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Book of Dreams
Gaige’s curiosity gets the better of him when he discovers a bookstore on an abandoned street where no bookstore should be.
He steps inside and is immediately enthralled by its antiquarian sights and smells. But one book in particular calls to him. It isn’t long before he gets a bad feeling about it, but it's already too late. The store’s aged bookseller gives him no once he touches the book, it's his—whether he wants it or not. It's bought and paid for and there are no returns.
The book leads Gaige on a horrific descent into the unknown. As he falls into the depths of its pages, he loses blocks of time, and his friends become trapped inside ancient cellars with seemingly no means of escape. Gaige soon learns that the ancient bookseller is a notorious serial killer from previous century, and fears that he has fallen into a predicament from which he may not escape.
When all seems lost, he finds the one person he can turn to for help—Mael, a sweet teen also trapped inside the book who didn't fall for the bookseller’s tricks.
Together, they race against time to protect Gaige from joining a long string of boys who vanished without a trace inside the Book of Dreams.
He steps inside and is immediately enthralled by its antiquarian sights and smells. But one book in particular calls to him. It isn’t long before he gets a bad feeling about it, but it's already too late. The store’s aged bookseller gives him no once he touches the book, it's his—whether he wants it or not. It's bought and paid for and there are no returns.
The book leads Gaige on a horrific descent into the unknown. As he falls into the depths of its pages, he loses blocks of time, and his friends become trapped inside ancient cellars with seemingly no means of escape. Gaige soon learns that the ancient bookseller is a notorious serial killer from previous century, and fears that he has fallen into a predicament from which he may not escape.
When all seems lost, he finds the one person he can turn to for help—Mael, a sweet teen also trapped inside the book who didn't fall for the bookseller’s tricks.
Together, they race against time to protect Gaige from joining a long string of boys who vanished without a trace inside the Book of Dreams.
284 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2022
5 people are currently reading
2376 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Craig
24 books237 followersKevin is the author of eight novels: SUMMER ON FIRE (MuseItUp Publishing, 2011),SEBASTIAN'S POET (Musa Publishing, 2012), THE REASONS (Musa Publishing, 2013), BURN BABY BURN BABY (Curiosity Quills Press, 2014), HALF DEAD AND FULLY BROKEN (Curiosity Quills Press, 2015), PRIDE MUST BE A PLACE (MuseItUp Publishing, 2018), THE CAMINO CLUB (Duet Press/Interlude Press, 2020), and BOOK OF DREAMS (Duet Press/Chicago Review Press, 2022).
Kevin is a 6-time winner of the Muskoka Novel Marathon’s Best Novel Award. They are also a passionate and accomplished playwright. They've had twelve plays produced.
Kevin is a 6-time winner of the Muskoka Novel Marathon’s Best Novel Award. They are also a passionate and accomplished playwright. They've had twelve plays produced.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 13, 2022
OUT NOW!!
Aw, how I love this YA story about a queer boy who’s enthralled by books! Definitely one for those who love soft and gooey stories that can be harsh and mysterious simultaneously.
As the title already indicates, this story is about dreams, about desires. Chalek, the bookseller, uses thoughts and desires of boys to lure them into the book of dreams. He makes boys see what they want to see, and if they give in to their desires, they’re lost forever.
I thought this story would be about Gaige and Mael, the androgynous kid he meets in the book of his dreams, but I was wrong. Although Mael is an important side character, this story is far more about Gaige, his best friend Noah, and his boyfriend Logan.
Book of Dreams is an easy and lovable read, and I flew through the pages. I felt Gaige’s curiosity and desires splashing off the pages and Logan’s and Noah’s doubts about their unpredictable (boy)friend slowly changing in belief and horror. Although the story is exciting at times, I also laughed out loud.
I’d call Book of Dreams a light fantasy read, comparable with, for example, The Temperature of Me and You or Milo and Marcos at the End of the World. Therefore it’s pretty easily accessible, even for those who are, in general, not fantasy readers. Highly recommended!
I received an ARC from Interlude Press and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
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Aw, how I love this YA story about a queer boy who’s enthralled by books! Definitely one for those who love soft and gooey stories that can be harsh and mysterious simultaneously.
