Lucia Dreaming

by Lucia Asul

Seven dreams to keep you awake. Will you be entranced or will you be afraid?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

148 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2024

About the author

Lucia Asul is an Ilonggo painter and comic creator based in Quezon City, Philippines.

Reviews

[justine | novelsandpanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it in one sitting, my brain is alive with yet again a 1 AM read...

My eyes feasted on the art that was drawn here, and they were AMAZING!!! Yet my heart aches at the story, and at these thought-provoking dreams~nightmares.

It is definitely a must-read. I love that beyond these drawings, there were notes from the author, like further access into their mind. I have completely enjoyed them all, how uncomfortable and thought-provoking it may be.

Another plus was that we met the author and had my copy signed during the Philippine Book Festival 2026. I was super awkward, but I am really happy.

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

My companion tonight and I finished it in one sitting. Lucia Dreaming by Lucia Asul is a such a fascinating concept because it’s the author/illustrator’s diary of nightmares. It was eerie and I’m brave enough to read it before I sleep. It may sound unbelievable, I cried in the end. 😭

My favorite chapters are Eyes (this makes me paranoid, for real) and New Morning (ma’am, I WEPT). I want to talk about this one chapter — Action — but it’s quite personal. 🫢 I want to thank my dear friend, Danica (@aconjuringofmagic ) for recommending this book to me.

This is the last copy at the Philippine Book Festival. It’s actually the display copy and I don’t mind the crease and folds. I badly wanted to read this. 🖤

[Pam Z (Pam's Shenanigans) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read! Lucia Asul's illustrations and thumb-stopping art gave life to harrowing themes surrounding her dreams. Some stories and illustrations were straight-up horrific, but not in the typical way we all view horror as a genre.

This is the kind of horror that stays with you, the type of horror you would not wish for yourself to experience, and the kind of horror rooted in reality and deep-seated fear.

I recommend reading this slowly to savor the lyrical writing and amazing art!

[Kat Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Officially a favorite graphic novel, not just of the year, but of all-time. I never thought I'd cry in a horror-themed story about nightmares but I did. This has my heart.

*brb will sob in the corner*

[Spens (Sphynx Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully eerie stories with hauntingly gorgeous artwork to boot!

[Sai theengineerisreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nerve-wracking.
Heart-rending.
Harrowing.
Poignant.

There are so many adjectives to describe this book but the word that I will associate with Lucia Dreaming is honest.

I have high respects for artists and illustrators not only for their exceptional artistry but also for their courage in opening up so many parts of themselves in every panel or page or story they create.

And in Lucia Dreaming, Lucia Asul came face-to-face with her fears and became painfully honest in translating those dreams into pages that gave me chills while reading.

You really have to read this, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Eunice (nerdytalksbookblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dream diary transports you into a world that is enigmatic yet relatable. The illustrations were perfectly crafted, depicting each dream in such vivid accuracy. I would like to call it Lucid Dreaming, the ability of the book to transcend from the pages to one’s imagination is incomparable. Loved it!

[kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANG GANDA. ANG GALING. ANG HUSAY.

Lucia Dreaming is a dream diary by Lucia Asul.

what originally started as an outlet to make sense of dreams, has ended up becoming a comic collection that deserves to be seen by a wide audience.

it’s a collection of stories, stemming from the author’s seven real-life dreams and hallucinations - each one with their own tinge of eeriness you could definitely feel as you go through the book.

for as long as i remember, i didn’t have much dreams. and on the rare occasion that i do, its always the type you wish you could forget and leave behind. while these dreams weren’t the most positive - it was entertaining for me to know about how other people dream.

lastly, let’s not forget —— the art and visuals were INSANELY GOOD. best believe i spent a good amount of time observing every single detail of each page. never underestimate the power of an artist who uses charcoal, and creates black & white art — it takes a different level of creativity to be able to capture attention with less color

[kutingtin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this graphic novel will grab hold of you once you start it and it it creates this dark, eerie, mysterious atmosphere wherever you are. Its the stuff of your dreams whether weird, surreal or mind boggling. We try to make sense of them- our unconscious trying to reach us from the deepest depths of our being. Sometimes they bother us as long as we remember them the moment we open our eyes. I myself have the most bizarre dreams since childhood and I wish I could have kept a diary like this. I’m so happy to get to know a homegrown talent in Lucia Asul today- thankyou to my friend Ice for lending us her copy- we were able to read this, all 5 of us in 1day! 🖤🩶🤍

[cece · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ARTWORK 10/10

I just thought it'd be creepier, but it was okay. My favorite short story was Action, the actual dream it was based on was scarier than the one illustrated. I also liked Eyes, because I tend to overthink the same thing as the author.

