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The Eternal Cycle #1
Yesterday's Dreams
History...Legacy...Destiny...
An act of self-sacrifice transforms Kara O'Keefe's simple life into one both magical and menacing. Overwhelmed by the expenses of her father's cancer treatments, Kara finds herself forced to give up Quicksilver, her cherished violin.
At Yesterday's Dreams, a pawnshop tucked away on a quiet New York back street, she discovers her true destiny and danger begins to stalk her. Pursued by malevolent forces she does not understand, Kara O'Keefe must place her trust in a dead man she loved but never truly knew and the living myth that would teach her what it is to be other.
Has she inherited the tenacious strength of her Celtic ancestors, or will she fall beneath the onslaught of uncompromising fate?
An act of self-sacrifice transforms Kara O'Keefe's simple life into one both magical and menacing. Overwhelmed by the expenses of her father's cancer treatments, Kara finds herself forced to give up Quicksilver, her cherished violin.
At Yesterday's Dreams, a pawnshop tucked away on a quiet New York back street, she discovers her true destiny and danger begins to stalk her. Pursued by malevolent forces she does not understand, Kara O'Keefe must place her trust in a dead man she loved but never truly knew and the living myth that would teach her what it is to be other.
Has she inherited the tenacious strength of her Celtic ancestors, or will she fall beneath the onslaught of uncompromising fate?
263 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
5 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Ackley-McPhail
116 books206 followersAward-winning author, editor, and publisher Danielle Ackley-McPhail has worked both sides of the publishing industry for longer than she cares to admit. In 2014 she joined forces with husband Mike McPhail and friend Greg Schauer to form her own publishing house, eSpec Books (www.especbooks.com).
Her published works include eight novels, Yesterday's Dreams, Tomorrow's Memories, Today’s Promise, The Halfling’s Court, The Redcaps’ Queen, Daire’s Devils, The Play of Light, and Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn, written with Day Al-Mohamed. She is also the author of the solo collections Eternal Wanderings, A Legacy of Stars, Consigned to the Sea, Flash in the Can, Transcendence, Between Darkness and Light, The Fox’s Fire, The Kindly One, and the non-fiction writers’ guides The Literary Handyman, More Tips from the Handyman, and LH: Build-A-Book Workshop. She is the senior editor of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthology series, Gaslight & Grimm, Side of Good/Side of Evil, After Punk, and Footprints in the Stars. Her short stories are included in numerous other anthologies and collections.
In addition to her literary acclaim, she crafts and sells original costume horns under the moniker The Hornie Lady Custom Costume Horns, and homemade flavor-infused candied ginger under the brand of Ginger KICK! at literary conventions, on commission, and wholesale.
Danielle lives in New Jersey with her husband and fellow writer, Mike McPhail and four extremely spoiled cats.
Her published works include eight novels, Yesterday's Dreams, Tomorrow's Memories, Today’s Promise, The Halfling’s Court, The Redcaps’ Queen, Daire’s Devils, The Play of Light, and Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn, written with Day Al-Mohamed. She is also the author of the solo collections Eternal Wanderings, A Legacy of Stars, Consigned to the Sea, Flash in the Can, Transcendence, Between Darkness and Light, The Fox’s Fire, The Kindly One, and the non-fiction writers’ guides The Literary Handyman, More Tips from the Handyman, and LH: Build-A-Book Workshop. She is the senior editor of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthology series, Gaslight & Grimm, Side of Good/Side of Evil, After Punk, and Footprints in the Stars. Her short stories are included in numerous other anthologies and collections.
In addition to her literary acclaim, she crafts and sells original costume horns under the moniker The Hornie Lady Custom Costume Horns, and homemade flavor-infused candied ginger under the brand of Ginger KICK! at literary conventions, on commission, and wholesale.
Danielle lives in New Jersey with her husband and fellow writer, Mike McPhail and four extremely spoiled cats.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 8, 2017
The story focuses around Kara O'Keefe - a girl struggling with the many downs life has thrown towards her and her parents. She decides to sell her most prized possession - a violin passed down to her from her grandfather. - in a last Hail Mary to prevent her and her family from being evicted from their home. Little does she know that there is an unseen world of magic and creatures she thought were just part of mythology and folk lore stories and that there is a malevolent force who has turned its sights on her.
The story description and cover are definitely eye catching. The story premise and magic/history was interesting as well. Unfortunately, that's where the good things really stopped.
The beginning of the book felt like it was trying too hard to come off dramatic. Instead of hooking me into the story, it actually did the opposite. I also felt it was confusing, muddled, frustrating to follow and overly descriptive. The immersive factor was just not there. The writing was stiff and choppy (though it did begin to improve after 2/3s of the book) and the dialogue was also choppy and just not believable.
The characters lacked depth and combined with the writing, just made it near impossible to really connect, like, or understand at all. The main character, Kara O'Keefe, came off too "perfect" in her martyrdom. I also got the impression of her being more a wet noodle versus someone strong who shoulders more than her fair share of burdens.
In fact, half the time I thought Maggie was more the MC than the MC. And speaking of wet noodles- that's also a description I'd be tempted to apply to the antagonist. The bad, evil guy just came off lukewarm rather than nefarious. And most of the time, I don't' mind when characters speak with an accent but since the dialogue was off, the accent writing made this painfully more obvious.
Overall, it was tedious. Not saying this had to be an "action" based book, but there really needed to be more actual things happening versus memories and explanations. It felt very stagnant, mostly and it was hard to get through.
Because the writing wasn't horrible and the story/series idea was easy to understand and appreciate - I went ahead and gave this a 2 star rather than a 1. Unfortunately, though, not a book or series I'd end up recommending.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
The story description and cover are definitely eye catching. The story premise and magic/history was interesting as well. Unfortunately, that's where the good things really stopped.
The beginning of the book felt like it was trying too hard to come off dramatic. Instead of hooking me into the story, it actually did the opposite. I also felt it was confusing, muddled, frustrating to follow and overly descriptive. The immersive factor was just not there. The writing was stiff and choppy (though it did begin to improve after 2/3s of the book) and the dialogue was also choppy and just not believable.
The characters lacked depth and combined with the writing, just made it near impossible to really connect, like, or understand at all. The main character, Kara O'Keefe, came off too "perfect" in her martyrdom. I also got the impression of her being more a wet noodle versus someone strong who shoulders more than her fair share of burdens.
In fact, half the time I thought Maggie was more the MC than the MC. And speaking of wet noodles- that's also a description I'd be tempted to apply to the antagonist. The bad, evil guy just came off lukewarm rather than nefarious. And most of the time, I don't' mind when characters speak with an accent but since the dialogue was off, the accent writing made this painfully more obvious.
Overall, it was tedious. Not saying this had to be an "action" based book, but there really needed to be more actual things happening versus memories and explanations. It felt very stagnant, mostly and it was hard to get through.
Because the writing wasn't horrible and the story/series idea was easy to understand and appreciate - I went ahead and gave this a 2 star rather than a 1. Unfortunately, though, not a book or series I'd end up recommending.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
July 20, 2019
This is a fantastic story about Kara and her family. Kara has lots of issues, and it is down to her to help her family. She needs to part with her heirloom violin. This simple act embroils her in a web of magic and intrigue. She doesn't know what's going on or why it is happening to her, but she has a lot more to deal with than she thought. An exciting page-turner, Yesterday's Dreams is a well-researched story that combines Celtic folklore with the modern world. Danielle Ackley-McPhail keep the story moving while painting a world with her words that reaches out and touches you.
November 16, 2015
Being Irish myself, I cracked open Yesterday's Dreams with great anticipation. Danielle Ackley-McPhail has created an interesting story dealing with Celtic lore in a modern setting. The main character, Kara O'Keefe, is a little weaker than I generally like in a hero. But in the end, she came into her own and finally accepted her fate.
The other main character, Maggie McCormick, is highly interesting and I would like to learn more about her and the history of the Sidhe. The bad guy, Lucien, is mostly unsuccessful in all his attempts to gain information on Kara. Personally, I thought he should have been more ruthless in his dogged pursuit of Kara. Bringing real Irish elves into the modern world is a fascinating way of writing Fantasy.
I did enjoy
the story, but I found it lacking in action until the last 30 pages.
Overall, I would have liked a faster storyline and more dialog. Yesterday's Dreams is a good first attempt and a fairly entertaining read by Danielle Ackley-McPhail.
I rated this book a 6½ out of 10.
The other main character, Maggie McCormick, is highly interesting and I would like to learn more about her and the history of the Sidhe. The bad guy, Lucien, is mostly unsuccessful in all his attempts to gain information on Kara. Personally, I thought he should have been more ruthless in his dogged pursuit of Kara. Bringing real Irish elves into the modern world is a fascinating way of writing Fantasy.
I did enjoy
the story, but I found it lacking in action until the last 30 pages.
Overall, I would have liked a faster storyline and more dialog. Yesterday's Dreams is a good first attempt and a fairly entertaining read by Danielle Ackley-McPhail.
I rated this book a 6½ out of 10.
September 4, 2014
Was made aware of this series by a Kickstarter recommendation & wasn't really sure that I'd like it but I became so drawn in to the sample that I knew I needed to keep reading.... and once I started it was hard to put it down.
It's been a while since I've read something that drew me in so intensely that I really didn't want to put it down, but this was definitely one of those book. The characters are well written and the story cycles nicely to the final emotionally intense crescendo.
I think I need to have an intermission before moving on to book two but I am definitely looking forward to continuing this story.
