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A review by livemily1512
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
4.0
Went into this with big hopes as I am such a fan of Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone series and (whilst not as totally captivating as that series) I really loved this book and the world it set up.
Lazlo was such a compelling character and I just wanted to see him find his dream city. He reminded me of Milo from the Disney film about Atlantis he’s just going on the adventure because there is nothing else in the world that would make him happier.
Sarai was very complex and I think the passages of her evaluating her existence and how she came into the world were heartbreaking. Her struggle to reconcile her desire for her and her family to survive but to also want to be human and amongst them was very sad and made her very sympathetic.
I liked the small glance into Minya’s mind we got to see a glimpse of the carnage. The smaller glances into Ruby, Sparrow and Feral weren’t enough for me to really support them and I hope there is more in the next book.
Eril-fane was a great character and shows how complex our histories can be. Hailed as a hero but feared totally by the surviving children you understand his motives and pity the way saving his city has torn him apart.
The glimpses into what life was like under the gods and their rule are devastating and help you fully understand the motivations and hatreds of the humans. The simple innocence of the children in the citadel makes you route for their survival.
The ending I found as with most Taylor books was devastating. Taylor does love a pair of star crossed lovers and writes their struggles beautifully.
I could have done with more development of some side characters. Thyon started out so big and then took such a backseat until the final third where he arrives for one pivotal moment. Ruza also felt underutilised and could have been used to understand the people more.
Lazlo was such a compelling character and I just wanted to see him find his dream city. He reminded me of Milo from the Disney film about Atlantis he’s just going on the adventure because there is nothing else in the world that would make him happier.
Sarai was very complex and I think the passages of her evaluating her existence and how she came into the world were heartbreaking. Her struggle to reconcile her desire for her and her family to survive but to also want to be human and amongst them was very sad and made her very sympathetic.
I liked the small glance into Minya’s mind we got to see a glimpse of the carnage. The smaller glances into Ruby, Sparrow and Feral weren’t enough for me to really support them and I hope there is more in the next book.
Eril-fane was a great character and shows how complex our histories can be. Hailed as a hero but feared totally by the surviving children you understand his motives and pity the way saving his city has torn him apart.
The glimpses into what life was like under the gods and their rule are devastating and help you fully understand the motivations and hatreds of the humans. The simple innocence of the children in the citadel makes you route for their survival.
The ending I found as with most Taylor books was devastating. Taylor does love a pair of star crossed lovers and writes their struggles beautifully.
I could have done with more development of some side characters. Thyon started out so big and then took such a backseat until the final third where he arrives for one pivotal moment. Ruza also felt underutilised and could have been used to understand the people more.