Book Review: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

★★★

Pros: Unique world, and beautifully written

Cons: Slow story development, unnecessary perspectives sometimes

This book has me so torn!

It took me a lot of effort to get through it, because it was so descriptive. Basically 75% was what you would expect in the first 100 pages of a book, if not in just the first chapter. That said, the descriptions were amazing and poetic. However, they also kept me from staying up until 4am because the book was too exciting to put down, while other books often (arguably too often) have.

Besides the slow pacing of the book, the main issue I had was the switching perspectives. Personally, I'm not a fan of switching perspectives because I'd rather get on one line with a single character and immerse myself with their way of thinking, opinions, etc., but this is not the case for everyone. Also, Sarai and Lazlo were both endearing characters you could identify with in one way or another, so I could have made my peace with it. However, I didn't like the little snippets from Eril-Fane, or Sparrow, and others I might be forgetting now. It helped to get to know the characters better, but I would have preferred getting to know them from the perspective of Lazlo or Sarai.

All in all, most of my three stars come from the fact that the story is utterly unique, and not like any other I've read before. Also, the last 50 pages was where it made up for the descriptive parts, and those pages convinced me I now HAVE to read the next book. However, I hope that will be a bit more fast-paced than this one.

Writing this review some time after finishing the book, I should also add that from time to time I still think about the plot and the world of Weep, which to me is also an accomplishment. All too often I read a book and once I finish it and start another one I don’t give it a second thought. But even a few books later I still think about where the story might go in the sequel, which in itself deserves an additional star.

Hence, I do recommend this book, but don't expect a page-turner, it's a book that requires you to take your time and allow it to slowly build an original and wonderfully detailed new world for you.