The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising

by John Nassari

The Dream Dark Rising, an epic fantasy adventure.

Book one of the Dream Traveller Series.

Girvyn is unaware he possesses a unique he can enter people's dreams, identifying him as a Dream Traveller.

Girvyn aspires to follow in his uncle’s scholarly footsteps. Yet, his future veers off course when a dream entangles his fate with a forest tribe ravaged by demons, led by the rogue Traveller, Crane. Crane has long schemed to merge his nightmarish realm with the Waking world, a plan exposed by a lone survivor's harrowing tale. Crane's vulnerability lies in his physical form; destroying it would disperse his demonic legions. While some advocate for a global military alliance against him, others see hope in young Girvyn, who controls a mysterious and deadly gateway.

However, uncle Laglen fears Girvyn is not prepared for such a grave role. Girvyn must master his emerging abilities to navigate a destiny that binds him to an epic struggle between dreams and reality.

With the world teetering on collapse, can Queen Amelia of Rathnell and her sworn protector, Elaya Faith, persuade other nations to join forces to assault Crane’s northern fortress, or will the fate of the waking world rest on the shoulders of a young scholar?



An action-packed epic dark fantasy that fans of Inception, The Witcher, Sandman, and The Matrix will thoroughly enjoy.

'The Dream Dark Rising' invites readers into a world where the boundary between dreams and reality blurs.

Finalist Best Fantasy Writing Award, Page Turner Award 2022.

Genres: Fantasy

570 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

By day, John Nassari is a London-based photographer; by night, he is a passionate fantasy writer.

John’s love for fantasy literature began in his teenage years, inspiring a lifelong dedication to storytelling. His debut novel, The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising, was released on May 7, 2024, and quickly gained recognition.


Literary awards:

2025 Finalist in the 19th Annual National Indie Excellence® Awards.
2025 Ozma Long List For Fantasy Fiction
2025 Finalist YA Fantasy - General, Readers' Favourite.
2024 Book Award Finalist, Page Turner Awards.
2024 Silver Medal, General Fiction, eLit Awards.

The Audible version of the novel, narrated by the talented voice artist Peter Kenny, received critical acclaim in November 2024, earning Silver in the prestigious eLit Awards.

John has plans to publish 5 more books in the Dream Traveller series.

Reviews

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising is a book about our MMC, named Girvyn who is a Dream Traveller who can enter other people's dreams. My own husband has experience with traveling into friend's dreams who did confirm this happening and I know neither one lies, especially my husband who is neurodiverse. This is book one in the Dream Traveller series by the author John Nassari.
The story begins with Hazel whose father is taken by some kind of weird monkey/ape like creature and she is left wondering what happened to him. What a powerful opening to this book! Girvyn then takes over as our narrator and starts talking about his dreams and how he is able to walk into others dreams and he meets a powerful being of light. Girvyn carves what he saw in the dream out of wood and tries to sell his pieces in the market to make money for his family. Girvyn lives with his Uncle in town, he has no other family. His Uncle finds out one day that he can dream travel. And so can his Uncle and his Uncle's acquaintances. I found the concept to be interesting for a reader who has experience with Dream Travellers in real life or just in fantasy reading. There is a lot of political intrigue also in the book involving royal families and Crane, the purple robed traveller who travels on his own and not always safely. I enjoyed the fast paced writing in this book and also the well described descriptions and more from the author.

I highly recommend this book to fans of dream traveling books, fantasy, and some realism mixed in with their reads also. This was a highly enjoyable read and I can not wait to read more and find out what happens to Hazel and Girvyn in the next installments of the series this year!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.

This book is the first in the Dream Traveller Dark fantasy series. The protagonist, Girvyn, is a Dream Traveller and can enter the dreams of others. I've always been fascinated by dreams, which is why the book’s description held some appeal for me. The author creates a whole world here for the reader, and I found myself drawn into that world as I followed its characters.

At times, I found the atmosphere to be eerie and otherworldly, and the concept of Dream Travellers was something that I found to be clever and complex. The book seemed a little too long to read in one sitting, and yet, once I was drawn into this world, I found that I was a little reluctant to leave. I also think that part of the reason I chose this was because I wanted something that would challenge me; something I could sink my bookish teeth into, that was different from my usual genres. It was worth it.

Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend.

The dream traveller by John Nassari.
Dark rising.
I did like the cover and blurb of this book. I really did enjoy this book. I read in two sittings. I did like Girvyn. I really didn't like Crane. He was evil. I liked the writing style and the story. I'm looking forward to the next book. Recommend

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love dream magic tangled with court intrigue and a villain who thrives in the shadows, this one’s for you.

Girvyn is a young scholar who discovers he’s one of the rare Dream Travellers, able to step inside the dreams of others. His gift quickly pulls him into a dangerous conflict with Crane, a rogue Dream Traveller whose nightmares threaten to spill into the waking world. There’s political scheming, queens and courts, and plenty of secrets waiting to unravel.

I loved the originality of the dream magic and how it blended with the political side of the story. The world felt vivid and layered, and I really liked watching Girvyn figure out the responsibility that comes with his power. A few sections slowed down with heavy detail, but overall it was a creative and engaging read that has me curious for what comes next in the series.

⭐ 3.5–4

Tropes you’ll find:
🌙 Rare power / chosen one
👑 Court politics
🌀 Dreams vs reality
⚔️ Villain with dangerous ambition
💫 Coming of age

[Leon Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising" by John Nassari isn't just another run-of-the-mill fantasy novel; it's a mesmerizing journey into a world where dreams and reality collide in an epic battle of good versus evil. From the very first chapter, Nassari grips readers with a seamless blend of conflict and imagination that keeps you hooked until the very end.

What sets this debut novel apart is its richly developed world and multi-dimensional characters. Nassari doesn't just focus on the central protagonist; every character, from the main cast to the supporting roles, is meticulously crafted and contributes to the depth and realism of the story. The additional world-building, with its warring kingdoms, political intrigue, and compelling subplots, elevates the narrative to new heights, offering readers a fantasy experience that goes beyond the ordinary.

The pacing of the story is relentless, with action-packed scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. Yet, amidst the battles and magic, Nassari also weaves in thought-provoking themes about ethics, responsibility, and the power of imagination. The characters are distinct and believable, with even the villains leaving a lasting impression.

Nassari's writing style is masterful, drawing readers into a fully-formed world that feels alive and immersive. The seamless transition between the waking world and the realm of dreams adds an extra layer of intrigue, reminiscent of the mind-bending adventures of "Inception" and "The Matrix."

Overall, "The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising" is a fantastic debut novel that will captivate fans of fantasy and adventure alike. With its gripping storyline, well-developed characters, and boundary-pushing imagination, Nassari has set the stage for an exciting new series. I eagerly anticipate the next installment and highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an unforgettable journey into the fantastical realms of the mind.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was instantly drawn to this one by the creepy looking front cover - but other than it standing out, it didn't really give too much away - especially with the title too.

I think I was expecting something a little darker, but this turned out to be a really intriguing and unique fantasy story which I really enjoyed.

 

I'm not the biggest fantasy reader, but I do love it when I dive in and become immersed in the new world and become invested in the battles that the characters have to face - and this was no exception.

 

There were a lot of characters to get to grips with, which I think is often why I struggle with fantasy, but after a few introductions and interactions, I found it easy enough to spot the main players in this storyline.

 

The world building is another thing that can often drag me down and slow the pace of fantasy reading for me, but here, this was done really well, weaving the world building within the storyline throughout and we learn about both the awake and the dream realms and the dream traveller powers, along with Girvyn, our main character.

 

As with most fantasy books, this book forms the start of a new series and as such we are aware that this is just beginning - leaving us on a cliffhanger...

The storyline flowed nicely and there was plenty going on throughout, but as the tensions build and Girvyn is just coming into his powers, he and his companions realise that this could just be the a start of their troubles.

 

A strong start to what I think will be a great series and it's certainly one that I'm now invested in - I'll be watching out and ready to dive into book 2 on its release.

 

 

 

[Jessica Juby | jesshidesinbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gifted print copy was received through Zooloos's Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the multiple layers of this story, the political elements balancing out the coming-of-age angst of teenage Girvyn. We dive straight into the action but the book as a whole is slower/mid-paced, with lots of dialogue and discussions/planning. The few action scenes are welcome but there's such a huge world and magic system to build up that it needs the time to build everything out.

I couldn't help but think of Anakin Skywalker whenever I read Girvyn's POV; how one wrong move could easily set him on a dark path and that was really intriguing, keeping me reading to see how his character would be shaped.

I'm glad this was a multi POV narrative as it adds layers and complexities to the story that a teenage boy would be naive about and become too unreliable to tell the full story.

While I didn't feel any emotional connect to a particular character because of the multi-POV dynamics, the wickedness of Crane and the horrors that he wrought came through clearly, and he quickly became a character to easily loathe.

It was interesting seeing Girvyn come to grips with his powers but I would've liked him to fail a little more. On the whole he was an irritating character for me but I think that stemmed from his cockiness and naivety.

This is a well thought out narrative with the author's passion shining through. A great, meaty fantasy tale to get deep into with strong foundations in an intriguing concept.

[Priyanka M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an epic fantasy adventure that will keep you hooked from start to finish. With its richly developed world, multi-dimensional characters, and relentless pacing, this debut novel sets a new standard for fantasy storytelling.

You'll be swept away by the battles, magic, and politics, but what really sets this story apart its thought-provoking themes and masterful world-building. The characters are believable and distinct, with even the villains leaving a lasting impression.

Nassari's writing style is immersive and engaging, drawing you into a fully-formed world that feels alive. The seamless transition between the waking world and the realm of dreams adds an extra layer of intrigue, making this story a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure.

Overall, an engaging and captivating read for epic fantasy lovers

[Fatguyreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising is a real epic fantasy, in the truest sense of the phrase.

It's definitely not your average fantasy novel, it's more fantasy/ Sci-Fi, and the story really does hit the ground running, as does the pace, which starts fast, and really does keep up until the very last page.

For a debut novel, I must say, this is an incredible start to a writing career. If you're a fan of Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time, Star Wars, Dune, the list goes on, this is the read for you.

The world building is sweeping and masterful, the characters are deep and feel real, and the storyline complex and imaginative.

Just wonderful escapism that really will have you gripped and turning the pages long after you should have gone to sleep.

A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.

[Michele The Stick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full star removal for leaving me in a place.

It had a slow start and was difficult to invest in the story. It was character driven rather than plot forward, which is typically tough for me, especially when there are multiple POVs.

It's an interesting world and magic system, fraught with political tension.

Political plots can sometimes spend a lot of time telling rather than showing viewpoints due to the vast history needed to understand the current climate. This book suffered from that.

The plot itself, when finally presented, was interesting and might be just the thing for the right reader.

[Rachel Zaffina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an ARC through Reedsy Discovery, and I'm so glad I did because it was well worth the read.

"Dream Traveller: Dark Rising" is the first book in an epic dark fantasy series that follows Girvyn, a 14-year old boy, who discovers he can not only enter other people’s dreams but manipulate his own. With this newly realized power, he is guided by his uncle Laglan to wield it responsibly and morally in lieu of the rising threat posed by Cane, a Dream Traveller wielding his powers for destruction. Political intrigue ensues as nations convene at a summit to address this threat, revealed by the sole survivor of a village massacre Cane orchestrated. With political tensions high and the threat increasing as Cane’s demonic minions attack the capital, the Queen’s Protector devises a plan with Laglan and fellow Dream Travellers to stop Cane before any more lives are lost.

For being a debut novel, Nassari’s rich worldbuilding possesses the complexity of a seasoned writer, and creates an immersive experience that treads the line between fantasy and science fiction. The fact that he spent 34 years writing this book, the immense amount of detail depicting the Dream Realm and the extensive landscape his story takes place in is not surprising. The plot develops smoothly and details of the world are revealed subtly through dialogue as well as the multiple POV’s that switch each chapter. This imaginative story blurs the lines between dreams and reality, and creates a psychological narrative that pairs well with the terrifying action sequences.

But more than that, Nassari takes this epic fantasy deeper by addressing conflicts of morality and human nature, which he employs through a complex cast of characters like Laglan. By mentoring Girvyn in his Dream Traveller abilities, he is forced to face his struggle with using the Dream Realm as an escape from reality. Much of his tutelage springs from his past mistakes and expresses the dangerous lure the Dream Realm has towards escaping reality. In this way, Nassari brilliantly uses the Dream Realm to show how a tangible use of the imagination can appeal to the good and bad sides of human nature. This is also portrayed through the political tensions between the emissaries present at the summit. Nassari describes a diverse geopolitical landscape that feels believable, and shines a candid light on the greed and prejudices of those in power seeking to use the Dream Traveller’s abilities for their own political gain.

