Dreamslinger

Slinger #1

by Graci Kim

Amari and the Night Brothers meets Pokémon in this thrilling start to Graci Kim's brand-new fantasy series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life
Fourteen-year-old Aria Loveridge lives at the Resthaven Home for Dreamslingers, a safe haven for children born with a genetic mutation that transports them to a powerfully magical realm while they sleep. But this magic can be unpredictable—even deadly. After all, it was only ten years ago when members of the Royal League of Dreamslingers caused the Great Outburst—a tragedy that killed hundreds of people, including Aria's mom.
Since then, Aria's dad has become leading expert on Dreamslinger Welfare, which means Aria knows better than most what it takes to keep society safe from her, and others like separation, identification, and most importantly, power suppression.
So when the Kingdom of Royal Hanguk—home of the Dreamslinger League—announces the first Dreamslinger trials where teenage slingers from around the world are invited to compete for a chance to join the League and learn how to use their powers, Aria knows what she must join the trials and take down the League from the inside.
But the Trials introduce Aria to a world of wonderous magic and friendship, a world where she finally feels like she belongs. And as dark secrets from the past are revealed—ones that make Aria question her very identity—she becomes even more determined to discover the truth for herself. She just has to survive the trials first.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mythology, Adventure, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult Fantasy

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Graci Kim is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Gifted Clans series: The Last Fallen Star, The Last Fallen Moon, and The Last Fallen Realm. Featured in TIME Magazine for Kids, and dubbed a “sparkling yarn” by Entertainment Weekly, the Korean mythology-inspired trilogy is being translated into multiple languages.

The Last Fallen Star was named a 2021 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Children’s Book, an Amazon Best Book, an Indigo Best Book, a Barnes & Noble Young Reader Pick, and a Whitcoulls’ Kids Top 50. In 2022, Graci was awarded the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best New Talent.

The first book in her new series, Dreamslinger (think X-Men meets Pokémon, set in a Korean magic school) will be published in April 2025.

In a previous life, Graci was a New Zealand diplomat, a cooking show host, and once ran a business that turned children’s drawings into cuddly toys. She now lives in Aotearoa New Zealand with her husband and daughter. You can follow her on Instagram (@gracikimwrites), join her newsletter at gracikim dot com.

Reviews

[Book Riot Community]

This is the first book in a new middle grade fantasy series from NYT bestselling author Graci Kim! Aria Loveridge is a Dreamslinger, which means she visits a faraway fantasy realm in her sleep. She lives at a home for Dreamslingers, where they can be watched over, since their powers can become dangerous, like when the League of Dreamslingers caused the deaths of hundreds, including Aria’s mom. So when the League announces a new competition, Aria joins in the hopes of learning what really happened that day and dismantling the League from the inside.

—Liberty Hardy, 11 Awesome New SFF Books Out April 2025

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to be added to Graci Kim's official Dreamslinger group, which included receiving a six chapter sampler of this title.

However, there was no way that I was going to be content with only reading six chapters, and I am so grateful to Netgalley and the Disney Publishing group for allowing me to read the full ARC.

I was absolutely enchanted by the world that Kim was able to create and build as the story went on. Some of my favorite elements being:

Butterfly Mail
Mood Menus
A Harry Potter Sorting Hat-esque experience

There were parts of this story that were predictable, but I was really happy with how the plot played out, and how it left burning questions that will (hopefully) be answered in the next book.

I am always on the lookout for a Fantasy series to recommend besides Harry Potter, Wings of Fire, and Percy Jackson, and this will be one of them.

[Taylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is lowkey THE middle grade book ever. i love the worldbuilding, the characters, the themes—its all on point!! going to be the first entry on my list of "books to read to my kids/nieces if i ever have any" its that good.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and action packed middle grade fantasy, Dreamslinger is vivid in its world building and heartwarming in its message of friendship and what it means to be extraordinary. I highly recommend this for fans of Percy Jackson, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief and Amari and the Night Brothers.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aria Loveridge has spent most of her life believing that her mother died during the Great Outburst and her father's treatment for those with the dreamslinger gene mutation benefit from the treatment and can change the minds of regular people about their wariness of dreamslingers. The dreamslingers' gene allows them to be transported to a powerfully magical realm during sleep, but on awakening, their power usually eludes their attempts to control it and can result in 'outbursts' of fire, acid, or other problematic manifestations. However, Aria's father comes under fire from the government of Texas when his demonstration day goes sadly awry and Aria volunteers to infiltrate the Kingdom of Royal Hanguk--the headquarters of dreamslingers, which coincidentally has just opened for the first time in years to trials for international teenaged dreamslingers. In her time of trials, Aria confronts a great deal about her past that has been purposely kept from her and must make a choice about her future. I found the story interesting, but uneven in holding my attention.

