Night of Cake and Puppets: A Daughter of Smoke and Bone Novella

This gorgeous stand-alone novella is positioned as book 2.5 in the wonderful Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy; I read it after finishing Days of Blood and Starlight and not wanting to move on to something new, and found it to be enchanting. Night of Cake and Puppets tells of the beginning of Zuzana and Mik's love - a story which is fleetingly mentioned in Days of Blood and Starlight but which fully deserves to be told in its own right.Tiny-but-tough Zuzana, the `rabid fairy' herself, is no sappy romantic. So she doesn't quite know how to behave when she finds herself swooning over `Violin Boy' (Mik), who works alongside her in Prague's puppet theatre every night but who has yet to noice her. Perhaps invigorated by recent events, involving angels and magic, Zuzana arrives at the theatre one evening determined to overcome her nerves, to meet Violin Boy and to sweep him off his feet.So, armed with her own artistic prowess and a little bit of magic borrowed from Karou, Zuzana crafts an unforgettable night that takes the object of her affections on a walking tour of Prague, tests both his interest and his ability to suspend disbelief, and finally leads him to Zuzana herself (hopefully giving her enough time to pluck up the courage to actually talk to him!).Night of Cake and Puppets is not just Zuzana's story. It alternates between her perspective and Mik's perspective, allowing us to experience the small moments of magic alongside him. They are a lovely addition to Days of Blood and Starlight, so I enjoyed this aside about the origins of their relationship. It also provides small insights into the deep friendship Zuzana shares with Karou, who doesn't feature directly but is woven in to the story in a few ways.I love how initially surprised and curious but ultimately unquestioningly accepting of magic both Zuzana and Mik are. It makes this novella a beautiful, quirky little love story but it also represents what I think is one of Laini Taylor's great strengths as a writer: her ability to make the impossible seem not just possible but probable.Although this is a stand alone short story that could be read in isolation, I think it needs the context of the main trilogy to really do itself justice. Reading it as intended, after the second book (Days of Blood and Starlight) is ideal, both because it fills in the gaps and because it's even more heartwarming if you've already developed some fondness for the characters in the main books.There's always a question about whether these spin-off Kindle books are worth the money. Compared to the price I'd usually pay for a full book, whether in paperback or for my Kindle, at £1.99 the per-page cost is expensive. But I don't mind paying that for a novella that has a real place in the series and deserved to be written - this is more than a money-spinning after-though, it's a tangential story about two characters that the author (like her readers) clearly feels incredibly fond of.

I was bowled over by 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone', and 'Days of Blood and Starlight', so I just had to read 'Night of Cakes and Puppets'.It looks at the night when Zuzana left a treasure map for Mik, because she was too nervous to talk to him, and to say more than that about the story would be to spoil it for the prospective reader. But, it is a delight.It fleshes out the romance between Zuzana and Mik, and totally endears both of them to us. There's a richness of characterization here that secondary characters in novels rarely get. It is so beautifully written that you immediately want to go back and read it again.It is handled with great flair and certainty by Laini Taylor, who has propelled herself into the spot of 'one oif my favourite authors'.If you enjoyed 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone', this is a must. If you haven't read 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone', this is a wonderful introduction to Laini Taylor's writing, and to two of her utterly fascinating secondary characters.Highly recommended.

I loved Zuzana in the main story, especially in Daughter of Smoke and Bone and i was overjoyed when her and Mik started as a couple after you first learning about him described as Violin Boy, the boy she tells Karou that she has a crush on. I adored the two of them together in Nights of Blood and Starlight and thought that they kept the story very grounded and human, much as they do for Karou. They are simply too cute together and Mik is every girls dream guy.When I first heard that there was going to be a novella about the two of them describing the night they got together I was very excited. I know that novellas are meant to be short stories but I just didn't want this story to end. I thought that Zuzana was a very good narrator and wouldn't have minded to hear a little bit more of her point of view regarding Karou's situation, particularly her feelings on Akiva. I really hope Laini Taylor does more with her as a narrator and that hers and Mik's relationship doesn't get lost in the mayhem which is going to be happening in the third book of the series. I would hate for Zuzana to be pushed to the side in favour of the fantasy element of the series.

I absolutely adore the smoke and bone trilogy. I love this book. I absolutely adore the story and love art work in it. If you have read the daughter smoke and bone this is a must read.

Magical, enchanting, captivating!! Everything Mik & Zuzanna deserved. This short story had me smiling the biggest, goofiest smile from start to finish. Did not want it to end, but my heart is now warm & full. Beautiful.