However, as engaging as the plot is, I found some of the characters difficult to connect with. Particularly Girvyn, who navigates his new powers with ease and resolves conflicts with little struggle; qualities characteristic of the Overpowered Character Trope. This may simply be a personal preference, because Nassari does set expectations earlier on that Girvyn is a “child genius” and possesses an intellect far superior to many of his older peers. But his quick adeptness with overcoming various new challenges, especially juxtaposed with Laglan’s struggle to confront the guilt of his past and quit his escapist tendencies makes Girvyn’s successes less satisfying.

The switching POV’s each chapter among the main and side characters alike also creates an interesting blend of perspectives that propel the story forward. However, many characters are introduced with extensive exposition that tells more than shows their qualities. As much as this writing style shows how fully-formed the characters are, it also slows down the pace and as a result can disengage the reader from the story. However, the slower pace works in the book’s favor because it allows the reader to fully absorb the psychological narrative expressed through the deeper dive into the morality and ethics of each character.

All in all, this book provided a very thought-provoking read that I wasn’t expecting compared to other books I’ve read within the fantasy genre. If you enjoy stories that address the complexities of morality and human nature or the extensive worldbuilding like that of "The Witcher", then you’ll enjoy this book.

Happy Reading,
Rachel Z.

[Conrad Cheney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The Dream Traveller hits the ground running at a furious pace, straight into the the action and you are gripped. This pace is, unlike many books, sustained from page one to the end with no let up.
Girvyn et al are superbly realised and fully fleshed out characters, no mere cyphers or place fillers to be found.
John Nassari has found a winning style and class that is uniquely his own, creating an incredibly detailed, described and thought out world for you to escape into, apparantly effortlessly on the author's behalf, a rare talent indeed.
The author manages to weave complex story strands that draw on many areas of literature deftly into an easy to read, but far from slight, story that deserves further volumes - a saga in the making of epic proportions.
Mr. Nassari's prose is superb, very modern in style, managing to somehow be both economic and very descriptive simultaneously.
Overall, I loved this book, it is original, very well written, it draws you in and leaves you wanting more. The author is a very exciting new talent I think will swiftly create a fan base of dream travellers, eager for the next instalment. This book (and hopefully more to come) is superb and would also be a perfect blueprint for a film or series thereof, as well as being a thoroughly modern entertaining piece of literature, well done Mr. Nassari!

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1/3/2024: Love this! Thank you John for the copy! Full review to come when my laptop is charged 😅🤣

1/6/2024: Full review!
If you're into Dark Fantasy then you need to check out this book!

Girvyn, a 14-year-old who discovers he can travel into dreams— not just his own, but other people’s too. He’s thrown into this wild journey to stop Crane, a villain using the Dream Realm to bring nightmares into reality. Think The Matrix meets Game of Thrones with some epic action, political drama, and moral dilemmas thrown in.

The world-building is fantastic—you’ve got warring kingdoms, a tangible dreamscape, and these deep, flawed characters. Girvyn’s story is intense, but his uncle Laglan’s personal struggles really hit home. The book dives into human nature, responsibility, and the dangerous allure of escapism. Plus, the writing is amazing.

My only gripes: Girvyn is way too good at everything and some parts drag, but don't all fantasy books? If you’re into stories with complex worlds, moral stakes, and a good dose of action, you’ll love this. I'm already looking forward to reading more by John Nassari.

Edit to add: I have been informed we get to learn more about Girvyn in book two!

[Rose Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lent a copy of this book and was immediately hooked into the exciting pace and imaginative storyline. I downloaded my own copy and have reread it more slowly enjoying the dark, quirky humour and development of idiosyncratic characters with all their flaws and past traumas. It is a complex story with much drama but the world building is as gradual and clear as a good maths tutor. I felt led carefully into the next book by some hints that the distinction between goodies and baddies may be blurred as the plot deepens into an existential crisis for humanity.

Two of the quotes I liked:

“Possibilities bounced around his mind like a trapped fly”

“Sometimes the solitude of reflection intensified the pressure in his chest, making the cycle of catastrophic thinking more acute and unrelenting. But talking with his uncle had a grounding, calming effect that carried the stress away like flowing water”

A great debut novel.

