What do you think?
Rate this book
Thread of Dreams
Nova’s job is to harvest dream threads from unaware humans to sustain her sunless planet against a malicious parasite. But on one particular night, she enters the dream of a boy who knows her—who has been dreaming of her for a long time. And in that moment, everything changes.
Arlo’s dream-girl always told him about a wonderous world beyond his imaginings, but he never thought that world could be a real escape from the traumatic realities he daily faces. Until the night that Nova becomes more than just a dream. Now Arlo must decide if escaping his trauma is worth the cost of following his dream-girl into a new reality.
As Nova and Arlo draw ever closer together, so too does the darkness in both their worlds grow stronger. In the end, it just might turn out that the only way to defeat the nightmares plaguing both their lives is for them to face the possibility of eternal separation.
Arlo’s dream-girl always told him about a wonderous world beyond his imaginings, but he never thought that world could be a real escape from the traumatic realities he daily faces. Until the night that Nova becomes more than just a dream. Now Arlo must decide if escaping his trauma is worth the cost of following his dream-girl into a new reality.
As Nova and Arlo draw ever closer together, so too does the darkness in both their worlds grow stronger. In the end, it just might turn out that the only way to defeat the nightmares plaguing both their lives is for them to face the possibility of eternal separation.
250 pages, Hardcover
Published March 28, 2024
5 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 4, 2024
It has been six months since I read a book and truly enjoyed it. I stayed up all night reading this beautiful story, and I can’t tell you what an honest relief this magical world was to my reality-weary heart!!
Beautiful prose, inventive solutions, a magic system that will be unraveling in my head for days to come, a love triangle (which I normally despise, but the rest of the book was so good that it was okay this time), and a dash of poetry made this a story I absolutely devoured.
I’ll keep my quotes to myself until release day, but I LOVED this book!! What a great way to start the year!
Beautiful prose, inventive solutions, a magic system that will be unraveling in my head for days to come, a love triangle (which I normally despise, but the rest of the book was so good that it was okay this time), and a dash of poetry made this a story I absolutely devoured.
I’ll keep my quotes to myself until release day, but I LOVED this book!! What a great way to start the year!
January 9, 2024
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
I've been waiting to get my hands on Thread of Dreams for a long time, and I was so excited to dive in. All of Emily Barnett's obvious skill in storytelling, which I've seen before in her short fiction, shines in this debut novel.
Synopsis: On the planet of Lyra, no one dreams. But Harvesters, like Nova Celeste, can slip into the minds of humans and steal their dreams—transforming them into magical threads which can be used to fight the evil Void devouring Lyra. Nova is used to being an invisible thief in these dreams, but one night, she meets a boy who sees her, and remembers her. Arlo James has demons of his own to fight on earth, but the bond between him and Nova brings him into the battle for Lyra. Together, Nova and Arlo must find hope in grief in order to defeat the Void.
What I loved about this book: The writing just swept me away. The vivid descriptions brought me straight into the world of Lyra, filled with strange beauty and bioluminescent jellyfish. It's such an imaginative and unique setting, and it can be challenging to create something like that in the spec fic genre; I felt completely immersed in Lyra throughout the entire novel, but it was never overwhelming or confusing. The setting isn't just a lovely backdrop, either. In many ways, the different elements of Lyra, and the overarching conflict between Lyrans and the Void, mirror the internal conflicts within Nova and Arlo. I love this intertwining of plot and setting and character.
While the epic battle between dark and light, good and evil, drives the plot of Dreams—there's plenty of tension and adventure—I loved the focus on the characters. Nova's struggle to find the truth in the midst of lies and Arlo's fight to overcome self-doubt really feel like the heart of the book. And it's their developing relationship that forces them to grow, to question some of the lies they believe about the world and themselves, and really become who they're meant to be. It's beautiful to see that in a YA novel.
And finally, that ending. Such rich themes, but done in a really lovely and gentle way. I'll be honest, I don't read a lot of "save the world" stories, so it was sort of magical to find one that I resonate with so deeply. I won't spoil anything—I'll just say that I loved it.
Overall, a beautiful and lyrical fantasy novel, perfect for teens (and adults!). I'm looking forward to Emily Barnett's next novel, and in the meantime, I'll just reread this one.
I've been waiting to get my hands on Thread of Dreams for a long time, and I was so excited to dive in. All of Emily Barnett's obvious skill in storytelling, which I've seen before in her short fiction, shines in this debut novel.
Synopsis: On the planet of Lyra, no one dreams. But Harvesters, like Nova Celeste, can slip into the minds of humans and steal their dreams—transforming them into magical threads which can be used to fight the evil Void devouring Lyra. Nova is used to being an invisible thief in these dreams, but one night, she meets a boy who sees her, and remembers her. Arlo James has demons of his own to fight on earth, but the bond between him and Nova brings him into the battle for Lyra. Together, Nova and Arlo must find hope in grief in order to defeat the Void.
What I loved about this book: The writing just swept me away. The vivid descriptions brought me straight into the world of Lyra, filled with strange beauty and bioluminescent jellyfish. It's such an imaginative and unique setting, and it can be challenging to create something like that in the spec fic genre; I felt completely immersed in Lyra throughout the entire novel, but it was never overwhelming or confusing. The setting isn't just a lovely backdrop, either. In many ways, the different elements of Lyra, and the overarching conflict between Lyrans and the Void, mirror the internal conflicts within Nova and Arlo. I love this intertwining of plot and setting and character.
While the epic battle between dark and light, good and evil, drives the plot of Dreams—there's plenty of tension and adventure—I loved the focus on the characters. Nova's struggle to find the truth in the midst of lies and Arlo's fight to overcome self-doubt really feel like the heart of the book. And it's their developing relationship that forces them to grow, to question some of the lies they believe about the world and themselves, and really become who they're meant to be. It's beautiful to see that in a YA novel.
And finally, that ending. Such rich themes, but done in a really lovely and gentle way. I'll be honest, I don't read a lot of "save the world" stories, so it was sort of magical to find one that I resonate with so deeply. I won't spoil anything—I'll just say that I loved it.
Overall, a beautiful and lyrical fantasy novel, perfect for teens (and adults!). I'm looking forward to Emily Barnett's next novel, and in the meantime, I'll just reread this one.
July 17, 2024
THREAD OF DREAMS shines with some of the most creative worldbuilding that I've ever encountered! I also liked that the plot kept me guessing--it was hard to predict with certainty what the final ending would be, right up until the last page. (And by the way, I thought it ended beautifully 😊)
A bit about the book:
Nova's home planet of Lyra is wondrous, dangerous, and dying. A sentient parasite known as the Void is gradually consuming the land, light, and creatures of Lyra--and increasingly, the hearts of the people who live there. To keep the darkness at bay, Nova enters the dreams of humans on Earth and harvests their shining threads. But when the human Dreamer she's begun to fall in love with gets pulled into her dying world, Nova realizes that his rescue--and the salvation of her planet--will cost her every dream that she's held dear.
