Dream by the Shadows

The Shadow Weavers Duology #1

by Logan Karlie

For fans of One Dark Window and Belladonna comes a darkly beautiful Gothic fantasy about a soul-stealing dream curse, a villain who fights for redemption, and a romance carved from the darkest of shadows.

In the Kingdom of Noctis, dreams are deadly and darkness reigns.

For nineteen-year-old Esmer Havenfall, life is nothing but a series of loss and misfortune at the hands of the wicked Shadow Bringer, a cruel creature who haunts dreams and corrupts souls:

1) Her sister is dead.
2) Her future is bleak and without prospects.
3) Her village is tormented by demons that prey on dreams — and so is she.

To make matters worse, Esmer is unexpectedly accused of betraying her kingdom and promptly banished to the Shadow Bringer's monster-infested castle. While there, Esmer must face both her inner darkness and the villain she hates to ensure her own survival. Even more vexing is the fact that his powers speak to something within her — and she can wield them, too.

But as her initial hatred for the Shadow Bringer melts into something more passionate, drawing her closer to truths she never thought possible, Esmer realizes they might be the only ones left who stand a chance at conquering the evil plaguing their kingdom. Unfortunately, time is running out — even as they traverse a precarious dreamscape and outwit the demons that haunt it, rushing to unravel a centuries-old curse, more dreamers are falling prey to corruption and dying.

If they succeed, Esmer and the Shadow Bringer will rewrite history and forge a new future for their kingdom. But if they fail, they'll be lost to the Dream Realm forever.

Be careful what you dream of . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Gothic, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2023

About the author

Logan Karlie writes books brimming with gothic themes, atmospheric worlds, and characters who fight to overcome the shadows that haunt them.

Logan holds a MA in English Literature from the University of Arkansas. She currently lives in Illinois, with her family, where she also taught high school English.

Connect with Logan Karlie on social media!

• Instagram: @authorlogankarlie
• TikTok: @authorlogankarlie

Reviews

[rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw the vision. I wanted to be in the vision. But this book fell short.

In Dream by the Shadows, Esmer sleeps without dreaming. Dreaming is nothing short of a terrifying alternate reality in the Kingdom of Noctis, where demons can Corrupt you, and a creature called the Shadow Bringer can be your ultimate demise.

This was pitched to me on TikTok (curse that app and its book recommendations) as an Alina/the Darkling relationship set in the world of Crimson Peak. I mean, tell me this book exquisitely fits my tastes without telling me this book exquisitely fits my tastes.

But then I started reading and it felt like my dreams were crashing down on me. Although this book was wonderfully atmospheric and eerie, the world-building/magic system was unnecessarily complicated. I got over three-fourths of the way through this book before realizing I still had no idea what was happening in this kingdom and was honestly just there for the vibes.

That being said, do not go into this book thinking it's romance-driven or even magical politicking-driven with a dash of romance. The plot is 90% world-building, and there were times when I genuinely believed that not even the author herself knew what was going on. The romance was... there, and there were moments where I felt captivated by it, but overall it was lacking.

Increasingly, I've noticed books where the author or publisher pitches it as "villain gets the girl" or filled with "morally grey m/c's", then the 'morally grey' aspect is just being human. Like... if someone were to murder my entire family, I would not sit there with a smile and take it, nor would I expect anyone else to. If we're now making it so that being "morally grey" is reacting to severe injustices, then is every single person alive morally grey or a villain? That's how it felt reading this book.

Overall, I'm glad I took a chance on this, but I will not be picking up the next installment. If this sounds up your alley, then by all means go ahead and try it out, but be prepared to be confused and/or a little let down.

[Brittany Howell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow burn? More like slooooow and boring. There’s plot holes, everything is confusing, and the world building was not executed very well. It was unnecessarily complicated and after finishing I still have no idea what was going on. The story just fell flat yet it had such promise.
The relationship between the FMC and MMC was not believable, their interactions didn’t make sense, and there was no chemistry. In essence, this was not a romance book, which is fine, but it wasn’t even fantasy-plot driven. I don’t even know how to describe the type of plot that was written here. Like I said before, a confusing ass book. And MMC is not a morally grey character - that phrase is just used now to grab potential readers 🙄 he’s a hero disguised as a villain.
I wanted to DNF so many times but I’m just not capable of doing that. The last 70ish pages got better but it wasn’t enough to save the book in my opinion.
I have more opinions/theories but they could be hurtful to the author so I rather not state them 🫣
Not sure if I’ll read the second book.