[Ash_reads24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC read

Dream traveller- Dark rising

4.5 stars ⭐️

Absolutely loved reading this book! It’s giving Star Wars vs game of thrones. It’s such an amazing concept which I knew it would be from the title and John did an amazing job at drawing us in to such a character cast. I loved the action packed beginning which had me hooked! The world building was really good. A battle of good versus evil done really well. The ending had me shocked and I would 💯 read the next in the series John smashed this as his debut novel and honestly as a non sc-fi reader I am so glad I took the plunge to read this as I honestly think it will appeal to any fantasy reader! I hybrid read this with the Audiobook and it was chefs kiss roll on book 2!

[Michelle Hunter-Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising
By John Nassari

I loved everything about this book, from the cover (so dark and mysterious), to the well developed characters. The idea of a dream world that some can enter at will I found intriguing. There was a lot of world building, which is necessary with such a complex story. But there was also plenty of action to keep the reader engaged. I enjoyed John Nassari’s writing style and I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.

I reviewed this book as part of a book tour for @zooloosbooktours. All views are my own and independent.

[Laura Payne-Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Tolkien when I was 15 at school, 30 years ago (way before the movie franchise) and it made me feel the same as this book, a new world awaiting. A dream world, a masterful blend of fantasy and social commentary, reminiscent of Tolkien's rich world-building but set against the backdrop of contemporary issues - what a triumph!!!

And I read it all in under 2 days.

[Diane Schwarzkopf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. It was a great read!

[Georgia Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as a Christmas present, and I am so glad I read it. It drew me in from the first page and didn’t let up. I agree with many of the reviews here that it’s a mix of fantasy and sci-fi, and there are some dark themes – missing children, a demon army – but underlying all of that is the terror of carrying unlimited power, something the main character, Girvyn, faces.

Some people might not relate, but I thought he was great as the young, innocent, awkward teen. How does one not relate to that? He reminded me of Simon from Dragonbone Chair—underdeveloped, inexperienced, awakening youth —but with a good heart. What struck me most was that everyone was flawed, and therefore relatable. Crane, the villain, was terrifying.

It was more character driven rather than action. But there was enough action to keep me reading - and some thrilling action sequences.

I am not sure I saw that many tropes. Yes, a young reluctant hero who has lost his parents - so what, that's a trope that's timeworn and works.

What an interesting concept the story presents! The world created felt real and tangible. There were definitely themes reminiscent of Game of Thrones – warring factions. It felt like a cross between medieval fantasy and The Matrix, Star Wars, Inception, and postmodern films that deal with replication and digital identities.

I really enjoyed it and can't wait to see where book 2 goes.

Who the hell is Sunfire?!!!!

[Catherine Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy via GoodReads giveaways*

I need to admit it took me a little bit to really get into the story, but once I did I was INVESTED. The last 25% of the book had me on the edge of my seat. So excited to read what comes next with this series.

[Kayla Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

This book is just not for me... The writing is good, but it just did not grab my attention. The character building was good

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dream Traveller by John Nassari is a captivating and imaginative journey into a world where dreams hold incredible power. At the heart of this enthralling tale is Girvyn, a young boy who begins to manifest extraordinary dream powers, setting the stage for a story filled with wonder, suspense, and adventure.

Nassari’s concept of dream travelers, who are able to create entire dreamscapes of worlds with their imagination while they sleep, is executed with remarkable creativity and depth. The narrative’s pacing is well judged, pulling readers in and keeping them engaged from start to finish as Girvyn and his companions navigate their unique abilities and the challenges they face.

The main antagonist is both chilling and compelling, having discovered a way to bring the barrier between the dream world and reality. His power to bring nightmarish creations into the real world and abduct people to fuel his dark forces adds a layer of suspense and urgency that keeps the stakes high and the tension palpable.

One of the most impressive aspects of The Dream Traveller is Nassari’s world-building. He crafts a vivid and intricate dreamscape that feels both fantastical and tangible. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. The seamless blending of the dream world with the real world enhances the narrative’s depth, making every moment captivating and significant.

The Dream Traveller is a compelling read that combines imaginative storytelling with strong character development and a gripping plot. Fans of fantasy and adventure will thoroughly enjoy this book. I highly recommend it and look forward to seeing more from Nassari in the future.

