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Natalie Monroe's Reviews > Dreams of Gods & Monsters
Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #3)
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Natalie Monroe's review
bookshelves: boooring, cheesy-cheesy-cheesy, confusing, hate-the-characters-hate-the-book, not-as-good-as-i-expected, not-worth-the-hype, when-sparks-don-t-fly
May 18, 2014
bookshelves: boooring, cheesy-cheesy-cheesy, confusing, hate-the-characters-hate-the-book, not-as-good-as-i-expected, not-worth-the-hype, when-sparks-don-t-fly
Cynical Natalie: Since no one else in this goddamn city has the guts to say this, I will: Why the fuck is the Daughter of Smoke & Bone series so popular?
Nice Natalie: Hush! Do you want to alienate everyone in the YA community before this review has even started?
Cynical Natalie: Someone has to be the voice of reason.
Nice Natalie: Oh, get off your high horse. I remember a certain someone ignoring the cute guy in class because she couldn't stop reading The Dreams of Gods & Monsters.
Cynical Natalie: That was only because I was in the middle of a tense part.
Nice Natalie: Please, you thought the entire thing was the bees' knees. The plot was beautiful and managed to include characters we'd originally written off as one-book placeholders from The Daughter of Smoke & Bone. Laini clearly had a long-term plot in mind from book one and she executed it flawlessly.
Cynical Natalie: I wouldn't say flawlessly. The beginning and ending was a slog to get through. It nearly put me to sleep.
And don't get me started on the romance.
Nice Natalie: Oh, boy, here we go.
Cynical Natalie: Karou and Akiva's epic romance is insta-love. Insta. Love. There is no foundation for their romance from day one! Karou took one look at the feathery bastard and went, "Dayum, that boy is hot. Gotta get me some of that."
Even the so-called connection from her past life can't help. Because, guess what? Madrigal and Akiva were Red String lovers too! She comes across him in a battlefield, doesn't murder his ass like she's supposed to, and Akiva tracks her down to a ball and makes her a shawl of moths. Bam, that's it. Never-ending lurve despite them knowing each other for like what—two minutes and a dance?
Nice Natalie: Akiva knows that. And acknowledges it. That's why he wants to know her better.
Cynical Natalie: Doesn't change the fact that this trilogy is built on a lie. And it's not only them and their stupid goo-goo eyes. Liraz and Ziri stank of convenience. We have to solve the Karou-Ziri-Akiva love triangle somehow, even though Ziri never had a fishfinger's chance in hell of getting the girl, so let's slap him with the battle-hardened angel. This way, Karou doesn't have to hurt anyone's feelings and Ziri can replace her the way Jacob replaced Bella with Reneeesme. Is it too much to ask that a character get over a love through time and space, instead of another person? What kind of message does that send out?
Nice Natalie: You're completely misinterpreting the point. It's to create a parallel: Karou, a female chimera is with Akiva, a male angel; and Ziri, a male chimera is with Liraz, a female angel.
Cynical Natalie: Blah, blah, blah. Save it for literature class.
Actually, no, I got another allusion to Twilight. Karou, like Bella, only ever thinks about kissing Akiva. That's the extent of her sexy thoughts. No petting the kitty, no stroking the sword, no target practice.
Nice Natalie: Er, are you talking about sexy times?
Cynical Natalie: Just trying to keep it clean. Much like this book. I could polish my silver on it. Give me the hormone-charged, repeated safe sex of Opposition any day.
Nice Natalie: Laini's writing is so lyrical and poetic, talking about blow jobs would ruin it. Even the occasional everyday slang used within sound out of place.
Cynical Natalie: Then maybe she should tone it down a little. Her prose is suffocating in its beauty.
We know you're the Jane Austen of the decade, babe. Now let's try for a little simplicity. And humor. You can never go wrong with humor.
Nice Natalie: Zuzana is snarky.
