What do you think?
Rate this book
Dreamer #1
Legacy of a Dreamer
Chantal Breelan is a ward of the state, living under the care of a woman who is cold and heartless. Her past is a mystery, and her future is even more uncertain. She can’t recall why she had been taken from her parents and so she’s left with nothing but an empty hole where her childhood should have been. When she awakens from her nightmares, she’s left with terrible, violent images, as well as a boy whose face is oddly familiar, yet can’t be placed.
Scared and alone, Chantal begins to confide in an imaginary friend – a shadow in the shape of a man who stands in the corner of her room. She is comforted when she believes he listens to her.
On her eighteenth birthday, Chantal is forced to leave her foster home. She moves to New York City, but the start of her new life doesn’t begin as smoothly as she’d hoped. In this environment, she faces a whole new set of challenges.
One night at a subway station, Chantal meets a young boy who runs away from her, and she’s compelled to follow him down into the tunnels. But this Rabbit Hole reveals a world where reality is a nightmare. Her dreams are clues to her future, and her life becomes twisted and dangerous when she learns that things that go bump in the night are not just in fairy tales and childhood stories.
Note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B007ZXKDOS.
Scared and alone, Chantal begins to confide in an imaginary friend – a shadow in the shape of a man who stands in the corner of her room. She is comforted when she believes he listens to her.
On her eighteenth birthday, Chantal is forced to leave her foster home. She moves to New York City, but the start of her new life doesn’t begin as smoothly as she’d hoped. In this environment, she faces a whole new set of challenges.
One night at a subway station, Chantal meets a young boy who runs away from her, and she’s compelled to follow him down into the tunnels. But this Rabbit Hole reveals a world where reality is a nightmare. Her dreams are clues to her future, and her life becomes twisted and dangerous when she learns that things that go bump in the night are not just in fairy tales and childhood stories.
Note: This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B007ZXKDOS.
179 pages, ebook
First published May 2, 2012
1 person is currently reading
1272 people want to read
About the author
Allie Jean
5 books149 followersAllie Jean was born with an overactive imagination. She spent her childhood inventing stories and telling tales. Her mind never shut down, even while she slept. Vivid dreams containing extensive, elaborate plot lines of good overcoming evil villains captured her nightly visions, lingering into her waking hours and filling the pages of her well-loved bounded diaries. She was encouraged by her parents, even at a young age, to write down her tales, and it has remained a somewhat secret hobby. As a busy wife, mother and critical care nurse, Allie’s love of storytelling has been reborn through the adventures of her unforgettable characters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 1, 2016
I received a copy of this book as part of the Legacy of a Dreamer blog tour organized by Charisma Media. This review is my honest opinion of this book, and is not influenced by the fact that it was provided as part of a book tour.
I was really surprised about it because, I wasn't all that excited about it after reading the synopsis. I suspected an average read, but this was spine chilling at moments. Especially the scene at the subway and after that at the apartment. Since I was reading this at night I decided I needed more light if I was to continue reading. So I actually turned on all the lights in the living room. That's how really this book felt, I almost thought the shadows would turn into those monsters!
And then bang, there was our hot warrior stepping in. Matthias/Nick enters. He can step out of the shadows any day to save my life! (Yeah, I am not excited about this book at all. Hear the sarcasm). Turns out, our little orphan Chantal, is much more than she would ever thought she would be.
When Matthias enters, the mystery of who Chantal really is, starts to unravel, in between the fighting and running for their lives, that is! What makes this story any different of other stories of fallen angels and their descendants (officially called Nephillim) is that the male and female have different kind of powers. And even though the males are the warriors that should protect the female (not a chance that I am telling what they are), Chantal decides she is going to fight next to her protectors and fight. And I am so glad she did, because I don't like it when female characters watch from the sidelines and let someone else fight their battles.
There is one thing, I should tell you though, this is a story with angels and demons. As you know their origin is the bible, so there are references to god, the holy spirit, and even priests and nuns in this story. However, in its essentials this story for me was not one of religion, the religious content did not bother me, it made the book a fascinating read. But if you don't like those kind of things, this is not a book for you.
Now, on to my rating: this book was a surprise, it has great world building, a promise for a wonderful series, great characters, refreshing take on religion and Nephillim, so this makes this a 5 star book!!!
Full review here:
English: http://www.icecoldpassion.com/2013/06...
Nederlands: http://www.ijskoudepassie.com/2013/06...
I was really surprised about it because, I wasn't all that excited about it after reading the synopsis. I suspected an average read, but this was spine chilling at moments. Especially the scene at the subway and after that at the apartment. Since I was reading this at night I decided I needed more light if I was to continue reading. So I actually turned on all the lights in the living room. That's how really this book felt, I almost thought the shadows would turn into those monsters!
And then bang, there was our hot warrior stepping in. Matthias/Nick enters. He can step out of the shadows any day to save my life! (Yeah, I am not excited about this book at all. Hear the sarcasm). Turns out, our little orphan Chantal, is much more than she would ever thought she would be.
When Matthias enters, the mystery of who Chantal really is, starts to unravel, in between the fighting and running for their lives, that is! What makes this story any different of other stories of fallen angels and their descendants (officially called Nephillim) is that the male and female have different kind of powers. And even though the males are the warriors that should protect the female (not a chance that I am telling what they are), Chantal decides she is going to fight next to her protectors and fight. And I am so glad she did, because I don't like it when female characters watch from the sidelines and let someone else fight their battles.
There is one thing, I should tell you though, this is a story with angels and demons. As you know their origin is the bible, so there are references to god, the holy spirit, and even priests and nuns in this story. However, in its essentials this story for me was not one of religion, the religious content did not bother me, it made the book a fascinating read. But if you don't like those kind of things, this is not a book for you.
Now, on to my rating: this book was a surprise, it has great world building, a promise for a wonderful series, great characters, refreshing take on religion and Nephillim, so this makes this a 5 star book!!!
Full review here:
English: http://www.icecoldpassion.com/2013/06...
Nederlands: http://www.ijskoudepassie.com/2013/06...
July 18, 2013
I don’t often read books about angels because I have a hard time deviating from the traditional, but this book is so exciting and believable. Very unique and I enjoyed the religious aspects. I also loved the characters. Chantal, for some reason, reminds me of Harry Potter (“Y’er a wizard, Harry.”). Not that this book is in any way similar, except in being a coming-of-age story.
Chantal’s not a wizard, she’s a Dreamer. She’s also brave, fiercely loyal and compassionate. I’m so glad books are coming out with heroes and heroines again, and not anti-heroes. Yes, this girl’s a good role model.
Enter Mattias: a real hunk, who wields a sword but has the heart of a pussycat.
Oh, yes. I can’t wait to see where this goes. Five stars.
Chantal’s not a wizard, she’s a Dreamer. She’s also brave, fiercely loyal and compassionate. I’m so glad books are coming out with heroes and heroines again, and not anti-heroes. Yes, this girl’s a good role model.
Enter Mattias: a real hunk, who wields a sword but has the heart of a pussycat.
Oh, yes. I can’t wait to see where this goes. Five stars.
June 6, 2013
Check out my full review of Legacy of a Dreamer at My Blog A Thousand Lives
You can also read an excerpt from Book 2!!!
You can also read an excerpt from Book 2!!!
July 24, 2013
Review can also be found on my blog: http://amshuman.wordpress.com
I was excited to be given the chance to review this book as part of the Bloggers Book Fair. After reading the description of the book I was even more intrigued. What intrigued me the most about this book was not really know where it was going to take me.