[Ilana Costello (patel) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was extremely lucky and received an ARC of Dreamslinger. This book has it all; magic, politics, drama (via friends, family, and more), delicious food, and more! The main character has to juggle all the aforementioned things while learning about herself and her history. As if that's not enough, she's also in a foreign land and learning to control magic! This book isn't published yet, and I already want to know more about this world and Aria's future!

[Finn Kenkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome!! I loved the magic in it, ESPECIALLY the part where they have a dreampanion, I thought that was so cute. I love how Aria realizes how her seedling feels and immediately apologizes and tries to meet its needs. The instant I finished it I wanted the 2nd book, but it wasn’t/isn’t out :(. 9/10, my only complaint is that it was sometimes hard to follow which characters were who and what they did, but that might just be the fault of my ADHD brain.

[Lin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually rating this a 3.5~
Pretty cool concept with lots of Korean culture in it, tho a lot of the designs in the book were a bit too sweet for me. Still a fun read!

[Vaishali · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite fantasy middle grade reads of this year.
Most MG fantasies are either too childish or have too much gore or are too out there. This one nails the sweet spot perfectly with the right amount of mystical lore, animals, training life, mystery and family drama.
A beautiful story that encourages you to reflect on identity and conflicting ideologies all the while entertaining you.
This is K-drama + Kpop demon hunters + Grace Lin for youngsters. :)

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book reminded me a lot of Harry Potter. Aria is a girl who has magic dreamslinging abilities but lives in a place and with people that make her feel she should hide this part of herself. In trying to help her father, she gets a chance to go to Royal Hanguk, a small kingdom within Korea where Dreamslingers are revered. She enters the trials to become part of the Royal League of Dreamslingers. She meets friends who become like family and learns secrets along the way.

The world building in this was wonderful. I’m still not 100% sure what a Dreamslingers does or why but I look forward to finding out!! While I enjoyed the characters, I would have liked to have learned more about them. I think the book was a little too short to do that, but hopefully there will be more characterization in the sequels.

Overall, a great book that I think fantasy loving middle schoolers will enjoy. I will definitely recommend to my students!

Thanks to the author, Disney Hyperion and NetGalley for opportunity to read the ARC.

[Sydney Cicman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on the Netgalley Reader. I did not get any monetary promotions and all opinions are my own.

In a world much like our own, there are extremely rare people born with the Dreamslinger gene. This gene allows them to travel into a new world when they sleep and to bring back powers with them. The powers are based on four different seas. Aria's father runs a home for Dreamslingers, who have always been a marginalized group, but after a disaster ten years ago, are now persecuted. Aria's father is giving a speech about welfare for Dreamslingers when Aria accidentally causes a fire. To compensate, she goes to a small island in South Korea to compete in the Dreamslinger Trials while also being a spy. While there, Aria makes both friends and enemies and many secrets are revealed.

STRENGTHS
I love how the Korean elements were added to the story. They blended seamlessly with the fantasy. I have not really had a chance to learn about Korean culture, so this book helped as I love learning about other cultures. I appreciate that the book does not definitively make one of Aria's parents good and the other evil as most other middle grade books would do. Instead, both parents are complex with valid points, and yet are flawed. The fantasy elements brought me back to reading Harry Potter for the first time. How much I loved the world and wanted to live in it. I love that the author is so inclusive in her world with Dreamslingers coming from all over the world. This diversity will allow many children to see themselves. Aria also grows greatly as a character; she learns that both her father and the Trials are not perfect. Most middle grade books would have had the big reveal about everything you thought is wrong and had Aria spend the rest of the series taking down her father. This one is different; it shows how both methods of Dreamslinger welfare are valid with both pros and cons.

DISLIKES
It took me a little while to get into this book. But when I did, I loved every minute. It wad also hard to remember some of the characters and who they were, though I figured it out by the end. My biggest problem with the book is that the Royal Kingdom of Hanguk is described in a way that makes it hard to visualize where things are. The directions of the Palaces get confusing, as do the location of the shops.

