Title: DreamstriderAuthor: Lindsay Smith
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: October 6, 2015
Rating:
A high-concept, fantastical espionage novel set in a world where dreams are the ultimate form of political intelligence.
Livia is a dreamstrider. She can inhabit a subject's body while they are sleeping and, for a short time, move around in their skin. She uses her talent to work as a spy for the Barstadt Empire. But her partner, Brandt, has lately become distant, and when Marez comes to join their team from a neighborhing kingdom, he offers Livia the option of a life she had never dared to imagine. Livia knows of no other dreamstriders who have survived the pull of Nightmare. So only she understands the stakes when a plot against the Empire emerges that threatens to consume both the dreaming world and the waking one with misery and rage.
A richly conceived world full of political intrigue and fantastical dream sequences, at its heart Dreamstrider is about a girl who is struggling to live up to the potential before her.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
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Review: Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith
Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith is a unique and fast-paced novel that includes a clever and brave main character who can stick up for herself. The book doesn’t contain a lot of romance, which allows more room for the plot to develop. I really enjoyed this book and am certain that everyone else will as well.
❀ Fast-Paced Plot
Dreamstrider is so different from anything I’ve read before! This book is about a girl who is able to take over a person’s body while they are asleep. I’ve never read a book that focuses on this power called dreamstriding, so this book was very interesting for me! What is even more interesting is the fact that the main character dreamstrides as a spy to stop conspiracies to destroy the government. Dreamstrider has it all: spies, conspiracy theories, and a fast-paced plot! I’m sure this book will be a big hit.
❀ Remarkable Main Character
The main character in Dreamstrider, Livia is remarkable. One of my favourite things about her is that she hasn’t mastered her dreamstriding powers yet, so she has much to learn. The book follows her journey as she learns from her mistakes and improves. Livia also uses her ability for the good, and helps the government. She helps them as a spy and is incredible at what she does. She is fearless, clever, and a real asset for the government.
❀ A complex Plot
Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith does not have a lot of romance, which I enjoyed. I find in dystopian or sci-fi/fantasy novels, it is better to focus on the concept, rather than a love story. This book really describes dreamstriding and its complex plot so well that there isn’t really a need for romance. Of course, romance is always welcome in the YA genre, but I liked how the book doesn’t revolve around it.
❀ Sure to Delight
Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith is an interesting story about the ability to dreamstride with an intelligent main character and a concept that doesn’t revolve around romance. Many genres are mixed in this book, such as mystery, thriller, and dystopian. This book is sure to delight everyone.
About Lindsay Smith
Lindsay is the author of multiple novels for young adults, including Sekret and A Darkly Beating Heart, as well as the comic series Black Swan. She is the showrunner and lead writer for Serial Box's The Witch Who Came In From the Cold, a Publisher's Weekly Best Book of 2017. Her short stories and comics have appeared in the anthologies A Tyranny of Petticoats, Strange Romance Vol. 3, and Toil & Trouble and on Tor.com. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband and dog.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
In general I agree with you. I like the right dose of romance in books in this kind of books. When the focus is on romance and all the action gets in the background then it’s so bad. Glad you’ve enjoyed this. Great review!
This book sounds fantastic! Dreamstriding… That is definitely a unique concept that I want to explore! I’ll definitely be checking this out!
Wonderful review! xoxo
I am so conflicted about this book! I adored the writing and world-building, but it took so long for much to actually happen! I have to finish my review by this sunday, so hopefully I can express how much I enjoyed it, but still warn people to look passed the pacing because it was definitely a good read.
Sounds very interesting!! I love the idea of being able to be in someones dreams!! Super cool!! But kind of scary all at the same time!
I enjoy books with a fast-paced plot. Must read!
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