Book Review: Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor

Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #3) by Laini Taylor
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal/Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz ... something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?

Dreams of Gods & Monsters is the third and final book in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor. This book was very much like the last book with its similar situations and additions of unnecessary characters. These last two books could have easily been condensed into one book, and would probably have been more satisfying. There were hints at another mystery subplot through the story, but it doesn't come completely out in the open until the very end, and by that time, I was just ready for it to be over. I hate to say that. I really do. I did enjoy the deception that took place in the last book through this book. I feel this loyalty to Karou and Akiva, but I wasn't able to enjoy them much at all within this last book. All the other different characters and happenings swallowed them up. I missed the Akiva and Karou of book one. I enjoyed Zusana and Mik tremendously. We all need a Zusana in our lives. Also, Ziri and Liraz were interesting. I would love to know what happens in their future. All in all, this book seemed to drag quite a bit, and I didn't feel like all my "Why?" questions were answered or maybe they too were swallowed up.

Check out my reviews of other the books in this trilogy!

Hi there! I'm a writer of fantasy books for young people, but my books can be enjoyed by adults as well. My 'Dreamdark' books, Blackbringer (2007) and Silksinger (2009) are about faeries -- not dainty little flowery things, but warrior-faeries who battle devils. My first young adult book, Lips Touch, is a finalist for the 2009 National Book Award! It's creepy, sensual supernatural romance. . . about kissing. I am also an artist with a licensed gift product line called "Laini's Ladies."

To learn more about Laini Taylor and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Goodreads and Twitter.