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Dream Smashers

by Angela Carlie (Goodreads Author)

3.53 of 5 stars 3.53 · rating details · 137 ratings · 52 reviews

Sixteen-year-old Autumn has spent her entire life worrying about others. Her ailing grandma, meth-addicted mom, and a best friend who is always in trouble. She's spent the last few years attempting to worry less, to be carefree, without success.

Enter Evan, whose radiant attitude is an Autumn magnet. With Evan at her side, Autumn's able to let some of her worries go as they...more

Paperback, 244 pages

Published April 4th 2011 by DarkSide Publishing (first published March 24th 2011)

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Jun 28, 2011 Christy (TheReaderBee) added it

Shelves: read-in-2011

Dream Smashers was a hard book to read, emotionally. I haven’t read many books that have dealt with addiction and its consequences, so this was also an eye opener for me. I’m really glad I read the book.

Most of the characters were likeable, and also complex. The main character, Autumn, is a very strong young lady. The girl has been through a lot, but she can take care of herself, along with the help of her grandmother who raised her. Her mother, Jacinda, was a meth addicted mess. It was painful...more

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Oct 05, 2012 Radiant rated it 3 of 5 stars

I got this book very randomly and i have to say it was different!It was a book with simple concept - Faith,it sure was good and emotional too..helps us connect with life and hope.

Autumn is a 16 year old who wants her life to be normal as normal she can get with a drug addicted mother who wants to make her life hell,a perky friend who can be annoying and a grandmother who tries to console her.

Evan is a very strong character who believes in Faith and Him and sees good in every person,when he meets...more

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Jul 01, 2011 Jamie Blair rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reviewed for Reading, Writing and Waiting
http://youngadultbookworm.blogspot.com/

I'll admit, I haven't read many Indie books. The ones I have read were written by friends, like fellow reviewer, Stephanie Jenkins. So, when Annie asked if I'd like to review Dream Smashers, I figured it would be a great way to jump into the Indie waters so-to-speak.

The jacket copy sounded right up my alley, and I dove right in. The first thing I noticed was how good of a writer Angela Carlie is. At times her simile...more Reviewed for Reading, Writing and Waiting
http://youngadultbookworm.blogspot.com/

I'll admit, I haven't read many Indie books. The ones I have read were written by friends, like fellow reviewer, Stephanie Jenkins. So, when Annie asked if I'd like to review Dream Smashers, I figured it would be a great way to jump into the Indie waters so-to-speak.

The jacket copy sounded right up my alley, and I dove right in. The first thing I noticed was how good of a writer Angela Carlie is. At times her similes and metaphors are reaching and overwrought, but her descriptions create a world we can walk through with the main character, Autumn, who is well fleshed out and three dimensional. Autumn's best friend, Rainy, is her total opposite and a riot to read. Most of the secondary characters were all written well, and I hated Autumn's meth addicted mother, Jacinda, like I think I was supposed to, but that's tricky because...

Dream Smashers is written in multiple points of view. While the bulk of the book is written from Autumn's first person perspective, the reader does get to spend some third-person time inside Jacinda's head and Evan, the eventual love interest, as well. Jacinda's chapters made me feel like I'm supposed to understand what she was going through and feel sorry for her. But, I didn't want to feel sorry for her, because this was Autumn's story, not Jacinda's. I'm not 100% convinced that the manuscript needed the point of view shifts, and that's where I'm conflicted.

Other than the point of view shifts, my conflict also came in the form of Evan, who is an absolute knight in shining armor. Because he had no flaws, he was a flat character. But, he was also something we never (or very rarely) see in mainstream young adult fiction: a "Jesus Freak" (as he's referred to in the book).

At first, this was a little bit off-putting, even thought I'm a Christian myself. But, I was put at ease because Autumn felt the same way I did. It felt a little awkward to Autumn, being around a guy that was as faithful as Evan. So, her reaction was real for her as someone who isn't a huge believer, which she wasn't at first.

I caught myself thinking at night about this aspect of Dream Smashers that is so different, and I found myself liking that Evan was a "Jesus Freak" (again, that term is used in the book), because that's who Evan is, and he owns it. It turns out that Evan is just what Autumn needs and shows her how to have faith and believe, which had always been something that was missing from her messed up childhood with a drug-addicted mom.

The book ends on a high note with Autumn growing into her own person and realizing she owns her dreams for the future, and they'll only be smashed if she lets them.

Overall, a distinct voice and different spin on what could've become a typical YA issue book, making Dream Smashers stand out from other gritty contemporary novels. (less)

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Apr 04, 2011 Jenny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

Dream Smashers was a very difficult read for me. Not because I didn't understand or like it but because it deals with some very tough topics in a very bold, real way. At times elegant, at times thoroughly visceral, the story dives right into meth addiction from the point of view of the addict as well as those around them including family.

The narrator is Autumn whose mother is as toxic as they come, addicted to meth and angry about her past choices and mistakes. Autumn's voice is snarky and funny...more Dream Smashers was a very difficult read for me. Not because I didn't understand or like it but because it deals with some very tough topics in a very bold, real way. At times elegant, at times thoroughly visceral, the story dives right into meth addiction from the point of view of the addict as well as those around them including family.

The narrator is Autumn whose mother is as toxic as they come, addicted to meth and angry about her past choices and mistakes. Autumn's voice is snarky and funny and very intelligent in spite of her sometimes poor grammar and foul language. With a mother who constantly invades her life and turns it upside down, it's no wonder Autumn's viewpoint is so raw with emotion and frustration and hopelessness. Enter Evan, who appears to be the epitome of light and goodness who comes armed with words of truth and hope and with an easy, sometimes cheesy manner. The two are so well written together that everything else in the plot seems to fall away in the moments when they are together. The romance is gentle and sweet and I enjoyed every second of it.

The other characters are equally well-written and layered. Every one seems to go on a transforming journey through the story, from the supposed drug pushing popular girl to the rough, trouble-magnet best friend. I was so impressed with how each character had their own personal story which we were treated to at least partially through the events of the story as well as layers which were peeled back slowly in response to the central metamorphosis of Autumn's life because of her interactions with Evan.

Parts of this book were so uplifting that it was a joy to read. The scenes of hope and love were just as well-crafted as those that were dark and angry with drugs and alcohol and their aftermaths. Ms. Carlie is a wordsmith (she discovered myriad new and fascinating ways for Jacinda to drop the f-bomb) and her writing transported me from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other, sometimes within seconds. I felt what Autumn felt, lived her life for the entire journey of the book. This is truly an amazing coming of age story with an element of faith that I had not expected to find.

I especially appreciated the building up and toppling down of a false beacon of hope for Autumn. Watching her realize that she has a more lasting and real source of hope in Evan and what he brings to her through his faith was one of the best parts of this story.

I could probably extol the merit of this work of art for hours. It reminded me of the brilliant way in which Lauren Myracle wove the story in Shine. Ms. Carlie should be praised for her bravery with the subject matter and for her exquisite writing style. Dream Smashers might be shorter than most YA novels on the market at the moment but there is no fluff; it is completely full of life and action. It is a must read for anyone who enjoys books dealing with heavy social issues and those who are fans of coming of age stories with hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. I encourage everyone to read this book though. Bravo, Ms. Carlie.(less)

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Apr 04, 2011 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dream Smashers is the debut novel of author Angela Carlie, and it was a novel that was just about impossible to put down once I began. This novel was much darker and much grittier than most young adult novels, very raw. While a coming of age story, it is also the story of a young girl struggling to be more than what life has given her as an example. Autumn's meth-addicted mother is a central figure in the story, having abandoned and emotionally abused Autumn since she was a little girl. Autumn s...more Dream Smashers is the debut novel of author Angela Carlie, and it was a novel that was just about impossible to put down once I began. This novel was much darker and much grittier than most young adult novels, very raw. While a coming of age story, it is also the story of a young girl struggling to be more than what life has given her as an example. Autumn's meth-addicted mother is a central figure in the story, having abandoned and emotionally abused Autumn since she was a little girl. Autumn struggles between the love and the worry of a daughter for the woman who is her mother and the hate for the life her mother has chosen over her. When Autumn meets Evan on a blind date, her life changes in unexpected ways, as he is from a life completely unlike her own. He introduces her to spirituality in a way she never expected and she finds a peace and a joy that she has never known.

