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Daughter of Smoke & Bone
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Taylor, Laini: Daughter of Smoke and Bone ("Buddy Read") Start Date: October 1, 2012
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@ Lisa Kay2 - I think I'd be tempted to tag this as YA-mature if I had that category on my bookshelf. It's definitely a young adult book, but it has a lot of mature themes and content. I have young cousins, for instance, that read a lot of teen books and I wouldn't recommend this to them until they're older.
@ Stefani 34 - Yes, that's right - and the magic doesn't cause the pain. It's the other way around. Pain produces wishes.
35 - Or maybe he's just good at reading people, and could see what they were generally talking about based off their expressions and tone of voice?
38 - I would LOVE pictures. I have a pretty clear picture of some of some of the chimaera, but others I can't visualize. I would love an illustrated special edition of this. I'd buy it, if the illustrator was good and there were lots and lots of pictures. It's not going to happen, though.
41 - Ooh, interesting! I didn't think of it that way.
42 - Yes, I didn't either. It's very fascinating, I think.
44 - Yes, that's a good comparison, I think. I think this background on chimaera added so much depth to the book.
@ Stefani#13 – LOL! Love your answer, but I’m with Katie; in a “weird way” I think it was!
#14 – Interesting though process.
#15 – Good guess.
#16 – LMBO!
#19 – Yes, I was completely lost over this.
#20 – I think he would have also.
#22 – Yes, puzzled me, too! But kept me reading onward.
#23 – Love your answers, Stefani!
@ Katie#13 – In accord with you on this aspect, Katie!
#15 – Ah!
#18 – Yes, I thought of them as “trapped,” too!
#19 – Ahhhh…But wouldn’t it have a purpose?
#20 – I agree. Little did he know…
#21 – So interesting that you ladies saw this, when it took me awhile longer.
#23 – Really? Whoa.
Chapters 55-Epilogue46) Looks like a prequel won't be necessary. Seems like this last bit was actually the beginning and sadly the end. I had no clue what he'd done. Gah! Totally shocked.
My jaw hit the ground I think. Right after they explained what the hamsas meant, I kind of figured it out at that point. But it was still shocking, sweet in a way though.
47) Any idea what the sequel will hold? I'm thinking it's too long since her family was killed to glean any souls. :( Could they have found pre-made bodies?
Maybe she will find that they didn't and went into hiding. Or she may be caught by the seraphim and have to escape.
48) You were pretty close to what happened with Chiro. So I'm guessing Chiro did not get reincarnated?
I hope not, bitch deserves it *halo*
49) Do you think they killed all the chimaeras or just Karou's family?
I am still hoping they are not dead. But I figure there still has to be some of them left or having a sequel would be pretty boring.
50) Is there any hope left?
There is always hope, unless its the last season premiere of Warehouse 13...then all the hope is gone temporarily.
51) Why did Brimstone think she'd leave them? I'm confused.
I think that he figured she would want more than shady jobs, ignored questions, and everything else. She was already getting restless so I think that if Akiva hadn't shown up he would have been right.
52) So each race had their story of where Chimera came from. Looks like the chimaera legend had to do with the verse we previously saw about the moons.
I loved those little passages. It made the book so much more magical for me.
53) What is your overall thoughts of the book?
I loved it, I was entranced by it, I want the sequel like yesterday.
54) Do you feel this was one of the most original books of 2011?
It's probably among the most original and unique books I've read ever. It was fantastic.
Midu wrote: "hey LK! Just wanted to share:Krystle interviewed me!!"
Neat, Midu. Never read anything by her.
34 Yes, why is Karou exempt from the pain exchange thing that is described in the book?35 I love Zuse too! I hope she doesn’t end up being a spy and backstabbing Karou.
36 Brimstone gave karou her hamsa, but why is still a mystery to me. He doesn’t want anyone to know she has them? Was brimstone in love with Madrigal…and Akiva won Madrigals heart; so he wanted to keep her soul with him as long as possible…I am not totally understanding the events of these last few chapters.
37 I think she doesn’t want to make a promise that she can’t keep – she has integrity.
38 Yes, the prequel was not needed but I still don’t get how the white warrior comes into play.
39 No, I think they will cause trouble somehow…maybe unintentionally
40 The wishbone…it was so cryptic when they ended up breaking it. What happened? What did she discover from vague sentences like that? Help me…
@ Stefani46 - I agree - it was very sweet.
47 - I literally have no idea what the sequel will be like, and that is so exciting. I haven't even read the synopsis (which has been torture).
48 - Hah! So true.
49 - Yeah, I agree. *shrug* No clue, though.
50 - Haha! Love it.
51 - I don't think she would have left them completely - she loved them too much - but I do think she would have wanted more freedom. You're right - she was getting restless, and getting tired of being pulled away from her life in Prague.
52 - Yes, I agree! The whole book felt like a fairytale to me, especially with all the once upon a time's.
52 & 53 - Completely agree.
@ Katie34 - By the time Karou gets her hands on wish coins or wish beads, the pain exchange has already taken place. Pain is required for the wish coin/bead to be created by Brimstone. If that doesn't make sense, I can copy/paste the section that explains it in the book.
36 - Everything should make sense with this last set of chapters, Katie! The hamsas, the wishbone, everything.
38 - His role will make more sense in the last set of chapters, too. :-)
40 - Just keep reading! It should make sense soon.
@ MiduLove the interview! The cover on the right is gorgeous.
@ Stefani#26 – Yes, that is what I thought. Not that he foresaw the portals closing.
#27 – He is abnormally interested in her!
#28 – Interesting that you see this in him.
#29 – Not me. Not much anyway. A lot is made of that character in Edward Cullen, so it is hard not to. In a way Twilight ruined the whole “watching someone as they sleep” thing. Authors were writing this long before SM.
#30 – I agree.
#31 – Great answer.
#32 – LOL!
#33 – Another good answer.
@ Katie#27 – Maybe not!
#28 – Interesting. You disagree with Stefani, then?
#29 – Yes, definitely!
#30 – True!
#31 – She might be!
#32 – LOL!
#33 – Good answer!
Lisa Kay wrote: "@ Katie#27 – Maybe not!
#28 – Interesting. You disagree with Stefani, then?
#29 – Yes, definitely!
#30 – True!
#31 – She might be!
#32 – LOL!
#33 – Good answer!"
@LisaKay & @Stefani
#28 maybe not disagree totally, but Bain may be a watcher of somekind - possibly for Brimstone?
I also think the poetic lines are done very well in this book. 42 I had the teeth purpose and Brimstone's actual occupation - VERY BADLY WRONG! I am a bad guesser... 43 Chiro will have everything to do with it...her and the white wolf! History repeats itself. Now I know why Brimstone was so pissed off when they left her unguarded in the shop. 44 This happens all of the time. But, in younger people...once you get older and mature - you learn that looks aren't everything, and what matters most is what is in your heart. So, Karou is lucky to have been blessed with this knowledge when she is still young. Brimstone was wise to let her age as much as she could before giving her the knowledge. 45 She is probably sleeping with the entire Chimeara ARMY!
Katie wrote: "@LisaKay & @Stefani#28 maybe not disagree totally, but Bain may be a watcher of somekind - possibly for Brimstone?
"
Oh interesting, I hadn't thought of that possibility. That would be rather cool, I think.
Mod
LOL! I was a good book.
Mod
message 124:
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Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
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1) This is a very different book. In some ways it's a little hard to follow. I wish it had a glossary. All the K names are rendering me confused and I have to go back and check to make sure the character is who I think they are. Anyone else?
K names are very confusing, even more so for me that "Kaz" is a boy. I get a bit annoyed when writers make up names for that reason. It is hard to place them
2) What do you feel is the age range for this one? I almost feel Karou is more in college and should be at least 18. If I'm not mistaken YA only goes through characters who are 17 and when they reach 18 the books enter the adult category. Is that correct?
I thought she was older too until it mentioned she was in High School. She acts more like a late teen
3) Case in point, how many students do you know would have an art class which feature nude Models? You know I always hear about such classes, but have never actually encountered any that do this. Has anyone known anyone who has taken this type of class or know of a class that has this? I'm just curious.
I thought this would be more university age
4) What did you think if Kazimir's & Karou's past relationship? Do you think there's more to it then we know? Why does he seem to be pursuing her now?
Yes. Something else going on there
5) Did you like itch spells? I did laugh. If you had access to spells would you like to use this on anyone? What would use your wish for? I think we've all met someone we'd wish something not hurtful, but sort of along the lines of what Karou did to Kazimir to happen to someone.
very cute. It was kind of like a grown up Harry Potter in that moment
6) Karou calls Brimstone a Wishmonger. What all do you think that entails?
He clearly collects teeth and in return gives items that grant wishes. So do the teeth turn into those items?
7) What is the significance of the eyes on the palms? Does it ward off evil?
I'm trying to think of where I have seen these before. It is something in mythology
8) Brimstone seems to worry Karou will leave him. Why do you think he ended up with her? Do you think she might not truly be just a human?
This is the crux of the book I suspect. Who is she / what is she? Why did he bring her up?
9) What do you think Brimstone is hiding from her? Is he truly the devil as the passage states, "She had been innocent once, a little girl playing with feathers on the floor o a devil's lair."?
