Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor; Illustrated by Jim Di Bartolo

Synopsis: 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 make the first move, 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 leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy is not going to know what hit him.

New York Times bestselling author Laini 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. Originally published as an ebook, this new print edition will include breathtaking black and white illustrations, plus bonus content in a gorgeous package perfect for new and current fans of the series.

Review: Night of Cake and Puppets was one of the most adorable books I've read this year. First off, my love for Zuze and Mik have no parallel. They are perfect together and always a joy to read about. Getting to see the birth of their relationship was great. Laini did an excellent job of showcasing Zuze's ability as a puppeteer and Mik's musical talent. The scavenger hunt aspect was so much fun. It showed off how playful Zuze and Mik are as individuals and how they are able to play off each other. This is a constant theme with them throughout the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, but it's great to see it showcased here. Now we have to talk about the art. I don't have pictures to show you but, trust me, it's amazing. Jim does an incredible job of showing the unique style of both characters. The book is split between "Him" and "Her" sections to indicate which POV we are currently reading from, but it's also nice that Jim included drawings of Mik and Zuze respectively for each chapter heading. Seeing Zuze with her puppet or seeing Mik with his violin put a fresh smile on my face every time. There's a section at the very end of the book where Jim illustrates part of Daughter of Smoke and Bone in a graphic novel form. Holy crap, I didn't think I needed a graphic novel adaptation until I saw that. The only thing I wish is that it was in color. Jim beautifully illustrates the chimera, but it would be nice to see how they would look in color. Regardless, I'd be happy with a black and white adaptation as well. It was incredible. It fit the tone of the story so well, and I genuinely hope a graphic adaptation is something they consider for this trilogy.

5 howls