A dreamy, delightful debut novel.
A bit about the book:
Nova's home planet of Lyra is wondrous, dangerous, and dying. A sentient parasite known as the Void is gradually consuming the land, light, and creatures of Lyra--and increasingly, the hearts of the people who live there. To keep the darkness at bay, Nova enters the dreams of humans on Earth and harvests their shining threads. But when the human Dreamer she's begun to fall in love with gets pulled into her dying world, Nova realizes that his rescue--and the salvation of her planet--will cost her every dream that she's held dear.
A dreamy, delightful debut novel.
July 26, 2025
Second read July 2025: Reread for this week’s online summer book club for Owl’s Nest Publishers and moved up my rating from 4 to 5 stars. I’m not sure why I was able to track the plot and be immersed in the setting so much better on this second read, but I loved this story even more this time. I can’t wait to talk about this with teens and will be so interested to see if they can see the powerful and beautiful biblical truths in this beautiful book.
_________________
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful fantasy novel. Emily Barnett’s writing is beautiful and lyrical with elements that reminded me of Madeleine L’Engle’s storytelling.
Thread of Dreams takes place on a planet that is moonlit since it is lacking a sun. It is a place filled with luminescent mushrooms, jellyfish creatures and magical powers. Wonderful. I loved the characters and the storyline of the boy and girl from different planets who seem as if they are fated to remain separated by their different worlds. The unfolding of the storyline in the last third of the novel was fantastic.
I especially loved this story’s message of hope and spiritual truths that that which is good and right and true can often be obscured from our sight until we learn to see. Definitely recommend for all adolescents (and adults) who enjoy fantasy or who want to experience a beautiful otherworldly story. 🪼🍄
_________________
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful fantasy novel. Emily Barnett’s writing is beautiful and lyrical with elements that reminded me of Madeleine L’Engle’s storytelling.
Thread of Dreams takes place on a planet that is moonlit since it is lacking a sun. It is a place filled with luminescent mushrooms, jellyfish creatures and magical powers. Wonderful. I loved the characters and the storyline of the boy and girl from different planets who seem as if they are fated to remain separated by their different worlds. The unfolding of the storyline in the last third of the novel was fantastic.
I especially loved this story’s message of hope and spiritual truths that that which is good and right and true can often be obscured from our sight until we learn to see. Definitely recommend for all adolescents (and adults) who enjoy fantasy or who want to experience a beautiful otherworldly story. 🪼🍄
August 15, 2024
no words… 😆 THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! I loved the writing and the characters and Lyra and it was all just so amazing!!! 😍
January 26, 2024
I was giving this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and public review. So here ya go:
I wasn't in love till about halfway in... Then I caught the fire and sped through to the ending and got all the feels🔥🎆🌕✨🧵
A whimsical magical realism YA fantasy with a dash of minty romance? Here for it!
Especially if you have struggled with nightmares and love a good clean adventure romance that feels somewhat reminiscent of Narnia or Wingfeather Saga... This is definitely the book for you.
A few immature plotlines I could have done without (i.e. Eris's character altogether - oh how I hate love triangles and friendzones haha) that made it feel "Keeper of the Lost Cities"-esque. And did we need yet another orphaned teenage main character who questions the ruling authorities and saves the world when the adults couldn't? Sigh.
But aside from the cliches here or there... Otherwise, a beautifully inspiring, heartwarming adventure of found family and good triumphing over evil.
Also, I don't think I'll have nightmares tonight.
🥹✨💛
Fight the Void, Dreamers!
•
•
•
CW: Gentle romance (sweet, brief kisses only,) some peril / nightmare sequences, parental death, cancer battle, parental abandonment
I wasn't in love till about halfway in... Then I caught the fire and sped through to the ending and got all the feels🔥🎆🌕✨🧵
A whimsical magical realism YA fantasy with a dash of minty romance? Here for it!
Especially if you have struggled with nightmares and love a good clean adventure romance that feels somewhat reminiscent of Narnia or Wingfeather Saga... This is definitely the book for you.
A few immature plotlines I could have done without (i.e. Eris's character altogether - oh how I hate love triangles and friendzones haha) that made it feel "Keeper of the Lost Cities"-esque. And did we need yet another orphaned teenage main character who questions the ruling authorities and saves the world when the adults couldn't? Sigh.
But aside from the cliches here or there... Otherwise, a beautifully inspiring, heartwarming adventure of found family and good triumphing over evil.
Also, I don't think I'll have nightmares tonight.
🥹✨💛
Fight the Void, Dreamers!
•
•
•
CW: Gentle romance (sweet, brief kisses only,) some peril / nightmare sequences, parental death, cancer battle, parental abandonment
March 29, 2024
An amazing new science fiction/fantasy adventure was released from Owls Nest Publishers yesterday!
Thread of Dreams by Emily Barnett is not my usual genre, but when I read the synopsis from Owls Nest Publishers, I submitted an ARC request right away. When I was granted an ARC (Thank you!!), I read the synopsis to my 8th grade students, and they requested I read it with them (Risky as a teacher, I know, but I trust The Nest!) We finished our reading on pub day!
My students and I were IN this book the whole time. We laughed, gasped, and made predictions at the twists and suspense. This book has wonderful characters. The world building is complex but integrated in a way that still makes the book engaging. The poetry chapters added so much depth and perspective to the story.
The only downfall my non-romance loving students saw was the (unsurprisingly) the romance. They thought it was a little 'cringe,' but it didn't detract from their enjoyment. If you go into this looking for the romance, you will probably feel let down that it isn't more prominent - it is really just a splash.
I look forward to sharing this with my classes in future years! This book brought out discussions about resilience, grief, anxiety, friendship, and family dynamics. It is filled with figurative language that adds so much to the story as a whole.
Thread of Dreams by Emily Barnett is not my usual genre, but when I read the synopsis from Owls Nest Publishers, I submitted an ARC request right away. When I was granted an ARC (Thank you!!), I read the synopsis to my 8th grade students, and they requested I read it with them (Risky as a teacher, I know, but I trust The Nest!) We finished our reading on pub day!
My students and I were IN this book the whole time. We laughed, gasped, and made predictions at the twists and suspense. This book has wonderful characters. The world building is complex but integrated in a way that still makes the book engaging. The poetry chapters added so much depth and perspective to the story.
The only downfall my non-romance loving students saw was the (unsurprisingly) the romance. They thought it was a little 'cringe,' but it didn't detract from their enjoyment. If you go into this looking for the romance, you will probably feel let down that it isn't more prominent - it is really just a splash.
I look forward to sharing this with my classes in future years! This book brought out discussions about resilience, grief, anxiety, friendship, and family dynamics. It is filled with figurative language that adds so much to the story as a whole.
February 27, 2024
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
I love a good book that gets me all up in my feelings. Thread of Dreams is definitely that.
Barnett does an incredible job of placing the reader deep into the emotional lives of the characters. I love some good poetry, and Arlo's poetry chapters brought tears to my eyes every time.
I loved this book as an adult, but I would hand it to my older children in a heartbeat. This book is for middle grade and up, and I will recommend it over and over.
I love a good book that gets me all up in my feelings. Thread of Dreams is definitely that.
Barnett does an incredible job of placing the reader deep into the emotional lives of the characters. I love some good poetry, and Arlo's poetry chapters brought tears to my eyes every time.
I loved this book as an adult, but I would hand it to my older children in a heartbeat. This book is for middle grade and up, and I will recommend it over and over.
March 8, 2024
What an absolutely lovely book! Barnett writes with such beauty and hope, and the world of Lyra was so delightful. I still find myself thinking about those Lyran jellyfish in particular - so magical! As Nova and Arlo fought to overcome the darkness in Lyra, I was swept away by the journey. Nova's cloak fascinated me, and I loved how deeply she felt emotion. Her connection with Arlo was also so well done, and I loved how we got a glimpse of his gentle heart with his chapters written in verse.
So excited for more fantastical worlds from Emily Barnett!
So excited for more fantastical worlds from Emily Barnett!
January 31, 2024
I am dazed! That feeling you have when you wake up from the most magical dream and your mind is fighting to remember every detail as its threads slowly fade from your mind. This book is that dream only so much more! Emily Barnett takes you to a world like no other and weaves love, found family, and dreams all together with the looming darkness of a fear that can infect us all.
I absolutely loved this story! From the start I was rooting for Nova, and now I desperately want to visit Lyra. Also, the way Emily wrote Arlo's perspective as poetry was beautiful and something I've personally never seen before.
I absolutely loved this story! From the start I was rooting for Nova, and now I desperately want to visit Lyra. Also, the way Emily wrote Arlo's perspective as poetry was beautiful and something I've personally never seen before.
January 23, 2024
*** I RECEIVED AN ARC FROM OWL’S NEXT PUBLISHERS FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
what a wonderful and whimsical ride. a fantastic debut from the author, emily barnett. thread of dreams was a world that i found myself daydreaming about when i had to put the book down. barnett crafts a world of high possibilities wrapped in adventure and danger. a teen novel that i am sure readers of every age will thoroughly enjoy.
what a wonderful and whimsical ride. a fantastic debut from the author, emily barnett. thread of dreams was a world that i found myself daydreaming about when i had to put the book down. barnett crafts a world of high possibilities wrapped in adventure and danger. a teen novel that i am sure readers of every age will thoroughly enjoy.
January 24, 2024
What a wonderful book! I was thrilled to get an ARC of this gem. Nova and Arlo are the main characters and they each have their own persona journeys while facing major struggles. The story moves fast and the character's growth seems so natural in the midst of these fast paced challenges. Nova is the main voice of the story and Arlo's voice is captured in beautiful poems. You will love both these characters and want to befriend them.
This book gave me vibes of The Giver (society and it's structure) and Starsight (space novel by the Brandon Sanderson).
Well done, Emily. Can't wait for what's next.
Make sure to pre-order her book now!!
https://a.co/d/fGTbFU5
3/28/2024 release!
#owlsnestpublishers
This book gave me vibes of The Giver (society and it's structure) and Starsight (space novel by the Brandon Sanderson).
Well done, Emily. Can't wait for what's next.
Make sure to pre-order her book now!!
https://a.co/d/fGTbFU5
3/28/2024 release!
#owlsnestpublishers
August 27, 2024
Reading this book has been a long time coming for me. I wanted to take it slow and give myself time to process as I went.
What a beautiful story of two different worlds: the way of life there and how truly hard and scary it can all be. Barnett does a lovely job of capturing the fear we all hold in one form or another, but she also captures the hope we hold. Nova and Arlo come from different planets, but they’re both full of hardships. To be allowed to come together in the form of his dreams is something quite unique.
The legacy left behind by Nova’s parents was so moving to me. They made such sacrifices, as many parents do. They showed their love in very different ways and we got to see how that love impacted their children as they grew into adults.
The best part about this book is the close knit relationships the characters all had you with one another. That and character develop are always the signs of fantastic writing in my opinion; Barnett nailed both.
Reading this book honestly feels a bit like a dream the whole time. Spending a few hours inside its pages is something I don’t think any reader would regret. There is joy and beauty, courage and adventure to be found out there, we just have to know where to look.
What a beautiful story of two different worlds: the way of life there and how truly hard and scary it can all be. Barnett does a lovely job of capturing the fear we all hold in one form or another, but she also captures the hope we hold. Nova and Arlo come from different planets, but they’re both full of hardships. To be allowed to come together in the form of his dreams is something quite unique.
The legacy left behind by Nova’s parents was so moving to me. They made such sacrifices, as many parents do. They showed their love in very different ways and we got to see how that love impacted their children as they grew into adults.
The best part about this book is the close knit relationships the characters all had you with one another. That and character develop are always the signs of fantastic writing in my opinion; Barnett nailed both.
Reading this book honestly feels a bit like a dream the whole time. Spending a few hours inside its pages is something I don’t think any reader would regret. There is joy and beauty, courage and adventure to be found out there, we just have to know where to look.
May 21, 2024
• ENDORSEMENT •
Thread of Dreams beautifully explores themes of perseverance, sacrificial love, and the truest good that can only be found amid the fires of hardship. With her lyrical prose and masterful world building, Barnett has achieved that perfect tension between our own human failings and the belief in something greater that gives us hope. This is exactly the kind of book every teenager should read—starting with my own.
•••
I love this book so much that I’ll be giving it as gifts to as many of my kids’ friends as possible.
Thread of Dreams beautifully explores themes of perseverance, sacrificial love, and the truest good that can only be found amid the fires of hardship. With her lyrical prose and masterful world building, Barnett has achieved that perfect tension between our own human failings and the belief in something greater that gives us hope. This is exactly the kind of book every teenager should read—starting with my own.
•••
I love this book so much that I’ll be giving it as gifts to as many of my kids’ friends as possible.
March 1, 2024
I used to be a huge fan of Young Adult books. Back in 2009, when I started reviewing books, I’d be sure that on every trip to the library, I picked up at least one book from the teen section. There was a lot I had loved about being a teenager, and it was special to see those experiences recreated on the pages of books. The circumstances were different, of course, but the feelings were there. The tension between being a child and being an adult...the fear of being asked to grow up too quickly...the pride at being able to step into the world of business and academics...the startling wonder of falling in love...
And then, somewhere along the line, the trends got darker and more intense and I no longer saw much of myself at all in those stories. Instead, the middle grade that I had always loved became more and more mature, until I mentally (and often literally) had to label them as “Early Middle Grade” and “Upper Middle Grade.” The Upper Middle Grade category had more or less replaced what YA used to be.
Change is inevitable, and while I could lament this one at more length, it serves little purpose. Publishers publish what they think will sell, and the consumers determine the market. Tastes vary. I was in the minority, apparently. I thought I was alone altogether.
But I’m just beginning to see a shift, a shift that tells me that more and more consumers are hoping for YA books with a little more innocent love, a little less passion; a little less violence, a little more adventure. More wonder. More newness. More overcoming of that good old teenage angst and less of letting it define us.
On the front lines of this shift are the books of Owl’s Nest Publishers—a fairly new publishing house that has impressed me tremendously with the quality and content of their books. So let’s move on the actual review part of this essay, shall we, before my soap box tumbles?
Thread of Dreams, by Emily Barnett, is a YA fantasy about a girl named Nova who lives in a world called Lyra—a world with no sun, where the moon shines at night and darknight is a time where evil and danger lurks. Lyra is connected to Earth through a rift that allows Lyran harvesters, such as Nova, to enter the dreams of humans and harvest moments of these dreams as threads that provide energy and power in Lyra. The humans can’t see the Lyrans—or they shouldn’t be able to. But one day Nova enters the dream of a boy named Arlo, who very much sees her and very much wants to know what she’s doing in his subconscious. Alight with the possibility that the world is not so closed off and hopeless as the Ancients of Lyra would have her believe, Nova finds a way to visit Arlo again and again...until an accident puts them both—and possibly Nova’s entire world—at risk.
C. S. Lewis once said, “Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.” Thread of Dreams is a good example of this. It feels wholly original and new to me. Yet it reminded me strongly of some of my favorite books: The Chronicles of Narnia, A Wrinkle in Time, even slightly of the more recent Lunar Chronicles. But it was not because Thread of Dreams was derivative in any way. Emily Barnett didn’t steal any plot points. She simply told the same truth.
And some of those truths that Thread of Dreams tells are the very truths that drew me to the YA genre in the first place: Growing up means learning to let go of ourselves to find who we truly are. There is power in family and friendship and romantic love—different loves that we need at different moments. Wisdom lies in accepting oneself while still trying to better oneself. And the great, overarching truth: Love is stronger than hate. It will always overcome.
Thread of Dreams releases on March 28, but you can pre-order it now from Owl's Nest, and I encourage you to do so! I highly recommend it for ages 12 (or a mature 11) and up.
And then, somewhere along the line, the trends got darker and more intense and I no longer saw much of myself at all in those stories. Instead, the middle grade that I had always loved became more and more mature, until I mentally (and often literally) had to label them as “Early Middle Grade” and “Upper Middle Grade.” The Upper Middle Grade category had more or less replaced what YA used to be.
Change is inevitable, and while I could lament this one at more length, it serves little purpose. Publishers publish what they think will sell, and the consumers determine the market. Tastes vary. I was in the minority, apparently. I thought I was alone altogether.
But I’m just beginning to see a shift, a shift that tells me that more and more consumers are hoping for YA books with a little more innocent love, a little less passion; a little less violence, a little more adventure. More wonder. More newness. More overcoming of that good old teenage angst and less of letting it define us.
On the front lines of this shift are the books of Owl’s Nest Publishers—a fairly new publishing house that has impressed me tremendously with the quality and content of their books. So let’s move on the actual review part of this essay, shall we, before my soap box tumbles?
Thread of Dreams, by Emily Barnett, is a YA fantasy about a girl named Nova who lives in a world called Lyra—a world with no sun, where the moon shines at night and darknight is a time where evil and danger lurks. Lyra is connected to Earth through a rift that allows Lyran harvesters, such as Nova, to enter the dreams of humans and harvest moments of these dreams as threads that provide energy and power in Lyra. The humans can’t see the Lyrans—or they shouldn’t be able to. But one day Nova enters the dream of a boy named Arlo, who very much sees her and very much wants to know what she’s doing in his subconscious. Alight with the possibility that the world is not so closed off and hopeless as the Ancients of Lyra would have her believe, Nova finds a way to visit Arlo again and again...until an accident puts them both—and possibly Nova’s entire world—at risk.
C. S. Lewis once said, “Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.” Thread of Dreams is a good example of this. It feels wholly original and new to me. Yet it reminded me strongly of some of my favorite books: The Chronicles of Narnia, A Wrinkle in Time, even slightly of the more recent Lunar Chronicles. But it was not because Thread of Dreams was derivative in any way. Emily Barnett didn’t steal any plot points. She simply told the same truth.
And some of those truths that Thread of Dreams tells are the very truths that drew me to the YA genre in the first place: Growing up means learning to let go of ourselves to find who we truly are. There is power in family and friendship and romantic love—different loves that we need at different moments. Wisdom lies in accepting oneself while still trying to better oneself. And the great, overarching truth: Love is stronger than hate. It will always overcome.
Thread of Dreams releases on March 28, but you can pre-order it now from Owl's Nest, and I encourage you to do so! I highly recommend it for ages 12 (or a mature 11) and up.
January 5, 2024
Hmm, where do I begin? I’ve looked forward to this release ever since Emily signed on with the publisher. But those years of anticipation didn’t lead to disappointment; this is easily one of the best reading experiences ever. Up there with discovering Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter for the first time.
I don’t say that lightly. I’m either all invested in a book or they are DNFs for me1. Thread of Dreams is the most invested I’ve been in forever.
I inhaled this book.
And I haven’t inhaled anything this fast since I finished Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince in a day (and then Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows the next day).
This book might be written for MG/YA but that doesn’t mean it’s fluff. The poignancy of the themes, the depth of the characters, and the beauty of the world building is obvious from the start.
And the danger Nova and her friends face is very real too. Emily pulls no punches. She knows her craft, and she knows it well. Thread of Dreams is an moving reminder for the reasons we create art, write stories, and share them with others.
Thread of Dreams is the perfect blend of magic, adventure, danger, and character interactions. The pacing allows the reader to enjoy the character interactions without the distraction of action while using it to pull the reader into the plot and world building.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t action. In fact, the strength of this book is that the character development makes you care about the characters when they face danger.
Action is a useful tool, but only if the author has done the heavy lifting of convincing readers to love their characters.
Emily pulls off this balance perfectly. She tugs at your heartstrings the same way C.S. Lewis does. Enchants us. And shows us the beauty of the Gospel, too. The Christian elements of Thread of Dreams is beautifully done.
Threads reminds me of an original, science-fantasy take of The Magician’s Nephew.
(Take that with a grain of salt. Emily’s work is original; Threads doesn’t do everything Nephew does. But the feeling of it is there.)
My favourite aspect of this story is Nova and Arlo. There is something sweet, genuine, real, deep, and— refreshingly unforced about their chemistry. You love the two as a pair (friendship and otherwise) right away. You hurt for their heartaches, want them to succeed in their individual stakes, but find a way to each other in lasting ways.
Even Thread’s brief flirtation with a love triangle is well done. And I’ve never liked love triangles.
I hated none of the characters. There was something sympathetic about all of them (save the Villain, but we aren’t meant to empathise with it in this case).
I will happily read anything Emily Barnett puts out. More than that, I will be reading this book over again and again for comfort. This is certainly a book I wish I could’ve discovered alongside Lewis, Tolkien, and Rowling.
World building: 10/10
Characters arcs/development/interaction: 10/10
Themes: 10/10
Pacing: 10/10
Ending: 100/10
I don’t say that lightly. I’m either all invested in a book or they are DNFs for me1. Thread of Dreams is the most invested I’ve been in forever.
I inhaled this book.
And I haven’t inhaled anything this fast since I finished Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince in a day (and then Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows the next day).
This book might be written for MG/YA but that doesn’t mean it’s fluff. The poignancy of the themes, the depth of the characters, and the beauty of the world building is obvious from the start.
And the danger Nova and her friends face is very real too. Emily pulls no punches. She knows her craft, and she knows it well. Thread of Dreams is an moving reminder for the reasons we create art, write stories, and share them with others.
Thread of Dreams is the perfect blend of magic, adventure, danger, and character interactions. The pacing allows the reader to enjoy the character interactions without the distraction of action while using it to pull the reader into the plot and world building.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t action. In fact, the strength of this book is that the character development makes you care about the characters when they face danger.
Action is a useful tool, but only if the author has done the heavy lifting of convincing readers to love their characters.
Emily pulls off this balance perfectly. She tugs at your heartstrings the same way C.S. Lewis does. Enchants us. And shows us the beauty of the Gospel, too. The Christian elements of Thread of Dreams is beautifully done.
Threads reminds me of an original, science-fantasy take of The Magician’s Nephew.
(Take that with a grain of salt. Emily’s work is original; Threads doesn’t do everything Nephew does. But the feeling of it is there.)
My favourite aspect of this story is Nova and Arlo. There is something sweet, genuine, real, deep, and— refreshingly unforced about their chemistry. You love the two as a pair (friendship and otherwise) right away. You hurt for their heartaches, want them to succeed in their individual stakes, but find a way to each other in lasting ways.
Even Thread’s brief flirtation with a love triangle is well done. And I’ve never liked love triangles.
I hated none of the characters. There was something sympathetic about all of them (save the Villain, but we aren’t meant to empathise with it in this case).
I will happily read anything Emily Barnett puts out. More than that, I will be reading this book over again and again for comfort. This is certainly a book I wish I could’ve discovered alongside Lewis, Tolkien, and Rowling.
World building: 10/10
Characters arcs/development/interaction: 10/10
Themes: 10/10
Pacing: 10/10
Ending: 100/10
July 31, 2024
I can honestly say that I've never read a fantasy world quite like this one. The planet of Lyra never experiences day. There is only night, where the moon, called Selene, provides some light, and then Darknight, a pitch-blackness that's dominated by the Void, an evil blight that is slowly devouring Lyra.
Lyra is a moonlit planet. Think glowing mushrooms. Floating jellyfish. Foxfire dust. Barnett has dreamed up a literal "dream" world that evokes a sense of glittering night, without feeling "dark" as in evil.
Lyrians are trying to heal the Void by harvesting magical threads from human dreams. Nova, our protagonist, is a young harvester, and one day, she meets a boy in a dream who recognizes her. He shouldn't even see or sense her presence. But he knows her name!
This is the entry point into Thread of Dreams. I will say that there's a decently steep learning curve when it comes to this fantasy universe, but the author does a great job of sprinkling the world-building throughout the book, helping you along. But there were times when I forgot what a certain thing was...maybe a glossary for the second edition?
I loved the character dynamics. Nova has an older sister, Cally, who has taken care of her since their parents died when they were kids. The bond of sisterhood is strong with this one. There is a core group of young people who must do great deeds to help save Lyra. I don't want to spoil anything. All I'm trying to say is that there is a nice plot-character balance here.
You'll love this if you want a YA fantasy that includes adventure and romance but that doesn't involve graphic violence, sex, or profanity. There IS romance here, and Nova is pretty young, just thirteen when the book starts, but she ages to sixteen (if I'm remembering right) by the end. I feel that this is a nice choice if you have a teen girl who is hankering after romantic books but you don't want her to read anything icky.
Lyra is a moonlit planet. Think glowing mushrooms. Floating jellyfish. Foxfire dust. Barnett has dreamed up a literal "dream" world that evokes a sense of glittering night, without feeling "dark" as in evil.
Lyrians are trying to heal the Void by harvesting magical threads from human dreams. Nova, our protagonist, is a young harvester, and one day, she meets a boy in a dream who recognizes her. He shouldn't even see or sense her presence. But he knows her name!
This is the entry point into Thread of Dreams. I will say that there's a decently steep learning curve when it comes to this fantasy universe, but the author does a great job of sprinkling the world-building throughout the book, helping you along. But there were times when I forgot what a certain thing was...maybe a glossary for the second edition?
I loved the character dynamics. Nova has an older sister, Cally, who has taken care of her since their parents died when they were kids. The bond of sisterhood is strong with this one. There is a core group of young people who must do great deeds to help save Lyra. I don't want to spoil anything. All I'm trying to say is that there is a nice plot-character balance here.
You'll love this if you want a YA fantasy that includes adventure and romance but that doesn't involve graphic violence, sex, or profanity. There IS romance here, and Nova is pretty young, just thirteen when the book starts, but she ages to sixteen (if I'm remembering right) by the end. I feel that this is a nice choice if you have a teen girl who is hankering after romantic books but you don't want her to read anything icky.
February 5, 2025
My summary: Nova visits the dreams of humans (without the humans ever knowing) to glean dream Threads that help her world Lyra combat a growing darkness called the Void. When a human named Arlo sees her in his dreams, though, everyone begins to learn the real truth.
I loved nearly everything about this book. My words cannot convey how beautiful the language, emotion, message, and story are, so just go read it for yourself.
The only negative I have is the book did have many sentence fragments, and at times, that made ideas unclear.
The language of the book felt unique, fresh, appropriate for the characters, and so beautifully human—perfect in the imperfections. The characters sounded their age and sounded how they felt. The prose of Nova carried such subtle yet deep and well-described emotion. The poetry of Arlo worked so well. I don’t care for poetry, but having Arlo’s chapters as poems added so much to his character and the story. The book was so well written on so many levels.
The emotion was expressed so perfectly: so clearly yet never overdone.
The imagination in the world of Lyra was fun, wild, captivating, beautiful, and interesting. Every creature and plant had a history, purpose, and life in it. The magic of Lyra was also interesting and fun. Nova’s threads in her shawl were so cool.
The layers of messages were so soft yet solid. They came through the events so naturally that they never needed to be blatantly stated and yet they rang so clear that it was as if they had been written in the sky. The book touched on grief, hope, dreams, fear, life, something bigger than ourselves and evil, friendship, love, and seeing beauty in what we have.
I loved so much about this book. Go read it!
Overall: Magical, wondrous, beautiful, and luminous
5 stars
I loved nearly everything about this book. My words cannot convey how beautiful the language, emotion, message, and story are, so just go read it for yourself.
The only negative I have is the book did have many sentence fragments, and at times, that made ideas unclear.
The language of the book felt unique, fresh, appropriate for the characters, and so beautifully human—perfect in the imperfections. The characters sounded their age and sounded how they felt. The prose of Nova carried such subtle yet deep and well-described emotion. The poetry of Arlo worked so well. I don’t care for poetry, but having Arlo’s chapters as poems added so much to his character and the story. The book was so well written on so many levels.
The emotion was expressed so perfectly: so clearly yet never overdone.
The imagination in the world of Lyra was fun, wild, captivating, beautiful, and interesting. Every creature and plant had a history, purpose, and life in it. The magic of Lyra was also interesting and fun. Nova’s threads in her shawl were so cool.
The layers of messages were so soft yet solid. They came through the events so naturally that they never needed to be blatantly stated and yet they rang so clear that it was as if they had been written in the sky. The book touched on grief, hope, dreams, fear, life, something bigger than ourselves and evil, friendship, love, and seeing beauty in what we have.
I loved so much about this book. Go read it!
Overall: Magical, wondrous, beautiful, and luminous
5 stars
April 23, 2024
Lyra is such a striking world. It's detailed so vividly even in its otherness. Being a world without a sun, the plant life and residents have had to adapt to live in the dark, relying on the moon for their light...and protection. It reminded me a bit of the movie Avatar with the vibrant and unexpected colors, unique species, and bioluminescence. No one else could make insects or mushrooms seem beautiful.
Barnett uses poetry to break up the prose to let the reader deeper into Arlo, the second main character's emotions. It's a contrast to the main character Nova, who is taught like all other Lyrans that emotions are dangerous and shouldn't be expressed.
The friends-to-lovers was so sweetly done. Some YA stories take this trope and move it along too fast, make it too adult, or make it cringingly awkward. Not so with this book. It is sweet, just the right amount of awkward (they're teenagers, after all), and completely appropriate for ages 14-18, and I think, just as romantic for the younger end as well as the older end of the age-range.
The villain was believable and just scary and evil enough to want him defeated. The characters were likable and had different personalities that stood out. The premise was exciting and unique, the reveals well-done, and the emotional payoff was satisfying. One thing that I will warn you about with this book is not to read it at night -- not because you'll have nightmares, but because it all feels like such a dream you might be tempted to go to the Inbetween yourself and visit Lyra.
Read this book. It is well worth the hype and much more.
Barnett uses poetry to break up the prose to let the reader deeper into Arlo, the second main character's emotions. It's a contrast to the main character Nova, who is taught like all other Lyrans that emotions are dangerous and shouldn't be expressed.
The friends-to-lovers was so sweetly done. Some YA stories take this trope and move it along too fast, make it too adult, or make it cringingly awkward. Not so with this book. It is sweet, just the right amount of awkward (they're teenagers, after all), and completely appropriate for ages 14-18, and I think, just as romantic for the younger end as well as the older end of the age-range.
The villain was believable and just scary and evil enough to want him defeated. The characters were likable and had different personalities that stood out. The premise was exciting and unique, the reveals well-done, and the emotional payoff was satisfying. One thing that I will warn you about with this book is not to read it at night -- not because you'll have nightmares, but because it all feels like such a dream you might be tempted to go to the Inbetween yourself and visit Lyra.
Read this book. It is well worth the hype and much more.
October 12, 2024
Charming and sweet, magical and mystical, Emily Barnett’s Thread of Dreams is a captivating coming-of-age story set in an immersive fantasy world. Escape to the planet Lyra, where a young girl named Nova fights for the survival of her people. Nova has a magical gift allowing her to enter the dreams of humans and harvest threads to be converted to resources for her planet. Then one of the humans, a boy named Arlo, starts to communicate with her when she visits his dreams.
The book alternates between Nova’s perspective and Arlo’s. Nova’s point of view is the main core of the plot, while Arlo’s is presented in short poems he writes to process his experiences and emotions. It’s a fascinating interplay.
Targeted toward young teens, the book is an easy read with a fitting amount of action and surprisingly thought-provoking themes. The author paints a mystical, captivating world full of bioluminescence and moon magic. Relationships unfold with an emphasis on family love, sweet friendship, stubborn loyalty, and a tentative romance.
Perhaps what drew me most to this story is its emphasis on beauty and goodness in a world of devastation. Both Nova and Arlo undergo deep loss and are faced with grim evil, but their journey includes an encounter with a powerful force of good that inspires profound hope. The book is not overtly faith-based, but, to borrow a phrase from CS Lewis, it “baptizes the imagination” and draws the reader’s heart toward wonder, joy, and goodness.
The book alternates between Nova’s perspective and Arlo’s. Nova’s point of view is the main core of the plot, while Arlo’s is presented in short poems he writes to process his experiences and emotions. It’s a fascinating interplay.
Targeted toward young teens, the book is an easy read with a fitting amount of action and surprisingly thought-provoking themes. The author paints a mystical, captivating world full of bioluminescence and moon magic. Relationships unfold with an emphasis on family love, sweet friendship, stubborn loyalty, and a tentative romance.
Perhaps what drew me most to this story is its emphasis on beauty and goodness in a world of devastation. Both Nova and Arlo undergo deep loss and are faced with grim evil, but their journey includes an encounter with a powerful force of good that inspires profound hope. The book is not overtly faith-based, but, to borrow a phrase from CS Lewis, it “baptizes the imagination” and draws the reader’s heart toward wonder, joy, and goodness.
November 17, 2025
This reads kind of in between MG and YA. I found it a pleasant story, and one I wanted to return to often. Like a relaxing, comfort read. It’s a Sci-fi fantasy story taking place on a whimsical planet called Lyra that is being taken over by darkness. Like a kind of pest-host environment. I enjoyed the glowing mushrooms and other neat flora and fauna of the planet. The jellyfish and Moon Bear were particularly cool. The MC, Nova, was a great character that grows in strength and purpose as the story progresses. The blossoming romance between her and Arlo was cute. But if I’m honest, I liked Eris more for his maturity and depth of friendship with Nova. As Arlo came into his own though despite his inner struggles, he did show some good qualities and I didn’t find him as much of a downer. I thought the concept with the poetry for some chapters and the threads idea was unique! I liked that. And a side character I absolutely adored and wished we saw more of was that old woman who helps them. Her name escapes me right now. But she was amusing, and fun to read about. All in all, this was sweet and heartening, and I could see that distinction between good and evil and light prevailing over darkness. I recommend this to those who enjoy a clean, Sci-Fi adventure with important messages about never giving up, and finding hope in what seems impossible.
January 30, 2024
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
I immensely enjoyed this book. From the unique and lush worldbuilding to the lyrical prose, and haunting poetry, Barnett captured the mood and magic of dreams. I’ve never picked up a “science fantasy” before, but it’s exactly what it sounds like. Not quiet science fiction, and not quite fantasy, but she blends both genres so seamlessly. I loved the magic, the heartache, and the romance so immensely, it felt like sinking into a book rather than reading it.
While I enjoyed the romance tied together through a dream connection, my favorite element of this book had to be Barnette’s world-building. The planet Lyra is haunted by "the Void" a light and life sucking entity enshrouding the planet in darkness. Yet, luminous flora and fauna bring this world together in such a lush and atmospheric setting, I couldn't get enough. She created a dream-like planet and painted it with such vivid brushstrokes, that I had no problem being whisked away to this other realm.
While the book did take me a few chapters to get into it, I had no problem delving into the second half of the book and devouring it quickly.
Beautifully written and cannot recommend it enough for the tween and teen readers in your life!
I immensely enjoyed this book. From the unique and lush worldbuilding to the lyrical prose, and haunting poetry, Barnett captured the mood and magic of dreams. I’ve never picked up a “science fantasy” before, but it’s exactly what it sounds like. Not quiet science fiction, and not quite fantasy, but she blends both genres so seamlessly. I loved the magic, the heartache, and the romance so immensely, it felt like sinking into a book rather than reading it.
While I enjoyed the romance tied together through a dream connection, my favorite element of this book had to be Barnette’s world-building. The planet Lyra is haunted by "the Void" a light and life sucking entity enshrouding the planet in darkness. Yet, luminous flora and fauna bring this world together in such a lush and atmospheric setting, I couldn't get enough. She created a dream-like planet and painted it with such vivid brushstrokes, that I had no problem being whisked away to this other realm.
While the book did take me a few chapters to get into it, I had no problem delving into the second half of the book and devouring it quickly.
Beautifully written and cannot recommend it enough for the tween and teen readers in your life!
February 10, 2024
I was thrilled to receive an ARC copy of this beauty and I finished it in no time!
Where to begin! Emily Barnett’s whimsy absolutely shines in this novel. The illustrious world-building makes it all too easy to step into the beautiful, albeit hurting, planet of Lyra. From the creatures to the flora to the way things work on Nova’s home planet, the creativity flourishes, pulling you in right away.
Nova is an immediately endearing heroine full of spunk. Her bravery and inner-growth throughout the novel will inspire many a young reader. Admittedly, I was most excited to read Arlo’s chapters in poetic prose. I’ve only seen this done one other time in a novel and Emily did not disappoint! Arlo’s old-soul and deep waters really pull on your heartstrings. Considering all he has going on in his personal life (no spoilers!) I love that we got to experience him through poetry. It was definitely a risk to take in a debut novel and I’m so glad she did!
Filled with courage, found-family and dreams (among many others) Thread of Dreams is the perfect story for readers looking for a light in the dark.
Where to begin! Emily Barnett’s whimsy absolutely shines in this novel. The illustrious world-building makes it all too easy to step into the beautiful, albeit hurting, planet of Lyra. From the creatures to the flora to the way things work on Nova’s home planet, the creativity flourishes, pulling you in right away.
Nova is an immediately endearing heroine full of spunk. Her bravery and inner-growth throughout the novel will inspire many a young reader. Admittedly, I was most excited to read Arlo’s chapters in poetic prose. I’ve only seen this done one other time in a novel and Emily did not disappoint! Arlo’s old-soul and deep waters really pull on your heartstrings. Considering all he has going on in his personal life (no spoilers!) I love that we got to experience him through poetry. It was definitely a risk to take in a debut novel and I’m so glad she did!
Filled with courage, found-family and dreams (among many others) Thread of Dreams is the perfect story for readers looking for a light in the dark.
January 11, 2024
Emily Barnett has written a story that draws you into a beautiful alien world of moonscapes and darknights, a world with no sun and no sickness. It’s a world alive with ingenuity and commonality of people working hard to survive without their sun, to hold off a darkness that is trying to consume, trying to infect, trying to feed its insatiable appetite.
Woven into that world is a story of an alien-girl that is oh so relatable who wins the heart of a boy in another part of the galaxy. Are they cursed to be almost together?
Barnett’s story has so much more depth than just a sweet love story. It’s so much more than coming of age. It’s so much more than finding truth hidden behind lies. This is a story of facing ones fears and finding you are so much more than you ever imagined. This is a story of an unlikely few saving a civilization.
It is an innocent romance with some innocent kissing. I don't love sappy romance, but I loved this book, because it's a great story with relatable truths where good prevails.
Woven into that world is a story of an alien-girl that is oh so relatable who wins the heart of a boy in another part of the galaxy. Are they cursed to be almost together?
Barnett’s story has so much more depth than just a sweet love story. It’s so much more than coming of age. It’s so much more than finding truth hidden behind lies. This is a story of facing ones fears and finding you are so much more than you ever imagined. This is a story of an unlikely few saving a civilization.
It is an innocent romance with some innocent kissing. I don't love sappy romance, but I loved this book, because it's a great story with relatable truths where good prevails.
