Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

This is another book that I had seen a lot of on Instagram. I also have some merch from book boxes including a beautiful apron from Fairyloot. It really is gorgeous. After I got the apron I knew I had to read this story. I grabbed it on audible as I had a few credits and once I finished The Cruel Prince I jumped into this story.

We begin with Lazlo Strange. Lazlo is an orphan, brought up by monks and later becomes a librarian. Lazlo has a love of all things magic. Ever since he was young he has had an obsession with the city of Weep. Lazlo is an easy character to like. He is a dreamer and has an imagination that is endless.

We also have another POV of Sarai. I don't want to give too much away about who she is but suffice to say I LOVED Sarai. She has been through hell and yet she still finds it in her to forgive. She is caring and loving and really just wants peace.

There are a lot of interesting characters in this book and I could talk about them for hours. One of my favourites was Sparrow. She is a sweet girl who I just wanted to give a little hug to. I also liked Calixte she seemed like a really fun character and I wanted to hear more about her.

Laini does an excellent job of creating a new world that you want to jump into. The city of Weep sounds magical, especially the way Lazlo dreams it.

This is a story of myths, magic and of course a bit of love. It captured my heart and I cannot wait to start A Muse of Nightmares.

Brilliant story told by this author. I expect great things from her
Can't wait for what comes next

Review

The Cover

Favourite cover of the year?
Possibly?

I will say that the picture above, really doesn't do the cover justice. The azure blue and gold, makes it something to full on display- like a peacock and his feathers.

The moth taking center front, is brilliant spacing by the designer. Could this cover be considered book-cover-porn? Definitely.

The Content

This whole book is just quotable, but here a just a snippet few favourites:
"It was impossible, of course.But when did that ever stop any dreamer from dreaming?"
"He wasn't an alchemist, or a hero. He was a librarian, and a dreamer. He was a reader, and the unsung expert on a long-lost city no one cared a thing about."
"He read while he walked. He read while he ate. The other librarians suspected he somehow read while he slept, or perhaps didn't sleep at all."
"His nose was broken by a falling volume of fairy tales his first day on the job, and that, they said, told you everything you needed to know about Lazlo Strange"
What more could I dream to receive from a new Laini Taylor book?
Long lost world? Tick.
A bibliophile? Tick.
Children of Gods? Tick.
Adventure? Tick.
Magic? Tick.
Laini Taylor's beautiful prose? Tick.
Trying to fully fathom and translate my thoughts and feelings into coherent words of phrases is really hard. Even months later looking at my notes, I still completely glaze over and drift back into the world of Weep.

Unlike Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Strange the Dreamer is completely secondary world building and so lacks the touchstones that her previous work had. But, I feel like this made it more enjoyable to read. I could allow myself to completely drift off. A world with so many layers and depth that I just want to keep going back to reread, knowing that I will always find a new element to enjoy. And that's what you need in a favourite book. And this is definitely one reaching into my top ten.

This is a tale for not only the bibliophile, but for the imaginaries, the reachers, the fantasy-dwellers. It reaches and grasps at so many tangents that twine this story together. It left me heartbroken and wistful and desperate for my own long lost land.

I think it says something about the powerful nature of this book that I read exactly one page before rushing to my nearest Waterstones and purchasing a signed hardback copy as I already loved it with all my soul and knew I needed to own my own copy, in physical form.

This was a 30 minute extract from a very strange book. From what I gathered Strange is interested in finding a lost City in the desert. All the people in this lost City died except for 5 very strange children and a lot of ghosts some of which look after the children. This is as far as the extract went, very weird.

The story opens with Laszlo Strange, an orphan and junior librarian. An old monk from his orphanage once told him stories about the mythical lost city of "Weep" (which real name seem to have been erased from everyone's memory) and Laszlo is determined to find out what happened to the Fallen City two hundred years ago to cut it from the rest of the world...

Back at the Unseen City we are introduced to five Godspuns with blue skin, only survivors of the great tragedy of "Weep". Will their world somehow collide with Laszlo's?

We;l, I was left high and dry at that point, since I only received an exerpt of the book - and therefore cannot provide a full, comprehensive review.
However, what I read was a riveting and very absorbing story, written in a very distinctive style, with flourish and full of vivid images... Which left me thirsty for more!

This is the first book that I've read by Laini Taylor and you can bet your ass that I'm going to bump my copy of Daughter of Smoke and Bone up my TBR now. Taylor's writing is beautiful. Just a few paragraphs into the Prologue, I was already blown away by the vivid descriptions and gorgeous language. Full of lush imagery, emotive word choice and clever metaphors, Taylor's writing is stunning.

The plot is really unusual, but perhaps a little drawn out. Boiled down, the story is relatively simple and a lot of pages could have been cut without impacting the story much. In particular, I found myself struggling to give my full attentive to the beginning and Lazlo's childhood, and toward the end, during the (I felt too long) Sarai and Lazlo dream sequences. This could just be me though because we all know my patience for romance is limited. Their relationship was lovely though, but it just didn't compel me as much as some of the other elements which could have been explored.

I loved both of the lead characters, Sarai and Lazlo. They were each unique and completely distinct throughout the story. I also loved the entire godspawn gang. Each of the five was well-written and appealing in their own way. I want all the fanarts of the group and the Citadel. I think my favourite thing in relation to all the characters, and something that Taylor did flawlessly, was presenting everyone as the hero and villain of their own story, showing the complex morality of the situation in Weep. No single character was entirely bad or perfectly good. I did wish that we saw a little more of Thyon though, who was glorious spoiled-but-damaged rich-boy trash.

The ending was absolutely killer, especially the part with Sarai, which I somehow didn't see coming. I felt like an awful lot happened towards the end and that this was where the action of the story really happened.

tl;dr Stunning writing, clever plot and unique setting but too much doe-eyed romance,

This review will go up on my blog, Foxes & Fairy Tales on May 4.
https://foxesfairytale.wordpress.com/2017/05/04/review-strange-the-dreamer

Regret that I lost access to this book when I had to replace my broken kindle. Many thanks for the opportunity and apologies.

The city of Weep is so mysterious that even it's true name has been somehow erased from memory. But Lazlo Strange has devoted his life to remembering. And so he hoards stories like they are Gold, searching libraries desperately in search of some answers. He is a fascinating character because of his eccentricities.

Sarai is one of five unusual children living in the Citadel of Weep. Her and her companions have unique abilities - creating fire, weather, harnessing the power of ghosts or screaming moths! They are also blue. Each of the five characters really intrigued me; I desperately wanted to hear more about their history and their various abilities and this propelled me through the story.

Laini Taylor is clearly a master of words. She beautifully weaves her stories, with really cool metaphors, unique characters, interesting histories and fast paced prose. I absolutely loved her writing style in her previous books, and this book is no different. I was completely and utterly sucked in to the story! However at times the narrative is so very flamboyant and pretty that the story loses its way and became a little tiresome; I can imagine this type of writing really isn't for someone without patience because whilst it is beautiful, it doesn't flow so well.

Overall a really intriguing book filled with interesting characters and great world building; maybe just a little too much purple prose.

Strange the Dreamer

What an ending! Also what a beginning and middle too. I am not going to summarize the plot as that would take away the twists and turns that kept me so absorbed from the start of this epic fantasy.

We first meet Lazlo as a librarian. I loved the library scenes and the fact that the hero of the story isn't some sort of warrior but a Reader. When he finally arrives at the legendary but mysterious city of Weep that he has been reading about in lost manuscripts, there is a big surprise awaiting him and the reader. Just the name of "Weep" transports you to a mythical world of wonder.

There is also a parallel plot about a blue girl, Sarai (readers of Laini Taylor will remember blue-haired Karou from her Daughter of Smoke and Bone series). We find out much later in the story about her origins.

This seems a timely book in terms of what Taylor has to say about "racial" differences, intolerance and hatred that stretches over generations. She looks at when "good" people commit evil deeds and how revenge can be a stronger instinct than forgiveness.

Taylor both subverts and works within the fantasy genre. She really is a top level fantasy writer. She is just getting better and better. I hope she can write the sequel in record time.

As Calixte says"beautiful and full of monsters... All the best stories are"

I really don’t know what to say, I’m actually quite gutted that I didn’t end up enjoying Strange the Dreamer as much as I’d hoped. I was a huge fan of Taylor’s daughter of Smoke and Bone series, her writing was rich and complex and the story was woven utterly beautifully and I couldn’t help but become attached to such wonderful characters. Unfortunately this was not the case with Strange the Dreamer. I found the beginning such a struggle to get into, I’d heard from many readers that if I could stick out the beginning, then I had so much to look forward to. And although aspects of the book did pick up for me, I enjoyed the journey we experienced with Lazlo and the group of characters he came about. And I did become super intrigued by Azareen and Eril-Fane and what happened between them and made them become this way? I still however found the book to be a struggle, I found myself not fully able to lose myself in this world that Taylor had created and it really was one that imaginative and so creative, but at times it felt a little complex for me. Also I found that I could not connect to the characters as much as I’d hoped, they all really were a diverse bunch, with such mixed personalities, secrets and so much to offer, but I found I couldn’t care less about them (except for Lazlo, Azareen, Eril-Fane and even Thyon who’d won me over by the end). But don’t be put off by my review, as I think I fall in the minority of people who this book didn’t work for. Which I’m still bummed about, as Taylor’s writing was majestic once again, but this time around her book was just not for me.

This is a review for the sample as I was unable to download the full ebook. I highly enjoyed the sampler and am eager to carry on reading the book! Sounds amazing!

Such a beautifully written novel. Absolutely stunning.

I actually squealed when my NetGalley wish for Strange The Dreamer was granted (thanks, Hodder!). I accidentally read a sampler to begin with (long story) and was so gutted when I realised as this book caught me up from the very beginning. Thankfully the sampler situation was resolved as I genuinely couldn’t contemplate reading anything else! I had been swept up in Lazlo’s world and Taylor’s writing and didn’t want to leave. I tell you this so you can the see the impact that this book had on me from the outset – I needed the rest!

As ever I’m torn between gushing about this book and avoiding spoilers. So, as I went into this book with only the synopsis, I think that’s all I’m going to leave you. No further plot details, this book is a journey and I don’t want to reveal any of the stops along the way!

However, I am going to allow myself to mention a few non-spoilery details.

First of all, the writing. It is stunning! It’s lyrical, consuming and awe-inspiring. Maraia described it to me as “hauntingly beautiful” and I think that sums it up. I’ve rarely read a book with such a clear picture in my mind of the story – Laini Taylor’s descriptions are incredible!

This book is so imaginative. The world created by Taylor is fascinating. I love the intertwining of history and legend, fact and fable. It’s mysterious and Taylor slowly reveals the secrets of the world.

I loved Taylor’s characters – Lazlo, in particular, being my favourite. My one complaint is that I’d have liked more of some characters, but perhaps we will get this in book two?

While there were parts that I found predictable, this was made up for by the parts that shook me to the core.

I’m completely in awe of Laini Taylor’s writing, her storytelling and her imagination. Strange The Dreamer isn’t a fast-paced book but it’s a book that I absolutely did not want to end. In fact, I’m resisting the temptation to go back and experience it all again right now!

I'm afraid this is a DNF for me. I've had a few runs up at it, but don't seem to be able to get very far. Such a shame because I loved Laini Taylor's other books. I think maybe I'll try again in a few weeks and if it works out I'll post my review on my blog, Goodreads and Amazon. I don't usually post DNF reviews as I don't think they're very helpful, so I won't post anything for the time being.

I can't post a review until I've read the full book but I love Laini's writing style and am already hooked on the new world she's created! I can't wait to read the rest

Strange the Dreamer is a book about dreams, about the things we wish for, and about dreaming of a better life for yourself. And yet again, Laini Taylor has swept me away with her beautiful, dreamy writing. I'm so overwhelmed by this book I don't even know where to start with my review.

Lazlo spends his life daydreaming and reading stories about the lost city known as Weep. Lazlo is a bookworm who works in a library, but he's a bookworm with a purpose. He spends his days searching for stories and information about the lost city known as Weep, a city he has been obsessed with since he was a child.

And when one day an expedition from the lost city appear, literally on his doorstep, to recruit a team of scientist and engineers, Lazlo sees his chance to make his dreams reality and actually visit Weep.

Sarai is a blue skinned girl that is living imprisoned in her (rather large) home, surviving with four other young people who use their magical gifts to keep themselves alive. One creates fire, another can bring rain clouds, and one can cause any plant to grow from the smallest of seeds.

But Sarai's gift is something different, Sarai can enter people's dreams.

And that's how Sarai and Lazlo meet, in a dream world they create together, and I can't tell you how beautiful it all is. Their romance is sweet and slow, and more than a little awkward.

Normally I'm counting down the number of pages in a book, calculating how soon I can start the next on my TBR pile, but this one I just didn't want to finish.

I'm in love with the characters, with the world that Laini Taylor has built, and with the dreams Lazlo and Sarai create (and normally I hate dream sequences, I've given up on more than one book that has them in, I can't stand the Disney Alice in Wonderland).

It's a massive story, and when I think about it, it's very complicated too. It didn't feel that way when I was reading it though, it starts out with the story of Weep hidden, and the truth being revealed slowly as the story progresses. I liked this because I wasn't overwhelmed with it all at the start, and the mysteries and secrets made it all feel that bit more magical.

The only sour note for me is that I think I've fallen out with it over the ending. How can it end like that? Why do I have to wait a year for the next book? I just can't.

An epic fantasy story with a heart-wrenching romance. Of gods, magic and enchanted cities - a beautifully woven story by Laini Taylor. Plenty of plot twists and intriguing characters. The ending left me breathless - felt a bit like my heart had been ripped out, if I'm honest, which goes to show how much emotion had been invested into the characters and story.

Warning: this book may make you weep. There is a lot of emotion wrung out of the characters and Laini crafts her story well. I still feel it now, even though I've finished the book and I'm telling you about it, it's like a feeling of loss almost.
Lazlo Strange is the main character in the book. We join him as a child at the monastery where he has been placed as an orphan. His play is beaten out of him, but his love of stories and dreams is not. As he grows up he is sent on an errand to a library and so instead of becoming a monk he becomes a librarian, feeding his love of stories.
It is that love of stories that helps to set him on the biggest adventure of his life. The one about Strange the Dreamer.

My original review of the short sample:- I thought this book would take me across continents of mysterious places and show me amazing people.
It didn't, sadly. I believe it must have been an extract from a much mightier tome.
The promise of greater gifts has left me weeping in sadness. I wanted to find out about Weep and its inhabitants, about Lazlo Strange and about the blue skinned goddesses and god who live in a mesarthium citadel, abiding by The Rule that they set for themselves.

Was 2/5 Stars; now upgraded to 5/5 Stars