Scan barcode
sumru's review
2.0
I had to DNF this after a while, because I was just bored out of my mind.
Maybe I should have read it instead of picking up the audiobook since that didn't really work for me.
Maybe I should have read it instead of picking up the audiobook since that didn't really work for me.
_kieralou's review
5.0
"Wishes don't just come true. They're only the target you paint around what you want. You still have to hit the bull's eye yourself."
So I didn't think it was possible, but I love this book even more than Strange. It picked up exactly where we left off and was fast-paced, full of tension, beautifully written and such a satisfying conclusion to an incredible duology.
The plot was faultless and every time we got an answer it left me with ten more questions and kept me desperately wanting to know more about the history of the Mesarthim, how that tied into the Seraphim and the connection with Weep. The connections to the [b: Daughter of Smoke and Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461353773s/8490112.jpg|13355552] series were so fun to spot and made it really enjoyable to figure out how it all tied together too.
I loved revisiting the characters and learning more about them, especially seeing Thyon get the development he deserved. Lazlo and Sarai's relationship was lovely to read and it was so fun getting to know the family dynamics of the godspawn once Lazlo was thrown into the mix. The exploration of Minya's character was so good and I felt that we got a very good explanation for her feelings and the way she reacts to the threat of the humans. I really loved the new characters, Kora and Nova, and trying to figure out how they connected to the story and the way that it helped to expand on the worldbuilding from Strange.
As per the writing was incredible, although maybe not up to the standard of Strange, but I think that it might be a choice to reflect the desolate situation the characters are in rather than just a lack for no apparent reason. Obviously this is up for debate but this is just what I think about it.
Overall, an incredible book, and yet another of Laini Taylor's that I wish I could give six stars to.
So I didn't think it was possible, but I love this book even more than Strange. It picked up exactly where we left off and was fast-paced, full of tension, beautifully written and such a satisfying conclusion to an incredible duology.
The plot was faultless and every time we got an answer it left me with ten more questions and kept me desperately wanting to know more about the history of the Mesarthim, how that tied into the Seraphim and the connection with Weep. The connections to the [b: Daughter of Smoke and Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461353773s/8490112.jpg|13355552] series were so fun to spot and made it really enjoyable to figure out how it all tied together too.
I loved revisiting the characters and learning more about them, especially seeing Thyon get the development he deserved. Lazlo and Sarai's relationship was lovely to read and it was so fun getting to know the family dynamics of the godspawn once Lazlo was thrown into the mix. The exploration of Minya's character was so good and I felt that we got a very good explanation for her feelings and the way she reacts to the threat of the humans. I really loved the new characters, Kora and Nova, and trying to figure out how they connected to the story and the way that it helped to expand on the worldbuilding from Strange.
As per the writing was incredible, although maybe not up to the standard of Strange, but I think that it might be a choice to reflect the desolate situation the characters are in rather than just a lack for no apparent reason. Obviously this is up for debate but this is just what I think about it.
Overall, an incredible book, and yet another of Laini Taylor's that I wish I could give six stars to.
borrowedandbacklist's review against another edition
I finished Book 1 of this duology and it was fine. I read Part 1 of Book 2 and after so many pages in this story, I just don’t care enough about any of the characters. So I read Part 5, and I hardly missed anything in hundreds of pages of middle!! Laini Taylor writes beautiful prose and the world was interesting, but those two things weren’t enough to sustain me through a plodding plot with characters I feel no emotional attachment to.
emoser_9's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not surprised by how much I enjoyed this series. This book was a beautiful but complex end to this story. I truly enjoyed how everything was wrapped up, and the new characters and story line that was added in throughout this book was wonderful. Laini Taylor has easily become one of my favourite authors - cant wait to see what she comes up with next. The slight nod to her other series made me very happy, and I now hope that there is potential for future stories within this same.. universe? multiverse?
