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The Prophecies #1
Dreams Unleashed
Dreams Unleashed has been awarded the Grub Street Reads Endorsement. Dreams Unleashed, Book 1 of The Prophecies Dystopian Trilogy Book It’s the near future, and society is government controlled. Technology tracks everyone, and personal privacy does not exist. The hope for freedom lies in the operations of an underground organization, GOG, which fights against worldwide oppression. Their most powerful weapon is Ann Torgeson. When she cracks the seal of The Prophecies, Ann becomes a weapon against the government, which relentlessly pursues her. Question everything is the theme of this dystopian trilogy.
328 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2011
22 people are currently reading
1210 people want to read
About the author
Linda Hawley
5 books67 followersLinda Hawley is an adventurer in every way. She equally loves a good story, a vintage arcade, anything French, and art. Time travel, technology, and the possibilities of the future fascinate her. Her inspiration comes from any person she's ever met, any place she's traveled, and any experience she's enjoyed or survived.
The author and U.S. veteran had a long career in the world of black programs. Following that career was another in technology, which spawned a great intellectual love affair that continues today.
She is always searching for a good book to read and is intensely curious. Writing prolifically since she learned how, it has always been her go-to method of creative expression.
Linda Hawley makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she and her husband imagine the future in vivid colors.
The author and U.S. veteran had a long career in the world of black programs. Following that career was another in technology, which spawned a great intellectual love affair that continues today.
She is always searching for a good book to read and is intensely curious. Writing prolifically since she learned how, it has always been her go-to method of creative expression.
Linda Hawley makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she and her husband imagine the future in vivid colors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
October 28, 2011
I've never read anything like this before! The whole concept of remote viewing is mind-boggling. I remember seeing a TV show once that talked about it and how the government had studied that sort of thing, but of course they didn't expound on it or anything. So it's really interesting to get an inside look at it, even if it's from a fictional novel. I loved the parts involving the CIA; they kept me completely hooked, and when it ended with a cliff-hanger, I knew I'd be reading the next one. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who finds the paranormal interesting.
October 28, 2011
This book is definitely intriguing...that's probably the best word for it. Intriguing and thought-provoking. The meat of the book concerns remote viewing and the link between the main character's subconscious and reality. Yeah, that's deep stuff. It forces you to think, and I love books like that.
I'm also a big fan of books concerning dystopian societies, and Dreams Unleashed definitely falls within that category. But it's interesting because it's not way into the future like most dystopian books are. The present day of this book is 2015, and the government is right at the beginning of a downhill slope into a freedomless society. The author mentions real events happening today and uses those as the beginnings of a dystopia, so it hits close to home; this isn't so far-fetched.
But probably what this author does best is character development. You REALLY get to know every facet of the main character. And there are A LOT of facets. She's about 45 years old and has done a lot of different things in her lifetime so far. She's already a widow (that is of course a rather sad part in the book), she was in the Air Force, she worked for the CIA, she's lived on both U.S. coasts, she is apart of an underground freedom-fighting society, she works for an up-and-coming alternative energy company, and she's a bit of a hippie. Like I said...lots of facets. You also get to know the people she works with, her friends, her family, and her love interest. This story is definitely not lacking in interesting characters.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so the author gives plenty of back story in order to sufficiently introduce us to the characters. I've encountered that plenty of times before, when reading Terry Brooks. Most of his stuff is organized into trilogies, and I've found that the first book always introduces the characters and shows them preparing for the journey, the second book introduces all of the crazy problems and chaos, and then the third book is non-stop action and of course resolves all the problems. I have a feeling that this author will work like that also. This book does end with a pretty crazy cliff-hanger, and I can't wait to see where the second book picks up!
I'm also a big fan of books concerning dystopian societies, and Dreams Unleashed definitely falls within that category. But it's interesting because it's not way into the future like most dystopian books are. The present day of this book is 2015, and the government is right at the beginning of a downhill slope into a freedomless society. The author mentions real events happening today and uses those as the beginnings of a dystopia, so it hits close to home; this isn't so far-fetched.
But probably what this author does best is character development. You REALLY get to know every facet of the main character. And there are A LOT of facets. She's about 45 years old and has done a lot of different things in her lifetime so far. She's already a widow (that is of course a rather sad part in the book), she was in the Air Force, she worked for the CIA, she's lived on both U.S. coasts, she is apart of an underground freedom-fighting society, she works for an up-and-coming alternative energy company, and she's a bit of a hippie. Like I said...lots of facets. You also get to know the people she works with, her friends, her family, and her love interest. This story is definitely not lacking in interesting characters.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so the author gives plenty of back story in order to sufficiently introduce us to the characters. I've encountered that plenty of times before, when reading Terry Brooks. Most of his stuff is organized into trilogies, and I've found that the first book always introduces the characters and shows them preparing for the journey, the second book introduces all of the crazy problems and chaos, and then the third book is non-stop action and of course resolves all the problems. I have a feeling that this author will work like that also. This book does end with a pretty crazy cliff-hanger, and I can't wait to see where the second book picks up!
June 16, 2011
Someone on Amazon said this book was intriguing...that's probably the best word for it. Intriguing and thought-provoking. The meat of the book concerns remote viewing and the link between the main character's subconscious and reality. Yeah, that's deep stuff. It forces you to think, and I love books like that.
I'm also a big fan of books concerning dystopian societies, and Dreams Unleashed definitely falls within that category. But it's interesting because it's not way into the future like most dystopian books are. The present day of this book is 2015, and the government is right at the beginning of a downhill slope into a freedomless society. The author mentions real events happening today and uses those as the beginnings of a dystopia, so it hits close to home; this isn't so far-fetched.
But probably what this author does best is character development. You REALLY get to know every facet of the main character. And there are A LOT of facets. She's about 45 years old and has done a lot of different things in her lifetime so far. She's already a widow (that is of course a rather sad part in the book), she was in the Air Force, she worked for the CIA, she's lived on both U.S. coasts, she is apart of an underground freedom-fighting society, she works for an up-and-coming alternative energy company, and she's a bit of a hippie. Like I said...lots of facets. You also get to know the people she works with, her friends, her family, and her love interest. This story is definitely not lacking in interesting characters.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so the author gives plenty of back story in order to sufficiently introduce us to the characters. I've encountered that plenty of times before, when reading Terry Brooks. Most of his stuff is organized into trilogies, and I've found that the first book always introduces the characters and shows them preparing for the journey, the second book introduces all of the crazy problems and chaos, and then the third book is non-stop action and of course resolves all the problems. I have a feeling that this author will work like that also. This book does end with a pretty crazy cliff-hanger, and I can't wait to see where the second book picks up!
I'm also a big fan of books concerning dystopian societies, and Dreams Unleashed definitely falls within that category. But it's interesting because it's not way into the future like most dystopian books are. The present day of this book is 2015, and the government is right at the beginning of a downhill slope into a freedomless society. The author mentions real events happening today and uses those as the beginnings of a dystopia, so it hits close to home; this isn't so far-fetched.
But probably what this author does best is character development. You REALLY get to know every facet of the main character. And there are A LOT of facets. She's about 45 years old and has done a lot of different things in her lifetime so far. She's already a widow (that is of course a rather sad part in the book), she was in the Air Force, she worked for the CIA, she's lived on both U.S. coasts, she is apart of an underground freedom-fighting society, she works for an up-and-coming alternative energy company, and she's a bit of a hippie. Like I said...lots of facets. You also get to know the people she works with, her friends, her family, and her love interest. This story is definitely not lacking in interesting characters.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so the author gives plenty of back story in order to sufficiently introduce us to the characters. I've encountered that plenty of times before, when reading Terry Brooks. Most of his stuff is organized into trilogies, and I've found that the first book always introduces the characters and shows them preparing for the journey, the second book introduces all of the crazy problems and chaos, and then the third book is non-stop action and of course resolves all the problems. I have a feeling that this author will work like that also. This book does end with a pretty crazy cliff-hanger, and I can't wait to see where the second book picks up!
July 10, 2011
I saw Linda Hawley’s book mentioned on Twitter and was intrigued by the title, so I downloaded the Kindle version. It was the first time I had read a full length book on my iPhone. I found the story well written and gripping. I would willingly advise people to read it and I will certainly read the next book in the trilogy. Having said that, a couple of things troubled me in the book and in my relationship to it, so I will try to explore them in what follows.
The story moves backwards and forwards from a future present to several recent pasts. At first I was troubled by this shifting in time. It wasn’t too difficult, however, to ignore the confusion it caused in me because the story was sufficiently engrossing that I quickly forgot about my momentary feelings of being lost. Later I noticed that the author had put clear markers in the chapter titles to let the reader know what time the chapter took place in. It was then that I realised that I had not been reading the titles as, at a cursory glance, I mistakenly took them for being similar. If I had been reading the print version, I might well have glanced back over the contents page to compare chapter titles, but as this was my first experience reading an ebook I was concerned I might lose my place in the book.
