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c_serpent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am a sucker for a few things. One of them is a story about gods. But a story about a city tormented for 200 years by false gods? That then the Godslayer killed?
Please do tell me more.
I messaged my best friend at one point while reading this book (it's her favorite) and said, "I want to eat this book. Which is WEIRD but it's like it has a flavor." The voice in this novel is a gift. It is funny, moving, poetic, and taught me some new words. Ya girl was a former ~*~ gifted child ~*~ reader and still rates shamefully high on vocabulary quizzes, and I learned words, bruh. That takes some work.
Lazlo is a gift. Sarai is a gift. I would do terrible things in the name of love for Ruza. I want to be Calixte's best friend. I want to kick Thyon in the teeth and if I had words for how much I hate Minya, my mother wouldn't let me use them.
It's hard to find a novel written in poetic voice that doesn't overdo it or make things needlessly obscure. Nothing was needlessly obscure here, and the prose sang. Moreover, I don't trust many people to do omniscient third person, but Taylor pulls it off. It never felt weird or contrived to me. I think I was about 50% of the way through the book before I even realised it was third person omniscient. The twists weren't completely unforeseeable but nor were they so obvious that everything was boring. And I appreciate that kind of foreshadowing.
This book deals with heavy issues (as in literal sex trafficking and the murder of babies), but it does so bearably. This book could have been completely grimdark, and it wasn't, and I love it for that. It is laced through with hope. And even though it ended on a cliff-hanger that made me yell, I know everything will be okay, and that is, I think, one of the most endearing qualities a novel can have.
Two stars have been awarded for the poetic voice, a star has been awarded for Sarai's brave little pacifist soul, a star has been awarded for Eril-Fane's tears, and a star has been awarded to Lazlo and Ruza's banter about mushrooms. Then I took all the stars away and gave them all to Ruza, because wow. What a guy.
Total score: 5/5 stars
Please do tell me more.
I messaged my best friend at one point while reading this book (it's her favorite) and said, "I want to eat this book. Which is WEIRD but it's like it has a flavor." The voice in this novel is a gift. It is funny, moving, poetic, and taught me some new words. Ya girl was a former ~*~ gifted child ~*~ reader and still rates shamefully high on vocabulary quizzes, and I learned words, bruh. That takes some work.
Lazlo is a gift. Sarai is a gift. I would do terrible things in the name of love for Ruza. I want to be Calixte's best friend. I want to kick Thyon in the teeth and if I had words for how much I hate Minya, my mother wouldn't let me use them.
It's hard to find a novel written in poetic voice that doesn't overdo it or make things needlessly obscure. Nothing was needlessly obscure here, and the prose sang. Moreover, I don't trust many people to do omniscient third person, but Taylor pulls it off. It never felt weird or contrived to me. I think I was about 50% of the way through the book before I even realised it was third person omniscient. The twists weren't completely unforeseeable but nor were they so obvious that everything was boring. And I appreciate that kind of foreshadowing.
This book deals with heavy issues (as in literal sex trafficking and the murder of babies), but it does so bearably. This book could have been completely grimdark, and it wasn't, and I love it for that. It is laced through with hope. And even though it ended on a cliff-hanger that made me yell, I know everything will be okay, and that is, I think, one of the most endearing qualities a novel can have.
Two stars have been awarded for the poetic voice, a star has been awarded for Sarai's brave little pacifist soul, a star has been awarded for Eril-Fane's tears, and a star has been awarded to Lazlo and Ruza's banter about mushrooms. Then I took all the stars away and gave them all to Ruza, because wow. What a guy.
Total score: 5/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Child death, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Sexual assault, and Slavery
Moderate: Pregnancy and Confinement
vagrantheather's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
World building is thorough and lovely. Writing is moderate to nice. Plot driven - can't really say the characters go through much development - book is formatted around want thing > get to place > try to accomplish thing > thing done. It's a nice book, but missing the tension that would make me curious what happens next. I mean the characters have their goals, and we know there'll be a face off between humans and godspawn, but . . . I am not sure what it lacks, maybe it's the perspective of the writing. Other reviewers call out issues with pacing and perhaps that's it.
I loved the bits in Lazlo's dreams. The whole book does have a dreamy, timeless quality.
"Good people do all the things bad people do, Lazlo. It's just that when they do them, they call it justice."
I loved the bits in Lazlo's dreams. The whole book does have a dreamy, timeless quality.
"Good people do all the things bad people do, Lazlo. It's just that when they do them, they call it justice."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Xenophobia, and Violence
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Genocide
redheadragereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
How does one coherently review a Laini Taylor book?
Strange the Dreamer is like a vivid fever dream. It was so beautiful and so captivating. I adore Lazlo and Sarai.
The worldbuilding alone is a reason to read, the prose is another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child death, and Rape
natsbooknook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Who doesn’t love a story about an orphan finding his way in the world? Lazlo Strange was an orphan plucked from a cart and sent to a monastery. Even through the monotony of his life there he was a dreamer, he loved stories. As luck would have it, one day he was sent to make a delivery to the kingdom’s greatest library - and he never left. Until now.
After spending his life almost ridiculed as a dreamer for being too obsessed with what is believed to be a fictional city, the day comes when he is provided the opportunity to go. This usually reserved young library sticks up for himself and advocates to go to Weep.
And nothing could have prepared him for the revelations that await. Why was Weep lost to legend? What was its true name?
—
Strange the dreamer started out well, Lazlo is an instantly relatable character for any bookworm, especially those who rarely dabble outside of fantasy - those who long to be carried away to far-off lands and have our adventures. Throughout the middle portion, however, there was a bit of a lull, but once you get over this portion it picks up again rather quickly.
After finishing I immediately reached for Muse of Nightmares to continue the journey in this magical world Laini Taylor has devised.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Child death
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
midnightverde's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This fantasy novel is beautifully written. There are clues throughout the story to the mysteries of the lost city of Weep, yet there are still so many questions. The characters are full of depth and it’s easy to fall in love with many of them (and passionately hate others). There is a cliffhanger at the end of the book and I have to go put the final book of the duology on hold now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Child death, Genocide, Kidnapping, Rape, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Pregnancy
panickedhonking's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Incest, Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Rape, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Child death, Death of parent, Death, and Emotional abuse
forgettingtofly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this so much. It’s not often that I am so in awe as I read, but this book had me longing to return to it every day and dreading the moment it would be over. I was so glad that there was a second book to look forward to. Beautiful writing, heartbreaking and lovable characters - this book took over my life for a few days and I’m not sad about it. Except that I am because I’m so sad it had to end. Usually I would blaze on through to the next book, but I actually needed to take a breath after this one before I started the second. It was so good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
danreadsitall's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
(Redacted) does it again with the good recommendations. "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor is not what I expected. But in the best possible way.
Lazlo Strange is a war-orphan raised by monks, with one joy in his life. Speaking to a (maybe crazy) monk about stories is an escape for him. Until one day the name of the city from those stories vanishes from his mind. The only evidence of Magic he has ever experienced. And that's the hook I will leave you with.
Trust, it's a wonderful story with amazing foreshadowing that I accepted and didn't consider until the end.
Published by Hachette Audio
Narrated by Steve West, the tone of awe during the dreams and the voice of pain. Fantastic work.
Reasons to read:
-Story about stories with stories
-One group's hero is the devil to another
-Spoilers
-The foreshadowing
-Bit of spice
-Old librarian implies the secret to happiness is hips
-The growth of the characters
Cons:
-Before Lazlo spoke up I was feeling anxious, because damn
-His name makes me remember the bread at this restaurant I used to go to, so I got very hungry when I heard it...
Lazlo Strange is a war-orphan raised by monks, with one joy in his life. Speaking to a (maybe crazy) monk about stories is an escape for him. Until one day the name of the city from those stories vanishes from his mind. The only evidence of Magic he has ever experienced. And that's the hook I will leave you with.
Trust, it's a wonderful story with amazing foreshadowing that I accepted and didn't consider until the end.
Published by Hachette Audio
Narrated by Steve West, the tone of awe during the dreams and the voice of pain. Fantastic work.
Reasons to read:
-Story about stories with stories
-One group's hero is the devil to another
-Spoilers
-The foreshadowing
-Bit of spice
-Old librarian implies the secret to happiness is hips
-The growth of the characters
Cons:
-Before Lazlo spoke up I was feeling anxious, because damn
-His name makes me remember the bread at this restaurant I used to go to, so I got very hungry when I heard it...
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, and Child death
traceyanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, Genocide, Sexual content, and Violence
mooshake's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
laini taylor isn't afraid to Go There i'll give her that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Kidnapping and War