For me Chantal is main characters that can easily be related to by the reader. She has a childhood she can’t remember, and nightmares that plague her even when she’s awake. Because of this she creates Nick, a shadow that she feels safe talking to about her nightmares. On her eighteenth birthday she moves out of the foster care house she’s been living in and into a small apartment in New York where is going to go to school. However, she never quite gets that far.
Through a series of events on her first few days in New York we finally meet Nick, her shadow friend, only he’s not really a shadow and his name is Matthias not Nick. He “comes to life” so to speak in time to defend her from a creature that could only have come out of one of Chantal’s nightmares. Nick/Matthias is a guardian of sorts for Chantal and has always been there to protect her. Through his protection Chantal will learn more about her childhood that she forgot and what her true nature is, and why parts of her nightmares seem real.
By the end of the book you are rooting for something more too happen between Matthias and Chantal, but also fearing for her life as well.
The end of the book definitely left me wanting more and I can’t wait to see where Allie Jean takes us on the continuation of Nick/Matthias and Chantal’s journey.
I was excited to be given the chance to review this book as part of the Bloggers Book Fair. After reading the description of the book I was even more intrigued. What intrigued me the most about this book was not really know where it was going to take me.
For me Chantal is main characters that can easily be related to by the reader. She has a childhood she can’t remember, and nightmares that plague her even when she’s awake. Because of this she creates Nick, a shadow that she feels safe talking to about her nightmares. On her eighteenth birthday she moves out of the foster care house she’s been living in and into a small apartment in New York where is going to go to school. However, she never quite gets that far.
Through a series of events on her first few days in New York we finally meet Nick, her shadow friend, only he’s not really a shadow and his name is Matthias not Nick. He “comes to life” so to speak in time to defend her from a creature that could only have come out of one of Chantal’s nightmares. Nick/Matthias is a guardian of sorts for Chantal and has always been there to protect her. Through his protection Chantal will learn more about her childhood that she forgot and what her true nature is, and why parts of her nightmares seem real.
By the end of the book you are rooting for something more too happen between Matthias and Chantal, but also fearing for her life as well.
The end of the book definitely left me wanting more and I can’t wait to see where Allie Jean takes us on the continuation of Nick/Matthias and Chantal’s journey.
Want to read
May 31, 2012I won a paperback copy over at I'm a reader, what about you?
July 5, 2013
Received as part of a Blog Tour. Click to read an excerpt!
Originally posted on The Smell of Parchment.
When I initially saw the cover and the title, I believed this to be a contemporary novel and upon reading the vague synopsis seeming to hint at fantasy but don't really find that even during the beginning the book. And as soon as you hit the fantastical fantasy aspect, things took a turn for such awesome-ness. Let me stop being vague myself and get on with it!
Chantal Breelan is a ward of the state, an orphan treated badly by her foster parent and in addition is plagued by terrifying nightmares. As a result she creates an imaginary friend out of the shadows, named Nick, confiding in him about her horrible nightmares.
Soon after being kicked out of her Foster home on her 18th birthday Chantal and moves to NY city where she starts seeing shadows that seem to be after her life.
Now here's where I'm thinking this girl's psychological problems have finally gotten to her and she's falling apart. Oh boy........
So when she comes back to her apartment to find the dark evil shadows closing in, who should come out to save her but the warrior Nick himself. Now here's where everything gets going!
Nick who's real name is Mathias, is a warrior, the son of a fallen angel who breaks away from the evil one. He is her protector from creatures lurking in the dark. Chantal soon finds out that all she has known to be true has never been so, while as her nightmares are. Phew.
That's hard for me to grasp myself, imagine being the character!
Mathias was not mentioned in the synopsis, well a lot wasn't, but not knowing helped me enjoy the story in a different manner. Discovering things about Chantal as she and Mathias discovered it themselves.
The main characters are great and so are a few of the others.
Chantal maybe confused and afraid yet is strong-willed and determined to find out everything she can and help the warriors as much. Mathias is just great. Caring, affectionate, protective. Perfect boyfriend material I say.
I really liked Damon too, one of the warriors working for the Evil one, after Chantal's life.
The romance between Mathias and Chantal was meh. Nothing special but it certainly didn't turn me off so there's hope yet! Looking forward to it actually.
I'll tell you this. This book is worth picking up. Allie Jean gives us a different read with lots of twists and turns that just keep you turning the pages and wide eyed at the developments. I loved this one! Especially the vivid nightmares. Like wow! Hats off to your imagination.
Nothing left to say other than, looking forward to the next one in the series!
Originally posted on The Smell of Parchment.
When I initially saw the cover and the title, I believed this to be a contemporary novel and upon reading the vague synopsis seeming to hint at fantasy but don't really find that even during the beginning the book. And as soon as you hit the fantastical fantasy aspect, things took a turn for such awesome-ness. Let me stop being vague myself and get on with it!
Chantal Breelan is a ward of the state, an orphan treated badly by her foster parent and in addition is plagued by terrifying nightmares. As a result she creates an imaginary friend out of the shadows, named Nick, confiding in him about her horrible nightmares.
Soon after being kicked out of her Foster home on her 18th birthday Chantal and moves to NY city where she starts seeing shadows that seem to be after her life.
Now here's where I'm thinking this girl's psychological problems have finally gotten to her and she's falling apart. Oh boy........
So when she comes back to her apartment to find the dark evil shadows closing in, who should come out to save her but the warrior Nick himself. Now here's where everything gets going!
Nick who's real name is Mathias, is a warrior, the son of a fallen angel who breaks away from the evil one. He is her protector from creatures lurking in the dark. Chantal soon finds out that all she has known to be true has never been so, while as her nightmares are. Phew.
That's hard for me to grasp myself, imagine being the character!
Mathias was not mentioned in the synopsis, well a lot wasn't, but not knowing helped me enjoy the story in a different manner. Discovering things about Chantal as she and Mathias discovered it themselves.
The main characters are great and so are a few of the others.
Chantal maybe confused and afraid yet is strong-willed and determined to find out everything she can and help the warriors as much. Mathias is just great. Caring, affectionate, protective. Perfect boyfriend material I say.
I really liked Damon too, one of the warriors working for the Evil one, after Chantal's life.
The romance between Mathias and Chantal was meh. Nothing special but it certainly didn't turn me off so there's hope yet! Looking forward to it actually.
I'll tell you this. This book is worth picking up. Allie Jean gives us a different read with lots of twists and turns that just keep you turning the pages and wide eyed at the developments. I loved this one! Especially the vivid nightmares. Like wow! Hats off to your imagination.
Nothing left to say other than, looking forward to the next one in the series!
August 13, 2013
Chantal is a Dreamer, but not in the usual sense of the word. She has these horrible nightmares that seem so real when she is having them. She wakes up completely freaked out and the only thing that comforts her is something that should completely freak her out – a shadow man that she calls Nick. She winds up telling him about her dreams and he becomes somewhat of a constant best friend throughout the years, even though he never talks or moves and he disappears when the lights go off.
Chantal lives in a foster home with someone that makes Miss Hannigan look like mother of the year. As she’s gotten older, she is seeing Nick less and less. She turns 18 and has to leave the foster home. She has worked hard in school and at a job to save money so that she can go to school in New York. One night, she has particularly disturbing thing happen and winds up seeing Nick again. But this time, Nick materializes right there in her apartment. He comes to her aid when one of the nasty things from her dreams comes into her apartment and tries to kidnap her. She has to leave with him in order to be safe and he won’t tell her very much about who she is or what she is or why she is so important. All she knows is that this Shadow Man feels safe and she feels like she can trust what he says. But at what cost?