I'm going to assume he thinks he is hiding information for her own good. I was surprised when he thought she had left them.
10) Thoughts on the world building? Do you like the Poison Kitchen and Brimstone's house?
I really like it. Kind of taking bits and pieces from different things, but still unique
11) So do you think the angel's and Karou's paths will cross?
naturally. And this is YA so they must fall in love too
12) What's with all the teeth and wishes? Could we be dealing with a tooth fairy. Sorry, I'm guessing not, but it is interesting. Wonder if there is some connection?
Haha. I like that idea
Mod
13) Well, Karou and Akiva finally meet and it's definitely not love at first sight.
Not yet. sure is a spark though
14) Do you think Karou is part Chimera?
No, but I think they raised her as one of their own. Clearly without the rest of their world knowing, though. She must be something that was an enemy to their kind
15) Karou means hope. Any ideas of what she was hoped to bring about or do?
That is why I think she must've come from an enemy of theirs. She was to give hope to them of a better time
16) Do you think Kazimir will bother her again after she flipped him through the window?
Yes. I guess he will betray her down the track to the Angel
17) So now she has access to wishes? Think she's going to wish for a portal?
Does she have one big enough? She must have a plan
18) Kashmish is dead. Do you think everyone else is okay?
Hopefully they are ok. I was sad about the bird
19) What do you think the wishbone is for? Why did Brimstone send it? I kept wondering why she didn't wish to know what Brimstone was trying to tell her.
I guess the note told her what to do with it. Some way out of the world if she chose to go?
20) Do you think Brimstone would have eventually let her return if the portals had not been destroyed?
Perhaps. I think he needed to not have her around so that his people wouldn't ask questions
21) At the beginning of the book was a page that said, "Once upon a time an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well." Was that referring to Brimstone and someone else? Could Karou really be his daughter or do you think it was referring to Karou and Akiva?
Could be either. Although I assumed it was Brimstone as the devil
22) What did you think of the "other" world? What were they doing with all the chimeras?
resting after battle? oh I'm so curious!
23) Were you surprised Zuzana believed Karou?
yes! Did she though? We don't really know yet
24) What did you think of the fallen angel?
Interesting world building. I like it
25) Do you have any clue what is going on--besides a war?
Not even trying to guess right now. I am just being totally taken away by the story and really enjoying it
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Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
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26) Brimstone left Karou a lot of money and real estate; do you think he foresaw the portals closing? He certainly prepared her financially for life alone.
Maybe not closing, but I guess he knew there would be a time that she needed to stay in the human world, or chose to
27) Do you think Razgut really knows where another portal is, or is he just being mischievous and looking for company?
I assume he does, as he wants to get home
28) Will Bain hold true to his threat and make Karou's life difficult?
I'd be surprised if he (and the others) didn't pursue her
29) Was I the only one who thought of Edward Cullen while Akiva watched Karou sleeping?
30) If being close to Karou's hands harmed Akiva during the fight scene then why can they be close comfortably now that they are amiable? *sniff* I smell a discrepancy.
He does say that she keeps them facing away from him. And when he was following her she didn't notice them either - it was only when she was ready to fight they burned
31) So the hamsas are also called revenants' marks -- worn only by chimaera soldiers. How could Karou be a soldier if she barely knows what is going on and why would Brimstone hide her? Thoughts? Comments?
Brimstone clearly gave her those marks. I guess to help her if ever needed in the future. From when she glimpsed his world it seems that no-one else was aware he gave them to her
32) Can we just assume (with 99% surety) that Karou is Madrigal reincarnated? Agree or disagree? I suspected that we were dealing with reincarnation (or something of the sorts) when Brimstone said that her body was a "shell" for her soul.
Not sure if she is reincarnate, but there is something there. Perhaps she is a half-half (chimera and angel)
33) Akiva says that the price of magic is pain. Whose pain do you think it is: the angels, the chimaera, or humans?
oh, this sounds ominous....
Mod
34) So using magic causes self inflicted pain? Am I understanding this correctly? That sounds very sadistic to me. And why can't Karou feel the pain when she makes wishes? I'm confused x_x
I'd like to know who the pain is from
35)"Oh, hell. Must. Mate. Immediately."
Zuzanna is a laugh a minute, bless her fictional soul. She and Karou had the 'girl talk' in front Akiva and assumed that he couldn't understand them; he had a bemused expression on his face the whole time. Do you think he understood the conversation but chose to act like he didn't?
I loved that scene. It gave some much needed humour and "normalcy" to the situation.