Cynical Natalie: Eh, she's alright. She was one of the few characters I gave a fuck about. Too bad she (view spoiler)
Back to the character I really don't give a fuck about, how did Akiva pull a deux ex machina out of his ass and have the would-be fatal knife pass through him?
Nice Natalie: It's magic, remember? Akiva learned to tap into cosmic energy.
Cynical Natalie: Cosmic energy...
Nice Natalie: It was done with proper foreshadowing.
Cynical Natalie: I'm not even going to get into that ludicrous shit. Let's make it 2.5 stars and call it day.
Nice Natalie: You were hooked on it!
Cynical Natalie: Until the confusing ending. Everything's dandy, then some mystic dudes turn up with a new mission. It's like freaking fanfiction.
Nice Natalie: She's leaving it open for a spin-off.
Cynical Natalie: Hear that sound in the distance? It's ka-ching of cash registers everywhere.
Nice Natalie: Must you nitpick everything?
Cynical Natalie: I'm a hater. Haters gonna nitpick, nitpick, nitpick.
Nice Natalie: Really? You're going to bring Taylor Swift into this?
Cynical Natalie: I have a arsenal of Taylor gifs at my disposal. Stand down, sir.
Nice Natalie: At least make it a 3.5.
Cynical Natalie: Counting down... three
Nice Natalie: Look at those glowing 5-star reviews!
Cynical Natalie: That's why I exist. Two...
Nice Natalie: Everyone will hate us.
Cynical Natalie: This is the Internet. What else is new? One...
Nice Natalie: THREE STARS AND THAT'S MY FINAL OFFER.
Cynical Natalie: Fine.
FYI, if Laini writes a spin-off, we'd probably have to come back and do this all over again.
Nice Natalie: Oh, God...
Pre-review: I will read this just for the sake of finishing this series.
Come on, Laini Taylor, hit me with your best shot.
Other Nice Natalie/Cynical Nataliebrawls reviews:
The Fault in Our Stars
Warcross
If I Stay
A Girl Like You
The Martian
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Catching Fire
All The Rage
An Ember In The Ashes
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
The Hammer of Thor
The Ship of the Dead
Caraval
The Last Namsara
Nice Natalie: Hush! Do you want to alienate everyone in the YA community before this review has even started?
Cynical Natalie: Someone has to be the voice of reason.
Nice Natalie: Oh, get off your high horse. I remember a certain someone ignoring the cute guy in class because she couldn't stop reading The Dreams of Gods & Monsters.
Cynical Natalie: That was only because I was in the middle of a tense part.
Nice Natalie: Please, you thought the entire thing was the bees' knees. The plot was beautiful and managed to include characters we'd originally written off as one-book placeholders from The Daughter of Smoke & Bone. Laini clearly had a long-term plot in mind from book one and she executed it flawlessly.
Cynical Natalie: I wouldn't say flawlessly. The beginning and ending was a slog to get through. It nearly put me to sleep.
And don't get me started on the romance.
Nice Natalie: Oh, boy, here we go.
Cynical Natalie: Karou and Akiva's epic romance is insta-love. Insta. Love. There is no foundation for their romance from day one! Karou took one look at the feathery bastard and went, "Dayum, that boy is hot. Gotta get me some of that."
Even the so-called connection from her past life can't help. Because, guess what? Madrigal and Akiva were Red String lovers too! She comes across him in a battlefield, doesn't murder his ass like she's supposed to, and Akiva tracks her down to a ball and makes her a shawl of moths. Bam, that's it. Never-ending lurve despite them knowing each other for like what—two minutes and a dance?
Nice Natalie: Akiva knows that. And acknowledges it. That's why he wants to know her better.
Cynical Natalie: Doesn't change the fact that this trilogy is built on a lie. And it's not only them and their stupid goo-goo eyes. Liraz and Ziri stank of convenience. We have to solve the Karou-Ziri-Akiva love triangle somehow, even though Ziri never had a fishfinger's chance in hell of getting the girl, so let's slap him with the battle-hardened angel. This way, Karou doesn't have to hurt anyone's feelings and Ziri can replace her the way Jacob replaced Bella with Reneeesme. Is it too much to ask that a character get over a love through time and space, instead of another person? What kind of message does that send out?
