Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1) by Laini Taylor - GBR - Starting March 1st 2020

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

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 person 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? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

Welcome to Weep.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1) by Laini Taylor will be our 1st GBR for March 2020.

Please read at your own pace, and hide any spoilers ☺ You are welcome to join at any time during the month ☺

Happy Reading Everybody!

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Pre-Reading Questions -

Anybody got any thoughts on this one before we start?

Has anyone read anything similar to this before?

Anybody read anything else by this author previously?

[Kelly]

I’ve had this on my bookshelf for a while! Perfect reason to finally pick it up ☺️

[Rachida]

This is a lot of people’s favorite book so i’m glad i’m finally picking it up! I’ve never read anything by Laini Taylor before, but i’ve heard her writing is very whimsical :)

[Rachida]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[Love the writing! 5 stars so far :) (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[Reading how Thyon was punished and belittled by his own father was heartbreaking :( (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[Oh no, poor Lazlo!!! I would die if someone stole my books meanwhile he was stolen of his books, life’s work and dreams (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[How unfair.. Lazlo studied the unseen city for years and then some bozo talks about it like they’re his memories. Also, why is no one surprised? Didn’t they think it was all a myth? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[Omg I’m soooo happy for him. And I don’t like Thyon one bit. I really thought he’d ask Lazlo to come with them but he’s just a proud jerk. (hide spoiler)]

End of part 1
(view spoiler)[Absolutely amazing! I hope the book continues to be this good! (hide spoiler)]

[Rachida]

I really liked the beginning but i’ve put it down for too long. I think i might save it for another time when i feel more motivated

[min sung ellie]

Hi! I just started this book last night and found this thread! So exciting to see that this is the group buddy read for this month! I read the full Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy by Laini Taylor and absolutely ADORED IT. I'll post my thoughts on this book so far.

End of Part 1
(view spoiler)[ I LOVE LAINI TAYLORS WRITING. IT IS SO SO SO MAGICAL! I am loving the storyline of Lazlo so far. He seems like such a complex and interesting character, I am excited to see how he grows throughout the novel. Also Thylon! I like the relationship between him and Lazlo, especially because Lazlo saw him at his lowest. The world is so magical, and there's an element of mystery in this book that is keeping me going! (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ I LOVE THE TWO STORY LINES! I am loving the family dynamic between the five blue characters, and they seem so interesting. I am curious to see Sarai's power unfold and how the two story lines will interact. Already so much adventure and magic! Laini Taylor has PACKED this novel with stories, and her writing will never fail to amaze me! (hide spoiler)]

[min sung ellie]

Is anyone up to buddy read the second book ?

[Rachida]

I am actually. Maybe that will motivate me to continue strange the dreamer now lol.

[min sung ellie]

End of Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[ Sarai's gift is so interesting! I am starting to wonder if the reason why the null isn't working is because the Godslayer is coming back. Laini Taylor made it so hard to pick a side. No one is distinctively evil or good, which makes this story line that much better. ALSO THE GODSLAYER IS SARAI'S FATHER INSANE (hide spoiler)]

[min sung ellie]

end of chapter 26
(view spoiler)[ why does sarai give into minya and actually torment the god slayer if she hates it so much? and i actually have a feeling of sorry toward the godslayer. even though he killed, laini taylor doesn’t protray him as a complete villain, but also someone that is a victim of pain. this chapter (ch26) really stood out to me. it was really beautiful and we got to learn a lot about Sarai’s character. she is kind of confined by chains of the past. she plays a game of vengeance without really thinking about what SHE wants. it’s sad. im excited to see what she discovers in Lazlo’s dreams. :)! (hide spoiler)]

End of ch 29
(view spoiler)[ oh my god. minya’s ghost soldiers. she’s been creating an army for YEARS. minya is such an interesting character. she is so powerful and vengeance driven. from a psychological point of view, she probably faced a lot of trauma with the carnage, and that is maybe why she is so thirsty for revenge it’s driven her mad. also the last line made me SO SAD and when sarai was thinking about how all the babies died except her and began to doubt if she even deserves to be alive :( (hide spoiler)]

end of chapter 30
(view spoiler)[ i am falling more and more in love with this world. No wonder it gets so much hype! the way laini taylor captures it is just phenomenal. i love how we are getting the history of the gods, i find it so so interesting to learn more about the stories. It's like watching a flashback in a movie! the plot progression is so well done. even with the point of view changes and the stories of the history smacked in between, the book progresses so smoothly and it is so easy to read. also, is anyone else sensing potential romance between lazlo and sarai? (hide spoiler)]

[min sung ellie]

Rachida wrote: "I am actually. Maybe that will motivate me to continue strange the dreamer now lol."

If you want to buddy read i can request for the 20th.

[Rachida]

ellie wrote: "Rachida wrote: "I am actually. Maybe that will motivate me to continue strange the dreamer now lol."

If you want to buddy read i can request for the 20th."

Yes! Thank you! I’ll make sure I’m done with strange the dreamer before the 20th lol

[Rachida]

Chapter 12-30
(view spoiler)[OMG! This book is amazing! Every single character is so interesting! I was on the edge of my seat while reading the scene between sarai and the godslayer. It’s crazy that he’s her father and killed her mother and I still sympathize with him. just like Ellie said, Laini Taylor made it very hard to pick a side.

I also loved when sarai and lazlo met in his dream! I can definitely see a romance blooming and i’m here for it.

Chapter 30 is my favorite chapter so far! I loved reading about the history and all the stories! I’m very intrigued! (hide spoiler)]

[min sung ellie]

Here's the thread for Muse of Nightmares:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[min sung ellie]

End of Ch 31
(view spoiler)[ Seeing Sparrow's story makes me realize how innocent these children are. They just wanted to be accepted and loved and they ended up living in hiding and isolation all their lives. (hide spoiler)]

End of Ch 37
(view spoiler)[ Woah. Sarai goes into Lazlo's dream!!!! INSANE! I feel like Sarai is really really lonely up in the citadel so her being in Lazlo's dream gives her a sense of comfort. (hide spoiler)]

End of Part 3
(view spoiler)[ SO MUCH ACTION! I can't wait to see how this plot progresses! (hide spoiler)]

End of Ch 47
(view spoiler)[ AWWW I feel like Lazlo is really showing Sarai her worth. They both have been so lonely all their lives and I think that is why they clicked so fast. (hide spoiler)]

[min sung ellie]

End!

(view spoiler)[ oh my god. SO SO MUCH ACTION AT THE END AND LAZLO'S GODSPAWN! I can tell the next one will be more plot heavy and I am excited to start to read! (hide spoiler)]