Dreamers and Blood - Daughter of Smoke and Bone

So I just finished this whole series in record time, and let me tell you, it was Ah-mazing.  There's a short list of things I didn't like about this series, and only one thing that really bothered me, but I can't get into that without obviously posting the following...

I'm going to pull my bullet list thingy out, but in the meantime I did want to say a couple of things about the premise. It was super smart, first of all.  Re-framing religion and icons makes perfect sense in this day and age, and should help put some perspective on what happens to our own religions after time goes by. Things and people influence beliefs, and usually not for the better. THIS IS FOR THE WHOLE TRILOGY-So if you haven't read all three books don't read any further.

-There's an amazing cast here, and even if i wasn't fond of the main love interest, the rest of the characters were very well developed and even -gasp- interesting.  The lead protaganist, Karou, doesn't just act like a gateway character, but helps develop the plot in proactive and engaging ways.

-I can't really say too much about the book without giving away a huge wow moment, but some deaths didn't give me proper closure.  If you've read the books you'll know which ones I'm talking about.

-With a play between control, religion, and war this YA series hits the nail pretty hard on the head when it comes to examining someone's belief system. What's real? What have you been taught? What have you really learned if you haven't walked a mile in another's shoes?

-The strongest book in this series is actually the first, the last two in the triliogy giving us the eventual fallout from the first book. Although some people complained about it not being as good, I quite enjoyed the ending.  
-Eliza's character should have come in sooner, giving the book a more cohesive feel, as it stands it sort of feels as if she was added to give everything a nice little bow at the end.

-At times, even though I enjoyed their banter, Zuzana and Mik were most definitley tagging along.  It also sort of felt that way as characters go too. They were there to fill in loose spots that Karou had no possible way of doing on her own. Still, love some Neek Neek.

-His hair, his widow's peak, his gaze. OMG, his gaze was like molten passion poured over her soul. GAG. A little more action and a little less gazing maybe?  It was a little redundant, and frequesnt, if I do say so myself.

-Wishes.  Where the hell did all of that stuff go?  You would think Brimstone would have stashed some away for a rainy day.  Come on. He's a little more dependable than that.

-I want more info about Eretz's history! More Godstar info! More of the Fallen! More Ziri! More Ziri! More Ziri!

Overall, the series as a whole is 100% worth the read.  It made me laugh, tear up, and of course cheer for the ever expanding world of Eretz.  But don't take my word for it. Get to reading.