Reviews

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

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paperdollskaterboy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kaitlynreads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging slow-paced

Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

bhnmt61's review against another edition

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3.0

This book falls firmly in the category of well-written, beautifully plotted, fully imagined, and NOT for me. I loved the first half of this book— the setup with orphaned Lazlo living in a library and raised by librarians? Blue gods living in a floating citadel above a ravaged city? My wheelhouse.

But by the end it was so melodramatic and so over-wrought that to my surprise, I don’t think I’ll read the sequel, even though I bought it already when I was enjoying the first half so much.

Here is a typical sentence: “To have been granted so tiny a taste of the nectar of her mouth, and so brief a brush with the velvet of her lips was unspeakable cruelty.” And there are dozens more just like that, in fact that one is pretty tame compared to some later purple prose. I did a lot of skimming toward the end. Lots of skimming.

Disappointing. Maybe I’m just too old for a book like this. She gets five (or six or ten) stars for the first half, two stars for the second half—I’m averaging it out to three.

devinnicolvaldez's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

4.75

4.5 stars!

"Something beautiful and full of monsters?" "All the best stories are."

This book was whimsical and wild. The world building was very beautiful and the poetic prose was lovely to read. I don't always respond well to lyrical fantasy books, but this was just beautiful! So so detailed. The last half developed into a YA love story, however, that didn't bother me so much (seeing as this is a YA fantasy novel). Lazlo Strange is a delightful character. I really enjoyed reading this book! I cannot wait to read the sequel!!

lyntwhit's review against another edition

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5.0

Excellent book! Can't wait for the next one! This book made me think of a mix between The Crystal Cave and Queen of the Tierling. Just when I thought I might know what happens next, something unexpected would happen. Loved it!