Imagine a world of magic, adventure and wonder. Imagine being able to control everything around you simply by using your imagination. Imagine being able to fly across vast skies, explore cities made of gold and experience the wonders of the world like you've never seen them before. Now imagine you only need to fall asleep to get there.
Kai and Lindsay stumble across the entrance to the Dream Sanctum, a massive world where people are limited only by their imaginations. However, due to an experiment gone awry, horrible creations called Nightmares are set loose into the Sanctum. They are not bound by the laws of the Sanctum and attack dreamers from the shadows, sending them into a fitful sleep from which they cannot wake.
Together, along with child prodigy Kwin, master swordsman Alastor, and overconfident hero Hercules, Kai and Lindsay set out to destroy the Nightmares and their creator before the whole Sanctum is overrun.
This was such a fun book to read, and I'm very happy that it's part of a trilogy! What I like most about it is the overall concept of when one goes to sleep, they are able to enter this other world. What makes it even more special is that the world is described so well, that it honestly feels like you've been transported there. The novel also has a unique take (and one has to give credit to the author on this) on how nightmares could physically manifest themselves. How would they look in physical form? How would they interact with people? What would happen to you in the real world if that physical manifestation were to take hold of you while you were in the dream world? The characters aren't cookie cutter types or the overused 'guy and girl that are friends start to fall in love with each other' trope; each character is fleshed out well, is given their own voice, and has an equal part to play in the novel. No character is there just for the sake of being there. The book is an easy read, and as said, has a unique mindset when it comes to dreams. Hopefully it will spark in the reader an interest about what is possible when one is sleeping and what one is able to do when they're dreaming. If you love fantasy, finding new and exciting authors, or you want to read something that has a concept that is an absolute breath of fresh air, I really think you'll enjoy Through the Golden Door!
this is one of my favorite books. I love the concept of it. it's kind of like Harry Potter where I always wanted to get my letter to Hogwarts, and with this book I keep wanting to go to sleep to see if I can find this world if it actually exists. I've always wanted to be able to lucid dream, and it would be so cool to do that in a world where you could also meet other people!
it's such a cool concept, and there are so many awesome characters in it. I think Kwin is one of my favorite characters out of any book I've ever read. the writing is smart and sarcastic and funny. and this book also made me cry multiple times and still had a happy ending. I can't explain how worked up I got over one scene specifically.
I must have read this book at least five times already, and I can't wait for the second.