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one quite a bit.

I love books that explore the concept of what it is to be a monster, and this dives into that just a bit.

Interesting concept and unique and cool world.

Loved the horror aspects, a bit of gore and creepiness sprinkled in.

Can’t wait to see where this series goes!

Audio Narration: DUET!
4/5 - the MMC does the creepiest voices for all the demons and both narrators do a great job. There are a few places where the mixing/editing isn’t the cleanest which is why this isn’t getting a 5/5

4.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |

Thank you Libro fm for the gifted ALC. All opinions are my own.

[eclecticbychoicereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough one... I saw the author talking about the book on TikTok and the premise sounded soooooooo interesting. And it is, but somehow the execution felt flat to me. I wanted to like it so much more than I did. The story is really interesting and I loved the idea behind it, but I didn't manage to fall in love with the book nor the characters. Will I read the sequel? Maybe, but not so sure about it right now.

[Becky Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to receive an ARC of this book as I've been in the mood for more dark fantasy romance and can never get enough of the villain-gets-the-girl. The book was wonderfully atmospheric, with great visuals and descriptions that transport the reader to a creepy yet beautiful world. There were lots of twists that kept the story moving, and of course, the villain romance didn't disappoint. I did find the world and the magic occasionally confusing, but I will definitely continue the series and look forward to more answers, and more romance!

[Hristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

What did I just read?
The main idea sounds interesting and grabbing. However…, the writing and the execution of this idea were horrifying. English is not my mother tongue, but I’ve been reading books in English for years now and I can honestly say that I didn’t understand most of the time what was happening. Not because of the language, but because of the writing style itself. The book is 90% word build and 10% plot and other explanations that could only confuse the reader.
Honestly, I was skipping through the chapters so fast just because I wanted to finish it ASAP! Probably not going to read the second book.

[Chlöe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was almost 2 stars for me, it only got 3 because I liked the world and dream within a dream within a memory vibe. I spent an equal amount of time confused as I did actually enjoying it. The premise is good and I enjoyed the characters and overall world building, but sometimes the writing made it unnecessarily confusing. I found myself asking why a lot.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was everything I needed for summerween! It’s a perfect blend of gothic aesthetics, ethereal nightmares, and haunting plagues with a Labyrinth twist! Also, Logan Karlie knew I simply COULD NOT say no to a hot white haired man decked out in battle armor. This story is the definition of frightened and aroused.

[Brend · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad but also not great

[niamh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so fortunate to have been able to have this opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book! This was my first ever ARC read. I devoured this book! The world and the characters within are so unique and Logan Karlie has brought them to life with her writing. I could not put this book down, I can’t wait to add it to my trophy bookshelf collection when it officially releases September 15th, 2023.

I am so excited to read the second book and learn more about this beautifully crafted world of dreams. What was revealed about Esmer and Erebus on the last page had me kicking my feet in the air!! Also, who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers trope?

5/5 stars and I look forward to see what comes next of this world by Logan Karlie.

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected smut and instead got 100% delivery on the plot. The first kiss wasn't till 94% through the book, and that's good enough to make my favourite smut shelf. The only nitpick was the title of Shadow Bringer (like, really? his real name was so cool). Also, the below isn't even half of the highlights I saved. I don't think I've had this many in a WHILE. The plot twist at the end KILLED ME, so I need to read book 2, eventually.

Favourite quotes:
- Monsters belonged to the dark— And it made him angry.
- The dark could be beautiful, but it mostly felt painful. It might graze his skin like a brush of moonlight, but it could just as easily twist itself into something evil and foul. Darkness was more frequently a cloak of sin, a scream in the night, or a pair of eyes unseen. It could be lonely, too. Achingly, despairingly lonely.
- Should I adjust your fate since mine is already lost?
- Why did he let that one go? Why did he no longer care? He couldn’t remember.
- Rain began to fall. My brother began to cry. And Eden was lowered to the earth in her box of splintered wood.
- Darkness roamed across my skin, fine as a shroud of silk. It slipped into my eyes and wrapped its inky hands around my neck. Tonight it felt relentless. Needy. Hungry.
- I should be terrified, but some dark, terrible part of me wanted to be found
- It bothered me, sometimes, how the most trivial objects could last for decades while the people who owned them never had the luxury. They grew sick, frail, and old, all while the object remained perpetually itself. Broken and faded, maybe, but never dead or dying.
- Mother gave each of us a fierce look. “Be unafraid," she said, setting the candlestick down and gripping the latch. “We cannot afford otherwise.”
- As the wake he left ruffled my dress, every sensation sharpened. I could feel the prickliness of the grass beneath my feet, the cool spot of mud pressing into my heel, and the edge of a stone touching my toe. Small, life-like sensations. Memories.
- “Age does not beget maturity.”

Other worthy quotes:
- Rayless, and pathless, and the icy earth Swung blind and blackening in the moonless air; Morn came and went— and came, and brought no day, And men forgot their passions in the dread Of this their desolation; and all hearts Were chill'd into a selfish prayer for light. - Darkness, Lord Byron

Funny moments:
- I’m beginning to think I didn’t scare you enough the first time.
- The ground suddenly cleaved apart at his feet, sending him sprawling face-first into the grass. Did I do that?
- The boat rocked to the left, almost sending me careening into the Bringer’s shoulder. I tried to counteract the next motion—which would surely be a dip to the right—but I guessed wrong. My hip slid awkwardly against the silk, sending me off the seat and onto the floor. Reflexively, I grabbed onto something to steady myself. Unfortunately, that something was the Shadow Bringer’s thigh.
- The brother glared at her, more than ready to participate in a battle with his sister. “You think everything is boring. I should throw you over the bridge. Then you wouldn’t have to suffer the intolerable dullness any longer.”
- “I am not dancing.” He added quickly, “I don’t dance.”“Your past self would disagree. I was just dancing with him, actually.” The Bringer tilted his head, considering. “Were you, now? You should know I only learned to dance so I could appease the Weavers who hold these cursed parties.”“So what you’re saying is that you are indeed very capable of dancing.” He grabbed my hands and pulled me to him. “Only this once,” he warned. “Just to stop your pestering.”
- He thrashed against the shadows, but they held firm. “Don’t make me drag you downstairs. It’s a long way down.” He laughed then, the sound deliciously rich and mirthful. It made my face burn; the shadows slid from his shoulders, falling lazily to his feet. “I’d like to see you try.”

