Nightmare Academy (Nightmare Academy #1)

Jun 03, 2009 Tanja rated it 4 of 5 stars

So we have been reading this as a family. My husband is totally into the book and the best part is that he does voices when he reads the different parts. Dean Lorey has done a great job of creating a fun world for kids to explore. It is creative and funny. The characters are easy to realate to for kids,Oh Theodore- he makes me laugh. My children love the book and they are only 5 and 3. They don't understand everything, but it is great to see my kids enjoy something that sparks the imagination. N...more

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Feb 17, 2008 Cheryl Rainfield rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-grade-books

Charlie’s imagination is so strong that when he has a nightmare, the nightmare creature gets portaled right into the room where he’s sleeping. This caused a lot of problems for Charlie, including his parents becoming both over-protective of him and very restrictive, isolating him from other people and children. People are afraid of him, and he doesn’t fit in anywhere. Charlie is very lonely, until one day some people come from the Nightmare Academy, a school that trains children with imagination...more Charlie’s imagination is so strong that when he has a nightmare, the nightmare creature gets portaled right into the room where he’s sleeping. This caused a lot of problems for Charlie, including his parents becoming both over-protective of him and very restrictive, isolating him from other people and children. People are afraid of him, and he doesn’t fit in anywhere. Charlie is very lonely, until one day some people come from the Nightmare Academy, a school that trains children with imagination to fight the monsters from the Netherworld. Charlie is one of the most powerful people at the academy, and he still doesn’t fit in–but he gains a few good friends and starts his training. He ends up having to fight powerful monsters, work to save his family, and deal with bullies. Through this, Charlie finds that he can use his imagination and self-doubt for good–and he can find his own place to fit in, after all. Don’t let the cover fool you–this is a funny, light-hearted fantasy.

Lorey opens the book by showing us how lonely and alone Charlie is, bringing instant reader empathy, and then quickly moves into zany humor. This humor and kookiness runs throughout the book; Lorey has a good sense of comedic timing. THe humor plus the array of characters who support Charlie and look out for him, help to bring lightness to the story. Although the monsters are presented as a threat, they never seem truly scary, and Charlie always overcomes or overpowers them. Even sections of the story that might take a much deeper, more serious tone in another book are suffused with lightness in this one, so the book feels like a pleasure read, never taking the reader to truly dark places or painful emotion. This is not a tension-fraught book. The fantasy explanations for some of the things that happen in the real world also add fun and lightness–such as Gremlins coming to Earth and eating up the power, creating rolling blackouts in New York and California.

You can read my entire review here.(less)

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Aug 21, 2008 Daanon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Daanon by: Becca

Shelves: met-the-author, fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I think I get nervous anytime I see that a new author has a Hollywood background, so when I saw Nightmare Academy's gorgeous cover and slick website, I was prepared for a big movie treatment that lacked substance. A few friends had read the book though and said it was very good to excellent. After reading it for myself, I have to agree that this is a wonderful piece of young adult fiction. The general premise is that children with intelligence and great imaginations can generate some of the wors...more I think I get nervous anytime I see that a new author has a Hollywood background, so when I saw Nightmare Academy's gorgeous cover and slick website, I was prepared for a big movie treatment that lacked substance. A few friends had read the book though and said it was very good to excellent. After reading it for myself, I have to agree that this is a wonderful piece of young adult fiction. The general premise is that children with intelligence and great imaginations can generate some of the worst nightmares and these nightmares can actually open portals from the Netherworld and allow nightmarish creatures to enter our world. So some of these kids are recruited into the Nightmare Academy so they can learn to open portals while awake or to partner with somebody who can to banish these creatures back to the Nether. Our hero Charlie's power is great which has lead to a string of catastrophes during events such as nap time when in preschool and a sleepover, so when he gets recruited to join the Nightmare Academy he thinks he's finally found a place where he can fit in and not feel so different. Even at the Nightmare Academy the strength of his gift sets him apart and gets him in trouble. The way the adult teachers and headmaster of the Academy are written and how they handle Charlie and their ability to empathize what he is going through really show how Dean Lorey has depth and intelligence as a writer. He really treats his characters with respect and rather than falling into the trap of having his characters withholding information from each other because they feel they are protecting them, or that they aren't ready to know certain things, these characters are honest with each other and exhibit a level of trust rarely seen in young adult fantasy. Not to say he's the only one that does this, but I think he takes it to a level that is very refreshing. This story has a vivid and exciting world, very real and threatening danger, and lots of adventure. Charlie's friends are also not your stereotypical friends either. This story is all about facing your fears, dealing with insecurities, and using your faults to your advantage. I highly recommend it.(less)

