Title: Strange the Dreamer
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 532
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?
I had no idea what to expect going into this book besides pure awesomeness. I’ve heard that Laini Taylor has a flowery, descriptive writing style (thus, this book being over 500 pages) and that’s just about it.
So when I began reading it felt like walking into a blinding smoke. I was okay with this at first – the prologue was mind-blowing and had me wanting more – but then I began to ask myself what exactly had been going on once I reached the 100 page mark.
Literally nothing.
I get it, this is the first book in a new epic fantasy series so there’s bound to be world-building. I am completely okay with this, but at times it honestly began to drag on and – dare I say – bore me.
Before you point your swords at my throat, let me explain that I wasn’t bored the entire time. And this review won’t be a 1 star hit and run.
There were just a few things I didn’t like. The writing was beautiful and the only time I didn’t like it was when I got bored from the *cough* two page kissing scene *cough*. Besides that, I fell absolutely head over heels with Laini’s writing even if it did sometimes seem like she got payed for every word she typed.
If you don’t want shade, go somewhere else. I’d be happy to have this umbrella to myself.
I absolutely LOVED the characters!! Every. single. character. is. different. from. one. another.
It’s SO refreshing!
Lazlo is my new book boyfriend. He’s probably all of ours. He broke his nose while trying to reach a book on the shelf and once ran into a wall because he was walking while he read. I don’t know about you, but I honestly find that adorable.
My absolute love for Lazlo aside, I found myself having conflicted feelings about Sarai. I don’t know why but I just couldn’t bring myself to love her like I loved Lazlo. Hell, I found myself wanting more Thyon! A character you’re supposed to loath – or at least switch between loath and possible like.
Don’t even get me started on me shipping Lazlo and Thyon.
That’s right, guys. I started shipping the wrong two people! I don’t know how it happened if I’m being completely honest but I want it to happen so bad?? I’m confused with myself, okay?
While we’re on the topic of shipping and whatnot, let me just say that the insta-love was the absolute WORST part of this book! Y’all should know by now that I hate insta-love with a fiery passion and although the 20 page long descriptions (slight exaggeration) of how someone’s lips tasted of honey and ‘oh so blue her skin was’ were beautiful at first – it all became over-used and boring.
I don’t care about how many different shades of blue you can name! Go back to The Godslayer and his crew of kick butt anti-heroes with mixed intentions! That’s what I want to read about.
That leads me to Weep and the world this book is set in.
OH. MY. GOD.
I want to live in this world. To make up for the overly long descriptions and insta-love, Laini birthed this beautiful world and I oddly forgive her for it. Usually I’m not one for forgiving an author who has wronged me by forsaking my eyes with insta-love but this time I’ve made a tiny compromise.
I can’t wait to see even more of this world explored in the future novels because it honestly wasn’t explored that much. I mean, there was a 6 month long trip Lazlo went on in order to get to Weep, but it was brushed over and vaguely described.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Overall I did have some issues with this book, but I also loved the book as a whole. I can’t wait to see what Laini Taylor has in store for the second installment! And that ending absolutely blew my mind.
Purchase This Book:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository
The Book Prophet 
I’m reading this right now and THYON??? SERIOUSLY??? HIM AND LAZLO UGH NO (I’m halfway so no spoilers please)
LikeLiked by 1 person
i knowwwwwwwww i don’t know why i started shipping them
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are strange… (pun unintended)
LikeLiked by 1 person
strange but a dreamer 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh man, I loved this book so much!!! I felt so lucky that I won the ARC from Goodreads (MY FIRST ONE EVER) and I flew through it. I agree that the first 100 pages are…. slow?…. but that was my get-to-love-Lazlo time.
Here’s my review =): https://willreadforbooze.com/2017/02/23/strange-the-dreamer-by-laini-taylor/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha yeah even though the first 100 pages were slow it was all about Lazlo and getting to know him 🙂
I actually won a copy of this book in a giveaway too haha not an ARC but a hardcover copy
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG I shipped Lazlo and Thyon more than him and Sarai too! I actually do agree with you on the not much happened for a long time thing, plus this isn’t a super revolutionary, original story or anything. It’s definitely the character development, world-building, and writing style that make this book feel so amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so happy I’m not the only one!! The character development, world building, and writing style were all definitely a contributor to this book being a great read overall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly my thoughts, Savannah! The insta-love ruined SO MUCH for me and that just makes me sad. LAZLO IS SO AMAZING OMG!!! And the writing style is BEAUTIFUL, but waaaay too over the top most of the time, and I had a really hard time reading it. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The writing style was both a downfall and one of my favorite parts… sometimes it became a bit too much haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard lots of people say this book is kinda slow (at least at first) and that kinda worries me since I can be pretty impatient with books, but your description of the characters makes me think I’ll be able to get through it. I’ll get checking it out from the library soon so hopefully I’ll like it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just try not to give up on it! It is worth the initial struggle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this book so much! It’s my favorite read of the year so far. I completely agree with you about the “mind-blowing” prologue. That prologue haunted me through the whole book – wondering who it was, yet knowing, yet not wanting to believe. I am so excited for the next book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
i thought it was her mom the entire time! that’s why it shocked me so much once i read the end!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH AND JUST FINIHSED IT 2 MINUTES AGO LITERALLY HOW DARE YOU NOT GRANT IT THE LAST HALF STAR
in all seriousness though I kinda agree with the insta love thing but kind of feel like it was more of a “I’ve never had anyone and now your here and acknowledge me so I’m clearly gonna go for it” and so their lack of experience with people LIKING them at all sort of makes it make sense.
Also I wanted more Thyon too I totally loved him but didn’t ship it. I wanted more Calixte too!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha love how you finished it literally two minutes ago (explains the capital letters haha)
I know the lack of experience with people liking them contributed to it, but they literally knew one another for a day lol. Calixte kind of disappeared for the second half of the book haha I don’t know what happened to her
LikeLiked by 1 person
I finished in the car, walked into my house and pulled up Twitter, and found your review and FEELS hahahaha
I really want to know more about her and that other girls relationship and I hope we hear more in the sequel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. Hope we hear more in the sequel too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve got to get in to this one soon!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll love it for sure! It’s so unique
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like it and I have heard great things about the author!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m SOOOO glad you liked it! I definitely think the beginning wasn’t the strongest point, and the insta love was annoying, but like the flowery description and the characters! Amazing review ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy you agreed haha. I was nervous that I’d be the only one complaining about those things. The descriptions and characters were great 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh the world buildings that this woman creates are amazing !, I dying to read it soon.I’m glad you enjoyed it.Great Review! 😍❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is certainly a great world builder! It can be one of the most difficult parts about writing a book but she does it spectacularly.
LikeLiked by 1 person