The author really did an amazing job with her characters. It was very easy to get absorbed into the story with Autumn, to feel her frustration and hurt with her mother, and the stirrings of romance with Evan. Rainy, Autumn's best friend, despite having problems of her own, was also an extremely likeable character and I found myself rooting fer her as well. Evan was definately the white knight of the novel, and he was the perfect hero!

Carlie's writing, although raw and gritty at times, is beautiful. It drew you into the story, in happy parts and in sad, and made you feel as if you were a part of the story. The words aren't always pretty, but they are perfect for the story. Her physical descriptions of Jacinda, Autumn's mother, were definately not pretty, nor easy to read, but they were realistic. At other times, especially in some of the church scenes, the words were pretty and drew you into the spirit of the moment beautifully.

Dream Smashers is a truly beautiful story, from start to finish. I loved that it tackled some hard subjects that you rarely find in teen fiction, and it did it in a realistic way. There is definately some raw language, and some very strong themes of addiction, so I would recommend this for more mature teen readers, but the message is a universal one. I gave it a 4.5 mugs!(less)

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Jul 20, 2011 Revati Ragini rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 15, 2011 Kristen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, read-in-2011

I wanted to like this book, but mostly, I'm just glad it's over.

I won this book on FirstReads here on goodreads. The author signed the book and even added a little handwritten note, which was a really nice & thoughtful touch.

***

I wasn't really impressed with this book. It's not that I think Ms. Carlie is a bad writer -- I don't. I think she tried too hard to sound like a teenager and the effect was wrong. Instead of sounding natural, it was just awkward and took you out of the story.

She u...more

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May 29, 2011 Sarah Snyder rated it 3 of 5 stars

Dream Smashers is a daring and intelligent contemporary young adult story that features an interesting and likeable heroine.

Autumn Winters is a bit of a mess, but what sixteen year old isn't? Autumn has spent her life trying to keep things together - she has been thrown a lot of curves balls and she struggles to stay on top. You see, her mother is a meth addict and Autumn wants nothing to do with her destructive life. This creates an interesting dynamic in Autumn, because she wants to be a good...more Dream Smashers is a daring and intelligent contemporary young adult story that features an interesting and likeable heroine.

Autumn Winters is a bit of a mess, but what sixteen year old isn't? Autumn has spent her life trying to keep things together - she has been thrown a lot of curves balls and she struggles to stay on top. You see, her mother is a meth addict and Autumn wants nothing to do with her destructive life. This creates an interesting dynamic in Autumn, because she wants to be a good person. She certainly isn't perfect, but she certainly is trying to better herself. Her inner narration is both witty and heartfelt and she is easy to connect with. The problems she deals with make you want to champion for her, and the strength that she faces everyday earn her a place in your heart. Autumn is a complex character, but one who is easy to love.

Although Autumn was a dynamic and multidimensional character, I thought that her love interest, Evan was rather flat. He is a nice character, and he genuinely cares about Autumn, but I found him to be rather dull. I think the reason I felt so strongly about this is because Carlie switches back and forth between the viewpoints of Autumn and Evan. Although we are only given brief glimpses inside Evan's head (the majority of the story is told from Autumn), he still came off as one dimensional. He was always thinking exactly what I thought he would be, he always did exactly what I predicted and he always said what I thought he would say. He never changes, never grows, he simply remains the same Evan we started with. Although I liked that Evan, he was overwhelmingly predictable.

Rainy one the other hand, Autumns best friend, does go through some character development. However, I still did not really like her. I think we've all known people like Rainy before; self-centered, demanding and a bit crass. She is rather outgoing and Autumn latches on to her. I know I had relationships like that growing up, like Autumn, I was the sidekick who was dragged long to questionable activities and circumstances, when I clearly knew better. I think that Rainy is an incredibly believable character, I just did not like her. However, I will admit that Carlie does a great job with her. I definitely felt strongly about the character, which is the goal. She is both memorable and thought provoking.

The plot line was incredibly captivating; it was depressing and uplifting at the same time. At times it was hard to watch Autumn's interactions with her mother - much like it is hard to watch a car accident happen right before your eyes. It's terrible, it's horrible, you may even feel sympathy pains; but you still don't look away. Dream Smashers definitely pushes the boundaries. It makes you think and feel. However, like I stated before, Dream Smashers is both depressing and uplifting. Although it is hard to sit idly as Autumn deals with her pain, it is incredible to see her begin to turn things around for herself. This is a story about Autumn's journey to accepting that she is control of her own life and nothing can ever change that.

I enjoyed Dream Smashers - Autumn was a remarkable character with a captivating story to tell. It was the rest of the cast of characters that fell a bit flat for me. Evan was a kind character, who served his purpose in the storyline, but he wasn't anything more. Rainy, although well-written did not exactly do it for me either. Still, I would recommend Dream Smashers. It is a story that makes you think; which in my opinion is the best kind.(less)

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Apr 25, 2011 Ivy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dream Smashers explores a very serious topic of Methamphetamine (Meth). It also informs me of how people act when they do drugs, like meth. Dream Smashers is not only informative, but also a great read!

I decided to read and review Dream Smashers because it talks about meth and is a Young Adult novel. I wanted to know more about meth and how it played out in this novel.

I really like the character Autumn. I feel like she has so much to deal with, such as her mother, the meth addict. Someone as you...more

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Apr 22, 2011 Erin Danzer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Joy. Laughter. Despair. Heartbreak. Hope.

That's the gamut of emotions I went through while reading this book. Tears flowed freely (the scene at Share House was heartbreaking). The book was written so fluidly, so powerfully that I couldn't put it down until I read the last word. I didn't know the first thing about being around someone crashing off drugs; I do now. I know what it's like to fall in love, to need to protect the ones you love, and to reach the point where faith is the only answer. Tr...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ms. Carlie, you can write one wicked book! This book had so much great elements in it that is had me in love with it. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters.

First off, the storyline. Let me be the first to tell you how much it rocked! It blew my socks off. I loved the feeling of reading this book. It has so much realistic feel to it that you didn't want to finish it. You just wanted to savor every bit that you are reading. The way Ms. Carlie wrote this book it makes the reader feel co...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Missy (Two Readers Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was an incredibly powerful read. I haven't read a lot of books that went as into depth with families dealing with drug addiction.

Autumn's mother left her with her grandparents when she was young. In her 16 years these are the only parents she has ever know. Jacinda, her biological mother, is someone who just comes around from time to time causing trouble and breaking her Grams heart. I was immediately entranced in the story and the life of this 16 year old who has nothing, but a life full...more

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Dec 16, 2012 Elizabeth Eagle rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mehh-not-so-much

I got this booked based off of an Author's suggestion.... and I do not like to give bad reviews but this book was not for me at all. It wasn't that the writing was bad, but it lacked so much. First of all it is in so many POV's and it really should tell you that when it switches like Chapter 1 Autumn.... another weird thing is the third person... I don't know why but third person in books freaks me out a little bit.... The book was good in the point that there is a story there, it just a kinda d...more

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Dec 15, 2012 Sarah Oxford rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 05, 2013 Jenn Bragg rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reading-challenge

Dream Smashers, to sum it up in one word, is heartbreaking. A sad story of a girl trying to overcome the stigma of being an addict's child. Trying to figure out how to love, how to have faith, in a world that had denied her those very things.

The writing was solid, the pacing was decent, and the plot was deep. I enjoyed the story; however, the emotions that I have upon finishing this work are not so enjoyable. I'm an emotional basket case, feeling as though I'm on the verge of tears. As if I shou...more

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Apr 04, 2011 Ginger (GReads!) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Autumn Spring Winters was given this outlandish name by the mother who abandoned her & chose drugs & alcohol, instead of her own flesh & blood. Imagine a teenage girl who only knows her mother by the wretched ghost who floats in & out of her life, only when she needs money for drugs. Autumn was handed over to her grandmother at a young age & was given a second chance to be brought up in a "normal" household. Autumn's life is anything, but normal. Her disinterest in school is...more Autumn Spring Winters was given this outlandish name by the mother who abandoned her & chose drugs & alcohol, instead of her own flesh & blood. Imagine a teenage girl who only knows her mother by the wretched ghost who floats in & out of her life, only when she needs money for drugs. Autumn was handed over to her grandmother at a young age & was given a second chance to be brought up in a "normal" household. Autumn's life is anything, but normal. Her disinterest in school is shared with her best friend Rainy, who is ironically a ray of sunshine in Autumn's dark depressing life. The two of them spend countless hours together avoiding the world around them, in which they see filled with drug addicts - particularly meth-users. Autumn knows it's a nightmare that her mother lives in & she never wants to be a part of it, thus vowing to never smoke or snort the paralyzing demon.

With the feeling of hopelessness & never finding a way out of her mother's constant re-occurrences, Autumn meets Evan. The two are set up on a blind date by Autumn's friend Rainy and immediately Autumn is taken back by Evan's beauty. He holds a special air of quality around him that screams purity & honesty. She is drawn to his likableness & his need to always make those around him feel special & wanted. All the qualities that Autumn has never received from anyone are now being projected on to her by Evan. Instantly the two connect & Autumn finds herself immersed in Evan's world. She is able to forget the nightmares of her drug-addict mother & concentrate on the happiness that fills her heart every time she looks in to Evan's crystal clear blue eyes.

Autumn soon realizes that dream smashers exist; people or events that take away your own true happiness. A rule she should have remembered, considering the world she's been brought up in. In a series of events, Autumn's mother attempts to get clean, but only after she hits rock bottom. The struggles that Autumn must face when her own mother, the same woman who abandoned her, reaches out for forgiveness becomes alarmingly unbearable. The hateful words that her mother spat at her with such venom are irreversible. Autumn must make a choice. Rise above this disease that has infected her life for so long, or succumb to it & live in this misery that her mother has created for herself.

Angela Carlie's writing is brilliant. I was in awe at the beautifully scripted words from page to page. This book was definitely an emotional read for me. How could it not be? Immediately my heart hurt for Autumn at the unfortunate position that she had been placed in. No child ever deserves a mother like that. But it was the actions through Evan that really touched me. He saw Autumn for who she was, not for what she came from & accepted her - broken and all. This story touched on some pretty heavy topics, such as drug addiction. The story depicted is not for the weak at heart. Angela Carlie was able to describe each scene in such detail that I felt myself witnessing these actions as they were carried out. Due to explicit language & drugs I would recommend this book to a more mature reader; however, the message behind this story is appropriate for teens & one that I feel anyone could benefit from.(less)

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Nov 16, 2011 Anne Pfeffer rated it 5 of 5 stars

I flat-out adored this book. So beautifully written... every sentence was a pleasure to read. Angela Carlie creates vivid characters who you care about and root for. I loved Autumn, her courage and her spirit. Her little self-improvement program touched my heart. And Evan was so wonderful; I loved seeing those two get together.

Carlie switches points of view between three characters: Autumn, her boyfriend Evan, and her mother Jacinda. They are three very different people, but Carlie captures the...more

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May 04, 2011 Ana rated it 4 of 5 stars

“Dream Smasher” is a very strong and emotional story about a young girl named, Autumn Winters. Her mother has been addicted to drugs pretty much all her life. Autumn’s grandmother has had to take care of her after child services took her away from her drug addicted mother. Now Autumn is a teenager and is not only having to deal with normal teenage problems, but problems that no teenager should ever have to deal with. Ms. Carlie does an incredible job describing Autumn’s drug addicted mother, Ja...more

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May 04, 2011 Once Upon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very strong and emotional story about a young girl named, Autumn Winters. Her mother has been addicted to drugs pretty much all her life. Autumn’s grandmother has had to take care of her after child services took her away from her drug addicted mother. Now Autumn is a teenager and is not only having to deal with normal teenage problems, but problems that no teenager should ever have to deal with. Ms. Carlie does an incredible job describing Autumn’s drug addicted mother, Jacinda, who by the way...more

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May 22, 2011 Addison Moore rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dream Smashers is an awesome debut novel, far more raw and gritty than your average YA read. I tend to gravitate towards raw and gritty because it depicts the nature of the world around us with a much more accurate lens. The author has clearly demonstrated a talent for describing a gripping reality that many people face today in an engaging manner. To read of Autumn’s life is difficult, but so gripping I could not put the book down for very long. The novel was very well balanced with Evan’s char...more

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Apr 28, 2011 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

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May 20, 2011 Katelyn (Tales of Books and Bands) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, 4-stars

This honest, gripping novel will leave you stunned! I have had this book read for a while and I have just been waiting for my review to come to me. There are so many positive things to say about this relatively negative novel. It was hard to read and even harder to think about but I feel this is a book that should be read by all. This beautifully written novel touches on hard subjects while keeping readers completely engrossed with a wide range of characters that you will either love to death or...more This honest, gripping novel will leave you stunned! I have had this book read for a while and I have just been waiting for my review to come to me. There are so many positive things to say about this relatively negative novel. It was hard to read and even harder to think about but I feel this is a book that should be read by all. This beautifully written novel touches on hard subjects while keeping readers completely engrossed with a wide range of characters that you will either love to death or hate with a burning passion.

Autumn is a character that has been through hell and back. In the short 16 years that she has been alive she has watched her birth mother deal with a terrible drug addiction while she wrecks havoc on the only people who care about her. Autumn must also deal with terrible amounts of verbal abuse and neglect from her birth mom. Even th0ugh Autumn lucked out and got great grandparents to care for her while her mom is out getting her next fix; it still doesn’t take away the hurt, pain, and worry. Autumn is always worrying about when her mom will show up next and leave a trail of destruction in her wake. Autumn is always worrying about her grandmother’s health and how smoking will affect her in the long run. Autumn is always worrying about her best friend, Rainy, who is a great friend but is always making rash decisions. To some it all up, Autumn’s life is full of worry. This is why she decides to live a care free life. With a few simple rules, she will be well on her way to a life void of worries and full of freedom. However, life has a funny way of throwing us for a loop-hole. More than a few tragedies (big and small), new loves, new friendships, and a new faith prove to Autumn that obtaining a carefree life is a little more difficult than she could imagine.

The issues of this story are thrown at you left and right. Not only is this poor girl dealing with a horrible mother but she also has smaller issues to work through on a daily basis. She shows an incredible amount of strength and determination through every up-hill battle she goes through. A lot of crap has been thrown her way but she never seems to let it really get her down. She just gets rights back up and continues fighting. I was truly inspired by this lead character. Nothing I go through is comparable to what she must deal with. After reading about the hard life that Autumn lives, I have found myself extremely grateful and blessed for what I have.

Autumn’s character was a strong, realistic, fascinating character to begin with but all the side characters only made her so much better. Autumn’s mother, Jacinda, is a necessary evil in this novel. Her life has taken her down a long, twisted, terrible road. Everything she puts Autumn and Autumn’s grandmother through is just terrible. I wanted to beat the living daylights out of her every time she made an appearance in the book. HOWEVER, without the problems she places upon Autumn, we wouldn’t be able to see the amount of strength that Autumn harbors deep within herself. Autumn’s grandma is a direct opposite of Jacinda. She still has her flaws but she truly has a gentle heart. She cares so deeply for her granddaughter and the mother that did her wrong. She is constantly struggling on how to care for both Autumn and Jacinda without hurting the other. Autumn’s best friend, Rainy, has a somewhat outgoing personality, a risk taker, and a near opposite of Autumn. A lot of what Rainy goes through in the story causes a huge stress on Autumn. Other side characters regardless of how large or small they may seem at first play a big part in Autumn’s life. Angela did a fabulous job creating these side characters.

As I mentioned earlier, there is a love, Autumn’s chance at first love in this novel. Meeting Evan on a blind date proved to be the best surprise of all in Autumn’s world. Everything in Evan’s life is good. His parents are caring, his faith in God is strong, and he has a wonderful, caring heart. His love of life is almost contagious for Autumn. She soon finds herself helping out at the food shelter, joining church, and picturing a nice future for herself. Evan’s character is great. I have never read of such a generous and caring guy. You could tell he loved Autumn and their relationship was wonderfully well-written. The one and only issue I had was his expression of his love for God. I love that Angela included God in a Y.A. novel. In no way does she push religion on you, but it is vital to the character’s growth in Dream Smashers. My problem was the way Evan delivered his feelings on God. I knew he was religious, and excited about his faith, however I felt it could have been portrayed in a little less cheesy (for lack of a better word), way. Regardless of this small issue I had, Evan and Autumn’s relationship was a joy to read. It was the ray of sunshine in Autumn’s otherwise, dark life.

This gripping, dark, yet somewhat hopeful novel will leave you speechless. At some points you may cry or be shaking with anger while at others you feel such a sense of joy and pride as the main character, Autumn, finally learns to not let dream smashers rule her life. I highly recommend this book for anyone and everyone. This book should seriously be read by all!

(less)

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Aug 13, 2012 Judy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was drawn in to the story, in part because I could relate to sixteen-year old Autumn. She's ready to grapple with the dark shadows in her life, wants to face reality. She has faced many losses in life, through all demonstrating an innate strength, a depth of optimistic hope that no number of dream smashers can cancel.

I also liked how each chapter provides alternate views from Autumn, her mom - Jacinda, and Evan - her new friend.

Definitely worth reading - once I got into it, I didn't want to ta...more

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Jul 20, 2011 Yani rated it 3 of 5 stars

http://www.thesecretlifeofanavidreade...

Dream Smashers is a realistic, heart wrenching story about a girl named Autumn Spring Winters and the people in her life that "kill" her dreams. More like they make her feel her dreams aren't possible. She lives with her grandmother, has a homeless/alcoholic/druggie mother and her best friend is currently not make great life choices. I thought the story was powerful and emotional. Angela is a great writer, but for some reason I couldn't connect with the c...more

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May 10, 2011 Abby added it

I really enjoyed this book. Once it mentioned Evan as being a really big christian, I thought it would be another one of "those" christian books, but it really wasn't. The sentences are beautifully written and make you want to keep reading. It made me realize that there was more to the world then the little bubble I currently live in and I may need to start looking around to see if I can start helping out more in my community. I loved the main character, Autumn, and I thought that her best frien...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Heather from NightlyReading rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Storyline……

I was intrigued with this storyline. After, personally having an addict in the family, I was curious to see where this book would lead to. It is a beautiful story about trying to rise above worrying about things you cannot change and try to live your life as carefree as possible.

The Romance….

This is a great young adult story. The romance itself was not full of sexual content, just kissing and holding hands. Maybe a hug or two here and there. I loved the fact that Evan was able to...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Cynthia Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Older Teens, YA

Recommended to Cynthia by: Book Tour

Shelves: book-tour, e-book, read-in-2011

Dream Smashers by Angela Carlie is not a book for everyone. With topics varying from drugs, explicit language, and depression, Dream Smashers is not for the faint at heart. However, if one desires to read a realistic book with a positive message, Dream Smashers is the perfect read.

Even with some minor hiccups and irritations throughout this read, I have to focus this review on my personal attachment to the message Carlie gets across, beautifully! Anyone, and anything, that is a negative roadbloc...more Dream Smashers by Angela Carlie is not a book for everyone. With topics varying from drugs, explicit language, and depression, Dream Smashers is not for the faint at heart. However, if one desires to read a realistic book with a positive message, Dream Smashers is the perfect read.

Even with some minor hiccups and irritations throughout this read, I have to focus this review on my personal attachment to the message Carlie gets across, beautifully! Anyone, and anything, that is a negative roadblock is considered a “dream smasher” by main character Autumn Spring Winters. With a crazy unique name as that, Autumn is instantly a likeable character. She’s just about as real as a reader is going to get. Thanks to Carlie’s beautiful writing, each character, especially Autumn, is real. From a drugged up mother, chain-smoking grandmother, bipolar-ish friend, and loveable faith spewing boyfriend, Dream Smashers has it all… and then some.

The title of this book gives away the true meaning of why I think Carlie wanted to write this book. In a “screw you” ode to everyone who steps in the way of one’s dreams, Dream Smashers gives readers hope that they, like Autumn, can overcome darkness. When her life is falling apart, Autumn is able to find her way from the deep end. With the help of her friends, and sweet boyfriend (Evan), she learns the power and strength she has to prevail and be victorious. With a decently paced storyline, Carlie built and built, and then built, a climax that pays off wonderfully in the end.

In the end, there were a few story arcs I felt were unnecessary. Sometimes books don’t need added drama in order to make it amazing. Although each one fit in nicely with the story, I felt like it was too much of a good thing. Not only that, but my heart broke more times than I preferred. With that being said, Dream Smashers is a must read for older teens and young adults.

Side note: I’d like to encourage anyone who has their own personal “dream smashers” to knock em’ down. Don’t let anyone stop you from reaching your goals and dreams in life. I know Autumn wouldn’t want you to be trapped in a life that was full of negativity.

--Make sure to pick up a copy of this one!
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Dec 27, 2011 Ashleigh rated it 2 of 5 stars

Even before I began to read Dream Smashers, I assumed it would be a book similar to Perfect Chemistry or The Tension of Opposites; two books revolving around teenagers, dark pasts, and romance. While Dream Smashers did revolve around all three of those things, it approached the subjects in an entirely different manner. A little less than halfway into the book, I realized the overlying theme was (to my surprise) Christianity. While I do believe in God or a higher power, I tend to steer clear of l...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Autumn rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was okay. There was so much drama. Autumn's mom was annoying. I understand that that was kind of her purpose but the chapters from her point of view were just painful to read. I understand they were written in the way she would talk and think but the grammar was just so awful I had to re-read some parts to understand what was going on. I read reviews that Evan was really religious and that his character was annoying in flinging around his religion. At points I think this was true but n...more

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May 05, 2012 Allie Burke rated it 5 of 5 stars

Carlie's gift/skills/love/passion for writing is clear from Dream Smashers' first words. The novel opens up beautifully into meticulously edited pages. I was interested to read from the other side of the addict, and Carlie presented Autumn's side of the story flawlessly.

I'm pretty sure I would hate Jacinta even if she was sober, and I think Carlie did an excellent job of portraying that.

Autumn starts out as this, self-absorbed teenager, and, with Evan, Rainy, and Grams at her side, blossoms int...more

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About Angela Carlie

Angela Carlie writes young adult and middle grade fiction. When she's not writing, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading and traveling.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and son.

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Quotes from Dream Smashers

“He enters my space, gives me a brief, sincere hug, then steps back, tripping on the curb. His face beams red - handsome and sweet.” — 5 people liked it

“There's a feeling, Evan's read about in books, when two separate souls collide that were never meant to be apart, but are. When nothing and everything matters and all the protagonist sees is the beauty of creation - love - right in front of his face. He always thought it was just fiction. He thought wrong” — 5 people liked it

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