Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Published: March 28th, 2017
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Recommended Age: 14+
Pacing: Slow
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, War Setting, Ghosts
BLURB:
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?
Can we all just agree that Laini Taylor is a goddess?
Not the kind of goddess who brings despair to your spirit, but the kind who appeases it with angelic words.
If you remember, this book’s publication date was postponed. It was released in March of 2017, but was supposed to hit the shelves months before.
I, like many others, was heartbroken when I got the news. I was even annoyed. How dare Laini Taylor do this to us? How dare she tease us in such a way?
Well. I can say, from the bottom of my heart, that all is forgiven. If the story had been tremendously bad, I could have held a grudge maybe, but it’s not. It’s tremendously original, well-written, magical and romantic.
There is everything you could possibly want from a fantasy tale: a carefully-constructed world-building with its own history and culture, developed characters—villains, heroes, and those in-between—, lush descriptions that speak of Laini Taylor’s way with words and passionate mind, as well as a forbidden love story that will be the focus of your dreams tonight.
What is it about forbidden love that awakens my soul? Is it the secrecy of it? Or is it the intensity of the emotions of the two beings feeling them? Or the fact that it seems as though the whole world is against you, and yet you need no one but the person next to you?
Yes, I am turning to mush. Please don’t step on me. I am at my most vulnerable state.
There’s nothing else I want more right now than to plunge into the sequel. Nothing else. Who cares if one of my most anticipated 2018 books just came out? Not I.
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Great review! I adored Strange the Dreamer when I read it. In fact it was my first Laini Taylor experience and I very quickly devoured her trilogy and novella not long after! Her writing is so captivating. I’m super excited for Muse of Nightmares!
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Great review! I need to read a Laini Taylor book. I’m on a waitlist for this one, but the list is long. I’ll probably have to buy the book it I want it anytime soon.
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Great review! So excited for the next book. ^^
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Yes!!! LOVED this book. I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel 🙂
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Great review! I’m so glad you loved Strange the Dreamer!
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