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Dreams
In Veritas , Nicholas lives half his life in an endless nightmare. The other half is a dream-come-true. But when his nightmares begin to bleed into his waking hours, he must unravel the secrets behind his nightmares and confront the demons hounding him before they swallow both of his worlds. In Whispers of the Wind , all Sidrionians are supposed to be able to decipher the whispers of the wind, all but Althea. And with her beloved, Faugn, losing his way and unable to re-enter the Enchantment that hides the Valley of Sidrion, she must learn to trust in the love and kindless of others to help bring Faugn back before he is lost forever.
"With different fantasy elements infused into both stories, this book will appeal to those who seek out the vastness of possibility within fantasy... in a genre saturrated with epic tales, Dreams acts as a short, imparctful counterpart." - INDEPENDENT BOOK REVIEW
"With different fantasy elements infused into both stories, this book will appeal to those who seek out the vastness of possibility within fantasy... in a genre saturrated with epic tales, Dreams acts as a short, imparctful counterpart." - INDEPENDENT BOOK REVIEW
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2023
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 17, 2023
Actual rating: 4.5
This side-by-side collection of stories will leave you wondering long after you thought you had grasped their full meaning.
The first half of Dreams, "Veritas," is a heart-racing supernatural suspense focusing on a happily engaged young man who then suffers a sequence of recurring dreams in which he is locked in endless fatal conflict with dark beings. When their influence begins to creep into his daylight life, he is forced to wrestle not just with the meaning of his dreams but with his own neglected spirituality.
The latter half, "Whispers of the Wind," is more tender in tone and concept: a romantic fantasy set in an idyllic enchanted village whose inhabitants are gifted with the ability to discern messages from the wind, all except the main character. Althea is doubly cursed, not just with a strange deafness to the wind but with an anxious longing for her long-gone fiancé, who was sent beyond the enchantment in search of the fabled "dolos." Every day that passes threatens the hope of his ever returning home again—except, perhaps, by an ultimate sacrifice.
In both stories, the main characters are isolated in their respective crises until wisdom from an external voice prompts them to look inward for the answer. And, of course, there are the dreams.
Fans of D. A. Chan's Kindred Chronicles may notice intimations in these early stories of concepts that would later blossom in the imagination of his later work. Also present is his storyteller's gift of catching you blindsided just when you think you know where the story is going. Here is a writer with spirituality and a philosophy of life who refuses to beat you over the head with it. After a month or so since reading the first edition of Dreams, I'm still not entirely sure what some of it means; all I know is that it makes you feel something, and sometimes that's the harder job for an author.
Recommended for the sheer emotional thrill of the first story and the moving depths of the second.
This side-by-side collection of stories will leave you wondering long after you thought you had grasped their full meaning.
The first half of Dreams, "Veritas," is a heart-racing supernatural suspense focusing on a happily engaged young man who then suffers a sequence of recurring dreams in which he is locked in endless fatal conflict with dark beings. When their influence begins to creep into his daylight life, he is forced to wrestle not just with the meaning of his dreams but with his own neglected spirituality.
The latter half, "Whispers of the Wind," is more tender in tone and concept: a romantic fantasy set in an idyllic enchanted village whose inhabitants are gifted with the ability to discern messages from the wind, all except the main character. Althea is doubly cursed, not just with a strange deafness to the wind but with an anxious longing for her long-gone fiancé, who was sent beyond the enchantment in search of the fabled "dolos." Every day that passes threatens the hope of his ever returning home again—except, perhaps, by an ultimate sacrifice.
In both stories, the main characters are isolated in their respective crises until wisdom from an external voice prompts them to look inward for the answer. And, of course, there are the dreams.
Fans of D. A. Chan's Kindred Chronicles may notice intimations in these early stories of concepts that would later blossom in the imagination of his later work. Also present is his storyteller's gift of catching you blindsided just when you think you know where the story is going. Here is a writer with spirituality and a philosophy of life who refuses to beat you over the head with it. After a month or so since reading the first edition of Dreams, I'm still not entirely sure what some of it means; all I know is that it makes you feel something, and sometimes that's the harder job for an author.
Recommended for the sheer emotional thrill of the first story and the moving depths of the second.
January 6, 2025
The book is a captivating exploration of the subconscious, blending vivid worldbuilding with profound themes of identity, ambition, and purpose. The novel shines through its imaginative dreamscapes, poetic prose, and compelling characters, drawing readers into a surreal yet emotionally resonant journey.
However, the story occasionally falters with pacing, lingering in descriptive passages that slow the momentum. The intricate plot, while ambitious, can sometimes feel convoluted, and certain subplots lack satisfying resolution. Additionally, some dialogue comes across as overly expository, slightly undermining the authenticity of the otherwise well-crafted characters.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Dreams remains a mesmerizing read, offering a unique narrative that lingers long after the final page. Chan’s ability to weave introspection with the fantastical ensures this novel is a standout for fans of speculative fiction.
Actual Rating: 4.6/ 5
However, the story occasionally falters with pacing, lingering in descriptive passages that slow the momentum. The intricate plot, while ambitious, can sometimes feel convoluted, and certain subplots lack satisfying resolution. Additionally, some dialogue comes across as overly expository, slightly undermining the authenticity of the otherwise well-crafted characters.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Dreams remains a mesmerizing read, offering a unique narrative that lingers long after the final page. Chan’s ability to weave introspection with the fantastical ensures this novel is a standout for fans of speculative fiction.
Actual Rating: 4.6/ 5
November 2, 2023
This book has a lovely pace, and is a page turner. I love all the different fantasy aspects in both Veritas and Whispers of the Wind. The world building was amazing for being a shorter book. It kept me intrigued the whole time. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews