Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer, #2)
by Laini Taylor
Pages: 528
Published on October 2, 2018
by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Amazon Vine
Goodreads
Also by this author: Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Dreams of Gods & Monsters, Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Days of Blood & Starlight, Dreams of Gods & Monsters
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 Times bestseller, Strange the Dreamer.
Laini Taylor is my favorite author because of her exquisite writing and worlds to dream of. While I liked Strange the Dreamer, the first book in this duology, there were things I wanted more of, and I admit it put me off reading the sequel right away when I got the ARC.
Silly me.
I’m sure there will be a point where I’ll look back on Muse of Nightmares and find things to critique, but right now I am dizzy with awe for it. Gorgeously told (of course), delicately crafted, this book is the reason I read.
Slowly, deliberately, a story unfolds. New characters are introduced, and for a while you’re wondering what they have to do with what’s going on in the city of Weep. As for Weep, there is still the tension of the floating citadel over them. The inhabitants of the citadel still live in fear, not just of the people down below, but for one of their own. When the storylines entwine, it’s explosive.
Taylor always writes with emotion, and the emotions in Muse of Nightmares are given so much life. But it’s Taylor’s ability to bring out these emotions where this book shines. There is grief, rage, and anguish (so much anguish) for lives lost and what-could-have-been, but there is also the warmth of close friendship and the wonder of young love. Minya’s hatred for humans is terrifying to behold. The sorrow of Eril-Fane, the Godslayer, and the heartbreak of his loved ones is crushing. There is Lazlo and Sarai’s love and devotion. There is a scene that feels like redemption. This book is an exploration of being human. Mostly, it is a reminder to hope, especially in the bleakest of times. “Hope makes its own magic” after all.
If you haven’t read Laini Taylor’s novels, I can’t recommend them enough. They are beautiful, thought-provoking fantasies with very real characters.
About Laini Taylor
Laini Taylor is the New York Times bestselling author of the global sensation the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy: Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Days of Blood & Starlight, and Dreams of Gods & Monsters, and the companion e-novella, Night of Cake & Puppets. She is also the author of the Dreamdark books Blackbringer and Silksinger, and the highly acclaimed Lips Touch: Three Times, a National Book Award finalist. Her newest book, Strange the Dreamer, is the first in a stunning new epic duology. Laini lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, illustrator Jim Di Bartolo, and their daughter Clementine.
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Twitter: Liza
Oh my goodness! I cannot wait to get my hands on this one Leah!
Liza! It’s so good! I hope you like it.
Twitter: srbetler
Man, I still need to read the first book! I’ve been seriously slacking. I’ll have to wait now so I can read the duology back to back. xD Great review! I really look forward to reading this one.
They are so good!