January 31, 2024
“Dream again, little flame. Do not fear.” I ABSOLUTELY enjoyed Emily Barnett’s Thread of Dreams! Thank you @Owlsnest for the ARC! Such a beautiful story! The character development, pacing of the story, and descriptions were all very well done! I truly felt as if I were on the planet of Lyra. The author’s descriptions of the workings and life on Lyra were so creative and delightful to read about. Arlo’s poetry throughout the story was excellent-it gave him a unique voice, and made his struggles more poignant. Everything about Nova’s journey to defeat the Void and her realization that there is something greater than the darkness continually reminded me of the truth and hope we have been given in Christ: “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” I love stories that are filled with redemption, truth and beauty, and I was so grateful to read this lovely book that exemplifies those things and more. Thank you Emily Barnett for sharing your incredible story! And thank you Owls Nest and your amazing writers for the wonderful work you guys are doing!
February 7, 2024
*I was given and advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review *
This book was lovely. A story of good vs evil, a corrupt government, a resistance, a love triangle (but truly the healthiest least annoying love triangle I’ve ever experienced), dreams clashing with reality, all based in a world with glowing mushrooms, constant darkness and jellyfish that fly through the sky.
One of my favorite things about this story is the realness of the character’s struggles. These aren’t characters who are over dramatizing their emotional trauma or situations. They are characters who are just trying to do the most right thing in hard situations. I love the story of sisters, the healthy romantic relationships, and friendships. This story shows that even in a happy ending, things don’t always end how we want or how we think they need to for us to be happy.
But the ending was truly the sweetest part. Love love lovethis story!
This book was lovely. A story of good vs evil, a corrupt government, a resistance, a love triangle (but truly the healthiest least annoying love triangle I’ve ever experienced), dreams clashing with reality, all based in a world with glowing mushrooms, constant darkness and jellyfish that fly through the sky.
One of my favorite things about this story is the realness of the character’s struggles. These aren’t characters who are over dramatizing their emotional trauma or situations. They are characters who are just trying to do the most right thing in hard situations. I love the story of sisters, the healthy romantic relationships, and friendships. This story shows that even in a happy ending, things don’t always end how we want or how we think they need to for us to be happy.
But the ending was truly the sweetest part. Love love lovethis story!
March 4, 2024
I received an ARC of this book and am happy to share my review!
Firstly, I loved the world building. Lyra is a fascinating place and Ms. Barnett does a great job explaining how the “magic system” works. I also love the descriptions of the plants and animals on Lyra. It’s so imaginative and it makes me happy to picture them. I also thought the story itself was a very interesting one. I loved the use of dreams. I also really loved the theme of light chasing out the darkness and the goodness working in spite of weakness. If I’m being vague it’s because I’m trying not to spoil too much, but those are some of my favorite themes to find in books.
It’s not a perfect book, but it is a good one. Definitely worth recommending for those looking for a good clean YA fantasy!
Content warning: It’s very clean. There’s little to mention. Made up swear words and some parental abandonment.
Firstly, I loved the world building. Lyra is a fascinating place and Ms. Barnett does a great job explaining how the “magic system” works. I also love the descriptions of the plants and animals on Lyra. It’s so imaginative and it makes me happy to picture them. I also thought the story itself was a very interesting one. I loved the use of dreams. I also really loved the theme of light chasing out the darkness and the goodness working in spite of weakness. If I’m being vague it’s because I’m trying not to spoil too much, but those are some of my favorite themes to find in books.
It’s not a perfect book, but it is a good one. Definitely worth recommending for those looking for a good clean YA fantasy!
Content warning: It’s very clean. There’s little to mention. Made up swear words and some parental abandonment.
March 27, 2024
Two worlds linked by strange rips in space and time. A boy and a girl who aren't supposed to meet but find each other in a dream.
Emily Barnett has such a way with words! Her writing captures the dreamy, otherworldly lyrical feel of the story so perfectly. It draws the reader to Lyra, a planet with moon magic, strange and wonderful bioluminescent creatures, and dream Threads. But amidst the beauty there is danger too, a darkness intent on devouring everything in its path.
I loved that the story makes time for quiet, beautiful moments in the midst of all the action and adventure. I loved the depth of relationships, not just romantically but between family and friends. That's such an important aspect to include in a YA book. I loved the innocence and hope woven into the story even though the characters have to deal with some dark and difficult things.
Thread of Dreams is heartfelt, beautiful and full of warmth. Definitely a book I hope my kids read someday.
Emily Barnett has such a way with words! Her writing captures the dreamy, otherworldly lyrical feel of the story so perfectly. It draws the reader to Lyra, a planet with moon magic, strange and wonderful bioluminescent creatures, and dream Threads. But amidst the beauty there is danger too, a darkness intent on devouring everything in its path.
I loved that the story makes time for quiet, beautiful moments in the midst of all the action and adventure. I loved the depth of relationships, not just romantically but between family and friends. That's such an important aspect to include in a YA book. I loved the innocence and hope woven into the story even though the characters have to deal with some dark and difficult things.
Thread of Dreams is heartfelt, beautiful and full of warmth. Definitely a book I hope my kids read someday.
April 6, 2025
Thread of Dreams transported me to the bioluminescent world of Lyra in all its wonder and mystery, capturing my heart with its lovable characters - especially Nova and Arlo with their connection that transcends worlds. Together they discover light, goodness, and love in the face of mass darkness and chaos. But more than a sweet romance, this story epitomizes the concept G. K. Chesterton immortalized - “Fairy tales do not tell children dragons exist. Children already know the dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” This adult needed reminded that the dragons can be slayed and that courage can be found by resting in the knowledge of the love I carry both from those who came before and those who still are. Do your heart some good and read this beautiful tale that encapsulates the hope and promise of moral imagination.
February 27, 2024
4 5 stars
.
You know those video clips that tell you to "wait for it," then hit you with disappointment? Well, this "wait for it" story delivers on all of that anticipation! I spent most of the book confused and full of questions, then BAM! everything became clear in the most beautiful way.
.
This Monsters Inc meets Stargate sci-fi adventure was so fun!
.
Read this for:
🧵 a wonderful sister relationship
🧵 alien world
🧵 great character development
🧵 love in all forms
🧵 an infuriating love triangle that leaves you a little broken inside 😂
🧵 lessons in grief and loss
.
Huge thanks to Owl's Nest Publishers for sending me an advanced copy; I really loved this story.
.
Thread of Dreams publishes 3/28/24.
.
You know those video clips that tell you to "wait for it," then hit you with disappointment? Well, this "wait for it" story delivers on all of that anticipation! I spent most of the book confused and full of questions, then BAM! everything became clear in the most beautiful way.
.
This Monsters Inc meets Stargate sci-fi adventure was so fun!
.
Read this for:
🧵 a wonderful sister relationship
🧵 alien world
🧵 great character development
🧵 love in all forms
🧵 an infuriating love triangle that leaves you a little broken inside 😂
🧵 lessons in grief and loss
.
Huge thanks to Owl's Nest Publishers for sending me an advanced copy; I really loved this story.
.
Thread of Dreams publishes 3/28/24.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews