rosekk's review against another edition
3.0
There's a lot that's left unexplained, for the reader to decide on. In some ways that's good, though I think it would have been nice to have more resolution over some things. Knowing what Garnet and Spratt were actually up to would have been good - we some vague information about their thought process but it's never really made clear. Similarly, what happens to Garnet at the end is a bit too vague to be satisfying. It also felt as if the middle of the story was too long. Not all of the areas/sections corresponding to the children of Siparti seem to do very much in terms of advancing the plot or developing the characters, and they pass in too quick a succession to really get into. Fewer bits in the middle, with more time spent on each, might have worked better. For all my niggling complaints, I did enjoy the book. I loved the idea of it, and while I have some reservations about the execution I'm still glad I read it.
waveycowpar's review against another edition
1.0
This book could be half the length and actually be good.
I’m not sure if the problem is with the way the translator translated it from the original language or if it’s just that chunky sounding in how it’s written.
I also feel like the author had no real idea of where the story was going. Because it doesn’t feel like it has a direction for a long time. It has a good premise and idea but no direction. And then where it ends up is something totally different from where you might expect it to head from what little general direction there did seem to be on way.
Long and short it’s a mess with a good idea behind it and then it tries to throw a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory twist in only to also take that twist nowhere, and basically just waste more of my time reading that conversation and thought process.
Basically it was awful.
I’m not sure if the problem is with the way the translator translated it from the original language or if it’s just that chunky sounding in how it’s written.
I also feel like the author had no real idea of where the story was going. Because it doesn’t feel like it has a direction for a long time. It has a good premise and idea but no direction. And then where it ends up is something totally different from where you might expect it to head from what little general direction there did seem to be on way.
Long and short it’s a mess with a good idea behind it and then it tries to throw a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory twist in only to also take that twist nowhere, and basically just waste more of my time reading that conversation and thought process.
Basically it was awful.
broccoli_baz's review against another edition
4.0
I read this years ago, so I don't remember it too well. It was an unusual read - the plot was deeper and more complex than you find in most commercial YA, and the characters followed the same vein. It would make an amazing film or mini-series; I remember being disappointed that none of my friends had ever heard of it. I suspect the length may have been a factor there. Overall, though, it earns a permanent place on my bookshelf and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a YA standalone fantasy that goes unusually deep.
jpanslabyrinthofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I'd actually give this book an overall of 3.5⭐ because it was quite enjoyable, but just a little long.
Joshua Cope is a boy who is recruited by an International Trading company known as Gippart. Here he is enlisted as an Associate to travel through umaya to find the elusive Temberi - a thought of tribe that exists at the border of time and dream. With the help of his friends Baz and Teresa, Joshua is thrown into the dream world in a crazy, harrowing adventure of mystery and self-discovery.
The context for this story was incredibly interesting and intrigued me to learn of the origin of Gippart and opposing company Kat. However, I couldn't relate to Josh and found him to be a character that lacked personality and strength. His counterpart companions were more interesting and had stronger personalities. As well as this, all the chapters are around 30-40 pages which is a bit of a struggle for someone who likes to stop at a new chapter. I think the story could have been condensed slightly, but overall the adventure was interesting and the exploration of time, culture and society was excellent.
Joshua Cope is a boy who is recruited by an International Trading company known as Gippart. Here he is enlisted as an Associate to travel through umaya to find the elusive Temberi - a thought of tribe that exists at the border of time and dream. With the help of his friends Baz and Teresa, Joshua is thrown into the dream world in a crazy, harrowing adventure of mystery and self-discovery.
The context for this story was incredibly interesting and intrigued me to learn of the origin of Gippart and opposing company Kat. However, I couldn't relate to Josh and found him to be a character that lacked personality and strength. His counterpart companions were more interesting and had stronger personalities. As well as this, all the chapters are around 30-40 pages which is a bit of a struggle for someone who likes to stop at a new chapter. I think the story could have been condensed slightly, but overall the adventure was interesting and the exploration of time, culture and society was excellent.
theoreticalwitchcraft's review against another edition
[I read this as a child, borrowing a friend's copy. Sadly, I now remember little about it except that I adored it. I've never seen it in bookstores at all]
at1130's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book as a kid, probably when I was around the same age as the main characters (12), and I’ve always remembered it as one of the most fascinating books I’ve ever read. Now, more than a decade later, I found the book again, but I was a little nervous about rereading it — after all, nothing from your childhood is ever the same as you remember it, right?
But this book was exactly as fascinating as I had remembered. In fact, I think I enjoyed it even more as an adult than I did as a kid. (Also, I’m pretty shocked this was in the children’s section of the library ten years ago... there are some seriously violent and disturbing parts of this book.) This is truly one of the most well-formulated, creative stories I’ve ever read! The world-building is impeccable and incredibly memorable. The characters are real: they have real flaws and go through deep changes throughout the novel. Jericho is the greatest chaotic neutral ever to exist. Such an impressive novel!
But this book was exactly as fascinating as I had remembered. In fact, I think I enjoyed it even more as an adult than I did as a kid. (Also, I’m pretty shocked this was in the children’s section of the library ten years ago... there are some seriously violent and disturbing parts of this book.) This is truly one of the most well-formulated, creative stories I’ve ever read! The world-building is impeccable and incredibly memorable. The characters are real: they have real flaws and go through deep changes throughout the novel. Jericho is the greatest chaotic neutral ever to exist. Such an impressive novel!
mermaidstreet's review against another edition
5.0
In this book you will find a landscape that is beautiful, intricate, and strange. This is the kind of book that I visualize as unfolding over the course of a night, rather than a day, which is extremely unusual and (to me) incredibly appealing. Truly one of the best fantasy/world-building books ever written. Also vaguely reminds me of the Magician's Nephew. In terms of colors, I would describe this as glistening rainforest green right before a storm hits (i.e., the sky is dark and everything feels weird and electric, but there's no rain yet). This book is a hidden treasure, and if you make it through it, I don't think you can ever forget it.
aime's review against another edition
5.0
Josh Cope, is a dreamer. He can fall asleep when he wants an where he wants.
One night he is getting a call from Gippart, they ask him if he wants to work for them.
Josh is sent into a dreamworld to sell products. But dreams also come with nightmares.
They call it a Umaya.
For some reason Josh and his friends can not come out of the Umaya anymore.
The Dream Merchant, is a book I loved when I was a little child.
Every year when we would go on vacation my mom bought us some books. One of those books was The Dream Merchant.
After that I've read it like 4 times and I still love it. The Dream Merchant isn't you're normal childbook, it's orignal and new.
One night he is getting a call from Gippart, they ask him if he wants to work for them.
Josh is sent into a dreamworld to sell products. But dreams also come with nightmares.
They call it a Umaya.
For some reason Josh and his friends can not come out of the Umaya anymore.
The Dream Merchant, is a book I loved when I was a little child.
Every year when we would go on vacation my mom bought us some books. One of those books was The Dream Merchant.
After that I've read it like 4 times and I still love it. The Dream Merchant isn't you're normal childbook, it's orignal and new.
endymionshawk's review
5.0
Travelling through dreams before "Inception" was ever hinted at--and Isabel Hoving does it better. Everything about this book is fantastic: the plot, the intrigue and suspense, the characters, the world-building, etc. You will fall in love with the characters and impatiently await the next page.