[selina · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ART AND WORDS ARE COMPLETELY STUNNING I LOVE IT

[elsewhere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucia Dreaming is a dream diary filled with nightmares and disturbing visions.

Reading Candles, the first story in the collection, felt like walking alongside the author in a dark hallway, searching for my own body. Travel is a story about wandering and leaving without knowing the exact reason why. The third story, The Frog Curse, is my favorite in terms of its writing. It begins with a little girl's fascination with frogs and explores how she clings to that sense of wonder, unaware of the consequences until it is too late. Action read like a psychological horror film — reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode and Tales of the Unusual by Seongdae Oh. Eyes left me paranoid, feeling as though I was being watched, even in safe places. Cult of the Two Moons was like a lucid dream about the end of the world. Lastly, New Morning, was a heart-wrenching yet comforting conclusion to the collection, exploring themes of loss and letting go.

[renaissandsbtch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucia Dreaming is a dream diary written by Ilonggo painter and comic creator, Lucia Asul. It recounts seven dreams by the author, illustrated in black and white but described in vivid language. It is a creepy, yet honest and brave story-telling of the author’s deep-seated fears and anxieties manifested in her dreams. Before ushering us to the main journey, the author asks about our fears. And as you read each chapter you will surely begin to ask yourself “What am I afraid of?”.

The dream diary starts with the chapter titled “Candles” which sets the tone for the rest of the book. You’ll find more dreams that evoke similar feelings, such as “Action” and “Eyes” and I respectfully say this, but if you’re into stories like creepypasta this book is definitely for you. My favorite dream is “The Frog Curse” because it mirrors an experience I had with the animal. I live where the ground turns to mud during the rainy season and the puddles are the perfect place for frogs to lay their eggs. One night after it had just stopped raining, I walked to our house and was greeted by a thousand glowing frog eyes that looked like twinkling stars. The ground I walked on resembled the night sky. I guess that is what’s special about the book. It gives you a sense of familiarity and relatability, and Lucia Asul can effectively communicate this with her readers.

But despite the creepy undertones of the book, you'll feel a sense of relief, similar to waking up from a nightmare, after reading the final chapter titled "New Morning." To the readers who grew up with grandparents you’ll understand what I’m talking about. This dream sets itself apart from the six because instead of evoking fear, it gives us hope. I think adding a hopeful story at the end is what the book needs to tie it all together. Afterall, dreams are just dreams and we’ll wake up from it no matter how scary they can be. That’s the comforting part about the book.

Lastly, I love when a book does not have to be deep to feel important. The book starts raw and vulnerable, with the author sharing that documenting her dreams was a way to alleviate her anxieties and cope with past traumas. And I have nothing but respect as a reader to be entrusted to read a book so personal to the author.

To those of you who want to read Lucia Dreaming, I hope you’ll have the same special journey as I did and to never let your fears control you.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always leaned towards literature that explores the dreams our minds create when we sleep — not in a theoretical way, but more as an outlet for release (of emotions, memories, and creativity). Finally getting a hold of a literary piece that brings her personal, scary dreams to life was such a treat to high school me, who had always dreamed of unsettling, scary, unexplainable things. Reading and seeing dreams in the form of a graphic novel, pencil-sketched, detailed, and very raw, felt all the more real that the stories linger; I can almost believe they were my own. Lucia has such a wonderful way with words. And wow, she has such an amazing way of sketching and drawing---definitely more than enough to grip the readers with the emotions that burst out of the pages.

I'd been on the lookout for a copy of this graphic novel since it was announced on Twitter. Haha! But I never got around to checking one out on the retail apps. So I'm just thankful that my monita gifted me this last Christmas <3

Thank you for sharing your dreams with us, Lucia. I hope the demons (your ghosts) that haunt you have become your friends now. You're so cool and amazing for confronting and keeping them alive in the form of comics and stories. Stay gentle with yourself, and I'm looking forward to your next releases!

[Caryl Lazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compilation of dreams told through drawings and poetry. This hits home for me since every now and then I experience nightmares or overly detailed peculiar dreams. It never affected me badly except those nights when I wake up terrified, drenched in sweat, my heart beating like crazy, and not being able to sleep again. Seeing that someone else also struggles with bad dreams make me feel seen, and understood.

Now about this book. The art is beautiful yet the strokes, the shading, and overall look of the drawings carry the fear, and bizarreness of each dream. They tell the story well trough visuals. The poetry also adds depth to it, guiding the readers from one page to another. It seems like I was reading a children's book but with darker, and more complex stories.

This is also a short read and can be read in one sitting (I read this during my commute home from work). My favorite one was the story on frogs because I had a similar experience as a child playing with them (and sadly, killing tadpoles).

I definitely enjoy reading this one and will check out the other works by the author.

[Highnyzbibliofiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each story can be considered a doorway to anyone’s phobias—fear of enclosed spaces, fear of the unknown, fear of animals. Lucia brings these fears to life through her drawings. With the black-and-white palette of the novel, it delivers a strong horror feel. This graphic novel also moves through different genres, such as mystery, crime, and more.


The stories Lucia presents in each chapter have strong standalone potential. They offer unique and personal storytelling that can be expanded into multiple chapters—like The Action and The Cult of the Two Moons.

As a former frustrated dream interpreter, I loved this book. It gives off an eerie feeling, especially in the first chapter. Personally, I tend to think about what dreams could mean; however, I always believe that a person’s waking life is essential to fully understanding their true meaning.


This book is an easy read but well worth digesting. It is my first time diving into Lucia’s work, and I am in awe of both the artwork and the storytelling. I will definitely look into Lucia’s other works.

[Rexy Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m usually the type that likes to be able to fully get and articulate the punchline in whatever I’m reading/watching/listening to, and am less patient than I should be with unresolved abstraction. But like a powerful dream, Lucia’s stories leave you with a sense of profound, subconscious meaning without quite giving you the answer to “what does it all mean?”

There are punchlines for sure—gripping moments, turning points, and Lucia has a gift for imagery that pulls feelings out of you, even if the art weren’t there and it was just words on the page. But she’s also confident enough to keep things open, not in a cop-out way but, again, in a way that a dream can leave you with a sense that you just experienced something important, but you’ll never be able to fully pinpoint why.

Or like a song, where the feelings and themes stick to you but there are edges and stanzas that will remain mysterious—all the better for it.

[Dycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eerie. I think we all have dreams we'd rather not discuss, and this comic might illustrate why; some dreams simply creep others (and ourselves) out. However, kudos to the creator for sharing hers. I enjoyed the creeping fear; an excellent literary entertainment. Chapter 4 and 7 were my favorite parts. I've often wondered, especially after hearing stories about the extreme lengths people go to in pursuit of becoming an "artista," about the nature of ambition. If the illustrations were intended to be unsettling, Lucia certainly succeeded. The final chapter resonated with me deeply. Losing someone important is difficult, and the emotions that follow demand to be felt. I guess that’s also scary- confronting our emotions.

[Martin Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who enjoys reading comics and literary fiction alike, reading this felt like a combination of both experiences. The visuals were breathtaking. I took a long while just staring at some panels in pure adoration. But what really struck me were the words that accompanied them. I know the stories within this book are inspired by the author's dreams (or nightmares), but somehow they felt familiar. And they touched my heart. I felt like picking up a pen after closing this book. It's an example of comics as a medium at its best, when it combines heartfelt storytelling with art that pulls you in.

I'm new to reading comics by Filipino authors, but I'm glad this is among the first ones I've picked up.

And thank you for signing my copy, Lucia!

[Divine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my favorite of the seven dreams were "the frog curse" and "new mornings". It might be a universal experience that as children, we become transfixed on the little creatures of nature. Both entranced on their beauty and terror. I've had nightmares where I was surrounded by multicolored spectral snails in different sizes so the frog curse is weirdly comforting. The last dream story was just really precious as I too harbored the same fears and I just lost my grandma recently. I cried so much :')) This graphic novel is so beautifully illustrated and I remembered reading "candles" when it was just posted in social media before! Never have thought it was from this author.

[reyraymundv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine walking along a dark hallway with doorless rooms. At each room is a body on the floor. And candles as if prayers were offered by someone who may be important to that person whose body lay unmoved. Or maybe they are family members who are weeping for their lost children. Or maybe they are strangers.

In one of Lucia’s dreams. we try to find out what these bodies mean for the people who offer them candles. But it’s a nightmare. You can only see their shadows. They say dreams have meanings. What does this mean for Lucia? What does this mean for you?

Lucia Dreaming is a collection of dreams written and drawn by Lucia Asul and published under Anino Comics. The book takes you into Lucia’s dreamscapes where frogs haunt on a rainy day, an actress performs for the film of her life, and two moons set a course to reunite with each other. These are just some of the nightmares that Lucia may have felt so memorable that when reading these, they now live in my memories as well.

Lucia’s artwork captivates as if you are drawn into the darkness of these nightmares. You walk into this tunnel and it seems the world has twisted with you inside. You stare into the eyes of a cat but they’re all blank, white, emotionless. But you also complete this book with a feeling of calm and warmth.

Read a chapter. Take a pause. Breathe in. Stay Awake.

[Giana Gabrinao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one of the best graphic novels I've read in a while. The frog curse was a personal fave and I was left in awe with how Lucia Asul eerily expressed her artistry here. The Eyes truly left me haunted and was also a close favorite of mine. But I do love how the author ended it with New Morning, I guess we can safely say that this is a good read even at midnight because it ends with a hug for scaredy-cats like me.

Would personally love to thank the author cause this got me out of my reading slump. :")

[An · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb artistry! This was one of my bestest book buy for this year and I've NEVER been this excited for Halloween season. It was a very good picture book.

Also there were some snippets I wasn't sure I understand (The Curse of Frog and Cult of Two Moons). However, the author provided a brief background of nightmares at the end of the book which gave me something to think about.

I love the book and the artistry! Congratulations 👏🏻🎉

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dove into Lucia Dreaming expecting something really scary, but it didn’t quite turn out that way, so I ended up a bit disappointed.

Out of all the chapters, Chapter 4, “Action,” was my favorite. It stood out the most for me and felt the most engaging.

That said, I really appreciate the artwork and graphics throughout the book. They added a lot to the experience and made it more visually interesting, even if the story wasn’t exactly what I expected.

[Daphney Justo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the concept of this book! It feels like a project I should've done myself a long time ago, which is documenting my dreams. Lucia Asul's art is a gift to be shared. It made me feel like it is a form of catharsis for her to reveal her darkest dreams as she draws them, too. I am so happy that I took a chance on this comic dream journal.

[Gerald The Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atmospheric. Creepy. I love the art style. Easy read.

Paborito ko 'yung istorya about dun sa artista. Nakakatuwa pa dito, pakiramdam ko kasama ako ni Lucia sa limang bangungot na pinagdaanan niya. Love it!

[Dymar De Claro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I aspire to be as good as her (art wise)! Love it so much 😭. Really enjoyed the added context at the end. It was so nice knowing the inspiration behind each stories!!! Mabuhay ang mga Filipino artists!!!!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

The artwork was just sublime. It completed the prose which was short enough to get your imagination work. These short stories are short indeed, but they will keep you on edge just like our dreams make us feel every time. I just wish there were more stories in this book!

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stories here provide an enigmatic and thrilling aura, as if it engulfs you in the ambience of the story.

My personal favorite story is the frog one, as I think it's a tale that's timeless and memorable.

[cess reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all the arts/illustration are very pretty. I love the stories so much and my personal faves are, the frog curse, eyes, and new morning. I got goosebumps after I read the new morning chapter. “i never left” 🥺