Title: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Summary: Karou lives in two worlds. In one, she is a multi-lingual, blue-haired art student living in Prague who fills her sketchbooks with beautiful monsters known as Chimaera. In the other, she is the ward of one of those Chimaera slipping through magical portals throughout the world collecting teeth for his devilish creations. Karou loves the Chimaera who have raised her, but she can’t help wonder “Who is she?” While her guardian provides much, his demands are great and he leaves so many of her questions unanswered.
Then black handprints begin to appear on the doorways of the portals used by Karou. Her secret world and beloved Chimaera family are threatened by Seraphim or angels, creatures unlike any found in biblical writings. Further complicating Karou’s life are the confusing feelings she has developed for the creature who attempted to kill her. Soon, Karou discovers that she is at the center of an otherworldly war. She may finally find out who she is, but at what cost?
Who will like this book: Those who have long since graduated from Twilight and its countless read-a-likes will be enthralled by this original fantasy. Laini Taylor has vividly created a new world populated with unique characters and combined it with traditional themes of forbidden love and epic war.
If you like this, try this: Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
Recommended by: Jen, Fairfield Woods Branch Teen Librarian