Nice Natalie: You're completely misinterpreting the point. It's to create a parallel: Karou, a female chimera is with Akiva, a male angel; and Ziri, a male chimera is with Liraz, a female angel.
Cynical Natalie: Blah, blah, blah. Save it for literature class.
Actually, no, I got another allusion to Twilight. Karou, like Bella, only ever thinks about kissing Akiva. That's the extent of her sexy thoughts. No petting the kitty, no stroking the sword, no target practice.
Nice Natalie: Er, are you talking about sexy times?
Cynical Natalie: Just trying to keep it clean. Much like this book. I could polish my silver on it. Give me the hormone-charged, repeated safe sex of Opposition any day.
Nice Natalie: Laini's writing is so lyrical and poetic, talking about blow jobs would ruin it. Even the occasional everyday slang used within sound out of place.
Cynical Natalie: Then maybe she should tone it down a little. Her prose is suffocating in its beauty.
We know you're the Jane Austen of the decade, babe. Now let's try for a little simplicity. And humor. You can never go wrong with humor.
Nice Natalie: Zuzana is snarky.
Cynical Natalie: Eh, she's alright. She was one of the few characters I gave a fuck about. Too bad she (view spoiler)
Back to the character I really don't give a fuck about, how did Akiva pull a deux ex machina out of his ass and have the would-be fatal knife pass through him?
Nice Natalie: It's magic, remember? Akiva learned to tap into cosmic energy.
Cynical Natalie: Cosmic energy...
Nice Natalie: It was done with proper foreshadowing.
Cynical Natalie: I'm not even going to get into that ludicrous shit. Let's make it 2.5 stars and call it day.
Nice Natalie: You were hooked on it!
Cynical Natalie: Until the confusing ending. Everything's dandy, then some mystic dudes turn up with a new mission. It's like freaking fanfiction.
Nice Natalie: She's leaving it open for a spin-off.
Cynical Natalie: Hear that sound in the distance? It's ka-ching of cash registers everywhere.
Nice Natalie: Must you nitpick everything?
Cynical Natalie: I'm a hater. Haters gonna nitpick, nitpick, nitpick.
Nice Natalie: Really? You're going to bring Taylor Swift into this?
Cynical Natalie: I have a arsenal of Taylor gifs at my disposal. Stand down, sir.
Nice Natalie: At least make it a 3.5.
Cynical Natalie: Counting down... three
Nice Natalie: Look at those glowing 5-star reviews!
Cynical Natalie: That's why I exist. Two...
Nice Natalie: Everyone will hate us.
Cynical Natalie: This is the Internet. What else is new? One...
Nice Natalie: THREE STARS AND THAT'S MY FINAL OFFER.
Cynical Natalie: Fine.
FYI, if Laini writes a spin-off, we'd probably have to come back and do this all over again.
Nice Natalie: Oh, God...
Pre-review: I will read this just for the sake of finishing this series.
Come on, Laini Taylor, hit me with your best shot.
Other Nice Natalie/Cynical Natalie
The Fault in Our Stars
Warcross
If I Stay
A Girl Like You
The Martian
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Catching Fire
All The Rage
An Ember In The Ashes
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
The Hammer of Thor
The Ship of the Dead
Caraval
The Last Namsara
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Reading Progress
May 18, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 18, 2014
– Shelved
May 18, 2014
– Shelved as:
morbidly-curious
October 16, 2014
–
Started Reading
"
October 30, 2014
–
3.0%
"Who is this Eliza person in the first chapter? Is she a new character or am I suffering from time-induced memory loss again?
"
"
November 1, 2014
–
14.0%
"Laini can write, there's no denying that. But her prose literally puts me to sleep.
"
"
November 3, 2014
–
30.0%
"Blah, blah, blah, their eyes met in the dark.
Next chapter: Yadda, yadda, yadda, her eyes found his.
I get it. Your eyes are like magnets."
Next chapter: Yadda, yadda, yadda, her eyes found his.
I get it. Your eyes are like magnets."
November 5, 2014
–
31.0%
"She was going to lose her arms... End chapter. Then: But just being this near [Karou], Akiva's skin felt alive... GODDAMMIT, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I WANT TO READ ABOUT YOUR SAPPY ROMANCE NOW?"
November 6, 2014
–
75.0%
"Ye gods, the resolution of the near-death situation is as cheap as a card trick.
"
"
November 7, 2014
– Shelved as:
boooring
November 7, 2014
– Shelved as:
cheesy-cheesy-cheesy
November 7, 2014
– Shelved as:
confusing
November 7, 2014
– Shelved as:
hate-the-characters-hate-the-book
November 7, 2014
– Shelved as:
not-as-good-as-i-expected
November 7, 2014
– Shelved as:
not-worth-the-hype
November 7, 2014
– Shelved as:
when-sparks-don-t-fly
November 7, 2014
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-48 of 48 (48 new)
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message 1:
by
Leanne
(new)
May 18, 2014 06:42AM
Hmm, does the series go downhill after the first book?
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Leanne wrote: "Hmm, does the series go downhill after the first book?"I never really liked the first one initially. I gave the second one another chance and it also let me down. But that's just me. A lot of other people love it :)
I loved the first one but the second one just seemed too long and was hard to get into for me. I put off reading #3 because it was so hard for me to get through the second one. I know a lot of people really liked the second one...
Sh3lly (Not all those who wander are lost) wrote: "I loved the first one but the second one just seemed too long and was hard to get into for me. I put off reading #3 because it was so hard for me to get through the second one. I know a lot of peop..."I preferred the second to the third. But imo, the whole trilogy is lackluster.
Ugh. I have only read the first one, it's not bad but I don't love it either! And I hate Akiva, what's so good about him!? I don't get WHY Karou fell in love with him,(view spoiler)
phasmaphasmatis wrote: "Ugh. I have only read the first one, it's not bad but I don't love it either! And I hate Akiva, what's so good about him!? I don't get WHY Karou fell in love with him,[spoilers removed]"EXACTLY; some things are unforgivable. Classic 'love can conquer all' mentality that haunts YA.
I love this series but this review is glorious. It's literally everything wrong about DOGAM that would have bothered me in any other book (deux ex machina, hormonal teens and above all, instalove) but that I feel like I subconsciously ignored the entire time reading...
Errin wrote: "I love this series but this review is glorious. It's literally everything wrong about DOGAM that would have bothered me in any other book (deux ex machina, hormonal teens and above all, instalove) ..."Thank you! I think if you love a book enough, you can ignore all its flaws. Sadly, that wasn't the case for me. :P
Okay, I was actually looking back at this book and your review caught my eye. Lol, it made me laugh out loud! Good job and now that I mention it, a lot of what you say about the characters kind of hold true for me too. Great and honest review!!
Hermione wrote: "Okay, I was actually looking back at this book and your review caught my eye. Lol, it made me laugh out loud! Good job and now that I mention it, a lot of what you say about the characters kind of ..."Thanks! The characters just felt blah to me. No emotional connection at all.
"Fishfinger's chance"!!! I must use that... Oh, and excellent review! I really feel Cynical Natalie.
Child of Ilúvatar wrote: ""Fishfinger's chance"!!! I must use that... Oh, and excellent review! I really feel Cynical Natalie."Feel free! *Cynical Natalie takes a bow*
Because I barely managed to get through DoSaB, I can see where Cynical Natalie is coming from
Bookaholic (reads every mortal thing) wrote: "Because I barely managed to get through DoSaB, I can see where Cynical Natalie is coming from"YES. The first half of DoSaB is a slog.