A good read

I'd been looking forward to reading this, but wasn't sure whether it could be as wonderful as Laini's full length novels.Well, it is! It's every bit as good ... just shorter.This sweetly magical tale of Zuzana and Mik is imaginative and spikily-cute in a sort of "rabid fairy" way. It's atmospheric, with imagery that makes me want to cry (and then write something just as wonderful), which is how I always feel after reading Laini's writing.There is a secrecy and mystery within the snowy streets of Prague, a perfect backdrop for Zuzana's magical evening. I can almost hear the near-silent hiss of snow as it continues to fall around me...A fantastic short read. Dreams of Gods and Monsters next!

Not usually a fan of short stories, but I have to say that this recounting of Zuzana's and Mik's date was full of magic, humor, wonder and a rich prose that sucks you in from the first paragraph, arguably even more than with book 2 in the DOSAB trilogy. It felt more poignant, more emotional, almost to the point where I felt as if rediscovering what a first major crush feels like. I can't remember the last time I highlighted this much in a novel of fiction. Read it. I am confident you won't regret it.

Faz menos de uma semana que eu terminei de ler a trilogia Feita de Fumaça e Osso e esse livro já me fez querer reler! A Zuzana e o Mik sempre foram a melhor parte da história, porque, como a própria autora disse, eles eram como uma âncora para coisas boas mesmo nos piores momentos! Super aceitaria uma trilogia só deles, mas, como não tem, esse livro aqui se tornou um tesouro meu!A história é exatamente o que você espera dela e mais. Apesar de já saber um resumo de como Zuzana e Mik ficaram juntos, me surpreendi com os detalhes que a autora criou! E adorei poder ver os dois fora do universo da trilogia (ou seja, dos problemas que eles ajudaram a resolver), ao mesmo tempo que lembrava do quanto esses dois ainda passariam juntos. Esse livro só me fez amar ainda mais os dois e querer reler a trilogia.Eu comprei a versão em capa dura (inglês - Night of Cake and Puppets), que super vale a pena, mesmo que você não leia em inglês. Se você tiver amado a trilogia como eu, compre essa edição em capa dura. Leia o e-book em português, tanto faz, só compre essa edição. Porque ela é simplesmente maravilhosa!Tem ilustrações em praticamente página sim, página não, como se a história estivesse no meio de um caderno de desenhos da Zuzana! No final, também tem ilustrações do próprio caderno dela, algumas de polaroids dela, da Karou e do Mik. Além de algumas páginas de uma cena do primeiro livro da trilogia em HQ (juro que se eles lançassem a trilogia toda em HQ, eu compraria e leria loucamente!). A capa é rosa na frente, azul atrás, cheia de detalhes também!É uma edição tão linda, que não consigo acreditar que não é daquelas exclusivas ou que foram produzidas só umas cem para as pessoas mais sortudas (e ricas) do mundo. É uma edição quase de colecionador, que só vai aumentar seu amor pela trilogia! Aumentou o meu!

Hacía tanto tiempo que no leía una novela taaaaan romántica. ♥Esta novela corta narra la historia de Zuzana y Mik y la manera en que inician su relación. La trilogía de Hija de humo y hueso no da pistas de la forma en que Zuzana finalmente consigue ganarse al violinista así que el por fin conseguir su historia es toda una delicia, al igual que esas hermosas ilustraciones.

This is one of the most interesting books I've read lately. A whole different world that we don't know about where things are done quite differently. It explains a lot of what is said in the history of religion and fiction mixed together. I was up all night reading Laini's books that were related to these characters as well. I loved the exoticness of the book and the other related ones.

Laini Taylor has shown yet another beautiful glimpse into Karou's world!

Nachdem ich den letzten Band der Daughter of Smoke & Bone – Trilogie „Dreams of Gods & Monsters“ ausgelesen hatte, war ich emotional nicht in der Lage, Laini Taylors wundervolle Geschichte bereits zu verlassen. Die Tränen auf meinen Wangen waren daher noch nicht einmal trocken, als ich ihre Kurzgeschichte „Night of Cake & Puppets“ auf meinen Kindle lud. Chronologisch ist „Night of Cake & Puppets“ zwischen dem zweiten Band „Days of Blood & Starlight“ und dem Finale der Trilogie einzuordnen, da es sich dabei aber eher um einen Zusatz handelt, wollte ich die Kurzgeschichte nicht dazwischen schieben.Normalerweise ist Zuzana alles andere als schüchtern. Das kann sie sich mit ihrem elfenhaften Äußeren auch nicht erlauben, wenn sie ernst genommen werden möchte. Doch sobald es um Mik geht, den Violinisten des Prager Marionettentheaters in dem Zuzana arbeitet, ist sie einfach nicht sie selbst. Dieser Junge, der beim Violinspiel errötet, geht ihr unter die Haut. Trotzdem ist sie das Warten leid. Es wird Zeit, dass Mik sie bemerkt und endlich ihrem ganz speziellen Charme erliegt. Also plant Zuzana eine Nacht, die er nie mehr vergessen wird, eine Nacht der Marionetten und der Magie. Auf einer erfindungsreichen Schnitzeljagd führt sie Mik durch ganz Prag; in der Hoffnung, dass er den Schatz am Ende der Suche zu schätzen weiß: Zuzana selbst.Awww, was für ein zauberhaftes erstes Date. Besser geht es nicht. Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass überhaupt irgendjemand nach dieser Schnitzeljagd in der Lage gewesen wäre, zu Zuzana „Nein“ zu sagen. Diese kleine Geschichte ist einfach wundervoll und ich bin extrem dankbar, dass Laini Taylor mich an dem Beginn einer außergewöhnlichen Beziehung teilhaben ließ. Wisst ihr, mir war schon während der "Daughter of Smoke & Bone" – Trilogie klar, dass Zuzana und Mik etwas ganz Besonderes verbindet, aber da ich während ihrer Kennenlernphase nicht dabei sein konnte, fiel es mir doch etwas schwer, nachzuvollziehen, wie sich diese Verbindung entwickelt hat. Jetzt verstehe ich es. Zuzana und Miks Liebe mag nicht Zeiten und Welten überwinden, deswegen ist sie jedoch nicht weniger magisch. Ich bewundere Zuzana dafür, dass sie den Mut aufbrachte, diese perfekte Nacht für Mik zu planen, weil sie daran glaubte, dass er es Wert ist. Auf einer unterbewussten Ebene wusste sie, dass er der Richtige für sie ist. Die Liebe ihres Lebens. Das berührt sogar mein sonst eher unromantisches Herz, vermutlich auch deshalb, weil die Schnitzeljagd bezaubernd, aber nicht kitschig ist. Sie entspricht Zuzanas Wesen – dass sich Mik darauf einließ, beweist meines Erachtens, dass sie für einander geschaffen sind.Die Atmosphäre in „Night of Cake & Puppets“ erinnerte mich sehr an den ersten Band „Daughter of Smoke & Bone“. Es ist diese spezielle verträumte Magie, für die ich Laini Taylor unheimlich schätze. Außerdem gefiel es mir sehr gut, dass sie die Erzählperspektive änderte und die Kurzgeschichte abwechselnd aus Zuzanas und Miks Ich-Perspektive schildert. Ich mochte sie ja beide vorher schon äußerst gern, aber jetzt haben sie sich wirklich einen Platz in meinem Herzen verdient. Zuzanas Gedanken hautnah zu erleben, war noch einmal eine ganz besondere Erfahrung, gerade auch hinsichtlich ihrer Gefühle für ihre beste Freundin Karou. Es macht sie traurig, dass sie Karou nicht in dem Maße unterstützen kann, wie sie gern würde, weil sie eben „nur“ ein Mensch ist. Der Wunsch, ihr zu helfen, ist so intensiv, dass sie darüber sogar am Abend ihres großen Dates nachdenkt. Diese Loyalität empfand ich nicht nur als überaus liebenswürdig, sie verleiht der Geschichte auch eine überraschende Tiefe. Sonst habe ich bei Kurzgeschichten oft das Gefühl, dass nicht alles gesagt wird, was es zu sagen gibt (wie zum Beispiel bei „Edward“ von Stephenie Meyer), doch bei „Night of Cake & Puppets“ war das überhaupt nicht der Fall. Sie ist die perfekte Ergänzung einer runden Geschichte, ein absoluter Leckerbissen.Ich bereue nicht, mir „Night of Cake & Puppets“ bis zum Schluss aufgehoben zu haben. Das Ende von „Dreams of Gods & Monsters“ war unheimlich emotional, ich habe mich wirklich überwältigt gefühlt. Die Kurzgeschichte hat mir geholfen, mich wieder zu beruhigen und Laini Taylors wundervolles Universum mit einem guten Gefühl verlassen zu können.Wenn ihr von der Daughter of Smoke & Bone – Trilogie ebenso begeistert seid wie ich, liegt ihr mit „Night of Cake & Puppets“ keinesfalls daneben. Fans von Zuzana und Mik wird dieser kleine Ausflug an den Anfang ihrer Beziehung natürlich besonders gut gefallen, aber ich denke, auch denjenigen, die bisher keine solide Verbindung zu den beiden aufbauen konnten, wird die Geschichte Spaß bereiten, weil sie eben hilft, beide Figuren besser kennenzulernen.Ob ihr „Night of Cake & Puppets“ zwischen Band zwei und drei lest oder damit bis nach dem Ende der Trilogie wartet wie ich es getan habe, müsst ihr selbst entscheiden. Für mich war es richtig, die Kurzgeschichte ganz zum Schluss zu lesen, da ich bezweifle, dass ich den Abschied sonst gepackt hätte. Nun ist meine letzte Erinnerung an die "Daughter of Smoke & Bone" – Trilogie ein bezauberndes, magisches erstes Date, der Anfang einer wundervollen Liebesgeschichte. Dafür bin ich dankbar.