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May 26, 2011 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars

When I go to my local library, I simply browse the stacks and pick up whatever catches my eye. That's the beauty of the library--I can take risks on books. I'd seen this book kicking around Barnes and Noble a while back, but never felt compelled to buy it. I probably wouldn't buy it now, either, but it was a fun, fast-paced read, and I will check out the remaining books in the series.

Nightmare Academy draws its inspiration from the monsters that hide under the bed or in the closet. It turns out...more

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Oct 08, 2010 Ryn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s-fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Charlie Benjamin is an ordinary kid. Whose nightmares come alive and attack. He's been home schooled since he was young due to incidents during nap time when he was in preschool, and longs to be a part of the real world outside his home. One night, when he faces a nightmare that is about to cause him serious harm, he is visited by three people from the Nightmare Division: a Banisher, a Nethermancer, and a Facilitator who save him and (with his parents' permission, of course) take him to Nightmar...more

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Jun 21, 2010 Monster added it

Shelves: scary-books-for-kids

Charlie Benjamin’s mother and father keep him in a protective bubble. They are afraid that the other children will harass him, make fun of him, and hurt him. They fear for good reason because whenever Charlie falls asleep, he opens doorways to another dimension, a dimension full of hungry spiders, memory stealing hags, and electricity eating gremlins. Luckily, there is an organization for boys just like Charlie. The Nightmare Academy is a fantastic place where children learn to harness their nig...more

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Sep 01, 2009 Fiary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Terkadang bahkan seringkali rasa takut yang terdalam berada pada diri kita sendiri. Itu sebabnya, misalnya karena takut gelap, karena takut kesendirian, karena takut kegagalan, karena takut ada sesuatu di kolong tempat tidur, maka tidur kita pun kerap diganggu oleh mimpi buruk.
Imaji-imaji terhadap sesuatu yang mengerikan bermain dalam benak kita sendiri. Dan sejauh mana kita dapat mengendalikannya.

Tapi bukan itu saja yang dialami Charlie Benyamin. Sejak kecil dia sudah menyadari bahwa dia aneh....more Terkadang bahkan seringkali rasa takut yang terdalam berada pada diri kita sendiri. Itu sebabnya, misalnya karena takut gelap, karena takut kesendirian, karena takut kegagalan, karena takut ada sesuatu di kolong tempat tidur, maka tidur kita pun kerap diganggu oleh mimpi buruk.
Imaji-imaji terhadap sesuatu yang mengerikan bermain dalam benak kita sendiri. Dan sejauh mana kita dapat mengendalikannya.

Tapi bukan itu saja yang dialami Charlie Benyamin. Sejak kecil dia sudah menyadari bahwa dia aneh. Mimpi buruk Charlie dari imaji terdalam rasa takutnya selalu berubah menjadi kenyataan dan yang menjadi korban adalah teman-teman dan guru-gurunya. Hal ini dimulai sejak kegiatan tidur siang bersama di play group dan yang terakhir di pesta menginap.
Sehingga akhirnya dia tak pernah lagi memiliki teman, tak ada lagi sekolah yang mau menerima dirinya sebagai murid. Dia dikucilkan dan dianggap aneh serta berbahaya.

Menanggapi hal-hal aneh yang selalu ditimbulkan oleh Charlie, ayah & ibunya memutuskan Charlie mengikuti home schooling. Ayah & Ibu Charlie, teramat sangat menyayangi dan melindunginya, dan hal ini membuatnya rikuh. Sehari-hari, selama bertahun-tahun hingga di usia 13, hidup Charlie hanya berkisar di dalam rumah. Ada kerinduan yang sangat besar manakala dia melihat dari jendela rumahnya, teman-teman sekolah yang berangkat naik bis sekolah, bergurau dan bercanda.

