Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Absorbing fantasy reckons with trauma's awful impact.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In MUSE OF NIGHTMARES, Lazlo is relieved that Sarai can remain in the citadel as a ghost, until he realizes that Minya can control her. Minya, the girl who saved Sarai and three more "godspawn" from slaughter 15 years before, has a vendetta against the man they call the "godslayer," Eril-Fane, and the whole town of Weep. She plans to force Lazlo to fly her and her army of ghosts there and will allow Sarai to evanesce if he doesn't comply. In a last, desperate attempt to save Weep, Minya is drugged and falls into a restless sleep. Sarai, Muse of Nightmares, follows her into her dreams hoping to get through to Minya. It's a place where Minya and Sarai relive the day of the slaughter over and over. It's both horrible and confusing. As Sarai tries to help her push through her trauma, she finds Minya has been keeping secrets for years about that day.
Is It Any Good?
There's a lot to love in this absorbing page-turner, but the three fierce women at its center drive this sequel to a deep place where they reckon with trauma and healing. And if that's too heavy for you, there's also the tender romance between a god and a ghost, a shape-shifting airship, alternate worlds, and more mythology and mysteries.
But back to the fierce women. Only one, Sarai, Muse of Nightmares, is easy to root for. She gave up her scary profession when she met Lazlo. Minya and Nova take work to root for. Author Laini Taylor puts in this work, showing their vulnerabilities, suffering, and fears. Then their nearly all-consuming drive for revenge makes sense, and adds so much unsettling tension to the story. Minya and Nova may annihilate everyone in their path to get the vengeance they seek. And Sarai and her dreams are the only weapons to stop them. Muse of Nightmares is ambitious and cerebral, and so worth the dreamy trip.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the disturbing content in Muse of Nightmares. How do characters cope with sexual violence in their past? Is it tough to read about, or a little easier because it's a fantasy novel?
What do Minya and Nova have in common? Both are strong adversarial forces in the story -- not quite villains, but it's complicated. How many books do you read where women have this role?
The story wraps up in two books here, but there are other worlds that could be explored. Would you be in for a spin-off series? Who do you think should have a starring role?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Pirates
- Book type : Fiction
- Publishers : Little , Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 2, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 528
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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