stephaniepoli's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Cool premise but execution needed work. Pacing dragged. I'm reading book 2 now and it's already off to a better start.
emperor_e's review
2.0
I honestly kind of just picked up this book because I loved the cover. The problem is the cover makes it look like it will be kind of cheerier, while the feel of the book is not. I just didn’t love this one as much. It was an interesting concept that I haven’t seen a lot of, but it just wasn’t for me.
It also didn’t help that Maren’s character just kind of annoyed me. She spent a lot of the time not making the best choices. Although it’s easy to critique someone’s choices when your not in that situation.
It also didn’t help that Maren’s character just kind of annoyed me. She spent a lot of the time not making the best choices. Although it’s easy to critique someone’s choices when your not in that situation.
shaffe71's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
I read this because I enjoyed the author's first book. I wouldn't have picked it up if I knew it was so heavy on the blackmail aspects of the story. I might read the second book as it sounds more like something I'd enjoy.
I read this because I enjoyed the author's first book. I wouldn't have picked it up if I knew it was so heavy on the blackmail aspects of the story. I might read the second book as it sounds more like something I'd enjoy.
krwriter8's review against another edition
5.0
A magical middle grade fantasy about a dream shop from which a thief steals nightmares, sisterly love, and making your own dreams come true.
mojan's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe 3.5?
I was looking for a book with magic pouring out from every page. In that sense, this book proved to be exactly what I wanted.
Enjoyable, easy read. Great imagination. Maybe the clues were too easy to guess. But I liked the world over all. :)
I was looking for a book with magic pouring out from every page. In that sense, this book proved to be exactly what I wanted.
Enjoyable, easy read. Great imagination. Maybe the clues were too easy to guess. But I liked the world over all. :)
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
If nothing else, this book will teach you that you should never negotiate with blackmailers, because it never turns out well. But, having said this, the way that Maren tries to save the day and cooperate, is her undoing, but she, being young, she doesn't know that.
Maren is from a family that can infuse dreams into sachets. Many people in their town have some sort of magic ability, but the ability can't always be used to make money, the way selling dreams can.
Maren is forced to make nightmares.
Good story of friendships, and bullies, and of course, what to do about blackmail. Good world building in the real work, as well.
Thanks to Netgalleky for making this book available for an honest review.
Maren is from a family that can infuse dreams into sachets. Many people in their town have some sort of magic ability, but the ability can't always be used to make money, the way selling dreams can.
Maren is forced to make nightmares.
Good story of friendships, and bullies, and of course, what to do about blackmail. Good world building in the real work, as well.
Thanks to Netgalleky for making this book available for an honest review.
rhappe13's review against another edition
4.0
*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
This was a very imaginative middle grade tale about magic, family, and what we would do to keep our family safe. I really loved the descriptions of this magical town. Everything felt so enchanting and cozy, it was wonderful! The emphasis on the importance of family was great to see. Maren was a strong main character and I really felt her struggles regarding her sister, her feelings of guilt, and the blackmail predicament she found herself in. The author briefly covered the topic of bullying but I wish she would have done more to expand that discussion. The issue was mentioned and we see some of the consequences of bullying but it felt very unresolved by the end. It looks like this is the first in a series, and based off this book I would gladly read the next few!
Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.wordpress.com/2021/01/27/the-nightmare-thief/
This was a very imaginative middle grade tale about magic, family, and what we would do to keep our family safe. I really loved the descriptions of this magical town. Everything felt so enchanting and cozy, it was wonderful! The emphasis on the importance of family was great to see. Maren was a strong main character and I really felt her struggles regarding her sister, her feelings of guilt, and the blackmail predicament she found herself in. The author briefly covered the topic of bullying but I wish she would have done more to expand that discussion. The issue was mentioned and we see some of the consequences of bullying but it felt very unresolved by the end. It looks like this is the first in a series, and based off this book I would gladly read the next few!
Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.wordpress.com/2021/01/27/the-nightmare-thief/
hadiqa01's review against another edition
3.0
The idea was really cool of making dreams and nightmares in a dream shop. But it was just too much drama in the other half of the book :/
jgrant's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
lelliereads's review against another edition
2.0
I think the reason I didn't love this as much is because of my own expectations versus what the book actually is. I love middle grade novels, and I think this book is written well and will be enjoyed by many people. It just wasn't what I expected, even though I love the basic concept and idea. I expected the story to be more ghibli-esque and take place in a more fantasy setting or land with developed magic. But it takes place in the contemporary US where there isn't really much magic. I did think that the nightmare sequences were creepy and that kids who like books like Coraline will like this one too. I also like that Maren's hair is green and pink, which is also reflected in the cover illustration which is beautiful.
(Also, if you are going to use a language that is not your native language (in this instance, with Henri the French-speaking bird), please have a native speaker look over it. There are several instances of the French being wrong.)
Again, this one surprisingly and unfortunately wasn't for me but it's still written nicely and I know will have an audience in the target demographic. Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
(Also, if you are going to use a language that is not your native language (in this instance, with Henri the French-speaking bird), please have a native speaker look over it. There are several instances of the French being wrong.)
Again, this one surprisingly and unfortunately wasn't for me but it's still written nicely and I know will have an audience in the target demographic. Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.