Suatu malam Charlie kembali bermimpi buruk dan ini membawa Charlie berkenalan dengan Rex, Tabitha dan Pinch. Rex dkk mengatakan bahwa mereka telah mengamati Charlie selama ini dan mimpi2 Charlie yang tanpa dia sadari telah membuka portal sehingga makhluk2 Nether bisa datang dan bermain ke bumi.

Rex dan teman-temannya meminta ayah & ibu Charlie agar mengijinkan Charlie ikut dengan mereka. Orang tua Charlie menyadari bahwa mereka tak bisa selamanya menahan Charlie (yang punya kemampuan aneh dan jenius) hingga dengan berat hati melepas Charlie untuk ikut dengan Rex. Rex dkk memasukkan Charlie pada Nightmare Academy, dan disana Charlie mendapati bahwa banyak anak remaja yang punya ‘bakat’ seperti dirinya.

Dimulailah petualangan Charlie di dunia Nether, berkenalan dengan Snark, Hag dan berperang melawan Barakkas & Verminion,

Cerita / novel ini ‘terjebak’ dalam gaya cerita HP, dimana untuk menentukan apakah seseorang punya kemampuan sebagai Banisher atau Nethermancer, menggunakan ikan trout (kalau di HP menggunakan topi). Charlie pun bersahabat dengan Theodore (yang merasa diri yakin Banisher tetapi trout bilang bahwa dia Nethermancer) dan Violet (yang punya kemampuan Banisher). Sedangkan Charlie, dia punya bakat yang sangat istimewa, yaitu sebagai Banisher dan Nethermancer. Bakatnya yang istimewa, tidaklah membuat Charlie mudah mendapatkan teman. Dia tetap merasa rendah diri, dan kerap dilecehkan.

Secara keseluruhan cerita fantasi ini sangat menarik, lucu dan segar. Gak semua monster itu menakutkan lho!

Satu hal yang menarik dalam cerita ini, setting cerita tempat Verminion (monster ganas) bersembunyi ternyata berada di Pulau Krakatau! (meskipun sempat disebutkan Indonesia, dan Borneo, tapi apakah sang penulis itu tau gak kalau Krakatau itu bagian dari Indonesia?)
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Aug 23, 2009 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bagi beberapa orang, ternyata ketakutan yang dirasakannya dapat menjadi jalan masuk bagi para monster ke dalam dunia kita. Makin takut mereka, makin kuat "portal" yang dapat mereka buka untuk masuk/keluar dari kedua dunia tersebut. Jadi, mereka diajarkan untuk dapat mengendalikan dan memanfaatkan ketakutan mereka sehingga dapat melindungi dunia dari serangan para monster.

Nah.. kira2 seperti itulah inti dari buku ini. Kereeennnn...

Selain isu tentang pengendalian rasa "takut" (takut ditolak, taku...more

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Jul 08, 2009 Truly rated it 4 of 5 stars