The more I read of the book, the more I had a niggling feeling that the story was yet to begin. Great care was taken in describing the main character and her relationships to those around her: her colleagues at work, her family, her friends where she used to live and her dog. From time to time, I wondered why certain episodes of her life were described in such detail, but that they were didn’t disturb me so much as they were well crafted and brought the character and her surroundings alive. There were moments when the story accelerated brusquely, carrying the reader away in a whirlwind of breath-taking action. Then things settled back to a more sedate rhythm. As a dystopian novel, Dreams Unleashed, bears the tell-tale marks of deep-seated anxiety that has its roots in the ever-growing threat of the nameless, faceless authorities to its citizens. In many such novels, the Hunger Games, for example, that anxiety chases the reader forward through the story. In Dreams Unleashed, we are periodically reminded of this tension but it tends to fade from view when relationships and dinner and the character’s dog get the upper hand.
When the book abruptly came to an end with a screaming cliffhanger, the underlying feeling of coming up short finally took on a tangible form. It was as if the book had ended before it had really got underway. To say so is unfair on the author. As I have described above, the book is full of all manner of things and the story is gripping. The only explanation I can find for this mismatch lies in the balance between story telling that is static, that builds on description and memories from the past, and breathtaking action that drives the story forward helter-skelter to the catastrophe everyone is expecting yet earnestly wishes to avoid.
The story moves backwards and forwards from a future present to several recent pasts. At first I was troubled by this shifting in time. It wasn’t too difficult, however, to ignore the confusion it caused in me because the story was sufficiently engrossing that I quickly forgot about my momentary feelings of being lost. Later I noticed that the author had put clear markers in the chapter titles to let the reader know what time the chapter took place in. It was then that I realised that I had not been reading the titles as, at a cursory glance, I mistakenly took them for being similar. If I had been reading the print version, I might well have glanced back over the contents page to compare chapter titles, but as this was my first experience reading an ebook I was concerned I might lose my place in the book.
The more I read of the book, the more I had a niggling feeling that the story was yet to begin. Great care was taken in describing the main character and her relationships to those around her: her colleagues at work, her family, her friends where she used to live and her dog. From time to time, I wondered why certain episodes of her life were described in such detail, but that they were didn’t disturb me so much as they were well crafted and brought the character and her surroundings alive. There were moments when the story accelerated brusquely, carrying the reader away in a whirlwind of breath-taking action. Then things settled back to a more sedate rhythm. As a dystopian novel, Dreams Unleashed, bears the tell-tale marks of deep-seated anxiety that has its roots in the ever-growing threat of the nameless, faceless authorities to its citizens. In many such novels, the Hunger Games, for example, that anxiety chases the reader forward through the story. In Dreams Unleashed, we are periodically reminded of this tension but it tends to fade from view when relationships and dinner and the character’s dog get the upper hand.
When the book abruptly came to an end with a screaming cliffhanger, the underlying feeling of coming up short finally took on a tangible form. It was as if the book had ended before it had really got underway. To say so is unfair on the author. As I have described above, the book is full of all manner of things and the story is gripping. The only explanation I can find for this mismatch lies in the balance between story telling that is static, that builds on description and memories from the past, and breathtaking action that drives the story forward helter-skelter to the catastrophe everyone is expecting yet earnestly wishes to avoid.
June 15, 2011
Dreams Unleashed Synopsis:
It’s the future year of 2015, where technology governs life. No one on the globe is free from being tracked through government RFID. The worldwide underground organization, GOG, is the one group equipped to fight against citizens’ loss of privacy. Ann Torgeson is a technical writer working for a tidal energy company—living a seemingly normal life in the Pacific Northwest—when her vivid dreams turn real. Is her training as a paranormal CIA agent when she was only nineteen years old now altering the doorway between her subconscious and reality? When Ann starts to dig into her past, her present begins to unravel, leading the reader through events that twist and turn everything upside down. It's the not-so-distant future, and question everything you know is the theme of Dreams Unleashed, book one of this paranormal trilogy.
I must confess this book was a little hard to get into at first. The main character Ann is jumping different realities in the book and it's a challenge to follow. After the first few chapters, I was drawn into the story. This was also my first dystopian novel and I was impressed by the content. I'm always a sucker for woman heroines Ann is no different. She is former CIA special unit personnel and the book does get into technical stuff about it. This book was a good read for me because it makes me think and the premise is plausible in the technological based world we live in today.
This isn't a quick read by any means. You have to really take your time to read to absorb the massive amounts of data you glean from the book. The writing is pretty formal and you have to be a clear thinker to understand what is being written.
Ann's ability to cross over into her dreams and bring them back has a metaphysical element to it that appeals to my spiritual nature. Science and spiritual meld together into a intricate pattern. A lot of metaphysical ideas are introduced in the book such as chakras and energy fields and I can relate to them as I follow some of them in my real life.
The only critique I have is the formal structure of the words as this is difficult to follow if you aren't well versed in the English language. Other than that, the story is intriguing and makes me want to jump into it and travel with her on her spiritual journey to enlightenment.
Linda Hawley blends science and metaphysics well together and creates a thinking story that kept me turning the pages. Action and suspense combined with philosophical discussion makes this book a winner.
I would recommend this book to readers interested in dystopian novels and want to “think outside the box”. Also for those who enjoy reading about metaphysics.
I look forward to reading more about Ann and her abilities.
It’s the future year of 2015, where technology governs life. No one on the globe is free from being tracked through government RFID. The worldwide underground organization, GOG, is the one group equipped to fight against citizens’ loss of privacy. Ann Torgeson is a technical writer working for a tidal energy company—living a seemingly normal life in the Pacific Northwest—when her vivid dreams turn real. Is her training as a paranormal CIA agent when she was only nineteen years old now altering the doorway between her subconscious and reality? When Ann starts to dig into her past, her present begins to unravel, leading the reader through events that twist and turn everything upside down. It's the not-so-distant future, and question everything you know is the theme of Dreams Unleashed, book one of this paranormal trilogy.
I must confess this book was a little hard to get into at first. The main character Ann is jumping different realities in the book and it's a challenge to follow. After the first few chapters, I was drawn into the story. This was also my first dystopian novel and I was impressed by the content. I'm always a sucker for woman heroines Ann is no different. She is former CIA special unit personnel and the book does get into technical stuff about it. This book was a good read for me because it makes me think and the premise is plausible in the technological based world we live in today.
This isn't a quick read by any means. You have to really take your time to read to absorb the massive amounts of data you glean from the book. The writing is pretty formal and you have to be a clear thinker to understand what is being written.
Ann's ability to cross over into her dreams and bring them back has a metaphysical element to it that appeals to my spiritual nature. Science and spiritual meld together into a intricate pattern. A lot of metaphysical ideas are introduced in the book such as chakras and energy fields and I can relate to them as I follow some of them in my real life.
The only critique I have is the formal structure of the words as this is difficult to follow if you aren't well versed in the English language. Other than that, the story is intriguing and makes me want to jump into it and travel with her on her spiritual journey to enlightenment.
Linda Hawley blends science and metaphysics well together and creates a thinking story that kept me turning the pages. Action and suspense combined with philosophical discussion makes this book a winner.
I would recommend this book to readers interested in dystopian novels and want to “think outside the box”. Also for those who enjoy reading about metaphysics.
I look forward to reading more about Ann and her abilities.
October 28, 2011
With the passing of the Patriot Act in what seems a lifetime ago, I think many Americans thought everything would be okay. However, Linda Hawley presents a different spin on the invasion of government into the private sector. What if the government was monitoring us via microchip inserted in our driver's licenses? What if the government was listening to every word we said at every time? Ms.Hawley has taken that line of thought one step further with the first book in her series, Dreams Unleashed. In this tale, Ann is a normal every day woman with special powers that lives in the not too distant future. She resents the government spying on her and is secretly a member of the GOG, an anti-government rebellion group in her secret life, while maintaining an average daily existence as a technical writer in her public one. Our classy heroine also has another secret, and that is that her dreams are potent and powerful and could be used as a government weapon. So there is where the drama begins...
In this first installment we meet Ann: woman, widow, mother of a college student, and hard-worker with a mysterious past. That prior life consists of work in the CIA, where she has been taught remote viewing. With that career long over, she tries to fit into a normal existence, fending off her flirty boss, struggling with the decision to begin an office romance,and making sure her home is safe from government spies. Suddenly she begins having dreams again, and the next thing she knows the government is after her. By the end of Book 1, we are anxiously gripping our seats wondering what is going to happen next. Will she meet the GOG parents? Will the FBI really catchher? Most importantly - is she going to be used as a weapon?