Closest things to smut moments:
- I threw back the covers, mortified that part of me still wanted to curl up in his blankets, breathe deep the scent of night and rain on his pillows, and sleep.
- “You—here.” He swept a finger underneath my lip, brushing off a stray droplet. “As I said before, imagination reigns supreme in the Realm.” He examined his thumb, now slightly damp, then licked it. “Experiences feel real here. Sometimes more so than they do in reality.”
- Erebus’s silver eyes meandered along the lines of my body, much like a man might look at his lover, but there was no warmth in his gaze. His unmasked eyes were sharp and guarded as they beheld the folds of my grey dress. The way my curls fell over my shoulders. The jewelry at my throat.
- His wings were velvet-black and glossy; they stretched behind him, complimenting his form and making him appear taller and more intimidating than he already was. It made me regret thinking that wings looked natural on the other dreamers. How they looked on the dreamers was nothing compared to how they looked on the Shadow Bringer. His were menacing and tempting. I wanted to touch them. Strange. The Bringer took in my dress. I could have sworn his masked gaze lingered there—in the shape of it. In the folds, the fabric. Of my wings, soft and grey. And lastly, my eyes. His mouth slackened. I wasn’t sure he even noticed. “You look to be in your element,” I managed, heat rising to my temples. I had meant to tell him about Erebus, but the thought had promptly drifted away. “Your wings suit you.”“I could say the same for yours.” It seemed like he wanted to say more, but he shut his mouth before he could. His skin betrayed him, though; a flush was definitely at his temples, too. The music soared. We were the only two not dancing. “Where did you go?” I finally asked. I was looking for you. I missed having you by my side. “I didn’t intend to leave you for so long.”
- And before the first song ended, he was already flushed and smirking. And so was I. “How can you do that without flinching?” he asked, guiding us to a more secluded part of the clouds. Toward the pillars and the stars. “Do what?”“Touch me,” he answered, bringing his gauntleted hand to the back of my neck. "Like this.” Like—oh. My left hand was perched in his shoulder, absently threading through his hair. “My fear of you must have been overcome by your impressive dancing skills.”“Hmm,” he murmured, bringing his hand back to my waist. “It’s nothing, really,” I insisted. “Your hair looked soft, is all.” The fingers around my waist tightened, metal talons digging into the bindings. Oh? So this isn’t anything either, then? It seemed to suggest. But he pushed too hard, talons pinching my side, and I flinched. The Bringer made to pull away from me, taking his hand from my waist. “I have nothing against your hands,” I said, making a point to squeeze the taloned hand that held my right. “But right now they are encased in knives.” He cast a fleeting glance downwards, apparently startled by the realization that his hands were indeed encased in metal.
- I brought my hand over his, guiding it from my lips to my neck. With his hand moved aside, I leaned in closer, bridging the gap between us, and softly placed a kiss on his jaw, right near his ear. “I could say the same, Shadow Bringer. You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever known.” His breath hitched as he pulled me closer, titling his face so that his mouth hovered over mine. In that suspended moment, uncertainty flickered in his eyes, as if questioning whether I truly wanted this. Needing to erase his doubts, I cradled his face in my hands, fingertips tracing the contours of his face left exposed by his mask. I could feel the tremor in his touch, but I also felt his longing—his desire to bridge the distance between us. But instead of my mouth, his lips unexpectedly found my neck. I gasped, arching into him and giving more access to the skin there. The skin that was absolutely and unequivocally burning. He yanked his mask off, sighing when he was able to reach more of my neck without it, then dragged his teeth down the column of my throat. Teeth that I had once imagined would tear through my bones and devour my soul. Time had stopped. The darkness was full—and something was terribly wrong. “Esmer. I remember,” he said, his voice suddenly cracking in horror.
- (finally a kiss scene fml) He laughed. “Then that makes you a fool. A complete and utter fool. You do not want this. This is nothing you—” I grabbed his face and pulled it to mine, kissing him full on his mocking, irritatingly beautiful mouth. He pushed away, eyes wide. Shadows still, for once. Weighing. Measuring. Then he crashed his lips back to mine. He kissed me wildly—darkly. Exactly how I imagined he would prefer it. His lips were cool to the touch, tasting of starlight and velvet shadows. Of a cold breath of night air. I would drown in it, if I could, every bit as starved for him as he was for me. He curled one hand in my hair while the other was at my spine, drawing me closer.
- “And for you, it seems anything is possible.” Erebus didn’t hesitate after that. He brought his mouth to mine, twisting his fist in my hair and pulling me to him. Pressed against him this closely, and with nothing between us but the thin fabric of our robes, I could feel every smooth, hard plane of him. Every lean muscle. The power in his arms as he held me. The shifting of his thighs as he brought me closer still. We made it to the bed, somehow—he stumbled backwards, sitting on the edge, and I moved to his lap, all-too aware of how our robes had spilled open. His had slipped off a shoulder; mine had fallen open at the chest. He tugged my hair back, exposing my throat, and I felt teeth and shadow grazing my neck, tantalizingly slow, before he returned his attention to my mouth. An overwhelming urge burned inside me to do the same. To kiss him there, as he had done to me.
- “I’m thinking we should try the main entrance—” Shadows roped around my wrists, catching me off-balance and pulling me into a pile of velvet pillows. Erebus leaned over me, quickly replacing the shadows with his hands, and kissed me. There was no softness or patience in his kiss. It was all fire, teeth, and tongue—and the vague, aching sense that it might be our last. “Not yet,” he murmured, covering my body with his. My robe hitched up at the movement, and one of his thighs pressed between mine, pinning me in place. “I say we remain as we are.”

One of my fav scenes:
- At the first sip, it tasted wild. Fragrant rose, oak, and plum. It wasn’t wine, exactly, but it wasn’t juice, either. And the texture was exactly as I had imagined—softer than silk upon the tongue, it slid down my throat like a caress, tingling as it moved. The Bringer must have noticed the delight in my expression—or the rapidly dwindling liquid in my cup—because he snatched it from my fingertips, looking quite smug as he brought it to his lips. “Hey, I wasn’t—” The Bringer gave a throaty, contented sigh as he finished the drink, likely not intending for the sound to be heard. His eyes flicked up, a command plainly written there. For a moment, I wondered what it would be like to not taste food or drink for five-hundred years. Was it really possible to forget something as basic as taste? Based on the Bringer’s euphoric expression, it seemed so. “Fine, fine—I’ll fill it again. Just—stop staring at me like that. I have to concentrate.”

[⊹ Gabriela | Asternyx ⊹ · Rating 2 out of 5]

|DNF 57%

Great concept, but poor execution...

I was so hyped for this book, which made the disappointment hit even harder. The idea of a dream world, a cursed "prince of darkness," a cursed kingdom, and the classic light vs. darkness (good vs. evil) theme had so much potential!

Unfortunately, the characters and their arcs didn’t work for me. I struggle to enjoy a story with a weak FMC—someone who dives headfirst into danger without considering the risks, rarely questions what she’s told, and waits until it’s too late to act.

The MMC didn’t leave much of an impression either. His defining traits seem to be grumpiness and a sudden, unexplained protectiveness toward Esmer, the FMC. He’s meant to be a tortured hero she’s destined to save, but how can she save him when she refuses to hear his side of the story, let alone try to understand his situation? Instead, she blindly follows the same brainwashed idolization as the rest of the kingdom.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uh I DNFd. It was so hard to get through. I understand what the author wanted but it fell flat and it was so confusing. Switching povs with each chapter is one thing. But to have one in first and one in third? That was the last straw for me

[Dayna | daynas.bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ PERFECT for your autumn / spooky season tbr 🥀✨

Dream by the Shadows is a gothic, shadowy, atmospheric dreamscape perfect for fans of Labyrinth, Beauty and the Beast, and Howls Moving Castle. reading this book (especially listening to the stunning audiobook) felt like a stunning dream sequence that I didn’t want to wake up from.

Esmer lives in a kingdom where dreams are suppressed to protect its citizens from monsters within their nightmares. despite taking the elixir to prevent dreams, she wakes up within a dreamscape and meets the Shadow Bringer (screams). Guys don’t get me started on the Shadow Bringer- he has shadow powers and wears a helm (sCREAMS). Within the dark and twisted dreamscape, Esmer and the Shadow Bringer delve into past, present, and future, and she learns that there’s more to his story than what she was taught in her village.

the romance in DBTS is definitely slow burn with sweet moments along the way- i believe this is classified as YA, so don’t expect spice!

i HIGHLY recommend the audiobook- the narrators performed amazingly! thank you for LibroFM for the ALC for an honest review🫶🏼✨

[Rachel Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dream by the Shadows takes place in a world where demons infect people in their dreams, Corrupting them until it takes over their body. Esmer’s parents make an elixir for the village that stops them from dreaming, thus protecting them from demons. Along with the monstrous Shadow Bringer, who is said to devour the souls of those Corrupted. But when Esmer begins dreaming and finds her way to the Shadow Bringer’s castle, her entire life gets flipped on its head.

I tore through this book so fast, I just could NOT stop reading it! The world is so inventive and not like anything I’ve seen before. So much takes place in the Realm, the dream world where dreamers go when they sleep. Whole lives can be lived in this place. There are 7 Weavers, who are like deities of sorts. They each have a dominion they oversee, like past, present, future, fire, water, etc. Before the demons, they lived mostly in the Realm and people of all walks of life would come to experience balls and events where anything was possible. The Weaver’s wove people’s dreams, and ensured they were all good ones.

When the demons were unleashed on the world, everything changed and the Weavers hid away from the world. After, of course, locking away the Shadow Bringer with a bunch of demons. There is a whole organization in the real world, led by Mithras, the Light Bringer, who supposedly cleanses the souls of the Corrupted and purifies them. When Esmer’s parents turn out to have been Corrupted and were messing with the elixir for the village to ensure their children got the most potent stuff, Mithras comes to oversee the issue. When he meets Esmer, things go down hill for her quickly when she’s found to have associated with the Shadow Bringer.

The journey this book undertakes is incredible. The Shadow Bringer is much more complex than Esmer assumes and as she gets to know him, she realizes things aren’t quite as she was taught. He’s been isolated for 500 years, has forgotten almost everything except his rage, and it’s done a lot of damage. He’s lost so much from his years locked away with nothing but screaming demons for company. Until Esmer arrives. But he’s been alone so long he can only see enemies at this point.

Esmer has been taught so many misconceptions and her fear of the Shadow Bringer is all consuming at first. As she gets to know him though, she can’t help beginning to trust him. One of the Weaver’s shows up and sends them through the past to figure out what is truly going on and why one demon in particular seems to be hunting them. It’s the perfect set up to explore more about the Shadow Bringer and his past. The more we find out, the better it gets.

When they go on their dream tour, things become clear to Esmer that had previously been lost to time. She can’t help growing closer to the Shadow Bringer. She finds she can see beyond what his curse has made of him. Getting to see past Erebus, and Esmer getting to interact with him, is amazing. Seeing the impact she had in the past that was truly done and the memory just wiped away, was incredible. I love this mix between past, present, and future. The two of them are seriously adorable.

It was truly heartbreaking how the Shadow Bringer just assumed he was too monstrous, but that he still lapped up contact with another person. When he has a chance to sort of return to who he used to be for a moment, it seems like a new clarity comes over him. Coinciding nicely with the development in the relationship between them. All of the character work here was great. I loved getting to know and unravel them. Even the side characters we don’t see much of. I was basically sobbing over two people we barely meet. The plot itself is so wonderfully carried out. I loved how it basically weaved in and out of dreams and reality, past and present. It tied in perfectly with the conception of the Weavers and their magic.


When Esmer first falls into the Shadow Bringer’s Realm, she discovers to her horror that his shadows answer her call. Throughout the book, she has to figure out what this means and why this is happening. She has to come to terms with the darkness in herself. Coming from a society than villainized darkness and shadows, she has a lot of work to do. But when it comes to life and death, she ultimately has to figure out how to use those shadows to save herself. But it’s not just shadow magic she must figure out. She’s in a world of dreams, after all. Learning how to manipulate and control the dreams is essential. And it’s a terribly fun concept as anything is possible in dreams.

The journey of this book is incredible and a wild ride. Yet, somehow, the ending blew me away even more! It was shocking and left my mouth literally hanging open! We discover the truth of many things. Reveals are made that shake everything up and makes everything so much more complex and heartbreaking in truth. This is a duology and I can’t wait for the next book! I have to know how Erebus and Esmer are going to handle things. The way they were left was with a lot of tasks to undertake that sound incredible, and the Weaver’s insinuation about what they are has to mean a change to the game. And then there’s Mithras and his deal. The demon that hunts them, and the other demons. There’s so much to get into that I’m so excited to see!

I received an ARC of this book for review.

[Tereza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to @HachetteAudio and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

Where to begin… This book had a very interesting synopsis, which drew me to it in the first place. A nightmarish, spooky, creepy setting is exactly what I wanted as we slowly transition into autumn and towards the colder months. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met, and I was left quite disappointed. Moreover, something about the audio delivery felt off for me. The mix of voices was sometimes very distracting, especially the male voice alternating with the female. Perhaps if I had read the physical book, I would have been more engaged, but the audiobook just fell flat for me.

This book will definitely find its audience. Especially as a YA fantasy, younger readers may be more in tune with the language and overall vibe.

Goodreads rating: 2.5 stars

[♡ jess ♡]

Dnf'd at like 79% but I could not get through this. I'm still counting it as read though lol

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning debut from Logan Karlie.
A dark fantasy horror romance with gothic influences? Yes please!

The world building is wonderful, the story captivating and oh how I loved Esmer and the Shadow Bringer.

This was moody and atmospheric and filled with shadows, rot and curses. There are even Beauty and the Beast vibes compete with a decaying castle.

I loved the way everything came together which has me itching for the next book!

[vanshikha sakala · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐

Beauty and the Beast meets Labyrinth in this YA romantic fantasy about a deadly dream world and the shadow-cursed girl who must venture its depths to save her family, all while she falls in love with the prince of darkness.

I was blown away by this book in the most amazing way as possible. Karlie's gothic and lyrical writing style had me hooked to the book from the very first pages, which could arguably be one my favourite first chapters.

