I'm sure I've said this before, but holy dustmites what must it be like to be in this woman's head?! Probably just like this book - full of colours not yet discovered, every fantastical creature under the suns, fairy tales and love and possibilities. And cake. Laini Taylor's imagination is limitless, as infinite as the starry milky ways of the universe.
I love the 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' trilogy, and with her new book, 'Strange the Dreamer', the first of a dualogy, Laini doesn't disappoint. (I feel she's open and personable enough regarding her fans for me to call her by her first name). The writing is as lush, creative, dynamic and astonishingly beautiful as is to be expected. The story is an original fairy tale, a legend about to be born, the start of a myth that's as alive as you and I. It starts off slow, but it is worth every gorgeous word, filled with stones and gems and stars and shadows. Similar to 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone', there are gods, mythical monsters, sweet and tragic romances galore; and sprinkled into this magical cauldron mixture is a huge cast of compelling, three-dimensional characters. And cake. You can never go wrong with cake.
Our wide-eyed protagonist is the orphaned foundling Lazlo Strange. Raised by monks, he always escapes into books and stories, leading him to become a librarian throughout his teens (he has no idea how lucky he is!). He wanders around the Great Library which hides records - secrets - of a legendary city in a desert now known only as Weep. Its true name was literally stolen from minds and texts years ago. Desolate, it is Lazlo's dream to find the city, no matter how impossible. He has no name or status; he is nobody. But he is Strange the Dreamer, and whether he becomes a hero of his own story or not, he will make it his quest to see the Unseen City, lost to myth.
The only thing I hate about Lazlo Strange is that he is not real. Every bit the archetypal fantasy hero - orphan, outsider, more to him than meets the eye, is greater than he thinks he is - but at the same time he isn't. He is not a bookworm but a bookdragon. He absolutely loves fairy tales and fantasy stories, and will devour any book on myths and legends, anytime, anywhere. A big book of fairy tales even fell from a shelf and broke his nose once. Lazlo's life is stories. Though not very sociable, he is kind, thoughtful, humble, naive but sweet, possesses a wonderful sense of humour, and best of all, everything he does is simply because it is the right thing to do. Even other characters are startled by how selfless he is. No strings attached, no ulterior motives, Lazlo helps others because he wants to, no further thought to it. But he isn't a pushover, oh no, as seen when he doesn't pass up the chance to make his dream come true despite all the odds stacked against him. Determined, brave, unstoppable, curious, honest, lovely and not afraid to show emotions, Lazlo Strange is my new book boyfriend. Let's hope, given the ending, he doesn't completely lose his innocence and turn out like Finnikin from the 'Lumatere Chronicles' trilogy, who inexplicably morphs into a horrible, nasty, abusive bastard.
Other characters include Thyon Nero, the "golden godson", a rich, famous, handsome, privileged young alchemist and scholar who is Lazlo's opposite. He could be considered the Dreamer's rival if the latter ever thought competitively, but he doesn't. Thyon is a scientist; an intellectual who is unimaginative and set in his ways, thinking very little of the junior librarian yet he finds himself drawn to him in each step of his journey and progress. Traditionally, Thyon would be the golden hero in the forefront of myths and legend, but it is the little guys working in the background who often deserve the most credit. I'm fond of this golden boy, even though he is arrogant and a bully, for he is sympathetic in his hard work and keeping his namesake. He has been abused like Lazlo once was by the monks, so no matter their class and backgrounds they might not be that different after all, if stubborn Thyon can only see it.
Eril-Fane, the Godslayer, is a Tizerkane warrior from the lost, forsaken city of Weep, who like any hero of legend is suffering far more than he is letting on. He is so human it's a dagger in the heart. Calixte is a young jewel thief who can climb any tower, whose dialogue is a blast to read. She loves gathering bets and setting up challenges. Shamefully she isn't in the book as much as she should be, and I hope she won't be forgotten about in the sequel. Calixte deserves more. Her lover is Tzara, a female Tizerkane warrior, and this relationship is in the background and not made a big deal at all. Good job.
I could talk about so many other players in this epic, but there isn't enough time or space. Plus it is rather spoilery. But I'll mention that the main lead beside Lazlo, Sarai, is a soft, complex gem. She is called the Muse of Nightmares; an otherworldly creature with human hearts. (People have two hearts in this universe: one of blood and one of spirit). Her relationship with Strange the Dreamer, once it starts when they finally meet in the middle of the book, it doesn't stop. They are literally one half of each other's dreams. In spite of the instant-love that was also in 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone', Laini Taylor can make it so that the couple are so sweet and fit so well together that you don't care. Lazlo and Sarai have an emotional connection, not really a thinking one. Or a physical one. They are like children; naive and innocent, so they are playful and fun, and forever growing. Their development comes from themselves, not just each other. I won't reveal anymore, but by the end of 'Strange the Dreamer', you'll cry for them, in spite of their short time knowing the other exists. How creative and tragic is their love.
There is also Minya. Oh hellish of hells, Minya. Like a cross between Claudia from 'Interview with the Vampire' and the Joker, she is Hades. The Devil. She is pure evil. You'll love her for it.
Great rivercats and blue stones and people, there is so much more! 'Strange the Dreamer' is what a fantasy epic should be. It is marvelously imaginative, and for all its dazzling wonders there are horrors - deep-seated, disgusting, absolutely traumatic - that probably should have been explored and discussed further. Stories carry messages, some subtler than others. But 'Strange the Dreamer', for its setbacks, does stay true to the universal message in every myth and legend: Gods are dicks.
Laini Taylor's modern fables have become the standard I've set when judging good books; books that are worthwhile, that are passionate, life changing, that won't leave you the tiniest bit jaded, what I consider great storytelling and characters. I'm not so captivated that I would call them perfect - nothing is - but they are definitely worth a look, coming from a brain that can write and keep you arrested; forming words as well as worlds, whole and new. They may not be for everyone, but I am enchanted every time.
Now to wait a year for 'The Muse of Nightmares' to come out. No need to hope it'll be worth it, but hope is what I'll do anyway.
Final Score: 4/5
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