Strange the Dreamer

Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Year: March 2017
Pages: 532
ISBN: 9781444788983
Series: Strange the Dreamer #1
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Time: March 30 - April 9
Binding: Hardback
Goodreads

Blurb:

 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 answer 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 gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

 WELCOME TO WEEP

Review:

 On Sunday I attended An Evening with Laini Taylor at Waterstone's Piccadilly and it was amazing. Katherine Webber interviewed, radiant as always! The insight to Taylor's development as a writer and inspirations was really encouraging. I found a fair few similarities to her early years of becoming a writer, mainly in that she didn't write anything! It's taking me a while to find a good stimulus with my exams, but I'm really close!

 Strange the Dreamer had been across the YA media for a little while, I did little research into it, wanting a surprise. I think I got as far as knowing about blue people (Karou's hair and now blue skin, what is this obsession with blue!?) and a librarian... Perfect recipe for any book on my shelves! I love nothing more than a character with a deep appreciation for books, what better way to connect with them? I pre-ordered a copy from the elite Golsboro (who then recalled when they sent out the printed signature copies, nightmare trying to get a quick return delivery in time for the real signing!) and avoided a nice sounding book box that I could tell would be featuring this book. Later I saw the signing and got myself on the list pronto, having never finished the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy (gasp) but remembering Taylor's skill at world building and knowing I'd annoy myself if I missed the opportunity to see her speaking.

 Strange the Dreamer was excellent, the language has Taylor's usual exquisite detail and storytelling. In my mind it's not difficult to read at all, neither is it boring but I was so busy that it took me until the day of the signing to finish this book. So much revision to do! I managed to find a copy about a week early from publication too, but couldn't start on it as I was so engrossed in Days of Blood and Starlight.

 Lazlo Strange is a beautiful character, the ideal guy I don't think I've read about in such a central role before. He has a journey of discovery we all wish of for our own lives and I'm so glad we experience the story with him rather than from the POV of the Muse of Nightmares as Taylor initially envisioned. It creates a much larger sense of mystery.

 The book is quite accurate to lots of issues in the present day, the colour of skin still creating divides and the aftermath of unspeakable horrors has left deep scars. The roots of those scars breeding hatred and fear that can only rise to more horrors unknown.

 It's very difficult to talk about this book without giving away spoliers, Let's simply say I thought I knew who was being described in the prologue but no, so wrong. I was shocked to find that Taylor had also thought she knew who it was until the end. It really shows how a story can take charge of itself despite the authors intentions. Past the shock, amazing move by Taylor! 

 I AM HIGHLY EXCITED FOR THE NEXT NOVEL AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS READ!