Dreams of Gods & Monsters

A mesmerizing conclusion to this popular fantasy trilogy will leave fans utterly satisfied. A band of angels descends to Earth, and 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 Romeo and Juliet-esque love affair between Karou and Akiva is described in well-balanced tender moments with a backdrop of battles, terror, and various life-threatening situations. The narration is tight and skillful, giving listeners heart-stopping action as well as a deftly paced backstory. Taylor’s often-poetic prose is translated with incredible voice talent, balancing lyricism and brutality with masterful skill. Short musical interludes complement Hvam’s performance and add to the atmosphere of the book as a whole. For new listeners, this isn’t a story that one can jump into, with a multitude of characters introduced in the beginning. A Little, Brown hardcover. (Apr.)