Dreamhunter (The Dreamhunter Duet, Book 1)
by Elizabeth Knox
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to Emma by:
Amyrecommends it for: everyone!!!
AWESOME!
A bit of background before we begin: "Dreamhunter" first came to my attention when I was talking to "Amy" the YA librarian at my place of employ. Amy was on a committee to choose some of the best books for teens that were published recently and fought really hard to get "Dreamquake" (the companion/sequel to this novel) on the list. As a fellow fantasy fanatic she also thought I would admire the writing. I, however, did not remember to write down the tit...more
A bit of background before we begin: "Dreamhunter" first came to my attention when I was talking to "Amy" the YA librarian at my place of employ. Amy was on a committee to choose some of the best books for teens that were published recently and fought really hard to get "Dreamquake" (the companion/sequel to this novel) on the list. As a fellow fantasy fanatic she also thought I would admire the writing. I, however, did not remember to write down the tit...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
TINY MY BESTIE
realllllllllllllllly
i need TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
READDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD...more
i need TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
READDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD...more
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Read in January, 2008
Laura and Rose are cousins and best friends. They also happen to be daughters of the most prestigious, famous family in Founderston—because Laura’s father Tziga, and Rose’s mother, Grace, are two of the most celebrated dreamhunters. Not only that, but Tziga Hame was the one who discovered the Place in the first place—a mysterious landscape that only a few can enter, where those with the dreamhunter ability can “catch” vivid, powerful dreams, bring them back to the rest of the world...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
fans of historical fiction, thoughtful fantasy
Dreamhunter (and its sequel, Dreamquake) are the historical fiction version of fantasy. The world is enough like our own early 1900s to be recognizable and somewhat familiar, and it's this quality that highlights the fantasy elements and makes them that much more significant. When the world of a book is complete fantasy, I often find it harder to find a point of connection with the characters, or the book ends up as just a fun adventure. These books, though, are thoughtful stuff. It's possib...more
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Read in December, 2007
This book is set an island that is very similar to New Zealand, except for “the place” a section of the island where people can hunt dreams, retain them, and share them with others who sleep in close proximity to them. Dreamhunters, those who have the ability to do this, have turned dreams into a commercial activity, and make a living off of selling their dreams. In this way, people that purchase the dreams can have a virtual reality experience while they sleep. Some dreams are just for fu...more
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Read in January, 2008
I picked this up because its sequel won a Printz honor and a friend said I really needed to read the first book to understand the second (which brings up all kinds of Printz eligibility issues I won't get into here - but feel free to invite me out for a drink if you feel like getting all philosophical).
It took me a few chapters to get into the world and characters but once I did I found myself completely swept away by Laura and her eccentric family, the mysterious convicts and their desperat...more
It took me a few chapters to get into the world and characters but once I did I found myself completely swept away by Laura and her eccentric family, the mysterious convicts and their desperat...more
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Read in April, 2008
This takes place in what feels like our Earth of 1905, except that the action takes place on an island on which there is a mysterious Place - an oblong section that only a select few can enter. Of these, some are Dreamers, with the ability to catch dreams and bring them out for others to enjoy (or not, if the dreams happen to be nightmares). The action centers around a family of renowned Dreamhunters, including two teenaged cousins. Rose has Tried and failed to become a Dreamer, while Laura h...more
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Read in March, 2007
i was surprised by how pulled into this book i got. and when i finished i couldn't stop thinking about it. to me that is a good book. basically this book takes place in our world (but like australia) but there is this one bit that is different. there is the place. only certain people have the ability to enter the place and when in there they collect dreams which they can then broadcast to anyone who is sleeping near them. imagine the possibilities: healing dreams happy dreams illicit roman...more
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Read in January, 2007
i was surprised by how pulled into this book i got. and when i finished i couldn't stop thinking about it. to me that is a good book. basically this book takes place in our world (but like australia) but there is this one bit that is different. there is the place. only certain people have the ability to enter the place and when in there they collect dreams which they can then broadcast to anyone who is sleeping near them. imagine the possibilities: healing dreams happy dreams illicit roman...more
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Read in October, 2006
A little bit fantasy, a little bit alternate history, a little bit political thriller - not really enough of anything for my taste, but for some reason this book grabbed me and wouldn't let go. The setting is an island (New Zealand?) sometime in the early 20th century where everything is the same as our world, except there is an area where a few people can "catch" dreams and are then able to share them with others in public "performances." The language and pacing are evocativ...more
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Read in April, 2008
The one where Laura's father is a dreamhunter, who goes into a mysterious spot called The Place and brings back dreams to share with the world.
The premise was interesting enough to keep me going for a hundred pages. But the writing was extraordinarly awkward -- sometimes bad enough that I'd have to read sentences over and over to figure out what was going on, and always bad enough that my inner copyeditor couldn't go to sleep and let the inner reader take over.
Also, it wasn't getting to ...more
The premise was interesting enough to keep me going for a hundred pages. But the writing was extraordinarly awkward -- sometimes bad enough that I'd have to read sentences over and over to figure out what was going on, and always bad enough that my inner copyeditor couldn't go to sleep and let the inner reader take over.
Also, it wasn't getting to ...more
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Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
folks who think about the foundations of cultures and what it takes to break them
Though the culture in this book doesn't exist, and certainly the magic that underpins it is only thought of in dreams, it is amazing what a book can do to make you rethink the control of a government over a subset of people and ultimately all people. Definitely an excellent coming of age novel that goes beyond the teen years and follows Laura (in the next book) into her life beyond 15. As she's discovering the challenges of coming out into the world of work and the disolution of friendships af...more
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When a character in a YA novel grins, especially at a love interest, I usually find myself wanting to pulp both the character and the book. "'Blah blah blah,' Sybil grinned to Bill." Why can't people just smile at one another and be done with it? Grinning should only be allowed, in novels or in real life, if one is a nefarious cat. Fortunately, this book had only one silly scene where somebody grins at somebody else. It also had shady characters and a few convoluted, mystical thril...more
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Read in February, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
pretty much anyone
Oh man, i dont know how i was lucky enough to stumble upon this beautiful little treasure but i am so glad i did. I liked it so much i read it in two days (during finals) and then i went to the library and got the second one as soon as i was finished with the first, i couldnt even wait to have to book delivered to my branch thats how much i loved it... I can't really put my finger on it. it was wonderfully written, the characters were interesting and varied, great little premise, good story.
Y...more
Y...more
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Read in January, 2006
Another book I really liked. I don't read lots of fantasy - it's all the same - dragons and magic trala. This one was different. The setting - New Zealand at the turn of the 20th century. The premise - there is a place where sensitives can capture dreams and may be able to transmit them to others. Intriguing. Throw in a little government corruption, romance, family relationships and gypsies and wow. I am looking forward to the next book in the series very much.
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Read in February, 2007
A great mixture of political intrigue and fantasy. This novel had a strong Victorian setting, which fit the subtle manipulations of the dreamworld. The story had lots of layering, like Victorian clothing, and what was hidden was beautifully suggested at. Both teenage girls were well-developed characters and their innocent views of the worldly society were enchanting. Highly recommended.
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Read in January, 2008
really well-imagined fantasy world where certain people have ability to "catch" dreams in The Place and bring them back to share with regular folks. 15yo Laura inherits gift; cousin/best friend Rose does not. dad disappears and adults are acting weird, so Laura tries to unravel truth. v.good!
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to June by:
Elissarecommends it for: fantasy readers who don't mind a darker read
It took me a little while to get into this, because life has been hectic; but very interesting ideas of dreams, ghosts, treatment of prisoners, and undue influence.
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2 comments
Really different. There are lots of fantasies,and plenty with Victorian like settings in alternate Earths, but the idea of the dream hunters is fresh and new, and the book pulls you right into that world. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!
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