Dreams of Gods & Monsters

In the final book of the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, Taylor revives the strong interweaving of reality and fantasy that gave the first story such cross-genre appeal. When a seraphim army with a terrifying message arrives in Rome, fittingly taking up residence at the Vatican, humanity is brought face to face with the chimaera and seraphim universes. Meanwhile, Karou and Akiva, now in control of their respective armies, doggedly pursue their dream of forging an alliance between their enemy races and themselves. The opening scene introduces a new character, a scientist with a secret past; her story builds in satisfyingly intricate pieces to culminate in a pivotal role. The twists and turns of the dense plot deepen the complexity and the danger, leading to a potential apocalypse. Delivering less blood and gore than Days of Blood & Starlight and more yearning%E2%80%94for love, for peace, for a home%E2%80%94than both preceding books, the story is borne along by an increasingly strong undercurrent: the hope of overcoming embedded prejudices and instinctual hatreds to create a more harmonious world. Ages 15%E2%80%93up. Agent: Jane Putch, Eyebait Licensing & Literary Management. (Apr.)