36) Brimstone gave Karou her hamsa, I'm assuming he did this to give her a way to defend herself against angels. Is it possible that he also gave them to her as a way to keep her from Akiva?
Maybe. I thought it was more of a defence thing
37) I'm surprised that Karou didn't promise to meet Akiva in Marrakesh instantly upon his suggestion (even though she did in the end). I know her feelings are growing for him but I can't help but wonder if she will have to choose between her family and him. She did make a promise to Brimstone. Do you think she'll have to choose between him and her family? And if so, who do you think she will choose?
Yes. And I think she will chose her family, but in book 2 find a way to get back to him (this is YA after all!)
38) You mentioned you wanted a glossary, Lisa. I think I'd settle for some illustrations. It's hard for me to visualize some of the chimaeras, especially Madrigal. Also, I'd love to see a prequel.
That would be cool
39) Liraz and Hazael didn't approve of Avika's 'relationship' with Karou, and that is understandable. After the initial shock factor wears of do you think they'll let sleeping dogs lay, or will they report him to the higher ups?
I think they are good soldiers and will report him. Although maybe give it a bit of time so he can do what he needs to do first
40) Akiva keeps saying that when Karou breaks the wishbone she'll remember who she is/was and won't think of him the same. Is the wishbone storing Karou's memories from when she was Madrigal (assuming that she is Madrigal of course)?
Must read and find out!
Mod
41) Once upon a time, there were two moons, who were two sisters. Nitid was the goddess of tears and life, and the sky was hers. No one worshiped Ellai but secret lovers.
I think it's interesting how Laini Taylor uses these quotes to hint at what is to come in each section. Of course I've seen it done before, but I think she does it extremely well. In what ways did this quote relate to the chapters you just read?
I really like this too. I guess this is about the two "lives" that she has lived
42) Thoughts and/or Comments on the teeth and Brimstone being a resurrectionist and what the teeth are really used for? Did guess correctly about either of them?
What a weapon to have. To be able to bring people back in new bodies. It shows that they clearly weren't winning before the doors went though, because his jars were quite empty and she had so many errands to run for him
43) Madrigal's sister, Chiro, is obviously very jealous of her. We know that Madrigal's relationship with Akiva will be revealed to the chimaera. Do you think Chiro will have something to do with this?
Quite possibly. Which will be very sad. I do wonder how Akiva gets away after her execution
44) What do you think of the slight hierarchy in the chimaera society where high-humans are considered more beautiful? Can you think of any examples of how this prejudice(?) applies to out society?
There is certainly a statement being made here
45) In the opening scene it said that Ellai was 'worshipped by secret lovers.' I'm assuming that Chiro is the modern version of Ellai, so who do you think is her secret lover? Could it be Thiago? That would explain her jealousy.
Hmmm. I hadn't thought of that, but I guess it sure is possible
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46) Looks like a prequel won't be necessary. Seems like this last bit was actually the beginning and sadly the end. I had no clue what he'd done. Gah! Totally shocked.
Although I liked that we went back in time, I was quite impatient to get back to Karou and Akiva that I zoomed through it. I think a novella prequel would still be great regarding the actual war and how it all began
47) Any idea what the sequel will hold? I'm thinking it's too long since her family was killed to glean any souls. :( Could they have found pre-made bodies?
Well they knew she had ben attacked by an angel and therefore something was about to happen. I can only assume they had a back-up plan. Surely he didn't murder her whole family. Wouldn't make a fun book 2 ;)
48) You were pretty close to what happened with Chiro. So I'm guessing Chiro did not get reincarnated?
I wonder what happened to her soul when it was "pushed" aside?
49) Do you think they killed all the chimaeras or just Karou's family?
I think they were after Brimstone to stop the reserrections
50) Is there any hope left?
Sure. That is the theme of the book, so there must be
51) Why did Brimstone think she'd leave them? I'm confused.
Perhaps she had become so "human" he assumed she would chose to stay there?
52) So each race had their story of where Chimera came from. Looks like the chimaera legend had to do with the verse we previously saw about the moons.
53) What is your overall thoughts of the book?
This has elements of YA books I usually get annoyed with, but for some reason I still loved it.. haha. I think the world building completely sucked me in. I found this a rivetting story and I can't wait to start #2
54) Do you feel this was one of the most original books of 2011?
I can see how it could get that label
Nothing But Reading Challenges
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Jennifer Echols (other topics)Laini Taylor (other topics)
13 - Ooh, good point.
16 - Yes, definitely infatuated with himself. Love what Karou said about how Kaz's wooing of Karou was a point of pride.
20 - Ah, yes. Good point.
25 - Your questions will be answered, don't worry. :-)
29 - Heh, yes. Definitely not as creepy.