You know that moment you read a book so exquisitely excellent you forget how to breathe?!
That would be me @ the Strange The Dreamer duology. I can’t even with how much I’m utterly obsessed with them! They exist to capture and devour your entire soul, your imagination, and spark in you such a sense of wonder. The scope of the worlds are so huge! The writing sheer magnificence. And the characters?!? I AM IN LOVE.
My creative well feels so full right now and my brain is just a continual line of !!!!!!!!!!!!! because how else can you summarise this series?!?
But ok this is a sequel (and a conclusion) but I promise NO SPOILERS. Or else they’ll be hidden! And you should definitely read my thoughts on book 1 (Strange The Dreamer) too!
Muse of Nightmares takes off only minutes after Strange the Dreamer ends.
Who needs to pause for breathe. No, you don’t. You get tossed back in with your heart in your mouth, watching everything unravel. May I just say the pacing was perfect?! This duology isn’t a “break neck speed action adventure” and for that I love it. Oh there are plenty of action scenes at the end. But it balances them with so much thoughts and feeling, explorations of ACTUAL OTHER DIMENSIONS AND UNIVERSES, and delicately crafted characters who just feel so so real.
It is gorgeous and balances the mysteries vs the highly emotional scenes vs the kissing vs the murder.
The characters are the LIGHT of my entire life.
My favourite thing is how the characters leap off the page and are so complex in such a short amount of time?! And they’re never solely “good” vs “bad”. There are very few villains here (except for really the worst of the Mesarthim gods, the rapists and torturers) but so many are: antagonists. And I can understand them. I feel for them. My heart BREAKS for them. But at the same time I want them to sToP.
QUICK OVERVIEW OF MY CHILDREN
★ LAZLO AND SARAI: Lazlo doesn’t feature quite as much in this one, as we’re more in Sarai’s head. I missed him a little? But there were so many perspectives to cover and he definitely wasn’t shunted aside in the story. I LOVE HIM SO. And Sarai…she is just so precious and valiant and good. Usually “good” characters annoy the heck out of me, but I love love love how Sarai wanted to change her ability of nightmares —> to basically being a psychologist who could get in your head and help you work through your breakdown. #Nice.
★ RUBY, SPARROW AND FERAL: They are such blueskinned powerful gods and goddesses…but also pure dorky teens. Lmao. I love them. Feral is clueless. Ruby is a bundle of raging hormones. Sparrow is soft and slightly dark. BLESS.
★ MINYA: I freaking love her ok. Everything she does is to protect the others. I can’t even. I love love love how she’s written. You could hate her, but then…I just couldn’t. She’s literally broken up and crippled with suffocating hate because shE COULDN’T SAVE ALL THE BABIES. My heart breaks for her.
★ THYRON NERO: He has almost the most perfect character arc in the history of ever. I’M SCREAMING. I actually am a little wroth that we didn’t get more Thyron time, ok?! He is a clueless Slytherin and maybe a heart of gold under his ambitious snarls. He and Calixte, Ruza and Tzara all develop a friendship (AND SAVE BOOKS TOGETHER) and bless them.
★ ERIL-FANE: I love this tortured damaged soul. I think he’s such a good representation of PTSD and I just ache for him but am also so proud of what he achieves!!
★ SUHEYLA: An actual queeeeeeen I love her so much and how she feeds everyone and wants to move past the hate.
CHARACTER SPOILER SECTION
We get answers to all the questions!
Okay not ALL. one thing I loved about this book is how it didn’t just expand the world — it blew it out of the freaking DIMENSION. This universe is so huge! (It references Karou in Daughter of Smoke and Bone too!) And it goes on indefinitely! I closed Muse of Nightmares knowing there was so so much more to this world, this universe, these adventures!! THIS MAGIC.
So book 1 is riddled with foreshadowing and it ties in so well here…we get to find out where the seraphim came from, who the blue-skinned gods are, why they were breeding babies, what else the gods can even do, what this means for Weep…
…oh and I KNOW WHAT WEEP’S TRUE NAME IS.
I also just adore the magic and how fervently and beautifully it’s crafted. Seriously the descriptions are lush and the world building is perfectly and extraordinarily magic. Is there writing I love as much as this?! I am besotted and cannot be made to stop.
One thing I always worry about with finales is: “Will this break me or be satisfying?”
And I’m proud that MUSE OF NIGHTMARES did both these things. It is satisfying, but it doesn’t shut doors. It is heartbreaking, but it doesn’t leave me disappointed. IT IS PERFECT IS WHAT I’M TRYING TO SAY.
HOW IS IT SO PERFECT.
IT IS PERFECT.
WOW.
Thank you to Hachette Australia for the ARC! Muse of Nightmares (Strange The Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor was published October 2018.
In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep.
Lazlo faces an unthinkable choice–save the woman he loves, or everyone else?–while Sarai feels more helpless than ever. But is she? Sometimes, only the direst need can teach us our own depths, and Sarai, the muse of nightmares, has not yet discovered what she’s capable of.
As humans and godspawn reel in the aftermath of the citadel’s near fall, a new foe shatters their fragile hopes, and the mysteries of the Mesarthim are resurrected: Where did the gods come from, and why? What was done with thousands of children born in the citadel nursery? And most important of all, as forgotten doors are opened and new worlds revealed: Must heroes always slay monsters, or is it possible to save them instead?
Love and hate, revenge and redemption, destruction and salvation all clash in this gorgeous sequel to the New York Timesbestseller, Strange the Dreamer.
Goodreads Strange The Dreamer Review Publisher Booktopia Book Depository
OMGOSH I totally know those feels you are going through with this series Cait! I read this a few months ago when I got approved for the eBook and OMG I need to reread it again to get all those feels back because I miss it! I LOVED THIS ONE SO MUCH AS WELL omg. Minya, Sarai, Thyon, I just can’t I love them so much.
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence recently posted…Babymoon Holiday in Europe – I’m back!
EVERYTHING ABOUT IT IS PERFECT AND I COULD FLAIL FOR DAYYYYYYYS. 😍 I also just love how big the world is and how my brain totally hasn’t just shut the book: I have SO many questions and wonderings about all the characters ajfdksald. I’m still thinking about it !!
I’m about to start reading this, and am so excited!
I hope you love it too!!
SO I AM SO SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK!! I MIGHT BURST? WHO KNOWS?? I’LL DIE BY BURSTING ANYTIME FOR LAINI TAYLOR THAT’S FOR CERTAIN!! And you’re the reason I read the first book so this has come full circle nicely enough.
also WILL I EVER GET AROUND TO REREADING THE FIRST BOOK? Because I remember -10 things that happened in it. I know I LOVED IT and IT WRECKED ME EMOTIONALLY so the conclusion is I MUST’VE LOVED IT. Logic gotta love it. Honestly, the thing that scares me the most this Halloween is the sheer size of Strange the Dreamer. I’ll just go around holding that book in my hand as my costume and making all bookworms cry with 1. joy at the beautiful cover, 2. horror because how does one have time to read such beast and 3. with feels for all those out there who’ve read it.
That’s my evil plan. Fear me all thy who gaze upon me.
ANNNND I feel like I’m the only person on the internet complaining that the book is red! I SHOULD’VE BEEN PURPLE DANG IT. i shall be in the corner crying about matching cover colours with the feeling of the book forever. Only if the colour is meant to warn me of all the blood that will be shed and that everyone I love will die. Which…how can it get more heartbreaking than Stange? HOW?
ioana @dragonwaffles recently posted…Books I should’ve read but I still haven’t so dishonour on me and my cow
OMG YOU READ THE FIRST BECAUSE OF ME?!?😍I HAVE SUCCEEDED IN LIFE. THIS IS GREAT. *flings confetti over self* And omg rereading the first book and then going straight onto this turned out to be a good decision for me. You catch more of the foreshadowing and it’s beautifully glorious. And I actually read Strange via audio which I find less intimidating haah. I’m not sure if you’re into audios, but it might be worth a shot? The narrator is perfection.
Nooooo I love the red! I actually think it’s orange. hhaaa. I’ve been calling it orange!!
CAIT! How perfect was this book?! HOW PERFECT! There is so much I want to talk about, and I got some of it out in the spoilers section of my own review, and ajshrflkurg! CAIT! Can you imagine what kind of series we’ll get next?! And then next?! AND THEN EVENTUALLY?! Mate, I am just so, so excited and so happy, and I CANNOT WAIT! I actually tweeted my glee in the most cryptic of ways, and Laini Taylor replied! And she wanted to talk about it too, but can’t. AND SHE TOLD ME there are more Easter eggs in the finished copy, because you know the dish map things, in both books? THEY ARE IN THE FINISHED COPY!! At the front and the back! and we’ve got to decipher the codes, and oh my gooood! I’ve not worked it out yet, but this just makes me so happy, and I am dying!
I used to say I have lots of favourites, with two at the very top, Laini being one of them, but after Muse of Nightmares, I think she has that top spot all to herself. I mean! It was just incredible! And normally, like you, I don’t really like finishing a series – but for me it’s because I get to say goodbye to the characters. BUT NO SADNESS HERE! Just immense happiness! I am just over the moon, really!
Great review, Cait!
Jo recently posted…Review: Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
Ohhh I saw the maps!! I didn’t sit down to translate them though.😂Maybe I should have? ? I am the ultimate lazy lmao. BUT AFJDSAKLD I AM SO HAPPY WITH IT AND IT WAS SO CLEVER AND PERFECT AND BEAUTIFUL. HOW ON EARTH DOES SHE WRITE LIKE THIS!?? I want this magic 😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
And this duology definitely flung Laini Taylor onto my top 5 author list.😍
I haven’t read these yet but they are totally on my list, I have heard really good things so I am very interested!
The series that blew me away was the Tomorrow When the War Began series, which I read quite a long time ago but am doing a re-read of at the moment (one book down 6 to go!). I remember being fairly shocked by how dark they were willing to go, and all the action stuff was very exciting. Actually I also really enjoy reading high concept books set in such local Australian surroundings too, because, correct me if I’m wrong here, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of these around?
Although I haven’t yet read The Tribe series, which is also on my list. I think that is a post apocalyptic Australian set novel, which sounds very interesting! 🙂
So many books, so little time!
🙂
Ohhh I forgot about that series!😂I read the first one but never kept going (I did see the movie though…and isn’t there a TV show for it now?) I think we should have more Aussie books with action-y plots too for sure. I do have The Tribe books as well but…haven’t…read them.😂
Ooh, funnily enough I just bought Strange the Dreamer a month or two ago but kept putting it off because in my mind I was like “UGH, not another series.” For some reason I had missed the fact that it was a duology (or just forgot) so seeing your post and being reminded has defintiely resparked my enthusiasm to pick it up. I SO hope I like it. I felt like such a black sheep when it came to her Daughter of Smoke and Bones series because I loved the first book but liked each sequel progressively less? But Laini Taylor’s writing is so beautiful I really need to give her a second chance. Eek! Wish me luck.
I’m actually devastated there aren’t more books. 😂And yet I constantly complain about trilogies so *throws hands in the air* there is just no pleasing my finicky brain.😂 And I reeeally hope you like it too! I really loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone but I was hella confused for the sequels. I legit have no idea what happened.😂So fingers crossed this one suits better for you!
I am so excited to read Muse of Nightmares that I have gone beyond excitement and obsession and moved right into eerie calm. I am thrilled to hear that it holds up the first one and doesn’t have Second Book Syndrome.
AHH I do know that feel of the eerie calm that comes once one has flailed their heart out of their chest. Excellent. You’re in for a good time!!!
AHH I’M SUPER EXCITEDDD (and terrified)!!! I mean… more Minya? Thyon Nero? Eril Fane? The world building??? What’s not to love!! I can’t wait to read this!
Tasya @ The Literary Huntress recently posted…Halloween Book Covers Tag
IT TOTALLY GIVES US EVERYTHING WE LONG FOR.😍😍😍
MY FRIEND IS READING THIS RIGHT NOW AND I AM LOWKEY JEALOUS. My library doesn’t have it in and I have waaay too many books checked out right now as is… :’/
I have read Strange the Dreamer, though, and it was sooo good! I love Lazlo so much; he is like the ultimate cinnamon roll and I just!!!!! It makes me SO SAD that he’s not MoN as much … but I guess that I understand??? buuuut I’m very, very, VERY happy that the second book wasn’t a dud and was a fabulous duology ending! I am so here for that!
Aww no, I hope you get a chance to read it soon though!! Like if this is a friend you see, maybe you can like…tackle them and run off with the book? Not that *I* would council thievery but ya know. AHem.
Muse lives up to Strange though undoubtedly!!
Yesterday I started reading Muse of Nightmares! I am SO excited! I hope it is just as good as Strange the Dreamer. I also love Lazlo! He really is the perfect example of a cinnamon roll 😛
Laini Taylor is one of my favourite writers! I read most of her books. Her writing style is absolutely amazing and her characters are brilliant!
Anouk @ Time for tales and tea recently posted…Writers I’d love to meet and questions I would ask
I TOTALLY THINK IT LIVES UP TO STRANGE!!❤️Laini Taylor just a genius and I am in love with her skill ahh!!!
Totally agree!!! I finished Muse of Nightmares and LOVED it! It’s just perfect 💕
Anouk @ Time for tales and tea recently posted…Writers I’d love to meet and questions I would ask
Gasp. I’ve been stalling because I moved house and possibly it’s a stepping stone to move back to Australia, but your review prompted me to hit the library site. I’m now fourth in line for the ebook.
The last book that broke me was Strange the Dreamer. I had the audio book sitting on the player for months until I got bored (it was free so I thought little of it). It should not be listened to while driving. Well, not the end anyway. I was numb on the freeway until I saw a dinosaur in a horse float (animatronic, but that wasn’t my first thought).
Bianca recently posted…Dear Evan Hansen: the Novel
OMG THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! I hope your library coughs it up soon!! Ajfdskald the ending of Strange was thoroughly brutal. ❤️💔