By Laini Taylor
YA/ Teen/ fantasy/ fiction/
9 stars
I had heard of this book or Taylor before and I really didn't know what the story was about. The reviews looked good though so I thought I'd give it a try. I started reading all of these on my way to New Zealand, and I finished the whole series in a little over two weeks (even though I didn't really do very much reading).
Meet Karou, she is Prague's hidden mystery. No one knows where she comes from, who her family is, where she goes when she disappears on her "errands" for days at a time. Although Karou is bound to tell you she disappears into another world, into a workshop filled with teeth where you can buy wishes, for the right price. Run by the chimera (human-animal hybrids). When angels come to earth, Karou's life is torn apart. Desperate to put the pieces back together, mysteries surrounding the angels, the other world and Karou herself must be solved, before their time runs out.
Amazing, fantastic, phenomenal, wonderful, magical. I fell in love with Karou and all the characters, Prague, the workshop, everything. These books are not YA but they are also not adult books, they fall into a very small elite category in between.
SPOILERS (tried to leave out anything major but BEWARE)
8 stars
It was a nice change to pick up a sequel that had some division between the two books. Ending the first novel with more Madrigal than Karou gave everything a better flow. I don't remember the perspectives changing in the first book as much and thought that was another clever touch. While I was just as in love with the characters in this novel, Karou was really frustrating for me. The idea that she can "feel" the souls before she resurrects them, with hundreds maybe thousands of souls to choose from she still rebuilds the ones that feel wrong. The I feel this writing did war justice, capturing the loose loose situation, the killing of innocents, the revenge. Everything was in shades of grey, giving it a more realistic tone. Not as good as the first but still a strong sequel novel.
8.5 stars
The Chimera and the Misbegotten Army have joined forces, fighting as a united front against Emperor. Jael allied with the Fallen Razgut has invaded earth, playing up to the Angel image, While the real intent is to gather human weapons. With Akiva and Karou starting to reconcile their relationship they think only the war stands in their way, with the dream of resurrecting Loramendi and her souls within reach. Little to they know the Stelian's have another plan.
This was the first of the novels to be somewhat predictable. Still filled with surprises, but I had guessed way more from this book than the other two. I had a harder time reading it, I wasn't bored but it wasn't really holding my attention (don't know if that is because of the book or because I was reading so much back to back). I loved Liraz more than any other character in this book and would love to know how many tallies she has on her hands and arms, and the terrible things she's done that are only hinted at. While I love Akiva and Karou and think they were meant for each other, their relationship got to be a little much, the constant pinning, longing, together apart...irritating, just have them get together already.
Overall
This was a great trilogy, not quite a YA but not an adult novel either. Eretz is a beautifully build world, the characters are well written, there are a few cliches but they fit wonderfully with the story adding to it rather than taking away. I recommend the first book above all others but all three are worth reading.
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