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was intrigued by this synopsis as it sounded like something new and different and I love new and different! This book definitely fits the bill of new and different and I loved it. I was hooked in from the first chapter. This book put my emotions through the wringer. I was horrified, nervous, scared, apprehensive, laughing and intrigued. I read this book so fast and I am not usually a fast reader. It takes a really good book to pull me in and hold my attention long enough for me to read it in 1 day.
I loved the characters in this book. Chantal is a very strong, very smart, very capable heroine. Mathias is a sexy, confident, loving hero that will do anything and everything for Chantal, including die for her. It isn’t hard to see that Chantal and Mathias are going to fall in love, but it doesn’t happen right away and it does present complications. I love that about this book. I don’t like when the male and female leads in the book have fallen in love, had sex and are practically married by the 3rd chapter. Real life and love doesn’t happen like that. I highly recommend this book and the series. The book is a cliff-hanger but it isn’t one of those that frustrates you when it ends. It is well written, descriptive, unpredictable and a great story. There isn’t any sex in it but there are naughty words and yes, the “F” word is used. So, if you don’t mind your teenager reading naughty words, then this book will be ok for them.
Chantal lives in a foster home with someone that makes Miss Hannigan look like mother of the year. As she’s gotten older, she is seeing Nick less and less. She turns 18 and has to leave the foster home. She has worked hard in school and at a job to save money so that she can go to school in New York. One night, she has particularly disturbing thing happen and winds up seeing Nick again. But this time, Nick materializes right there in her apartment. He comes to her aid when one of the nasty things from her dreams comes into her apartment and tries to kidnap her. She has to leave with him in order to be safe and he won’t tell her very much about who she is or what she is or why she is so important. All she knows is that this Shadow Man feels safe and she feels like she can trust what he says. But at what cost?
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was intrigued by this synopsis as it sounded like something new and different and I love new and different! This book definitely fits the bill of new and different and I loved it. I was hooked in from the first chapter. This book put my emotions through the wringer. I was horrified, nervous, scared, apprehensive, laughing and intrigued. I read this book so fast and I am not usually a fast reader. It takes a really good book to pull me in and hold my attention long enough for me to read it in 1 day.
I loved the characters in this book. Chantal is a very strong, very smart, very capable heroine. Mathias is a sexy, confident, loving hero that will do anything and everything for Chantal, including die for her. It isn’t hard to see that Chantal and Mathias are going to fall in love, but it doesn’t happen right away and it does present complications. I love that about this book. I don’t like when the male and female leads in the book have fallen in love, had sex and are practically married by the 3rd chapter. Real life and love doesn’t happen like that. I highly recommend this book and the series. The book is a cliff-hanger but it isn’t one of those that frustrates you when it ends. It is well written, descriptive, unpredictable and a great story. There isn’t any sex in it but there are naughty words and yes, the “F” word is used. So, if you don’t mind your teenager reading naughty words, then this book will be ok for them.
July 31, 2013
Originally posted at:
www.cozyafternoonchums.blogspot.com
Upon reading the synopsis and seeing the cover of this book, I immediately signed up for the review tour. Well, it's because I also love reading books about dreams and mysteries. The first chapters of this book gave me the chills. Especially the scene at the altar. Oh boy, that gave me a nightmare. Literally. I even thought about stop reading it because of the experience. But I told myself, NO. I have to finish this. I just have to. I guess I just have to open all the lights when reading at night, since that's only the time wherein I can really focus on reading. XD
I was so scared of the monsters in the book, the horror it gave me, if only you can imagine it. Reading this book is like watching a horror film as well. Images would fill your imagination. I feel like I'm in the shoes of Chantal, even though the book wasn't written in the first person point of view. The writer did very well in bringing the readers into the world of the main characters. WOW.
And then there goes my favorite part in reading: the handsome and gentleman (slash warrior) that would always save the day and make me giggle and blush to myself. I was surprised to meet him while reading, since he wasn't mentioned in the synopsis.
Nick (I also prefer to call him that) is just amazing. He is a fallen angel, who turns to step out from the shadows everytime our dreamer (Chantal) seems to face danger because of her strange and mysterious dreams. His appearance also gave clarity to Chantal's true identity. I just hope he's real. I wish for a hot angel that would always comfort me everytime I''m having bad dreams.
The part where there were little girls who were having the same condition as Chantal broke my heart. The fact that shadow warriors like Nick, longed to see them after their fights melted my heart. I just love that part. I always admire badass-looking guys cuddling cute little children. They make them look gentle, not soft, and still handsome.
This book is a great read. It's a total page turner especially for those who seek mystery.The author totally captivated me and I am looking forward to read the sequel!
www.cozyafternoonchums.blogspot.com
Upon reading the synopsis and seeing the cover of this book, I immediately signed up for the review tour. Well, it's because I also love reading books about dreams and mysteries. The first chapters of this book gave me the chills. Especially the scene at the altar. Oh boy, that gave me a nightmare. Literally. I even thought about stop reading it because of the experience. But I told myself, NO. I have to finish this. I just have to. I guess I just have to open all the lights when reading at night, since that's only the time wherein I can really focus on reading. XD
I was so scared of the monsters in the book, the horror it gave me, if only you can imagine it. Reading this book is like watching a horror film as well. Images would fill your imagination. I feel like I'm in the shoes of Chantal, even though the book wasn't written in the first person point of view. The writer did very well in bringing the readers into the world of the main characters. WOW.
And then there goes my favorite part in reading: the handsome and gentleman (slash warrior) that would always save the day and make me giggle and blush to myself. I was surprised to meet him while reading, since he wasn't mentioned in the synopsis.
Nick (I also prefer to call him that) is just amazing. He is a fallen angel, who turns to step out from the shadows everytime our dreamer (Chantal) seems to face danger because of her strange and mysterious dreams. His appearance also gave clarity to Chantal's true identity. I just hope he's real. I wish for a hot angel that would always comfort me everytime I''m having bad dreams.
The part where there were little girls who were having the same condition as Chantal broke my heart. The fact that shadow warriors like Nick, longed to see them after their fights melted my heart. I just love that part. I always admire badass-looking guys cuddling cute little children. They make them look gentle, not soft, and still handsome.
This book is a great read. It's a total page turner especially for those who seek mystery.The author totally captivated me and I am looking forward to read the sequel!
May 16, 2012
When I started reading this book I didn't know what to expect. I haven't read many books with characters tormented by awful nightmares before. And the nightmares were awful.
Speaking of nightmares, one of the things I loved about this book was how they were presented. They were very detailed and for me that was new. When I read dream sequences they are rarely this detailed and this vivid. Also, I know for sure that if I had dreams like that, I'd be scared of falling asleep.
Chantal surprised me. A lot I might say. At first I had a very different opinion of who and what she was and why she was like that. I certainly didn't expect her to be related to the fallen angels. But I liked her from the very start. Maybe because she seemed like she needed a break, a new life, a fresh start. And how cool was it that she had an imaginary (well, not actually, but you'll see ;) ) friend made of a shadow? The last time I heard of something similar was in Peter Pan and I liked that idea so much. Also, she named him Nick, which is one of my favorite names :D
Speaking of Nick. I liked him. I thought he was such a sweetheart. He's the knight in shining armor type of guy and I'm so glad that Chantal gets to meet him. After her childhood, she really needed him. He's a warrior also, one that would give his own life to protect Chantal. And he loves her.
The one thing that I loved above all else were the evil creatures in this book and I hope we get to see more in the upcoming books. You know how much I love sexy vampires, but it's been a while since they've been portrayed like the evil creatures they were first knows as. I think it's probably the first time since I read that in a book.
This book is filled with suspense and, while it starts a little slow, once the action starts, it doesn't stop until the very end. There's also a little bit of horror, a little romance, some funny moments. So I say read it.
