Book Review – Strange the Dreamer

Title: Strange the Dreamer

Author: Laini Taylor

Publisher: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers

Publication Date: March 28, 2017

536 pages

5/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

Welcome to Weep.

Review

It was impossible, of course. But when did that ever stop any dreamer from dreaming.

Strange the dreamer, laini taylor

Hello, friends 🙂 Back with an actual physical book review instead of a Netgalley review! I finished this book up while on the beach in Lewes, DE and I have to say, it was the best possible setting to fall in love with Lazlo and Sarai.

Y’all I think this book broke me. It was beautiful and amazing and heart wrenching and I’m not sure how to feel. I want to give it all the stars but no stars because of that ending!!

Let me back up. Strange the Dreamer is a beautifully written, evocative book that has some of the best world building I’ve ever read. Laini Taylor has such a way with words. I know you’re thinking, “Girl, of course she does, she’s and aUtHoR”, but I’m talking LEAPS and BOUNDS better than other books I’ve read. The setting really comes alive without feeling TOO bogged down in descriptive language.

In this book Lazlo is Strange the Dreamer. His last name is Strange as he is an orphan and it is the given last name of all orphans in his kingdom. Very GoT vibes. He is a dreamer because he has been obsessed with the city of “Weep” for his whole life, and he lives with his nose stuffed in a book (don’t we all, amirite??). Weep is this huge mystery after it went off the grid 200 years before, and Weep isn’t the real name. One day, the real name of the city was wiped from everyone’s memory, with no explanation. Lazlo’s dream is to find the explanation, and he is given the opportunity when the Godslayer comes knocking on the door…

Sarai is Godspawn, a resident of Weep and part of the reason why Weep went off the grid. Her existence is unknown, along with her 4 Godspawn companions. They all have powers, to be used for good and evil. Sarai is able to go into everyone’s dreams and manipulate them. She fears for her life as if anyone in Weep knew she existed, she and her siblings would be hunted to extinction…

The ending to this book broke my heart wholly. I was so mad reading it, because it was the worst possible conclusion while also forcing me to read the next one! I strongly suggest everyone pick up this book as it was so captivating and well written. The plot twist at the end will hurt, but I’m hoping for a happy ending at the end of the sequel!

Happy reading, bookish friends 🙂