This story flashes back from the past, e.g. 2011 to the present 2015, to fill in the gaps of Ann's existence and give credence to her current plight. In a world that is truly a possible future, Ms. Hawley adds a taste of the paranormal into a frightening social concern. A woman with powerful dreams that leaves the reader unsure who really is trustworthy and who is not, you will eagerly turn each page to find the answers. This is a suspense-filled journey into our potential future that leaves you hanging for more and eagerly awaiting book two.
In this first installment we meet Ann: woman, widow, mother of a college student, and hard-worker with a mysterious past. That prior life consists of work in the CIA, where she has been taught remote viewing. With that career long over, she tries to fit into a normal existence, fending off her flirty boss, struggling with the decision to begin an office romance,and making sure her home is safe from government spies. Suddenly she begins having dreams again, and the next thing she knows the government is after her. By the end of Book 1, we are anxiously gripping our seats wondering what is going to happen next. Will she meet the GOG parents? Will the FBI really catchher? Most importantly - is she going to be used as a weapon?
This story flashes back from the past, e.g. 2011 to the present 2015, to fill in the gaps of Ann's existence and give credence to her current plight. In a world that is truly a possible future, Ms. Hawley adds a taste of the paranormal into a frightening social concern. A woman with powerful dreams that leaves the reader unsure who really is trustworthy and who is not, you will eagerly turn each page to find the answers. This is a suspense-filled journey into our potential future that leaves you hanging for more and eagerly awaiting book two.
July 7, 2011
Ann is a former CIA agent who worked for a secret project using paranormal skills. She currents writes technical manuals, and is a member of the secret group GOG. GOG is all about perserving personal privacy and other first amendment rights. These rights are fast disappearing in this technology obsessed world of 2015 where everyone is tracked through RFID chips in all their id. Ann's life begins to turn upside down when her paranormal skills begin to transform and her dreams seem to turn true.
When I finished reading this, I immediately emailed the author to confirm when the rest of the trilogy would be available. She reassured me the second book would be out this summer, and the third by the end of the year. I needed this information because I loved the book, but hated the total cliffhanger at the end. I totally need to know what is going to happen next!
This is a book that is set in the very near future, and seems totally plausible. Which makes it very frightening. The technology discussed in the book is either currently available, or being developed as we speak. Do a quick Goggle search for RFID and there is plenty to read, and to be worried about.
There is definitely a political stance to the book, but it is tastefully conveyed in a very gripping manner. I can see this book generating discussion (and debates) about a number of different issues touched on in the book.
Something I found surprising and very enjoyable was Ann's trip to Vancouver, BC. I love reading about Canadian locations, and this was no exception. I could visual the city as it was described. The main location is in the US, but I think the Canadian portion was described in much more detail.
I would definitely recommend checking out this book. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because of the ending. This is not a stand alone book. None of the issues are resolved, and there is a huge cliffhanger. But it is a great read.
When I finished reading this, I immediately emailed the author to confirm when the rest of the trilogy would be available. She reassured me the second book would be out this summer, and the third by the end of the year. I needed this information because I loved the book, but hated the total cliffhanger at the end. I totally need to know what is going to happen next!
This is a book that is set in the very near future, and seems totally plausible. Which makes it very frightening. The technology discussed in the book is either currently available, or being developed as we speak. Do a quick Goggle search for RFID and there is plenty to read, and to be worried about.
There is definitely a political stance to the book, but it is tastefully conveyed in a very gripping manner. I can see this book generating discussion (and debates) about a number of different issues touched on in the book.
Something I found surprising and very enjoyable was Ann's trip to Vancouver, BC. I love reading about Canadian locations, and this was no exception. I could visual the city as it was described. The main location is in the US, but I think the Canadian portion was described in much more detail.
I would definitely recommend checking out this book. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because of the ending. This is not a stand alone book. None of the issues are resolved, and there is a huge cliffhanger. But it is a great read.
October 28, 2011
This second edition of Dreams Unleashed really moves along well, and is written beautifully.
The main character, Ann, is really appealing to me. She's independent, a free spirit who's not set in her ways, is mature but still growing. I think there is nothing more beautiful than a woman with her dog, so Ann's dog, Lulu, adds to the story.
I found the remote viewing very interesting, as it explores the potential of the human mind. Of course the Herkimer crystals in the story were facinating. There seems to be some potential to them that we have not yet discoverd in 2011; there is just something about them.
I really enjoyed the lure of the Pacific Northwest as the root of the story.
Linda Hawley not only stretches your imagination, but she approaches the perils of a dystopian society with a new sense of hope. I really thought it was fantastic, and worthy of a five star review.
I already bought the second book in the series.
The main character, Ann, is really appealing to me. She's independent, a free spirit who's not set in her ways, is mature but still growing. I think there is nothing more beautiful than a woman with her dog, so Ann's dog, Lulu, adds to the story.
I found the remote viewing very interesting, as it explores the potential of the human mind. Of course the Herkimer crystals in the story were facinating. There seems to be some potential to them that we have not yet discoverd in 2011; there is just something about them.
I really enjoyed the lure of the Pacific Northwest as the root of the story.
Linda Hawley not only stretches your imagination, but she approaches the perils of a dystopian society with a new sense of hope. I really thought it was fantastic, and worthy of a five star review.
I already bought the second book in the series.
June 16, 2011
This is a really cool novel. It’s well written, complex, interesting, funny, scary—this novel has it all! Hawley has written a wonderful debut novel depicting the not so distant future with a “Big Brother is watching you” mentality. The government’s involvement in individual lives is scary and, though the book is fictitious, the references to real/current political issues and people aides in making the novel that much scarier for the reader. I was actually very impressed by Hawley’s ability to add both real and embellished events to her novel, and I was a little thrown off the first time Obama’s name was mentioned—Hawley’s use of real people and events brings the reader out of the land of fiction and strikes fear in their hearts, making them begin to question where our world is heading. I think this was ingenious and really enjoyed this aspect of the novel.
In fact, I enjoyed all aspects of this novel. The beginning drew me in very quickly as Ann is running from the FBI, and I was wrapped into the story in moments. I will admit that, in the beginning, I struggled with separating Ann’s reality with her dream world, but as Hawley explains Ann’s life to the reader, it becomes obvious when Ann is dreaming and when she is not. These lines will again begin to blur later on in the novel as Ann’s CIA training comes to the forefront but, by that time, the meshing of the dream world versus reality was extremely easy to follow...
To read my full review (7/27):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
In fact, I enjoyed all aspects of this novel. The beginning drew me in very quickly as Ann is running from the FBI, and I was wrapped into the story in moments. I will admit that, in the beginning, I struggled with separating Ann’s reality with her dream world, but as Hawley explains Ann’s life to the reader, it becomes obvious when Ann is dreaming and when she is not. These lines will again begin to blur later on in the novel as Ann’s CIA training comes to the forefront but, by that time, the meshing of the dream world versus reality was extremely easy to follow...
To read my full review (7/27):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
November 8, 2011
I received this book from the author and read it on Kindle for the PC. I had never used Kindle for the PC before and I was a little worried about losing my place when my mouse took off on its own, but it was okay. For the first third of the book, I had to really concentrate to keep straight whether I was in the present, past or a dream. Eventually I got all the threads on the right needles and then the book started to get exciting. The action just kept accelerating right up to the end! Or, should I say "up to the end of this book" because it's part of a trilogy and definitely leads you right in to the next in the series. The concept of putting yourself in another place through a dream was wild, but believable for me. I started clicking through all sorts of possibilities in my head as I was reading. I also liked that the author included current happenings, as close as a couple of months ago, to add to the perception of reality. Tagging people through their driver's license was disturbing, but it gave me something to think about. As I have said before in my reviews, I like time travel. This was a different kind of time travel because you aren't stuck in one place -- unless that happens further on in the series -- but the reader feels that Ann was really in those other places for a time. It was a very interesting book based on a great concept with current events and I can't wait for the next volume to see what happens!!!
June 14, 2011
Dreams Unleashed by Linda Hawley is the gripping story of Ann. She has a bit of a unique history and some abilities that are far from the norm. Her current job has her writing technical manuals for an alternative energy company harvesting the power of the ocean, her job while she was in the service however is highly classified.
Linda has the book nicely organized with each chapter also having a date heading. The dates range from her distant past, recent past, and current day. The book has some references to current political figures and situations that make it very easy to get sucked into the story. The book is extremely well written and had my attention from the beginning to the end. This book deals primarily with introducing Ann in a very in depth way and letting you get to know her as a character and understand her motivations and abilities. Ending in a somewhat tense matter I am very curious to see how the rest of the series is going to play out and look forward to reading the second book.
Linda has the book nicely organized with each chapter also having a date heading. The dates range from her distant past, recent past, and current day. The book has some references to current political figures and situations that make it very easy to get sucked into the story. The book is extremely well written and had my attention from the beginning to the end. This book deals primarily with introducing Ann in a very in depth way and letting you get to know her as a character and understand her motivations and abilities. Ending in a somewhat tense matter I am very curious to see how the rest of the series is going to play out and look forward to reading the second book.
July 1, 2011
I'm reeling from the books ending. I'm just grateful that the second book is due to be released this summer. Linda has definitely left me wanting more.
This book is set in 2015 in the state of Washington. Ann is in her mid 40's. She is a widow and the mother of one daughter. The story deals with a US Government that has taken away the right of privacy. Ann is part of a group that is fighting to regain the privacy of the citizens of the US.
Through flashbacks we are able to view her life and the events that lead her to the present. We learn that she was involved with the CIA in 1988 and the skills they honed to make her a valuable freedom fighter.
Whether you agree or not with some of the political statements in the book I think you would enjoy the story. I see this as a cautionary tale about the checks and balances set up in the US Constitution and that the people need to make sure we retain our right to privacy.
This book is set in 2015 in the state of Washington. Ann is in her mid 40's. She is a widow and the mother of one daughter. The story deals with a US Government that has taken away the right of privacy. Ann is part of a group that is fighting to regain the privacy of the citizens of the US.
Through flashbacks we are able to view her life and the events that lead her to the present. We learn that she was involved with the CIA in 1988 and the skills they honed to make her a valuable freedom fighter.
Whether you agree or not with some of the political statements in the book I think you would enjoy the story. I see this as a cautionary tale about the checks and balances set up in the US Constitution and that the people need to make sure we retain our right to privacy.
March 31, 2012
I bought this book along with a lot of others so it sat there ignored for too long. Once I started the first words though, I was hooked and I'm now 2/3 of the way through book two and already wondering what I will do while waiting for book 3. Write, maybe.
This is a book set in the near future filled with enough very current politics and science to feel immediate and urgent. It has wonderful characters and a rapid pacing. It is suspense filled and thought provoking. There are familiar elements to the Ender's Game character of Jane, and to the story line in the Left Behind books, without the religious element.
I do not know why I waited so long to start these books but I am eagerly awaiting more from this author.
This is a book set in the near future filled with enough very current politics and science to feel immediate and urgent. It has wonderful characters and a rapid pacing. It is suspense filled and thought provoking. There are familiar elements to the Ender's Game character of Jane, and to the story line in the Left Behind books, without the religious element.
I do not know why I waited so long to start these books but I am eagerly awaiting more from this author.
August 16, 2011
3.5 stars. Review originally posted on www.handsandhome.ca
The opening chapter in Dreams Unleashed is so intense that I immediately knew that I was going to be in for an exciting read! This book is full of suspense, mystery, action and conspiracy theories. Not only was it an entertaining read but it was so close to real life that it really made me think as well (and if I’m being honest it made me a little paranoid!).
At first I found that the story jumped around a lot and it was difficult to distinguish between Ann’s dreams and reality, or past and present. As I got reading and learned more about Ann’s life I was able to naturally follow along with the flashbacks and settle into really enjoying the story. Hawley’s concept is absolutely fantastic and I am still trying to wrap my head around it. In her early twenties Ann worked as a remote viewer for the CIA and was able to tap into her subconscious mind to locate points of government interest (enemy hot spots, security threats to the US etc.). A few decades later she learns that the door between her conscious and subconscious mind is disappearing, meaning that her dreams are becoming reality. How crazy would it be to wake up from a dream and find that you brought back with you an item from a country that you have never been to in real life? Well – it happened to Ann and that was just the beginning!
In Dreams Unleashed Hawley creates a dystopian world that is a little too close to reality for comfort. Citizens are easily tracked, followed, and listened to - even their own homes are no longer safe. Essentially in 2015 personal privacy and freedom are things of the past. She did an amazing job of bringing this world to life and merged enough fact and fiction to make it believable. The paranoia felt by each of the characters in the novel was so wonderfully conveyed that I felt it too!
There were some lulls in the story where a lot of focus was placed on what felt like irrelevant details. For example there were some long drawn out conversations at Ann’s work with characters who were only really mentioned in passing. I found myself thinking, “who cares? Get back to the story!” Usually when I read I look for details, I love a vividly described setting or character but at times I found the extreme attention to technical details to be distracting and slowed the pace of the novel. The ending of this story was also problematic for me. I love a good cliffhanger as much as the next person but the way Dreams Unleashed finished was so abrupt. It literally felt as though the final pages were ripped out of the novel.
Dreams Unleashed was a completely unique novel and had a fantastically thought out and developed story line. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series and am anticipating another thrilling and mind-boggling read!
I received a free copy of Dreams Unleashed from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The opening chapter in Dreams Unleashed is so intense that I immediately knew that I was going to be in for an exciting read! This book is full of suspense, mystery, action and conspiracy theories. Not only was it an entertaining read but it was so close to real life that it really made me think as well (and if I’m being honest it made me a little paranoid!).
At first I found that the story jumped around a lot and it was difficult to distinguish between Ann’s dreams and reality, or past and present. As I got reading and learned more about Ann’s life I was able to naturally follow along with the flashbacks and settle into really enjoying the story. Hawley’s concept is absolutely fantastic and I am still trying to wrap my head around it. In her early twenties Ann worked as a remote viewer for the CIA and was able to tap into her subconscious mind to locate points of government interest (enemy hot spots, security threats to the US etc.). A few decades later she learns that the door between her conscious and subconscious mind is disappearing, meaning that her dreams are becoming reality. How crazy would it be to wake up from a dream and find that you brought back with you an item from a country that you have never been to in real life? Well – it happened to Ann and that was just the beginning!
In Dreams Unleashed Hawley creates a dystopian world that is a little too close to reality for comfort. Citizens are easily tracked, followed, and listened to - even their own homes are no longer safe. Essentially in 2015 personal privacy and freedom are things of the past. She did an amazing job of bringing this world to life and merged enough fact and fiction to make it believable. The paranoia felt by each of the characters in the novel was so wonderfully conveyed that I felt it too!
There were some lulls in the story where a lot of focus was placed on what felt like irrelevant details. For example there were some long drawn out conversations at Ann’s work with characters who were only really mentioned in passing. I found myself thinking, “who cares? Get back to the story!” Usually when I read I look for details, I love a vividly described setting or character but at times I found the extreme attention to technical details to be distracting and slowed the pace of the novel. The ending of this story was also problematic for me. I love a good cliffhanger as much as the next person but the way Dreams Unleashed finished was so abrupt. It literally felt as though the final pages were ripped out of the novel.
Dreams Unleashed was a completely unique novel and had a fantastically thought out and developed story line. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series and am anticipating another thrilling and mind-boggling read!
I received a free copy of Dreams Unleashed from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 12, 2011
Ann Torgeson is a technical writer for AlterHydro, a company that specializes in alternate energy. She has also vivid dreams of other places where she’s hunted by US government agents. Years ago, she was a CIA agent and trained in the use of her paranormal abilities. Now, she’s starting to suspect that dreams might be more than just dreams.
It’s the year 2015 and because of the threat of terrorism, all countries are monitoring their citizens. RFID chips are commonplace on driver’s licenses and ID cards, and even in some people. Since houses usually have a central computer, the government can monitor the occupants, too. One organization is striking back: GOG, Get Out, Government!. It provides its members with technology that can defeat the house listening devices but can also give the members dangerous missions. Ann is a member of GOG and she’s sent on a mission to Canada, to interview a new member candidate. The US government considers GOG terrorists so if the members are captured, the cost is high.
The book focuses on Ann’s past and present. She seems to be an atypical main character: she’s in her forties, a widow, and has a daughter who is in college. She has a Brittany dog called Lulu and Ann can even take her dog with her to her job. She’s attracted to one of her co-workers but is fighting the attraction because she doesn’t think that dating a co-worker is a good idea. She’s also determined and stubborn when she’s hunting for answers. She feels that the US government is on the wrong path when it restricts civil liberties and she’s feels that she’s a patriot when she fights the government as a member of the GOG. Ever since Ann was a child, she has been able to dream vividly. However, during her years in the CIA, she was trained to use her abilities and now her dreams feel almost real. Ann is one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read about.
Her late husband Armand is in many flashbacks and they seem to have a happy, almost idyllic, life together before his tragic death a few years ago. Her daughter Elinor is away on collage and is mostly seen in the flashbacks when she’s younger. Ann has a pretty eclectic group of friends raging from her nerdy co-workers, to green energy enthusiasts, and to her ex-boss in the CIA’s paranormal office. As a dog-lover, I really enjoyed Ann’s dog Lulu who runs on the treadmill next to Ann and travel with her to conventions.
The world is dystopian: the government is the evil Big Brother keeping people safe even against their will. Yet, the characters aren’t depressed or desperate. They try to live their normal lives which includes laughter, too.
Since the book is set in the near future, current day events and politics are referenced.
The book ends in a cliffhanger, so I’m glad that the rest of the series is coming out this year.
The author kindly sent me review copy.
It’s the year 2015 and because of the threat of terrorism, all countries are monitoring their citizens. RFID chips are commonplace on driver’s licenses and ID cards, and even in some people. Since houses usually have a central computer, the government can monitor the occupants, too. One organization is striking back: GOG, Get Out, Government!. It provides its members with technology that can defeat the house listening devices but can also give the members dangerous missions. Ann is a member of GOG and she’s sent on a mission to Canada, to interview a new member candidate. The US government considers GOG terrorists so if the members are captured, the cost is high.
The book focuses on Ann’s past and present. She seems to be an atypical main character: she’s in her forties, a widow, and has a daughter who is in college. She has a Brittany dog called Lulu and Ann can even take her dog with her to her job. She’s attracted to one of her co-workers but is fighting the attraction because she doesn’t think that dating a co-worker is a good idea. She’s also determined and stubborn when she’s hunting for answers. She feels that the US government is on the wrong path when it restricts civil liberties and she’s feels that she’s a patriot when she fights the government as a member of the GOG. Ever since Ann was a child, she has been able to dream vividly. However, during her years in the CIA, she was trained to use her abilities and now her dreams feel almost real. Ann is one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read about.
Her late husband Armand is in many flashbacks and they seem to have a happy, almost idyllic, life together before his tragic death a few years ago. Her daughter Elinor is away on collage and is mostly seen in the flashbacks when she’s younger. Ann has a pretty eclectic group of friends raging from her nerdy co-workers, to green energy enthusiasts, and to her ex-boss in the CIA’s paranormal office. As a dog-lover, I really enjoyed Ann’s dog Lulu who runs on the treadmill next to Ann and travel with her to conventions.
The world is dystopian: the government is the evil Big Brother keeping people safe even against their will. Yet, the characters aren’t depressed or desperate. They try to live their normal lives which includes laughter, too.
Since the book is set in the near future, current day events and politics are referenced.
The book ends in a cliffhanger, so I’m glad that the rest of the series is coming out this year.
The author kindly sent me review copy.
June 17, 2011
Dreams Unleashed Synopsis:
It’s the near-future year of 2015, where technology governs life. In this dystopian world, governments control their citizens by tracking them with RFID. The right to personal privacy does not exist. The heroine, Ann Torgeson, having been trained by the CIA as a paranormal spy at nineteen years old, has enhanced abilities. Twenty-five years later, she lives a double life: first, as a technical writer for a tidal energy company in the Pacific Northwest, and second, as a member of the worldwide anti-government subversive organization, called GOG. When Ann’s vivid dreams turn real, she questions whether the doorway between her subconscious and reality has been permanently altered. When she starts to dig into her past, her present begins to unravel, leading the reader through events that twist and turn everything upside down. Question everything you know is essential in this trilogy.
My thoughts.
Dreams Unleashed is a edge of your seat Dystopian thriller! Ann Torgeson has all the attributes that I wish that I had as a single 30 something female!
Hawley, did a great job with Dreams Unleashed main character Ann Torgeson. Ann is a successful , bright, independent woman in her 40's that knows what she wants and will go after it. Ann works for the company
AlterHydro. writing instructional manuals. But little do we all know that Ann has a past and there is more to her than the eye can see.
I really did fall in love with the character of Ann, As I did with all of the key characters of Dreams Unleashed. I just love that fact that Hawley made sure that it the a clean language, no sex novel. I had read somewhere Linda had did that so her young daughters could read the trilogy if they wanted. I give my hat off to her for that, because there are many times when I reading "Why in the heck did the have to use the Fword or OK why couldn't they say that they just made love and leave it at that ." Because many times some of the words or scenes in the book, in my opinion don not lend anything to the plot of the story. So I applauded Linda Hawley for omitting those type of scenarios and still giving her readers a AWESOME, INTUITIVE, RIVETING you seat novel.
I would recommend Dreams unleashed to any reader from 12 to 100 and the only reason that I would not recommend it for a younger reader is because I feel that the might see it as hard to follow or comprehend and maybe a little scary as the over all concept of the novel is Big Brother (the government) is tracking every one of your movements. I for one can't wait for book 2 of The Prophecies Trilogy to come out in late summer.
It’s the near-future year of 2015, where technology governs life. In this dystopian world, governments control their citizens by tracking them with RFID. The right to personal privacy does not exist. The heroine, Ann Torgeson, having been trained by the CIA as a paranormal spy at nineteen years old, has enhanced abilities. Twenty-five years later, she lives a double life: first, as a technical writer for a tidal energy company in the Pacific Northwest, and second, as a member of the worldwide anti-government subversive organization, called GOG. When Ann’s vivid dreams turn real, she questions whether the doorway between her subconscious and reality has been permanently altered. When she starts to dig into her past, her present begins to unravel, leading the reader through events that twist and turn everything upside down. Question everything you know is essential in this trilogy.
My thoughts.
Dreams Unleashed is a edge of your seat Dystopian thriller! Ann Torgeson has all the attributes that I wish that I had as a single 30 something female!
Hawley, did a great job with Dreams Unleashed main character Ann Torgeson. Ann is a successful , bright, independent woman in her 40's that knows what she wants and will go after it. Ann works for the company
AlterHydro. writing instructional manuals. But little do we all know that Ann has a past and there is more to her than the eye can see.
I really did fall in love with the character of Ann, As I did with all of the key characters of Dreams Unleashed. I just love that fact that Hawley made sure that it the a clean language, no sex novel. I had read somewhere Linda had did that so her young daughters could read the trilogy if they wanted. I give my hat off to her for that, because there are many times when I reading "Why in the heck did the have to use the Fword or OK why couldn't they say that they just made love and leave it at that ." Because many times some of the words or scenes in the book, in my opinion don not lend anything to the plot of the story. So I applauded Linda Hawley for omitting those type of scenarios and still giving her readers a AWESOME, INTUITIVE, RIVETING you seat novel.
I would recommend Dreams unleashed to any reader from 12 to 100 and the only reason that I would not recommend it for a younger reader is because I feel that the might see it as hard to follow or comprehend and maybe a little scary as the over all concept of the novel is Big Brother (the government) is tracking every one of your movements. I for one can't wait for book 2 of The Prophecies Trilogy to come out in late summer.
August 17, 2011
I will begin by saying this is a book about a woman; not a girl turning woman, but a woman. A mature, accomplished, strong woman, with a charming personality, and great nuance in her behavior (and some very special gifts, to top it off!).
And I believe after I’ve said that you’ll get an idea about my feelings concerning this novel. I liked it, a lot!
My favorite, as it is already obvious, is Ann. She’s just so witty, and fun, and fresh; I wish I were that energetic, and I’m close to half her age (give a couple of years ). Her daughter makes more of a symbolic appearance, more to mark the nest-leaving then actually be involved. All sorts of things change, evolve, and Ann’s right on top of it all. There’s also a potential love interest somewhere in there, but it’s just dangled before your curious nose, probably to be developed in the next book? I hope so.
I loved the ‘paranormal’ tint. Of course, there’s a lot of secrecy, covert operations, and agencies, always agencies pulling and pushing in all directions. But Ann’s abilities are a natural; a powerful gift, that can bring joy and sorrow alike, and great responsibility. I feel she struggles with this weight hanging on her shoulders – she’s not overcome, not at all. But after the struggle, I believe she finds the balance needed to feel more then know what her path should be.
And she makes choices I applauded (hint to the Canada thing. You’ll understand what I mean when you’ll read it.)
What held back some of my enthusiasm is precisely the lack of capitalization on the fact the character is a mature woman. I mean, seriously, if in the next book she doesn’t get together with Paul, I’m gonna start making official complaints, somewhere, somehow!! You just wait and see, Linda Hawley! I demand some action Not in the explicit sens, I mean…oh, you know what I mean!
Seriously though, all that tension, and the build-up, your enthusiasm and eagerness just bubbling… and then the ending comes, and I sort of held my breath and remained stunned! I mean, no way!! I had to do a double take, I had a moment of sheer panic.
But then I thought, hey, this is a series, and Ann is the main character, so all is not lost. Right? RIGHT?? Major cliff-hanger alert, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
Overall, I do warmly recommend it, it’s a delightful dystopia novel, a pleasurable and engaging read, and I do so obviously eagerly await the next book of Ann’s adventures.
