A review by kimberlite_11711
City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer

adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Nightmare City depictes a world that is chaotic with both supernatural and real world horrors. Violence, corruption, and predation are everyday occurences, to the point where it becomes campy. Gang shootouts are regarded as inconveniences akin to traffic jams, politicians are expected to assassinate eachother in election season, and hitmen are found in the phonebook. On top of all this, people run the risk of turning into monstrous creatures when they sleep if they don't drug themselves to keep from dreaming. There's a lot to be afraid of all at once, so Ness must constantly examine what she is afraid of, what fears are legitimate or irrational, what threat is most pressing at any moment, how to fight her fear, and whether trusting others is a risk worth taking. 

I like the way the theme is brought to the forefront in this story, but I did find it a little heavy-handed and awkward in parts.