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The Dreamwielder Chronicles #1
Dreamwielder
In a world shrouded by soot and smoke, young Makarria has literally been forbidden to dream.
Legend has foretold the demise of Emperor Thedric Guderian at the hands of a sorceress with royal blood, and the Emperor has made it his legacy to stamp out all magic from the Sargothian Empire in favor of primitive coal fired smelters and steam powered machines. When Guderian’s minions discover a Dreamwielder on a seaside farmstead, a chain of events forces Guderian’s new threat—the young Makarria—to flee from her home and embark upon an epic journey where her path intertwines with that of Princess Taera, her headstrong brother, Prince Caile, and the northman Siegbjorn, who captains a night-flying airship.
Dogging their every step is the part-wolf, part-raven sorcerer, Wulfram, and Emperor Guderian himself, a man who has the ability to stint magic and a vision to create a world where the laws of nature are beholden to men and machines. Only by learning to control the power she wields can Makarria save her newfound companions and stop the Emperor from irreversibly exterminating both the magic in humans and their bond with nature.
DREAMWIELDER will be available in eBook and print editions on SEPTEMBER 29, 2015.
Legend has foretold the demise of Emperor Thedric Guderian at the hands of a sorceress with royal blood, and the Emperor has made it his legacy to stamp out all magic from the Sargothian Empire in favor of primitive coal fired smelters and steam powered machines. When Guderian’s minions discover a Dreamwielder on a seaside farmstead, a chain of events forces Guderian’s new threat—the young Makarria—to flee from her home and embark upon an epic journey where her path intertwines with that of Princess Taera, her headstrong brother, Prince Caile, and the northman Siegbjorn, who captains a night-flying airship.
Dogging their every step is the part-wolf, part-raven sorcerer, Wulfram, and Emperor Guderian himself, a man who has the ability to stint magic and a vision to create a world where the laws of nature are beholden to men and machines. Only by learning to control the power she wields can Makarria save her newfound companions and stop the Emperor from irreversibly exterminating both the magic in humans and their bond with nature.
DREAMWIELDER will be available in eBook and print editions on SEPTEMBER 29, 2015.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2013
7 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
About the author
Garrett Calcaterra
20 books75 followersGarrett Calcaterra is author of the epic fantasy series The Dreamwielder Chronicles. His other books include Dreamrush, The Roads to Baldairn Motte, and Umbral Visions. His short work has appeared in numerous anthologies, speculative-fiction magazines, and literary journals, including Confrontation, Writers’ Journal, Black Gate, Wet Ink, Redneck Eldritch, and more.
Garrett previously taught creative writing at Chapman University and the Orange County School of the Arts. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science from Pacific University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Chapman University. When not writing, he enjoys playing guitar in his band Wheel House, hiking with his two dogs, quaffing good beer, and enjoying life with his wife and best friend, Mandy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 20, 2017
There are so many great things about Dreamwielder and yet I am only giving it 3 stars (maybe this is like 3.25 stars). The characters, plot, world building and magical system are wonderful. They could easily come from any high-end fantasy book. Author Garrett Calcaterra of Dreamwielder (the first book in the Dreamwielder Chronicles) is clearly talented. Right up until you need him to describe a building or scene; or show you what is happening….
Give me more cowbell!
Really good fantasy books require some intricate descriptions. I’m not talking about 10+ pages about rocks (ugh Emyn Muil) but there has to be some sort of substance to the descriptions. If I’m in a throne room numerous times which is enthralling to the characters then I’d like to be able to see it in my head. Instead it was as if it was a generic “Lightbringer” throne room.
Here’s an example of a lack luster description: ”…the ceiling of the throne room was vaulted, and there was a high balcony lining the rear and side walls, but apart from that it was similar in size and layout to the throne room in Castle Pyrthin.”
That’s it? I want sooo much more; what are the colours, what’s on the tapestries, what does the throne look like, how big is it, are there windows, is it intimidating, etc. I started (by the halfway point of the novel) rewording the sentences to have descriptions in them that incorporated more of the plot, what characters were seeing and descriptions. Even a phrase like (forgive my bad writing) “Not unlike Castle Pyrthin the vaulted ceilings, held up by stone columns, gave the room the impression of being larger than it was. As Caile walked towards the throne he realized that the man on the small, but ornate, gold throne didn’t fit in with the elegant royal purple tapestries which depicting epic fights and sorcerers of great power flinging their blue balls of magic in battle. The Emperor instead appeared…”
Yes I made up those details, because in my head that’s what I started to do when given no descriptions of the settings. I just wanted so much more! Simply put, I wanted someone like Robin Hobb, Brandan Sanderson or Elizabeth Haydon to have written this story because it could be a rich, intriguing and intricate fantasy story. Instead Calcattera gives us a glimpse into what could be an intricate, intriguing and impressive fantasy world and then lets us down with mediocre descriptions and not enough showing.
Yes I really mean it, give me more!
Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Mel, are you saying you wanted this book to be longer?” Yes!! There’s a first time for everything (lol). I wanted to be immersed in this world where we swap characters points of view and split up only to reunite characters later on. It’s an absolute tragedy to me that there is sooo much good stuff here and yet the core base of what makes a book readable and immersive is missing.
The characters, plot and world are more than good enough that I will read the next book in the series; but I suspect I will be re-writing it with descriptions in my head as well.
Genre
I know this is listed as a young adult book, and yes it’s suitable for a young adult. But I think it’s mis-categorized. This is really an epic high fantasy book that just needs a good fantasy treatment added to it. What I mean is that I want it to feel grander than it does right now. Again, I just think there’s so much more Dreamwielder could be. I’d hate to see Calcaterra stay at this level of writing because I think he can be so much more than he is. That’s not to say YA books aren’t good (I personally love them); it’s only to say that Dreamwielder feels bigger and I want a lot more out of it so an epic fantasy treatment feels like the way to go here.
In Conclusion
I’m a broken record by now because all I can say is give me more! Calcaterra should re-write this with a more adult audience in mind, add-in descriptions to flesh out this world, and overall step up the writing to a more show and less tell approach. If this was to happen I honestly believe there is a promising future for not only Dreamwielder but Calcaterra himself.
If I could afford to I’d hire him a big-time editor and copy-editor from TOR or Orbit to work with Calcaterra and make this the grand story it deserves. In the meantime I’ll be moderately content with what I have and keep hoping that a larger publishing house sees what I do in this wonderfully set-up series.
To read this and more of my reviews visit my blog at Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Give me more cowbell!
Really good fantasy books require some intricate descriptions. I’m not talking about 10+ pages about rocks (ugh Emyn Muil) but there has to be some sort of substance to the descriptions. If I’m in a throne room numerous times which is enthralling to the characters then I’d like to be able to see it in my head. Instead it was as if it was a generic “Lightbringer” throne room.
