Bookish Kingdom discussion

"Strange the Dreamer" is the BOTM of August, for the theme/genre "Fantasy"!
You can find the guidelines here.

Please sign up in this thread, if you want to join the readalong.


Strange the Dreamer

So the idea of a 'Book of the month' is sort of a read-along. The BOTM thread (this one) will be for the people who want to do the read-along and share their thoughts after each goal (August 6/7 - I just read till chapter 5 and my thoughts are .... etc.). Spoilers must be marked of course!

Reading schedule
August 1/5 - Time to get your copies!
August 6/7 - read prologue + until (incl.) chapter 5
Augusy 8/9 - read until (incl.) chapter 11
August 10/11 - read until (incl.) chapter 17
August 12/13 - read until (incl.) chapter 23
August 14/15 - read until (incl.) chapter 29
August 16/17 - read until (incl.) chapter 35
August 18/19 - read until (incl.) chapter 42
August 20/21/22 - Time to catch up!
August 23/24 - read until (incl.) chapter 49
August 25/26 - read until (incl.) chapter 56
August 27/28 - read until (incl.) chapter 63
August 29/30 - read until (incl.) chapter 70
August 31/September 01 - read until (incl.) chapter 77 (Book finished)
September 02 --> Time for more discussion :) This is also the best moment for people who have already read the book before to join in!


Have fun :D

Participants:
Becca - Ilsen - Beth - Minx - Honey - בנימין - Gabi - Laurel

I probably won't be able to answer your questions/add participants/moderate this thread for the next 11 days, cause I'm not sure if I'll have WiFi then... But I hope the reading schedule will guide you enough! Feel free to discuss and otherwise, set up a new reading schedule if you prefer :)

I am signing up but I have no idea when I'll get my copy. Apparently the library has 5 copies and including me there are currently 7 holds on the book

YESSSS!! I didn't expect this one to win but I'm so excited for it! I have my copy already so don't worry.!

Becca wrote: "I am signing up but I have no idea when I'll get my copy. Apparently the library has 5 copies and including me there are currently 7 holds on the book "

Ahh, hope you'll get the copy in time!
Otherwise you could always join later, and catch up :)
Added you to the participants!

Ilsen wrote: "YESSSS!! I didn't expect this one to win but I'm so excited for it! I have my copy already so don't worry.!"

Haha, good to hear you're so excited :D
Added you to the participants!

Hiiiiii,

Can I join please? :)
I just got the copy for my birthday and didn't want to do it alone!

Beth wrote: "Hiiiiii,

Can I join please? :)
I just got the copy for my birthday and didn't want to do it alone!"

Of course! I added you to the participants :)
Hope you'll like the book!

Whoooo Hoooo!!! Yay! Sign me up please :)

Minx -The Genre Minx wrote: "Whoooo Hoooo!!! Yay! Sign me up please :)"

Thank you for signing up, I added you :)

Sign me up too

I have a copy too. I would like to sign up too.

The book isn't available in the library, but I have an audiobook, and I'd really like to sign up!

בנימין wrote: "The book isn't available in the library, but I have an audiobook, and I'd really like to sign up!"

Honey wrote: "Sign me up too"

Thank you for signing up :D

Hi everyone! When we start reading the book, I will be going on a cruise! I'll try to stay on task but I don't know if I will be here for the discussions... I'll be back on August 13th to discuss with you guys. Can't wait to read it!

Im in!! Happy birthday month to myself, finally get to read a book ive been eyeing.

I finished chapter 5.
The story is interesting, and I like the way the mystery of the lost city is presented. Lazlo is quite an untypical fantasy book character, and he's really relatable.
What I didn't like is the narration. There are too many imageries, most of them are unnecessary and even annoying. I also would have liked a bit more world-building.
I dislike Nero. He's arrogant towards Lazlo and Lazlo's mentor, and (view spoiler)[ the way he treated Lazlo after he tried to help him was just horrible. (hide spoiler)]
Overall, an interesting book, and I am eager to read more!

בנימין wrote: "I finished chapter 5.
The story is interesting, and I like the way the mystery of the lost city is presented. Lazlo is quite an untypical fantasy book character, and he's really relatable.
What I d..."

I've got up to chapter 6 and I completely agree! Lazlo is ADORABLE, and I dislike Thyon as well! I'm excited to see how/where this is going! :)

I finished chapter 11.
(view spoiler)[I am so happy for Lazlo! His dream came true because of his courage and hard work. I am eager to read about the lost city.
Thyon is such a horrible person. Couldn't he just tell Lazlo how will he use his books, instead of reminding him about the promise he kept for years? Couldn't he TRY to help him or cheer him? He stole his work and used it for his own good without any apology, and then just kept teasing him, telling him that "he should be proud". (hide spoiler)]
A world building starts, and I like it. (view spoiler)[ I hope the lost city will be also throughly described. (hide spoiler)]
The book just becomes better, and I hope it will continue that way.

I am a bit behind but I have finished reading to the end of chapter 5. I absolutely adore Laini Taylor's writing. What she can say with just one paragraph is amazing.

So far I am enjoying the building of Lazlo's character very much. I can just envision a slightly bumbling junior librarian with his head in the clouds. The juxtaposition between Thyon and Lazlo was fabulous and I extremely dislike Thyon Nero at this point. He is like a bully who whips puppies. Extreme dislike!

Finished through Chapter 11

Oh my gosh I went through a few emotions in these chapters. I love Lazlo's character (view spoiler)[and to see Thyon use Lazlo's dreams and books for his own gain....I am still angry at him!! Then when it looks like all hope is lost Lazlo gets the courage to speak up in the Unseen tongue and everything...sooo good. (hide spoiler)] I love where this story left off and I can't wait to start part 2.

I'm up to date as well!

So... what's everyones views on Lazlo and Thyon so far?

I LOVE LAZLO! He's so adorable and I just want to protect him... Thyon seems to want to BE Lazlo, but that's just my view.

Thoughts?

Until Chapter 11

(view spoiler)[ I love Laini Taylor's writing! It's just so beautiful but in the first few chapters, it was just lyrical writing and that's it but then I got into it. I really like Lazlo and his mind. Thyro is just a bully and I don't like him. Can't wait for Part 2! (hide spoiler)]

Did everyone just because busy because I haven't seen anyone discuss since then! I'm going to try to catch up

Until Chapter 17

(view spoiler)[ I'm interested in the other perspective, the god's children that are blue and now I know why there are moths on the cover XD
I really like Lazlo and his storytelling. Lazlo is great.

But other than that, I don't really have much to say. This story is not as captivating as I thought it would be. I'm hoping it will change soon. (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 23

(view spoiler)[ So I'm still getting very confused on the world building because it's very rich and complex and has a lot of magical things. You know what I need? A map. A map would be great Laini.

I really like how Lazlo tells stories. It really just sucks you in. I really want more from Serai and the rest of god's children. I don't know who I want to win in this battle between them.

Obviously we know why Ereil-Fane doesn't want to go to Weep. It's because Sarai will haunt his dreams and everyone around. So I'm waiting for Sarai's and Lazlo's paths to cross. I wonder how Lazlo fits in all of this madness.

Still pretty confused as to what is happening but now things are going somewhere at least. (hide spoiler)]

Until Chapter 29

(view spoiler)[ Lazlo's dreams are so luscious compared to everyone's else goal to just trying to destroy the citadel for the glory. No, Lazlo actually cares about Weep. I assume he saw Sarai because he is the Dreamer and there is something special. I'm waiting to see what happens to his dreams after he found out what happen to the people of Weep when they were under the god's hold.

Those poor people. That must be horrible to be used as slaves to the gods. But I don't know who's side I'm on. Sarai's or the people of Weep. I kinda want something between them. Damn, Minya is evil. Definitely the villain. But you also see understanding because she has seen the Carnage but she still wants violence. She wants revenge.

I'm really curious as to how this all plays out. (hide spoiler)]

I have to catch up! I'm just getting up to Chapter 29!

I'm far behind, in chapter 16... I'll try to catch up, and update every few chapters.

Oh my goodness, I am finally up to date! Finished Chapter 42. Since I have missed so much I am just going to say that wow a lot has been revealed and I am kind of excited for Lazlo because now I am seeing a whole new side of him.

In the future I will keep on schedule and hope we can have discussions on this book :) The end of summer is a tough time for me.

Hi everyone!
I noticed most of you are behind on schedule, so would you like an extra day (or two) in the schedule to catch up?
I could plan the discussion day on september 1st/2nd then :)

Let me know!

Please! I need a day to catch up! I'm still two days behind

Ilsen wrote: "Please! I need a day to catch up! I'm still two days behind"

Okay! I'll add a day to the schedule and see if you guys need another extra day after that :)

Hope you're enjoying this book! :D (unfortunately I couldn't participate, but this book is high on my tbr)

Awww that's too bad, Ayla! Hope you read it soon!

I finished chapter 21.
Things are getting complicated. (view spoiler)[ What I really like in that book, is the way Taylor made me sympathize with both sides - the godchildren and Erolthayne. On the one hand - he should have killed them, of course, if they had ruled with such terror. On the other hand - the godchildren would have been killed too. And they also killed the nurses... and the servants...
I loved the way Surrie's (did I spell it right? I read the book by listening to audiobook) ability was written. In fact, this became one of my favorite fantasy descriptions.
The one character I could never have sympathized is Menia. She is horrible. Torturing people when bored, manipulating her sister for her own benefit, and staying the same cruel, spoiled child, because it fits in her grand "vengeance" plan.
(hide spoiler)]
The more I read, the more I like the book. It has such a great descriptions and story. I'm eager to read more!

Do you guys need another day to catch up? 😊

Yes please!

I finished chapter 26.
I don't like the direction the plot is going to. (view spoiler)[ Until now, everything was great. Fantasy? check. Interesting world building? double check! Characters? fine.
But why did the writer start to insert romance to the story? I don't think it's in place at all. Sarai is the daughter of a goddess, and is supposed to be very different than human beings - she has special abilities, she looks different, she gives nightmares to people. I don't think she is the type to blush when looking at Lazlo, or to keep thinking about how handsome Thyon is, like she is a normal teenage girl. Of course she has her own human emotions, but I don't think it should be like this.
Menia keeps tormenting everyone around her and trying to make other torment people who aren't. She is a very annoying character, and I just can't stand every paragraph with her. (hide spoiler)]
The descriptions are beautiful, but I think the writer sometimes went too far - in Lazlo's dream, for example, I don't think all of them were necessary. I personally prefer dialogues.
The main part of the story is getting near, and I'm interested to read more and find out how all this is resolved. (view spoiler)[I hope there will not be much romance. I usually like it, but in my opinion, here it's a bit out of place. (hide spoiler)]

I am finished up to chapter 49

(view spoiler)[These last 7 chapters have been dealing with Lazlo and Sarai's burgeoning attraction as well as their loneliness. I love the writing, it is so vivid. I am happy for Lazlo because I think he deserves all the happiness in this world, but the story seems to be mainly focused on them. I am finally getting the real details on how Weep came to be by one who has lived through the carnage. There is still more at play and I am curious how things will play out with Eril-Fane now that he knows his daughter survived the slaughter that he had intended for her and the others. (hide spoiler)]

Benjamin wrote: "I finished chapter 26.
I don't like the direction the plot is going to. Until now, everything was great. Fantasy? check. Interesting world building? double check! Characters? fine.
But why did th..."

Totally am there with you about Minya. I am curious to see if she plays a greater part than I suspect. I am enjoying the story but I too enjoy more dialogue. It helps move the story along for me. This story is like being at an art museum. I am thoroughly enjoying looking at all the paintings but I keep eyeing the door wondering when I get to move on.

Finished up to chapter 56

(view spoiler)[These last few chapters have been interesting-ish. I am wondering if the relationship between Lazlo and Sarai is going to wind up as a star-crossed lovers situation.

Minya sucks to be keeping Sarai trapped in her room. I am curious to see how the conflict between Minya and Sarai plays out.

Wonder why the author has even introduced the crush aspect for Sparrow as well as what went on between Ruby and Feral.

For me this is a beautiful read but the pacing is slower than I really like. (hide spoiler)]

Finished up to Chapter 63, a little late :D

(view spoiler)[ I too want to know what/who strange is?! Azoth - Mesarthium - Wraith - Lazlo, what is the connection?!
Seriously what is the point of this almost love triangle between Sparrow, Ruby, and Feral?
Drave, well that was a poetic justice of sorts.
The ending of Chapter 63 - damn! One step closer to knowing who it was in the prologue that came tumbling down. (hide spoiler)]

My book only has 67 chapters so I just finished it today.

(view spoiler)[I didn't want the girl who fell to be Sarai even though I was sure it was because of the moths.

WOW! That Lazlo was Skathis's son.

Final thought: Minya, I hate you with everything inside me! (hide spoiler)]

Thanks to everyone who participated! :D