Fever Dreams and the End of All Things

by A.J. Massey

The sequel to the award-winning Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps.

As Ben, Avery, and Marcus near their last summer break before high school, a feverish sleep beckons them back to the mysterious dream realm of Meridia.

The three friends haven’t returned to Meridia since they stopped the Fading from consuming their magical world. But a new triad of villains threatens the land: The Ghastly Three. Ben, Avery, and Marcus must join forces with a kodkod pirate, translucent elves, and even the Sovereign’s former generals if they wish to survive.

Traversing the Lost City of Contraptionists, the Drowned Swamps, and the Undercurrent ruled by the Nightmare Queen herself, they race against the Ghastly Three to stop them from obtaining the World Builder, an artifact that empowers the wielder to reshape Meridia to their wicked desire.

Meanwhile, the real world is threatening to break them apart and thwart their summer plans. With changes unseen and secrets unspoken, will their friendship survive this supreme threat, as well as their transition to Trinity High?

Praise for Fever Dreams and the End of All Things:

"A compelling, original and spectacularly well-written fantasy coming-of-age/adventure story that will entice YA and adult readers into the dream world of Meridia and the all-too-real world of junior high school."
The Booklife Prize by Publishers Weekly

"A riveting fantasy sequel that skillfully expands the boundaries of its predecessor."
Kirkus Reviews

"Massey excels at creating vivid scenarios, demanding circumstances, and unexpected twists and turns that challenge young heroes to engage in the biggest battle of their lives."
D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer for Midwest Book Review

★★★★★
"Settle into a comfortable reading chair, relish the author's role as Dungeon Master and storyteller, and get involved in an intense and compelling adventure/fantasy tale."
Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

★★★★1/2
"A tireless and tremendously creative adventure, Fever Dreams and the End of All Things by A.J. Massey is a strong sequel in a deeply fascinating realm."
Self-Publishing Review

"This is not a book for small children, and it does not talk down to its audience or treat its young adult characters and readers as innocents to be pandered to, but as intelligent, thoughtful people in the throes of one of the most difficult times of their lives."
Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2021

About the author

A.J. Massey writes thrilling fantasy novels for young teens and adults. His first book, Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps, blends shared dream worlds and middle school and was influenced by his favorite childhood movies of the 80s, Labyrinth and The Neverending Story. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife, Katie, and pet dragonwoof, Abby.

Keep in touch with A.J. at www.dragonwoofs.com or follow @dragonwoofs on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Reviews

[James W · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Fever Dreams and the End of All Things,’ by author A.J. Massey, is the highly-anticipated sequel to his award-winning YA debut ‘Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps.’

‘Fever Dreams…’ picks up shortly after the events of Massey’s previous novel. Once again our trio of intrepid students are thrust into an otherworldly adventure, beckoned to Meridia by an ominous warning hinting at some sort of impending doom. With high-school just around the corner, Ben, Avery, and Marcus must first deal with a series of unexpected challenges, including a final showdown with the Ghastly Three and their diabolical plan to transform the realm into a ghost world.

Utilizing a clever ‘sleep world/awake world’ dual-storyline, ‘Fever Dreams…’ is a briskly-paced, action-packed adventure that entertains from cover to cover. Sure, Massey’s dialogue occasionally feels a bit too expository for a bunch of teenagers, but the novel's crisp, air-tight plot and vivid world-building more than makes up for the handful of clunky paragraphs readers will encounter.

‘Fever Dreams…’ also features loads of high-stakes, fantastical action sequences, but the heart and soul of this novel is the dynamic, nuanced friendship shared by its protagonists. It’s tempting to draw comparisons to that ‘other’ YA series—Avery’s middle name could easily be ‘Hermione’—but Massey succeeds in crafting an authentic world that ultimately feels unique. Additionally, the California-based author infuses the ‘awake’ half of this book with poignant, timely issues that add a contemporary edge to what is essentially an escape from reality.

This book is a sequel in every sense of the word, but having read it independent of the first installment, I can attest to its ability to bring the reader up to speed—an amazing feat given the genre. And while ‘Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps’ is currently at the top of my ‘to-read’ list, I honestly can’t wait to see where Massey takes this series. With the high-school experience the next logical step, I suspect things are only going to get that much more interesting.

Simply put, ‘Fever Dreams and the End of All Things’ is YA fantasy at its finest—highly recommended for fans of anything Harry Potter-adjacent.

[Kate Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been quite a while since I last got into a story's world as easily as I did in Fever Dreams and the End of All Things. Immediately, we're thrown into the vast and magical realm of Meridia. When I read "porcelain skin," I had to do double take and was subsequently ecstatic to find out it's meant in a literal sense!

Throughout the book, you find so many delightful characters, residents of Meridia and you get to see all the magical places in it. This is definitely my favorite thing about this book - it's worldbuilding.

Storywise, I wouldn't think of Ben, Marcus and Avery's adventure as one of epic fantasy. It felt more like the kind of fantasy you'd get in video games or tabletop games - there's a goal to achieve and an adventure to jump into. This is not a bad thing, mind you. In fact, I think this type of fantasy is the best for Children's Fiction or Middle-Grade books (think Percy Jackson and the early Harry Potter books.)

One thing that felt rather out of left field for me, though, was this sudden perspective change that will happen in the later half. We're shown a flashback on one of the supporting character's life - logically, to make sense of their actions that is integral into the story's plot. Personally, I would have found this much better to read had it been gradually fed into us earlier into the story.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It reminds me of those days when I was in middle school myself, reading adventure books until way past bedtime. This is highly recommended for young readers and readers of any age that want to get into fantasy.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fever Dreams and the End of All Things is the second book of A.J. Massey's YA series and picks up where the first volume left off. It's been months since Ben, Avery and Marcus returned from the magical world of Meridia after stopping the Fading from consuming the land. It's the last summer before the start of high school and the trio are trying to make the most of it. Ben is determined to reinvent himself to become a "cool kid" in high school and leave behind his nerd status, while he and Avery dance around their feelings for each other. Marcus on the other hand, just wants to have fun before the start of the new school year. But the trio's summer plans are put on hold when a new villain called The Ghastly Three, threatens to harm Meridia and the friends once again find themselves thrust into the magical world to come to its aid. Throughout the book, Massey flawlessly transitions between the dream world, Meridia and the awake world, or real life. Both a coming of age story as well as one of friendship, Fever Dreams and the End of All Things emphasizes on the love and support Ben, Avery and Marcus have for one another. This in turn is reflected in their perseverance to overcome the obstacles they face in Meridia. Though marketed as a YA series, it is definitely geared towards a younger YA or older Middle Grade audience, but it is still a spellbinding read for fantasy fans of any age.

[Emily Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling adventure with magic and mystery

This book was a true gem of a story. But, the future reader should be aware, it's not for the faint of heart.
It can be rather confusing for the first few chapters. This is the book's primary shortcoming.
It jumps around a lot in between worlds and past, present, and future events. There are a lot of characters and world building taking place in a 250 page book. So, at first you may feel overwhelmed. But, again, don't quit.
The book is well worth the read and once it starts going you begin to really connect with each of the young protagonists.
The story is also extremely creative. There are many familiar fantastic creatures any fantasy lover will be familiar with, such as: elves, fairies, and goblins. But there are also many creature you may not recognize such as Kodkods and talking insects. This gives it a similar vibe to Alice in Wonderland actually, with talking catapilars who are a little crazy. And, poetic, almost dream induced names such as "Mourner's Peek". So, if you're expecting a Tolkien like story, this isn't really how I'd categorize this story. Rather, it reminds me of a Wayne Thomas Batson novel with elements of Lewis Carol.
Thoroughly engaging read and aside from having a little too many things happening at once, it's an amazing book! I highly recommend it for anyone between the ages of 10 and 25.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right off the bat this book came off very intense. I knew I was in for quite the thrill ride. I did not expect this book to be so graphically detailed , especially in parts where characters got sick (thank goodness I read this after eating hours before). As I read on I could not help but feel like I have been transported back to high school. The details of imagery A.J Massey used throughout the book was brilliantly executed. Everyone daydreams of the horrors of high school so, it's easy to feel the pain and suffering for Ben and Marcus when they were told by Danny to stay where they are as long as possible and not enter high school. Now not only do they have to enter high school, they seek Marissa who really is a being from another realm and everyone is part of her army and the Sovereign. Now their problems have rose to even bigger heights. Then the story takes a full 180 and now everyone transforms from high school students to warriors for battle. This literally was the ultimate fantasy adventure for the books. Now I see why this book was called Fever Dreams, Ben and his friends were in battle in dreamland. This book is a take on Game of Thrones meets, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

I could not have loved this book even more than I do right now. That's why this book clearly deserves 5 stars.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fever dreams is the second book to the “Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and Fading Creeps” Series by author A.J. Massey. Luckily for readers, the book isn’t a huge time skip but is shortly after the first book. The first book if you can’t remember, was about three students who were whisked away into another world with a very mysterious “end of the world/doomy” message. The students are just now finishing middle school and making the big change to high school but what is a struggle right now is almost a “culture shock” from the world that they were in and going back to their real world. It was so well written. There was a lot of personal growth and exploration in the other world that Marcus, Ben, and Avery all must figure out in their real world. The sleep world and real-world foundation of the story was interesting and had lots of small twists and turns to keep any reader into the book. I have a little brother who is looking for a new series to explore and I think both of these books in the series will be right up his alley.

[T.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story and there is much to love about it. The idea is dark but well done in terms of a world created by children who are comatose. And while this is the second book in the series, the author does a seemless job in filling the reader in on important facts from the first book without it feeling like one big info-dump. The pacing was great, offering the reader both action and calmness with character arcs. I would've loved more world building, but I think that is just subjective. I didn't feel lost in the world, I just wanted to know more. The only real issue is that this book didn't feel like YA. It had more of an upper middle grade, or that no mans land of ninth grade in terms of voice and overall tone. Granted, there are not many books that fall into that area so it would be great to recommend for upper middle grade students or ninth graders just entering into high school, but I feel it reads too young to engage the older YA crowd.

[Hannah Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delight to read and I cannot recommend it highly enough to teens and adults alike. Its intricate, clever, and relatable plot was deeply transfixing. Though this book has been heralded as an exhilarating follow-up book to Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps (Dragonwoofs, #1), I read this as a stand-alone book. I can say with confidence that while I'm sure the intricate continuity of having read it in order would have been exhilarating, this book does a fabulous job of bringing the reader up to speed with all of the need-to-know information. I felt myself drop, mesmerized, right into the story without missing a bit.

Though the writing was at times a bit of a jumble, its color and imagination will carry readers through. For readers looking for something along the lines of Harry Potter or The Magicians, this will surely be a much loved little series. I so look forward to finding out what comes next for these characters.

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fever Dreams and the End of All Things (Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps Book 2) by A.J. Massey is an amazing sequel to Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps by the same author. You immediately get immersed into the action here. This is well written YA fantasy that doesn't talk down to the reader but instead involves you from the beginning pages. The level of detail is exceptional as the environs are described, and the characters are interesting, realistic, and well detailed. There's an unmatched amount of creativity here that is hard to find elsewhere. It simply immerses you and entertains you at the same time. With the use of dual worlds- sleep world/awake world, the author really keeps you on your toes as you follow the plot. Highly recommend it for a fun and engaging read.

[Märtha Custis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up where the previous book left off, Fever Dreams And The End of All Things is an action packed, fantasy adventure novel by A.J. Massey.
A lovely selection of young adult fiction, the story of Ben, Avery, and Marcus’s friendship and their journeys between two worlds is engaging and entertaining.
Even though it is a sequel, I appreciated the fact that the book can be read and understood alone, without the necessity of reading the first book. I always find this to be the mark of skill and craftsmanship on the part of the author, and makes for an accessible reading experience for everyone.
The book is well written without overly nuanced or casual language, but still with an ease of reading for younger ages as well.
I feel like readers of all ages would appreciate this well crafted fantasy adventure, and I look forward to seeing what next author A.J. Massey has in store.

[Susel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of thrilling fantasy novels, I knew I was going to love this book written by amazing author A.J. Massey. The author is a captivating storyteller that kept me on the edge of my seat.
The details that the author included drew me into the story from the very first page.The brilliant descriptions of the places, people and events were excellent and really helped me form images in my mind as I followed this story, that introduced me into the dream world of Meridia and the all-too-real world of junior high school.
The author's writing style made me want to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next. The pace of the story was excellent and exciting. There was intrigue, danger and drama throughout the book.
This is an excellent piece of fiction and I am planning to read his other books very soon!

[Lily mooze · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a wonderful feeling when one gets immersed in a fascinating storyline and its characters. "Fever Dreams and the End of All Things(Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps)" did just that to me. Infused with the right proportions of fantasy elements and creative imagery, the writing transports you to a world of magical beings and an enchanting magical realm.
The trio: Ben, Avery, and Marcus, continue with their adventure in this second installment. What I appreciated most about this book is that it not only makes for pure escapist entertainment, but has valuable lessons as well. The world building too, does not go unnoticed, as it is well-executed.
"Fever Dreams: The End of All Things(Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps" is a spellbinder that will undoubtedly tug at the heartstrings of young readers.

[Aparna Preethi · Rating 5 out of 5]

There couldn’t be a better sequel to this award-winning saga than this second part. The sequel continues with the same pace and takes us to the lost city of Contraptionists which is a dream realm of Meridia. With the new triad of villains, the story becomes more captivating and grasping. The challenges faced by the three leads and the way they come out of them each time shines throughout the story. The story is fast-paced and full of twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between characters, especially, the three leads.

The bond between the leads was evident through their interactions and also the best part of the book. Their friendship is the highlight of the story and their biggest weapon against evil. An amazing sequel that should not be missed at any cost.

[Sol Tyty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fever Dreams and the End of All Things is the sequel to the amazing start of the Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps series, a book which I have been waiting for long. As its preceding installment, this one picks up on the adventures of three students who are now finishing middle school and about to jump into high school.
This tale has a lot of elements which I like: pirates, translucent elves and unspoken secrets. As a whole, the storyline is fast-paced and easy-going and, at some point, it teaches lessons. The trio is inseparable and they are able to sustain their bondless friendship no matter what.
The exchange of communication between them was intelligent, emotional and thought-provoking. I enjoyed this book a lot!

[Aneley Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sequel!

Fever Dreams and the End of All Things is the sequel of Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps series. Ben, Avery, and Marcus saved Meridia from being consumed by the Fading. Now, new dangers threaten this magical world and they will join forces with peculiar characters to survive at the same time that they will try to fulfil their plans for the last summer break before high school.
I honestly liked it a lot! The first book set the bar high but this book is as good as the first one. The author, A.J. Massey, did an excellent job with the description and development of the characters. It is aimed at teenage readers but I believe that any fan of the fantasy genre can enjoy this story! I recommend it for those who want to stimulate their imagination!

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing! It is the sequel to “Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps”. Each volume in this series has been a little different. The author does not have a predictable formula like some book series I have read and I adored this.
I had previously read the last installment but I think this one is much better. I was disappointed that I could only rate it 5 stars. What about the ten that it deserves?
It's a simple read with plenty of surprises that flow easily and moves quickly. The characters are real and well defined without onerous portrayals that confuse the narrative. There are enough twists and turns to make it more than captivating and entertaining.
I love this book, it is awesome. In fact, the entire series is great!

[Nela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fever Dreams and the End of All Things is the second book in the “Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps” series by author A.J. Massey and a great adventure book for young readers.

I was particularly impressed by the world building and the imaginative storytelling. The creative plot of the story is just laced with fantasy and vivid imagery. As a consequence, this is a very engaging novel. In addition, there are certain twists and turns that make the tale even more interesting and difficult to put down.

This is a good way to help teens to develop a desire for reading, and it is a highly recommended tale to encourage the reading habit.

[Kourtney Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect middle-school aged read

Fever Dreams and the End of All Things is the second installment in the Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps Series and is a perfect read for middle-school-aged children who are looking to expand their craving for adventure. I love that the author was inspired for these stories based on some classic movies, like The Neverending Story. The story builds on the first installment with the three students advancing on their prior endeavors and building their experience with adventure. As the crew re-enters the world of Merida, they are quickly engulfed back into the fantasy world fantastically written scene depictions, and a constant flurry of activity. I would recommend this one to readers 12 or older, though my son is only 10, he's an advanced reader and would definitely enjoy this one as much as I did, though I think he would prefer to start with the first in the series as to not miss out on anything.

[Dani Savante · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my son and both of us enjoyed it a lot. This second part in the story: Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps, relates the events that occur when the three friends return to the mysterious world of dreams, Meridia, to stop a new group of villains that threaten the Earth.
The first part of this story captivated me and transported me to a world of fiction and adventure: This second part surprised me and it was more than I expected. It is a simple and light reading which involves the reader with its well developed and described scenes and landscapes. It is an excellent book to read with the family. I recommend it.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I loved this book, just as we did the first one. We did have to go back to the first and have a little refresh as we were struggling to remember what happened as it’s been quite some time since we read it. The story as a whole is creative and fast-paced, which my son loves and makes for a great little read for grown ups too. If you’re a lover of fantasy novels, you’ll most likely enjoy the mix of adventure and imagination throughout with the lessons learned from and the return to Meridia meeting real world problems that young adults face. The relationships between the characters have real depth and are my son felt very connected to the story.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is once again trouble in Meridia.

Avery, Ben, and Marcus are worrying about what their transition from middle school to Trinity High is going to do to their friendship when they’re whisked away once again to the dreamworld of Meridia, just in time to be apprehended by a new set of villains trying to destroy it, and them.

This book is the second in a series but it isn’t too difficult to follow the story if you have not picked up the previous one. It is fast-paced and thoroughly magical. Meridia takes inspiration from familiar fantasy worlds with ghouls and winged pets but also features celadons made of porcelain with actual wind-up keys in their backs.

From the Wet Cells has emerged the Ghastly Three, a trio of murderous ghouls who want to take Meridia from the former Sovereign's generals. Meanwhile at Southpoint Middle School, Avery, Ben, and Marcus are dealing with school dances and bullies, thoroughly relatable issues to any reader. They get out of their messes in and out of Meridia leaning on each other as friends and playing to their individual strengths which is what makes this book more than just an adventure jaunt.
Without spoiling anything, the kids are alright. The book makes light, fast-paced reading from the intended and other age groups. The story’s fantasy and reality storylines are as readable as each other.