“ aku tidak akan pernah tidur lagi, “ Kata Charlie Benjamin. Karena setiap kali ia tidur dan bermimpi buruk, maka mimpi itu akan menjadi kenyataan. Tidak perduli saat tidur siang atau dimalam hari.
Selama ini orang tua Charlie, Barrington dan Olga mengira Charlie mengamuk saat bermimpi buruk, sesungguhnya ia membiarkan monster-monster memasuki dunia kita dan menyebabkan kerusakan. Oleh karenanya, keluarga Benjamin tinggal di rumah model 3, yaitu rumah sederhana, kuat dan andal.
Setiap anak be...more “ aku tidak akan pernah tidur lagi, “ Kata Charlie Benjamin. Karena setiap kali ia tidur dan bermimpi buruk, maka mimpi itu akan menjadi kenyataan. Tidak perduli saat tidur siang atau dimalam hari.
Selama ini orang tua Charlie, Barrington dan Olga mengira Charlie mengamuk saat bermimpi buruk, sesungguhnya ia membiarkan monster-monster memasuki dunia kita dan menyebabkan kerusakan. Oleh karenanya, keluarga Benjamin tinggal di rumah model 3, yaitu rumah sederhana, kuat dan andal.
Setiap anak bermimpi. Suatu saat seorang anak akan mengalami mimpi indah,dan disaat yang lain akan mengalami mimpi buruk. Namun mimpi buruk tidak hanya ada di dalam kepala, mimpi-mimpi itu memiliki maksud tertentu, salah satunya jalan masuk menuju negeri monster, Netherworld, yang berisi banyak makhluk mangerikan yang ingin melewati jalan masuk itu menuju dunia kita untuk berbuat onar.
Charlie sangat gembira saat menerima undangan pesta menginap disalah satu tetangganya. Sekitar pukul tiga dini hari, jeritan nyaring dan bunyi kaca pecah terdengar dari kamar anak-anak menginap. Ketika akhirnya orang dewasa berhasil mendobrak pintu, semua anak menggantung dilangit-langit kamar terbungkus dalam kepompong yang sangat kuat. Hanya Charie yang selamat!
Itu hanya salah satu dari sekian kejadian yang menyebabkan Charlie dikucilkan. Ia terpaksa belajar di rumah dengan ibunya sebagai guru. Setelah lama terkucilkan, ia mengalami bosan, ketakutan dan trauma. Semakin Charlie merasa takut, maka semakin cepat dia mengakses bakatnya. Hanya karena bakat itu tidak dilatih dan diasah, maka monster-monster berdatangan secara acak.
Charlie pertama kali bertemu dengan Rex sang Banisher, Tabhita sang Nethermancer dan Pinch sang fasilitator, sekawanan orang yang memperkenalkannya dengan Nightmare Academy, adalah saat Silvertongue kelas 5 masuk ke kamarnya dan berusaha untuk mencelakakan dirinya, serta Mimic salah satu monster yang menyukai keringat, menculik ibu Charlie lalu selama dua hari menyekapnya di loteng rumah
Charlie dibawa menghadap Dewan Petinggi Nightmare Division yang ingin mengidentifikasi, memproses dan mengevaluasi dirinya. Nightmare Division adalah organisasi sangat rahasia yang bertugas mengendalikan populas Nethercreature, makhluk-makhluk Nether.
Rebinald Drake sang direktur tidak ingin Charlie masuk akademi., ia ingin agar Charlie diturunkan. Yaitu suatu proses menurunkan level kemampuan berpikir kreatif anak yang bersangkutan. Otomatis kemampuan membuka portalnya juga akan menurun. Namun kepala sekolah Brazenhope, menolak ide itu . Dengan membawa Rex, Tabitha dan Pinch sebagai guru, Brazenhope berhasil membawa Charlie ke Academy.
Uji coba yang dilakukan Charlie malah membuka portal menuju Barakkas, monter paling kejam yang ada di lingkaran dalam. Barakkas memprofokasi Charlie agar mau menjadi penerusnya.. Tepat saat Barakkas memasukan kepalan tangannya yang menggunakan gelang logam berkilauan dan dihiasi ukuran rumit berbentuk wajahnya, Rex berhasil menyadarkan Charlie untuk menutup portal,
Portal tertutup diiringi derak menggelegar dari pangkal lengan kanan Barakkas. Bagian tubuh makhluk mengerikan itu jatuh berdebam seolah terhantam bola gergaji penghancur, jari-jarinya bergetar hebat, gelang raksasanya mengilatkan cahaya merah tua ke seluruh ruangan. Jeritannya menggema liar melintasi dimensi.
Nightmare Academy sendiri merupakan rumah pohon paling besar di dunia.. Dibangun diatas sepotong pohon banyan raksaksa. Kapal-kapal layar besar berlabuh di cabang-cabang saling terhubung oleh jembatan-jembatan dan jala-jala yang terjalin indah.. liftnya juga berbentuk perahu kecil.
Mereka yang baru belajar disana disebut Noobs berarti anak baru. Sekolah juga melakukan seleksi guna menentukan apakah murid yang bersangkutan akan menjadi Banisher atau Nethermancer. Charlie ternyata adalah Double Threat, seseorang yang bisa menjadi Banisher dan Nethermancer secara bersamaan, satu yang terlahir dalam duapuluh atau tiga puluh tahun.
Di Academy, Charlie bersahabat dengan Violet dan Theodore.Saat belajar membuka portal, Charlie kembali membuka portal yang menuju ke Barakkas. Barakkas meminta Charlie untuk mengembalikan Artefak Nether yang berada ditangannya , yang diputus Charlie
Rupanya Barakkas sangat menginginkan Artefaknya kembali. Segala upaya dilakukan termasuk dengamn menculik orang tua Charlie. Dengan segala usah, akhirnya Charlie bisa mengetahui bahwa orang tuanya disembunyikan di bawah Gunung Krakatau.
Ternyata Artefak tersebut akan digunakan untuk memanggil satu orang lagi monster yang memiliki kekuatan dasyat. Kelima monster tersebut berniat membuka portal menuju dunia manusia dan menguasainya.
Saat menerima booklet kecil berisi cuplikan novel ini disalah satu toko buku, saya sudah tidak sabar ingin membaca. Baru saat di Pesta Buku Jakarta keinginan saya terwujud. Plus bonus poster yang menggoda untuk dibingkai.
Memang ada beberapa kesamaan yang mengingatkan saya akan Buku Harry Potter, seperti seleksi saat masuk sekolah, bersahabat dengan dua teman. Namun cerita yang ada didalamnya jelas berbeda dengan Harry Potter.
Khabarnya masih ada sambungannya hingga lima buku. Cover bukunya ini terus terang sangat menarik, lalu kertasnya juga menarik. Tapi yang paling menarik buat saya adalah ilustrasi didalamnya serta ilustrasi yang menghiasi pergantian setiap bagiannya.
Plus ada rasa bangga saat membaca Gunung Krakatau dan Borneo (hayo pulau mana.... pasti semua tahu) disebut dibuku yang diterjemahkan dalam banyak bahasa
Setidaknya, saya tidak perlu takut lagi jika ada monster bersarang dikolong tempat tidur saya, karena ada Charlie dan Nightmare Academy yang siap membantu!
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Jun 21, 2011 Migdalia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-ir-fantasy

