Okay um wow I really liked this, so glad I have the next book so I don't have to wait and see what happens xD 
 "You were true to her, even if she was not to you. Never repent for your own goodness, child. To stay true in the face of evil is a feat of strength." 
 Daughter of Smoke & Bones is something different then what I was expecting and I didn't really know what to expect. 
 Karou is an art student in Prague, with her friends loving to see her sketch book full of otherworldly adventures and creatures they all thinks its a results of am amazing talent and imaginations, on the flip side of the coin there's Karou's true family of Chimera her drawings come to life they look over her portfolio as well and keep up with all her human drawings and insights into that world. 
 Karou has been raised knowing wishes are real as long as you have something to trade and doing tasks from her adoptive family like collecting trades and buying rare artifacts. 
 Karou has always felt different and a little empty, she doesn't know her true family or even the history of her adoptive. After curiosity get the better of her Katou is kicked out of her family home and the doors are sealed leaving her left in the cold dark with no way to see them and explain or ask questions. Wounded from a sword fight and bleeding she makes it home to suffer and heal with no magical help. 
 After all the doors to Karous other life is sealed she's left searching for her family that has now been cut off from the human world, while searching Karou stumpble upon an unlikely ally. 
 I really like Karou she's smart, artistic, a bit of a petty person but admits she is and needs to work on that. The magic in this book was the best part, the world felt so well done and all the resonings behind what happend and how it happens was explained perfectly so it never felt like info dumping. Not only did Karou impress me but her realtionship with her best friend was refreshing I liked that she was open and honest and there was never a doubt in trust. 
 Karou and Akiva have a great back and forth too (view spoiler)[ Akiva is instantly attracted and in love with Karou as she reminds him of his past relationship and Karou is intrigues by him, remembering strange details like a smile she'd never seen and a scar on his shoulder he's never told her about. Yes there attraction was instant but there was good reasoning behind it and that's what sold it for me. (hide spoiler)] 
 I really enjoyed this world and book and can't wait to read the next book