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The Dream Maker
There are three scientific laws of shared
- A mind cannot reach more than a few metres from where it lies.
- A mind cannot host more than two other consciousnesses simultaneously.
- A mind cannot control what it dreams about.
Only Maatje Finkel knows better. To one person these laws mean nothing at all.
***
Eighteen-year-old Maatje is searching for the incredible dream from her childhood; a fantastical hotel created by a mysterious mind that defied every law of shared dreaming. A mind Maatje is convinced can fix her broken family and change the future of dream science.
But she’s not the only one looking for it.
Clandestine powers, dark secrets and a violent fugitive – the trail of the dream maker is rife with destruction and heartbreak. And as reality and dream weave themselves inseparable around her, Maatje is soon tangled in a deadly nightmare that threatens to tear millions of dreamers apart . . .
***
A thrilling YA adventure deep into the uncontainable wonder of the dreaming psyche, as it wrestles with the overwhelming nature of existence; and the waking up to yourself that childhood’s end so spectacularly brings.
Welcome to the world of the dream maker.
Bring a comfy pillow.
- A mind cannot reach more than a few metres from where it lies.
- A mind cannot host more than two other consciousnesses simultaneously.
- A mind cannot control what it dreams about.
Only Maatje Finkel knows better. To one person these laws mean nothing at all.
***
Eighteen-year-old Maatje is searching for the incredible dream from her childhood; a fantastical hotel created by a mysterious mind that defied every law of shared dreaming. A mind Maatje is convinced can fix her broken family and change the future of dream science.
But she’s not the only one looking for it.
Clandestine powers, dark secrets and a violent fugitive – the trail of the dream maker is rife with destruction and heartbreak. And as reality and dream weave themselves inseparable around her, Maatje is soon tangled in a deadly nightmare that threatens to tear millions of dreamers apart . . .
***
A thrilling YA adventure deep into the uncontainable wonder of the dreaming psyche, as it wrestles with the overwhelming nature of existence; and the waking up to yourself that childhood’s end so spectacularly brings.
Welcome to the world of the dream maker.
Bring a comfy pillow.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2024
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Kiera Nixon
2 books2 followersKiera has always been fascinated by the ways words can be used to twist insanity into perfect sense, and thought she better take some responsibility and twist some of it back again.
She can be found at the bottom of any clear body of water and tempted out with a decent story or sandwich.
She can be found at the bottom of any clear body of water and tempted out with a decent story or sandwich.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 8, 2024
The title alone makes you want to read it. Omg did i love this book. If only hoping into someone else's dream, was that easy. Knock on your neighbors door and boom your in their Dream. I would be going and knocking on peoples doors in the middle of the night. How cool is that. I wish it was possible to do this now in the real world.
October 20, 2024
What a fun and fascinating book! Here's some of what it has:
A world where people share adventures with loved ones in their dreams, dreams that both sleepers share. A magic hotel where dreamers can go to heal from their real world troubles. An orphanage run by a man who aims to exploit this cozy dream comfort for his own gains. And a quest to save the world from him and his evil dreamworld accomplice!
Very fun world-building and warm found-family vibes from a debut author. Highly recommended.
A world where people share adventures with loved ones in their dreams, dreams that both sleepers share. A magic hotel where dreamers can go to heal from their real world troubles. An orphanage run by a man who aims to exploit this cozy dream comfort for his own gains. And a quest to save the world from him and his evil dreamworld accomplice!
Very fun world-building and warm found-family vibes from a debut author. Highly recommended.
September 30, 2024
What if stepping into your neighbour’s dream was as easy as knocking on their front door?
I loved this book! Why?
The characters. I really rooted for Maatje and for Will, and empathised with Rachel. And while I found Friederich a bit harder to relate to at first, his motivations were totally understandable.
The questions it raised, and how it did that. Yes, it’s about a scenario that couldn’t (currently???) happen, but the dilemmas it presents are very recognisable from real life. It was set up so I sympathised at first with the dream research that Maatje did, only to be thrown the other way as I was let into Friederich’s objections to the work. And while it soon became clear that the way the research centre used dream study, and dreamers, was totally unethical, the story was spun skilfully to show me how the power to move between dreams had potential not just for evil and power, but also for comfort and for rescue.
The clever timeline, where we alternated between past and present. This switch, forward and backwards, answers questions about how past and present stories are linked, only to throw up more questions. I thought it was clever the way the past timeline jumped through time more quickly in order to catch up with the present.
The dreams themselves, where the music of a violin draws Maatje towards a magical, joy-filled, food-filled hotel which has room for everyone, and a door that really shouldn’t be opened.
Thoroughly recommended.
I loved this book! Why?
The characters. I really rooted for Maatje and for Will, and empathised with Rachel. And while I found Friederich a bit harder to relate to at first, his motivations were totally understandable.
The questions it raised, and how it did that. Yes, it’s about a scenario that couldn’t (currently???) happen, but the dilemmas it presents are very recognisable from real life. It was set up so I sympathised at first with the dream research that Maatje did, only to be thrown the other way as I was let into Friederich’s objections to the work. And while it soon became clear that the way the research centre used dream study, and dreamers, was totally unethical, the story was spun skilfully to show me how the power to move between dreams had potential not just for evil and power, but also for comfort and for rescue.
The clever timeline, where we alternated between past and present. This switch, forward and backwards, answers questions about how past and present stories are linked, only to throw up more questions. I thought it was clever the way the past timeline jumped through time more quickly in order to catch up with the present.
The dreams themselves, where the music of a violin draws Maatje towards a magical, joy-filled, food-filled hotel which has room for everyone, and a door that really shouldn’t be opened.
Thoroughly recommended.
January 5, 2025
This lovely light read is so memorable because of its unique magical world of dreams and dream science. The book is well-paced, gripping, and full of relatable characters. I found myself very invested in their struggles and interested in what would happen next. The author has interesting things to say about working together and questioning authority. This is a fantastic read for the YA audience and slightly older, offering a relatable read for parents and young people.
I can't wait to read more from this author!
I can't wait to read more from this author!
September 30, 2024
Lucky to have had the opportunity to read this as an arc.
Loved the unusual concept - it kept me hooked from the minute I heard it.
What a fantastic debut!
Loved the unusual concept - it kept me hooked from the minute I heard it.
What a fantastic debut!
January 18, 2026
This book was so easy to read. Fast-paced, short chapters, multiple points of view and lots of action. Then and now perspectives were skillfully woven together in a way that dovetailed so well.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews