Name: Ada's review of Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor
Item: Night of Cake and Puppets
Rating: 4
Author: Ada

Laini Taylor

Which is what one always hopes will happen: for life to take over and be bigger and more marvellous than what we can dream up on our own. ********** In the gorgeously illustrated edition NIGHT OF CAKE & PUPPETS, a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy is brought to life: the magical first date of Zuzana and Mik. This is the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. ********** Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her 'rabid fairy', her 'voodoo eyes' are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or 'Violin Boy', her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It's a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter's night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy's not going to know what hit him. ********** 'WOW. I wish I had written this book.' Patrick Rothfuss on DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE

A Daughter of Smoke and Bone Novella

Night of Cake and Puppets

Nicole Tingey

In this stand-alone companion to the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone series comes the story of Mik and Zuzana's fantastical first date--as a gorgeously illustrated gift edition with bonus content included. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her "rabid fairy," her "voodoo eyes" are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or "Violin Boy," her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to make the first move, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It's a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter's night before leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy is not going to know what hit him. New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy--the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Originally published as an ebook, this new print edition will include breathtaking black and white illustrations, plus bonus content in a gorgeous package perfect for new and current fans of the series.

Night of Cake & Puppets

(3.5) Very sweet and very nice novella. I really liked that we delved deeper to Zuzana. Love their relationship and the little addition of magic.

Zahra

Zuzana and Mik are adorable. I couldn't stop smiling from all the cuteness.

Jamieson

THIS WAS SO CUTE usually I don't read series spin off novellas because I can't be bothered and I don't care but I love Zuzanna and Mik and so I gave this a go. It was so sweet and definitely made me fall so much more in love with them as a couple. 

This book was so gorgeous as well, it had he most stunning illustrations and design and was just overall lovely to read. The story of following the treasure map was also so sweet and I liked how it followed both Mik and Zuzanna's perspective. I only wish it had been in 3rd person like the series instead of first but that is a minor complaint. 

Overall this was so cute and so lovely to read and if you like this series and/or this couple you should definitely read this. It's so short and sweet !

Izza

3.5 stars | It was nice to get back into this world! The Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy is one of my favourite YA series and so this was definitely a treat! I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had read it back then when I was fully invested in the story though. Zuz and Mik are so cute together ^.^ I love that we got to see how their "first date" went. The art is really amazing and the book is just beautiful! I'm glad they decided to publish it in physical form at last.

Haley Murray

The art is beautiful and the story was good for what it was.

Elisa Bieg

SUCH a lovely book. I don’t even have the words to tell you what a treat this is, particularly while still recovering from the emotional roller-coaster and general awesomeness that is the trilogy!

The switching POV, the illustration that just captured it all PERFECTLY, the magic... and at the end, the graphic novel teaser, which just about had my heart bursting in excitement!!! I mean, what?!??!? DOSAB in graphic novel form??? That would be all kinds of AMAZING. Yes please, Laini, please make this happen!!

Dee B. 

'This must be what feelings are.'


I missed Zuze's fire, and seeing the awkward beginnings of her relationship with Mik. Cute!


I wasn't too keen on Karou's witch doctor quip though. Can we stop painting Africa as this place that is all curses and witch doctors and black magic. Ugh.


Adorable

Livia

This. Book. Tho.
It's so freaking beautiful and wholesome
Zuzana is freaking amazing.
Mik is so cute.
They deserve each other.
They deserve the best.

The end.

Sarah Escorsa

Oh I love Zuze and this series just wouldn't be the same without her! There aren't nearly enough details about her and her personal story in the actual series so it's great to finally be able to read a novella based on her character.

This could have been just a sweet love story but Laini Taylor's beautiful, lyrical writing makes it so much more than that. Her prose is pure magic, her words wrap around you and take you to an enchanted world. 

