Review: Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

3.75 stars. Like Strange the Dreamer, this book is hard for me to rate. Objectively, the writing and scope of the story deserve at least 4 stars, but I have to dock off a bit in terms of enjoyment.

Strange the Dreamer left off with the plot running in full gear. Our characters were ambushed with shocking revelations and seemingly insurmountable odds. Strange's introduction had started slow, but now things were finally moving. Going in to Muse of Nightmares, I expected the plot to keep that same momentum we left off on. Unfortunately, while this installment moved at a quicker pace than its predecessor, I had to wade through nearly half the book before the story really held my attention.

Weirdly enough, I enjoyed the secondary plots in this novel more than the main one. While I love our two main protagonists, the romantic part of their relationship had me gagging a few times. Their dialogue was just a little too saccharine for my tastes. There is also a fair bit of waiting around that happens in this story, where you feel as if you're watching a timer slowly run down. Fortunately, Laini Taylor's writing is so evocative and lyrical that you enjoy the wait enough to see what happens.

Events do get a little crunched in the last third or so of the story, but I ended up happy with the turnout of the novel, and in awe of how beautifully and accurately Laini conveyed themes of revenge, hope, and forgiveness. If you're struggling to get into Muse of Nightmares, I encourage you to push through. This story is so rich and intricately woven that it's worth the effort.

Goodreads

Sequels that Slay the Sophomore Slump

It's no secret that sequels, particularly in trilogies, often suffer from what I call sophomore slump. The middle book has the daunting task of connecting a story's kickoff with its climax. Keeping up that momentum can be tough, and as a result, sequels can easily end up as filler books, lacking interest and a clear purpose. Here are some sequels I think totally slay that pitfall!

The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon

The Mime Order definitely differs from The Bone Season in terms of setting and plot, but the story is equally epic. You get to know characters who were only briefly introduced in book one, and the scope of the world expands significantly. It's hard to say which installment I enjoyed more, because I fell in love with the atmospheric shift in The Mime Order.

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

The Bear & the Nightingale won my heart the second I opened it, so I had pretty high expectations for its sequel. Normally that spells disaster, but The Girl in the Tower only deepened my love for this series. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you loved the first book, you only have good things ahead of you. And if you haven't picked up this series, and you love all things wintery and folklore, what are you doing? Run! Run to the nearest bookstore!

A Poison Dark and Drowning by Jessica Cluess

Oh my gosh, this book. I enjoyed the first book in this trilogy, A Shadow Bright and Burning, but this sequel was everything I wanted and more. I remember dancing around (internally) at the character revelations and then gripping the pages so hard my fingers ached. A Poison Dark and Drowning is probably my favorite book of this trilogy. You know when a story takes a surprising turn, one that you scarcely dared to hope for, and you're left feeling elated and giddy? That was me reading this book. 

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Do I even have to explain this one? I was assigned to read Cinder by Marissa Meyer for a literature course during freshman year of college. I had seen the series at the bookstore, but sci-fi fairytale retellings were not my thing, so I never picked them up. Even after reading Cinder, I wasn't terribly impressed. It was only when I found a signed copy of Scarlet at an independent bookstore that I decided to give the sequel a go. And...I promptly fell in love. Scarlet takes all the credit for my now boundless obsession with Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles. This sequel is what made me fall for the characters and the story. If you're hesitating to give this series a go, please take this as a sign. Scarlet will hook your heart and not let go.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

It's very difficult for me to talk about this one. This book means the world to me. Some stories pass through our lives like a beautiful autumn breeze, and others hit us like a hurricane, toppling down our whole foundation and leaving us at a loss for words, because everything has changed. I know that sounds melodramatic, but it's true. This sequel was the latter for me. It changed everything. A Court of Mist and Fury will always, always, be my ultimate sequel.