[Anna Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, but the execution and writing let it down, and I'm still not actually sure what a dreamslinger does. Too cutesy and cheesy for me, even for a kid's book. Cover design is 5/5 though.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75—interesting premise but the execution was so bad

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was already have trouble getting into this and then the first trial was a written test?

[Vivian Teo · Rating 4 out of 5]

14-year-old Aria Loveridge is a Dreamslinger—someone who can step into dreams and channel powerful abilities. She lives in a sanctuary where people like her are trained to control their gifts, mostly because the outside world sees them as dangerous, even deadly.

When the reclusive Kingdom of Royal Hanguk opens up its Dreamslingers League—a high-stakes competition for teens to prove they’re worthy of formal training—Aria goes undercover to find out if Hanguk’s intentions are as noble as they seem. As the trials unfold, Aria’s long-held beliefs start to shift as her loyalties are tested, and she begins to realise that the truth about Dreamslingers—and their world—is far more complicated than she ever imagined.

Graci Kim builds an exciting and immersive world in Dreamslinger—think Harry Potter meets Pokémon with a dash of X-Men! I love that most of the story unfolds in a magical reimagining of South Korea and that teens from all over the world join the trials; the global diversity adds richness and raises the stakes while keeping the story steeped in Korean culture.

Aria’s story will resonate with young readers with its themes of friendship and courage; it entertains while gently nudges them towards empathy and self-discovery. And with a cliffhanger ending, there’s clearly more to Aria’s journey in its sequel, which I’m definitely looking forward to. Thank you Definitely Books Kids (Pansing) for sending me this newly-released middle grade title!

[Sandra Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This middle-grade fantasy has so much to offer! This charming, enchanting tale is filled with magic, drama, politics, and so much more! Aria, who is the main character, becomes involved in a mystery that involves dreamslingers who’ve harnessed forbidden power from the world of Asleep. Aria, who has been tasked to control and restrain this dangerous dream magic, decides to go undercover as a spy, where she learns that nothing is as it seems, and she discovers many hidden secrets and makes unexpected friendships where she learns to truly trust and what the real meaning of family is. Her growth is heartfelt and beautiful to watch. Her fascinating journey is filled with truly unexpected twists that are SO EXCITING!

[Saika Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eine süße Geschichte, eine fantastische Welt in die man dort eintauchen kann. Ich weiß es ist ein Jugendbuch und vielleicht genau deshalb stört mich einiges an der Übersetzung. Andauernde Wiederholungen, fehlende Erklaerungen und Grammatikfehler machten das Lesen nicht einfacher.
Ich finde die Idee der Dreamslinger und seiner Traumgefaehrten toll und bin gespannt auf einen zweiten Band.

[Takealookinsideabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dreamslinger is a magical and mysterious story that gripped me straight away. I loved everything about this book, the creatures, the seasonal elements, the trials and the twists omg!!

This is a fantastic new fantasy series perfect for children and adults and will fill you with wonder and intrigue!

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this down! Graci Kim brings readers into an enchanting magical realm full of friendship, history, and self-discovery-Highly recommend!

[Jennys Bücherkiste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coole Idee, Elementarmagie aus Träumen mitzubringen. Mit den Tiergefährten ist es ein bisschen was für Kids, die der Schule der magischen Tiere entwachsen sind. Für ältere Leser*innen steckt viel zum Nachdenken drin, gerade im Umgang mit den Dreamslingern. Und die Figuren sind wirklich international mit Herkunfsländern, die sonst kaum jemals vertreten sind.

[R2 Ireland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eeh.

It's cruel of an author to only add the slightly interesting parts at the very end of the book. I might read the second book. If it is lucky.

Just another bad copy of Harry Potter, only with Korean folklore and stuff.

[Makayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

The intricate and creative world-building of this story gives this book these two stars because that is its greatest quality. I have many critiques... but because I do not want to discourage anyone else from trying Dreamslinger, I will just say this:

The characters think and interact as if they are choosing between three video-game dialogue options. Surely that is the explanation as to why a young girl who has never been in combat, literally seconds after her family member is shot in the arm, makes a joke about it, or why characters would jump between emotional outbursts and talking like seasoned group therapists within the same scene.

Unnatural dialogue and interaction is something that many can get by, and if you can, then try this one for some refreshingly creative world-building and magic systems. That part, if not much else, was very enjoyable.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the other 3 books by Graci Kim that I've read: The Last Fallen Star, The Last Fallen Moon and The Last Fallen Realm, all of which made up the Gifted Clans trilogy, Dreamslinger,which kicks off the Slinger series was published by Disney-Hyperion. However, where this book differs from the others is that it's not part of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. (That said, Rick, himself, did write a review blurb on the back cover.)

Dreamslinger centers on a 14-year-old girl named Aria Loveridge. She lives with her dad, Jack, in Almiro, Texas, where Jack is the head of the Resthaven Home for Dreamslingers. I'm sure you all must be wondering what a Dreamslinger even is. I mean, it is the name of the book, after all. They're people that were born with a genetic mutation that allows them to travel to powerfully magic realm while they sleep. This place is called The Asleep. It is divided into you seas, based on the 4 seasons. (The North Sea of Ice for Winter; the South Sea of Fire for Summer; the West Sea of Floating Leaves for Autumn and the East Sea of Poisonous Plants for Spring.) That sounds awesome, doesn't it? But if I may quote Once Upon a Time, magic always comes with a price. The Beasts who live in these realms tempt Dreamslingers to dive into the seas. When Aria wakes from a dream at the beginning of the books, she had almost ended up in the Sea of Fire, at the behest of what Aria calls the Bird Beast. And the effects of each Slinger's dreams can carry on over to when they are awake. which can result in an Outburst. Every morning at Resthaven, Aria and the other Slinger kids who live there have daily checkups featuring time spent in a extraction chamber.. Aira's dad is an advocate for Deamslinger welfare, including keeping them separate from the general populace, among which are countless Anti-Slingers. Other methods Jack employs are identification, which for Dreamslingers means wearing an armband with a 4-peteled flower, the universal Dreamslinger symbol. (If anyone feel like this sounds a lot like how Jewish people in Germany where made to wear yellow Stars of David by the Nazis in the years leading up the Holocaust, I had that thought, too. And it made me, pretty uncomfortable, which I think was Graci Kim's intent.) And finally, there is power suppression. Several times over the course of the book, Aria repeats the mantra "Restrain, contain, Maintain." Whenever it got brought up, I couldn't help be reminded of the "Conceal, Don't Feel" thing from Frozen.

There's a very personal reason behind Aria's dad's methods. 10 years before the events of the book, when Aria was just 4-years-old, members of the Royal League of Dreamslingers, carried out a tragic event called the Great Outburst. Countless people died in it, including Aria own mom, Ersa who was originally from Korea. Over the past decade, Jack Loveridge proved so successful with Resthaven, that he attempts to implement similar homes in every single state. In order to do so, he invites the Governor of Texas and the US Commissioner of Dreamslinger Relations to visit Reasthaven.

Before the esteemed visitors arrive, Aria goes to Almiro Sunflower Fields. There she meets a strange group of teenagers. They are Dreamslingers, but not any old run of the mill ones. They come from the Kingdom of Royal Hanguk, home of the Royal League of Dreamslingers. Aria is intrigued by them, and their Dreambeasts. But she's also wary because of her mom's death. Things quickly get out of hand, jeopardizing her dad's plan to bring Resthaven national. But then a solution presents itself. Royal Hanguk has opened the Royal Dreamslinger Trials, where teenage Slingers compete to become Fellows of the League, to international competitors for the 1st time ever. The Commissioner and Texas' Governor come up with a plan to enter Aria in the Trials, where she will not only compete, but secretly act as a spy, sending information back to America. As a result, she shortens her name from Aria Loveridge, to just "Aria Love," so as not to arouse suspicion. Aria's dad is initiallyEr against the idea, but he comes around. Aria is on her way to Royal Hanguk.

I feel that I should explain this place. It's located withing Seoul, South Korea, but operates as its' own independent country, working much the same way that Vatican City does in our world. But the book calls it a Hermit Kingdom, which is what North Korea is commonly referred to as in the West.

