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A review by jose_kg
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I really loved this book, I can't believe it isn't being talked about more. I picked it up on a whim because I liked the cover and the blurb sounded interesting, I am so glad I did. This is one of the most intriguing fantasy novels I've ever read, the world the author creates is so interesting and unique, the characters are interesting and multifaceted and the author addresses oppression and it's aftermath in an incredibly understanding and nuisanced way.
I read that the author had been intending to write a historically based novel about medieval Spain and the middle east when she wrote this book. You can really see the influences of this time period in these locations on the novel and I think that's part of why it felt so different, as so much fantasy is set in a version of medieval England/France.
I don't want to give too much away, just go and read it, it's an excellent book and you'll be so glad you did!
Also I loved this book so much I immediately went out and bought a copy for my Gran for Christmas as she loves fantasy novels. I was a bit surprised to find it had been categorised as YA in my local bookshop, the characters are younger but this doesn't feel like just a teenage book to me, particularly because the world the author creates doesn't really recognise teenagers, like a lot of the past in europe, you were either a child or an adult, so the MCs spent a lot of time with significantly older characters without their age being a consideration. All of this is to say that if you shy away from books labeled YA because they can be a bit too teenage highschool focused, this book is not like that, I would personally categorise it more as a regular fantasy book that happens to have some younger protagonists.
I read that the author had been intending to write a historically based novel about medieval Spain and the middle east when she wrote this book. You can really see the influences of this time period in these locations on the novel and I think that's part of why it felt so different, as so much fantasy is set in a version of medieval England/France.
I don't want to give too much away, just go and read it, it's an excellent book and you'll be so glad you did!
Also I loved this book so much I immediately went out and bought a copy for my Gran for Christmas as she loves fantasy novels. I was a bit surprised to find it had been categorised as YA in my local bookshop, the characters are younger but this doesn't feel like just a teenage book to me, particularly because the world the author creates doesn't really recognise teenagers, like a lot of the past in europe, you were either a child or an adult, so the MCs spent a lot of time with significantly older characters without their age being a consideration. All of this is to say that if you shy away from books labeled YA because they can be a bit too teenage highschool focused, this book is not like that, I would personally categorise it more as a regular fantasy book that happens to have some younger protagonists.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
Minor: War and Slavery