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hotpinkmess's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
charmspirit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
So I went into this with low expectations- I had read reviews saying that it was basically just a romance or that the plot didn’t make sense. But I have never been more happy to be wrong.
From the first chapter we are introduced to new characters, and a new plot (maybe?) which makes you think of all the questions you’d never had: what exactly are the gods? What’s going on in the rest of the world? How does this link together?
And you gather more and more plot threads which you put together, or should I say the characters put them together as we follow their progress, discovering such a rich world and story. The way elements were linked was amazing.
Yes, I can understand that some people find Lazlo and Sarai a bit sappy, but you do not want to miss out on grandmother Suheyla being the no nonsense grandma we all need.
From the first chapter we are introduced to new characters, and a new plot (maybe?) which makes you think of all the questions you’d never had: what exactly are the gods? What’s going on in the rest of the world? How does this link together?
And you gather more and more plot threads which you put together, or should I say the characters put them together as we follow their progress, discovering such a rich world and story. The way elements were linked was amazing.
Yes, I can understand that some people find Lazlo and Sarai a bit sappy, but you do not want to miss out on grandmother Suheyla being the no nonsense grandma we all need.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Gore
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Genocide, Trafficking, and Xenophobia
alexandra296's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, Rape, Suicide, and Trafficking
sophbeatles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
Yet again, this book reminds me of just how much I love to read. Strange the Dreamer is a formidable duology that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves romance, angst, incredibly likable characters and amazing world building. Really hope that we'll have more of Laini Taylor's beautiful writting soon! :)
This was my second time reading this book and I was suprised at how much I actually really liked the Kora and Nova storyline! First time reading it, I just wanted to get to the main character's plot line but this time, I was really able to enjoy this part of the story as well.
This was my second time reading this book and I was suprised at how much I actually really liked the Kora and Nova storyline! First time reading it, I just wanted to get to the main character's plot line but this time, I was really able to enjoy this part of the story as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Slavery
daydreamermoonwalker's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
I liked this more than the first book because I thought the plot picked up a lot faster. I loved Serai and Minya's character development, and several of the side characters got really interesting development too. My only complaint is that Lazlo was a pretty static character. His whole purpose and personality in this book was his love for Serai, while she had motivations outside of her relationship with him. There was a subplot with some side characters that was gripping and achingly sad which I absolutely adored. I also loved the themes of forgiveness and redemption. Overall I think that if you liked the first book, you'll like this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Trafficking
journeythroughthechapters's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thoughts
This took me forever to read. I don’t know if it was a slump or if it was the book. I was just bored. The story took a long time to get going. While the book took off where the first one left off which was a major cliffhanger it took a while for anything to really happen.
Things I liked:
- The atmosphere. This world is stunning and super vivid. This is one of the few books that I really can visualise what it would look like and generally for me this is hard. So that is a testament to the writing
- The characters. I feel like some of the character developments were a bit unrealistic and the changes from the first to the second book were fairly drastic but I didn’t mind that. The two that come to mind are Minya and Nero. Minya’s development I can understand but Nero’s does a complete 180 but he’s minor so I didn’t really care. So while they are not my favourite characters I liked them.
Things I didn’t like:
- The writing. On this a lot of people will disagree with me on but I don’t like floral writing. I like straight forward writing that is to the point. Laini Taylor’s writing is beautiful it’s just not for me personally
- The plot. Deary me did this book drag. The first 200-250 felt like it went on forever. Things happened but I was captivated or intrigued which I’m sad to say. It gets more interesting in the last quarter but that doesn’t make up for the rest of the novel. I am both a plot and character driven reader and for me the characters couldn’t carry this book for me.
I’m definitely the unpopular opinion in this instance. But I Strange the Dreamer as well wasn’t a favourite so I’m not that surprised.
Content Warning: Death/Dead Body, Sexism, Suspected Self Harm, Suicide, Grief
Representation: Lesbian - Side Character, POC
This took me forever to read. I don’t know if it was a slump or if it was the book. I was just bored. The story took a long time to get going. While the book took off where the first one left off which was a major cliffhanger it took a while for anything to really happen.
Things I liked:
- The atmosphere. This world is stunning and super vivid. This is one of the few books that I really can visualise what it would look like and generally for me this is hard. So that is a testament to the writing
- The characters. I feel like some of the character developments were a bit unrealistic and the changes from the first to the second book were fairly drastic but I didn’t mind that. The two that come to mind are Minya and Nero. Minya’s development I can understand but Nero’s does a complete 180 but he’s minor so I didn’t really care. So while they are not my favourite characters I liked them.
Things I didn’t like:
- The writing. On this a lot of people will disagree with me on but I don’t like floral writing. I like straight forward writing that is to the point. Laini Taylor’s writing is beautiful it’s just not for me personally
- The plot. Deary me did this book drag. The first 200-250 felt like it went on forever. Things happened but I was captivated or intrigued which I’m sad to say. It gets more interesting in the last quarter but that doesn’t make up for the rest of the novel. I am both a plot and character driven reader and for me the characters couldn’t carry this book for me.
I’m definitely the unpopular opinion in this instance. But I Strange the Dreamer as well wasn’t a favourite so I’m not that surprised.
Content Warning: Death/Dead Body, Sexism, Suspected Self Harm, Suicide, Grief
Representation: Lesbian - Side Character, POC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Sexism and Suicide
Minor: Self harm
janesomedays's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicide
angelareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, and Torture
Minor: Child abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
thebookwormandbinx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
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