And I believe after I’ve said that you’ll get an idea about my feelings concerning this novel. I liked it, a lot!
My favorite, as it is already obvious, is Ann. She’s just so witty, and fun, and fresh; I wish I were that energetic, and I’m close to half her age (give a couple of years ). Her daughter makes more of a symbolic appearance, more to mark the nest-leaving then actually be involved. All sorts of things change, evolve, and Ann’s right on top of it all. There’s also a potential love interest somewhere in there, but it’s just dangled before your curious nose, probably to be developed in the next book? I hope so.
I loved the ‘paranormal’ tint. Of course, there’s a lot of secrecy, covert operations, and agencies, always agencies pulling and pushing in all directions. But Ann’s abilities are a natural; a powerful gift, that can bring joy and sorrow alike, and great responsibility. I feel she struggles with this weight hanging on her shoulders – she’s not overcome, not at all. But after the struggle, I believe she finds the balance needed to feel more then know what her path should be.
And she makes choices I applauded (hint to the Canada thing. You’ll understand what I mean when you’ll read it.)
What held back some of my enthusiasm is precisely the lack of capitalization on the fact the character is a mature woman. I mean, seriously, if in the next book she doesn’t get together with Paul, I’m gonna start making official complaints, somewhere, somehow!! You just wait and see, Linda Hawley! I demand some action Not in the explicit sens, I mean…oh, you know what I mean!
Seriously though, all that tension, and the build-up, your enthusiasm and eagerness just bubbling… and then the ending comes, and I sort of held my breath and remained stunned! I mean, no way!! I had to do a double take, I had a moment of sheer panic.
But then I thought, hey, this is a series, and Ann is the main character, so all is not lost. Right? RIGHT?? Major cliff-hanger alert, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
Overall, I do warmly recommend it, it’s a delightful dystopia novel, a pleasurable and engaging read, and I do so obviously eagerly await the next book of Ann’s adventures.
July 6, 2011
This book is definitely intriguing...that's probably the best word for it. Intriguing and thought-provoking. The meat of the book concerns remote viewing and the link between the main character's subconscious and reality. Yeah, that's deep stuff. It forces you to think, and I love books like that.
I'm also a big fan of books concerning dystopian societies, and Dreams Unleashed definitely falls within that category. But it's interesting because it's not way into the future like most dystopian books are. The present day of this book is 2015, and the government is right at the beginning of a downhill slope into a freedomless society. The author mentions real events happening today and uses those as the beginnings of a dystopia, so it hits close to home; this isn't so far-fetched.
But probably what this author does best is character development. You REALLY get to know every facet of the main character. And there are A LOT of facets. She's about 45 years old and has done a lot of different things in her lifetime so far. She's already a widow (that is of course a rather sad part in the book), she was in the Air Force, she worked for the CIA, she's lived on both U.S. coasts, she is apart of an underground freedom-fighting society, she works for an up-and-coming alternative energy company, and she's a bit of a hippie. Like I said...lots of facets. You also get to know the people she works with, her friends, her family, and her love interest. This story is definitely not lacking in interesting characters.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so the author gives plenty of back story in order to sufficiently introduce us to the characters. I've encountered that plenty of times before, when reading Terry Brooks. Most of his stuff is organized into trilogies, and I've found that the first book always introduces the characters and shows them preparing for the journey, the second book introduces all of the crazy problems and chaos, and then the third book is non-stop action and of course resolves all the problems. I have a feeling that this author will work like that also. This book does end with a pretty crazy cliff-hanger, and I can't wait to see where the second book picks up!
I'm also a big fan of books concerning dystopian societies, and Dreams Unleashed definitely falls within that category. But it's interesting because it's not way into the future like most dystopian books are. The present day of this book is 2015, and the government is right at the beginning of a downhill slope into a freedomless society. The author mentions real events happening today and uses those as the beginnings of a dystopia, so it hits close to home; this isn't so far-fetched.
But probably what this author does best is character development. You REALLY get to know every facet of the main character. And there are A LOT of facets. She's about 45 years old and has done a lot of different things in her lifetime so far. She's already a widow (that is of course a rather sad part in the book), she was in the Air Force, she worked for the CIA, she's lived on both U.S. coasts, she is apart of an underground freedom-fighting society, she works for an up-and-coming alternative energy company, and she's a bit of a hippie. Like I said...lots of facets. You also get to know the people she works with, her friends, her family, and her love interest. This story is definitely not lacking in interesting characters.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so the author gives plenty of back story in order to sufficiently introduce us to the characters. I've encountered that plenty of times before, when reading Terry Brooks. Most of his stuff is organized into trilogies, and I've found that the first book always introduces the characters and shows them preparing for the journey, the second book introduces all of the crazy problems and chaos, and then the third book is non-stop action and of course resolves all the problems. I have a feeling that this author will work like that also. This book does end with a pretty crazy cliff-hanger, and I can't wait to see where the second book picks up!
September 26, 2011
With the passing of the Patriot Act in what seems a lifetime ago, I think many Americans thought everything would be okay. However, Linda Hawley presents a different spin on the invasion of government into the private sector. What if the government was monitoring us via microchip inserted in our driver's licenses? What if the government was listening to every word we said at every time? Ms.Hawley has taken that line of thought one step further with the first book in her series, Dreams Unleashed. In this tale, Ann is a normal every day woman with special powers that lives in the not too distant future. She resents the government spying on her and is secretly a member of the GOG, an anti-government rebellion group in her secret life, while maintaining an average daily existence as a technical writer in her public one. Our classy heroine also has another secret, and that is that her dreams are potent and powerful and could be used as a government weapon. So there is where the drama begins...
In this first installment we meet Ann: woman, widow, mother of a college student, and hard-worker with a mysterious past. That prior life consists of work in the CIA, where she has been taught remote viewing. With that career long over, she tries to fit into a normal existence, fending off her flirty boss, struggling with the decision to begin an office romance,and making sure her home is safe from government spies. Suddenly she begins having dreams again, and the next thing she knows the government is after her. By the end of Book 1, we are anxiously gripping our seats wondering what is going to happen next. Will she meet the GOG parents? Will the FBI really catchher? Most importantly - is she going to be used as a weapon?
This story flashes back from the past, e.g. 2011 to the present 2015, to fill in the gaps of Ann's existence and give credence to her current plight. In a world that is truly a possible future, Ms. Hawley adds a taste of the paranormal into a frightening social concern. A woman with powerful dreams that leaves the reader unsure who really is trustworthy and who is not, you will eagerly turn each page to find the answers. This is a suspense-filled journey into our potential future that leaves you hanging for more and eagerly awaiting book two.
In this first installment we meet Ann: woman, widow, mother of a college student, and hard-worker with a mysterious past. That prior life consists of work in the CIA, where she has been taught remote viewing. With that career long over, she tries to fit into a normal existence, fending off her flirty boss, struggling with the decision to begin an office romance,and making sure her home is safe from government spies. Suddenly she begins having dreams again, and the next thing she knows the government is after her. By the end of Book 1, we are anxiously gripping our seats wondering what is going to happen next. Will she meet the GOG parents? Will the FBI really catchher? Most importantly - is she going to be used as a weapon?
This story flashes back from the past, e.g. 2011 to the present 2015, to fill in the gaps of Ann's existence and give credence to her current plight. In a world that is truly a possible future, Ms. Hawley adds a taste of the paranormal into a frightening social concern. A woman with powerful dreams that leaves the reader unsure who really is trustworthy and who is not, you will eagerly turn each page to find the answers. This is a suspense-filled journey into our potential future that leaves you hanging for more and eagerly awaiting book two.
August 15, 2011
I am not a big fan of fantasy or sci-fi, so when I was requested to review ‘Dreams Unleashed’, I tried to read with no prejudice. I was not sure I would be able to do a good review of this book since I don’t read sci-fi. I took this up as a challenge for me as a reader and in the end, I am very glad I did.
Dreams Unleashed is the first book in The Prophecies Trilogy. We have Anne as the main protagonist who is no less than a superwoman. She is an ex-CIA agent who was born with the amazing skill of moving between the dream world and the real one. She is part of the team which does ‘remote viewing’ – transporting yourself to a place to spy on others, but all this in your dream which is almost like real. Confused? Read the book to clear that confusion.
The action in the book starts from the word go and does not end till the book is over. We see Anne as a trainee in the defence and in the CIA’s secret team and her relatively boring job as a technical writer in an organization. We also get a glimpse of her personal life – her lovely relationship with her dad, her husband’s untimely demise and her daughter’s upbringing. Anne comes across as a woman of strength and amazing self-confidence. The other characters are not that drawn out to my taste, but I guess characterization is not that important in a sci-fi book. The structure of the book is quite interesting. It does not flow a chronological order and we keep skipping back and forth in time and also into and out of Anne’s dreams and her real world.
The language is easy and flows smoothly. The one part which I had trouble with were the dialogues. Almost all dialogues end with the name which I found a bit artifical and irritating. Again, the focus of sci-fi books is on the plot rather than the literature, so I guess this is acceptable.
The book is interesting and engaging. For a novice sci-fi reader, this book was very enojoyable. There is an element of suspense that runs through the entire thread which keeps the reader yearning for more.
Dreams Unleashed is the first book in The Prophecies Trilogy. We have Anne as the main protagonist who is no less than a superwoman. She is an ex-CIA agent who was born with the amazing skill of moving between the dream world and the real one. She is part of the team which does ‘remote viewing’ – transporting yourself to a place to spy on others, but all this in your dream which is almost like real. Confused? Read the book to clear that confusion.
The action in the book starts from the word go and does not end till the book is over. We see Anne as a trainee in the defence and in the CIA’s secret team and her relatively boring job as a technical writer in an organization. We also get a glimpse of her personal life – her lovely relationship with her dad, her husband’s untimely demise and her daughter’s upbringing. Anne comes across as a woman of strength and amazing self-confidence. The other characters are not that drawn out to my taste, but I guess characterization is not that important in a sci-fi book. The structure of the book is quite interesting. It does not flow a chronological order and we keep skipping back and forth in time and also into and out of Anne’s dreams and her real world.
The language is easy and flows smoothly. The one part which I had trouble with were the dialogues. Almost all dialogues end with the name which I found a bit artifical and irritating. Again, the focus of sci-fi books is on the plot rather than the literature, so I guess this is acceptable.
The book is interesting and engaging. For a novice sci-fi reader, this book was very enojoyable. There is an element of suspense that runs through the entire thread which keeps the reader yearning for more.
October 17, 2011
The plot of Dreams Unleashed is off and running from the opening scene.
Linda Hawley presents a dystopian view of the Patriot Act, with microchip technology providing a means for government to monitor everyone's lives and undermine their privacy. Set in Washington in 2015, the plot shifts back in time, and switches into dreams, revealing information and posing questions as the plot unfolds.
The heroine, Ann Torgeson, is a woman with a mysterious background and a special power; her dreams are a potent weapon which has her wanted by a government she no longer trusts. Indeed, it is difficult to know just who Ann can trust and every character is suspect.
Ann is a secret member of the GOG anti-government group using her CIA training to undermine the government while maintaining a normal outward life as a technical writer for an energy company.
Woven throughout the story are references to the metaphysical which helps to flesh out Ann's character and explain why her dreams might be so powerful.
By the end we are on the edge of our seats wondering what will happen next. It ends on an unexpected cliff hanger which hooks you into the sequel.
Whether or not you agree with the political statements in the book (it contains current-day political references), the plot is fast paced and keeps you reading. If you like political thrillers and government conspiracy stories you will LOVE this book.
I'm glad to have been enticed back into the political thriller genre with Linda's book. It is a suspense-filled page turner that leaves you eager for book two. A brilliant first novel!
Linda Hawley presents a dystopian view of the Patriot Act, with microchip technology providing a means for government to monitor everyone's lives and undermine their privacy. Set in Washington in 2015, the plot shifts back in time, and switches into dreams, revealing information and posing questions as the plot unfolds.
The heroine, Ann Torgeson, is a woman with a mysterious background and a special power; her dreams are a potent weapon which has her wanted by a government she no longer trusts. Indeed, it is difficult to know just who Ann can trust and every character is suspect.
Ann is a secret member of the GOG anti-government group using her CIA training to undermine the government while maintaining a normal outward life as a technical writer for an energy company.
Woven throughout the story are references to the metaphysical which helps to flesh out Ann's character and explain why her dreams might be so powerful.
By the end we are on the edge of our seats wondering what will happen next. It ends on an unexpected cliff hanger which hooks you into the sequel.
Whether or not you agree with the political statements in the book (it contains current-day political references), the plot is fast paced and keeps you reading. If you like political thrillers and government conspiracy stories you will LOVE this book.
I'm glad to have been enticed back into the political thriller genre with Linda's book. It is a suspense-filled page turner that leaves you eager for book two. A brilliant first novel!
February 5, 2012
I started with The Guardian of Time, then read Dreams Unleashed. So by the end of book 2 I already liked the heroine and very much disliked all the scumbags she had to deal with. So when those folks are introduced in book 1, I already had a bias against them. I guess that's why things should be read in order. The first thing that stood out for me was how smoothly the story moves along. We might be moving three or twenty-three years back and then forward again and there is absolutely no stiltedness between chapters. The pace is quite good. It's not so fast that you get to the end wondering what you've just read. There are no huge shocks that cause you to put the book down to deal with rough imagery.
As I was reading these I could totally see Ann Torgeson being interviewed by George Noory on Coast to Coast AM. I've been involved with Transcendental Meditation since I was 15, so I had no trouble identifying with Ann even though I found myself a bit envious of some of her experiences.
Exchanging freedom for relative liberty is like exchanging water for relative humidity. After the September 11th attacks we were encouraged to do just that. Now, nearly 11 years later we have rules, regulations and and government agencies imposed upon us without our consent. These are topics that might be sensitive to some people, especially anyone who is in favor of what's going on in our culture regarding privacy and freedom. Hopefully reading this trilogy will cause all of us to revisit our opinions about the way things are. I've very much enjoyed reading these books and I look forward to the third installment.
As I was reading these I could totally see Ann Torgeson being interviewed by George Noory on Coast to Coast AM. I've been involved with Transcendental Meditation since I was 15, so I had no trouble identifying with Ann even though I found myself a bit envious of some of her experiences.
Exchanging freedom for relative liberty is like exchanging water for relative humidity. After the September 11th attacks we were encouraged to do just that. Now, nearly 11 years later we have rules, regulations and and government agencies imposed upon us without our consent. These are topics that might be sensitive to some people, especially anyone who is in favor of what's going on in our culture regarding privacy and freedom. Hopefully reading this trilogy will cause all of us to revisit our opinions about the way things are. I've very much enjoyed reading these books and I look forward to the third installment.
June 30, 2011
An intriguing premise, the dystopian genre, and my love for narratives in which the author is jumping back and forth in time to tell the story, always manage to lure me in quite successfully. This was also the case with Dreams Unleashed by Linda Hawley.
The story revolves around Ann Torgeson, a technical writer, with a past of working for a secret project with the CIA and it's this past that is suddenly catching up with her through disturbing and real-to-life dreams.
This first part of The Prophecies Trilogy proves to be much more than yet another dystopian book, throwing in just the right amount of science fiction and the paranormal genre as well as taking an up-close look at current political issues, making the whole story feel scarily real. Add a well developed cast and Linda's clear and descriptive writing style which make for a fluent and thrilling read.
Yet some parts of the book were slower than others as the story itself is gradually unraveling and it takes the first half of the book before you'll be able to tie up the threads and make connections of what's happening. And admittedly the cliffhanger, which literally arrives with a bang, came too soon for me. I realize that this is only the first part of a trilogy, but I'm not scared of heavy tomes and would have loved to just continue reading them as a whole.
In short: A fascinating dystopian novel by a promising new author!
The story revolves around Ann Torgeson, a technical writer, with a past of working for a secret project with the CIA and it's this past that is suddenly catching up with her through disturbing and real-to-life dreams.
This first part of The Prophecies Trilogy proves to be much more than yet another dystopian book, throwing in just the right amount of science fiction and the paranormal genre as well as taking an up-close look at current political issues, making the whole story feel scarily real. Add a well developed cast and Linda's clear and descriptive writing style which make for a fluent and thrilling read.
Yet some parts of the book were slower than others as the story itself is gradually unraveling and it takes the first half of the book before you'll be able to tie up the threads and make connections of what's happening. And admittedly the cliffhanger, which literally arrives with a bang, came too soon for me. I realize that this is only the first part of a trilogy, but I'm not scared of heavy tomes and would have loved to just continue reading them as a whole.
In short: A fascinating dystopian novel by a promising new author!
November 3, 2011
This is a slightly cheating review, because everything I said in my first review still stands. The technology is scary and very plausible. There is a definite stance regarding the environment and politics in the book. This stance forms the backbone of the story, and heightens the dystopian-style changes that have happened to the world.
The huge cliff hanger ending still bothers me, but luckily I could start the second book right away, which greatly lessened the impact of it.
Overall, the story is almost exactly the same, just a bit smoother. The story is definitely a good one to pick up, but you will likely want to have the second one ready for when you finish.
The huge cliff hanger ending still bothers me, but luckily I could start the second book right away, which greatly lessened the impact of it.
Overall, the story is almost exactly the same, just a bit smoother. The story is definitely a good one to pick up, but you will likely want to have the second one ready for when you finish.
June 21, 2011
The first of a trilogy. The year is 2015. This is a story of government run amok
clashing with individual privacy rights. Protagonist is a forty something woman.
Through dream sequences and reflections we learn about her unique history as a CIA paranormal
and involvement in an individual rights movement.
The story is well written and exciting. I very much look forward to the next
installment which is due out this summer (2011).
clashing with individual privacy rights. Protagonist is a forty something woman.
Through dream sequences and reflections we learn about her unique history as a CIA paranormal
and involvement in an individual rights movement.
The story is well written and exciting. I very much look forward to the next
installment which is due out this summer (2011).
May 28, 2012
This book held my attention and was good. I really couldn't get into the spiritual aspect of it -- Chi, chakras, etc. Also, while I enjoy both sci-fi and fantasy, I've been on a mostly sci-fi kick lately, so the parapsychology theme in this book actually turned me off a bit. I guess for some reason I was expecting harder sci-fi and instead found a fantasy series.
I may pick this series up again, definitely a fantasy series worth more attention when the time is right.
I may pick this series up again, definitely a fantasy series worth more attention when the time is right.
September 1, 2011
it made me cry at one part! i love this book!
September 9, 2013
A cracker ...READ IT !!
January 23, 2016
Book Synopsis
It’s the near-future year of 2015, where technology governs life. In this dystopian world, governments control their citizens by tracking them with RFID. The right to personal privacy does not exist. The heroine, Ann Torgeson, having been trained by the CIA as a paranormal spy at nineteen years old, has enhanced abilities. Twenty-five years later, she lives a double life: first, as a technical writer for a tidal energy company in the Pacific Northwest, and second, as a member of the worldwide anti-government subversive organization, called GOG. When Ann’s vivid dreams turn real, she questions whether the doorway between her subconscious and reality has been permanently altered. When she starts to dig into her past, her present begins to unravel, leading the reader through events that twist and turn everything upside down. Question everything you know is essential in this trilogy.
My Thoughts
Like everyone else I am fascinated with stories that give us a glimpse into a possible future for our world...
Dreams Unleashed being the first book in a trilogy that gives us that exact glimpse is a truly interesting and well thought out beginning to the authors Prophecy series.
I can honestly say that if the author had not approached me to read a copy of the book it probably would never have come to my attention and that would have been a serious shame! I quickly took to the character of Ann Torgeson, she is a no nonsense very easy to connect with woman... Being someone who at a very young age started using paranormal abilities Ann grew up and at 18 when her Air Force enlistment kicked in and she was tested for a special branch of the CIA she passed with flying colors and then spent 6 years as a somewhat secret weapon ferreting out information in a unique manner called remote viewing... Years later after her husband dies and her daughter is grown up and away at college Ann is on her own and is still an active member of an organization that does everything within it's power to prevent governments world-wide from taking away personal freedoms from their citizens... Along with her normal day job as a technical writer Ann takes on a few assignments for the organization GOG, one of which brings her to the attention of the FBI at which point her life takes a turn that she was not exactly prepared for...
Showcasing throughout the jump in time from the year 2015 back and forth to 2012 with mentions of events in 1990, 2008, 2009 and 2011 the story encompasses a lot of information from Ann's past and present... There are times when I was a bit confused and then there were times when I felt a bit overwhelmed with the amount of information that I was trying to absorb to keep the continuity of the story in place... This is not a particular favorite way of putting the plot lines in perspective for me but it works if you take your time and do not skim the chapters... (This did not detract from the story but I just do not like flashback/flash forwards in books or movies or television very much. Personal quirk not a flaw.)
All in all from the beginning of the book to the unexpected cliffhanger ending the story provokes the reader to engage their brain, to keep the pages turning to ferret out the secrets that Ann finds, to watch how her relationship with her co-worker Paul blossoms and most of all to find out once and for all what is truth and what is speculation!
Not only are there many modern day references to current and recent past political events but the Mel Gibson movie Conspiracy Theory feel to the storyline is one that grabbed my curiosity and kept me intrigued and reading from start to finish. (when I say feel it means just that, there is no similarity between the book and the movie other than that)
The print version is now published and in stock at Create Space
Available for purchase in e-book from Goodreads.com
Available for purchase in e-book from Amazon.com
I recommend the book to anyone looking for an adult read set in the Dystopian genre, one with a very lovely female main character who has an insanely intelligent and cute dog named Lulu who will steal your heart and make you smile every time she appears in a scene... I also recommend this book for anyone looking for a good suspense thriller with a lot of action and dead on scenarios as to where we are heading if governments seize complete control of their citizens lives!
I have to disclose that this book was an e-arc copy submitted to me by the author for an honest review and that there is no other compensation from her or the publisher except for the review copy and my reading pleasure and enjoyment of the characters depicted in the story.
August 9, 2011
Dreams Unleashed by Linda Hawley is the first book in The Prophecies trilogy, which is probably best described as a paranormal thriller. Ann Torgeson is a technical writer in her forties with an adventurous past. She has worked as both a CIA agent and as a journalist, and she must call on all of her skills to figure what is happening in the bizarre dreams that she is having. Her dreams begin to blur into reality, and the events resulting from them land her in hot water with the increasingly suppressive government. It becomes a race against time to discover the truth and gain control of her powers.
It is clear that Hawley is very passionate about the characters in the series and her writing. She spends considerable time and effort setting up the background for the rest of the trilogy in Dreams Unleashed. The characters were quite colorful and extremely well fleshed-out; however, this incredible attention to detail meant that the book could go a bit slow at times. There were some chapters that felt a little extraneous-- they didn’t seem to move the plot along at all. But, with the potential for time travel being introduced, the reader is left to wonder if some of these scenes might be relevant later on in the series.
Based on the first book, I do not think that the books in this series will be able to stand independently. Hawley was woven an extremely intricate plot and the pacing is non- linear. The first chapter of the book is a thrilling action sequence that happens in the future (a flash forward, if you will). Yet the events immediately preceding this sequence are never addressed by the end of the first novel. Hopefully it will be clarified in the second or third book, keeping readers hooked into the rest of the series.
One caveat to folks who read this book: pay close attention to chapter headings. As I said, the story bounces around between times and locations (despite being told from Ann’s first-person POV). The chapter headings make the transitions a lot clearer and help the reader to see the web of connections within the book.
Overall, I thought the book could use some polishing. Hawley has some fascinating ideas about the power of dreams, but these gems can be somewhat obscured by the meandering narrative. I do very much want to see where the story is going (especially since the ending is a major cliffhanger!), and I plan to read the remainder of the series. The plot really picked up in the last 25% of the book-- I want the rest of the series to build on that momentum!
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy puzzling over a narrative and making many connections between threads in the story. I also think this is a great opportunity to look at some new talent and good potential. Dreams Unleashed has so many kernels of possibility. Hopefully, they come to fruition in the remaining books of The Prophecies trilogy.
It is clear that Hawley is very passionate about the characters in the series and her writing. She spends considerable time and effort setting up the background for the rest of the trilogy in Dreams Unleashed. The characters were quite colorful and extremely well fleshed-out; however, this incredible attention to detail meant that the book could go a bit slow at times. There were some chapters that felt a little extraneous-- they didn’t seem to move the plot along at all. But, with the potential for time travel being introduced, the reader is left to wonder if some of these scenes might be relevant later on in the series.
Based on the first book, I do not think that the books in this series will be able to stand independently. Hawley was woven an extremely intricate plot and the pacing is non- linear. The first chapter of the book is a thrilling action sequence that happens in the future (a flash forward, if you will). Yet the events immediately preceding this sequence are never addressed by the end of the first novel. Hopefully it will be clarified in the second or third book, keeping readers hooked into the rest of the series.
One caveat to folks who read this book: pay close attention to chapter headings. As I said, the story bounces around between times and locations (despite being told from Ann’s first-person POV). The chapter headings make the transitions a lot clearer and help the reader to see the web of connections within the book.
Overall, I thought the book could use some polishing. Hawley has some fascinating ideas about the power of dreams, but these gems can be somewhat obscured by the meandering narrative. I do very much want to see where the story is going (especially since the ending is a major cliffhanger!), and I plan to read the remainder of the series. The plot really picked up in the last 25% of the book-- I want the rest of the series to build on that momentum!
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy puzzling over a narrative and making many connections between threads in the story. I also think this is a great opportunity to look at some new talent and good potential. Dreams Unleashed has so many kernels of possibility. Hopefully, they come to fruition in the remaining books of The Prophecies trilogy.
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