BOOK REVIEW: Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor

Night of Cake and Puppets

Author: Laini Taylor

Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2.5

Published: 26 November 2013 by Little, Brown

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

Format: Kindle ebook

Source: Purchased

Links: Goodreads

Summary:

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.

Rating:

Review and Discussion:

I cannot think of any words appropriate to express my absolute love of this novella. Zuzana and Mik are definitely my favourite characters from the entire Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, so it was lovely to have a story dedicated to just them, told from their points of view. It was a precious little insight into their love story, and I really appreciate that Taylor gave us this gem.

"Here we go. I have scuppies in my pocket and lust in my heart. Tonight's the night."

What I was most surprised by with this novella was that it was written in the first person—I had totally expected it to be told in third person, like the series—and yet Taylor was still able to portray the sense of wonder and magic and mystery through her writing. I didn't think it was possible for such beauty to be conveyed via first person narrative, but then again Taylor is a writing genius.

"Mik is one of those people you can look at and totally imagine as a kid. You know how some people were absolutely never children, but just came from a catalog fully grown, while other people you don't even have to squint to imagine them charging down the stairs in Christmas morning in superhero pajamas? Mik's the latter. It's not that he's 'boyish,' though I guess he is a little—but only a little—it's just that there's something direct and real and electric and pure that hasn't been lost, the intense, undiluted emotion of childhood."

Both Zuzana and Mik have distinctive voices in this novella, and I loved them both. Usually when stories are told from dual perspectives, I'm bound to get bored by one of them, but that wasn't the case with this novella. I loved them both, and I loved switching from each perspective. It made me want to read both at the same time, even though that would have been impossible! I wanted to know Mik's reactions to Zuzana's clues in real time, I wanted to know whether Zuzana was freaking out or totally cool, calm and collected. That sense of urgency and the desire to find out how these beloved characters were reacting on this beautiful night was what made this story so magical.

"But first things first: Make him aware I exist."

It was real, it was precious, it was engaging, and it was fulfilling. I cannot fault this novella in any way; it was absolute perfection, by my standards. I wish I could read more about just these two characters, but then again that might take away some of their magic and mystery.

"I want to do mysterious and improbable things alongside a fierce and beautiful girl who looks like a doll brought to life by a sorcerer."