Can I just say that your voice is one of the best i've ever heard? So calm yet engaging. I just recently came across your channel, and I love how your videos somehow don't encourage me to read more more more (like a lot of other booktube content) but to read more intensely and sit with my thoughts instead. Thank you for that!
Wow, what lovely compliments! As someone who once dreamed of being a voice actor, that was very uplifting. And my main goal with this channel is for people to read more diversely but if they read more deeply, that's also great news! Thank you again!
I kind of have an answer for that first question about why not set strange the dreamer on earth, and it’s because that duology is set in the same multiverse as her other series daughter of smoke and bone where all the worlds are layered and some have magic and some don’t, that whole thing is explored more in the second book and even more in daughter of smoke and bone if you’ve read it.
Thank you for a very nice video, though I disagree with the lack of world building. Possibly because I have read the second book as well, which definitely expands on the world. But possibly also because i disagree with "world building" being about politics. I find it very nice in fact, that the immediate world was so unspecific, that it let your imagination build it to your own liking. This duology is about trauma and what it does to people as well as how unlimited magical power can corrupt. I hope, you went on to read the second book and felt different afterwards 😉
hey! I'm really curious what the black and white book (3rd from the left) behind you is, do you mind letting me know? Also, I completely agree with you about strange the dreamer. Just wanted to share some opinions on the YA fantasy genre. In general, I feel like a lot of YA Fantasy neglect the historical context of the story, or only hints at the history rather vaguely. Also, most protagonists are know-it-alls, as if one glance and they can understand the complexities of other characters and predict what they'll do etc. In short, my problem with YA fantasy (other than insta-love) is the unrealistic ways characters talk and react, most of the time there is barely any substantial character flaw. What do you think?
I totally know what you mean! Flawless protagonists are so uninteresting and yet people love them (and often hate flawed and interesting characters -cough- Luke in The Last Jedi -cough-). I like your take and I think I agree! The book on the shelf is Mordew; a really great fantasy novel by Alex Pheby. I have a video on it somewhere if you go back through my channel.
Thank you for this review! I read the Daughter of smoke and bone trilogy and could not put it down and loved it so so much. So I got excited over Strange the dreamer but it has been such a drag to get through it, I don't love it and I'm already in page 128 so I don't know at what point it gets good...
I actually read the names in my spanish accent. Sarai is a common name where I'm from. Thank you for reminding me what the book was about XD I have to pick the sequel up (mostly because I love the language)
Thanks! A bookshelf tour is a cool idea but, a digital nomads, our bookshelves are very temporary. We're constantly swapping out books and trying not to get too attached! I'll still think about it, though.
I honestly hate e-books, which doesn't work very well for my lifestyle! So my suitcase is, like 50% books. But I do obviously use my Kindle a lot when needed. And if there are books I can't bear to part with, I send them to my parents' house where they shelf them in a spare room. It's not an ideal situation but being someone who loves books and travel in equal measure is stressful. If I learned to love e-books, that stress would vanish!
Totally agree with your thoughts here. I started with Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy and I ADORED it. It's one of my favorite series of all time. After that, Strange the Dreamer felt super flat to me. On another note entirely, have you read any Ruth Ozeki? I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts on Tale for the Time Being and/or My Year of Meats.
A decade ago, I read a bunch of YA fantasy novels. Like "Daughter of Smoke and Bone", which I loved. But I eventually got fed up with the genre, especially the cookie-cutter romance and the not-like-other-girls trope. Lately, I've felt the urge to see what the genre is like nowadays.
Great video! I have started to get tired of the same old YA fantasy. I was hopeful for this one. While I liked the premise, it didn’t work for me. Fantastic run-down!
Hi. I love your channel. Enjoyed your video about Tokyo Ghoul. I'm interested what you think about it now if you read it, or if you will do video about it again someday?
A few people have asked me about Tokyo Ghoul, actually and, unfortunately, I had to drop it because I have too many books and manga to juggle that I couldn't dedicate any more time to Tokyo Ghoul. At least not right now. Maybe in the future!
Can I just say that your voice is one of the best i've ever heard? So calm yet engaging. I just recently came across your channel, and I love how your videos somehow don't encourage me to read more more more (like a lot of other booktube content) but to read more intensely and sit with my thoughts instead. Thank you for that!
Wow, what lovely compliments! As someone who once dreamed of being a voice actor, that was very uplifting. And my main goal with this channel is for people to read more diversely but if they read more deeply, that's also great news! Thank you again!
Very true ! If he had a podcast Id listen to it all the time
@@mahamtanveer I've been considering it for ages but, with writing articles and making videos, I can't spare the time. Maybe in the future, though!
I kind of have an answer for that first question about why not set strange the dreamer on earth, and it’s because that duology is set in the same multiverse as her other series daughter of smoke and bone where all the worlds are layered and some have magic and some don’t, that whole thing is explored more in the second book and even more in daughter of smoke and bone if you’ve read it.
I love your thoughts, and how accessible you make literature. You’re one of my favourite booktubers for sure x
Oh wow thank you so much!
Thank you for a very nice video, though I disagree with the lack of world building. Possibly because I have read the second book as well, which definitely expands on the world. But possibly also because i disagree with "world building" being about politics. I find it very nice in fact, that the immediate world was so unspecific, that it let your imagination build it to your own liking. This duology is about trauma and what it does to people as well as how unlimited magical power can corrupt. I hope, you went on to read the second book and felt different afterwards 😉
I had no idea this video even existed lol
I like your mentioning of things that should go into a world build such as fashion, religion, architecture etc.
It really feels like the world just floats in a void otherwise! Which, I guess, is what worlds literally do.
hey! I'm really curious what the black and white book (3rd from the left) behind you is, do you mind letting me know? Also, I completely agree with you about strange the dreamer. Just wanted to share some opinions on the YA fantasy genre. In general, I feel like a lot of YA Fantasy neglect the historical context of the story, or only hints at the history rather vaguely. Also, most protagonists are know-it-alls, as if one glance and they can understand the complexities of other characters and predict what they'll do etc. In short, my problem with YA fantasy (other than insta-love) is the unrealistic ways characters talk and react, most of the time there is barely any substantial character flaw. What do you think?
I totally know what you mean! Flawless protagonists are so uninteresting and yet people love them (and often hate flawed and interesting characters -cough- Luke in The Last Jedi -cough-). I like your take and I think I agree! The book on the shelf is Mordew; a really great fantasy novel by Alex Pheby. I have a video on it somewhere if you go back through my channel.
Thank you for this review! I read the Daughter of smoke and bone trilogy and could not put it down and loved it so so much. So I got excited over Strange the dreamer but it has been such a drag to get through it, I don't love it and I'm already in page 128 so I don't know at what point it gets good...
Very helpful video in understanding different aspects of book
I actually read the names in my spanish accent. Sarai is a common name where I'm from. Thank you for reminding me what the book was about XD I have to pick the sequel up (mostly because I love the language)
Liked this video a lot, are we getting a bookshelf tour soon? 👀
Thanks! A bookshelf tour is a cool idea but, a digital nomads, our bookshelves are very temporary. We're constantly swapping out books and trying not to get too attached! I'll still think about it, though.
@@WillowTalksBooks Do you tend to just stick to E-books? If not, how many books do you tend to own at a time when you’re travelling abroad?
I honestly hate e-books, which doesn't work very well for my lifestyle! So my suitcase is, like 50% books. But I do obviously use my Kindle a lot when needed. And if there are books I can't bear to part with, I send them to my parents' house where they shelf them in a spare room. It's not an ideal situation but being someone who loves books and travel in equal measure is stressful. If I learned to love e-books, that stress would vanish!
Totally agree with your thoughts here. I started with Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy and I ADORED it. It's one of my favorite series of all time. After that, Strange the Dreamer felt super flat to me.
On another note entirely, have you read any Ruth Ozeki? I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts on Tale for the Time Being and/or My Year of Meats.
Flat is the word! Not bad, just flat. I've never read Ruth Ozeki but I'll check her out, thanks!
A decade ago, I read a bunch of YA fantasy novels. Like "Daughter of Smoke and Bone", which I loved. But I eventually got fed up with the genre, especially the cookie-cutter romance and the not-like-other-girls trope. Lately, I've felt the urge to see what the genre is like nowadays.
Great video! I have started to get tired of the same old YA fantasy. I was hopeful for this one. While I liked the premise, it didn’t work for me. Fantastic run-down!
Hi. I love your channel. Enjoyed your video about Tokyo Ghoul. I'm interested what you think about it now if you read it, or if you will do video about it again someday?
A few people have asked me about Tokyo Ghoul, actually and, unfortunately, I had to drop it because I have too many books and manga to juggle that I couldn't dedicate any more time to Tokyo Ghoul. At least not right now. Maybe in the future!
I am having such a hard time finding an adult adventure story, without smut / over sexualized themes. If someone has a recommendation please tell me
I will forever and always recommend the Ketty Jay series of steampunk adventure novels. They're criminally overlooked!
@@WillowTalksBooks Thank you so much !