Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #3) by Laini Taylor - Restarting June 20th 2020

[Sofi]

Tayane, you may be right: it sounds a very mature kind of YA, it was hard for me to get into at the begginning but now I'm used to it...
but I'm still scared :P

[Xiamera]

Finally started. I'm kind of ashamed it took so long. Anyways, I'm up to 20% (view spoiler)[ It took me a bit to get back into it but intrigued by what Eliza sees in her dreams and the reason behind running from her family. Akiva's power is something I need to know more about now! This Scarab person sounds like someone I don't want to meet if she's anything like Eidolon. Scary. And what is up with the sky? (hide spoiler)] There are so many questions I need answers to and I'm looking forward to the answers.

@Sofi I agree Akiva and Karou better end up together.

On the maturity aspect. I find that in fantasy YA, it's easier to forget that they're young because they're dealing with stuff we have no frame of reference for. So, they have to be mature and not act their age.

[Xiamera]

32% (view spoiler)[ Oh my goodness. It's terrible that Akiva and Karou are having their moment while Liraz is being assaulted. Fingers crossed that she doesn't die. Man oh man, how is Ziri/Thiago gonna resolve this one? (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

47% (view spoiler)[Wow that moment with Scarab was intense. I'm anxious to find out what being from this Festival line means for Akiva. (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

76% (view spoiler)[ The Stelians really were some grade A douches from the beginning. And yet their decision not to get involved will still lead to their destruction. Finally we get an understanding of Eliza's dream and what Razgut experienced. (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

84% (view spoiler)[ I was rooting for Liraz and Ziri before it was even a thing. Lol. It just made sense and I can't describe the pang that went through me when I read about Liraz singing his soul into the canteen. Sigh, I almost shed a tear. (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

Finished and holy crap did so enjoy it! (view spoiler)[ The things that really stand out for me are the budding relationship between Liraz and Ziri, the house that Akiva built for him and Karou, the story behind Razgut's fall and the awesomeness that is Eliza. (hide spoiler)] Loved it all and I'm so glad I finally read it.

[Tayane]

Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[I feel so sorry for Ziri being in Thiago's body. And I really want Akiva's idea to work.
I also need to say that I love the chapters told on Zuze's POV, it's sort of a relief on all that tension without losing all the atmosphere of the story. (hide spoiler)]

[Tayane]

Coming back to this one
Chapter 34 (view spoiler)[A lot of interesting things has happened so far. I love that Akiva and Karou are coming close again. I hope they finally can be together at the end of it all. And I'm wondering if Ziri told Liraz that it's him inside Thiago's body.
I'm so curious to know what Eliza is! Maybe she's also a chimaera? Or is she another kind of creature? Or is she just a human with abilities? (hide spoiler)]

[Tayane]

Chapter 44 (view spoiler)[ Oh, no, I hope that Ziri's spirit can still be collected! It's so unfair.
And I'm still confused about Eliza. They're saying she's part angel, but I don't know if I believe it as the truth, I have a theory that she is something else. Let's see. (hide spoiler)]

[Tayane]

Chapter 46 (view spoiler)[ Ok, so she is part angel. Now I need to know how and why lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Tayane]

Chapter 53 (view spoiler)[Zuzana is definitely one of my favorite characters ever! I love her. (hide spoiler)]

[Sofi]

after weeks I picked it up and I'm in chapter 43 I swear Laini will be the death of me, she can't do that! my heart is broken :(

[Tayane]

Finished! And I cried for a few minutes after ending it because the trilogy is over.
(view spoiler)[I don't think the ending was exactly perfect, but I liked it. It was breaking my heart to see Akiva and Karou breaking apart again, but the ending gives me hope again. I like the way Laini says that nothing ends perfectly, or that the ending isn't that easy, but we can make our way through it. It kills me not to know how they'll beat the real Beasts, but I like that even finishing the book, I'll always have the feeling this story is still happening somewhere, in a distant world. By the way, Laini's world building is so perfect that made me wonder sometimes if there wasn't really other worlds out there.

About Liraz and Ziri... YES!!! I love them so much and they gonna be a strange but lovely couple. When she told Karou she sang so his soul could find its way to the canteen I cried, because this shows how much she has changed.

I also love that Zuzana and Mik are part of their world now (even though I'm wondering what are their family thinking, if they gave them some kind of excuse for going away). Zuzana is one of my fave characters, I really could read on her POV for a long time.

Well, I think this is it. I wish there where a fourth book, so Laini could finally end this thing, but I enjoy the continuity feeling she gave me at the end. I can use my imagination now. And I'll probably think about these characters and this world for a loooong time. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 7th of July 2017

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[Natalie]

Should start this in the next day or so. So excited to finally finish this series! :D

[Ananya]

Natalie wrote: "Should start this in the next day or so. So excited to finally finish this series! :D"

I should be starting this today - I'm really excited too :P

[Ananya]

Chapter 1. WHOA (view spoiler)[ Wow. Eliza?? This chapter full on gave me goosebumps. I expected something along the lines of Akiva and Karou with their armies - but what did I get? An angel/chimaera screaming her freaking lungs out and getting messages all at once to tUrN oN tHe tV. Can I just say, this chapter has me creeped out - what with all the screaming and people supposedly finding her??? (hide spoiler)]

[Kirsty]

16% (view spoiler)[ I am looking forward to seeing how this series ends. So far the story is moving a little slowly but I am hoping that the pacing will pick up. Karou and Akiva seem to be joining forces to go against the Angels that have descended on the world. I have a feeling that a few characters may die in this book. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Ch 1
(view spoiler)[ aaah i love Eliza so much. I love her interaction between her and gabriel. Im so glad her family contacted her but the seraphim invading is honestly terrifying (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Ch 23
(view spoiler)[ Ziri is such a great Thiago. Its kind of scary. I feel bad that Akiva thinks something is going in with Karou and Thiago. I wish he knew it wasnt actually him!! (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ Oh god!! "The beasts... are coming for you" ?????????? I seriously hate Jael so, so much. So what is his plan? To use human help to eradicate the chimaera??? (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 23 (view spoiler)[ I feel so freaking bad for Ziri - trapped in a body he doesnt want, acting to be someone he hates, and dying from his love for Karou. Also, I hate that everyone thought that Thiago was the one who sent out that pulse of power?? Like, no. It was Akiva. I am surprised that Liraz didn't make that connection either - I mean, it should have been similar to the powerful pulse sent out at the Tower right? Also, I wish so badly that Karou would tell Akiva whats going on (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 34 (view spoiler)[ I don't know why but initially I just assumed that Eliza is an angel/chimaera?? However, now that I think about it, she might also be a human??? I'm really confused. I'm also really happy that Karou and Akiva finally made up!!!!! And I honestly love the development of Liraz's character. I still don't understand the whole "sky is bruising" thing and I'm scared for to meet Scarab. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

I can't put it off any longer despite having not finished my other novels - I need to start reading this :|

Ch1
(view spoiler)[
...huh? Who's Eliza? And who's Gabriel? o.O

Gotta say though, nightmares so bad that they give you cardiac arrhythmia at the age of seven is pretty dang impressive.

Wait... hang on... is she one of the angelsO one of the "bastards" like Akiva? Or just a seraphim in general?
(hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Natalie wrote: "I can't put it off any longer despite having not finished my other novels - I need to start reading this :|

Ch1

...huh? Who's Eliza? And who's Gabriel? o.O

Gotta say though, nightmares so bad th..."

I thought this too!! But then, won't she have wings? Even though Akiva was able to make his wings invisible, they still showed up in his shadows right!!

[Ananya]

Chapter 38 (view spoiler)[

“I’ve seen other universes. I’ve been to them.
And I destroyed them.”

I'm so confused!

(hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 44 (view spoiler)[ OH MY GOD I HATE MORGAN TOTH. WHY? Why would he do that??? And Eliza is a descendant of an angel???? AND oh my god, Ziri is dead. SJDHLASD Everything is happening all at once and I'm so freaking overwhelmed. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Ch9-10

(view spoiler)[
What's the significance of Eliza. I need to knowwwwwww. Is she an angel? Half-angel? Chimera resurrected in human form like Karou? Whatttttt
--
Oh great. Well done... Jael? I forget his name. But yay, let's just start the rioting and getting everyone to look for monsters (or chimaera) hidden around every corner. Smart move for him, but I want there to be more to it than just some "warning". (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Ch 42 (view spoiler)[. Omg this fighting chapter was so. Perfect?? Heartbreaking. Emotional. So many viewpoints. Liraz giving up her safe spot for Akiva. The urn is full. Ziri fully embracing the wolf and kicking so much ass. Zuzana realizing the full spectrum of the war. EVERYONE PROTECTING KAROU (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Julianne wrote: "Ch 42 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ RIGHT?????? I GOT GOOSEBUMPS (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 51 (view spoiler)[ Can I just say, I love the writing - I love how the different perspectives are so insightful and help paint a complete picture. Also - FINALLY Eliza's path and Karou's path has merged. I was waiting for so long for the significance of Eliza's character to be shown. So will Eliza be the one to enlighten the group on what happened in the Cataclysm? Also, Akiva and Karou reconciled!! I still cannot wrap my brain around Ziri's death - but I'm still holding on to the hope that Liraz survived. (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 59 (view spoiler)[ MIK IS MY HERO. OHMYGOD!! I did not see that coming. I love Zuzana and Mik. On the other hand, freaking hell, Jael and his army knew about Karou's plan. I. Want. To. Kill. Esther. It was all going so well - although I started to doubt Esther when she admitted to ignoring Karou - but I still had hope (..or Karou? haha) that she was not going to turn out bad. Guess I was wrong. (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 64 (view spoiler)[ My heart legit stopped when the knife was thrown. STOPPED. My relief when, well, the knife did not kILL AKIVA was so great I was actually smiling. I loved how freaking badass this chapter was. Like, Akiva was so calm throughout and basically talked as if he owned the whole universe. Really excited to see how the Stelians will play a role in all of this (hide spoiler)]

