Title: Dream a Little Dream
Author: Kerstin Gier
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publishing Date: March 8th 2013
Pages: 319
Genre: YA
Genre: YA
Series: YA Paranormal Mystery
Source: Audio
Source: Audio
Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yes, Liv's dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially the one where she's in a graveyard at night, watching four boys conduct dark magic rituals.
The strangest part is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They're classmates from her new school in London, the school where she's starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again). But what's really scaring Liv is that the dream boys seem to know things about her in real life, things they couldn't possibly know--unless they actually are in her dreams? Luckily, Liv never could resist a good mystery, and all four of those boys are pretty cute....
I have had this book on my TBR for what feels like forever. I haven't read any of these author's books before but I have heard many good things about her books. So I was excited to finally find time to read this book. I love the name, the cover, the synopsis so I figured I would love the book. Well, I didn't love it but I did enjoy it for the most part. The book had some pacing issues and I had some character connection issues. Though I had some issues the plot was amazing and the world building was freaking amazing.
Liv and her family (mother and younger sister) move around and Liv never really has time to settle in and make friends. Thier latest move is taking them to London. Liv's mother has found a man an decided to settle down for good. Liv starts a new school and kind of makes some new friends. She is forced to make some new friends when she ends up visiting their dreams. This leads to some dream sequences, demon talk, a mystery of a boy that died, and a possible human sacrifice.
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I really had trouble even rating it. So I am very happy to do a review that I really don't know how to put into words because the rating system just doesn't do my thoughts well.
First of the plot in this book was very interesting and well done. I needed to know what was going on from the very beginning. The further the story went the more I needed to know what was going on. I was really into the story.
The world building was beautiful and creative and so well done. I loved the entire dream walking thing, the doors that led to others dreams. The sharing of the dream walking. I loved the story behind why the kids can dream walk. It was all really well done and wow the imagery that came from this book. This truly was my favorite part of the book.
I think though, the issues I had with the book are why the world building was so well done and the story was so interesting. I had issues with character connection and pacing. So I will start with the character connection.
It took me well over half the book, almost to the end to connect with any of the characters. They all pretty much felt flat to me for most of the book. Towards the end, I started to feel something for Liv, Grayson (Liv's kind of stepbrother) and Henry (Liv's love interest). No one else though and there is a ton of characters. I mean I can't even say what I truly like about any of these characters. The most I can say is Grayson is sweet beneath his aloof behavior. Henry is very sweet and caring and honest but almost to a fault. Liv is curious and smart and doesn't like secrets. So there we have it. They also are all very loyal. Which I love loyal characters. So I guess that is a win.
Now on to pacing. I felt that the story had a lot of mystery to reveal. I mean a ton. Which is good I don't mind mystery and secrets and reveals. But the reveals took forever. I felt there was more time spent in the dream world enjoying the scenery then really figuring out what was going on. So, even though I loved the imagery, it took time away from character connection and finding out what the heck was going on. I need those in my stories.
So the ending I felt. I felt the characters, I was no longer left in suspense, I knew what was going on... for the most part, it just all came together. In fact, if it wasn't for the ending, I would have for sure rated this book lower and not cared to finish the series. But I did like the ending and I feel that it will be an easier read in the second book to really feel the characters and the pacing problem might be fixed. I already bought the second book. So yes the ending did it for me and I am curious to follow through, even a little excited to carry on with this series.
First of the plot in this book was very interesting and well done. I needed to know what was going on from the very beginning. The further the story went the more I needed to know what was going on. I was really into the story.
The world building was beautiful and creative and so well done. I loved the entire dream walking thing, the doors that led to others dreams. The sharing of the dream walking. I loved the story behind why the kids can dream walk. It was all really well done and wow the imagery that came from this book. This truly was my favorite part of the book.
I think though, the issues I had with the book are why the world building was so well done and the story was so interesting. I had issues with character connection and pacing. So I will start with the character connection.
It took me well over half the book, almost to the end to connect with any of the characters. They all pretty much felt flat to me for most of the book. Towards the end, I started to feel something for Liv, Grayson (Liv's kind of stepbrother) and Henry (Liv's love interest). No one else though and there is a ton of characters. I mean I can't even say what I truly like about any of these characters. The most I can say is Grayson is sweet beneath his aloof behavior. Henry is very sweet and caring and honest but almost to a fault. Liv is curious and smart and doesn't like secrets. So there we have it. They also are all very loyal. Which I love loyal characters. So I guess that is a win.
Now on to pacing. I felt that the story had a lot of mystery to reveal. I mean a ton. Which is good I don't mind mystery and secrets and reveals. But the reveals took forever. I felt there was more time spent in the dream world enjoying the scenery then really figuring out what was going on. So, even though I loved the imagery, it took time away from character connection and finding out what the heck was going on. I need those in my stories.
So the ending I felt. I felt the characters, I was no longer left in suspense, I knew what was going on... for the most part, it just all came together. In fact, if it wasn't for the ending, I would have for sure rated this book lower and not cared to finish the series. But I did like the ending and I feel that it will be an easier read in the second book to really feel the characters and the pacing problem might be fixed. I already bought the second book. So yes the ending did it for me and I am curious to follow through, even a little excited to carry on with this series.
There for sure some bumps in the road, but the destination was worth it.
Kerstin Gier is the bestselling author of the Ruby Red trilogy, as well as several popular novels for adults.
Website
Oh nice! I have heard mixed things about this author's work, though I still want to read all of it and have all of it! I think some people say it's something to do with how it gets translated from German (I think that's her native language). The author isn't English speaking so we're getting another's translation. And I guess there's something to be said about "lost in translation" or whatnot! Lol! Glad to see it was still enjoyable! Nice review!
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