost. When she meets Akiva, she is drawn to him not only by his good looks but also by something she cannot name.
The book has great twists and turns and the ending is excellent. Can't wait for the next one! ...more
Oops, I forgot I finished this a couple days ago.
Um... I thought for a while that they were going the "omg reincarnated lovers!!!" route and was prepared to be grossed out. I'm glad there was an (ever so slightly) better explanation.
There was a lot I liked and was very much into, and a lot I didn't like and wasn't into. RJ's review pretty much sums up my feelings.
The ending... wow, it was like a punch in the stomach. By that time, they were my favorite characters.
There were just so many ups and ...more
Um... I thought for a while that they were going the "omg reincarnated lovers!!!" route and was prepared to be grossed out. I'm glad there was an (ever so slightly) better explanation.
There was a lot I liked and was very much into, and a lot I didn't like and wasn't into. RJ's review pretty much sums up my feelings.
The ending... wow, it was like a punch in the stomach. By that time, they were my favorite characters.
There were just so many ups and ...more
Got totally sucked in. Really liked the beginning parts, and was at first turned off by the Madrigal world part. However, after a bit i didn't want to turn it off/put it down...
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Mini-review: Clever, twisty, lushly & vividly described, and full of intensity and heart.
The rare romance (and Romeo + Juliet variation) that completely drew me in, but OMG that ending.
Also, I want to move to Prague and go to art school now. And be friends with an awesome puppet-maker like Zuzana.
The rare romance (and Romeo + Juliet variation) that completely drew me in, but OMG that ending.
Also, I want to move to Prague and go to art school now. And be friends with an awesome puppet-maker like Zuzana.
