Name: o.'s review of Strange The Dreamer Tom 1 Marzyciel by Laini Taylor
Item: Strange The Dreamer Tom 1 Marzyciel
Rating: 3
Author: o.

Laini Taylor

Strange The Dreamer Tom 1 Marzyciel

An instant New York Times bestseller and Michael L. Printz honor book! Eleven best of lists including an NPR Best Book, a Goodreads Best YA Fantasy and Science Fiction Nominee, and more! From National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor comes an epic fantasy about a mythic lost city and its dark past. 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 form 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? And who is the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo's dreams? In this sweeping and breathtaking novel by National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor, author of the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, the shadow of the past is as real as the ghosts who haunt the citadel of murdered gods. Fall into a mythical world of dread and wonder, moths and nightmares, love and carnage. The answers await in Weep.

Strange the Dreamer

gwyn b

Who had ever expended so much passion on a dream, only to stand helpless as it was granted to others?

mira

it had felt like calligraphy, if calligraphy were written in honey

Lazlo (20) is zijn hele leven al een dromer en gefascineerd door de mythische, verloren stad Weep. Als een delegatie vakmensen zoekt voor een missie naar Weep, grijpt Lazlo de gelegenheid aan om zijn droomstad te kunnen zien. Vanaf ca. 15 jaar.

Kathryn

A brand new, heart-stopping novel and the first in a thrilling duology from the much-loved author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, Laini Taylor. STRANGE THE DREAMER is the story of: - the aftermath of a war between gods and men - a mysterious city stripped of its name - a mythic hero with blood on his hands - a young librarian with a singular dream - a girl every bit as perilous as she is imperiled - alchemy and blood candy, nightmares and godspawn, moths and monsters, friendship and treachery, love and carnage.

Pamela Alvarado

Strange the Dreamer: The enchanting international bestseller

Anna 

Názory na Snílka jsou velice rozporuplné. Například Míše (@radsi_knihu) se moc nelíbil, zatímco Zuzka (@bo_okista) ho na druhou stranu naprosto zbožňuje. 
Do Snílka jsem se bála pustit, protože jsem si přišla nepřipravená. Nepřišlo mi, že je na čtení této údajně 'velice krásně napsané poetické knihy' ten správný čas. Bála jsem se, že knize nebudu rozumět a že budu zklamaná. Nakonec jsem se do ní ale přeci jen pustila. A zezačátku se mé strachy opravdu naplňovaly. 
Trvalo mi dlouho, než jsem pochopila větu, některé pasáže jsem musela číst pomalu, vzácně i znovu, abych pochopila, o co se tam vlastně jedná. Postupem času jsem si ale na styl psaní navykla a knížku si začala moc užívat. 
A příběh Lazla Neznámého mě uchvátil. 
Byl to přesně takový Snílek, jako je většina z nás knihomolů, dovolím si říct, že možná i větší. Celá ta magie a město Pláč a vše okolo něj bylo prostě kouzelné. A Sarai... oh, moje krásná bohyně Sarai. Mám ji ráda celým svým srdcem. Ano, k této knize opravdu nemám co špatného říct. Byla prostě krásná a plná magie. A já jsem něco takového přesně potřebovala. 
✩
5*/5*

Moonchild

i took me 3 tries to grab this book till the end, but im defenitly glad i didnt quit this book

Hanna Rybchynska

Here we have a world of magic and dreams. At first, the story was slow for my taste but the more I understood the world more interesting it got because the writer has an amazing capability to describe everything! I love the idea of Goads here it was brilliant! 

Super excited for the next book!

Chloé

Well Then.... I Can See Why People Adore This Book Cause I Do Too. Ms Taylor's Writing Is Delightful. The World Felt So Real. Lazlo and Sarai Are Two Of Favourite Characters Ever. This Probably Has Beaten Another Book To Be My All Time Favourite. I Just.... I LOVED THIS BOOK PLEASE READ IT IF YOU HAVEN'T.

Maria

Overall: 2.5/3 
I have to admit I went into this rather blindly, and as it turned out, it wasn’t really my cup of tea. The incredibly slow pacing, coupled with the very rushed instalove really didn’t mix well for me. I did however like Lazlo as a character, and I think the world building was craft-fully done.

Christine

W H A T. 

ok i mildly predicted the twist but also WHAT

akynn 

Annalissa Powner 

Some books are slow in the best ways, and before you know it you're completely hooked, dying to know what happens but also never wanting it to end. Strange the dreamer is all that and so much more. I don't think I have loved a leading man like I loved strange, and the fact he was a lover of books and believer of fairy tales only made me love him so much more. Easily a forever favorite.

➺ 
  4/5 🌟



  'How could it be that in his triumph he had saved everyone but her?'


How can it end like that?? I told myself I will not be picking up the sequel soon because I have a bunch of books lined up for me to read, but that ending wouldn't let me do that!

I'm glad I wasn't reading the last part of this book in public because I ended up being a mess. Starting from the part where Nero woke Lazlo up while he was in his dream with Sarai until the very last page, a lot has happened simultaneously, with no mental or emotional break in between. The glimpse of the truth about Lazlo's origin and the tragic situation that they are now in, both slapping me so hard and I still don't know what to do with it. All I know from that ending is that, although Lazlo has a control over mesarthium, which basically a gift he inherited from his 'father', but Minya has a control over the situation. And that is not good. 

There's got to be a lot more to Minya than her viciousness and hatred. I know that her character would be more fleshed out in the sequel, because if not I would be quite disappointed. I'm curious as to what's going to happen next. A lot could happen, actually, but I don't know which direction Laini Taylor chose to go. That's why I'm both nervous and excited for the sequel. 

This book is very magical. At first I was not very used to the writing style but it grew on me. I fell in love with it. I felt the tingling in my stomach reading this, as if Sarai's moth found her way inside. The lyrical way of storytelling, with full of emotions and not just a straightforward narrative, is very fitting to this story. The way the dreams are presented is so fascinating and it felt like it came out of children's wild imagination. Reading Lazlo's dreams felt like I was there, witnessing the otherworldly experience myself. This is definitely the right way to tell this story, and I'm excited for more.

chloe rae

Re-read 2023:
I’m so glad this book holds up. It’s just as beautiful and stunning as the first time around. We chose this book for my book club last month and it was so fun reading it with someone else. I also tabbed the book this time around and that was such a blast. I underlined favorite quotes and tabbed big moments. It makes looking back so much easier. 
Since I remembered most of what happened, I really paid attention to the authors writing this time and how utterly SMART is it. The way she crafts this world together, along with this mystery and these characters is just true talent. She’s able to build up to the ending in such a spectacular way, all while keeping everything fresh and exciting. She’s able to foreshadow so much of the story and I love that I was able to pick up all of it in this re-read. She’s just a truly incredible author.
We’re reading the next book for this months book club and I genuinely don’t remember what happens so I’m STOKED. 


re-read, 2019:
God, I love this book. I love this book with every fiber of my being. I can't wait to read the next book but I am also so absolutely heartbroken to see this series end. The fact that there's only one more book left is SO SAD. IT MAKES ME SO SAD.
The love and magic that these characters share is just so stunning. I want to live in this world and this beautiful dream. But theres also this intricately woven story about hate and the power that it can reign over innocent people and lives. 
The ending still absolutely destroyed me. 
I'll always love this story. I had the best time re-reading this and I already can't wait to do it again in the future. 


original review, 2018:
I'm not sure how to convey to you just how much I absolutely ADORED this book.
It's stunning; it's incredibly beautiful.
It's simply unlike anything I've ever read.
I didn't know a single thing about this book going into it. Everyone kept saying to go in blind and I'm so very thankful I did. The whole atmosphere and story FEELS like a dream. It feels like a fable or some grand story passed down through generations. But it still felt so REAL. Reading this book feels like laying in your bed at nighttime, when you're about to go to sleep and you see the moon shining in through your window and everything looks a little askew and a little magical; it feels like magic. This is my first experience with Laini Taylor's writing and I feel she might be a new favorite. Her writing is so delicious and decadent, so rich and whimsical. I found myself wanting to take my time with this book, really allow myself to sink into this world and these words. This book is an experience, an escape; I didn't want to rush it.
The characters are INCREDIBLE. Lazlo, from the very beginning, completely captured my heart. I was rooting for him from the moment he began his story, and watching him evolve and grow and LOVE and DREAM was just so so ridiculously lovely. Sarai was full of such kindness and grace, her heart full of such goodness that I just couldn't help but love her as much. I loved everyone; I feel like I understood everyone. Her craftsmanship of these characters was just insane.
THE ENDING RUINED ME.
I need book two as soon as humanly possible.
Just...wow. This book made quite the impression. Exceptional!

Francesca Starecheski

Brimming with a dreamer's sight, a beautiful world in screaming color.

Vivi

Puedo leer este libro mil veces y nunca dejar de amarlo.

the complex world building and layered lore are definitely some of the finer parts of this novel, but character-wise I couldn't become as attached to them as with 'daughter of smoke & bone'. 

fairuza hanun

Gwyn Dill

This book was confusing to start & slow to get into it. I did like the 2nd half of the book & will probably read the next in the series.

i wish i liked this as much as the daughter of smoke and bone trilogy. i just wasnt as attached to the characters and thought the pace was definitely slower. but laini taylor’s writing is as beautiful as ever.

bella <3

Collect this stunning LitJoy Special Edition of Strange the Dreamer by ©Laini Taylor! Special features including fully illustrated covers, signature pages, end pages, tip-in artwork pages, and slipcase. Artists include by @tomrobertsillustration, @windupartist, @jjcanvas_art, @sophia_volovik, @josuoh, and @chattynora. And ANNOTATIONS! Laini has added handwritten notes throughout the margins and pages in Strange the Dreamer - special to the LitJoy edition!

taryn

Jaden Nelson

I listened to the audiobook version of this and it had a lot of really good ideas, but there was quite a bit of, at least I think, boring/unnecessary parts. It did, however, draw me into the story and describe things wonderfully. There was some poetic writing throughout the story that I enjoyed and all of this is why I decided on 4 stars.

Elaine Wherry

** spoiler alert **
           The writing is absolutely beautiful. A friend recommended this to me when I was looking for something to read at my busiest. I just specified that it had to be uplifting & enjoyable even if I can only pick up a few pages at a time. I don't normally read fantasy and I still enjoyed every page. That said... the ending! I didn't realize that I was going to have to commit to two books!

Das Buch ist sehr (!) slow paced, was generell nicht mein Ding ist. Abgesehen davon, fand ich den Anfang des Buches sehr gut und war gespannt weiter zu lesen. Einige Stellen sind sehr schön geschrieben, andere wiederum sehr übertrieben malerisch, was mir oftmals unnötig kompliziert vorkam. Leider wurde das Buch ab einem bestimmten Punkt SEHR vorhersehbar, die Lovestory hätte man sich sparen können und Minya ging mir maximal auf die Nerven. Den zweiten Teil werde ich nicht lesen.

Annie

bloody hell i owe laini taylor my will to live

alexandra

although it took me a while to finish, Strange the Dreamer has become one of my favorite books of all-time. everything about this novel is SO BEAUTIFUL and layered and complex and wonderful. it's a story that continues to grow, and one that grows on you.

Courtney

Cliffhangers are so...

Umm this book was amazing and I finally guessed the plot twist but not before I was taken on an amazing journey into dreams, mystery, and romance!

Colleen

5 Stars

I admit I was a teensy bit skeptical when I got Strange the Dreamer. It has so many glowing reviews and such high ratings; it was practically screaming "over-hyped!" I usually end up in the hunted minority who dared not liking those types of books particularly when they are Young Adult books. But you know what? Strange the Dreamer deserves every word of praise it gets. This was one of the best books I have read this year, and I am certain it will stand clear in my mind for many years to come.

I don't want to give any spoilers. This really is the type of book that is great to go into blind and discover it for yourself. I will say that it is a captivating tale of adventure, myth, magic, friendship, and love. It has bildungsroman themes and a slightly cheesy but still endearing romance. Something in the spirit of it reminded me of The Horse and His Boy which is one of my favorite books from childhood. But Strange the Dreamer is a world of its own. Quite literally. The world building was tremendously impressive! It is not based on Earth nor does not hack off of other big name Fantasy stories the way so many books of that genre do. Laini Taylor effortlessly built an intricate and unique world with depth, diversity, and complexity. And the world building was seamlessly integrated into the story without becoming an info dump or disrupting the flow of the story. 

I will also give huge kudos to Laini Taylor for not bowing to the massive pressure to constantly dumb down writing particularly in YA. She had no qualms about using her impressive vocabulary, and she did it without seeming like she was showing off or being snobby. Her writing was lyrical and atmospheric. It tiptoed along the line of beautiful writing without ever crossing into purple prose. It captured me literally from the first page. For a while, I still read with some trepidation, expecting the story to take a turn for the worse. But it did not. The only slight almost-criticism I might make was that at one point the romance took front stage and got a wee bit cheesy, but I still enjoyed the whole thing. I stayed up so late reading Strange the Dreamer. I resented every Real Life thing that came between us. It was the perfect escapism and just what I needed after a reading slump. That beautiful, magical euphoria that only comes from reading a wonderful book.

I could easily turn this into a long, starry-eyed exaltation, but as I mentioned this is a book that is better left unspoiled. Read it and see what I mean.

And now the waiting begins... I need you, The Muse of Nightmares! Come to me my angel of darkness! Hurry!


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 5 Stars
Writing Style: 5 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 5 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 5 Stars
Level of Captivation: 5 Stars
Originality: 5 Stars

Andrea Navarrete

On a positive note it was en entertaining book. The characters were very interesting and the world was too. However, it was most definitely quite slow-paced. Usually I don’t mind slow building plot but at times I just wanted something to HAPPEN, something to be revealed, and it does, but I had to get to more than half way through the book to get it. Also, there was nothing that really struck me, nothing that pierced through my heart really. Nevertheless it was a good book and I did had a good time reading it.

o. &
Strange The Dreamer Tom 1 Marzyciel by Laini Taylor

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Strange The Dreamer Tom 1 Marzyciel by Laini Taylor