It's been a while since I've read something that drew me in so intensely that I really didn't want to put it down, but this was definitely one of those book. The characters are well written and the story cycles nicely to the final emotionally intense crescendo.
I think I need to have an intermission before moving on to book two but I am definitely looking forward to continuing this story.
June 5, 2015
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Celtic-themed fantasy, magic, and the power of music. Danielle has woven a wonderful work with fascinating well-rounded characters, human and otherworldly, coping with the beginnings of a magical war in modern NYC.
Be sure to get the following books of the series, too -- "Tomorrow's Memories" and "Today's Promise" -- I'm currently reading the third, and they're all marvelous!
Be sure to get the following books of the series, too -- "Tomorrow's Memories" and "Today's Promise" -- I'm currently reading the third, and they're all marvelous!
February 8, 2017
We can accomplish anything if we keep at it, and writing a book isn't as easy as it sounds ;)
September 27, 2017
I feel nothing about it. I don’t feel a reason why I should continue when there is obviously nothing sucking me in. I just can’t, not when I definitely spent enough time reading this. I give it up until the first half, and well I was ready to give up then.
Most of the writing was still rather okay, and on some level in the beginning emotive. But after that, it was so dreadful, and again I don’t have any reason why I want to even read this.
The plot and the characters were classic, I do admit that the premise was even relatively interesting. But after a while, I really lost interest in read this book as a whole. Nothing was making me invested, and as a reader I won’t waste my time any longer.
Again, do check it out if it is to your taste. But if is not, well don’t be afraid to drop it like I did. Well developed characters are so hard to come by and I just cannot read on when I can’t find a character to relate to, or the writing to be the main issue why I can’t continue.
Most of the writing was still rather okay, and on some level in the beginning emotive. But after that, it was so dreadful, and again I don’t have any reason why I want to even read this.
The plot and the characters were classic, I do admit that the premise was even relatively interesting. But after a while, I really lost interest in read this book as a whole. Nothing was making me invested, and as a reader I won’t waste my time any longer.
Again, do check it out if it is to your taste. But if is not, well don’t be afraid to drop it like I did. Well developed characters are so hard to come by and I just cannot read on when I can’t find a character to relate to, or the writing to be the main issue why I can’t continue.
August 6, 2017
I really thought I would like this one from the blurb but it took me days to get through, I finally gave up trying to read it page by page and skipped to the last third and still don't feel like I missed anything. The writing wasn't bad it was just the pace that rambled on and on without adding much to the story. I also found the fact that 90% of the book was the characters talking with an Irish accent annoying it got old fast and also added to the pacing issues...definitely wouldn't recommend anyone reading this one as it is now. This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
October 22, 2023
The Celtic influence is strong in this novel. Supernatural elements battle with humanity as casualties.
There were a lot of breakaways to backstory, which were interesting, but broke up the pacing. The family ties were at the heart of this story.
There were a lot of breakaways to backstory, which were interesting, but broke up the pacing. The family ties were at the heart of this story.
April 18, 2012
Yesterday's Dreams is a work of fantasy which rivals anything written by any of the big name fantasy authors (such as Mercedes Lackey or Andre Norton). The detail and warmth which infuse every word makes the story rich and alluring. The characters are engaging and three-dimensional with one of my favorites being the sprite, Beag Scath (Little Shadow). Set in the modern day with roots reaching back into the ancient days of Eire, Yesterday's Dreams brings the Sidhe from legend to stunning reality. Ms. Ackley-McPhail has written a very unique twist on the ancient battle between good and evil. A power-hungry ancient evil lurks on the streets of New York with only the Sidhe and some gifted humans standing between it and its ultimate prize. Yesterday's Dreams will entrance you with every word and the depth of emotion the author evokes.
The Eternal Cycle Series: Yesterday's Dreams (1), Tomorrow's Memories (2), Today's Promise (3)
The Eternal Cycle Series: Yesterday's Dreams (1), Tomorrow's Memories (2), Today's Promise (3)
December 18, 2008
This novel will appeal to fans of Charles DeLint with its urban approach to Irish mythology. At times I was mesmerized while at other times I just wanted to red line this book to death. It’s a tribute to the writing of Ackley-McPhail that I kept reading...
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of Yesterday's Dreams in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of Yesterday's Dreams in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
September 1, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. This series has a fresh look on the Celtic lore and does a great job at weaving it into modern day. Also, the author does a great job of writing in an Irish accent which a reader cannot help but hear when they read. The emotions she ties to all the characters' story lines does nothing but enhance sympathy for the characters and pull you further into the story.
December 6, 2017
Onvan : Yesterday's Dreams - Nevisande : Danielle Ackley-McPhail - ISBN : 1942990480 - ISBN13 : 9781942990482 - Saal e Chap : 2001
Want to read
June 25, 2017Received as part of the Athena's Daughter anthology Kickstarter from Silence in the Library.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews