Reviews with content warning for Grief - La Musa de Las Pesadillas

This is a story about love in all it’s different kinds of forms throughout life that we might experience – romantic, familial, platonic. It’s also about how people deal with trauma and grief. Especially the generational trauma that comes with family and our ancestry.

It asks some very big questions about what we are as children of our parents. What is our responsibility if they have done very terrible things? it’s really hard to grapple with the fact that you yourself might not be a perpetrator of violence, but that does not mean you were exempt from the effects of the generational violence of those who came before you.

it is such a hard read, so many tears were shed. but it is very worth while to see the story of how love and forgiveness can begin healing.

Content Warnings

lilifane's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

If I had to describe this book with two words, I would say: Emotional Damage!
I haven't cried this much while reading for a long time. I think I didn't last a single chapter without tears.

Although I think the plot is the weakest point and the pacing is not as well done as in the first book, I still loved it a lot. Personally, I hoped we would focus on the characters and problems still present from book one and maybe a little discovering and adventuring. But it was a lot of talking instead, and then new characters were introduced who brought new problems or rather another layer of the same problems.

Still, I loved the characters with all my heart and even if we didn't see some of them as much, I was glad about every second we got. I was also impressed by how trauma and healing were discussed in the book. These were the main themes in this duology, and they were explored in a very nuanced way.

But beware of triggers. So many hard and dark and triggering topics.

Content Warnings

anneroza's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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

3.75

Content Warnings

dlrosebyh's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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

3.5

Lazlo and Sarai are not the same people they were before the disaster. They both struggle to understand their new identities as ghosts and gods, respectively, as dark-minded Minya holds them captive in order to get revenge on Weep.

While Sarai is more powerless than ever, Lazlo must make the impossible decision of whether to save the woman he loves or everyone else. The muse of nightmares, Sarai, has yet to fully realize her potential since sometimes, only the most desperate need can teach us our own depths.

I suppose I liked everything about this sequel, with the exception of the fact that the primary plot didn't really get going until the 30% point. It wasn't as intense as the previous book in the series, but it was still quite enjoyable. I adored the character depth, and the cliffhanger really caught my attention. I truly believed that this was the final installment in the series.

Content Warnings

doodeedoda's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

nytephoenyx's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective 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? No

5.0

As with Stranger the Dreamer, I was enamored with Laini Taylor's writing, which blossoms like orchids on the page. The story is good - there are a lot of exciting elements and complex characters - but Laini Taylor's writing steals the show. She may be a bit flowery for most, but she steals my heart and weaves gossamer threads through it, and I am in love.

There were a few things that were too easy, especially redemption arcs and resource acquisition, but I'm willing to forgive all of it. However, I lament that Muse of Nightmares felt like a middle book, and I'm crestfallen at the lack of continuing adventures.

Altogether well-worth reading and a breath of beauty and joy in this otherwise dismal universe. An easy five-star because Laini Taylor has a gift for weaving magic in her worlds and creating characters of all shapes and sorts that the reader can't help but love.

Content Warnings

chantellimus's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

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