I don't remember the number of times I asked myself "Am I reading the same book??"
I actually loved the first one, was sort of meh on the second one, and the third I didn't bother finishing after the war ended and there was still about 60 more pages to go.
And the romance was meh for me too. Karou and Akiva weren't a very hardcore ship, Ziri and Liraz happened out of no where (they met in that magical pond place, said like five words to each other, never see each other again, and then they're all of a sudden in love at the end of the novel??), and Zuzanna and Mik happened way too fast (I, too, gaped at the pages when Mik proposed. They had been together for what four to five months?).
And the romance was meh for me too. Karou and Akiva weren't a very hardcore ship, Ziri and Liraz happened out of no where (they met in that magical pond place, said like five words to each other, never see each other again, and then they're all of a sudden in love at the end of the novel??), and Zuzanna and Mik happened way too fast (I, too, gaped at the pages when Mik proposed. They had been together for what four to five months?).
Mikaela (thirdwit) wrote: "I actually loved the first one, was sort of meh on the second one, and the third I didn't bother finishing after the war ended and there was still about 60 more pages to go.And the romance was me..."
None of the romances did anything for me. Ziri/Liraz felt like the author was trying to pair everyone up. I agree Mik and Zuanna got married too quickly, too.
Alicia wrote: "The insta-love was horrible, and though I like her prose, it was a bit much at times :/Nice review. I love your Cynical/Nice Natalie brawls xD"
Thank you!
Laini's prose isn't my cup of tea, though I understand why a lot of people love it. XD
After reading this, I may have to rethink my review...the love angst really was wearing thin wasn't it? And it did drag on...the pretty pretty language blinded me. Damnit!!!
Rachael wrote: "After reading this, I may have to rethink my review...the love angst really was wearing thin wasn't it? And it did drag on...the pretty pretty language blinded me. Damnit!!!"Right?
I LOVE THIS REVIEW SO MUCH!!! I'm still going to 5 star this whole trilogy because wow I really liked it BUT YES THAT ENDING?? WTF??? I WANT MORE OF SCARAB/ELIZA??? That was a problem. And omg Liraz + Ziri definitely took the easy road out - JACOB + RENEESME VIBES AF!
Helen wrote: "I LOVE THIS REVIEW SO MUCH!!! I'm still going to 5 star this whole trilogy because wow I really liked it BUT YES THAT ENDING?? WTF??? I WANT MORE OF SCARAB/ELIZA??? That was a problem. And omg Lira..."I'm glad you like it, even though you loved the trilogy. XD
I love this review it is great!
Sandstorm wrote: "I love this review it is great!"Thank you!
Great review Nataly! I have agree with Cynical Nataly. I couldn't finish the second book although I remember liking the first one. It was soo boring, someone told me actions happen in the second part but I was just too bored to care so i read the summary. Gave it 2 stars for the benefit of doubt. I do think this trilogy is overrated, the internet will hate both now xD
Nicole wrote: "Great review Nataly! I have agree with Cynical Nataly. I couldn't finish the second book although I remember liking the first one. It was soo boring, someone told me actions happen in the second pa..."At least we have each other haha.
Oh lookey! I found my long lost twin! How you doing Cynical Natalie? ;) Awesome review Nat! ^_^
Umaiya ⚡A ℱar Off ℳemory⚡ wrote: "Oh lookey! I found my long lost twin! How you doing Cynical Natalie? ;) Awesome review Nat! ^_^"
Cynical Natalie is secretly pleased, but won't admit it.
Natalie wrote: "Umaiya ⚡A ℱar Off ℳemory⚡ wrote: "Oh lookey! I found my long lost twin! How you doing Cynical Natalie? ;) Awesome review Nat! ^_^"
Cynical Natalie is secretly pleased, but won't admit it."
Tsundere sister, got it! ;)
Bibi wrote: "*chuckles quietly* You are priceless. Both of you!"<3
Your review is goals.Finally someone who sees that this series is utter perfection like most people like to think. I had to trudge through the whole series because I thought that after DoSaB, it might get better. Unfortunately, that was not the case and totally agree with the Cynical Natalie part of the review
Alison wrote: "Your review is goals.Finally someone who sees that this series is utter perfection like most people like to think. I had to trudge through the whole series because I thought that after DoSaB, it m..."
Thank you!
Hahaha I live for Cynical Natalie!
Ro wrote: "Hahaha I live for Cynical Natalie!"She'll be giddy with vindictive pleasure for days.
lol this review cracked me up, thanks for that. Incidentally, I as much as I've enjoyed the plot in these books (currently mid-read on book 3), I think they could have been *much* better if the author had used all that time waxing poetic about love and pining to actually *build a believable freaking relationship* between the two lead characters.
Jason wrote: "lol this review cracked me up, thanks for that. Incidentally, I as much as I've enjoyed the plot in these books (currently mid-read on book 3), I think they could have been *much* better if the aut..."Agree so much. Have you read Strange the Dreamer? While I loved it, the romance follows a similar pattern.
Natalie wrote: "Jason wrote: "lol this review cracked me up, thanks for that. Incidentally, I as much as I've enjoyed the plot in these books (currently mid-read on book 3), I think they could have been *much* bet..."I haven't. Honestly, after finishing this trilogy I'm probably done with Laini Taylor's books. It's hard enough wading through supernatural and fantasy stories to find the gems amongst the poorly-advised and badly-written romance subplots that usurp the story without purposely subjecting myself to them.
It's the same reason I dropped Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. The lore and stories were great. They were also dragged down by the insistence of including a shitty romance B plot in every.single.book that ended up completely overshadowing the excellent world she was crafting.
@Amelia & Jason Give Six of Crows a try if you haven't already. Amazing high fantasy duology that isn't bogged down by romance. Other fantasy titles that are relatively light on romance are Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (East Asian-inspired retelling of Snow White from Evil Queen's POV) and And I Darken (historical fantasy about a female Vlad the Impaler).
Natalie wrote: "@Amelia & Jason Give Six of Crows a try if you haven't already. Amazing high fantasy duology that isn't bogged down by romance. Other fantasy titles that are relatively light on rom..."Six of Crows sounds interesting. I'm really big on well-written characters and character interactions, and it sounds like this story is really dedicated to building up the interactions between the heist members.
I was going to suggest Lunar Chronicles, but I see it's already on your shelf, as well as Renegades. I will always suggest Rhapsody and its two immediate sequels for high fantasy with some romance elements (the other books don't exist, as far as I'm concerned). I re-read the series a couple years ago and I think it still holds up, even if the MC is a bit of a Marry Sue.
Amelia wrote: "Jason wrote: "...They were also dragged down by the insistence of including a shitty romance B plot in every.single.book that ended up completely overshadowing the excellent world she was crafting...."My biggest problem is that I really like Urban Fantasy, but most Paranormal Romance uses that label. So whether it's PNR or proper Urban Fantasy is a total craps shoot, and I have to waste my time wading through them just in case.
This is an incredible review haha I'm only 52% in and I can't stand it anymore
Caroline wrote: "This is an incredible review haha I'm only 52% in and I can't stand it anymore"Oof, yeah, it's long-winded.
I’m basically Nice Natalie through and through, but I have never laughed as hard at a review as I did during Cynical Natalie’s rants. Bless you for such an entertaining review!
Elisa wrote: "I’m basically Nice Natalie through and through, but I have never laughed as hard at a review as I did during Cynical Natalie’s rants. Bless you for such an entertaining review!"<3
Besides the insta-love, why did the author thought "Hmm, what if I made a love story about a genocidal angel that killed his love interest's family? That's a good idea and it's totally not problematic :D"
Invisibunny wrote: "Besides the insta-love, why did the author thought "Hmm, what if I made a love story about a genocidal angel that killed his love interest's family? That's a good idea and it's totally not problema..."Ikr?