This could have been a corny, silly love story but Zuze being Zuze, it is anything but. The story is romantic but Zuze is so quirky, down-to-earth and downright hilarious that she throws the mushiness and sentimentality right out the window. I just love her wit, humour and overall brilliance. She probably is one of the best secondary characters ever and I think she would do well in a series of her own.When Karou talks about butterflies in the belly and invisible lines of energy and all that, I make fun of her for being a hopeless romantic, but DEAR GOD. Butterflies! Invisible lines of energy! I get it. I feel liquefied, like a cucumber forgotten in the crisper drawer, and I want to hold myself at arm’s length and carry me to the trash. Who is this sack of slush masquerading as me? It’s intolerable. If Karou can sally forth to track down the most awful people in the world and steal wishes from them, then I can meet a damned boy. I am a rabid fairy. I am a carnivorous plant. I am Zuzana. And violin boy’s not going to know what hit him.I love vengeance like normal people love sunsets and long walks on the beach. I eat vengeance with a spoon like it’s honey. In fact, I may not even be a real person, but just a vow of vengeance made fleshMik's POV is a nice addition to the novella but I can't say I'm very impressed by his character. He's nice enough but he doesn't have a striking personality. That said, Zuze has enough personality for them both! Well, the chapters with Mik's POV do have some wonderful quotes of their own and I guess that somehow makes up for his lack of charisma.I want to do mysterious and improbable things alongside a fierce and beautiful girl who looks like a doll brought to life by a sorcerer.A short but fantastic read!
  Which is what one always hopes will happen: for life to take over and be bigger and more marvelous than what we can dream up on our own. Life doesn’t need magic to be magical.
(But a little bit sure doesn’t hurt.)

Julie D.

5 out of 5
I will always have a weakness for Laini Taylor and Karou

Alexa Jade

actual rating: 4.75 stars. 
stop this was so cute!!!!

Sheila

THIS BOOK IS FLUFFINESS AND HAPPY AND SPARKLES




This was perfect in every way, I want to cuddle it & read it every time I'm sad. :'D

Khloe Grotting

This was SO cute!!! Zuzana and Mik are my favorite couple in the series and this was like the sweetest and most perfect thing ever! The illustrations were also beautiful and totally looked like something Zuzana would draw :)

Emily

I'm prefacing this review by saying that I have read this book in one sitting on two separate occasions. That is how much I love it. I absolutely adore the Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy as well, but this book is on a whole other level. If you never plan on reading the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, but somehow manage to see this review, please consider giving this beauty a try! Trust me, you will NOT regret it.

To add on, the first time I read this I read it when it was only available as an e-book and I simply devoured it. But this time around I found the physical copy at Barnes & Noble and BY GOD IT IS GORGEOUS. THERE ARE ILLUSTRATIONS! AND UNDER THE DUST JACKET IT IS BEAUTIFUL ON BOTH SIDES. AND THE END PAGES ARE AMAZING. Whoops... I may have gotten a little carried away, but oh my god it is so pretty.

From here my review will be broken into my thoughts after reading the first time, but feel free to skip to my thoughts after reading the second time.

Thoughts after reading the first time:

After reading the first two books in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone Trilogy, I was instantly engaged in the story line of the two side characters Zuzana and Mik. I thought their love story was so cute and some of my favorite chapters were the ones about them. When I found out that this novella existed I was PSYCHED. Overall adorable, magical, and everything I needed to be prepared for Dreams of Gods & Monsters.
 
“'I will do just as you wish,' said no cat ever.” - Laini Taylor (Night of Cake & Puppets)
 
The quote from above really captures the essence of the mood throughout this whole story. I found myself laughing along with the characters and related directly to their sense of humor. If you loved Zuzana and Mik in the first two books, you will love them even more in this one.

Thoughts after reading for the second time:

Last night I had an undeniable urge to reread this book. I have no idea why, but I simply could not resist. And man oh man was that a great idea. Here are just a few of my favorite quotes from this wonderful story. The book is broken down into perspectives from Zuzana and from Mik so I've separated the quotes like that as well.