[Kirsty]

Ananya wrote: "Chapter 23 [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 23 (view spoiler)[ I agree with you about Ziri it must be difficult for him being in Thiago's body pretending to be him when he never liked Thiago. (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 73 (view spoiler)[ oH MY GOD IM SO HAPPY!! IM SO HAPPY THAT LIRAZ GLEANED ZIRI'S SOUL. AAAHHH. AND LIRAZ CONFRONTING JAEL WAS JUST !!!!!! Honestly LOVE Liraz. Also, still don't fully get the Cataclysm and Eliza's and Razgut's part in it but Eliza supposedly has all the knowledge and memories of Elazael? AHHHH I want this to end now (not really) BECAUSE everyone is happy and crying and looking at the number of chapters left I know its not going to stay this way - the stelians, eliza, etc etc :(( (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 77 (view spoiler)[ The whole mystery with the stelians is unnerving. Also, it makes me so, so happy whenever I think about how much Liraz has progressed and changed for the better. An angel, with so many marks on her hand that they appear black, falling in love with a chimaera. So freaking beautiful. (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 80 (view spoiler)[ What? I hate Scarab. I did not understand this chapter at all. And poor Karou :( BUT!! Zuzana and Mik are back!! Hell yeah :D (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Chapter 85 (view spoiler)[ oH MY GOD OHMYGOD OOOOHHHMMYYYGOOODDD. I HAVE GOOSEBUMPS ALL OVER AND TEARS IN MY EYES. THEY ARE THE GODSTARS????? OKFJDLHGSKDFJG IM SO SHOOK. AAAAHHHHHH (hide spoiler)]

[Ananya]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ AHHH. THAT ENDINGGGGG. I LOVED THIS SO SO SO MUCH. I think this is probably the only book that has made an impression on me after ACOWAR (hide spoiler)]

[Kirsty]

Chapter 43: (view spoiler)[ I can't believe that Liraz pushed Akiva through instead of herself. I am a little confused about Eliza and the part that she is going to play in the story. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Ch 54 (view spoiler)[ im wary of Esther. I dont remember this part very well from the first time I read the book. Im worried about Eliza too. How will she help Karou? (hide spoiler)]

[Kirsty]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ I felt that the first part of this book was very slow moving. I was very confused by the introduction of Eliza although her role did make sense towards the end. I found the ending a little confusing and this was probably my least favourite book in the trilogy. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Ch 65
(view spoiler)[ Akiva is such a great character. I loved how he spoke to Jael. Learning about the Cataclysm and Elazael and FINALLY Razguts backstory. At least a little bit of it (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Ch22

(view spoiler)[Yayyyyyy! Zuzana POV (of sorts). I love how even in the midst of well... everything... her and Mik are always staying true to both themselves and each other - and also finding the time to have a laugh <3 I love this chapter. Such a great break in between everything else. (hide spoiler)]

Holy s*** this is so good. Loving this novel so far.

[Natalie]

Ch27: (view spoiler)[The wolf-boy who helped the... fast deer-like centaur people... I think... and died in the last book... was collected as a thurible and might be brought back to life! I'm so glad he wasn't just gone because I loved his character ;u; (even if I can't remember his name).

Edit: His name's Rath (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Ch31 (view spoiler)[I'm kinda getting a vibe between Ziago (Ziri in Thiago's body :P) and Liraz... are they going to become a couple? Because I would NOT mind that :| (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Ch33: (view spoiler)[Oh S**T. They've found the pit of dead Chimera bodies! (hide spoiler)]

Everything seems to be happening all at once now ._.

[Natalie]

Ch42: (view spoiler)[Don't you DARE die Liraz! I have so many hopes for you (and Ziago!) ;u; I definitely did not expect that surprise attack from The Dominion - even though I really should have - and I'm just kinda in shock from all of it. And now Akiva, Karou, Zuzana, Mik and Virko are all on planet earth and just... holy CRAP. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Ch62: (view spoiler)[OH MY GAWD. Is Akiva dead now? DANGIT RAZGUT.

Also, side note: are Razgut and Eliza (or Ezrael, whatever her "angel name" is) from the same battalion or something? I'm sure Razgut knows exactly who or what she is :| (hide spoiler)]

Ch64: (view spoiler)[Not dead! YES! (hide spoiler)]

Ch65: (view spoiler)[It's Elazael, not Ezrael. Oops :P (hide spoiler)]