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Of Gods and Monsters #1
The Dreammasters
Some nightmares follow you into the waking world
Her nightmares are becoming reality, and someone is using her dreams against her. In the world of ancient Celtic magic, she must answer a terrifying question: can dreams kill?
Forty-five-year-old Aisling Doyle is reeling from two blows: her mother's death and her husband's betrayal. But when she dreams of pushing him down the stairs and wakes to find he died in an identical accident, she realizes her nightmares have become terrifyingly real—and her dreams might be the weapon.
Seeking answers in her ancestral home in Ireland, Aisling discovers her mother's silence hid a dangerous truth—her connection to an ancient line of women descended from a powerful Celtic goddess. Aisling must master her awakening powers to uncover the truth about her dreams before anyone else gets hurt.
With each passing day, the line between dreams and reality blurs further. As Aisling delves deeper into her ancestral legacy, she realizes she's not just fighting for her own survival—she's racing against dark forces that want to control her newfound power.
This book is perfect for readers who love: • Midlife women discovering their true power • Dark Celtic mythology and ancient family legacies • Psychological suspense with supernatural elements • Dreams that blur the line between reality and nightmare • Hidden family histories and dangerous secrets • A blend of contemporary fantasy and Irish folklore
The Dreammasters is the compelling first book in the Of Gods and Monsters paranormal women's fiction series.
Her nightmares are becoming reality, and someone is using her dreams against her. In the world of ancient Celtic magic, she must answer a terrifying question: can dreams kill?
Forty-five-year-old Aisling Doyle is reeling from two blows: her mother's death and her husband's betrayal. But when she dreams of pushing him down the stairs and wakes to find he died in an identical accident, she realizes her nightmares have become terrifyingly real—and her dreams might be the weapon.
Seeking answers in her ancestral home in Ireland, Aisling discovers her mother's silence hid a dangerous truth—her connection to an ancient line of women descended from a powerful Celtic goddess. Aisling must master her awakening powers to uncover the truth about her dreams before anyone else gets hurt.
With each passing day, the line between dreams and reality blurs further. As Aisling delves deeper into her ancestral legacy, she realizes she's not just fighting for her own survival—she's racing against dark forces that want to control her newfound power.
This book is perfect for readers who love: • Midlife women discovering their true power • Dark Celtic mythology and ancient family legacies • Psychological suspense with supernatural elements • Dreams that blur the line between reality and nightmare • Hidden family histories and dangerous secrets • A blend of contemporary fantasy and Irish folklore
The Dreammasters is the compelling first book in the Of Gods and Monsters paranormal women's fiction series.
- GenresFantasy
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2024
35 people are currently reading
2181 people want to read
About the author
K.D. Pryor
6 books70 followersKD Pryor is a traveler and author of intriguing paranormal midlife women's fiction. Her stories reflect her love for mystery, magic, and the supernatural, drawing inspiration from her adventures far from her Midwestern roots. KD and her family have lived in diverse locales including India, Ireland, and New Hampshire and each has left a unique mark on her storytelling.
At the heart of her life are her husband—her plotting partner—and their three grown kids, along with Thunder the cat, who firmly believes he runs the household. KD's passions include coffee, family, warm Irish sweaters, and writing. When not crafting her next tale, she enjoys travel, walking/hiking, basking in a good book with a cup of coffee in hand, and being near water.
Kelley and her husband currently reside in the Phoenix area, where her Irish sweaters don’t get much use and being near water means sitting poolside.
At the heart of her life are her husband—her plotting partner—and their three grown kids, along with Thunder the cat, who firmly believes he runs the household. KD's passions include coffee, family, warm Irish sweaters, and writing. When not crafting her next tale, she enjoys travel, walking/hiking, basking in a good book with a cup of coffee in hand, and being near water.
Kelley and her husband currently reside in the Phoenix area, where her Irish sweaters don’t get much use and being near water means sitting poolside.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 8, 2025
I struggled with this one.
I read a lot in the genre, and perhaps that has led to me feeling so underwhelmed here, but I am finding it hard to put together some positives for The Dreammasters.
I found the plot boring and predictable. The only slightly ‘different’ aspect here was that our MC isn’t the usual teenager/early twenties FMC but rather a middle aged Mum of two. Unfortunately being over double the age of most FMC in this genre didn’t do anything to help Aisling be anything but clueless and useless. I think my biggest complaint here is that I felt Aisling was a distinctly unlikable MC. Her children have just lost their grandmother and now their FATHER. So what does their Mum do? Barely spend any time with them at all after dropping that bombshell, and then disappears across the globe to go live out her ‘self discovery’ daydream that she should have done decades ago or at the very least timed better. I couldn’t get over this. It felt like Aisling was a mother only in name and we were only reminded every few chapters when she would mention them but there was barely any thought or attention given to her children here.
She’s clueless and it’s honestly painful watching her be useless and annoying.
