Daughter+of+Smoke+and+Bone

//Daughter of Smoke and Bone// by Laini Taylor

I fell in love with the setting and the whimsy of it all. I really enjoyed this novel and cannot wait for the next installment. It was a really interesting take on a lot of different lore.The end was a bit disappointing, but there is more to come. I think anyone who is really into paranormal books will enjoy this one. There was humor and romance and annoying exes. Some teens my get frustrated in the last few chapters, but I think ultimately they will love this book if they already got that far. Laini Taylor is an awesome author and I would love to see this one on the list. Brittany Moore Hall Memorial Library

This is a very good story with great characters and vivid settings. But it does not stand alone. The action wraps up about 3/4 of the way through and then another conflict begins and the reader is left with a cliff hanger. ~ Gail Zachariah, Keene Public Library

Just wondering...I thought it was okay for a series book to be included in the Flume if it was the first in a series...so this one would work??? Lisa Houde @ Rye Public Library

I LOVE this book. And both students and staff love it as well. I am anxiously waiting for the next in the series. Kelly B. Keene High School, 2/9/12

No, Lisa, it isn't that first in the series are okay for the list. The title must stand alone. You might assume that the first in a series stands alone but this one does not. It follows the old R.L. Stine format of ending at a cliff hanger. If the book ended about 5/6 of the way through, then yes it would stand alone. But it doesn't. It introduces and then drops an entirely new conflict. The reader has to wait and anticipate the next installment -- just like Kelly said above. Even though I love this book, I don't think this is eligible according to our criteria. And I think it is important to follow the criteria. Gail Zachariah, Keene Public Library

Gail, thanks for your further comment. I do understand the idea of a cliff-hanger, however, I interpret the "stand alone" guidelines differently, and I would still consider this title for our list as being within our criteria. In fact, I'll be advocating for its place on the final list at our meeting! I do appreciate that one storyline resolves, and another begins, but in order to enjoy the book, **no other book has to have been read to understand and appreciate the storyline**. Looks like we understand the criteria differently. -Lisa

REVIEW: My favorite read of the year (so far) with many characters that are brought to life in all of their often complex glory. I didn't suffer from character overload, but mythological creatures abound and appearances can deceive: angelic beings aren't always good and demonic beings aren't always bad... kind of a lesson in life. This book does have some adult themes, so it probably won't work well for middle school students. Warning that you may develop a sudden need to purchase tickets for Prague, Morocco, or places in other realms that can't be readily reached by commercial airliner. ~ Wally Keniston, Oyster River High School Library. Feb. 13, 2012

I really liked this book, however the last 1/4 of the book is weak, I was annoyed to find out that the story would continue, I am not a fan of series reading but I know many teens are. Susan Schatvet - Seabrook

I don't get it. I HATED this book and won't read the sequel. None of the issues were tied up by the end of the story, which infuriated me since I made myself finish the book. In my opinion, it doesn't stand alone. Denise E. Schaaf Goffstown Public Library