This review is also posted on my blog, Anatea's Bookshelf. 
 It took me long enough to finally get around to reading Daughter of Smoke & Bone, but the important thing is that I did. My time is scarce, and there is just not enough time to read all the books I want, but slowly I'm getting to those I really want to read. And I guess, if the book doesn't appeal to me that much, and I never end up reading it, maybe then it wasn't even worth the time in the first place. A book I really want to read will get a few hours of my attention eventually, just like DoS&B did. Even though I really did like this book, don't get me wrong, I kinda expected even more. With all the amazing reviews out there I thought this book would be a 5 star read. But nevertheless, I enjoyed this book very much. I think the main reason it's not a 5 star book for me is because somewhere along the way, it got a little bit dull, but it got interesting again, so it's all good. 
 I have to say, Daughter of Smoke & Bone has a really interesting and great storyline. It held me captive from the very beginning. With a unique world setting, and even more unique characters, I get why there is so much hype around this book. Karou is a human, but has been raised by a group of Chimaera, who are part human and part animal (I bet you are picturing centaurs in your mind right now!), any animal, take your pick! Brimstone, her adoptive 'father' collects teeth, and Karou is the one responsible for picking them up in different parts of the world, thus she often disappears from her 'normal' world and goes on errands. But when mysterious black handprints start to appear on every door that lead to Brimstone shop, strange things start to happen. She is attacked by an angel, the doors that lead to Brinstone's Shop don't lead there anymore and Karou doesn't know what is happening. Do you? You don't? Then go and read the book! 
 Karou is a very special character for me. I mean, she has a blue hair growing straight out of her head, how wouldn't she be? Oh, did I mention that she can also fly. Without the wings. No? Well know you know that too. But those are not the real reasons why I like her, even though they are really cool. I loved her character because she is feisty, she is funny and she is caring. Akiva, the love interest, on the other hand, didn't impress me really. He was an okay character, but I don't see anything special about him yet. Maybe that changes in the next books. Who knows? 
 The romance. Oh the romance. I see what you did there Laini Taylor. Not cool, but clever. I have to give you that. For a moment I thought this is going to be another book with insta-romance, but the twist was kinda surprising, but cool. 
 What more can I say about Daughter of Smoke & Bone? It is allowed to trust the hype with this one, encouraging even. As for me... I'm off to find some time in my cramped schedule for the sequel.