Strange the Dreamer
Strange the Dreamer, #1
by Laini Taylor
Pages: 544 // Published: March 28, 2017 // Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Summary as Provided by Publisher
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?
Welcome to Weep.
My Thoughts
Just a bomb of doughnuts. Like a truck delivering 1500 boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts breaks down in front of your house, and the driver says “Here, take them before they go bad”. And being the resourceful and sustainable human that you are, you take them all. You build doughnut forts, doughnut towers, you make doughnut snowmen and snow-angels. You smell like sugar and dough for days. Just a whole lot of doughnuts.
Where was I going with this….? Oh right, Strange the Dream was the bomb dot com, folks. This is not a drill, we have the real deal here.
What I loved…
- THE IMAGINATION: Holy crap, I want to peek into Laini Taylor’s head and see what’s going on there, because it was so unbelievably imaginative. It was dark, whimsical, authentic, and just in awe of the world she built.
- THE PACING: For a 500+ page book, I read it fairly quickly – within 3 to 4 days. I thought it was wonderfully paced, and it built up to a magnificent and heartbreaking ending.
- LAZLO STRANGE: He was just a wonderful character, all the makings of the best book boyfriend. Seriously, everything he said was quotable. I loved his spunk and most of all his passion for all things wonderful.
“…None of us became monks to be nursemaids.”
To which Lazlo replied, with fire in his soul, “And none of us became children to be orphans.”
- SARAI: I loved Sarai, I loved her thoughts & I loved her abilities. She was a beautiful nightmare who just wants to be with everyone else. *all the hugs*
- THE STORYLINE: It was fairytale and legendary like, like if they ever made a movie, the would never in a million years do it justice compared to what Laini Taylor’s mind has come up with. Just not possible.
- THE UNKNOWN: I came into this book knowing little, other than Jess & Teagan’s love for this book (check out their review here) motivated me to pick it up. If I could recco anything, the less you know the better before reading this!
What I didn’t love…
- THE GORE: There is quite a bit of violence in this book, but nothing completely unnecessary – if that makes sense. Trigger warning: They do discuss the death of babies in nurseries, plus the brutality to which women of weep are subjected to while in the “care” of the Gods. I thought it would be a one time point in the book, but they bring it up quite often as its a major plot driver.
- THE EPILOGUE: Not going to lie, when I got a sample of the book on my kobo a while back, I only read the epilogue – but my brain couldn’t comprehend this world. So don’t judge the book on the epilogue like I did originally, it’s seriously good. KEEP READING!
This is definitely a Fantasy book first and YA second, like readers at the YA level will enjoy it but it is not necessarily a YA book to me. I really hope you pick this one up & if you do, please let me know how you liked it!
Thank you for stopping by!
As Always…
HAPPY READING!
Are you excited for Muse of Nightmares? Do you have Strange the Dreamer on your TBR? Let me know in the comments so I can harass you to move it up your list! 😀
Happy to see such a positive review! I just recently picked this one up ❤️
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Hope you enjoy it!
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I’m glad you liked it! Personally, I gave it 2 stars because I’m not a romance fan and it got waaayyyy too romance-y for me. But, I’m planning on checking out Muse of Nightmares!
– Caidyn
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Yes, the romance was such a big part! So I can see if it was a turn off if you’re not a fan of the lovey doves. I hope you enjoy Muse more!!
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So do I because I liked it up until the point I could tell a heavy romance was coming into play. Hopefully it’s a little less in Muse!
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Haha (while I secretly hope they bring on the feels) 🤗🤗
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Ha! I mean, I’d like to see where it goes for sure. How the romance develops with the ending Taylor gave.
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I know, like how the heck is this going to work???!!
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I don’t know!! It’s going to be odd. And weird. And interesting.
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My favourite combination.
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Same. It’s usually the best.
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I’m so happy you loved this one! Muse cannot come soon enough, but I also have to prepare my heart. ❤
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We all do *mentally does heart push ups*
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I’m so glad you like it, this is my fav read last year! And I’m so excited for MoN!!!
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Sorry book buying ban, I might break you again ✅
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😂😂 it didn’t stand a chance.
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Nope bought it
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Great Review 🙂 This has been on my TBR for so long, but I’m definitely moving it up the list now It sounds really good!
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Hope you enjoy it!
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Loved this review! I adored Strange the Dreamer and I’m SO HYPED for Muse of Nightmares later this year… Laini Taylor is gold ❤
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Isn’t she? Her imagination is beyond incredible!
Thank you 🙂
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Haha, I loved that doughnut story in the beginning. A+.
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Haha, life is more fun described in food terms 👌
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Oh my gosh I love this review. The donut truck though…. you may have chosen my favorite food and thrown it into a review. *puts book in cart*
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Haha doughnuts, everyone’s favourite food group. I hope you enjoy this one!
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Haha!! Love the donuts!! Great review. I’m going to be reading this one next month since the second book will be out the beginning of October! Glad to see that you liked it. 🙂
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Smart!! hope you like it!!
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I haven’t read Strange the Dreamer yet, but it’s on my TBR!! Your review is fantastic, btw!
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Aw thanks! You should def read it soon! You have some time though before Muse comes out!
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Lovely review! I truly need to pick this one asap!
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I just finished this and I can’t even…. I mean, my heart!! ❤ This year has been brutal with these books & their endings!!! Oh Maddie, I'm not sure I can even handle Muse…. and I still WANT it so badly.
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I know, we’re glutton for punishment aren’t we? I know, it will probably beat us up badly lol but I CAN’T WAIT.
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