Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor –OPTIONAL

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, 532 pages. Little Brown, 2017 $13

Language: G; Mature Content: PG13 (carefully worded sex scenes); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL:  AVERAGE

Lazlo Strange is an orphan who existence was very bleak but he took refuge in the stories of the mysterious city of Weep, full of mythical creatures and amazing warriors that disappeared two hundred years ago. Eventually he becomes a librarian and his passion is learning all there is to know about the city. One day a group of people from Weep arrive and Lazlo is astounded. They are looking for a group of specialized scholars to come back with them –to help solve a problem. Lazlo is just a librarian not a scholar but he is determined to go. But what awaits the party is not easy and the very offspring of the gods are against them.

I liked this book, but it felt like reading adult romantic fantasy, not YA. The characters, while teens, just didn’t feel like teens to me –this might be due to the high level of vocabulary in the book, or simply the thinking and choices of the actions portrayed by the characters. Almost all of them are a bit predictable and one faceted. There is a perfection quality to Lazlo that is a bit irritating and unbelievable as well, he’s nice, sweet, smart, selfless, creative, learns new skills easily, and is a great decision maker. The world is well crafted and intriguing, but the story is 532 pages long which may be off putting to teens, especially beacause story takes a while to get going. 

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.