Zuzana:

"Me, sweep him off his feet? I know. The laws of the jungle and romance novels would have it the other way around, but I'm not going to wait one more second for that." - Laini Taylor (Night of Cake & Puppets)

"I am a rabid fairy. I am a carnivorous plant. I am Zuzana. And violin boy's not going to know what hit him." - Laini Taylor (Night of Cake & Puppets)

"It's my personal theory that only 27 percent of perceived confidence is actual confidence, and the rest is sham. The key is: If you can't tell the difference, there is no difference." - Laini Taylor (Night of Cake & Puppets)

Mik:

"I don't know where she goes after work, but I imagine stars and mist and halls of mirrors, and I want to be there, too." - Laini Taylor (Night of Cake & Puppets)

"I want to be the guy in a movie who's, I don't know, out walking his rabbit on a leash (I don't have a rabbit) and knows exactly how to strike up a quirky, compelling conversation." - Laini Taylor (Night of Cake & Puppets)

"It's a treasure map. And the treasure? There she is, in the center of the page, the X-marks-the-spot. Zuzana is the treasure." - Laini Taylor (Night of Cake & Puppets)

Conclusion:

All in all, Zuzana and Mik are my favorite people ever. (Of course they're real.) And EVERYONE needs to read this book. Or no one so it can be mine forever... just kidding.

Izzy

In this new stand alone novella from New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor comes the story of a funny and fantastical first date. In NIGHT OF CAKE & PUPPETS, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy - the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it's the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. The novella also contains an extract from the first book in the series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her 'rabid fairy', her 'voodoo eyes' are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or 'Violin Boy', her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It's a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter's night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy's not going to know what hit him. (P)2013 Hodder & Stoughton

Daniela V.

This novella is very different if compared to its corresponding trilogy. It's a breath of fresh air, giving us a break from the epic fantasy tone that surrounds the main story.

Night of Cake and Puppets has lovely characters: our beloved Mik and Zuze. It tells the story of how they met each other and their first night together.

The setting is Prague. Its streets are magical. Zuzana prepared a scavenger hunt for Mik to find his reward: her.

Their personalities are strong and very peculiar, so it's obviously an interesting story. 

What I'm not fully convinced of is the intervention of the wishes Karou gave Zuzana in this novella. I think that love should be real, with no magic inbetween. It shocked me a little when Mik described how Zuzana made him feel through the scavenger hunt because it was not her he was describing, but Karou (and Zuze notes the same thing) So that's why I'm not giving five stars to this little enchanted tale.

It may also be an interesting read for those who gave up on the trilogy for its rawness (is there anyone able to give up on this story?)

razan 

[feeling warm and fuzzy inside after reading this]
Aw,Zuzana and Mik are so adorable, they added so much fun to the whole trilogy ♥

Tae Thompson

Characters:
Zuzana 
She was amazing; she reminded me of my own best friend, strangeness, and all. 
Mik
He was kind of flat if I am honest. First, the only thing we knew about him was that he was cute and played the violin. But as the story continued, he became cute, and he wormed my heart. 

Atmosphere
The city came across as beautiful, and I wish I could go there, and the art only helped make the feelings stronger. 

Writing/ Plot
Laini Taylor has always been one of my favorite writers. She seems to find a way to put together some of the best stories I have read and loved. 

Logic 
This is a story about a first date, and it feels like it.

Enjoyment/ Intrigue
LOVED IT

Luisina Rivoira

This was absolutely perfect! I adore Zuzana and Mik and it was wonderful to get to see their first meeting (which is talked about so much in the books) from their own eyes. Fun and sweet! 5 stars!

Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia

I WANT A DATE JUST LIKE THIS ONE! So perfect! So, so perfect! As if I didn't love Zuzana and Mik already. They're perfect! And what I love about Laini Taylor is the way she captures the feelings of when someone falls in love. Perfect.

b.andherbooks

Super cute and awesomely well written short story about how Zuzana and Mik finally got together. It is nice to see these characters get a little extra time. Laini Taylor is a master word-smith. Can't get enough.

Nia C

Mik & Zuze forever <3. 4 Stars and an A for all the feels.

Sarah

This was so adorable, I love them so much, they only deserve the best <3

Nicole Tingey &
Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor

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