Here’s an example of a lack luster description: ”…the ceiling of the throne room was vaulted, and there was a high balcony lining the rear and side walls, but apart from that it was similar in size and layout to the throne room in Castle Pyrthin.”
That’s it? I want sooo much more; what are the colours, what’s on the tapestries, what does the throne look like, how big is it, are there windows, is it intimidating, etc. I started (by the halfway point of the novel) rewording the sentences to have descriptions in them that incorporated more of the plot, what characters were seeing and descriptions. Even a phrase like (forgive my bad writing) “Not unlike Castle Pyrthin the vaulted ceilings, held up by stone columns, gave the room the impression of being larger than it was. As Caile walked towards the throne he realized that the man on the small, but ornate, gold throne didn’t fit in with the elegant royal purple tapestries which depicting epic fights and sorcerers of great power flinging their blue balls of magic in battle. The Emperor instead appeared…”
Yes I made up those details, because in my head that’s what I started to do when given no descriptions of the settings. I just wanted so much more! Simply put, I wanted someone like Robin Hobb, Brandan Sanderson or Elizabeth Haydon to have written this story because it could be a rich, intriguing and intricate fantasy story. Instead Calcattera gives us a glimpse into what could be an intricate, intriguing and impressive fantasy world and then lets us down with mediocre descriptions and not enough showing.
Yes I really mean it, give me more!
Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Mel, are you saying you wanted this book to be longer?” Yes!! There’s a first time for everything (lol). I wanted to be immersed in this world where we swap characters points of view and split up only to reunite characters later on. It’s an absolute tragedy to me that there is sooo much good stuff here and yet the core base of what makes a book readable and immersive is missing.
The characters, plot and world are more than good enough that I will read the next book in the series; but I suspect I will be re-writing it with descriptions in my head as well.
Genre
I know this is listed as a young adult book, and yes it’s suitable for a young adult. But I think it’s mis-categorized. This is really an epic high fantasy book that just needs a good fantasy treatment added to it. What I mean is that I want it to feel grander than it does right now. Again, I just think there’s so much more Dreamwielder could be. I’d hate to see Calcaterra stay at this level of writing because I think he can be so much more than he is. That’s not to say YA books aren’t good (I personally love them); it’s only to say that Dreamwielder feels bigger and I want a lot more out of it so an epic fantasy treatment feels like the way to go here.
In Conclusion
I’m a broken record by now because all I can say is give me more! Calcaterra should re-write this with a more adult audience in mind, add-in descriptions to flesh out this world, and overall step up the writing to a more show and less tell approach. If this was to happen I honestly believe there is a promising future for not only Dreamwielder but Calcaterra himself.
If I could afford to I’d hire him a big-time editor and copy-editor from TOR or Orbit to work with Calcaterra and make this the grand story it deserves. In the meantime I’ll be moderately content with what I have and keep hoping that a larger publishing house sees what I do in this wonderfully set-up series.
To read this and more of my reviews visit my blog at Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
March 19, 2013
Being a huge fantasy nerd, I am always excited and a bit nervous when I am asked for a fantasy review. It is so easy to make a novel of the fantasy genre a huge cliche, after all that's what most genre novels are. This is not the case in Garrett Calcaterra's novel, "Dreamwielder."
We join a young girl, Makarria, as she dreams. We soon discover that she is a dreamwielder, a powerful type of magic in which dreams becomes reality, not in the future, but in the very moment. This scares the hell out of her family, a poor farmer, his wife and her old father. They are fearful not out of ignorance, but because the current and cruel Emperor has forbidden all magic, due to the prophecy that his reign would be brought to an end by a dreamwielder. His pet sorcerer, the warp-minded Wulfram, does nasty things to anyone found to have power to ensure any magic beyond his own is not found in the kingdom. Sure enough, when Makarria performs a great magic out of desperation to save her grandfather, she is scented by a "hound" (a horrible fusion of woman, dog, and machine) and Wulfram is in pursuit. Her and her grandfather escape via a sailboat into the sea, where they encounter the princess Taera, another magic wielder who is presumed to be the one from the prophecy. The two girls embark on a journey together to discover the reality behind the prophecy and end the Emperor's cruel reign.
Calcaterra does a brilliant job weaving setting and characters without being heavy-handed. There is enough description to bring the reader into a unique fantasy world, without a bunch of facts and places to remember. The main characters are rich, and the plot moves at a quick pace. I especially enjoyed the climax, and its twist ending.
This book just missed getting a perfect score. There are elements of steampunk scattered throughout the book, but it is not enough to really feel "steampunk." Beyond the airship and a few other mentions of machines, there is little for a steampunk fan base. The ending also feels rushed, with a few threads unfinished, for example one of my favorite characters, a weaselly man named Natarios, sort of just disappears near the end. (If there are plans for a second book, then maybe this comment is irrelevant.) Finally, we are given a taste of the kind of magic this world has, i.e. firewielders who control fire, but there is not much more than that. There is mention of magic weilders coming out of hiding near the end, but what type of magic or how they do battle is left unexplained, which as a fantasy fan is disappointing.
All in all, a great easy read, good for an afternoon curled on the couch, and not too grandiose for the fantasy uninitiated. Fans of the Last Airbender and His Dark Materials, will really enjoy this book, I know I did.
We join a young girl, Makarria, as she dreams. We soon discover that she is a dreamwielder, a powerful type of magic in which dreams becomes reality, not in the future, but in the very moment. This scares the hell out of her family, a poor farmer, his wife and her old father. They are fearful not out of ignorance, but because the current and cruel Emperor has forbidden all magic, due to the prophecy that his reign would be brought to an end by a dreamwielder. His pet sorcerer, the warp-minded Wulfram, does nasty things to anyone found to have power to ensure any magic beyond his own is not found in the kingdom. Sure enough, when Makarria performs a great magic out of desperation to save her grandfather, she is scented by a "hound" (a horrible fusion of woman, dog, and machine) and Wulfram is in pursuit. Her and her grandfather escape via a sailboat into the sea, where they encounter the princess Taera, another magic wielder who is presumed to be the one from the prophecy. The two girls embark on a journey together to discover the reality behind the prophecy and end the Emperor's cruel reign.
Calcaterra does a brilliant job weaving setting and characters without being heavy-handed. There is enough description to bring the reader into a unique fantasy world, without a bunch of facts and places to remember. The main characters are rich, and the plot moves at a quick pace. I especially enjoyed the climax, and its twist ending.
This book just missed getting a perfect score. There are elements of steampunk scattered throughout the book, but it is not enough to really feel "steampunk." Beyond the airship and a few other mentions of machines, there is little for a steampunk fan base. The ending also feels rushed, with a few threads unfinished, for example one of my favorite characters, a weaselly man named Natarios, sort of just disappears near the end. (If there are plans for a second book, then maybe this comment is irrelevant.) Finally, we are given a taste of the kind of magic this world has, i.e. firewielders who control fire, but there is not much more than that. There is mention of magic weilders coming out of hiding near the end, but what type of magic or how they do battle is left unexplained, which as a fantasy fan is disappointing.
All in all, a great easy read, good for an afternoon curled on the couch, and not too grandiose for the fantasy uninitiated. Fans of the Last Airbender and His Dark Materials, will really enjoy this book, I know I did.
December 17, 2015
3.5 stars. Dreamwielder has a very cool magic system that involves dreaming of objects to make them real along with a darn creepy villain. The writing seemed clunky at times with words being repeated where it could have been smoother, but overall the plot was twisty and intriguing. I didn't fully connect to the main character, but I loved that all the characters were imperfect despite them trying hard. Looking forward to book two!
November 5, 2020
Dreamwielder is a YA fantasy about a young teen girl who can turn dreams into reality. Unfortunately, all magic is forbidden by the cruel emperor, and she is in danger of her life if anyone but her family finds out. Meanwhile, royal siblings begin trying to overthrow the emperor with the help of secret sorcerers.
Dreamwielder was an engaging YA fantasy novel. I enjoyed the creative plot and setting. There were some unexpected plot twists, and I enjoyed the plot as a whole. Some of the technology seemed a bit steampunk, which was fun as well.
There were four main characters — the dreamwielder girl, her grandfather, an 18-year-old princess, and the princess’s brother. They each had unique personalities, and I enjoyed reading about them. I think that they could have had a little more character development, though.
My biggest concern about the novel is the content level for the age group. The characters and the reading level seem to be written for younger teens. The main character especially seemed so innocent and young — she was only about 13, after all. Although there were 3 other, older POV characters. However, there was quite a bit of violence for a young teen age group, such as someone burning a ship full of people locked in their cabins, serious threats of torture and of “bedding” an 18-year-old unwilling girl as many times as it takes to get her with child, war violence, and more. It was a bit much for a young age group.
I enjoyed the book as a whole and found it refreshing and creative. I would recommend it, though with the content concerns included with the recommendation.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own, and I was not obligated to provide a positive review.
Dreamwielder was an engaging YA fantasy novel. I enjoyed the creative plot and setting. There were some unexpected plot twists, and I enjoyed the plot as a whole. Some of the technology seemed a bit steampunk, which was fun as well.
There were four main characters — the dreamwielder girl, her grandfather, an 18-year-old princess, and the princess’s brother. They each had unique personalities, and I enjoyed reading about them. I think that they could have had a little more character development, though.
My biggest concern about the novel is the content level for the age group. The characters and the reading level seem to be written for younger teens. The main character especially seemed so innocent and young — she was only about 13, after all. Although there were 3 other, older POV characters. However, there was quite a bit of violence for a young teen age group, such as someone burning a ship full of people locked in their cabins, serious threats of torture and of “bedding” an 18-year-old unwilling girl as many times as it takes to get her with child, war violence, and more. It was a bit much for a young age group.
I enjoyed the book as a whole and found it refreshing and creative. I would recommend it, though with the content concerns included with the recommendation.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own, and I was not obligated to provide a positive review.
September 14, 2017
This is an action packed epic fantasy novel! Makarria is born into a world where magic and dreaming are forbidden. But she can't help it that she dreams anymore than she can help that what she dreams comes true. She is a dreamwielder. She tries to hide her magic but when forced to choose between her secret or her family she chooses family. From now on she has exposed herself and has a target on her back. While being hunted by a ferocious villain she becomes friends with Taera, a princess with magic of her own. Their friendship ignites the journey of a lifetime...
I really enjoyed this novel and was able to finish it on one reading. I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out!
Book given by Negalley and publisher for a fair and honest review!
I really enjoyed this novel and was able to finish it on one reading. I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out!
Book given by Negalley and publisher for a fair and honest review!
February 6, 2016
YABC.
YA Fantasy, Dreamwielder surprises me with a lack of romance. Given that the main character is very young, the book isn't shocking when it doesn't dive into a (possibly cute?) romance plot. Still, the book's synopsis misleads me a little bit and I end up predicting a much different plot than the book actually has. Is it a bad thing? No. Despite my wrong predictions, I do end up being taken away to a whole new world.
The magic of the book is most definitely in its world building. It's a story full of magic, strangeness, and power-hungry dictators. It's a tale involving lies and deception and horror. There are creatures, princes, and princesses. Sorcerers interestingly tend to be female than male, so there's a little bit of tipped scale in this particular world. All of this is great; however, there is only so much the author can cover and he did cover the parts that are necessary to the plot. Still, I would love for some more (background) information for a much richer reading experience.
The main character, Makarria, is about fourteen years old, and she is on the start of a brand new adventure. She is special thanks to her magic and the fact that she is the subject of a prophecy. She is destined to overthrow an evil dictator, but like every adventure character with a mysterious past, she doesn't know anything about that (until much later in the book). To be perfectly honest, she is indeed a bit like the "average" adventurer-who-turns-out-to-be-special-all-along except for the fact that she isn't alone in her struggles and that she doesn't make mistakes. This girl has the power of luck. I'm very serious.
I must also mention the other characters. Mararria's grandfather is impressive for a man of his age (but not for a man of his body). Caile is a character who needs more development to make him more outstanding, and Taera is pure shades of awesome and has bigger guts than a cow.
The plot features a struggle between an oppressive force and the oppressed class. The oppressed class (which includes anyone who is not Emperor Guderian and Wulfram) fights against the evil empire, and though everything seems desperate and hopeless, they are willing to fight. And who will win? We shall see.
In conclusion, Dreamwielder is an excellent fantasy novel for those who love adventure with multiple perspectives and a Goliath-vs-David-like war.
Rating: Three out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
YA Fantasy, Dreamwielder surprises me with a lack of romance. Given that the main character is very young, the book isn't shocking when it doesn't dive into a (possibly cute?) romance plot. Still, the book's synopsis misleads me a little bit and I end up predicting a much different plot than the book actually has. Is it a bad thing? No. Despite my wrong predictions, I do end up being taken away to a whole new world.
The magic of the book is most definitely in its world building. It's a story full of magic, strangeness, and power-hungry dictators. It's a tale involving lies and deception and horror. There are creatures, princes, and princesses. Sorcerers interestingly tend to be female than male, so there's a little bit of tipped scale in this particular world. All of this is great; however, there is only so much the author can cover and he did cover the parts that are necessary to the plot. Still, I would love for some more (background) information for a much richer reading experience.
The main character, Makarria, is about fourteen years old, and she is on the start of a brand new adventure. She is special thanks to her magic and the fact that she is the subject of a prophecy. She is destined to overthrow an evil dictator, but like every adventure character with a mysterious past, she doesn't know anything about that (until much later in the book). To be perfectly honest, she is indeed a bit like the "average" adventurer-who-turns-out-to-be-special-all-along except for the fact that she isn't alone in her struggles and that she doesn't make mistakes. This girl has the power of luck. I'm very serious.