Compounded my dislike of Aisling is the unforgivable ending. I don’t have a problem with cliffhanger endings (they can definitely build anticipation and be really impactful when used correctly) but this felt like a lazy ending. There was absolutely no feeling of this book ‘finishing’ and the cliffhanger felt like it was dropped right as things were working towards their conclusion. There was absolutely no feeling of closure for this book at all. I am not interested in spending anymore time time Aisling and I’m disappointed that we got no conclusion here at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC
I read a lot in the genre, and perhaps that has led to me feeling so underwhelmed here, but I am finding it hard to put together some positives for The Dreammasters.
I found the plot boring and predictable. The only slightly ‘different’ aspect here was that our MC isn’t the usual teenager/early twenties FMC but rather a middle aged Mum of two. Unfortunately being over double the age of most FMC in this genre didn’t do anything to help Aisling be anything but clueless and useless. I think my biggest complaint here is that I felt Aisling was a distinctly unlikable MC. Her children have just lost their grandmother and now their FATHER. So what does their Mum do? Barely spend any time with them at all after dropping that bombshell, and then disappears across the globe to go live out her ‘self discovery’ daydream that she should have done decades ago or at the very least timed better. I couldn’t get over this. It felt like Aisling was a mother only in name and we were only reminded every few chapters when she would mention them but there was barely any thought or attention given to her children here.
She’s clueless and it’s honestly painful watching her be useless and annoying.
Compounded my dislike of Aisling is the unforgivable ending. I don’t have a problem with cliffhanger endings (they can definitely build anticipation and be really impactful when used correctly) but this felt like a lazy ending. There was absolutely no feeling of this book ‘finishing’ and the cliffhanger felt like it was dropped right as things were working towards their conclusion. There was absolutely no feeling of closure for this book at all. I am not interested in spending anymore time time Aisling and I’m disappointed that we got no conclusion here at all.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC
March 6, 2024
Aisling Doyle has night terrors. After her mother dies in a violent way then her husband leaves her for another woman. The next day, he dies from an accident, or was it!?! Her dreams are getting more erratic, and she starts to worry, so she goes home to Ireland to find out about her dreams and heritage that her mother denied her.
Based on Irish folklore, this book is part 1 in a fantasy series, and I really enjoyed it. my only fault is the abrupt ending, so i've now got to wait for the next book!
Actual rating 3.75
Based on Irish folklore, this book is part 1 in a fantasy series, and I really enjoyed it. my only fault is the abrupt ending, so i've now got to wait for the next book!
Actual rating 3.75
March 20, 2024
I really wanted to love this book, but I just DNF'ed. The story took forever to get moving, and by the time it did I was already not willing to continue. I think we tried too hard to introduce a ton of characters within the first chapter. And none of them were likeable. Not even the main character.
The premise is interesting, but I couldn't get into it. Might retry it some other day, but not really.
The premise is interesting, but I couldn't get into it. Might retry it some other day, but not really.
June 25, 2024
THE DREAMMASTERS is book one of the Of Gods and Monsters series. Aisling Doyle is drawn into a dream where she witnesses her mother’s murder. Weeks later, after her husband leaves her for another woman, she is drawn into another dream where she fears she murders her husband when he is found dead the next day.
Dreams of nightmare quality haunted her as a child, but her mother taught her how to block them. Now, her mother has been murdered and someone is influencing her dreams in catastrophic ways.
She flees to Ireland to visit her Granny and aunt and to learn more about this magical dreammaster skill that runs in her family.
THE DREAMMASTERS is full of suspense and magic, twists and surprises, warm and quirky characters. Aisling’s grief, fears and feelings of betrayal are portrayed magnificently. There is a cliffhanger of an ending, and I can’t wait for Book two.
KD Pryor has lived in Ireland, and she offers wonderful descriptions of a magical country. Makes me revisit my bucket list dream to visit Ireland one day!
Dreams of nightmare quality haunted her as a child, but her mother taught her how to block them. Now, her mother has been murdered and someone is influencing her dreams in catastrophic ways.
She flees to Ireland to visit her Granny and aunt and to learn more about this magical dreammaster skill that runs in her family.
THE DREAMMASTERS is full of suspense and magic, twists and surprises, warm and quirky characters. Aisling’s grief, fears and feelings of betrayal are portrayed magnificently. There is a cliffhanger of an ending, and I can’t wait for Book two.
KD Pryor has lived in Ireland, and she offers wonderful descriptions of a magical country. Makes me revisit my bucket list dream to visit Ireland one day!
April 14, 2024
Wow, this is a hauntingly lovely and emotional read.
It starts with the MC's mother's funeral, and it hits all of the emotions you can feel at the death of a loved one. On top of it, she feels her husband pulling away, who then waits all of 3 weeks to tell her he's leaving her since she's 'had enough time' to get over the death.
In a fit of even more grief, and anger, she pushes him down the stairs in a dream, only to wake up to find out he did die at his mistress's house from a fall down the stairs.
This sets her on a quest to find out if the dream she observed when her mother died, and the dream where she killed her husband, are real or just a coincidence from her subconscious.
To find the answer, she has to delve into her mother's past and that requires her to seek her roots in Ireland.
I loved this story. It was lyrical and lovely. The grief feels real and the quirky characters are interesting. Plus, coming to a foreign land, and meeting people that knew your mother, makes it difficult to see all of their motivations.
Aisling must find the someone or something that is messing with her dreams. Dreams she as a descendant of Caer should be able to control. And those dreams are turning deadly.
This is your next PWF must read. It's unique, magical, and has a dark spooky edge. I highly recommend!
It starts with the MC's mother's funeral, and it hits all of the emotions you can feel at the death of a loved one. On top of it, she feels her husband pulling away, who then waits all of 3 weeks to tell her he's leaving her since she's 'had enough time' to get over the death.
In a fit of even more grief, and anger, she pushes him down the stairs in a dream, only to wake up to find out he did die at his mistress's house from a fall down the stairs.
This sets her on a quest to find out if the dream she observed when her mother died, and the dream where she killed her husband, are real or just a coincidence from her subconscious.
To find the answer, she has to delve into her mother's past and that requires her to seek her roots in Ireland.
I loved this story. It was lyrical and lovely. The grief feels real and the quirky characters are interesting. Plus, coming to a foreign land, and meeting people that knew your mother, makes it difficult to see all of their motivations.
Aisling must find the someone or something that is messing with her dreams. Dreams she as a descendant of Caer should be able to control. And those dreams are turning deadly.
This is your next PWF must read. It's unique, magical, and has a dark spooky edge. I highly recommend!
February 29, 2024
Once I started reading this book, I simply could not put it down. Having skimmed reviews before reading, I worried that the MC would be grating - however, her "cluelessness" seems justified. Who among us would immediately adjust and be well-versed in magic and it's nuance after living a mostly-normal life for over four decades?This story is full of magic and mystery, and while one may suss out the villain early on, motives still remain shrouded.
The Dreammasters weaves threads of delightful Irish folklore into an entrancing tale that would intrigue both fantasy and thriller readers alike. This tale packages fairies, family drama, murder mysteries, and delightful Irish accents into one storyline - who could ask for more?
My only complaint after having read this book is that I must now wait for the next novel to come out.
The Dreammasters weaves threads of delightful Irish folklore into an entrancing tale that would intrigue both fantasy and thriller readers alike. This tale packages fairies, family drama, murder mysteries, and delightful Irish accents into one storyline - who could ask for more?
My only complaint after having read this book is that I must now wait for the next novel to come out.
February 29, 2024
Horror isn’t at the top of my favorite genres, but I do like to read it. This title seemed like a mix of horror and urban fantasy, so I eagerly started reading it. It was a little horror-ish, but it’s more like a paranormal mystery on the dark side. I loved the type of magic this universe presents, and I found it very interesting. Aisling, the main character, really struck me as a good character at first. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that she became a “bad” character, but she became what I thought of as tremendously naïve. I know she’d been a little sheltered, but all the pieces of the puzzle were there, and she didn’t see it. That really frustrated me, but it’s a good thing the author can evoke such emotions. LOL! All in all, I really enjoyed this well-written book, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
March 1, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! The Dreammasters had me engaged throughout the entire book; it was hard to put down. I loved the plot of the book, the mystery, and magical system in the book. A 46 year old wife and mother is faced with some recent tragedies and seeks out her long lost family in another country to get answers about her family heritage. She finds out everything is not what it seems when she travels to her grandmothers home in Ireland to find answers regarding a dream she had the night before her mothers death, and continually since her mothers recent passing. The book ends on a cliffhanger leaving me with a lot of questions, and with great anticipation for the next book!
October 10, 2024
The Dreammasters is a fantastic book that brings you into the world of Irish mythology and magic through the eyes of Aisling, a Dreammaster who just found out about her connection to magic. After a series of tragedies, she is introduced to her magical side, and the story begins. I found myself unable to put this book down because I was so intrigued about what would happen next. If you haven't read this yet, you should!
December 18, 2025
This book was intense, because of some scenes in it of violence and how descriptive certain thoughts and memories are. It’s based on Irish folklore, that I have never heard of and am now very intrigued to find out more! It was a very abrupt ending; so I guess I’m in it for book two because I hate the not knowing! lol, I guess you can say this writer got me!
March 16, 2024
Wonderful!
Excellent fantasy, with plenty of originality, based on Irish mythology. This is the first of a series, and I can't wait for the next one. Highly recommended!
Excellent fantasy, with plenty of originality, based on Irish mythology. This is the first of a series, and I can't wait for the next one. Highly recommended!
March 19, 2024
can’t wait for book 2
If you love magic, suspense and intrigue this is the book for you. The characters are well drawn and the plot leaves you guessing
If you love magic, suspense and intrigue this is the book for you. The characters are well drawn and the plot leaves you guessing
December 24, 2025
Great read. Couldn’t wait to read the other two as soon as I was done.
January 9, 2026
First Read
I e never read this author before but she keeps you guessing and keeps you turning the page can’t wait to read the next one.
I e never read this author before but she keeps you guessing and keeps you turning the page can’t wait to read the next one.
January 14, 2026
📢📢📢📢📢
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews