CBR Bingo square: Mythic (in the universe of this book the city of Weep is a mythical place inhabited by gods, that no one is sure really exists)
I adored the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy and have read it multiple times, but for some reason I was always hesitant to read Strange the Dreamer, I think because I didn’t really think Laini Taylor could write another series that would be as gripping and original as that trilogy. Obviously, I was incorrect.
Lazlo Strange has grown up orphaned by war, living first among monks and then as a librarian. His whole life, he’s been obsessed with a mythical, magical city–a place first claimed by, and then destroyed by, gods. The city is now called Weep, but that’s not its real name–one day the real name just disappeared from the world, and no one remembers it now. Lazlo spends every possible moment studying Weep, even learning the language. When travelers appear and confirm that Weep is real, people still live there, and it needs help from the outside world, Lazlo immediately volunteers to go.
It would really be a shame to say any more and to give away any more of this story. Taylor’s books are so creative–they just leave me in awe of her ability to invent entire new worlds. She’s also so very good at writing love stories, and that’s coming from a person who doesn’t like love stories.
Two warnings: One, this book is a cliffhanger. And two, if you decide to read it, don’t read the description for Book Two until you finish this one–it gives away a HUGE plot point which kind of spoiled the end a bit for me. But if you like fantasy at all, and especially if you liked Daughter of Smoke and Bone (which you should also read if you haven’t already), add this one to your list. It’s just lovely.