I must also mention the other characters. Mararria's grandfather is impressive for a man of his age (but not for a man of his body). Caile is a character who needs more development to make him more outstanding, and Taera is pure shades of awesome and has bigger guts than a cow.
The plot features a struggle between an oppressive force and the oppressed class. The oppressed class (which includes anyone who is not Emperor Guderian and Wulfram) fights against the evil empire, and though everything seems desperate and hopeless, they are willing to fight. And who will win? We shall see.
In conclusion, Dreamwielder is an excellent fantasy novel for those who love adventure with multiple perspectives and a Goliath-vs-David-like war.
Rating: Three out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
February 12, 2017
For complete review check out my blog at http://booksaplentybookreviews.blogsp...
August 1, 2016
Dream wielder By Garett Calceterra is a sci-fi and fantasy read.
Legend has foretold the demise of Emperor Thedric Guderian at the hands of a sorceress with royal blood, and the Emperor has made it his legacy to stamp out all magic from the Sargothian Empire in favor of primitive coal fired smelters and steam powered machines. When Guderian's minions discover a Dreamwielder on a seaside farmstead, a chain of events forces Guderian's new threat—the young Makarria—to flee from her home and embark upon an epic journey where her path intertwines with that of Princess Taera, her headstrong brother, Prince Caile, and the northman Siegbjorn, who captains a night-flying airship.
Absolutely fantastic read.
Simply unputdownable.
I loved the story and the characters.
Makarria was my favourite character.
Could see this as a movie.
I loved the ending too.
Highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
Legend has foretold the demise of Emperor Thedric Guderian at the hands of a sorceress with royal blood, and the Emperor has made it his legacy to stamp out all magic from the Sargothian Empire in favor of primitive coal fired smelters and steam powered machines. When Guderian's minions discover a Dreamwielder on a seaside farmstead, a chain of events forces Guderian's new threat—the young Makarria—to flee from her home and embark upon an epic journey where her path intertwines with that of Princess Taera, her headstrong brother, Prince Caile, and the northman Siegbjorn, who captains a night-flying airship.
Absolutely fantastic read.
Simply unputdownable.
I loved the story and the characters.
Makarria was my favourite character.
Could see this as a movie.
I loved the ending too.
Highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
May 22, 2018
*I received this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
A lost princess, self-fulfilling prophecy's and magic - Dreamweilder is definitely a book that captures your intrigue from the first few chapters and is able to maintain it throughout. When Emperor Guderian issued the decree to eliminate everyone with magical abilities after hearing a prophecy of his demise at the hand of a sorceress, he unknowingly signed his own death at the hands of the most unlikely assassin. However, the true focus of this novel is the coming of power story of young Makarria. When we are first introduced to her she appears to be a sheltered naive young girl, but when she accidentally uses her magic to save her grandfather's life, this simple loving act turns into a catalyst that not only turns her world upside down - but the literal world as well.
A lost princess, self-fulfilling prophecy's and magic - Dreamweilder is definitely a book that captures your intrigue from the first few chapters and is able to maintain it throughout. When Emperor Guderian issued the decree to eliminate everyone with magical abilities after hearing a prophecy of his demise at the hand of a sorceress, he unknowingly signed his own death at the hands of the most unlikely assassin. However, the true focus of this novel is the coming of power story of young Makarria. When we are first introduced to her she appears to be a sheltered naive young girl, but when she accidentally uses her magic to save her grandfather's life, this simple loving act turns into a catalyst that not only turns her world upside down - but the literal world as well.
February 13, 2017
A fresh and fantastic spin on steampunk! Set in a once-magical realm, where steam engines have replaced wizardry on the order of a vicious and totalitarian emperor, Dreamwielder follows Makarria, the last hope for stopping the extermination of magic-users.
Dreamwielder effortlessly blends genres. A chosen child navigates a grimy steampunk world lit by the fading glow of high fantasy. Although this is only the first book in the series, it's epic in its own scope, following multiple characters through rural backwaters, icy wastes, smoke-filled cities, and even aboard a mighty airship.
This was a real treat. The characters are fun and interesting, the action is intense, and the story moves at a fast pace—with lots of twists, and lots of dark corners to explore. Highly recommended!
Dreamwielder effortlessly blends genres. A chosen child navigates a grimy steampunk world lit by the fading glow of high fantasy. Although this is only the first book in the series, it's epic in its own scope, following multiple characters through rural backwaters, icy wastes, smoke-filled cities, and even aboard a mighty airship.
This was a real treat. The characters are fun and interesting, the action is intense, and the story moves at a fast pace—with lots of twists, and lots of dark corners to explore. Highly recommended!
March 24, 2013
Dreamwielder is a ripping adventure set in an exciting world where technology and magic are at war. The plight of the characters, both heroes and villains, keep you turning the pages, as layers of a complex history and web of plots are revealed. If you like Steampunk, Sword & Sorcery, or just a flat out fast-paced adventure, you should check out this book!
December 8, 2016
A great tale of a girl that comes of age and discovers that she is a sorceress. Makarria is a girl that ends up discovering her gift through dreams. She turns her grandfather into a young man again and they go on the run from a evil ruler that is determined to stomp out all magic in his kingdom. A must read for adventure lovers everywhere.
May 29, 2013
This was a really good fantasy read. Very interesting premise.
May 7, 2017
I received a free copy of this story from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dreamwielder is a tale of a young girl forbidden to dream for what she dreams becomes reality and in her world, magic is dangerous for whoever wields it.
Makarria is a girl in her early teenage years, seemingly a farmers daughter but with a special gift. It doesn't take long to realise she is in danger nor that her powers are strong, when she brings back a loved one from death, she is forced to run with her grampy whom is also more than he seems. She meets a princess, Taera, and together they must face danger and destiny. Making friends along the way this young girl must face the truth of her powers and her destiny. To destroy Guderian and all he has built.
Taera and Caile, siblings and royalty add another element to this story. On different paths for most of the tale they both play vital roles. Taera a Seer who helps Makarria and protects her from those who wish to use her for their own gain while Caile, the younger sibling, finds himself in the midst of his enemies with rebellion brewing all around him.
It is a thrilling tale, well written, elegant and rich with detail. Jumping from story lines it never leaves you bored but also, so well written is this tale, that you are never left confused with which character you are following.
This is a tale of adventure, forbidden magic and politics and though there is no love story, which I was expecting, it truly kept me hooked. Reminiscent of Game of Thrones, Dreamwielder is a refreshing and intelligent addition to the YA world.
Dreamwielder is a tale of a young girl forbidden to dream for what she dreams becomes reality and in her world, magic is dangerous for whoever wields it.
Makarria is a girl in her early teenage years, seemingly a farmers daughter but with a special gift. It doesn't take long to realise she is in danger nor that her powers are strong, when she brings back a loved one from death, she is forced to run with her grampy whom is also more than he seems. She meets a princess, Taera, and together they must face danger and destiny. Making friends along the way this young girl must face the truth of her powers and her destiny. To destroy Guderian and all he has built.
Taera and Caile, siblings and royalty add another element to this story. On different paths for most of the tale they both play vital roles. Taera a Seer who helps Makarria and protects her from those who wish to use her for their own gain while Caile, the younger sibling, finds himself in the midst of his enemies with rebellion brewing all around him.
It is a thrilling tale, well written, elegant and rich with detail. Jumping from story lines it never leaves you bored but also, so well written is this tale, that you are never left confused with which character you are following.
This is a tale of adventure, forbidden magic and politics and though there is no love story, which I was expecting, it truly kept me hooked. Reminiscent of Game of Thrones, Dreamwielder is a refreshing and intelligent addition to the YA world.
February 18, 2017
The book engaged me right from the beginning. Written in a true omniscient point-of-view, which I prefer to read, the book had good plotting structure. It reminded me of the three act structure used in screenplays. Very good work by the author. Each chapter had its own arc, except for one or two. Each character had its own voice. There were some proofing errors but nothing that would distort the reading experience. Wish its paperback was available cheaply in India, would buy the entire book in paperback. Now read only on Kindle. Want to read Souldrifter too. Can't wait to get more of Taera, Caile, and Makkaria (interesting names btw :) )
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October 3, 2016
All reviews are first found on [a cup of tea and an armful of books].
Dreamwielder started in the middle of the action, set in a world that had already been conquered and one where magic is outlawed. I love that that it started in the middle, because we’re thrown into a world that is dealing with the aftermath of this–dealing with the aftermath of wars, usurpations, and failed rebellions–but that is not the entire focus of the novel. We meet Makarria, a girl who has strange power in her dreams, as one of the people trying to eke out a life with her family. Far from the Emperor’s realm, Makarria believes that life is only about the small farmstead by the sea. Forbidden to dream by her parents, Makarria does her best to obey. When her dreams create something that put her on the Emperor’s map, she flees and begins to understand that her life is not as simple as she had thought. With a well-written cast of characters, Dreamwielder surpassed my expectations of what sort of fantasy novel this was.
I was really impressed with the characters in this. Divided between several characters of different backgrounds, Garrett Calcaterra blended each of their stories and lives into a cohesive narrative that I loved. It was a little slow at first because of the world-building, but as the world and characters built, I eventually couldn’t wait to see what Calcaterra came up with next. The cast was diverse in age, so that meant that their experiences were all different. I wasn’t treated to a book with characters that were so similar they may as well have been one. One of them was a prince who was a hostage–my particular favorite because he had no magic in this world of magic. I liked reading how he coped with having a sister who had visions and dealt with being a protector who had no powers other than his own fighting talent. On the opposite side of that was Makarria, a girl who had lost her family and was slowly discovering just what her talents could do. All of the characters were strong, and I appreciated that the female characters didn’t wait around to be rescued. I liked that they surprised the male characters with their actions.
I also enjoyed that there were secrets surrounding the characters and they were often unaware of these secrets themselves. I like when the author treats the reader to a little more information than what the characters know, because it’s fun to read how they’re revealed to the characters. Reading as their paths got closer together made for some exciting reading.
Although Dreamwielder has the potential to be entirely full of clichés, it’s well-written enough that you hardly notice there are even clichés. Dreamwielder begins with an idea of a series of kingdoms under siege and in a hostage situation. A ruler has come in and conquered these kingdoms but allows them to still have agency in their own cities, provided they send an heir to be held hostage at another location. There’s a focus on the political and the tensions that come with that, but that focus is also wrapped up in magic. Originally, the kingdoms were full of sorcerers who wielded magic for the good of their kingdoms. When the conqueror came in, he killed many of those who had magic and others went into hiding. It’s kind of like a young adult Game of Thrones, but done in a way where you don’t have the potential to mix up the vast cast of characters.
My favorite aspect of this novel was how magic was pitted against the mechanical. Magic is in the past and is viewed by the Emperor and his supporters as something that stands in the way of progress. By vilifying it, the Emperor maintains his control over the world. The repercussions of having it or protecting it are so severe that people are willing to turn in their neighbors in order to protect themselves. It’s entirely a way to keep people from rebelling. The Emperor’s home city is vastly different than that of the formerly magical cities. I really liked reading the industrial parts of it, because it was so different.
The world created in Dreamwielder is similar to other fantasy stories, but because of the strong characters and clear writing, it ended up being more than just another young adult fantasy novel. I wasn’t disappointed in how the book was divided between several characters because all of their smaller stories made up the whole. I was really interested in dreaming as a power and am interested in seeing how Makarria grows in the next novel. I recommend it for readers who like fantasy, magic, and the threat of overlords.
4 stars.
I received a copy of Dreamwielder from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Dreamwielder was published September 29th, 2015.
Dreamwielder started in the middle of the action, set in a world that had already been conquered and one where magic is outlawed. I love that that it started in the middle, because we’re thrown into a world that is dealing with the aftermath of this–dealing with the aftermath of wars, usurpations, and failed rebellions–but that is not the entire focus of the novel. We meet Makarria, a girl who has strange power in her dreams, as one of the people trying to eke out a life with her family. Far from the Emperor’s realm, Makarria believes that life is only about the small farmstead by the sea. Forbidden to dream by her parents, Makarria does her best to obey. When her dreams create something that put her on the Emperor’s map, she flees and begins to understand that her life is not as simple as she had thought. With a well-written cast of characters, Dreamwielder surpassed my expectations of what sort of fantasy novel this was.
I was really impressed with the characters in this. Divided between several characters of different backgrounds, Garrett Calcaterra blended each of their stories and lives into a cohesive narrative that I loved. It was a little slow at first because of the world-building, but as the world and characters built, I eventually couldn’t wait to see what Calcaterra came up with next. The cast was diverse in age, so that meant that their experiences were all different. I wasn’t treated to a book with characters that were so similar they may as well have been one. One of them was a prince who was a hostage–my particular favorite because he had no magic in this world of magic. I liked reading how he coped with having a sister who had visions and dealt with being a protector who had no powers other than his own fighting talent. On the opposite side of that was Makarria, a girl who had lost her family and was slowly discovering just what her talents could do. All of the characters were strong, and I appreciated that the female characters didn’t wait around to be rescued. I liked that they surprised the male characters with their actions.
I also enjoyed that there were secrets surrounding the characters and they were often unaware of these secrets themselves. I like when the author treats the reader to a little more information than what the characters know, because it’s fun to read how they’re revealed to the characters. Reading as their paths got closer together made for some exciting reading.
Although Dreamwielder has the potential to be entirely full of clichés, it’s well-written enough that you hardly notice there are even clichés. Dreamwielder begins with an idea of a series of kingdoms under siege and in a hostage situation. A ruler has come in and conquered these kingdoms but allows them to still have agency in their own cities, provided they send an heir to be held hostage at another location. There’s a focus on the political and the tensions that come with that, but that focus is also wrapped up in magic. Originally, the kingdoms were full of sorcerers who wielded magic for the good of their kingdoms. When the conqueror came in, he killed many of those who had magic and others went into hiding. It’s kind of like a young adult Game of Thrones, but done in a way where you don’t have the potential to mix up the vast cast of characters.
My favorite aspect of this novel was how magic was pitted against the mechanical. Magic is in the past and is viewed by the Emperor and his supporters as something that stands in the way of progress. By vilifying it, the Emperor maintains his control over the world. The repercussions of having it or protecting it are so severe that people are willing to turn in their neighbors in order to protect themselves. It’s entirely a way to keep people from rebelling. The Emperor’s home city is vastly different than that of the formerly magical cities. I really liked reading the industrial parts of it, because it was so different.
The world created in Dreamwielder is similar to other fantasy stories, but because of the strong characters and clear writing, it ended up being more than just another young adult fantasy novel. I wasn’t disappointed in how the book was divided between several characters because all of their smaller stories made up the whole. I was really interested in dreaming as a power and am interested in seeing how Makarria grows in the next novel. I recommend it for readers who like fantasy, magic, and the threat of overlords.
4 stars.
I received a copy of Dreamwielder from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Dreamwielder was published September 29th, 2015.
December 30, 2016
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for sharing an honest review.
This book clearly fell very close to my own personal will house when it comes to selecting reading material. I tend to gravitate towards ya fantasy novels by default when selecting new reads in any library or book store. That being said, I really appreciated all the effort that went into writing this novel. You get to experience new lands, meet lots of new people and suffer or triumph right along with Makarria and her companions. This is a series I will most likely continue reading in the future. I recommend this book for fans of fiction, young adult novels, & coming of age styles of novels.
This book clearly fell very close to my own personal will house when it comes to selecting reading material. I tend to gravitate towards ya fantasy novels by default when selecting new reads in any library or book store. That being said, I really appreciated all the effort that went into writing this novel. You get to experience new lands, meet lots of new people and suffer or triumph right along with Makarria and her companions. This is a series I will most likely continue reading in the future. I recommend this book for fans of fiction, young adult novels, & coming of age styles of novels.
July 28, 2016
In a world where the Emperor's goal is to stamp out magic in his kingdom, Makarria has found out that she is a sorceress. Through her dreams, she has the magical ability to wield magic. When she magically made her grandfather young again, she and her grandfather run away to find a safe haven where she can control her abilities. However, Makarria quickly meets Princess Taera, and the two of them embark on a dangerous quest to defeat the evil emperor.
Makarria is a heroine that readers can relate too. She was a woman who was quickly thrust into a situation for which she was totally unprepared for. She doubts herself and her abilities. She is also very naive. At first she is weak and lets others risk their lives to protect her. Eventually, she matures into a strong woman who is able to rely more on herself instead of others. She then decides to make decisions that is best for herself. However, she is not afraid to seek advice when she needs it. She is also very inquisitive, stubborn at times, and makes rash decisions. Still, Makarria is a woman who eventually becomes her own woman.
Overall, this book is about family, friendship, and choices. It is also a beautiful coming of age tale. The message of this book is to believe in yourself. I really liked all the characters, and I thought that they were very dynamic. Each of the characters had to make difficult decisions to fulfill their role in the story. I also thought that the world-building was complex and I liked the explanation of magic within the kingdom. Even though it is set in a medieval like setting, I thought that the steampunk element in this story was interesting and fitted the story together perfectly. I also liked that there was no romance in this story. Instead, the action and adventure were the focus in this story. Because there was no romance element, I liked how I could focus solely on the plot and the characters. For readers who would like some romance in your story, do not be disappointed because I’m sure there is room for romance in the sequel, Souldrifter. Thus, I’m very excited to read Souldrifter, for I cannot wait to read what happens next to Makarria. I recommend this novel for fans of Juliet Marillier’s Shadowfell trilogy, and Jeff Wheeler’s Muirwood trilogy.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
Makarria is a heroine that readers can relate too. She was a woman who was quickly thrust into a situation for which she was totally unprepared for. She doubts herself and her abilities. She is also very naive. At first she is weak and lets others risk their lives to protect her. Eventually, she matures into a strong woman who is able to rely more on herself instead of others. She then decides to make decisions that is best for herself. However, she is not afraid to seek advice when she needs it. She is also very inquisitive, stubborn at times, and makes rash decisions. Still, Makarria is a woman who eventually becomes her own woman.
Overall, this book is about family, friendship, and choices. It is also a beautiful coming of age tale. The message of this book is to believe in yourself. I really liked all the characters, and I thought that they were very dynamic. Each of the characters had to make difficult decisions to fulfill their role in the story. I also thought that the world-building was complex and I liked the explanation of magic within the kingdom. Even though it is set in a medieval like setting, I thought that the steampunk element in this story was interesting and fitted the story together perfectly. I also liked that there was no romance in this story. Instead, the action and adventure were the focus in this story. Because there was no romance element, I liked how I could focus solely on the plot and the characters. For readers who would like some romance in your story, do not be disappointed because I’m sure there is room for romance in the sequel, Souldrifter. Thus, I’m very excited to read Souldrifter, for I cannot wait to read what happens next to Makarria. I recommend this novel for fans of Juliet Marillier’s Shadowfell trilogy, and Jeff Wheeler’s Muirwood trilogy.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
July 29, 2016
I'm in love with the lore of this book! A page turner with a plot so captivating and complex that will make you keep reading till the end. Definitely recommend the title to science fiction/fantasy and young adult readers.
In this book there are sorcerers, but not the typical ones that can control the elements, yes, there are firewielders but there is so much more to them, there are for instance beastcharmers and of course as the name of the title suggest's it, dreamwielders. I was very surprised with this kind of sorcerers with all the rules and limitations that dreamwielders have in the book, but on top of all of that I was even more surprised with the reality implemented into the story as to how the characters act under certain circumstances: How the rulers govern their kingdoms, how they prepare for war, how the ships work, how the climate can change for the worse and produce a storm or a heavy rain (consequently change the course of the plot).
I want to address the fact that I adore books with lore, with a kind of lore that I have to keep track of every detail to understand the story to its fullest and this book is exactly that, it has a backstory built in a way that you could make books out of them! Narrating wars, how the kingdoms rose to power, how the Empire was built, the life of the greatest sorcerers, what is beyond "The Five Kingdoms", the older rulers of each kingdom and so much more, and what's interesting is that to understand the plot you don't need to know a lot of the backstory, so you could just read the book not paying attention to the background story and still understand what's happening but instead if you read the backstory closely, that can make you see the book in a very different way, because the ending of the book is perceived with a lot more significance and creates a bigger impact to the reader.
Note: I received a digital copy of this title for an unbiased opinion and reviewing purposes.
In this book there are sorcerers, but not the typical ones that can control the elements, yes, there are firewielders but there is so much more to them, there are for instance beastcharmers and of course as the name of the title suggest's it, dreamwielders. I was very surprised with this kind of sorcerers with all the rules and limitations that dreamwielders have in the book, but on top of all of that I was even more surprised with the reality implemented into the story as to how the characters act under certain circumstances: How the rulers govern their kingdoms, how they prepare for war, how the ships work, how the climate can change for the worse and produce a storm or a heavy rain (consequently change the course of the plot).
I want to address the fact that I adore books with lore, with a kind of lore that I have to keep track of every detail to understand the story to its fullest and this book is exactly that, it has a backstory built in a way that you could make books out of them! Narrating wars, how the kingdoms rose to power, how the Empire was built, the life of the greatest sorcerers, what is beyond "The Five Kingdoms", the older rulers of each kingdom and so much more, and what's interesting is that to understand the plot you don't need to know a lot of the backstory, so you could just read the book not paying attention to the background story and still understand what's happening but instead if you read the backstory closely, that can make you see the book in a very different way, because the ending of the book is perceived with a lot more significance and creates a bigger impact to the reader.
Note: I received a digital copy of this title for an unbiased opinion and reviewing purposes.
August 8, 2016
I received a copy of Dreamwielder from Diversion Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dreamwielder is an interesting high fantasy that is well-paced, although I had some problems that took away from my enjoyment of the book. Other high fantasy lovers might like this one more than I did, so I would certainly recommend giving it a try.
I think my main problem was with Makarria, one of the protagonists of the story. She seems very childish, and thus I had trouble relating to her. However, this could be because I relate more to older protagonists, like Taera or Caile. That being said, I didn't feel a real connection with any of the characters. I wasn't emotionally invested in their stories, which left the book feeling flat for me.
There's another problem that I had that seems small, but it came up so many times that I have to address it. Calcaterra is a talented writer, but the word "though" was used often, and this casual word mixed with the formal, fantasy writing was jarring. I don't mean to nitpick; it just disrupted my reading often enough that I felt I should mention it.
One thing that I really liked about Dreamwielder was that when things seem to be going too easily, Calcaterra created another roadblock. Attaining their goal was anything but easy for the protagonists. I appreciated how this increased the excitement and the stakes.
Dreamwielder is a good book and Calcaterra is a great writer; this book just wasn't completely for me. However, like I said at the beginning, don't hesitate to try it if you like high fantasy.
Dreamwielder is an interesting high fantasy that is well-paced, although I had some problems that took away from my enjoyment of the book. Other high fantasy lovers might like this one more than I did, so I would certainly recommend giving it a try.
I think my main problem was with Makarria, one of the protagonists of the story. She seems very childish, and thus I had trouble relating to her. However, this could be because I relate more to older protagonists, like Taera or Caile. That being said, I didn't feel a real connection with any of the characters. I wasn't emotionally invested in their stories, which left the book feeling flat for me.
There's another problem that I had that seems small, but it came up so many times that I have to address it. Calcaterra is a talented writer, but the word "though" was used often, and this casual word mixed with the formal, fantasy writing was jarring. I don't mean to nitpick; it just disrupted my reading often enough that I felt I should mention it.
One thing that I really liked about Dreamwielder was that when things seem to be going too easily, Calcaterra created another roadblock. Attaining their goal was anything but easy for the protagonists. I appreciated how this increased the excitement and the stakes.
Dreamwielder is a good book and Calcaterra is a great writer; this book just wasn't completely for me. However, like I said at the beginning, don't hesitate to try it if you like high fantasy.
August 29, 2016
**I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.**
This book had a very strong beginning, I was intrigued and curious to find out what was going to happen. But somewhere along the way I grew bored. Though I can't explain it properly. Overall the story was good, but it felt like it dragged on and on.
Don't get me wrong, I really like the concept. Sorcerers are hunted down and killed because one of the five Kings has a hatred for magic-but where does that hatred come from? There was a prophecy that his ending would be at the hands of a Dreamwielder, but other than that I do not understand.
I liked the multiple viewpoints, each person had their place in the coming war, and they all came together and into each other's lives at opportune moments. But I feel like so many things were left as coincidence or under the guise of Princess Taera's visions, and I found it to be a flimsy way to move the story along.
The deaths of the monarchs felt so dull. Which I suppose in the reality of things it would be normal as they were only human, but it seemed like an afterthought and everyone just moved on like it didn't matter. Lives should mean more than just a footnote at the bottom of a page.
Like I originally mentioned, I did actually enjoy this story in its entirety, but it probably won't be a book I come back to in the future.
AD
This book had a very strong beginning, I was intrigued and curious to find out what was going to happen. But somewhere along the way I grew bored. Though I can't explain it properly. Overall the story was good, but it felt like it dragged on and on.
Don't get me wrong, I really like the concept. Sorcerers are hunted down and killed because one of the five Kings has a hatred for magic-but where does that hatred come from? There was a prophecy that his ending would be at the hands of a Dreamwielder, but other than that I do not understand.
I liked the multiple viewpoints, each person had their place in the coming war, and they all came together and into each other's lives at opportune moments. But I feel like so many things were left as coincidence or under the guise of Princess Taera's visions, and I found it to be a flimsy way to move the story along.
The deaths of the monarchs felt so dull. Which I suppose in the reality of things it would be normal as they were only human, but it seemed like an afterthought and everyone just moved on like it didn't matter. Lives should mean more than just a footnote at the bottom of a page.
Like I originally mentioned, I did actually enjoy this story in its entirety, but it probably won't be a book I come back to in the future.
AD
June 4, 2017
There were SO MANY characters in this story oh my. It took me such a long time to get into this book because of it, but that's okay, I can deal with that - Six of Crows was the same. When the characters started intertwining their stories it got better for a while, but still I think there were too many characters (including characters that weren't important to the plot at all... maybe this is just building up to the sequel? Which for me, shouldn't be the purpose of the first novel).
There were some great plot twists in this story that would have been a lot more gripping if the pace was better, some parts of the story really needed to be dragged out and they weren't - again, maybe we'll get more backstories in a sequel?
To me, some parts were truly TERRIBLE - it was almost as if they were written by somebody else, or added at the last minute. We had "This is our world - the world of men!" & turning powerful women into naked slaves... yep, not a high point in writing or class. If you want to show the evil of one regime, this was just a hastily-put way to do it.
All in all, this was an okay book that seemed like a lot was missing. The plot is very intriguing and - dare I say it - "unique" in a lot of ways, so perhaps as a whole series, it will come together.
// Thank you to NetGalley & the Publisher for providing me a copy with this in exchange for an honest review //
There were some great plot twists in this story that would have been a lot more gripping if the pace was better, some parts of the story really needed to be dragged out and they weren't - again, maybe we'll get more backstories in a sequel?
To me, some parts were truly TERRIBLE - it was almost as if they were written by somebody else, or added at the last minute. We had "This is our world - the world of men!" & turning powerful women into naked slaves... yep, not a high point in writing or class. If you want to show the evil of one regime, this was just a hastily-put way to do it.
All in all, this was an okay book that seemed like a lot was missing. The plot is very intriguing and - dare I say it - "unique" in a lot of ways, so perhaps as a whole series, it will come together.
// Thank you to NetGalley & the Publisher for providing me a copy with this in exchange for an honest review //
August 23, 2016
A prophecy has declared that Emperor Guderian will be destroyed by a sorceress with royal blood. The Emperor has decided that he will destroy any magic from the empire and replace it with these steam driven machines. He has hounds all over the empire that detect the presence of magic. Makarria is a farm girl that has to flee from her home after performing a miracle involving her grandfather while she was asleep. It turns out she is a Dreamwielder, the most powerful form of magic. Makarria has to learn how to use and control the magic she possesses in order to save her family and her world from the emperor.
This was a first installment in this series, and I really enjoyed it. I couldn’t help but picture steampunk-type machines when reading this. The author did a really great job in the world-building. There was a lot of different types of kingdoms in the empire and I was able to follow without being confused or having to look at the map again.
The characters were well-developed. I enjoyed how you got more and more bits of backstory as the book went on. I had a few minor issues with the storyline itself and how some of the “bad” people were resolved, but overall, it was a great book.
Four out of Five stars.
June 30, 2013
Dreamwielder is a collection of nice parts which doesn't give an impression of outstanding work as whole, but nevertheless is a very decent fantasy.
What struck me as a very positive thing is that despite the main heroine being a young girl, there is no sheltering her from violence that is expected from a semi-medieval, paranoid, cruel dictator who hunts Makarria down.
Wolfram is twisted and very cold, he is the perfect villain, and the people who resist him separately suddenly find a cause and hope in Makarria to unite, and help her along the way towards the emperor's destruction.
One of the most genuine connections in this book is the one between Makarria and captain Siegbjorn. Makarria herself reminded me of Arya - she is very young, very gutsy and fights for what she believes is right. She is the perfect heroine.
Despite magic in the book, I would call Dreamwielder a strong, realistic fantasy which needed just a little bit more focus and depth in its characters to make it truly powerful. As it stands it's a very enjoyable and easy read, which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
What struck me as a very positive thing is that despite the main heroine being a young girl, there is no sheltering her from violence that is expected from a semi-medieval, paranoid, cruel dictator who hunts Makarria down.
Wolfram is twisted and very cold, he is the perfect villain, and the people who resist him separately suddenly find a cause and hope in Makarria to unite, and help her along the way towards the emperor's destruction.
One of the most genuine connections in this book is the one between Makarria and captain Siegbjorn. Makarria herself reminded me of Arya - she is very young, very gutsy and fights for what she believes is right. She is the perfect heroine.
Despite magic in the book, I would call Dreamwielder a strong, realistic fantasy which needed just a little bit more focus and depth in its characters to make it truly powerful. As it stands it's a very enjoyable and easy read, which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
March 14, 2013
I should preface my comments by saying that I don't normally read speculative fiction. Vonnegut, Bradbury, etc. are about as spec as I get, and I'm admittedly quite wary of getting bombarded with fantasy lingo I don't understand, LOTR references that fly over my head, and family lineages that require a corkboard and a stack of Post-its.
But Dreamwielder does none of those things. It's filled with honest, engaging, complex characters in a world rich with history and mystery, yet so real that you will have sworn you've been there yourself. For me, the brilliance lies in the fact that Calcaterra is able to give us a novel with layers and depth, yet he's able to do so in a quick page-turner that you'll be hard pressed not to finish it in one sitting. Calcaterra is clearly in charge of his craft, and I recommend this book to readers of all ages and readers of all genres.
But Dreamwielder does none of those things. It's filled with honest, engaging, complex characters in a world rich with history and mystery, yet so real that you will have sworn you've been there yourself. For me, the brilliance lies in the fact that Calcaterra is able to give us a novel with layers and depth, yet he's able to do so in a quick page-turner that you'll be hard pressed not to finish it in one sitting. Calcaterra is clearly in charge of his craft, and I recommend this book to readers of all ages and readers of all genres.
September 8, 2016
For fans of Queen of the Tearling, I'll do you one better. I don't think I've ever seen such an imaginative "lost heir" story, and the magic system is like nothing I've seen before. Makarria is believable as a very young teen while still growing into amazing powers. It's difficult to write a character who can turn dreams into reality without turning her into a "Mary Sue" who can't fail, but Calcaterra pulls it off. Add to that a setting that is somewhere between medieval and steampunk, and you've got one very unusual and worthwhile read. It won't go down as one of my favorite books of all time (hence the 3 stars, I rate almost all books 3 stars for average) but I'm glad I read it and the sequel, Souldrifter. It's waaaay better written than Queen of the Tearling, which got such raves. Read this instead.
July 1, 2017
I really enjoyed the start of this series -- loved the concept of the dreamwielder and the dark steampunkesque elements of Guderian's empire (though these were not well elaborated). A lot of promise - reminded me a bit of Bert Weeks. As with any series there are details you connect with that you would have preferred elaborated -- ex. I wanted a better end for Wulfram, I wanted more details about Tel Mathir , a bit more backstory on Guderian's lost years -- but I did like this overall - would read the second.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2014
I'm biased as the author is a friend of mine.
But as objectively as possible, I think this book is great. The world building is a treat, and the characterization well done. It's a hybrid of all my favorite efforts; a Moorcockian setting with Martinesque characters and Howardesque pacing; but it's not derivative. Calcaterra takes all these elements and makes them his own. This is fantasy at its best!
But as objectively as possible, I think this book is great. The world building is a treat, and the characterization well done. It's a hybrid of all my favorite efforts; a Moorcockian setting with Martinesque characters and Howardesque pacing; but it's not derivative. Calcaterra takes all these elements and makes them his own. This is fantasy at its best!
October 27, 2016
This was a different kind of story for me. I really enjoyed it though. Most of what I read are more mature works, but this felt like a mix of young adult and a bit of new adult. I liked the odd (for me) mix. While saving the 5 kingdoms and the unknown in everyone's lives was intense it wasn't overwhelming. This one story has made me curious as to the entire series and how everything is going to turn out.
December 27, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, it had action, mystery, thrills, a whole new amazing world, there were highs and lows, but there was a nice balance between them. Would definitely recommend this book to a friend. It was definitely a page turner!!
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