The haunting and dark world-building was captivating, and the unique lore was eerily beautiful. The aspect of the Weavers and Dream Realm was intriguing and whole dream walking aspect had me giggling and sobbing the entire time.

It was more darker than I had expected it to be. The exploration of grief and self-hatred were very well done. The raw emotions of these characters was unbelievably real and I could not stop myself from getting emotional because of everything they've been through.

The romance is a subplot but very well explored. The Shadow Bringer and Esmer were an amazing couple. The enemies to lovers arc and mutual hate to love was very well developed. They both complimented each other everywhere, from their flaws to their pride. They are truly soulmates with everything they go through.

The ending absolutely broke me inside out and the last hundred pages were as nerve-wracking as the rest of the book. I absolutely adore this book and I cannot wait to continue this amazing journey! Can't wait for the second and final installment!

I truly don't think my review does justice to this amazing book!

[Ayre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book on one of the many stuff your kindle days. I think this book is a pretty good showing for a debut novel but the writing still needs a bit of work.

The premise of the story is very interesting. This land is cursed by demons, if you have a nightmare the demon will take over your body and you have to be purified (read killed). People can buy potions that keep them from dreaming, but they're expensive and poor people, often, cant afford them. If you, like me, enjoy reading things that are a not good but a good time, and the plot sounds interesting, go ahead and pick this up.

The issues with this book are many, but nothing major. My biggest issue was with the character's personalities. They're all over the place and change on a whim to keep the plot moving. Because of this, you never get a real feel for the motivations of the characters, or why they're attracted to each other. They also end up feeling a little flat. There are also quite a few plot holes which have the opportunity to be filled in book 2.

In the end I don't necessarily recommend this as a need to read but, if you're interested, I don't think it would be a waste of time for you to read.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3🌟

Ha sido un libro largo, confuso, cuyo worldbuilding se ha llevado la mayor cantidad de palabras pero aún así nunca nada estaba claro.

Pese a ello, la idea de un sueño dentro de un sueño, los personajes principales (les falta química entre ellos, menos escenas de worldbuilding y más escenas entre personajes hubieran sido geniales) y la conclusión del primer libro ha estado muy bien. El libro es lento en su primer 80%, cogiendo chicha sólo en el último 20%.

Quizás una reedicion o reimaginacion del orden del libro y una pasada al ritmo le vendrían genial.

Pese a ello, lectura entretenida. Quizás le eche un ojo a la segunda parte cuando salga.

[maddie's reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

the ending....sequel when????

[📚 Alana (professional book nerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 🌟 RTC
—————
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the arc!

[isabellerosereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ this was a fascinating, unique story concept with the simple gothic vibes I was looking for! Gave me vibes of Beauty and the Beast x Inception x Howl’s Moving Castle

Tropes:
✨shadow wielding MMC & FMC
✨enemies to partners to ??
✨dreamworld walking adventures
✨demon corruption + mysterious plague
✨older sister fighting to save her last family member
✨deity lore

The atmospheric vibe of this book sucked me in right away; it was perfectly gothic and started out more dark and corrupted than I expected, which was perfect. I love a story with meddling deities and really appreciated the unexpected lore we got with the Weavers and how it tied into the Shadow Bringer’s story.

I struggled with the abstract nature of this story and the pacing. Because the nature of this story is unraveling through different dreams our characters are walking through, manipulating through their own imaginations, or revisiting in the past, it almost feels like a fantasy version of Inception which got kind of confusing.

I will admit, I didn’t find much appeal in the romance either. The enemies part started really strong but then it felt like the transition to love/affection happened really quick, like the author wanted to make sure it happened by the end of the first book. We were told a lot of how the author seemed to view their development, but I feel like it was more telling than actually showing/feeling it as a reader overall, imo. This is also YA, so no spice (which never bothers me).

For both the romance and the overall plot, especially with how short this book was, I just think the pacing could’ve been executed a little better for the story to flow more naturally for me! There were also a few loose ends I feel like we kind of forgot about towards the end there, but maybe that will be cleared up in book 2 of this duology.

I’d recommend this if you are looking for a quick, lighthearted gothic YA read but just go into it expecting the abstract and not to take it too seriously!

Thank you to Little Brown and Company for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own.

