Review: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Title: Days of Blood and Starlight 
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Fantasy 
Release date: November 6th, 2012
Pages: 528 (ebook)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Netgalley
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Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it. 

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life. 

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope. 

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

Days of Blood and Starlight is the highly-anticipated sequel to one of last year's most talked about YA fantasies, Daughter of Smoke and Bone.  Readers will find all of the things they loved about the first book within the pages of its sequel.  Tension runs high, some chapters will shock you and some will give you hope.  Needless to say, this book does not disappoint.

Jumping into Karou's world, the story begins where Daughter of Smoke and Bone left off.  She doesn't quite know who to trust anymore, for all of those she loved are gone and the one she trusted most took them away from her.  Now she's forced to help the Chimera, because they're the only family she truly has left, even if they don't treat her the same.  Zuzana is the loyal friend who sticks with Karou through thick and thin, but even this situation is wearing their friendship down.  Even Akiva can't help but stay away for good.

The story is filled with witty dialogue, heart-pounding action and a darker plot than the first in the series.  The characters will surprise many.  Some have changed for the better, especially Karou.  She's definitely more mature and has a tougher shell that she uses to her advantage this time around.  Though she's had time to get used to her new surroundings, the reader may need some time to adjust.  Though I found myself more involved in the first book, there was so much energy, intense emotion and beautiful descriptions to keep the book exciting from the first page to the last.

Laini Taylor is an incredibly imaginative and talented author.  The writing is as beautiful as ever, and if anything, that's what draws me to her work the most.  The world, its intriguing creatures and the lives they live will draw readers in and hold on.  I couldn't have asked for more from this book.  It's perfectly-paced, thrilling and gives you the smallest, but most satisfying taste of what's to come.