After arriving there, but while on the drive to the Royal Palace, Aria has another dream where she finds a seed. This ends up being her 1st test of the Trials. Upon getting to the Palace, Aria leans that the creatures in the Asleep, which she'd always thought of as Beasts, are actually called Dreampanions. And they're representations of the areas of the Asleep: Bloom Dragons for Spring, Frost Turtle for Winter, Solar Phoenix for Summer and Harvest Tiger for Autumn. Aria and her fellow Trialeers are placed into 4 different Gajoks (Families) who live in palaces, which are once again corresponding to the seasons. Because Aria seed is for a Bloom Dragon, she ends up in Spring Gajok. It is the Season of the Kind. Summer is the Season of the Rule. Winter is the Season of the Wise. And Autumn is the Season of the Season of the Just. Yeah, I know this sounds similar to the Elemental Houses from A.F. Steadman's Skandar series, or the series which will not be name from a certain Transphobic bitch of an author. But Graci Kim's take on it was very cool.

Two other Traileers from Spring Gajok whom Aria befriends are Tui Walker, a 14-year-girl from New Zealand, and Lion Lee Hendrick, a 15-year-old boy from Royal Hanguk itself. And the trio has a pair of rivals. One is another girl from Royal Hanguk named Jina Jeong. The other is a 16-year-old Traileer from the UK named Maxwell Forsythe. The former is pretty much just a nuisance. The latter winds up being an Anti-Slayer, who blatantly sabotages the Trials by destroying the Dreampanion of a Trialeer named Antoni Kowalski from Poland before it unfurls. In the aftermath, both boys are sent home
from the Trials.


Eventually Aria, Tui and Lion's Dreampanions all unfurl. As previously mention, they're all Bloom Dragons, for Spring Gajok. Aria names hers Rio. Tui names hers Tweak. And Lion names his Echo. While Tui and Lion bond rather easily with Tweak and Echo, Aria and Rio's bond starts off a bit rocky. This is because Rio unfurled with only half a tail. But by the end, Aria and Rio form a bond that allows them to pass the final trail. Tui and Tweak as well as Lion and Echo also pass to become Novice Fellows.

By now, I've read enough Graci Kim books to know that they always include a family-based plot twist. In Dreamslinger, Aria learns that her mother, whose real name is actually Ko Iseul, was from Royal Hanguk to begin with. Her sister, real name, Ko Garam, is the King's shaman, called the Mudang. It turns out that the grand tour which caused the Great Outburst was Aria's mom's idea to begin with. And even more shocking, her mom was alive this whole time. Aria thinks her mom has become an Anti-Slayer, but she's actually something called a Free Slayer. Her mom offers her chance to join her. But Aria refuses her. Ultimately, she decides to permanently change her name to Aria Love. Because it turns out that her dad hid things from her, too. Before making her escape, Ersa/Ko Iseul makes off with an item called the Bleeding Bloom, which is one of 3 sacred Gifts of Royal Hanguk. The other 2 are called the Breath of Life and the Path of Eternity. Aria, Tui and Lion vow to spend their time as Novice Fellows looking for the Bloom while also protecting the Breath and the Path.

Speaking of Lion, the next major plot twist of the book has to do with him. He's the Prince of Royal Hanguk. His Korean name is Lee Saja. His English name come from Lion being the English translation of Saja, and Lee being the maiden name of his mother, who died in the Great Tragedy.

Yes, I really did rate Dreamslinger 4 stars, whereas I rated all the Gifted Clans books 5 stars. Graci Kim's writing was wonderful as ever. This book was really creative. But I took a star off because this was one of this books where I had to get used to world-building. But like Graci said in the Acknowledgements at the end of the book, this story is only just beginning. There will be more books in the Singer series. How many total remains to be seen. However, with time, I believe that this series has the potential to become a modern classic, just like the Gifted Clans series. I really enjoyed this 1st book. I can't wait to see where everything goes.

[Mildly Mad Hatter(Semi Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I got the arc for the next book and I hadn’t read the first one yet and honestly it’s pretty good!
H*ll a couple times
Gods name taken in vain several times
Worshipping deities
Reincarnation
Mention of the skin around a nipple(absolutely no reason for this)
A rather gorey death scene that had blood pouring out of someone’s eyes.

I liked the story but there were several parts I didn’t like. But they were rather small and I liked the friend group in it.

[The Loco Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This book is similar to other middle grade novels that follow the same formula of having to go through trials or tests in order to prove their powers. The world building was different in that it surrounds the four seasons, and each trainee grows their own familiar or sidekick pet. The writing felt a bit strained at times or lacking. However, the plot twists at the end were surprising and exciting, leaving a nice cliffhanger that will pull in readers to wanting to read the next book.
The setting and imagery are fun with an Asian influence, and while some parts were slow, the pace did pick up towards the end. The theme of found family is a common theme seen in middle grade novels, but I wish the author wouldn’t have TOLD us the theme and would have just SHOWN us the theme. I think kids are small enough to know this is the theme without having the be so explicit, almost insulting. I think the author needs to trust the readers a little more. It makes it feel forced when the author lays it out with so much talking about “found family” instead of just letting it happen organically and giving it more time to breathe and develop.
Overall, I ended up enjoying it after getting more into the story and getting to know the characters more.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Aria Loveridge lives in the Rest Haven Home for Dreamslingers because she has the genetic mutation that causes her to go into another world when she dreams. This world is dangerous and unpredictable, and it is thanks to her father than Dreamslingers are cared for at the home. They consult with doctors in the morning and have ways to remove the poisons acquired from their nighttime wanderings. Since Aria's mother was killed by people who shared this mutation, it's a lot for a teen to handle. Aria tries to help her father out with the home, but recently there have been a lot of anti-slinger protests in Texas, where they live. These close ties to different facets of the Dreamslinger world put Aria in a great place to find out secrets about her condition, but working through them is very dangerous. While her adventures finally lead to her finding a place where she is confortable, there are some unanswered questions that could be answered in a second book.

I enjoyed Kim's The Last Fallen Star, and this is another great culturally (Korean) related adventure fantasy for fans of Rick Riordan's imprint.

[Bookdragon (JT) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for letting me read this Arc for an honest review.

Wow this book was incredible I was immediately thrown into a magical world with magical beast and im all for it.

Graci Kim's world building for this series was really well done giving you the information as and when we needed it instead of bombarding us with too much information. Not only did I love the world building but the characters and the animals. My favourite part of it though was the mix of cultures

Let's just say I will be buying the book and continue this series I can't wait to find out what's in store fore them next.

[Readverse IT · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting read, though I think it’s more suited to a teenage audience. The concept and the setting are lovely, but the content was a bit disappointing, I was expecting more.

[Kayleigh G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliana is a young girl living in a world rooted in Korean mythology. She wanted to save her mother from a mysterious and life-threatening magical ailment. She discovered she had to venture into a dangerous realm of ancient spirits and navigate "heroic hijinks" without fully understanding her own powers. Eliana then teamed up with a group of unlikely allies to master her "dreamslinging" abilities and hunt for a cure. She adventured on a risky quest that forced her to confront her fears and redefine what it means to be a hero. Here is a more formal version of the review, structured to meet the high standards of the Step
Graci Kim demonstrates exceptional skill in developing a protagonist whose motivations are deeply relatable. Eliana’s character arc is driven by her profound love for her mother, grounding the story's fantastical elements in genuine emotion. Furthermore, the secondary characters are more than mere archetypes; they possess distinct backstories and complex personalities that contribute significantly to the team dynamic.

One minor point of contention was the speed with which the secondary characters accepted Eliana into their circle, which felt slightly abrupt given the dangerous nature of their world. However, their subsequent development more than justified this initial pacing. An example of Eliana’s resolve occurs when she accepts the burden of her quest. The author writes: "The weight of the dreamworld felt heavy on her shoulders, but the thought of her mother’s smile was the only light she needed to keep moving" (page 42). The world-building is the novel's most impressive aspect, as Kim seamlessly weaves Korean mythology into a vibrant, modern fantasy landscape. The "expert worldbuilding" creates a dream realm that feels distinct from reality, governed by ancient spirits and complex magical laws. I particularly enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the spirit markets and the way magic is presented as an extension of ancestral heritage.

While the sheer volume of mythological terminology could be dense, the author's context clues kept the reader immersed in the story. A striking description of the setting occurs when Eliana first enters the hidden realm. The author writes: "The sky wasn't blue, but a swirling violet that smelled of jasmine and old memories, proving that in this place, nothing was ever truly as it seemed" (page 88). The plot is a "rip-roaring" adventure that maintains a brisk pace from start to finish. Kim uses the quest structure effectively, introducing a variety of magical complications and twists that prevent the narrative from feeling predictable. I appreciated how the story remained focused on the central conflict while allowing the stakes to escalate naturally.

While the book's fast-paced nature is engaging, the narrative could have benefited from a few more contemplative moments to allow the characters to process the emotional weight of their journey. An intense moment in the plot occurs when the group is cornered by a spirit guardian. The author writes: "The path behind them vanished into mist, leaving Eliana with only one choice: to step forward into the shadows or lose everything she had fought for" (page 156).

The central theme of Dreamslinger focuses on the power of familial bonds and the sacrifices one is willing to make for those they love. Beyond the magical elements, the book explores the universal struggle for identity and the courage required to embrace one's true self. The exploration of how true strength is derived from community and connection, rather than individual power, is particularly moving.

Although the "believe in yourself" motif is a common staple of the fantasy genre, Kim’s specific cultural perspective lends the theme a fresh and meaningful resonance. A summary of this theme occurs when Eliana reflects on the true purpose of her journey. The author writes: "Magic might be the tool we use to fight, but love is the reason we refuse to surrender" (page 210).
Overall, Dreamslinger is a compelling and emotionally resonant fantasy that succeeds through its rich world-building and strong emotional core. If you are a fan of Amari and the Night Brothers or the works of Rick Riordan, this book is an excellent addition to your reading list. Rating: (5/5) The book has a good balance between high-stakes magical action and deep, emotional themes. The unique collaboration of Korean mythology makes it a standout within the genre.

[summersoul · Rating 5 out of 5]

In dieser Geschichte über Freundschaft, Selbstfindung und Zusammenhalt begleiten wir Aria Loveridge auf ihrer Reise ins Königreich Hanguk, um an den Prüfungen für den Royalen Bund der Dreamslinger teilzunehmen. Ich habe Aria vom ersten Moment an in mein Herz geschlossen. Man spürt, wie sehr sie sich nach der Anerkennung ihres Vaters sehnt, wie sehr sie darunter leidet, dass sie das Dreamslinger-Gen in sich trägt und wie hoch der Druck, den ihr Vater auf sie ausübt, auf ihr lastet. Ich habe vom ersten Moment an mit ihr mitgefiebert, war gespannt, wie ihr Weg verlaufen wird und was sie alles im Königreich Hanguk erleben wird. Ich finde den Zwiespalt, in dem Aria sich wegen ihres geheimen Auftrags und dem, was sie über das Königreich Hanguk und den Royalen Bund der Dreamslinger herausfindet, gut und verständlich dargestellt. Deswegen konnte ich ihre widerstreitenden Gefühle voll und ganz nachvollziehen und nachempfinden.

Die Autorin beschreibt die verschiedenen Orte und Figuren so lebhaft und in leuchtenden Farben, dass ich mir diese nicht nur sehr gut vorstellen konnte, sondern mich fühlte, als würde ich mit Aria und ihren beiden neuen Freunden Tui und Lion durch diese laufen. Zudem fand ich alles rund um das Königreich Hanguk, die Dreamslinger, die verschiedenen Prüfungen und Traumgefährten richtig interessant und würde gerne noch mehr darüber erfahren. Zumal alles verständlich erklärt wurde und man zusammen mit Aria nach und nach mehr über alles erfährt, wodurch man sich von den vielen neuen Informationen nicht überfordert fühlt.

Für Spannung ist ebenfalls gesorgt. Schon allein wegen Arias geheimen Auftrags und der damit einhergehenden Gefahr, jederzeit aufzufliegen. Außerdem sind die drei Prüfungen, denen sich Aria stellen muss, um weiterhin in Hanguk bleiben zu können, nicht so leicht zu bewältigen und verlangen ihr einiges ab. Zudem gab es einige Wendungen, mit denen ich nicht gerechnet habe und die mich deswegen staunend zurückgelassen haben, wodurch ich das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen wollte.

Fazit:
Eine spannende und magische Geschichte über Freundschaft, Selbstfindung und Zusammenhalt, in der wir Aria Loveridge ins Königreich Hanguk begleiten, um an den Prüfungen für den Royalen Bund der Dreamslinger teilzunehmen. Ich habe Aria gerne auf ihrer Reise begleitet, war gespannt, was sie alles in Hanguk erleben und wohin ihr Weg sie führen würde. Ich fand Arias inneren Zwist wegen ihres Auftrags und dem, was sie während ihres Aufenthalts in Hanguk erfährt, verständlich dargestellt. Man konnte ihr Gefühlschaos regelrecht selbst spüren. Zudem fand ich alles rund um das Königreich Hanguk, die Dreamslinger, die verschiedenen Prüfungen und Traumgefährten richtig interessant. Außerdem gab es einige Wendungen, die mich staunend zurückgelassen haben, weil ich mit diesen nie gerechnet hätte.