Dreams of Gods and Monsters
| Company type | Publishing company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Parent | Little, Brown and Company |
Dreams of Gods and Monsters is a young adult fantasy novel authored by Laini Taylor, released on April 1, 2014, through Hachette Book Group, a division of Little, Brown and Company. This book serves as the third entry in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, following the events of Days of Blood and Starlight.
Picking up where Days of Blood and Starlight left off, the story centers on the Seraph Empire's invasion of Earth and the subsequent alliance formed with the Misbegotten faction.
Plot
After defending herself by killing Thiago, Karou transfers Ziri’s soul into Thiago’s body and places Haxaya’s soul within Ten, positioning herself as the new leader of the Chimaera. When Zuzana and Mick inform her about Jael’s arrival on Earth, the Chimaera leadership negotiates a fragile alliance with the Misbegotten to unite against the Dominion despite longstanding hostilities.
Eliza Jones, a 24-year-old Ph.D. candidate in Washington, D.C., has fled from a cult that revered her as a prophet connected to the angel Elazael. She experiences disturbing visions of monstrous beings descending from the skies. After an excavation uncovers an abandoned Chimaera encampment in Morocco, Eliza accompanies her supervisor during the investigation; encountering Chimaera remains intensifies her prophetic visions.
Jael arrives at Vatican City accompanied by Dominion forces. With Razgut’s support, he portrays them as mythological angels seeking human cooperation to defeat demonic foes. However, his underlying goal is to exploit human technology to annihilate the Stelians.
Akiva becomes a target for Stelian envoys after unintentionally causing damage to the universe's fabric through a spell but is revealed to be Festival’s offspring and is secretly monitored. Ziri (now inhabiting Thiago’s body) rescues Liraz from Haxaya’s clutches. Akiva uncovers a method to render seraph soldiers resistant to Chimaera hamsas’ influence. The combined forces proceed toward the portal to face the Dominion but are ambushed; Ziri and Liraz are presumed dead.
On Earth, Karou, Akiva, Zuzana, Mik, and a Chimaera warrior encounter Eliza delivering prophecies in Seraphim language while heading toward Vatican City. Esther initially offers assistance but later betrays them to Jael in exchange for mining rights on Eretz. After being evicted from her hotel room, Zuzana and Mik seize Esther’s cache of wishes granted by Brimstone.
Karou and Akiva attempt to infiltrate Jael’s quarters but are anticipated. Employing a spell akin to one Akiva used to synchronize Brimstone’s portal burnings, they ignite an explosive charge that compels Jael’s unarmed return to Eretz. Meanwhile, Zuzana and Mik use their wishes to restore Eliza’s memories as Elazael; she then transforms into a Seraphim.
Back in Eretz, the alliance between Misbegotten and Chimaera gains command over armed forces; Jael is imprisoned upon his return. Although Ziri dies, Liraz manages to recover his soul for revival. Eliza, Mik, and Zuzana return through another portal known only to Elazael.
The Stelians confront Akiva regarding his magic's damage to Eretz’s fabric. Eliza reveals Eretz’s history and explains that the Seraphim creation myth involving "Godstars" serves as a prophecy predicting their united struggle against beasts threatening Eretz.
Critical reception
Publishers Weekly granted Dreams of Gods and Monsters a starred evaluation. Meanwhile, Kirkus Reviews praised Taylor's "poetically intense language," characterizing the novel as "a bold, beautifully sharp drama."