From the goodreads summary: “Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.
This is not that world.”
I don’t usually have a difficult time summarizing a novel on my own, but this book goes through so many fazes it’s very difficult to capture them all. Warning: there will be spoilers for both this book and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Not big ones for Days, but spoilers nonetheless because it’s impossible to avoid them when reviewing this book. You have been warned.
This is your last chance.
Okay, here we go.
Days of Blood and Starlight is very different from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It’s more fantasy than contemporary. More focus on Karou’s personal journey and less focus on the romance. The stakes are upped. In short, this book is even more awesome than Daughter. I’m starting to think that the second book slump really doesn’t need to be a thing thanks to books like this, Marissa Meyer’s Scarlet, and The Madness Underneath.
This book has strong characters, strong writing, and a strong plot. I was always invested in the characters (even the ones that were introduced in this book). I found the prose to be flowing and descriptive without weighing me down. Although it’s a long book, I never felt like it was long or drawn out. I was always happy to be reading it and would have happily continued reading for a couple more hundred pages given the opportunity.
However, readers should beware as there are some serious triggers in the book. There’s a lot of descriptive violence, including self-afflicted violence. There’s also an attempted rape scene. I would say that this book is for the more mature side of the YA reader spectrum. I believe it is worth the read, but the dark elements are something I believe readers should be made aware of before they pick up the book.
Don’t just take my word for it!
“Days of Blood and Starlight takes the story to a whole new level.” – Christa @ More Than Just Magic
“I think that Laini Taylor is a true master of her craft.” – April @ Good Books and Good Wine
“In conclusion, I’d just like to say that Laini Taylor may take my words away… because she uses them so much better than I do.” – Jen @ Almost Grown-Up
“The book could be overwhelming for someone looking for a quick, simple, light read, but it will satisfy the hunger of readers who want fantasy grounded in reality, who want to be shocked and awed by the twists and turns, who want to be surprised at every turn of the page.” – Molly @ Wrapped up in Books
coffeeandwizards 
I also thought this was even better than Daughter. Love all these books that are defying the second book slump! But yes – definite trigger warnings.
I’m starting to think the second book slump is due to poor planning and reduced time in comparison to writing the first book.
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