Days of Blood and Starlight

Days of Blood and Starlight

⭐⭐⭐⭐. 5 4.5 out of 5 stars

Days of Blood and Starlight

Karou’s days as an art student are behind her. With her memory and identity restored, she tries to accept her challenging past. But she has no time to ponder it or grieve her chimaera family. Following scraps of knowledge and memories, she attempts to carry on Brimstone’s work. Under Thiago’s scrutiny, she resurrects the fallen chimaera and sends them back to battle seraphim in bigger, stronger and uglier bodies. Cut off from her human friends and from Akiva, whom she blames for Brimstone’s death, she has to find her place among chimaera while avoiding Thiago’s unwanted attention…

I loved the second book in this series. While the first one was great at sketching the characters and the background, the second instalment gives us more in-depth knowledge about the chimaera, the seraphim and the world they share. Karou’s situation is unusual, as she starts to deal with her past and identifies as a chimaera, despite her seemingly human body. Also, her appearance and her romance with Akiva raise suspicions and distrust. I found the topic of a soul resurrected in different bodies fascinating. Are you still the same person when upon looking into a mirror, you see someone else looking back at you? Do you identify with your first body? How do you greet your friends or loved ones after they are resurrected?

Also, I genuinely enjoyed reading about Zuzana and Mik and their adventures among the chimaera. They are intelligent and loyal and easily win over the scary monsters they meet at Karou’s side. They are a brilliant example of the main character’s friends/family members. The novel also continues the star-crossed lovers’ theme. Karou and Akiva might be separated, but that means even more sighs and thinking about each other.

In general, as I have finished the series already, I can say that this is my favourite instalment. It is a perfect blend of serious and funny, happy and sad. It is exciting and full of action. I would recommend this position to all the fans of fantasy.