Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Young adult fantasy, no language, violence, innuendo and some sexual content
Length: 528 pages
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 2nd, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads
BOOK SUMMARY:
In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep.
Lazlo faces an unthinkable choice—save the woman he loves, or everyone else?—while Sarai feels more helpless than ever. But is she? Sometimes, only the direst need can teach us our own depths, and Sarai, the muse of nightmares, has not yet discovered what she’s capable of.
As humans and godspawn reel in the aftermath of the citadel’s near fall, a new foe shatters their fragile hopes, and the mysteries of the Mesarthim are resurrected: Where did the gods come from, and why? What was done with thousands of children born in the citadel nursery? And most important of all, as forgotten doors are opened and new worlds revealed: Must heroes always slay monsters, or is it possible to save them instead?
Love and hate, revenge and redemption, destruction and salvation all clash in this gorgeous sequel to the New York Times bestseller, Strange the Dreamer.
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GODDESS OF DREAMS.
Yes, yes, yes. This is how you end a duology (series, etc.). All the necessary pieces were there. Action, romance, friendship, family, heroes and villains (and plenty of others). YES.
The addition of Nova and Kora’s story was intense and heartbreaking. My initial inklings (of thinking Kora was Lazlo’s mom) were very wrong indeed. This story line really enhanced what was happening in the citadel and made the ending feel like it really did come full circle. It was placed in the book at just the right times that kept everything moving.
There was plenty of action, violence, and romance. Though, some of the love scenes were full of cheesy lines. While that made me laugh…and cringe…they were still sweet. The fact that Sarai was a ghost the entire time still blows my mind. I personally haven’t read any other books that are like that so it’s nice to come across a new flavor every now and then!
I didn’t love so much that Minya wasn’t in the middle of the story. That girl needs some love. She needs a hug, a nap, and a friend. Her arc did come around, but I felt she could have been utilized more.
The chapter pieces with Thyon, Ruza, Calixte and Tzara were nice, but seemingly random. They unfortunately didn’t play as big a part as I thought (til like seriously the end, and only kinda). It caused me to forget they were there and then not even get to enjoy them. I really like their relationships and sassy convos and thought they needed more spotlight.
What angered me so is that Skathis never had a villianous backstory. Why is he this horrid? It only made me hate him more (probably the author’s intention), but also not be able to understand the villiany. He was an awful (doesn’t even begin to cover it) “god” and should have died long ago.
Nova at least, had this back-story. I got her. My heart bled with her and I was worried for her. The connection with her made the whole group aspect hit home.
The ending is everything you want and expect. I felt satisfied closing the book and am excited to see what comes next for Taylor.
Overall audiences notes:
— No language (WHOOP!)
— Love scenes range from glossed over to lightly detailed, including innuendo
— Detailed violence that is bloody
— Trigger potential: depression and suicide
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