Review: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor // thank you for over 50 followers!

Hey, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well. Before we get into today’s post, I wanted to say a huge thank you for over 50 followers! I really appreciate everyone who reads my posts and continues to support this blog. It warms my heart and makes my day; thank you so much!

Now, for today’s post! I have my review of Strange the Dreamer, which I enjoyed reading so much. I’ve taken a break from the series to read some other books, but I’m excited for the sequel.

Title: Strange the Dreamer
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Strange the Dreamer #1
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?

Welcome to Weep.“

Content Warnings

explosions, fire, death, nightmares, suicide (mentioned), rape (mentioned/recalled)

There are no spoilers in this review.

Strange the Dreamer is an imaginative and brilliantly written novel set in the fantastical world of Weep.

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

I first heard about this book from a friend who was obsessed with it. I think she read it at least four times throughout the school year. And then I saw it popping up on blogs a lot and one of the main things that people loved about it was the writing. So naturally, I decided to give it a try. And it was so worth it. It’s not secret that Laini Taylor’s writing is incredible. Everything was described so well, without going overboard or droning on too long. Her writing allowed the world to come alive and be painted in scenes.

The plot for this story was so unique. The whole concept with the Unseen City and the citadel was amazing. The pacing was a bit wonky in the beginning, it was slightly slow. The first part is from Lazlo’s perspective, but once Sarai’s gets added in, the story really begins to take off.

“In a dream you can be anywhere. You can be free.“

Lazlo and Sarai were the main narrators in this story. And I loved them. They were so different from each other, but in a way, they were are also similar.

Lazlo was a great protagonist. He’s a dreamer, and his personality and life experiences show that. I love how he broke his nose because he was reading and walked into something. It shows how much time he spends with his head in the clouds (and his nose in a book). He’s also so determined. He studied Weep for years, researching and looking for any sliver of information on the Unseen City. He never let his dream go about one day being able to actually go there.

“The sky was huge and there was freedom in it. The stars called to her like signal beacons burning on a cast black sea as she flung herself a hundredfold into the dizzy air. Escape, escape.”

Sarai is amazing. She’s strong and fierce, but also kind and compassionate. Her power sounds so cool and I loved the concept of her moths. Her character voice was really distinct from Lazlo’s which made them great contrasting characters.

The world that Laini Taylor creates is so unique, I love it. The concept of Weep and having it be hidden for so long was fascinating. The dreams that Lazlo have about his version of Weep sound like a very interesting city. And the attention to detail. There’s so much going on in this world, with the Unseen City and Zosma, and the citadel, and the gigantic desert that has basically caused Weep to be isolated.

“‘Dream up something wild and improbable,’ she pleaded. ‘Something beautiful and full of monsters.'”

The romance in this story was really good. However, I feel like it was bit rushed. Lazlo and Sarai meet in Lazlo’s dreams and they bond over the course of a few nights. After, it’s like their completely and irrevocably in love with each other. The dreams are really long, though. They span a few chapters each, and so much happens in them, that it makes it feel as if they’ve known each other longer.

“‘You think good people can’t hate?’ she asked. ‘You think good people don’t kill?’ […] ‘Good people do all the things bad people do, Lazlo. It’s just that when they do them, they call it justice.'”

Strange the Dreamer was a wonderfully and fascinating book with amazing writing (I swear, I’ve probably mentioned that twenty times by now 😅), and great characters. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to read the sequel!

My Rating: 4.5/5 dragons

Have you read Strange the Dreamer? Is it on your TBR?
Chat with me in the comments below!