Now to wait for the second book :)
Speaking of nightmares, one of the things I loved about this book was how they were presented. They were very detailed and for me that was new. When I read dream sequences they are rarely this detailed and this vivid. Also, I know for sure that if I had dreams like that, I'd be scared of falling asleep.
Chantal surprised me. A lot I might say. At first I had a very different opinion of who and what she was and why she was like that. I certainly didn't expect her to be related to the fallen angels. But I liked her from the very start. Maybe because she seemed like she needed a break, a new life, a fresh start. And how cool was it that she had an imaginary (well, not actually, but you'll see ;) ) friend made of a shadow? The last time I heard of something similar was in Peter Pan and I liked that idea so much. Also, she named him Nick, which is one of my favorite names :D
Speaking of Nick. I liked him. I thought he was such a sweetheart. He's the knight in shining armor type of guy and I'm so glad that Chantal gets to meet him. After her childhood, she really needed him. He's a warrior also, one that would give his own life to protect Chantal. And he loves her.
The one thing that I loved above all else were the evil creatures in this book and I hope we get to see more in the upcoming books. You know how much I love sexy vampires, but it's been a while since they've been portrayed like the evil creatures they were first knows as. I think it's probably the first time since I read that in a book.
This book is filled with suspense and, while it starts a little slow, once the action starts, it doesn't stop until the very end. There's also a little bit of horror, a little romance, some funny moments. So I say read it.
Now to wait for the second book :)
February 17, 2017
Chantal Breelan is just another name lost in the Foster Care System. She has a problem with nightmares and nobody to turn to except her secret imaginary friend called Nick. Once she turns eighteen, she is forced to move out of her foster home and falls off the systems radar. She moves to the city that never sleeps and though she doesn’t have a smooth start to this new life either, she manages to find herself an apartment. As she feels Nick’s presence in her new life, she manages to trudge through the days. Then one day when a young boy runs away from her and she decides to follow him, her world as she knew it, changed forever. Among other things, Nick turned out to be a fallen angel named Mathias who has actually been there with Chantal as her protector.
Characters first. Chantal is a girl with many traits and persona. She is brave, yet scared of the dark. She is stubborn, willful and sometimes so clueless! I could go on, but I will round it up with one sentence – she is a typical teenager who made me feel excited, irritated and anxious throughout the book. I kind of liked her. Mathias on the other hand is awesome. He is strong, focused and he has his priorities set right!
The plot has a slow start. For the first few chapters I was left wondering where the story is going. But once the action starts, the story takes on a fast pace, never relenting. I have not read a book involving a storyline that had dreams/nightmares playing such a major role. So it was a change for me and one that I enjoyed! The author style of writing is very descriptive – which in general is a good thing. For the most part I enjoyed that aspect as well but at certain point it felt a bit dragging.
But the best part about the book, besides Mathias ofcourse, was Chantal’s family history and the twists and turn that the book offered. Overall, ‘Legacy of a Dreamer’ made quite an interesting read!
Characters first. Chantal is a girl with many traits and persona. She is brave, yet scared of the dark. She is stubborn, willful and sometimes so clueless! I could go on, but I will round it up with one sentence – she is a typical teenager who made me feel excited, irritated and anxious throughout the book. I kind of liked her. Mathias on the other hand is awesome. He is strong, focused and he has his priorities set right!
The plot has a slow start. For the first few chapters I was left wondering where the story is going. But once the action starts, the story takes on a fast pace, never relenting. I have not read a book involving a storyline that had dreams/nightmares playing such a major role. So it was a change for me and one that I enjoyed! The author style of writing is very descriptive – which in general is a good thing. For the most part I enjoyed that aspect as well but at certain point it felt a bit dragging.
But the best part about the book, besides Mathias ofcourse, was Chantal’s family history and the twists and turn that the book offered. Overall, ‘Legacy of a Dreamer’ made quite an interesting read!
August 12, 2013
This book blew me away. I have read a lot of books and I mean a lot (LOL).Quite a few on the subject of angels but I have to say this book was right on the money in my opinion. The author definitely did her homework concerning the religious aspect of angels, but presented it in a way that was informative yet exciting,I learned quite a bit during the course of this book. There were some very scary moments in this book( Chantal's dreams)The author was very descriptive at these points and it made these dream sequences so real.I was literally jumping out of my skin at times.I loved Chantal's character the most,she goes through a lot and still manages to be loyal to a fault. This type of character is what more books today need. The message I received from this book was that real evil does exist and the reality of it is frightening most days,Chantal was dealt a crappy life and she chose to still make the best of her situation. Chantal was a tough cookie for sure, and wanted to fight her own battles.I love a strong willed female heroine in my books and she was as awesome as they come. Mathias won my heart right away,he wanted nothing more than to protect Chantal, he wasn't one to broadcast his feelings, but you got the feeling that he loved her none the less.This author has a way with words,She gives you just the right amount of insight into the story and it compels the reader to want to know more and try to figure out the puzzle of the plot. Great writing and a must read for anyone's TBR shelf,If your into lots action, horror, deception and a fight for your life type of read then this is the book for you!! I can't wait for the next book......
January 5, 2013
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Autumn
Growing up in foster care, Chantal has seen more than her fair share of frightening things. Trying desperately to cope, she turns to her only friend – the shadow of the man that has “watched” over her since she was a small child.
She hopes that when she turns eighteen, she will finally be able to make a better life for herself. She dreams of going to university, getting a job, making new friends and for once having a normal life.
All at once, she finds that truth is stranger than fiction. Her imaginary friend has followed her to her new apartment in the city and when he reveals himself, she is thrown into a dangerous and mystical world where she discovers that she is not just a struggling college student but that she herself may hold the key to save others like her from certain death. And on top of all of this, she has to keep from falling in love with the one person that she can never have.
This book is one of the most original books that I have read in recent memory. The story line was the perfect combination of drama, suspense, mystery, action and romance. Chantal was an intelligent and strong heroine and Nick (Mathias) was beyond swoon worthy.
I really couldn’t find one thing about this book that I didn’t like – not one. Lovers of paranormal and paranormal romance will adore Legacy of a Dreamer. It is a hidden gem and with a sequel in the works, it won’t stay hidden for very long.
http://openbooksociety.com/article/le...
Growing up in foster care, Chantal has seen more than her fair share of frightening things. Trying desperately to cope, she turns to her only friend – the shadow of the man that has “watched” over her since she was a small child.
She hopes that when she turns eighteen, she will finally be able to make a better life for herself. She dreams of going to university, getting a job, making new friends and for once having a normal life.
All at once, she finds that truth is stranger than fiction. Her imaginary friend has followed her to her new apartment in the city and when he reveals himself, she is thrown into a dangerous and mystical world where she discovers that she is not just a struggling college student but that she herself may hold the key to save others like her from certain death. And on top of all of this, she has to keep from falling in love with the one person that she can never have.
This book is one of the most original books that I have read in recent memory. The story line was the perfect combination of drama, suspense, mystery, action and romance. Chantal was an intelligent and strong heroine and Nick (Mathias) was beyond swoon worthy.
I really couldn’t find one thing about this book that I didn’t like – not one. Lovers of paranormal and paranormal romance will adore Legacy of a Dreamer. It is a hidden gem and with a sequel in the works, it won’t stay hidden for very long.
http://openbooksociety.com/article/le...
April 22, 2013
When I first started reading this book, I found myself very confused and somewhat irritated. Chantal is in foster care and treated badly. She is kicked out of her foster home on her 18th birthday and moves to New York City. I was so upset at the lack of planning for this girl's exit from the system! (I'm a social worker so I notice stuff like that.) Anyway, she is plagued with nightmares and starts to see shadows in the subway that she believes are going to kill her. Now I'm thinking that she is hallucinating (so does she). She manages to make a friend in her apartment building, but doesn't confide in her. Then, her Warrior, Nick, comes out of the shadows to save her from a violent man. This is where the story takes the most interesting turn. Chantal finds out that what she thought was true in her life isn't and what she thought were nightmares and hallucinations are actually true. Talk about confusing! However, as the story plays out (I'm not going to tell you how, you have to read it!), Chantal discovers all sorts of cool things about herself, including just how strong she really is. The book ends in a cliff hanger that is still kicking my butt and I am itching to get my hands on the next book (at least I hope there is a next book!) Overall, I really liked this book. I do still have a lot of questions, but so does Chantal, so I am hoping that all is revealed soon
July 9, 2013
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Chantal Breelan had a difficult childhood. Listening to her parents constantly argue, Chantal was filled with anxiety. Her only refuge was the lion she imagines out of the shadows. Bouncing from foster home to foster home, she made out a man shaped out of the shadows that she named Nick. He knew her hopes and dreams, and more importantly he was there when she awoke from the nightmares that plagued her nights. On her eighteenth birthday, she’s thrust out into the real world. Chantal embraces this new freedom, happy to finally have a fresh start. Unfortunately, a strange encounter in a subway station changes her life forever.
While reading this book, I kept thinking that Chantal was a very strong character. I felt really sad that she had so many horrible nightmares, but as you read on, you’ll see why. The characters are very believable, even the ones in the shadows. The descriptions of her dreams are so vivid, they creeped me out a bit. The locations were awesome; it’s as if you were right there with them. What can I say? I loved this novel! It took me on a fantastic journey and kept me engrossed right to the very end. I can’t wait for book two, it’ll be like reuniting with an old friend.
While reading this book, I kept thinking that Chantal was a very strong character. I felt really sad that she had so many horrible nightmares, but as you read on, you’ll see why. The characters are very believable, even the ones in the shadows. The descriptions of her dreams are so vivid, they creeped me out a bit. The locations were awesome; it’s as if you were right there with them. What can I say? I loved this novel! It took me on a fantastic journey and kept me engrossed right to the very end. I can’t wait for book two, it’ll be like reuniting with an old friend.
July 10, 2012
When I picked up this book, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. What I got was an interesting tale about Chantal, an 18 year old who's just been turned out of the foster system. She's been plagued by nightmares her whole life and it isn't until she's out on her own in New York that we figure out their meaning.
The story has a lot of action in it. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how they were going to get out of each new obstacle they face. And when I say 'they' - I mean Chantal and Mathias. From the shadows, Mathias has been watching over Chantal her whole life. He's swoony, I'm not going to lie. I can't wait until the next book comes out so I can read more about their adventures.
The only reason I didn't rate this book a 5 - was at times the epic battles got a little too epic for my taste. I became a little desensitized to it and it lost some of its impact. I found myself wanting to skim over some of these parts.
Overall, a fantastic read.
The story has a lot of action in it. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how they were going to get out of each new obstacle they face. And when I say 'they' - I mean Chantal and Mathias. From the shadows, Mathias has been watching over Chantal her whole life. He's swoony, I'm not going to lie. I can't wait until the next book comes out so I can read more about their adventures.
The only reason I didn't rate this book a 5 - was at times the epic battles got a little too epic for my taste. I became a little desensitized to it and it lost some of its impact. I found myself wanting to skim over some of these parts.
Overall, a fantastic read.
July 9, 2013
Legacy of a Dreamer is a very good book! I got a copy of this ebook for free in return for an honest review and to be a blog tour host! The characters are so easy to like and I felt so bad for Chantal when she learned her world was so different from what she imagined it to be. She grew up as a foster kid in the system and had a very difficult childhood. But once she meets Mathias, she knows she will be safe. He cares for her in a way no one else ever has and you can tell he really wants what is best for her. He will protect her at all costs. I really enjoyed the creativity of this novel - it was unlike anything I have read before! Allie Jean is a wonderful novelist and I can't wait to read other work by her :) I also can't wait to finish the rest of the books in the series whenever they are finished/released.
Pagesofcomfort.blogspot.com
Pagesofcomfort.blogspot.com
December 27, 2012
Admittedly, my Kindle is overflowing with Young Adult titles. They are currently the hottest genre on the market today, but Legacy of a Dreamer is very different. Allie Jean has created a story well-thought out characters and richly drawn details that enhance rather than overpower the tale. Katniss, from The Hunger Games, could learn quite a bit from Chantal as she grows from naive girl to strong-willed heroine in just under 179 pages. Grittier than most YA stories, and all the better for it. The depth of the story had me entralled from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to where Allie Jean takes Chantal in the next book.
Robert S. Fuller Jr
Author of Valerie: Daughter of the Dragon
Robert S. Fuller Jr
Author of Valerie: Daughter of the Dragon
November 3, 2012
This was not at all what I expected. The cover made me think it was a romance of some kind, but instead we get a kick-ass paranormal angels story, with a swoony warrior guardian and some seriously twisted family history. The ending indicates there will be a sequel, which I will be very keen to read. A nice surprise.
May 25, 2012
Win paperback copy of legacy od a Dreamer on Ja čitam, a ti?
Open internationally!
Update! Giveaway is over! :)
Open internationally!
Update! Giveaway is over! :)
January 5, 2013
I hope that there will be a sequel!!
This book deserves so much more attention!
Full review on Open Book Society...
http://openbooksociety.com/article/le...
This book deserves so much more attention!
Full review on Open Book Society...
http://openbooksociety.com/article/le...
August 9, 2012
what a great imagination! it's definitely hard to put it down! I couldn't put It down! Iwould recommend it to everyone!
November 26, 2012
Loved it!!! Took me a minute to get really into it but once I did, I couldn't put it down!!
August 14, 2013
Chantal didn't think life could get any worse than being a maid for a nasty foster mother and the numerous nightmares that have plagued her since childhood. Upon leaving the foster care system after aging out, life takes a dramatic turn as the shadows that have surrounded her for years come to life with evil intentions that send her on the run. As a child she always felt as if something was watching over her and comforting her when needed. This sense of comfort kept her sane when the nightmares gave the impression of insanity and she's come to count on this shadowy protection. Out of the shadows, along with evil, comes the one who's always been there for her and in the blink of an eye she's whisked away to safety and an introduction to a savagely brutal world where good and evil battle for women who can see the future. Chantal barely remembers her childhood but now discovers that she's an Oracle and while there are Warriors sworn to protect them, there's also the Fallen looking to use the Oracle's gifts for their gain. Chantal's shadowy protector who she's always called Nick (though his name is actually Mathias which creates some sweetly comical moments) is now flesh and blood and will do anything to protect her, including giving his very life. As a child she always considered him a friend and protector but as a woman her feelings have morphed into something stronger as love enters the picture and leads to yet another battle that complicates everything. A bloody final battle brings unexpected secrets to light and shows a war far from over and a tortured little girl's life in jeopardy.
Chantal has grown up with a life full of hard knocks which have made her stronger. Though the paranormal elements that make up her life shock her at first she quickly comes to accept it as truth. She doesn't want to run and hide but Mathias is desperate to keep her safe which makes her feel smothered and even more determined to stand and fight. It's admirable that she wants to fight alongside the other Warriors but these sexy men see it as their duty which leads to an occasional his shy fit on her part as she feels left out. On the outside these men seem stoic and deadly but around the Oracles they're caring and playful and oh so appealing. Mathias is extremely drool-worthy and HOT as his protective instincts are constantly on display. He's been a gentleman towards Chantal all these years so the adult attraction he now feels surprises and confuses him. He saw her as an obligation when she was a child but now knows he can't live without her and blushes once he finally admits his feelings. Their relationship throughout the story is one of sexual tension hopefully to be consummated in the future but still immensely satisfying as they're extremely likable characters. All the Warriors are drool-worthy and I look forward to seeing more of them in the future.