The idea is familiar: young Charlie Benjamin, always an outcast, gets to 13 and finds out that he's not so much weird as he on a course with destiny. He's actually a gifted person who needs education and training in order to hone his talents, and he's whisked away from his childhood home in order to seek his training in an unfamiliar place. In book one, we meet the Charlie and his two friends Theordore Dagget and Violet Sweet, along with his adult supporters and those who want him to fail. We al...more

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Jul 23, 2009 Angelic Zaizai rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: naga-monsters

Akhirnya baca juga buku ini, sebenarnya ga begitu tertarik, karena sempet buka2 dikit di toko buku [emang udah kebuka bukunya, bukan gw yang robek plastiknya haha:], kok kaya'nya rada-rada Harry Potter gitu yah.
Tapi karena banyak yang udah baca, ikut2 deh baca ... plus tergoda katanya ada setting di Indonesia... [halah ternyata dijadiin sarang monster... nasib nasib ..:]

Kemiripan sama Harry Potter karena genk-nya Charlie juga tiga orang, dua cowok dan satu cewek [meskipun ntar tambah satu cewek...more

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Jul 06, 2009 e.c.h.a rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasi, children, milik-sendiri, fiksi

Melirik buku ini karena covernya yang mengingatkan gw akan suatu tokoh yang hebat. Plus taglinenya "menjadikan monster ganas menjadi sopan" pinter banget dah penulisnya. Pas di buka layoutnya bikin indah & nyaman di mata. Buku fantasi yang bisa di baca oleh segala usia.

Tema yang di angkat buku ini, cukup unik kalau kata gw. Menjadikan mimpi buruk sebagai suatu portal yang menghubungkan bumi dengan dunia monster, Nether. Dan yang paling gw suka menjadikan ketakutan itu sebagai sumber kekuata...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Leon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Charlie Benjamins' parents have been protective of him since he was a child, because he was isolated by everyone else and whenever he had a nightmare strange creatures would appear and terrify other children. Due to these things being publicised by the newspapers, he was stood down from many kindergardens and no schools would accept him. One day he gets invited to a sleepover party and convinces his parents to let him go. Once he is there he has a wonderful time and befriends a boy nicknamed FT,...more

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Dec 15, 2010 Guillermo rated it 5 of 5 stars

*Nightmare Academy* is about a boy named Charlie that thinks he has nightmares and when he wakes up the room is destroyed. He thinks he does that when he has nightmares. When he was small he had to take a nap in Kindergarden, he thought he had a nightmare and when he woke up the room was destroyed and all the other kids were just looking at him because they were all scared of him. After that happened he got kicked out of that school and went to about 8 different schools, he got kicked out of tho...more

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Mar 12, 2011 Jeanette rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun quick read. I don't know if I would really want to read the others. It was too similar to the Harry Potter formula for stories... three teenagers (two boys and one girl) run away from the nightmare academy (without their teachers or headmaster) to take on the big bad villain.

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Feb 21, 2012 Malik Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: my friends

Recommended to Malik by: no one

In the beging Charlie found out that he wasn't the same as other kids he is able to open portals to a dimension called Nether. After that he has to train to control his powers so he dosen't lose control and destroy the world with this monsters that come out of the Nether. At the end he has to fight these monsters called "Name" so he can save his parents. At the end of the fight his parents have to leave and hide somewere safe.

I like this book because of the fighting seens it has in it. Like wh...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Karolinde (Kari) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, fantasy, middle-level-books

Charlie is a boy who brings monsters into the world when he has nightmares. Naturally, this has left him shunned and teased until the day that three mysterious people show up in his room. Now he is at Nightmare Academy learning to battle these creatures. Of course, it isn't that simple and Charlie finds himself torn between saving his parents or saving the world.

Perhaps the most interesting moral of this story is that fear is a normal part of our lives and that we can actually use it for good.

Th...more

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Jul 19, 2010 Melissa Bennett rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just finished the book last night and was very pleased with it. It's about certain kids that are gifted in having nightmares! Yes, that's right... nightmares! There imagination is so great that they can actually create a portal and bring the nightmares here to earth! Charlie is one of these kids. He's been an outcast since he can remember because all the kids think he's a freak. His parents have been overly protective of him because of this and don't want him to leave the house. Then pops in t...more

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Aug 05, 2007 Laura rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: mt-bookpile-original

Tried too hard to be a follow-up series to Riordan's Percy Jackson (with a hint of Darran Shan's Demonata), and doesn't quite make it.

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May 09, 2010 Heather E rated it 2 of 5 stars

A Very Harry Book.

A hero with powerful and rare abilities who must go to a special school to learn to control those abilities. A school full of magically talented kids who take turns practicing on magical creatures. A headmaster who stands up for the integrity of her academy against the bureaucratic head of the magical world. Evil dark lords who need the hero to regain their full strength. And let's not forget the two best friends - the not too-bright but energetic boy best friend and the rule f...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Nitesh rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I think that this book is an amazing fantasy book. It's about a guy named Charlie who starts getting mysterious nightmares and he doesn't realize it. One thing that is shocking to me is that his dreams are so scary and spooky that whenever he has a sleepover nobody wants to sleep with him.

When creepy people from a different planet come and spy on him, he is concerned and he tries to find out what is going on with him and his life.

When he found out they were creeping around in his house he gets f...more

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Sep 15, 2011 Marsh&Emiline rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You can see more of my review and a fun video on our blog, so go check it out at- AMonsterAteMyBookReport.blogspot.com

Charlie has a gift. He has been able to bring monsters through portals while he slept since he was very young. He's always felt alone. But he has learned that there are others like him. He is sent to a school called Nightmare Academy where he learns to control his powers.
Charlie accidentally opens a portal and a Class Five (the worst type of monster) Netherstalker starts to wal...more

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Oct 31, 2011 Mahmoud Jiha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Charlie Benjamin is the weird kid in his neighborhood. He lives in a model 3 home, the safety model. Why? He has nightmares that open portals into the Netherworld and invite evil monsters into his world. Fortunately, there is a place for people with powers like his, Nightmare Academy. This book is centered on Charlie. Later in the book he finds out he is a double-Threat, he can banish creatures and create portals. He has powers that come one in a million. Read the book to see what Charlie's awes...more

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Apr 29, 2010 Sid added it

i chose this book because the cover looked realy cool. plus my cousin told me that it was good.

Nightmare Academy
Dean Lorey

The book begins in a small town describing the life of Charlie Benjamin. Charlie doesn’t get to talk to people outside. Because he unknowingly brings Nethercreatures into his room when he has a nightmare. Nethercreatures are monsters from a different dimension that come when children have nightmares. One night, Charlie brings a silvertongue into his room. Charlie wakes up be...more i chose this book because the cover looked realy cool. plus my cousin told me that it was good.

