Book Review: Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor

Image (c) Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Night of Cake and Puppets (Daughter of Smoke and Bone 2.5) by Laini Taylor
Release Date: November 26th, 2013
Book Format: eBook
Rating: Five Stars

In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy — the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it’s the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike.

Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her “rabid fairy,” her “voodoo eyes” are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or “Violin Boy,” her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan.

It’s a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter’s night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy’s not going to know what hit him.

Alright, we ALL know that Zuzana and Mik are together in the second book of the ‘Daughter of Smoke & Bone’ series (and if you haven’t read any of the books in the series, what are you doing reading this review????). We get to see a glimpse of their relationship through Karou’s eyes in ‘Days of Blood & Starlight’ but not enough to see the magic between them. This novella will change that completly.

This book is in two point of views- from Zuzana’s and Mik’s- as they both think about the one person they feared they would never really meet in their lifetimes other than viewing each other from a distance. But, of course, Zuzana is determined not to let that happen… even if she suddenly becomes less courageous when it comes to the thought of finally actually talking to Violin Boy, let alone bringing herself to confront him in person.

This book is full of magic and unexpected twists and, to be subtle, just like tasting an incredibly sweet chocolate cake. Anyway I can think of on how to explain this book doesn’t give it enough justice. If you love the series (and why wouldn’t you with Miss Taylor’s beautiful writing), read it. Now. In the meanwhile, I’ll laze happily in bliss as I await for ‘Dreams of Gods & Monsters’.

Originally reviewed and shared on December 11th, 2013