This is a dark story at times that doesn't shy away from bloodshed. The mythos of the Fallen and Warriors gets a bit confusing at times as numerous characters and otherworldy creatures continue to be introduced throughout the story. Lives are in jeopardy and characters that we've come to like die which makes for some heartbreak. This atmospheric story starts out strong but loses a bit of steam in the middle section to shift into a fast-paced conclusion that leaves the story still unfolding as readers will be left breathless waiting for the next installment. This is an intriguing paranormal story with appealing characters and a dark and deadly world that pulls you in immediately and leaves you wanting more and I wholeheartedly applaud Ms. Jean for her creativity.
Chantal has grown up with a life full of hard knocks which have made her stronger. Though the paranormal elements that make up her life shock her at first she quickly comes to accept it as truth. She doesn't want to run and hide but Mathias is desperate to keep her safe which makes her feel smothered and even more determined to stand and fight. It's admirable that she wants to fight alongside the other Warriors but these sexy men see it as their duty which leads to an occasional his shy fit on her part as she feels left out. On the outside these men seem stoic and deadly but around the Oracles they're caring and playful and oh so appealing. Mathias is extremely drool-worthy and HOT as his protective instincts are constantly on display. He's been a gentleman towards Chantal all these years so the adult attraction he now feels surprises and confuses him. He saw her as an obligation when she was a child but now knows he can't live without her and blushes once he finally admits his feelings. Their relationship throughout the story is one of sexual tension hopefully to be consummated in the future but still immensely satisfying as they're extremely likable characters. All the Warriors are drool-worthy and I look forward to seeing more of them in the future.
This is a dark story at times that doesn't shy away from bloodshed. The mythos of the Fallen and Warriors gets a bit confusing at times as numerous characters and otherworldy creatures continue to be introduced throughout the story. Lives are in jeopardy and characters that we've come to like die which makes for some heartbreak. This atmospheric story starts out strong but loses a bit of steam in the middle section to shift into a fast-paced conclusion that leaves the story still unfolding as readers will be left breathless waiting for the next installment. This is an intriguing paranormal story with appealing characters and a dark and deadly world that pulls you in immediately and leaves you wanting more and I wholeheartedly applaud Ms. Jean for her creativity.
January 14, 2013
Orginal Review at Give it to Cupcake.
http://giveittocupcake.blogspot.com/2...
What initially drew me to this book was the cover and title combination. The cover is simple and leaves a mystery to who the girl is. You can't see her face, and I like that, because you can still create what you think she would look like in your head to your minds pleasure. The title also got me. A book about a dreamer leaves a lot to be imagined. Is she a dreamer in the sense that she's always wondering about bigger ideas or is she an actual dreaming when she goes to sleep? What's her legacy that's so fantastic? I obviously wanted to know all these things, which is what led me to the book!
You start off meeting Chantal, a young girl who has been tossed around in the foster care system until she lands in a modern day Cinderella-esque situation. She has obscene nightmares that started as far back as she could possibly remember, but she finds comfort in the imaginary friends she has created over the years. She's on the brink of turning eighteen and being thrown out in the real world with no help from anyone. She moves to New York, hoping to start a new journey in her adult life, but her past of nightmares and imaginary friends follow her into her life there as well. From there, she's thrown deep into a world she never knew existed, a world where she was on of the main warriors fighting in an age-old war. Chantal learns about what exactly is hiding in the Shade, or the shadows as we know them, but she also learns about who she really is on the inside.
I really liked Chantal. She was a very strong female character right from the start, and that's something I also admire in books. Even if it was due to her rough start in life, she never felt the need to depend on anyone, even after she met her warrior, Mathias, she learned to trust him, but she still held her own when she needed to. She was never completely helpless. Girl power - WHAT! I also loved that she never questioned the crazy world she got thrown into. She accepted it with grace and stepped up and exceeded every ones expectations, caring for everyone she encounters almost unconditionally. She's one the first known adult Oracles, and I can't wait to see what else that means for her in the next book.
Then there's Mathias, Chantal's warrior. What a chivalrous man he is! You can tell from the very beginning his feelings for Chantal are real and pure, but he doesn't know what to do with them and how to react to them. Their relationship throughout the whole book is very sweet. It was never in your face romantic(which don't get me wrong, I do love that, too!) but instead, sweet and dripping with romantic tension! I could feel it through the book! But with their every little touch and whispered conversation, you could feel their attraction to each other, and it made it all the more sweeter to read.
The other thing that really made the book for me was that it wasn't your typical good vs evil/angels vs devils story. This is a whole different realm of that and one that I really want to read more about. You won't find any creatures with wings or devil horns in this book, but it's worth your time to find out the good and evil that lurk in the pages.
A big thank you to Allie Jean for giving me an ARC and the chance to read this book! Although I received this book to review, it did not influence my review in any way.
http://giveittocupcake.blogspot.com/2...
What initially drew me to this book was the cover and title combination. The cover is simple and leaves a mystery to who the girl is. You can't see her face, and I like that, because you can still create what you think she would look like in your head to your minds pleasure. The title also got me. A book about a dreamer leaves a lot to be imagined. Is she a dreamer in the sense that she's always wondering about bigger ideas or is she an actual dreaming when she goes to sleep? What's her legacy that's so fantastic? I obviously wanted to know all these things, which is what led me to the book!
You start off meeting Chantal, a young girl who has been tossed around in the foster care system until she lands in a modern day Cinderella-esque situation. She has obscene nightmares that started as far back as she could possibly remember, but she finds comfort in the imaginary friends she has created over the years. She's on the brink of turning eighteen and being thrown out in the real world with no help from anyone. She moves to New York, hoping to start a new journey in her adult life, but her past of nightmares and imaginary friends follow her into her life there as well. From there, she's thrown deep into a world she never knew existed, a world where she was on of the main warriors fighting in an age-old war. Chantal learns about what exactly is hiding in the Shade, or the shadows as we know them, but she also learns about who she really is on the inside.
I really liked Chantal. She was a very strong female character right from the start, and that's something I also admire in books. Even if it was due to her rough start in life, she never felt the need to depend on anyone, even after she met her warrior, Mathias, she learned to trust him, but she still held her own when she needed to. She was never completely helpless. Girl power - WHAT! I also loved that she never questioned the crazy world she got thrown into. She accepted it with grace and stepped up and exceeded every ones expectations, caring for everyone she encounters almost unconditionally. She's one the first known adult Oracles, and I can't wait to see what else that means for her in the next book.
Then there's Mathias, Chantal's warrior. What a chivalrous man he is! You can tell from the very beginning his feelings for Chantal are real and pure, but he doesn't know what to do with them and how to react to them. Their relationship throughout the whole book is very sweet. It was never in your face romantic(which don't get me wrong, I do love that, too!) but instead, sweet and dripping with romantic tension! I could feel it through the book! But with their every little touch and whispered conversation, you could feel their attraction to each other, and it made it all the more sweeter to read.
The other thing that really made the book for me was that it wasn't your typical good vs evil/angels vs devils story. This is a whole different realm of that and one that I really want to read more about. You won't find any creatures with wings or devil horns in this book, but it's worth your time to find out the good and evil that lurk in the pages.
A big thank you to Allie Jean for giving me an ARC and the chance to read this book! Although I received this book to review, it did not influence my review in any way.
October 22, 2012
I'll just start by saying that this is a great book! And I know it's listed as Young Adult....but even if you're in the "30's-are-the-new-20's" category....like me....you're still young enough to read it! If you have a young adult in your life...especially of the female variety...add this to their Christmas list! My thoughts tend to be very detailed, so I really enjoy reading books that are very descriptive. Allie definitely delivered detail for me! Even from the first few chapters, I had a sense of the foster home Chantal and the other kids lived in, the horrible dog and it's owner...the awful "harpy" of a housemother...Regina Monson.
Growing up in a far-from-picturesque home, I was really able to relate to the Chantal, the main character. The feelings she had of finally having her freedom really hit home...as well as the anxiety she felt as a girl. Her strength of character is admirable, and Chantal makes for an inspirational role model for young women...in my opinion. Even though this book is fictional and full of the otherworldly...it's easy to extrapolate to the real world. But back to the otherworldly...I just love stories that have fallen angels, half-breeds, and unholy creatures!
It's exciting as Chantal discovers who she really is and the gravity of the war going on around her. Her growing relationship with Mathias is fun and frustrating to read. It's also heartbreaking that her family has suffered so much loss. Allie does an excellent job at leaving nothing unexplained. That's a pet peeve of mine really....when I'm left wondering how, why, when...or when I flip back through a book because now I'm confused about the progression. With all the action, complexity of the characters, and loads of information to process...Allie has written in a way that makes it easy to follow and really stay engaged. I couldn't put it down!
I recommend this book to anyone, regardless of age. It's full of suspense, love, humor, and the otherworldly. It's the beginning of a series that I'm sure will only get better and better, and I can't wait to continue the journey.
Growing up in a far-from-picturesque home, I was really able to relate to the Chantal, the main character. The feelings she had of finally having her freedom really hit home...as well as the anxiety she felt as a girl. Her strength of character is admirable, and Chantal makes for an inspirational role model for young women...in my opinion. Even though this book is fictional and full of the otherworldly...it's easy to extrapolate to the real world. But back to the otherworldly...I just love stories that have fallen angels, half-breeds, and unholy creatures!
It's exciting as Chantal discovers who she really is and the gravity of the war going on around her. Her growing relationship with Mathias is fun and frustrating to read. It's also heartbreaking that her family has suffered so much loss. Allie does an excellent job at leaving nothing unexplained. That's a pet peeve of mine really....when I'm left wondering how, why, when...or when I flip back through a book because now I'm confused about the progression. With all the action, complexity of the characters, and loads of information to process...Allie has written in a way that makes it easy to follow and really stay engaged. I couldn't put it down!
I recommend this book to anyone, regardless of age. It's full of suspense, love, humor, and the otherworldly. It's the beginning of a series that I'm sure will only get better and better, and I can't wait to continue the journey.
January 1, 2013
Review also appears on my blog
Okay so let's face it the blurb isn't helpful at all.. like I think it confuses you even more. Chantal is your typical eighteen year old orphan who has been haunted by terrible nightmares ever since she can remember. Her only source of solace was a mysterious shadow she names Nick, who she talks to in her mind about her nightmares. Even though he never replies she likes the idea that someone is there to help her through her nightmares. Now she is living alone in a studio in New York trying to piece her life together and make something out of herself. But little does she know her life is a bout to take a spiral into a world where nightmares aren't just nightmares but prophesies of a very real and frightening future.
After you get past the first few chapters and figure out what the story is actually about, this novel is an amazing read. It's such a different take on.. should I say it? Yeah I guess I will, it's not even a spoiler..it's such a different take on angels that I was so pulled into the story.
Chantal was in a way a typical heroine. Life made her hardworking and humble and she nice to everyone she meets. She stands up for the innocent and I loved that trait in her. It's hard to describe her she was definitely a strong heroine but she had a softer and a weaker almost fragile side. She definitely had some of the typical Mary-Sue traits but she didn't suffer from TSTL syndrome so it's all good.
Mathias.. well, now that's a hottie. I loved him. He was protective and I loved how he tries to put his feelings for Chantal aside because there were more important things. He was just an awesome love interest that's all I'm saying about him I don't want to give anything away.
Definitely pick up this book if you like a paranormal novel with action and even a bit of romance, but romance is not the main focus of this book just saying it's there but it definitely takes a step back to the plot.
Okay so let's face it the blurb isn't helpful at all.. like I think it confuses you even more. Chantal is your typical eighteen year old orphan who has been haunted by terrible nightmares ever since she can remember. Her only source of solace was a mysterious shadow she names Nick, who she talks to in her mind about her nightmares. Even though he never replies she likes the idea that someone is there to help her through her nightmares. Now she is living alone in a studio in New York trying to piece her life together and make something out of herself. But little does she know her life is a bout to take a spiral into a world where nightmares aren't just nightmares but prophesies of a very real and frightening future.
After you get past the first few chapters and figure out what the story is actually about, this novel is an amazing read. It's such a different take on.. should I say it? Yeah I guess I will, it's not even a spoiler..it's such a different take on angels that I was so pulled into the story.
Chantal was in a way a typical heroine. Life made her hardworking and humble and she nice to everyone she meets. She stands up for the innocent and I loved that trait in her. It's hard to describe her she was definitely a strong heroine but she had a softer and a weaker almost fragile side. She definitely had some of the typical Mary-Sue traits but she didn't suffer from TSTL syndrome so it's all good.
Mathias.. well, now that's a hottie. I loved him. He was protective and I loved how he tries to put his feelings for Chantal aside because there were more important things. He was just an awesome love interest that's all I'm saying about him I don't want to give anything away.
Definitely pick up this book if you like a paranormal novel with action and even a bit of romance, but romance is not the main focus of this book just saying it's there but it definitely takes a step back to the plot.
October 13, 2012
‘Legacy of a Dreamer’ Book Review
Chantal is a teen with a less than picture perfect life. Having been removed from a tumultuous home by authorities, she’s survived in foster care. Run by a selfish shrew, the teens in this foster home have become accustomed to doing menial tasks & being treated as burdens.
Counting herself lucky to not have been exposed to the horrors that some of the other girls have, she develops elaborate coping mechanisms. Dreams may be beautiful for some people, but to Chantal, there are only nightmares.
Solace was found in a shadowy silhouette she’s named Nick. Thoughts of a nighttime guardian comfort her. Soon though, Chantal’s dreams & reality begin to merge. Being only somewhat able to recall the aspects of her dreams leave her confused & scared. Creatures from her subconscious begin showing themselves outside of her mind. When nightmares become real, who will rescue her?
Supernatural, young adult fiction is way outside my box. Imaginative & fresh, our author has written much more than a tale of teenaged angst. I like that Chantal is an overcomer. One can’t help but wonder what her life may have been like if she’d have had a different upbringing. However, it wouldn’t have aided the plot.
Originality is absolutely evident here. Although supernatural YA isn’t new, the author’s take is. She kept non-essential background & dialogue to a minimum. Mystery & suspense flood Chantal throughout the book.
Plot & characters will both be a hit with the teenage set. More & more this genre has grown in popularity. It’s a wise time for this book’s release.
Our author has a flair for mystery & suspense. I’ll assume this book will take off. It’s very well written. However, I feel unfair rating it as I would normally as I’ve nothing to compare it to.
Therefore, in the interest of fairness, I’ll give it 4 of 5 stars for creativity & originality. More info is available at the links at the bottom of this post. I received 1 eBook copy to do my review & no further compensation.