Nightmare Academy
Dean Lorey

The book begins in a small town describing the life of Charlie Benjamin. Charlie doesn’t get to talk to people outside. Because he unknowingly brings Nethercreatures into his room when he has a nightmare. Nethercreatures are monsters from a different dimension that come when children have nightmares. One night, Charlie brings a silvertongue into his room. Charlie wakes up before the silvertoungue kills him, and sees a team of three people, Rex, Tabitha, and Pinch trying to bring the creature back to the nether. After the fight, Charlie's parents meet the team. Pinch explains that Charlie has the Gift, which allows him to open portals into the Nether and bring creatures across them. The gift is fuelled by imagination. Charlie's gift is too strong, which can become dangerous. Since he might bring creatures into the real world that could be too much to handle. Pinch suggests that Charlie follow them to the Nightmare Division, who will decide what should be done with such a dangerous boy. Charlie's family reluctantly allows him to go.
At the Nightmare Division, the Director instructs Charlie to open a portal. Charlie proceeds to accidentally open a portal to the Named, which are the most powerful monsters. Everything gets crazy, and Barakkas, one of the four named, reaches out his hand and attempts to enter the real world. Charlie quickly closes the portal, which cuts Barakkas's arm off, including his bracer. After a debate about reducing (a process that removes IQ points and imagination, in order to lower gifted peoples power) Charlie, the Headmaster brings him to the Nightmare Academy.
There, Charlie meets two classmates, Theodore and Violet who will become his two best friends, and his first ever friends. The school trains two different groups, the Banishers, and the Nethermancers. Banishers, like Rex, fight and hold off Nethercreatures. Nethermancers, like Tabitha, open portals to send the monsters back to the nether. Students who lose their Gift are trained as Facilitators, who provide help to the other two like to calm them down in a tough situation. After meeting the Trout of Truth (a creature that determines whether you are a banisher or a nethermancer), Charlie finds out that he is a Double Threat, a combination of both a Banisher and Nethermancer.
Charlie is then taken by the Headmaster to Charlie's old house. Barakkas kidnaps his parents and tells him to exchange his parents for the bracer. Charlie, Rex, Tabitha, and the Headmaster then go to find the Hags of the Void. The Hags of the Void, in return for Rex's memories of his parents, allow Charlie to go through the Gorgon Maze to find the Shadow (a thing which helps find what you want the most). At the end of the maze, the Shadow fills Charlie, allowing him to find his parents. Charlie's shadow now points to his parents' exact location.
The group tries to find his parents, and arrives in a volcano. Another of the Named living there, Verminion, tricks Charlie into opening a portal, allowing Barakkas to enter. After the incident, Charlie, Violet, and Theodore steal Barakkas's bracer from the Nightmare Academy to exchange his parents for. Brooke, a Facilitator, tags along, and they manage to bring themselves back to the volcano. Charlie tries to trick Barakkas and Verminion by pretending to exchange himself and the bracer for his parents. Verminion doubts Charlie, and exposes his plan. While Violet and Theodore finds his parents and tries to rescue them, Charlie causes the two named to fight and runs away with Brooke. While they are running, Brooke opens a portal, showing that she still has the Gift. The two jump through the portal back to the Academy.
Meanwhile, Baraka’s has his bracer back. Both of the Named reminded each other that they both have to be alive to summon the fifth, more powerful Named with their Artifacts. The Headmaster hides Charlie's parents from the Named, and Charlie, with his two best friends, Theodore and Violet goes into the beach and reiterate how they will be together all the way.
My favorite character is Theodore. He is Charlie's friend, and was disappointed when he found out that he was a Nethermancer rather than a Banisher, which was his family's job for generations. He had an important role in the book for rescuing Charlie's parents with Violet. He believes that Boys are way better than girls. And he awkward and a real underdog, but still has a whole lot of self confidence which I admire.
The climax of the story is the rescue scene. When Charlie and Brook are running away and Theodor and violet are getting Charlie’s parents. This is very exciting and you have 2 wonder what is going to happen, are they going to make it out, and is someone going to be left behind, you just don’t know and it makes you want to read on.
Well I think the author is trying to say that not every hero has to be really muscular and handsome and popular. Sometimes the weird kid who keeps to himself may be the hero. Or the awkward kid who gets beat up. The point is that you never really know a person until you actually talk to them. So I guess don’t judge a book by its cover.
I think this author wrote this book for two kinds of people. One for the bullies who like to pick on kids and tease them. Well one day they might be bigger and better than you, and then they’ll pick on you, so be nice. I also think she wrote this for kids that are shy or awkward or picked on. Today you may not be the coolest, but tomorrow you could do something great, don’t give up, and don’t worry about what other people think.
I would recommend this book for anyone feeling a little down, because they get picked on. This book can really give you the confidence to get back up and to fight back, and say I’m not a loser. Also for anyone feeling too high and mighty about themselves. Just because you’re born bigger or stronger or more athletic or with better social skills doesn’t give you the right to make other people feel bad. Because there may be a day when the only job thoughts muscles will get you is garbage man, while the kids who are used to adversity and struggle will have the brains and skills needed to sit down and wear suit for a living. So maybe be a little nicer.
9 out of 10

