Strange the Dreamer
| Company type | Publishing company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Strange the Dreamer is a 2017 young adult fantasy novel authored by American writer Laini Taylor. It serves as the initial installment in the Strange the Dreamer duology, succeeded by Muse of Nightmares. The narrative centers on Lazlo Strange, a war orphan and librarian from Zosma, who embarks on a journey to the forgotten city of Weep, unveiling its hidden secrets. The book was released on March 28, 2017, through Little, Brown Books.
Plot
Lazlo, an orphan raised within a monastery after a devastating war, becomes an apprentice librarian with dreams of adventure and discovering lost cities. He joins an expedition headed by Eril-Fane, known as the Godslayer from Weep, accompanied by Thyon Nero, the godson of Zosma’s Queen. Two centuries prior, Weep was conquered by blue-skinned deities called Mesarthim, who ruled through magical powers and demanded human sacrifices. Although Eril-Fane liberated the city fifteen years ago, Weep continues to grapple with lasting consequences.
The group encounters a colossal floating Citadel resembling an angel hovering above Weep, featuring four towers forged from an enigmatic blue metal named mesarthium. The city’s inhabitants live in fear beneath its looming presence. Skathis, the Mesarthim leader, once wielded control over this metal. Eril-Fane endured imprisonment under Isagol, the goddess of despair, until he was able to resist after his wife Azareen was taken.
Within the Citadel reside several godspawn—offspring of the gods—hidden away from Weep’s population. Minya, daughter of Skathis, rescued four infants during the rebellion; these children now harness unique abilities: Minya commands spirits; Ruby manipulates fire; Sparrow governs growth and decay; Feral influences weather patterns. Sarai, Isagol’s daughter, inflicts terror through nightmares but develops a romantic connection with Lazlo after he perceives her uniquely in dreams.
Nero uncovers that Lazlo’s essence responds to mesarthium; exposure causes gray streaks to appear on his skin. An explosion atop one spire destabilizes the Citadel, causing it to lean toward Weep. As it begins to fall, Lazlo’s skin shifts to blue—revealing his godspawn lineage—and he uses mesarthium to stabilize the structure. Sarai falls and dies but persists as a ghost. Lazlo confronts Minya inside the Citadel; she seizes Sarai’s ghost and asserts dominance over both Sarai and Lazlo.
Development
Following her work on Dreams of Gods and Monsters, the concluding volume of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, Taylor wrote Strange the Dreamer as her next novel. After considering multiple story concepts, she ultimately chose one enriched with historical elements that demanded thorough research. Initially producing extensive notes without clear progress over several months, Taylor redirected her efforts toward a fantasy narrative better suited to her strengths. She emphasized that the novel’s essence lies in the intertwined emotional experiences of its characters, which propel the story forward.
Reception
In 2017, Strange the Dreamer earned a nomination for the Michael L. Printz Award for Best Novel. Reviewers commended its treatment of themes including slavery, trauma, memory, and cultural appropriation. Kirkus Reviews lauded its detailed world creation and engaging romantic subplot; meanwhile, Publishers Weekly described Taylor’s writing as "dark, lush, and enchanting," highlighting a well-structured final act where a romance blossoms between characters from opposing sides and significant mysteries are revealed through dreams.