[Caroline Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It starts with action not an exposition dump, and this is not a spoiler as it was on the back cover, a tribe is massacred, leaving one survivor to tell the tale. What happens next was mind bending in that the main character witnesses what happens later in a dream. Not knowing he is a Dream Traveller, he learns about his power, while learning about himself. To some extent it's a coming of age story, but it's much more than that. We see a complex medieval setting, a GOT style political set of power struggles and disputes between kingdoms set against a group of people who can invent anything in dreams. The Dream Realm represented many things for me in today's society - almost Matrix like - but with an emphasis of ethics and responsibility on what they might create and why. Despite all this, it moves fast. The characters are distinct and believable, with some thrilling actions scenes and rich female characters - and even the baddies I liked, because they felt believable. We don't see too much of a back story of the main villain but I expect more is to come there. I enjoyed the world building, and was taken away into a magical place and story. The end was such a surprise. Really courageous writing. If you enjoy fantasy, I can't recommend it enough.

[Chris Knapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of being a test reader, and WOW!!! I can honestly say I have read this book more than once. From the opening Chapter to the end, I was gripped. Strong defined characters, rich in world building and an exciting story. I was thoroughly engaged with concept of the Dream Realm, its potential and repercussions. Absolutely superb, and I am ready for more!!!

[James Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping storyline reminiscent of Tolkien's world-building. I appreciated the character development, with a richness to the prose. There was a seamless blend of conflict and imagination. A very clever world created that was both medieval and modern.
Info dumpy in moments, but not enough to deter my high praise.
An excellent start to a series.

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for The Dream Traveller, Dark Rising by John Nassari

I found this story to be a fantastic dark fantasy read and I really enjoyed it. It was suspenseful and mysterious which made it a good read. Uncle Laglen slept a lot which worried Girvyn although he wanted to be a scholar like his uncle and loved reading books on any subject. Often he could be found in the library or doing the housework to keep the house looking clean. When Girvyn sleeps he sometimes passes into other people’s dreams but he doesn’t realise he’s doing it. He’s been in Crane’s dream and watched a forest tribe be ravaged. When Laglen finds out, he realises he must tell Girvyn the truth and teach him how to be a dream traveller rather than let him carry on alone. Elaya has known for a while and been keeping an eye on Laglen and Girvyn. Ideally Girvyn is too young but they can’t see him waiting for a couple of years so it’s better they tackle it now. I found this to be a really intriguing read. I liked the storyline which is enjoyable and holds promise for the future. The synopsis drew me to read this book and I wasn’t disappointed, this was an interesting story. I liked the idea of switching into someone else’s dream and watching what happens, it’s a good idea for a story. I liked Laglen, Elaya and Girvyn as they had a lot to do with the dreams. With all that went on in this book, I’m looking forward to book two.

Blurb :

The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising.

An epic, dark fantasy.
Book one of the Dream Traveller Series.
Girvyn is unaware he possesses a unique gift: he can enter people's dreams, identifying him as a Dream Traveller.
Girvyn aspires to follow in his uncle’s scholarly footsteps. Yet, his future veers off course when a dream entangles his fate with a forest tribe ravaged by demons, led by the rogue Traveller, Crane. Crane has long schemed to merge his nightmarish realm with the Waking world, a plan exposed by a lone survivor's harrowing tale. Crane's vulnerability lies in his physical form; destroying it would disperse his demonic legions. While some advocate for a global military alliance against him, others see hope in young Girvyn, who controls a mysterious and deadly gateway.
However, uncle Laglen fears Girvyn is not prepared for such a grave role. Girvyn must master his emerging abilities to navigate a destiny that binds him to an epic struggle between dreams and reality.
With the world teetering on collapse, can Queen Amelia of Rathnell and her sworn protector, Elaya Faith, persuade other nations to join forces to assault Crane’s northern fortress, or will the fate of the waking world rest on the shoulders of a young scholar?
An action-packed, epic, dark fantasy that fans of Inception, The Witcher, and The Matrix will thoroughly enjoy.
The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising invites readers into a world where the boundary between dreams and reality blurs.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

superstardrifter.com

The Dream Traveller is the story of Girvyn, who is a teenage boy living in a world of druids and magic. What he doesn't know quite yet is that he, like his uncle, is a Dream Traveller, a group of people who can visit people's dreams, and manipulate their own. But more than just being a Dream Traveller, Girvyn can open portals to the dream realm and pull things into reality. There is only one other Traveller who can do this, a (bad) man named Crane who is planning on merging his nightmare realm with the real world. 

It's up to Girvyn to help stop him!

This was a light and quick listen. It's labelled as dark fantasy, but I didn't find it especially dark, personally. There was a lot of action though, and it was easy to just put on and listen to for hours while doing other things, so as an audiobook, I thought it was good. 

I didn't really like Girvyn a lot, though he did grow on me a little bit. I thought he was annoying, but since he is a teenager, he was written well enough to be annoying. I did like Elaya and Hazel, so they kept me invested in the story. There was some political shenanigans intermixed with the coming of age story as well, so that was interesting.  

What kept me listening most of all is that this book was narrated by Peter Kenny. A fantastic narration as always. All the characters had interesting voices and accents. 

This one got a little too infodumpy for me at times, but all told I had a good time with it. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a solid coming of age story, or stories with magic systems built of dream manipulation. I had 3.5/5 stars of a good time with The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising. I may continue the series down the line, if I get a chance!

[FantasyBookNerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dream Traveller: Dark Rising is the first in an intriguing new series by John Nassari.

Set in a medieval world, the story focuses on Girvyn, a young man whose dream worlds become reality.

Opening with an attack on a village in a forest setting by demons and an unknown figure in purple, the land of Rathnell and further beyond its borders come to realise that an unknown assailant is decimating whole villages and stealing the children. Reports abound of monsters and demons attacking the villages.

Surviving the attack on her village, a young girl travels to the Queen’s court to report about the incident.

Meanwhile, Girvyn is plagued by dreams. He witnesses inhabitants forced into a strange land and changed into horrifying monsters. Girvyn soon learns after entering the dream of his uncle that he is a Dream Traveller and that he is able to enter the land of dreams. After being introduced to his power, he soon learns that he is part of a select few who are able to enter the land of dreams and manipulate it to their own will.

This is an enjoyable fantasy novel that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. Nassari builds a complex world that has plenty of adventure and intrigue.

At times, the story uses some well worn tropes and can fall into predictable modes of story telling. In addition to this, it is difficult to determine who the story was aimed at. Having no knowledge of this book, I initially thought it was an adult fantasy, but it soon became clear that this was aimed at young adults.

However, this does not impact on my enjoyment of the story, and I think that this is a good gateway fantasy for those that are just being introduced to the genre.

On the whole this was an enjoyable read that had a solid plot and complex world building and is perfect for those that want get into the fantasy genre.

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I am a big fantasy fan, if my booksta and blog username didn’t give that away. Besides horror (Goosebumps and Point Horror to begin with) I grew up reading, or having fantasy read to me and it’s just stuck. As I got older I learned about dark and grimdark fantasy and it became one of my favourite subgenres. Why am I sharing this? Well the first book in The Dream Traveller series hits this mark perfectly. A brilliant fantasy but with elements of dark fantasy as well it’s everything I look for in a novel of this genre. I won’t lie though the cover drew me in and then the blurb and I am so glad it did.

The writing is fantastic and I loved our main character Girvyn. I loved the world building and the ability of Girvyn and how it is explained and explored. The characters are all well developed and fleshed out in such a way that made them realistic and despite the magic and abilities it never seems overpowered. The world building is also top tier. I love how the line between dreams and reality is explored and how Nassari uses their narrative not only to give us an epic fantasy but to consider the complex relationship between human nature and morality and so much more.

For a start of a fantasy series this was brilliant, and I can’t wait to see where it goes in the second book. If you love fantasy this is 0ne for you with a lavish world and wonderful story telling it will be hard to put this one done once you start.

As always thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic first novel from the clearly very talented John Nassari! Highly recommended for fans of everything from Game of Thrones to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings to Inception, or the Kingkiller Chronicles.

I bought on pre-order, and finished it in 3 days - a real 'unputdownable' story which had me gripped from the get-go. It jumps right into the action, and doesn't really let up until the end. The story comprises many different elements including battles and monsters, politics and double-crossing, forms of magic and even sci-fi.

I found all of the characters very believable, with great names (something often overlooked in fantasy in my opinion) which allowed me to easily get to grips with all the key players and extended cast. The world building was done effortlessly, with the aid of some great maps, meaning that there was no lengthy prelude to the actual story. Girvyn in particular is a very interesting and relatable main character, and his flaws and weaknesses make him both endearing and credible, despite the fantastical nature of his arc.

The ending of the book is a real shock to the system, and has left me avidly awaiting the release of the second in the series.

A heartfelt well done to the author, and I'm very excited to see where the rest of this series takes us... my expectation is that very big things are coming!