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Feb 12, 2012 Magila rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-middle-readers, middle-reader

This book may have suffered a little from a poor Amazon copy I received. The markings, dog ears, damage, etc annoyed me each time I opened my "Good"-condition book. Good my toes. So, naturally when I reached the end of this book, I thought it was missing a few pages. After looking it up, I found the book simply ended abruptly.

Personally, I feel all books should stand on their own. Some may argue, but I feel this book was designed with a series in mind. Also, I would have been happy to see some...more

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Jun 08, 2011 Ahmad Jiha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Charlie Benjamin is an outcast in his community. He lives in a model 3, a safety model. Why? He has nightmares that open portals into the Netherworld and portal deadly creatures through. Fortunately, there is somewhere for people like him, Nightmare Academy. In this book many things happen that are centered around Charlie because he is a Double-Threat, he can banish creatures and create portals. Read the book to see what Charlie's extraordinary powers lead him to. I recommend this book to anyone...more

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Apr 16, 2012 Tori Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: best-series

Wow I read a book in under 24 hours. That means that this was truely an amazing book.

With that you might wonder why I only gave it 4 stars. I have 2 reasons. 1. I didn't like the Main Character Charlie and 2. I pretty much guessed the whole story before it happened.

I didn't care for Charlie for some reason. I just didn't like him. I can't really explain why I didn't like him, but for some reason as I read the story it wasn't him I wanted to learn about. I wanted to hear about his friends and the...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Roberta rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009

Quando Charlie si addormenta... i mostri si risvegliano
Dalla quarta di copertina:
"Il Men in Black per ragazzi. Intrattenimento allo stato puro." Kirkus Reviews
E' facile essere considerato un tipo strano, se quando ti addormenti i tuoi incubi aprono portali sull'Infero, un regno popolato da creature terrificanti come gli inferragni, che irrompono ai pigiama party dei tuoi amici, li avvolgono in bozzoli e li appendono al soffitto come addobbi di Natale.
Ma esiste un luogo dove Charlie può imparare...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Ashley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

A very fun, light, and quick read! Some Gregor the Overlander, a dash of Percy Jackson, and a maybe a pinch of Harry Potter, and I think I have what you can expect from Nightmare Academy. The characters and their dialogue are hilarious and witty! I really look forward to learning a little more about each of them, as I have the feeling that this will be one of those series where by book four, you'll be kept up at night crying as a beloved character dies... or would that be too much wishful thinki...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Matti Karjalainen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nuoret, kauhu, fantasia, 2000-luku

Kolmetoistavuotiaalla Charlie Benjaminilla on poikkeuksellinen kyky avata unissaan portteja erilaisten hirviöiden asuttamaan Hornaan. Kaiken tämän seurauksena Charlie löytää itsensä Painajaisakatemiasta, jossa hän opettelee muiden samanikäisten lasten kanssa erilaisia taistelu- ja manaustaitoja, joilla pimeyden asukkeja voi pitää kurissa. Ja jottei homma kävisi ihan liian helpoksi, löytyy vastusta niin koulun sisältä kuin syvältä Hornastakin, jossa suuri ja paha alkaa nostaa hitaasti päätään.

Dea...more

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Nightmare Academy (Nightmare Academy #1)

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