As the title already indicates, this story is about dreams, about desires. Chalek, the bookseller, uses thoughts and desires of boys to lure them into the book of dreams. He makes boys see what they want to see, and if they give in to their desires, they’re lost forever.
I thought this story would be about Gaige and Mael, the androgynous kid he meets in the book of his dreams, but I was wrong. Although Mael is an important side character, this story is far more about Gaige, his best friend Noah, and his boyfriend Logan.
Book of Dreams is an easy and lovable read, and I flew through the pages. I felt Gaige’s curiosity and desires splashing off the pages and Logan’s and Noah’s doubts about their unpredictable (boy)friend slowly changing in belief and horror. Although the story is exciting at times, I also laughed out loud.
I’d call Book of Dreams a light fantasy read, comparable with, for example, The Temperature of Me and You or Milo and Marcos at the End of the World. Therefore it’s pretty easily accessible, even for those who are, in general, not fantasy readers. Highly recommended!
I received an ARC from Interlude Press and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
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October 23, 2022
Audible Review
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
Twisty and creepy!
Book of Dreams was a twisty, slightly creepy read. I really can't blame Gaige for walking into that bookstore- I know I wouldn't have been able to resist!
This was an intriguing, engrossing story that really did keep me on the edge of my seat- I wasn't sure what was going to happen with Gaige, and his friends, or what "Lurch" wanted from Gaige.
I'm still a little conflicted after finishing it, although things were brought to a satisfying conclusion. I would have liked just a bit more at the end- particularly when it came to Mael, I know it needed to end the way it did, but my heart just wanted a different outcome.
CJ Heineman did a very nice job with the narration, I enjoyed the performance. Each of the male voices were distinctive so it was easy to tell which character was speaking. There were a couple times when he really got into character- it would have been entertaining to see a live clip into the studio! It looks like this might be Heineman's first audiobook performance, I'll have to keep my ears out for more.
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
Twisty and creepy!
Book of Dreams was a twisty, slightly creepy read. I really can't blame Gaige for walking into that bookstore- I know I wouldn't have been able to resist!
This was an intriguing, engrossing story that really did keep me on the edge of my seat- I wasn't sure what was going to happen with Gaige, and his friends, or what "Lurch" wanted from Gaige.
I'm still a little conflicted after finishing it, although things were brought to a satisfying conclusion. I would have liked just a bit more at the end- particularly when it came to Mael, I know it needed to end the way it did, but my heart just wanted a different outcome.
CJ Heineman did a very nice job with the narration, I enjoyed the performance. Each of the male voices were distinctive so it was easy to tell which character was speaking. There were a couple times when he really got into character- it would have been entertaining to see a live clip into the studio! It looks like this might be Heineman's first audiobook performance, I'll have to keep my ears out for more.
September 8, 2022
I received an arc from netgalley for this review -
I'd call this a solid, if not slightly frustrating, read.
I loved the concept of the story. There's obvious inspirations from A Nightmare on Elm Street, which I'm a huge fan of. The mythology, at least what part of it was actually explained, was interesting. The book itself was very visually descriptive, sometime overly so to the point where I think it might have made a better movie than a book.
My biggest negative has to be the characters. Or rather, the writing for their dialogue. It's occasionally fine, mostly serviceable, but it's often cringe inducing. There were a few times where I let out an audible groan, because people do not speak this way in real life. It often felt like the cast were caricatures rather than characters.
-
“What the fuck, Noah. A girl? She’s not invited into this.”
“Whoa, now,” Sara says. She gets in my face, clearly ready for a fight. “What the hell is it with you gays, always attacking straight girls like this? Is there anyone more sexist than a gay white male?”
“You gays?” I stare at her, astonished, and turn to Noah. “Are you gonna let her talk to me like that? You gays?”
-
The only character I actually liked by the end of the book was Logan. He deserves an award for putting up with Gaige.
Overall, this was an easy book to spend a little over a day with. The story itself is good, and I love the inspirations from the horror genera that it wears on its sleeve, I just wish the characters and dialogue were written a little differently so it would elevate them to the same level as the plot.
There isn't enough gay horror for my liking, and I'm glad that this exists to fill a hole in the market, I just wish I could look past my annoyances with the characters themselves.
I'd call this a solid, if not slightly frustrating, read.
I loved the concept of the story. There's obvious inspirations from A Nightmare on Elm Street, which I'm a huge fan of. The mythology, at least what part of it was actually explained, was interesting. The book itself was very visually descriptive, sometime overly so to the point where I think it might have made a better movie than a book.
My biggest negative has to be the characters. Or rather, the writing for their dialogue. It's occasionally fine, mostly serviceable, but it's often cringe inducing. There were a few times where I let out an audible groan, because people do not speak this way in real life. It often felt like the cast were caricatures rather than characters.
-
“What the fuck, Noah. A girl? She’s not invited into this.”
“Whoa, now,” Sara says. She gets in my face, clearly ready for a fight. “What the hell is it with you gays, always attacking straight girls like this? Is there anyone more sexist than a gay white male?”
“You gays?” I stare at her, astonished, and turn to Noah. “Are you gonna let her talk to me like that? You gays?”
-
The only character I actually liked by the end of the book was Logan. He deserves an award for putting up with Gaige.
Overall, this was an easy book to spend a little over a day with. The story itself is good, and I love the inspirations from the horror genera that it wears on its sleeve, I just wish the characters and dialogue were written a little differently so it would elevate them to the same level as the plot.
There isn't enough gay horror for my liking, and I'm glad that this exists to fill a hole in the market, I just wish I could look past my annoyances with the characters themselves.
September 15, 2022
This is very much a YA book, and I think teenagers are likely to enjoy it if they're looking for a creepy and undemanding good time, especially if it sweetens the pot for them that Gaige, the protagonist, is gay and completely unconflicted about it. Logan, his boyfriend, doesn't seem to have any trouble either. (There's also a straight boy bestie, Noah, and the bestie's girlfriend, Sara, who has a fighting move that we ancients will recognize from Blade Runner.) Oh, and a mysterious person named Mael who spends almost all of the book trapped in a monstrous underworld.
Book of Dreams may not be so well suited for readers who've begun to develop a critical eye for characterization and narrative coherence. Gaige to start with, and later Gaige and Noah together, seem consistently to do dumb things of the horror-movie For Pete's Sake Don't Go in the Cellar variety; readers may get impatient with them. And the reactions of the other characters to Gaige's account of what's happening to him seem to oscillate wildly among believing him, not believing him, getting angry with him, and going back to normal shit-talking each other when you might expect them to get wigged out and stay that way. But again, that may not matter, depending on what the reader's looking for.
In time-honored YA fashion, parents and teachers are useless and/or absent, as they'd have to be for our heroes to get up to all the trouble they manage in the course of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
Book of Dreams may not be so well suited for readers who've begun to develop a critical eye for characterization and narrative coherence. Gaige to start with, and later Gaige and Noah together, seem consistently to do dumb things of the horror-movie For Pete's Sake Don't Go in the Cellar variety; readers may get impatient with them. And the reactions of the other characters to Gaige's account of what's happening to him seem to oscillate wildly among believing him, not believing him, getting angry with him, and going back to normal shit-talking each other when you might expect them to get wigged out and stay that way. But again, that may not matter, depending on what the reader's looking for.
In time-honored YA fashion, parents and teachers are useless and/or absent, as they'd have to be for our heroes to get up to all the trouble they manage in the course of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
October 17, 2022
A gripping read that paints a vivid picture of multiple worlds and characters.
October 12, 2022
When I saw the cover for this book, I was expecting an uplifting story full of affirmations and connections to the spiritual.
Technically, that's what we got, but in a flipped-upside-down-terrifying-hallucinatory way! This is Kevin's first full-length horror novel, and it is a nail-biting ride to the very end! We are as horrified and frightened as the main characters are in their every encounter with something which may or may not exist.
I highly recommend this book, especially for the YA reader who wants to be introduced to horror. The only spoiler that I feel the need to say is that, after reading this book, I may stay with digital novels from now on...
Technically, that's what we got, but in a flipped-upside-down-terrifying-hallucinatory way! This is Kevin's first full-length horror novel, and it is a nail-biting ride to the very end! We are as horrified and frightened as the main characters are in their every encounter with something which may or may not exist.
I highly recommend this book, especially for the YA reader who wants to be introduced to horror. The only spoiler that I feel the need to say is that, after reading this book, I may stay with digital novels from now on...
May 11, 2022
I have read a lot of Kevin Craig's books and this one is a bit of a departure from their usual. This book reminded me of the books I used to read when I was a kid! Now, that's going back - not gonna lie - but I loved that it felt like the mysteries/spooky books I used to read. Now, of course, the diversity in this book wasn't available to me when I was younger so... this is a great improvement.
Gaige loves books. When he discovers a new bookstore on what he thought was an abandoned street... he finds himself in a frightening situation.
This world is dominated by a nasty man who, clearly, has a mission that he wants to accomplish at all costs. As the story progresses and the plot is revealed the reader goes along on the adventure.
There were a few things that stood out to me about this story. I loved the diversity of the characters... I know that there's been a lot of progress in this area (particularly in YA) but I enjoyed the group of friends in this book.
Gaige was my favourite character. I would say that what I enjoyed most was the way he was still very much a teenager. His thoughts were a bit random at times, he was very focussed on the things that were happening right in front of him, and it was clear that he was still figuring out what he wanted and what he liked. Gaige and his boyfriend have a cute relationship. The intensity of their partnership was clear, it was distracting to them, reassuring and feisty! I loved it.
Gaige goes through a lot of growth in the book, even though it’s written quite subtly. Part of the plot is really about Gaige coming into his own power… realizing his value and worth and the fact that his chosen family has strength. I liked his progression throughout the novel.
I liked the idea of a book that could take someone from our world... steal time from the characters. How eerie is that? (Especially while you're reading a book!) This book is a little bit Never-ending Story with a lot more Nightmare on Elm Street in it (minus the gore!).
I'm always in favour of books with representation of queer young people... and I loved the rep in this story! Thanks, Kevin!
Gaige loves books. When he discovers a new bookstore on what he thought was an abandoned street... he finds himself in a frightening situation.
This world is dominated by a nasty man who, clearly, has a mission that he wants to accomplish at all costs. As the story progresses and the plot is revealed the reader goes along on the adventure.
There were a few things that stood out to me about this story. I loved the diversity of the characters... I know that there's been a lot of progress in this area (particularly in YA) but I enjoyed the group of friends in this book.
Gaige was my favourite character. I would say that what I enjoyed most was the way he was still very much a teenager. His thoughts were a bit random at times, he was very focussed on the things that were happening right in front of him, and it was clear that he was still figuring out what he wanted and what he liked. Gaige and his boyfriend have a cute relationship. The intensity of their partnership was clear, it was distracting to them, reassuring and feisty! I loved it.
Gaige goes through a lot of growth in the book, even though it’s written quite subtly. Part of the plot is really about Gaige coming into his own power… realizing his value and worth and the fact that his chosen family has strength. I liked his progression throughout the novel.
I liked the idea of a book that could take someone from our world... steal time from the characters. How eerie is that? (Especially while you're reading a book!) This book is a little bit Never-ending Story with a lot more Nightmare on Elm Street in it (minus the gore!).
I'm always in favour of books with representation of queer young people... and I loved the rep in this story! Thanks, Kevin!
October 6, 2022
3/5 stars
Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Kevin Craig for allowing me to read and review this book.
I honestly do not know where to start with this review. I though about putting it down and DNFing it several times. However, something continuously drew me in and made me keep reading. Which honestly, is kind of fantastic considering that is what the Book of Dreams in the book does to the main character.
This book was gripping and an interesting read. It was also a quick read. At points it was a little hard to follow, but never too bad that you couldn't figure everything out.
I am unsure of how to feel about [arts of this book because I have grown up reading a lot of adult horror books, but never really any young adult horror books. In my opinion, there was a lot of unnecessary cursing and relationship details within this book. Some people may think I am being homophobic because the main character is in a gay relationship, however I feel the same way about the gay couple and the straight couple in this book. It is a horror book, not a romance, I do not need the details of their relationships. In my opinion it added nothing to the story.
Overall, this was a pretty good book, but definitely not a favorite for me. But, to each their own, and I am sure there are plenty of people out there that this book would be well suited for.
Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Kevin Craig for allowing me to read and review this book.
I honestly do not know where to start with this review. I though about putting it down and DNFing it several times. However, something continuously drew me in and made me keep reading. Which honestly, is kind of fantastic considering that is what the Book of Dreams in the book does to the main character.
This book was gripping and an interesting read. It was also a quick read. At points it was a little hard to follow, but never too bad that you couldn't figure everything out.
I am unsure of how to feel about [arts of this book because I have grown up reading a lot of adult horror books, but never really any young adult horror books. In my opinion, there was a lot of unnecessary cursing and relationship details within this book. Some people may think I am being homophobic because the main character is in a gay relationship, however I feel the same way about the gay couple and the straight couple in this book. It is a horror book, not a romance, I do not need the details of their relationships. In my opinion it added nothing to the story.
Overall, this was a pretty good book, but definitely not a favorite for me. But, to each their own, and I am sure there are plenty of people out there that this book would be well suited for.
Want to read
September 8, 2022Thanks Netgalley and Duet Books for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I loved the concept of this book and think it’s unique! Gaige, a book lover, goes into a bookstore where he is warned not to touch a specific book by the creepy old bookseller. Turns out the book is a gateway to the “Other World” a place full of Dark Ichor and if he’s not careful will consume Gaige and he’ll be lost forever! He wants nothing to do with the book but the creepy bookseller won’t let him give it up. With the help of friends both inside and outside the book adventure ensues. Will he be consumed by the “Other Side”? Will he defeat the creepy bookseller? The book was a little slow at first but a quick read and after a little bit it hits its stride and I couldn’t put it down! I enjoyed Gaige’s ability to be a little extra and his confidence! It made for some funny moments along his adventure! I loved his use of the term “Lurch” for the creepy bookseller! Logan, Noah, and Mael we’re all fun characters as well! I enjoyed the plot of how the creepy bookseller came to his evil and why he was doing it all! If you like supernatural adventures with LGBTQ+ characters with some humor mixed in, you should definitely check this book out! Excited to add it to my collection of books!
September 21, 2022
Book of Dreams is a peculiar YA fantasy story. It starts when Gaige enters a bookshop on Elm Street (red flag, Gaige) which wasn't there before, owned by an old man who should be dead and acquires a book which can suck him inside it.
There he encounters Mael, a boy trapped in limbo between the real world and the book's world for decades. He finds out that he loses time in the real world whenever he is drawn in the book.
Gaige's boyfriend Logan and his best friend Noah are drawn into this terrifying world when Gaige desperately tries to explain to them what is happening, and they find themselves in precarious situations as the old man is determined to use them as a tool to uncover the book's world secrets.
The description is very vivid and inspired by horror films, and the villain is downright creepy.
I loved the depiction of Gaige's and Logan's relationship: they're quite different personalities and don't always see eye to eye, but they love each other, resolve the tension with a kiss and accept that they will have arguments sometimes. I found it very sweet!
The book could have better dialogue and a more extended epilogue in my view.
Thank you NetGalley and Interlude Press for the ARC!
There he encounters Mael, a boy trapped in limbo between the real world and the book's world for decades. He finds out that he loses time in the real world whenever he is drawn in the book.
Gaige's boyfriend Logan and his best friend Noah are drawn into this terrifying world when Gaige desperately tries to explain to them what is happening, and they find themselves in precarious situations as the old man is determined to use them as a tool to uncover the book's world secrets.
The description is very vivid and inspired by horror films, and the villain is downright creepy.
I loved the depiction of Gaige's and Logan's relationship: they're quite different personalities and don't always see eye to eye, but they love each other, resolve the tension with a kiss and accept that they will have arguments sometimes. I found it very sweet!
The book could have better dialogue and a more extended epilogue in my view.
Thank you NetGalley and Interlude Press for the ARC!
July 26, 2023
I was hoping I would love this one, as a big horror fan. Plus, enchanted books? Always good. Apparently not. Good concept, terrible execution. I felt like the writing was so immature in this, it just felt like a first draft or something, laying out the plot points with no attention to making the writing flow. The relationship between Gaige and his boyfriend (whose name I can't remember) felt to me like someone trying to write a cute gay relationship with no real understanding of what teenage relationships are. The characters were super flat and 2-dimensional. I will admit the writing and story felt like they were improving as I got further into the book, but it took far too long and still felt too mediocre for me to bother finshing it.
A very poor (wo)man's version of Stephen King's excellent book Needful Things (and the fact that the author references Stephen King makes me think they might know that).
A very poor (wo)man's version of Stephen King's excellent book Needful Things (and the fact that the author references Stephen King makes me think they might know that).
did-not-finish
August 17, 2024I got the audio from Libby, mainly because I wanted to fulfill a bingo board prompt, but also because I could see I was struggling with the e-book. Unfortunately I had to send it back early because I didn’t like the narrator at all. I think the voice for the one character was fine, I just couldn’t deal with the main character’s voice. He was already whiny in my eyes and the voice made it worse. convenience
Then I chose to fully dnf afterwards. I didn’t like any of the characters I’d met so far. I’d thought even though I didn’t them, maybe the plot points would be better for me – that wasn’t the case. And finally I wasn’t a fan of the dialogue – especially between Gaige (our main character) and Logan (his boyfriend). It started to make me like them and the book less. So rather than having to force myself to finish the book, I chose to say bye bye.
Then I chose to fully dnf afterwards. I didn’t like any of the characters I’d met so far. I’d thought even though I didn’t them, maybe the plot points would be better for me – that wasn’t the case. And finally I wasn’t a fan of the dialogue – especially between Gaige (our main character) and Logan (his boyfriend). It started to make me like them and the book less. So rather than having to force myself to finish the book, I chose to say bye bye.
December 31, 2023
This is actually my second experience with Kevin Craig writing horror. The first was with his weirdly wonderful story "Dubious Pickles and the Curiousity of Arbour Levesque" in the Purgatorium: The Element of Horror anthology.
But this is the first novel length work of horror fiction. And I must say, it's just as equally weird and wonderful. I won't spoil the story, but come on...a supernatural book, a malevolent bookstore, and teens that get caught up in a cyclone of terror between two worlds?
What more do you need?
But this is the first novel length work of horror fiction. And I must say, it's just as equally weird and wonderful. I won't spoil the story, but come on...a supernatural book, a malevolent bookstore, and teens that get caught up in a cyclone of terror between two worlds?
What more do you need?
October 22, 2022
Book of Dreams by Kevin Craig - 3/5
I truly enjoyed this YA fantasy story. When our MC Gaige is sucked into a book, he unleashes a series of events that not only costs him his time in the real world, but he involves his friends and puts them at risk.
I may not have loved how the author wrote this story, it tended to be a little cringy at times, but it didn't take away from the plot of the story. I like how the characters don't always agree and that makes them feel real and relatable. I found myself drawn to the different worlds they encounter, real life and inside the book along with the drama that creates.
Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for the ARC.
I truly enjoyed this YA fantasy story. When our MC Gaige is sucked into a book, he unleashes a series of events that not only costs him his time in the real world, but he involves his friends and puts them at risk.
I may not have loved how the author wrote this story, it tended to be a little cringy at times, but it didn't take away from the plot of the story. I like how the characters don't always agree and that makes them feel real and relatable. I found myself drawn to the different worlds they encounter, real life and inside the book along with the drama that creates.
Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for the ARC.
October 5, 2022
Kevin T Craig has done it again with their latest book. Their characters are so relatable - every reader can find a piece of their teenaged-self weaved in - and that's where they get you! Not since The Neverending Story (my all-time favourite story) have I found a YA offering about being literally drawn in and connected to a book - where you are both thrilled and terrified of it's magnetism, where you want to step away, but simply can't. Book of Dreams was brilliantly done.
April 20, 2023
If you follow my reviews, you know I love originality. Craig's novel provides just that: the story of a young man falling into a book - literally - is wonderful! The teenagers and their exploits here are well developed. The villain is an ass and mysterious. The realm into which the book leads them is frightening yet fascinating. This was a fast read because I wanted to know what was happening, and why!
September 23, 2022
I love story about books, booksellers and I liked this story that is entertaining and well plotted. A bit slow at the beginning, it kept me turning paged and on the edge.
Good storytelling, world building, and character development.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Good storytelling, world building, and character development.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 19, 2023
This was a decent book that felt like some sections had been stretched out unnecessarily. For instance, it was cute to read about Gaige’s feelings for Logan, but they were repeated too many times. It was nice to see the various representations of LGBTQIA+ culture, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.
August 27, 2025
Fun, creepy, fast-paced, all-action plot is engaging. The characters are interesting, but would have benefitted from more depth. In particular, I really wanted to know more details about the villain, Mael, and the background of the Book of Dreams. Basically, I just wanted more of everything. A great read if you want a fast-paced, quick read.
November 13, 2022
2.5 ish
July 18, 2023
this went from mommy/daddy issues to parental figure in any form issues
February 10, 2024
Super cute fun read Gabe is too funny a real gem!
I love the friendship and the fantasy play! Very different kind of read but lots of fun!
I love the friendship and the fantasy play! Very different kind of read but lots of fun!
Read
November 17, 2025dnf
August 23, 2023
2.5 rounded up
Might be popular with readers of teen gothic fantasy. Not really my thing, but nothing really wrong with it. Imaginative and sort of intriguing. I'm a fan of bookstores, just not this one.
Might be popular with readers of teen gothic fantasy. Not really my thing, but nothing really wrong with it. Imaginative and sort of intriguing. I'm a fan of bookstores, just not this one.
April 14, 2023
Gaige enters a shop, he is drawn to a book and then he touches it. This starts some chaotic and interesting events. The bookseller tells him that he is connected to the book now and he can’t escape this destiny. Unexplained events occurs and he is unable to stop them. An entertaining and exciting story. A thrilling plot with fantastic characters. A fantastic story.
Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Chicago Review Press - Interlude Press - Duet Books for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Chicago Review Press - Interlude Press - Duet Books for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 13, 2022
All quotes are from an uncorrected advance proof copy and therefore are subject to change.
"Sanity is something you take for granted, right up until the very moment you realize it has slipped away. Once you see it crack, you wish you could have it back-but you also understand that it's already too late."
Gaige is a book-obsessed teenager who just wants to enjoy his time with his boyfriend Logan and best-friend Noah, but when he enters a bookstore he has never seen before a man uses Gaige's desires against him and he picks up a book. But not just any book, a book that can transport him into a different world where his time is taken from him and he meets Mael, a non-binary kid who is forever stuck in this world. But when his friends are dragged into this mess, can Gaige ignore his desires and free his friends?
This was a very original book, I will say. I have never read anything like this, the plot was engaging and kept me interesting throughout the whole thing. Unfortunately I did not connect with the characters, I didn't like how they acted and interacted with each other but this is largely personal preference. Apart from this I did love the character development and the friendships between the characters. I loved the whole concept behind Malek and loved how the book stole time from him, it was such a unique concept!
I enjoyed the representation throughout this book and again the plot was so interesting. It was really great to read about and I didn't know where it was going and I had theories but they were proved wrong. At the start I had my reservations, but in the end it was an enjoyable, unique and quick read
This book will be published on the 13th of September
I received a free arc from Interlude Press and Edelwiess+ in exchange for an honest review.
"Sanity is something you take for granted, right up until the very moment you realize it has slipped away. Once you see it crack, you wish you could have it back-but you also understand that it's already too late."
Gaige is a book-obsessed teenager who just wants to enjoy his time with his boyfriend Logan and best-friend Noah, but when he enters a bookstore he has never seen before a man uses Gaige's desires against him and he picks up a book. But not just any book, a book that can transport him into a different world where his time is taken from him and he meets Mael, a non-binary kid who is forever stuck in this world. But when his friends are dragged into this mess, can Gaige ignore his desires and free his friends?
This was a very original book, I will say. I have never read anything like this, the plot was engaging and kept me interesting throughout the whole thing. Unfortunately I did not connect with the characters, I didn't like how they acted and interacted with each other but this is largely personal preference. Apart from this I did love the character development and the friendships between the characters. I loved the whole concept behind Malek and loved how the book stole time from him, it was such a unique concept!
I enjoyed the representation throughout this book and again the plot was so interesting. It was really great to read about and I didn't know where it was going and I had theories but they were proved wrong. At the start I had my reservations, but in the end it was an enjoyable, unique and quick read
This book will be published on the 13th of September
I received a free arc from Interlude Press and Edelwiess+ in exchange for an honest review.
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