Welcome to the fifty-third episode of the Tea in the Treetops podcast hosted by Philippa and Anni.
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In this episode we review Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor (without spoilers to start with). We also review the recent Beauty and the Beast film, discuss 13 Reasons Why, and also chat about some books we’ve been reading and listening to. This episode was recorded on 20 April 2017.
We hope you enjoy listening and we would love to hear your feedback. Is there anything you would like us to talk about in particular? Just let us know!
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Our title music is titled Sea of Dreams and has been used with the kind permission of the composer, Bart Stoop. You can hear more of Bart’s beautiful music at facebook.com/BartStoop.
Strange the Dreamer Review (from 47:40, spoilers at 59:00)
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Series: Strange the Dreamer #1
Published by Hodder and Stoughton on March 28 2017
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 544
Source: My copy
Amazon • Amazon UK • Book Depository • Bookworld
The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around – and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance to lose his dream forever.
What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?
The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries – including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?
Please let us know if you agree or disagree! We’d love to hear from you.
Beauty and the Beast film (from 6:00)
- New Beauty and the Beast live-action film
- Time.com – Fan’s time loop theory
- Crosswalk The Musical from the Late Show with James Corden – hilarious!
- Anni’s review of the film on Gigamov.
13 Reasons Why (from 18:16)
- 13 Reasons Why, currently on Netflix (link to IMDB)
- Popsugar’s article 6 Things You Need to Know about 13 Reasons Why
- Huffington Post: Headspace Says Netflix’s New Show About Suicide Is ‘Dangerous’
- Broadchurch
- The Lovely Bones
Other things mentioned
Podcasts:
- Nerd Podcast Radio – all nerdy topics
- SN – The Road So Far Podcast – discussing the current season of Supernatural. Awesome community!
New series of Doctor Who is on!
Winners of the 2016 Aurealis Awards. Congratulations to Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman and all the other winners!
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Anni
Anni lives in Brisbane, Australia with her young family. She loves everything fantasy and science fiction and believes sleep is really very underrated.
Tracy Cornelius
Hey ladies!!! Just finished listening to this podcast and it was epic as always. I still haven’t read Strange the Dreamer so I had to skip the last 10min or so. But there was a part in your chat where you were talking about A Court of Thorns and Roses series (I believe) and referred to knowing your ‘tribe’ and I died laughing. It is so true!
I have a Night Court necklace from Paperly & Co. that is so lovely. I wear it all the time in hopes some random person will come up and be like “Is that the… wait, that’s isn’t the Night Court, is it??!!” and then we will squee together and be life long friends because I know I will have found my person.
I recently convinced two of my coworker/friends to read the series and they are epic fangirling about it. I’ve gotten constant texts and messages with things like “I just finished ACOMAF. I’m dead. Dying. I refuse to live life until I have book 3.” or “Okay. I read your stupid books. Thanks for ruining my life. Because my life isn’t in Velaris. I hate you. I love you. Thank you. Don’t ever speak to me again.” And it is absolutely the BEST. They are full on geeking over Queen Maas and plan to delve into Throne of Glass next. It is SO awesome to have friends in real life that are becoming crazy fans that I can share my feels with.
Anni
Thanks for your epic comment, Tracy! <3
High five to you for A+ addiction propagation xD I think it's the kind of series where people either dislike it, or become rabid fangirls. We've got a few around us too, haha! Can't wait, only a few days left now... 😀
Actually I find it fascinating when I'm at a big convention, how different people show their tribes.. Costumes, t-shirts, jewellery or just randomly telling everyone around them that they love Teen Wolf (as one fan was last year).. I love it 🙂
Thanks again, Tracy 🙂
Tracy Cornelius
Are there people that actually dislike this series? Blasphemy! I’ve seen a bunch of people read ACOTAR and comment “I don’t get why this is such a big deal” and every comment in response is “Keep reading! You have to get to ACOMAF!!!!”
I haven’t really been to any big conventions but would love to see it. I’m going to try and attend Maas’ book launch/signing in Portland, OR on Tuesday. It is only a few hours drive from my area and my boss gave me the day off as ‘outreach’ for the library. Woo Hoo! My fellow fangirls can’t make it but I’m convincing my boyfriend he needs to be my wingman.
I actually got ACOWAR about a week ago. 🙂 I held out for a week (since I wasn’t emotionally prepared to start it) and then did a buddy read with my friend on Sunday. We spent the entire day cuddled on the couch with blankets, food, wine and our books. Then finished it individually by 11am the next day and met that evening to talk about all of our feelings. It was magical. And naturally, I am distraught and don’t know what to do with myself.
Can’t wait until you read it so we can dish all about it!!!!! I have so many thoughts.
Anni
Aarrrgh, so jealous!! I am impatiently waiting by the mailbox! I’ll let you know when I’m done, haha