Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor Series: Strange the Dreamer #1
Published by Little Brown (3.28.2017)
Genres: High Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Hardcover, 544 pages
Source: I own it
The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.
What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?
The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?
My thoughts
This book was SO. BEAUTIFUL. Should I expect anything less from Laini Taylor? It was so very much like Daughter of Smoke and Bone, which I loved so much – beautiful, strange, and enchanting – but also so very different! I highly recommend both of them to anyone and everyone, especially if you love fantasy.
First of all, that title! I’m going to be honest, I didn’t know much at all (okay, pretty much nothing except it was by Laini Taylor) about this book going in, so I had no idea that the main character is actually named Strange – Lazlo Strange. It completely changes your perspective of the title, I love it!
Again, Laini knocked it out of the freaking park with her amazing world and imagination. This book is like nothing I have ever read before, it’s so unique! I absolutely loved the world of Weep and the intrigue that went with it. The pacing is fairly slow in the beginning, but I was never bored. The mystery of Weep kept me hooked because I was so intrigued about the lost city! Plus Laini’s writing is so beautiful that I can’t help but bask in her lovely prose no matter what is going on.
It’s hard to talk about this book without spoilers, so I’m going to put most of it in spoiler tags. I wouldn’t suggest reading any of it unless you’ve read the book, the mystery and intrigue are part of what made this story so amazing!
View Spoiler »The back story of Weep is SO haunting and tragic. This book was heartbreaking, and it’s so beautifully written that you can see both sides of the story. View Spoiler »
THAT ENDING. YOU GUYS. I can’t. I just can’t. I knew something bad was going to happen but I just didn’t want to believe it. I desperately neeeed Muse of Nightmares! I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the next installment! View Spoiler »
Overall Assessment
Plot: 5/5
Premise: 5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World-building: 5/5
Pace: 4.5/5
Feels: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall rating: 5/5
I have heard a lot about this book it sounds great! I will need to check it out. I love that the writing just drew you in. Great Review!
Wow! I was already excited to read this gorgeous book but now I just can’t wait!!
This book was everything! It was seriously the best book I’ve read in a long long time. Laini Taylor’s writing is magic. The wait for book 2 is going to be torture! I love your review!
I learned that LBB kind of hated the title to this one, which I understand. You need some backstory to understand that “Strange” is a person. Haha. I love a good dark fantasy so I can’t wait to devour all 500 plus pages!
This book sounds lovely and that cover is so gorgeous! I hope to read this soon! Lovely review!