Friday, January 06, 2012

Books that make me want to travel to ... Prague

It's an unusual one this month. This feature, Books that make me want to travel, usually makes me pine for a place I've never been before. But today's destination, Prague, is a place I went on holiday a few years ago. I say 'a few years ago' but it was before children, so it was long enough for me to start thinking, I wouldn't mind going back!

There's so much history in Prague. I went during winter, and everything was cold and snowy and beautiful! Lately I've read two books which have reminded me of the beauty and intrigue about Prague...




Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - I really adored the first three quarters of Daughter of Smoke and Bone! There was something really magical about Laini Taylor's writing style as she introduced us to Karou and the unusual companions as she tried to combine her life as an art student in Prague with the more fantastic life she leads as the helper of a Wishmonger who deals in teeth and wishes.

I really couldn't see a better setting for this story and these characters than Prague. I felt like everything just made sense. I love books where the setting just blends into as well as compliments a story so well as it did with Daughter of Smoke and Bone.


The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman -I cannot say enough good things about this book! I loved it in its entirety! It completely blew me away with the detail and the layering to the story, the characters, the story. I really, really loved it.

I hope it isn't too much of a spoiler to let you all know that at some point in the book, the action heads over to Prague to unravel some pretty big mysteries. It was wonderful to read of Nora and her friends race around Prague, trying to decipher centuries-old clues in order to track down more information on secret societies and religious sects and the murderer of a close friend. It felt tense and emotional and really fascinating. Especially the parts to do with the golem, which I didn't know a great deal about beforehand. Reading The Book of Blood and Shadow really made me want to wander around Prague more, check out the sights and the history and the culture.

Have you read any books that took place in Prague?

8 comments:

  1. I really need to read these books. everyone keeps on raving about them. Cool blog!

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  2. I'm just about to start Daughters of Smoke and Bone and am even more excited now that I know it's set in Prague, a city I love so much! Great idea for a post.

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  3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone had the same effect on me!

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  4. Ooh I've always fancied going to Prague, I've heard so much good stuff about it. I'm sure reading these books will make me want to go even more.

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  5. Daughter of Smoke and Bone made me want to get back to Prague, even though when I was there I didn't love it! I thought it was better in the book than it is in reality. lol!

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  6. I may have to check these out. I loved visiting Prague a few years ago. Reading Milan Kundera or Kafka always makes me think of that city.

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  7. I really loved the depiction of Prague in Daughter of Smoke and Bone, made me want to go back and visit.

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  8. Natalie - Thank you so much for your comment! I can highly recommend both of these books, they are wonderful!

    Sya - Thank you, I've had a lot of fun writing this series of posts! I hope you enjoy Daughter of Smoke and Bone :)

    Vivienne - Really good, wasn't it?

    Jenni - Yes, I can almost guarantee it! :)

    Leanna - Oh you didn't like it? N and I went to Prague many years ago and while I don't think HE enjoyed it either, I thought it was beautiful..

    Melissa - I haven't really read much of Kafka or Kundera..!

    Darren - That seems to be the general consensus, I thought Laini Taylor did a wonderful job of making Prague really stand out!

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