July 5, 2013
I've read some other reviews for this book where people thought it started out slowly. I didn't think that was the case at all. Right away I felt like I knew where the author was going with the book. Chantal was a ward of the state, but she got kicked out of foster care at age eighteen. She found a place of her own and was going to start college. Loved the beginning. I figured Chantal's dreams would eventually come into play and that her protectors would play a part. Eventually.
Once Chantal met her protector the book just took a turn too quickly for me. Too much action took place too quickly. I don't like to give spoilers, but this is one case where I have to give a little bit of the story away because this was the part where it just seemed to lose it's purpose. I feel like Chantal's life should have been explored more before we were thrown into the realm of fallen angels and oracles. I couldn't connect with her because she was not developed enough in the first few chapters before the action. She's thrown into all this awfulness and we are supposed to care deeply that she's in danger. I just didn't. She hadn't become important to me in those brief chapters. Perhaps if she had formed the friendship with her neighbor rather than just kind of becoming acquainted with her I would have felt like she'd had a life before she is put in the middle of all the dangers she faces.
There is a lot of action with not enough plot. It disappointed me because I thought it had so much promise. Her early dream was so creepy and awesome, but the book just didn't play out that way. It could be great. It needs to be more concise in it's purpose. The back-story of Chantal's life did help explain somethings, but even at that, that wasn't enough for me to connect with her. I'm hoping that in the following books, we get more plot. Too much action distracts from the characters. And though the battle scenes were well-described, it left little to the imagination.
I really want to love this book. It just left me feeling underwhelmed.
Once Chantal met her protector the book just took a turn too quickly for me. Too much action took place too quickly. I don't like to give spoilers, but this is one case where I have to give a little bit of the story away because this was the part where it just seemed to lose it's purpose. I feel like Chantal's life should have been explored more before we were thrown into the realm of fallen angels and oracles. I couldn't connect with her because she was not developed enough in the first few chapters before the action. She's thrown into all this awfulness and we are supposed to care deeply that she's in danger. I just didn't. She hadn't become important to me in those brief chapters. Perhaps if she had formed the friendship with her neighbor rather than just kind of becoming acquainted with her I would have felt like she'd had a life before she is put in the middle of all the dangers she faces.
There is a lot of action with not enough plot. It disappointed me because I thought it had so much promise. Her early dream was so creepy and awesome, but the book just didn't play out that way. It could be great. It needs to be more concise in it's purpose. The back-story of Chantal's life did help explain somethings, but even at that, that wasn't enough for me to connect with her. I'm hoping that in the following books, we get more plot. Too much action distracts from the characters. And though the battle scenes were well-described, it left little to the imagination.
I really want to love this book. It just left me feeling underwhelmed.
August 1, 2013
This is a memorizing and quick read that I found extremely easy to lose myself in. Chantal's transformation from her life of forced labor at a foster home to a life of intrigue, mystery and pain is heartbreaking, but at the same time, it seems liberating for her. Chantal is a strong and capable young woman who has a bit of a crutch, depending on the shadow man in the corner of her room. When she realizes that the shadow man isn't just a figment of a crazy imagination, she's thrown into a world of chaos. This chaos makes her flee her new apartment and run for her life to prevent evil from finding her purity and grace.
The dream sequences in this story are completely heinous. There were points where I had trouble reading them, they were so graphic and terrifying - and I'm a horror movie buff! There was just something so sinister and undefined in these nightmares, that it made it fairly easy for me to understand Chantal's, sometimes rough, exterior. I do have to admit though, one of my favourite parts of the entire book is when she socks a guy for groping her backside. Way to go, lady! Any girl that has no problem defending herself from a pervert is a great heroine in my eyes!
From the moment Nick becomes more than a shadow, this story is action packed. The two are constantly on the run, doing everything they can to keep Chantal away from the evil that seeks her. There were a few parts of the paranormal aspect that I had a bit of confusion with, but I believe due to the lack of details in these parts that it's more than likely something I'm not supposed to fully understand until later in the series. Hopefully I have a chance to read more soon, because this series is off to a fantastic start.
This is a great paranormal YA that I recommend picking up!
Note: I received a complimentary copy for honest review.
The dream sequences in this story are completely heinous. There were points where I had trouble reading them, they were so graphic and terrifying - and I'm a horror movie buff! There was just something so sinister and undefined in these nightmares, that it made it fairly easy for me to understand Chantal's, sometimes rough, exterior. I do have to admit though, one of my favourite parts of the entire book is when she socks a guy for groping her backside. Way to go, lady! Any girl that has no problem defending herself from a pervert is a great heroine in my eyes!
From the moment Nick becomes more than a shadow, this story is action packed. The two are constantly on the run, doing everything they can to keep Chantal away from the evil that seeks her. There were a few parts of the paranormal aspect that I had a bit of confusion with, but I believe due to the lack of details in these parts that it's more than likely something I'm not supposed to fully understand until later in the series. Hopefully I have a chance to read more soon, because this series is off to a fantastic start.
This is a great paranormal YA that I recommend picking up!
Note: I received a complimentary copy for honest review.
October 24, 2012
[FOR MORE REVIEW, CHECK OUT : http://mnkbooklife.blogspot.com/]
When I first read the blurb of the story, I didn't have a single idea about what was this book about, aside from it has something to do with dream. But when I finally got to read it, I truly think that it was fantastic.
The story focused on Chantal Breelan, a seventeen-year-old orphan girl living in a foster home, who had been plagued by constant nightmares since she was little. When she had finally released from the foster home and move out to live by herself, the nightmares became worse, and soon she found herself becoming a key point in an otherworldly war.
Allie Jean had captured me from the first page, with her thrilling yet intriguing prologue, and continued to do so until the last page. I love how she wrote some things vaguely and revealed late in the book that they were a vital part in the story. The twist was added here and there and add a nice depth for the book as well.
Our main character, Chantal Breelan, was such a good character as well, being emotionally damaged in such a believable way, yet still strong and fragile at the same time. One thing I found in Chantal was she was sometimes a little bit Mary Sue-ish, being a natural sword user despite have never used it before.
Our another main character, Mathias, was interesting as well. I love how he seemed to constrained his feeling for Chantal, and how he use his character to cover it up.
One thing I didn't quite fond of this book was how the story tends to sag in the early part of the book. But other than that, it was really good.
Overall, if you like Young adult, fantasy, urban-fantasy, and cute romance like I do, you should definitely read this.
When I first read the blurb of the story, I didn't have a single idea about what was this book about, aside from it has something to do with dream. But when I finally got to read it, I truly think that it was fantastic.
The story focused on Chantal Breelan, a seventeen-year-old orphan girl living in a foster home, who had been plagued by constant nightmares since she was little. When she had finally released from the foster home and move out to live by herself, the nightmares became worse, and soon she found herself becoming a key point in an otherworldly war.
Allie Jean had captured me from the first page, with her thrilling yet intriguing prologue, and continued to do so until the last page. I love how she wrote some things vaguely and revealed late in the book that they were a vital part in the story. The twist was added here and there and add a nice depth for the book as well.
Our main character, Chantal Breelan, was such a good character as well, being emotionally damaged in such a believable way, yet still strong and fragile at the same time. One thing I found in Chantal was she was sometimes a little bit Mary Sue-ish, being a natural sword user despite have never used it before.
Our another main character, Mathias, was interesting as well. I love how he seemed to constrained his feeling for Chantal, and how he use his character to cover it up.
One thing I didn't quite fond of this book was how the story tends to sag in the early part of the book. But other than that, it was really good.
Overall, if you like Young adult, fantasy, urban-fantasy, and cute romance like I do, you should definitely read this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews