Muse of Nightmares is the highly anticipated sequel to Strange the Dreamer. The story continues to follow Lazlo Strange and Sarai, who are now grappling with the aftermath of the tragic events in Weep. Sarai, the Muse of Nightmares, is haunted by her past and the malevolent Minya, while Lazlo struggles with his new powers and his love for Sarai.

Taylor's writing is filled with vivid imagery and emotional depth, with beautifully lyrical scenes depicting the complex character growth that develops throughout book two. Themes of love, grief and, vengeance are woven throughout Taylor's ultimately gorgeous novel.

Muse of Nightmares is the second book in the Strange the Dreamer duology. laini Taylor’s writing was beautiful in this duology; it was poetic and lyrical, just beautiful.

We follow the characters immediately after Strange the Dreamer’s semi-climatic ending and continue on the character’s path to get to the bottom of their gilded cage and all the secrets it holds.

I love their little squad. They just worked amazing together.

This is a MUST READ for all those that enjoy fantasy with a poetic and lyrical writing style that is out of this world.

Muse of Nightmares was more action packed than Strange the Dreamer as the latter had a lot of world building which the former didn’t have to do.

While I have enjoyed all Laini Taylor’s books this duology really stood out to me with its absolutely beautiful writing. This is a classic and a must have on anyone’s bookshelf.

I LOVE THIS SERIES! The whole experience reading this to me was so fond and I adore all of the characters and their stories. I love this series and would definitely recommend it!

Gorgeous. Laini Taylor weaves pure magic in her storytelling and MUSE OF NIGHTMARES did so much justice to STRANGE THE DREAMER. Perfect duology that I love recommending to fans of Fantasy.

I didn't think it was possible to top the first book but by gosh, Laini Taylor has done it! Muse of Nightmares was everything I wanted in a sequel and more. The characters and world get are deliciously fleshed out even more in this book and I think I felt every damn emotion when reading this. Binged over a weekend, Muse of Nightmares is nearly perfect. 4.5 stars!

After reading three books in the first week of 2020, I decided I was finally motivated enough to take on a mammoth book I had been putting off for a year! Muse of Nightmares is the other half of the Strange the Dreamer duology that completes the story of Lazlo and Sarai. As I wrote in my review for Strange the Dreamer, I loved that book but it was difficult to get into for me. Being one of my most anticipated books of the year, I pushed through because I knew I would enjoy it but I didn’t really feel on the same page with it until I was at least a hundred pages into the book. I also read an ARC copy from Netgalley so perhaps having the physical book would have helped. However, it was still one of the most beautiful and fantastical books I read that year.

I read the first book in January of 2017 so it’s funny that I’m reading the second one in January of 2020 but, because so much time has passed, I was trying to put all the pieces back together in my head. The main characters were impossible to forget but I forgot the little details that went into the background so I did feel disconnected to some secondary characters. I think the secondary characters have such small roles in this book though so they weren’t standout. We’re also introduced to two new characters, an event at the end of the book ties everything together and explains their story but I still struggled to care about their path alongside Lazlo and Sarai’s.

Overall, I enjoyed this book while I was reading it but there wasn’t an even flow to reading it. The consistency of interest throughout the book was a rollercoaster. At the end of the book, I feel like I enjoyed the story and I liked the way it ended but I don’t know that it had to be so long because there were a few lulls that could’ve been cut to keep the story flowing at an interesting pace. I loved the moment between Lazlo and Sarai but Minya’s story was the most exciting of all the characters and I was hooked into every chapter that they delved deeper into her mind and her history.

Laini Taylor works magic. I enjoy everything she writes, and this book is no exception. I'm ashamed it has taken me so long to finally pick this one up.

A beautiful conclusion - although I really do hope there shall be more to come as I love these characters and the world. Taylor's wonderful prose is so evocative and lyrical it really brings the world to life. It both makes my heart swell with the glory of it and break woth the sorrow. Magnificant work once again from one of my favourite authors.

This is not a happy novel. In fact, the more that you find out about the history of the characters and the world here, the more you find out that it's filled with rape and various kinds of abuses. The only upside I found of the twists and turns of plot and exposition was the reference to it being set in the same universe as Daughter of Smoke and Bone that I loved so so so much.

As I said in the first one of this duology, Strange the Dreamer, I had a difficult time loving this story as much. That one, though, was because it was such a slow burn for the majority of the novel.

This follow up had no such concerns. And we did get to know Minya better. And Thyon Nero does get his own redemption in the end.

But... still... the darkness and pain and suffering that this whole story was based on... I dunno, it kinda stripped the good feelings away in this book.

When the first book in the duology came out, Strange the Dreamer captivated me and I knew that I needed the next book - stat! But Muse of Nightmares blew me away. Laini Taylor has phenomenal talent when it comes to creating magical worlds with characters that stick with you even after the story is over. I cannot believe the series is over, and now I'm left to fill the void that only Lazlo and Sarai could.

Now, to re-read the entire series.

"I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review"

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?

This is my last book review for 2018 and the last book I have read for 2018 and I am glad to finish of f the year with such a great book.

I will admit I was not sure at first when I heard about Strange the Dreamer if it would be a book for me, but after reading both books I am really glad I read them both. Laini's writing style is amazing (my first Laini Taylor book) and it was a world I can say I have never read about and I have read a lot of books over the years. This new concept kept me on my toes the whole way through because I had no idea what was going to happen. Even the people who may of seemed like the "bad guys" really weren't in the end.

I really can't say much about this book without giving away spoilers for book one so all I will say is this was such a great read and I loved so many of the characters within the series. I ended up rating this book 4.5 stars and the only reason it isn't a 5 star rating is because I still had so many questions about some of the characters at the end of the book. This is a series I would suggest everyone should at least try because it is so different and the writing is so amazing.

Huge thank you to Hachette Australia and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

I loved the first book in the series and while this one was also really good, it wasn't as good as the first. It was a little slow in some areas and didn't feel as exciting as the first. But that being said, I feel like this series is refreshingly unique, I've never read anything like it before and I would definitely recommend the series.

Full (spoiler-y) review here: http://wmsreads.tumblr.com/post/181236805362/

Strange the Dreamer was an absolutely stunning and mesmerizing start to this duology. Muse of Nightmares was a complete and utter journey of whimsicalness. Laini Taylor is a stunning author. I loved this duology.

After that horrific cliffhanger at the end of Strange the Dreamer, I have literally been waiting all year for the release of this beautiful novel. I can definitely confirm that the wait was 100% worth it; The Muse of Nightmares is worth all of the hype, and then some.

The backbone of Laini's books is always the characters. Her characters are absolutely wonderfully developed. Even the villain is so easy to understand, and the way that she shows us the various backstories and how they've been shaped by their experiences is so masterful. And her writing is so gorgeous; she has a descriptive prose that has a flow to it that makes it so easy to read.

I am absolutely loving the potential further books that Laini could be writing right now. She hasn't spoken about it yet, but I don't doubt at all that she's at least planning some extra short stories; those who have read Muse will know where I'm going with this one... won't elaborate because no spoilers though, of course!

Ratings
Overall: 10/10
Plot: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5

If I had to describe Muse of Nightmares in two words it would be brilliant… yet brutal.

It’s evident Laini Taylor loves to play with the theme of war. It’s especially prevalent in this sequel and Taylor tells this story incredibly. I couldn’t stop thinking about a quote from her previous trilogy Daughter of Smoke and Bone – “Have you ever asked yourself, do monsters make war, or does war make monsters?” I would say the latter half of that quote is particularly relevant to this book.

As fascinating as the story is, it’s the characters that make this book what it is. With new additions Kora and Nova, helping the reader dive deeper into the mysteries of this world., there is also one of the best redemption arc(s) I’ve read in a long time. And whilst I loved Lazlo and Sarai in Muse of Nightmares, it’s not solely these two main characters that carry this novel. Eril-Fane’s guilt, Kora and Nova’s sisterhood and other familial themes between the Godspawn children are so prevalent in this novel and Taylor does every character justice. Minya in particular is such a fascinating character, I think many readers will enjoy her arc here too.

By the end of this book I struggled to perceive any of the main characters as evil. In the beginning you might be quick to assume which characters are the ‘antagonists’ of the story. However as the novel progresses this notion is completely unpacked in such a thoughtful way. The depth of which I was able to sympathise with the characters pain and not feel animosity towards them is a credit to Laini Taylor.

Taylor’s approach to telling this story is so clever. This story frequently moves perspectives throughout – usually I’m not that interested in multiple POV stories. Here, this serves the story incredibly well and it’s done so cleverly. There is so much to know about Weep, the Gods, the Carnage and characters themselves. That’s why we need as many views as possible to unravel the mysterys and honestly, it was so much fun and really compelling.

Although this novel is ripe with grief and sadness and other repercussions of war… there were several comedic moments that lighten this book up too. Not only do these moments serve to lighten the mood, but these moments make the book even more human. For example, Ruby and Feral spend a lot of time bickering, but it’s incredibly entertaining. Ruby herself has some great one liners, especially her desperation for cake. Surprisingly, Suhelya saying she’s “in her element,” had me quietly choking on my train ride home from work.

This has been a five star duology for me. Those who enjoyed Strange the Dreamer will no doubt enjoy this too – especially as the mysteries surrounding this world are unravelled

‘They stared at each other in mistrust and confusion. Across worlds and through portals cut long ago by angels, their lives collided right here. Both came to this place seeking something.’

Last year Laini Taylor introduced us to ‘Strange the Dreamer’ (review HERE) and it was magnificent. I found myself swept away by her lyrical prose on an amazing journey to some incredible places with memorable and unforgettable characters. But the ending, what a c-l-i-f-f-h-a-n-g-e-r! How she has made us wait for a magical conclusion to this mighty tale. Thankfully, this book picks up right at the harrowing conclusion to Strange the Dreamer. Left with so many questions, you will be happy to know that all will be answered in the epic conclusion to this wonderful duology. Worlds expand, relationships get more interwoven as you once more return to the amazing world building that Laini is renowned for.

This tale is more complex than its predecessor - elaborations from other worlds, characters and timelines all merge together for an almighty conclusion. Two new characters, with seemingly little connection to those from Weep, will gradually tie all the loose strings together and provide answers to the many questions raised in book one. Sisters born before the Godspawn will tell their tale of misery and heartbreak and eventually merge with those in Weep for a fitting conclusion.

‘Would she find, no matter what she tried, that some people cannot be saved?’

Laini Taylor is one of the most remarkable storytellers I have ever come across. The raw emotion combined with out of this world experiences combine to sweep the reader away on an unforgettable journey. The imagination! The complexity of plot! The heartfelt emotions merge together to provide a truly breathtaking experience. This is writing at the next level and you feel such connection to these characters, you will find it difficult to lay the book aside at any point.

If you read and loved, ‘Strange the Dreamer’, I doubt you will be disappointed with this sequel. All of your burning questions from the harrowing conclusion to book one, and indeed so much more, will be given. The incredible history of those ‘blue Gods’ in the sky will be revealed and it will go beyond anything you could have imagined. Once again, it is just best to go in blind and let the story unfurl and captivate you: overcoming the odds and past mistakes and learning to forgive and see beyond the surface. I just can’t wait to see where Laini will take us next.

“You don’t know yet what you’re capable of, but I’m willing to bet it’s extraordinary.”



This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

*spoilers ahead*

AHHHHHHHHHHH. Muse of Nightmares hooked me from beginning to end. The writing, as with all of Laini Taylor’s books, was beautiful and spell-binding. I liked the character development for the main cast (I still have mixed feelings about Minya though), but the development for the supporting characters such as Thyon was weak – I didn’t think he contributed much to the story. I also felt that the book could’ve explored Lazlo and Sarai’s new states more.

Nova was a formidable villain (her powers are so cool) – her villainness coming from her fear of failure and unwavering loyalty to her lost sister made me feel a lot of feelings. But I don’t think she should’ve died by suicide – a weak end to the climax. The other characters didn’t seem strongly effected by her death either.

There were moments that dragged and there was a lot of backstory, so the book was a little underwhelming compared to Strange the Dreamer. Despite this, Muse of Nightmares is still a good read. The ending was sweet and left the possibility for more stories.

Laini Taylor is a master world-builder, and when I first read Strange the Dreamer, I instantly fell in love with Lazlo, Sarai and the world of Weep. Returning to these much-loved characters and worlds in Muse of Nightmares was an absolute treat for me, because it was like coming home.

Muse of Nightmares begins immediately after the events of Strange the Dreamer – which had shocking consequences for one of the main characters – and without talking about spoilers from the first book, we find out what has happened to everyone since that moment. We also get a dual-timeline story, too – told from the perspective of a new character, but exactly how that storyline fits in with Lazlo and the gang evolves slowly (and beautifully) until both narratives converge for the high-intensity conclusion to Muse of Nightmares.

As mentioned above, Laini Taylor does incredible world building. This time, we spend a lot of time aboard the citadel, learning even more about it as a structure and home, a prison and forbidding presence above the city of Weep. We also learn more about the side-characters from the first book, those left behind in the city after the near-collapse of the citadel in book one, and how those events have caused chaos to the local community.

There are a lot of point of views in Muse of Nightmares, but every one is essential – every character has a story or view to share that adds to the depth of the world and that’s what makes the story so engaging.

Lazlo and Sarai continue to dominate as fascinating characters who’s connection to one another is strong and unbreakable. We also begin to unravel exactly why Minya is the way she is and what led to her choosing the path she has taken and she has all the complexities of a character who makes you question whether you feel anger for her choices or sympathy for the reasons why.

Once I picked up this book, I couldn’t put it down and I know that it’s going to be a book I revisit again (along with the first) because it’s so well-crafted and lyrically written that it’s a joy to escape into this world.

We pick up from where the first book left off pretty well seamlessly, except for a brief introduction of the second set of characters that we start to follow in this book - Kora and Nova, twins. Their sections of this book expand infinitely on the world as it was before Lazlo and Sarai etc all exist - how Skathis was when he was younger, what other powers there are in existence, and how there is so much more to everything than we originally thought. 

I want to keep this review free from spoilers, so it'll be short.

For those who've read the first book we know we're in a land of humans and godspawn (blue people who have powers, and whose parents turned the humans below them into slaves and concubines) who are all struggling to survive. Among the humans we have Lazlo who was an orphan and made his way into the Great Library of Zosma, and then to live among the survivors who want to get rid of the last vestiges of the godspawn (not knowing that a few children managed to survive in the towering palace that looms over them, cutting off all sunlight.)

Lazlo was once told that there are great people in the world who will achieve great things. And that there are also people who will help them achieve their greatness. He thought he'd be one of them - there to fetch and carry, and not say a word when others benefit from his grand work as it should be enough to know inside, you were a part of something great.

However, like any great story, it turns out that there was always something more to Lazlo than even he knew about himself. 

Throughout this book we get to explore that, the boundaries and abilities of powers by those who hold them, but are still always learning more about themselves too - which is excellent. So often in books you see people with powers and that's it. In this we get to see them try new things and hope, as, after all, none of them really had anyone left to show them how. 

We see a lot of anguish in these characters, and how they need to either come to terms with the poor hands they've been dealt or lose themselves to their anger and vengeance. 

There are a massive amount of characters in this series and yet they're all developed, and pulsing with their own lives and manners, and all could easily pull off their own series of their own. 

We were told this was to be a duology, and yes, the story could end here. There's an image at the start and end of the book in what one can only assume are in two of the many languages we hear of in these books - and though I've translated them (and happy to share somewhere I won't spoil anyone who wants to figure them out for themselves), it's still not enough. I want there to be so much more! Surely Sarai and Lazlo will find the certain someone with that certain gift, and then their story together (although already well on its way) can really take off.

(And I need to see what happens next to Thyon and Ruza! Come on!)

(And what happens to Lazlo. Cough.) 

(And who else they find.)

(And what Minya and Kiska eventually talk about.)

(And just, everything!)

"I turn my nightmares into fireflies and keep them in a jar."

WOW. If there's one author who I want to write my autobiography, it would be Laini Taylor. No matter how boring my life is, I think she has the power to make it interesting to the readers with her magical way with words. She has the ability to make the most mundane of things sound so extraordinary. I might sound like I'm exaggerating, but I just love Laini Taylor's writing style so much.

Muse of Nightmares follows the events of Strange the Dreamer after Sarai died and became a ghost that could be controlled by Minya. This situation became a dilemma to Lazlo since he's now given the choice to either follow Minya's orders and become the destruction of Weep or disobey Minya and risk Sarai's evanescence.


In this sequel, the remaining mysteries about Weep have been brought to light. The questions left unanswered in the previous book (Where did all the godspawn who left before the Carnage go? Why was Lazlo found in Zosma when he was a baby?) - all that good stuff were answered here.

The plot was nothing but spectacular and captivating. There were some parts in STD where I couldn't help but snooze off, but not in this book. I found it very hard to put down! I read it whenever I had time - while walking to school, on breaks between my classes, even during class hours whenever the instructor is talking nonsense (which is most of the time). I could have finished it faster than I did, but school exists (such a bummer, right?) and I want to savor every bit of the story rather than hastily devour it.

As the mysteries of Weep were slowly unraveled, the characters also have developed in their own way. I love that each of them has a distinct personality which makes them remarkable and distinguishable from the rest.

LAZLO. I love that even though his skin is now blue and he has one of the rarest and most powerful abilities of the Mesarthim, he's still the same Lazlo we had come to love in STD - the nerdy boy who is kind, selfless, and charming. He's such an adorable cinnamon roll who must be protected at all cost! While his father, Skathis, used his ability to control the Mesarthium to do terrible things, Lazlo used it with such gentleness and splendor. I couldn't help but imagine him as the male version of Elsa, but instead of making things out of ice, he uses Mesarthium. Also, I couldn't help but note that if Elsa has Olaf, then Lazlo has Rasalas hahaha (please excuse my weird sense of humor).

SARAI. It's hard to find yourself dead, but for Sarai, I think it's harder to find yourself in an ironic situation where you're a ghost that could be possessed by a living person. Imagine if you're kissing a nerdy librarian and then suddenly a child (who is not really a child anymore) took control over your body. That couldn't possibly end well. Just ask Sarai.

When Sarai was alive, she was called the "Muse of Nightmares", but now that she's a ghost, she's the opposite of it - she fights off the nightmares that haunt other people. Her power might not be as "strong" as what the others have, but it's powerful on its own, special way. It could smother the internal battles raging in someone else's mind. And for me, that’s the best way to end wars.


MINYA. I really disliked her in STD and at the beginning of the book, but after everything that has happened, I just want to give her a hug. Her actions might be unjustified, but if we look into the deepest parts of her heart, we would see that her intentions are good. I also got the feeling that she wouldn't let go of Sarai even if Lazlo disobeyed her. She just wants to protect her family, whatever the cost might be. With all the horrors that she had witnessed during the Carnage and the nightmares that still constantly plague her sleep, I understood why her hatred towards the citizens of Weep is so great and why she just couldn't let go of it.

FERAL, RUBY. SPARROW. These lovely people are so precious. Feral’s nerdiness and cluelessness about the feelings of the latter two were enough to make him so likable. Ruby’s risky and bold behavior made her very remarkable and interesting. But my favorite among the three is Sparrow. Her quiet and soft demeanor is something that I could identify with.

ERIL-FANE. Another person that I just want to give a hug. If Minya’s burden was hatred, his was guilt. For years and years, he’s been carrying the weight of all the regrets, sorrows, and remorse brought about the events before and during the Carnage. My heart swelled up when he also found his way of letting go, of finally moving on, and of forgiving himself just as Sarai have forgiven him.


THYON NERO. His character arc might have been my favorite. I could resonate with his loneliness and desire to become a part of something. I was so happy for him when he became friends with Ruza and Calixte. I love it when he says something witty or hilarious (that thing about riding a dragon? HILARIOUS). Also, his blooming attraction with a certain someone is so cute. Hihi.

In this novel, two new characters were also introduced, Kora and Nova, who will eventually have a large impact on the lives of both the godspawn and humans in Weep. These new characters brought more to the plate, and it didn't destroy the dish but instead, it greatly enhanced its flavor. I love how their story became the vital part of the plot and they became the remaining missing pieces of the puzzling mystery.

“Muse of Nightmares” also contains elements connected to the world of “Daughter of Smoke and Bone”. I failed to notice it in the first book, but when I finally realized the connection, it completely blew my mind.

In conclusion, I adored this book so much that it made me sad to find out that it’s the end already. I didn’t know that this was just a duology! I was expecting this series to be at least a trilogy just like DOSAB. I was not yet ready to say goodbye to the characters that I’ve come to love. Huhu. But there’s some hope that it might not be the end! The last sentences gave me hope that there might be a sequel or spin-off someday. Dear author, please do write more about this captivating world and lovely characters.