Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3) by Laini Taylor

Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (17 April 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-1444722727

By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz ... something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?

Cover:  When I first saw the cover reveal for the final book in this trilogy, I was underwhelmed.  It's just not as striking as the US editions.  But, in person it is very pretty, and I do really like it.  My favourite UK cover in the series remains Days of Blood and Starlight.  And all together the series looks stunning.

When pre-order arrived- I actually hyperventilated.  Of course the excitement for the final installment of this series was enough to do that, but when I opened it up, I had received one of the signed special editions with the illustration of Karou by Laini herself *died* it's simply stunning and counted amongst my most prized possessions, as Laini Taylor has cemented herself as my favourite author with this series.

There is no way that I can give this book the review it deserves.  I just can't find the words.
This book is my most highly anticipated release of the entire, and possibly of ever.  
The first two books 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' and 'Days of Blood and Starlight' instantly became favourites.  And the tension and unresolved questions that racked up made this a 'must-read-as-soon-as-it's-in-my-hands book.
Obviously, if you haven't read the first two books in this trilogy, you're not going to pick up book 3.  So I say to you -PICK UP THE FIRST TWO BOOKS.
Laini Taylor has the most beautiful, lyrical writing style.  I've never read anything else quite like it.  And yet, while you have these poetic moments, there are also parts with quick witted and sharp humour.
She endears me to her characters, making me fall in love with them, and praying for their success.
There were a few moments in this book where I'm convinced Laini Taylor stopped my heart.
A lot was riding on this book- I wanted a happy ending for Karou and Akiva, and it was looking as if that may not be a possible outcome (I won't spoil it for you...obviously).
The moment I picked this up, I was absorbed again into the world Laini Taylor created.  It's over 600 pages and yet I flew through- both hoping for it never to end, and for it to have it's happy ending.
I cannot recommend this series enough.
I love everything about it.
Favourite. Ever. Series.
There I said it.
Without doubt 5/5 stars.
Everyone must read this series.

Just a few quotes showing why I love Laini Taylor's writing so much:-

“You are a conniving, deceitful hussy. I stand in awe."
"You're sitting."
"I sit in awe.” - Zuzanna to Karou

“Wasn't that what religions did? Squint at one another and declare, "My unprovable belief is better than your unprovable belief. Suck it.” 

“Once upon a time, a girl went to see a monster menagerie where all the exhibits were dead.”