[Francine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dream by the Shadows by Logan Karlie completely grabbed my attention from the start. The world-building is rich and immersive — definitely gave me Beauty and the Beast meets Inception vibes, with a sprinkle of Howl’s Moving Castle in one particular scene that I loved.

The plot moves fast (in a good way), and once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. Esmer is just an 18-year-old trying her best to get back to her brother while surviving a dream world full of demons — and trying not to fall for the brooding Shadow Bringer (#shadowdaddy, anyone?).

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is a classic slow burn, rich with tension that unfolds perfectly over time. As a YA story, it stays clean—while there's no spice, there are a couple of kissing scenes.

I did sometimes get confused during the dream sequences — I wasn’t always sure if they were still dreaming or not, but it usually got cleared up pretty quickly. Also, my one big gripe: when one of the Weaver characters shows up, it felt really sudden, like he appeared out of nowhere with no setup.

Still, the way time works differently between Earth and the dream realm added this weirdly disorienting feeling that actually helped me connect with what the characters were going through.

Overall, super creative and emotional — would absolutely recommend for fans of twisty, dream-based fantasy and slow-burn romance. Can’t wait for book 2!

Pick this book up if you like:
🌙 enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
🌙 broody, tormented MMC
🌙 shadow-cursed FMC
🌙 Inception vibes

A huge thank you to the author and NetGalley for an e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

[Bee’s Glorious Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Book Review ✨

Dream by the Shadows by Logan Karlie

STAR RATING: 5/5⭐️

REVIEW:
A masterpiece! I loved every second of this book. It gripped me from the beginning and held on tight. The story, the dreams, the world… it was written SO well! Logan did an amazing job. Esmer is such a complex yet wonderful character. The challenges and changes through out were so good. The magic system was so intriguing and the descriptions through out were perfect. I felt immersed!

Notes:
Thank you to the publisher & Netgalley for the free copy.


PLATFORM: eBook

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. The first 15/20% of this, I was locked in. The vibes were immaculate. It had an eerie, spooky atmosphere that immediately drew me in, a plot that made me want to keep reading and endearing, interesting characters. After that point though, it did lose me a little. There's so much world-building delivered in this and not all of it is clear. A lot happens without me ever really understanding why it was happening, the purpose of it, or where it would go. The pace slowed right down and I was just bored. Also, I struggled to get invested in the romantic storyline. It's a subplot, but it went from 0-100 so quickly with no real on-page substance to back it up. That being said, the last 15% did pick up again. There's an Inception kind of dream-within-a-dream situation that happens and a more in-depth exploration of the Dream Realm which I thought was cool. I finished the story intrigued about where it will go in book 2, but I doubt If I'll pick it up. I just don't think 30% of interesting content is worth spending 70% of a book bored or confused.



Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an earc.

[Kimmi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dream by the Shadows by Logan Karlie
Narrated by Mia Hutchinson Shaw & Jared Zeus
Release Date: August 26, 2025

Thank god I received the ALC instead of the ARC because while the story and premise sounded intriguing, something just didn’t quite click for me.

The first quarter of the book was a bit confusing. The world-building felt minimal, and a flood of characters were introduced early on, making it hard to figure out who to trust or even who the real enemy was. (Maybe that was the author's point but I was confuse too much to enjoy the mystery.) That lack of grounding made it difficult to stay fully engaged with the plot.

I did love the dual narration. Mia and Jared did an incredible job bringing the characters to life in their narration and keeping me interested in the story.

But I think I would have preferred reading this book because there was too much going on for me to follow it in an audiobook. There was a lot of twist, secrets, and characters to keep track of.


Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Christy Ottaviano Books for the ALC!

[Chasey Kruczko · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5- The plot was sooooo captivating. A dream within a dream within the Shadow Bringers memory but there were a lot of things that felt choppy. I didn't enjoy how Esmer's POV was first person but the shadow Bringers POV was third person. And then at 70% through the book we get a very random POV of a different character, which I felt added nothing to the story. It had the potential but unfortunately fell short.

[Diesel Reads Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine as a storyline.
Writing style is grand but to be honest I found it over all a really confusing read. Didn't know what was going on through half of it, and admittedly that could just be my own brain failing to follow the journey but it is what it is.
Won't be following on with the series.