Spoiler
Something that did bother me was how the gods kidnapped the people of weep for so long without any of them accidentally awakening powers?? like if the whole citadel is made of the metal.. how did NOBODY ever touch it long enough to awake their powers??? slightly confusing 2 me. also a lil disappointed in sarai's end - like why did she not get resurrected? boo. still beautiful ending though, i guess the end alludes to them finding a way to get her a body, and potential for a continuation of the story... fingers crossedizzywizzy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
lenapakal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
haileereads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very satisfying book for me to read. So many questions that I had after reading Strange the Dreamer were answered. I felt like I was trying to solve a puzzle while reading this book and every time I found a new piece that fit with another it surprised me in the best way. Definitely some “saucy” parts but I loved the way the story kept me guessing. Currently feeling pleasantly satisfied as I finished reading.
imme_van_gorp's review against another edition
5.0
|| 4.5 stars ||
This was so good! To me it was a big step up from [b:Strange the Dreamer|28449207|Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519915549l/28449207._SY75_.jpg|48158509]. The uniqueness and beauty of the world-building remains, but now there is also a little more character development.
Take Minya for example: not only does she grow a lot as a person, her already established features are further explored and explained as well. I feel like we really became to understand Minya, which resulted in more empathy and respect than I imagined I would ever have for her. Now, she is probably my favourite character. Who would have thought? This improvement of understanding and development of the characters did not limit to Minya though. Many characters felt more vulnerable, interesting and real than they did before. As a result, their relationships with one another also gripped me much more.
The plot was just very well put together. Not only was the pacing of the story very pleasant, I also noticed we were spared from dragged out details and too many backroads to things that are ultimately unimportant or uninteresting. In the end, everything intertwined perfectly with one another and I do not feel like I am left hanging with an unsatisfied feeling or big questions that need answering.
I also really appreciate the little homage at the end to [b:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461353773l/8490112._SY75_.jpg|13355552] with: "Of all the godspawn out there, in all the worlds with all their gifts, might there be one who... makes new bodies for souls who need them?" With this, [a:Laini Taylor|324620|Laini Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1224474224p2/324620.jpg] does not only hint at the possibility that the worlds in her two series could collide in the future, but it also gives one the chance to imagine that Sarai might indeed find a body for her soul again someday, as we already know that there is somebody out there who could give her exactly that.
'Strange the Dreamer' duology:
1. Strange the Dreamer - 3.5 stars
2. Muse of Nightmares - 4.5 stars
This was so good! To me it was a big step up from [b:Strange the Dreamer|28449207|Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519915549l/28449207._SY75_.jpg|48158509]. The uniqueness and beauty of the world-building remains, but now there is also a little more character development.
Take Minya for example: not only does she grow a lot as a person, her already established features are further explored and explained as well. I feel like we really became to understand Minya, which resulted in more empathy and respect than I imagined I would ever have for her. Now, she is probably my favourite character. Who would have thought? This improvement of understanding and development of the characters did not limit to Minya though. Many characters felt more vulnerable, interesting and real than they did before. As a result, their relationships with one another also gripped me much more.
The plot was just very well put together. Not only was the pacing of the story very pleasant, I also noticed we were spared from dragged out details and too many backroads to things that are ultimately unimportant or uninteresting. In the end, everything intertwined perfectly with one another and I do not feel like I am left hanging with an unsatisfied feeling or big questions that need answering.
I also really appreciate the little homage at the end to [b:Daughter of Smoke & Bone|8490112|Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461353773l/8490112._SY75_.jpg|13355552] with: "Of all the godspawn out there, in all the worlds with all their gifts, might there be one who... makes new bodies for souls who need them?" With this, [a:Laini Taylor|324620|Laini Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1224474224p2/324620.jpg] does not only hint at the possibility that the worlds in her two series could collide in the future, but it also gives one the chance to imagine that Sarai might indeed find a body for her soul again someday, as we already know that there is somebody out there who could give her exactly that.
'Strange the Dreamer' duology:
1. Strange the Dreamer - 3.5 stars
2. Muse of Nightmares - 4.5 stars
rebeccareader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
From the first page of Strange the Dreamer to the end of Muse of Nightmares. 5 stars does not even cover it. So beautiful, so sad, so unique, so amazing.
rachaelmattinson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
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