Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor Summary

Strange the Dreamer is a YA fantasy novel about Lazlo Strange, an orphan-turned-librarian obsessed with the mythical lost city of Weep. When a legendary warrior arrives seeking help for Weep, Lazlo joins the expedition and discovers a world of godspawn, ancient grudges, and the brutal history between gods and humans. The story alternates between Lazlo's journey and Sarai, a blue-skinned girl who can enter dreams, as their fates intertwine in unexpected ways.

Strange the Dreamer is ideal for readers who love lyrical, poetic prose and complex worldbuilding in their fantasy novels. Fans of romantic YA fantasy with morally good protagonists will appreciate Lazlo's genuine kindness and the heartbreaking love story at its core. Those who enjoy mythology-inspired narratives, books with library settings, and stories exploring trauma and loss will find this particularly compelling.

Strange the Dreamer is widely considered worth reading, with reviewers calling it a "breath of fresh air" in YA fantasy and praising it as superior to Taylor's previous work. The novel features exquisite writing, captivating characters, and shocking plot twists that keep readers engaged. While it ends on a cliffhanger requiring the sequel Muse of Nightmares, readers consistently rate it highly for its imaginative storytelling and emotional depth.

Strange the Dreamer is considered "far superior in every way" to Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy according to multiple readers. While Daughter of Smoke & Bone featured pompous writing and problematic character interactions, Strange the Dreamer offers better-crafted characters, a more captivating plot, and improved romance. The fantasy worldbuilding and poetic prose remain Taylor's strengths, but Strange the Dreamer demonstrates significant growth in character development and storytelling execution.

Lazlo Strange is the protagonist of Strange the Dreamer, an orphan raised in a monastery who becomes a junior librarian at the Great Library of Zosma. He's characterized as genuinely kind, guileless, and passionate about books, particularly obsessed with uncovering the mystery of the lost city whose name was magically stolen from everyone's memory. His defining trait is his goodness despite a difficult upbringing, making him a refreshing contrast to morally grey protagonists common in YA fantasy.

Sarai is a blue-skinned godspawn with the ability to enter people's dreams, living hidden in a citadel above Weep. She falls in love with Lazlo after discovering he can see her in his dreams, unlike others where she remains invisible. In the devastating climax, Sarai is thrown from her balcony when the citadel tilts and becomes impaled on an iron gate, dying in Lazlo's arms. Her spirit is then tethered by another godspawn named Minya, who uses Sarai to control Lazlo.

Weep is the mysterious lost city that Lazlo Strange obsesses over throughout his life, though its true name was magically stolen from everyone's memory. The city was once ruled by gods who kidnapped citizens and committed atrocities, until the Godslayer Eril-Fane led a revolt twenty years before the story begins. A massive metal citadel shaped like an angel hovers above the city, casting a shadow over its inhabitants and housing the surviving godspawn children. The city represents both Lazlo's dreams and a place haunted by brutal history.

The shocking revelation is that Lazlo Strange himself is godspawn—the son of Skathis, one of the gods who terrorized Weep. When a bomb causes the citadel to tilt and threaten the city, Lazlo instinctively reaches out and reshapes the metal with his mind, saving everyone but revealing his true nature as his skin turns completely blue. This twist recontextualizes Lazlo's entire identity and his connection to Weep, transforming him from an outsider observer to someone intrinsically tied to the city's traumatic past.

Strange the Dreamer explores themes of dreams versus reality, as Lazlo's fantasies about Weep collide with its dark truth. The novel examines cycles of trauma and revenge, showing how past atrocities between gods and humans create ongoing conflict between generations. Taylor addresses identity and belonging through characters struggling with their heritage, particularly the godspawn children caught between two worlds. Love, hope, and the power of stories to shape reality serve as counterpoints to the darker exploration of tragedy and loss.

Laini Taylor's writing in Strange the Dreamer is characterized by gorgeous, poetic prose with rich metaphorical language and sensory detail. Reviewers describe it as "among some of the most exquisite" writing they've encountered, though some note it can feel slightly pompous. The narrative style features lush descriptions and philosophical reflections that create an immersive, dreamlike quality perfectly suited to the story's themes. Taylor excels at weaving complex backstory into the present narrative without losing momentum or confusing readers.

Strange the Dreamer is the first book in a duology, followed by Muse of Nightmares which concludes the story. The first book ends on a major cliffhanger with Sarai's death and her spirit being controlled by Minya to manipulate Lazlo, leaving readers desperate for resolution. Reviewers who read Strange the Dreamer at its original publication expressed relief at not having to wait between books, as the ending leaves significant plot threads unresolved. Both books together form a complete story arc exploring Lazlo and Sarai's relationship and the fate of Weep.

Strange the Dreamer stands out through its modern mythology approach, blending ancient-feeling legends with fresh storytelling in ways that feel genuinely original. Unlike typical YA fantasy protagonists, Lazlo Strange is genuinely good and kind rather than morally grey, offering a refreshing character archetype. The novel's literary prose quality elevates it above standard genre fiction, with writing that rivals adult literary fantasy. Its exploration of library life, book obsession, and the power of stories creates meta-textual richness, while the romantic storyline between a dreamer and someone who enters dreams provides unique magical intimacy.