Review: Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1) by Laini Taylor

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.

-- Goodreads.com description --

This book, this book, this book... Wow! That's the only word I can use to truly describe the wonder that is Strange the Dreamer. If you believed The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy was amazing, think again, because Laini Taylor's newest book is so far above all other young adult novels I read this year, if not of all time.

I started reading this book without knowing anything about it, aside from the fact Laini Taylor wrote it, which was enough information for me. I would definitely recommend going into it as blind as possible. That's also why I won't give a lot of details from the plot.

All I will say is that the characters are absolutely amazing, Lazlo is an awesome protagonist and you will fall in love with him and his story from the very first chapter. That said, there are also characters you will loathe, like Minya. Laini Taylor definitely knows how to craft a perfect story, with toe-curling antagonists, beautiful cities and dreamy love stories. You will definitely be able to tell this is a Laini Taylor book.

And then, there is the ending. I can't wait to see how things will turn out after this, the tables have turned, the sides have been chosen and I have no idea how it will turn out. I'm anxious to see my favourite characters again and find out how their story will unfold.

A final thing I want to mention, is the beautiful cover design. I got this book in the March fairyloot box and it has blue pages, a printed signature and drawings by Laini Taylor. It was nice to start figuring out the significance of the cover and the colour blue. It's a very nice touch!

Obviously, I gave Strange the Dreamer 5 out of 5 stars! I cannot coherently express all the emotions I feel after reading it, but one word sums it up quite nicely: WOW! I believe everyone would enjoy reading this book, young or old, it doesn't matter. Now go buy and read the book, because this one is the one you won't want to miss out on!