Dreamslinger: Slinger Series Book 1

Slinger #1

by Graci Kim

Dare to enter a world of secrets and spells, where your wildest dreams — or your darkest nightmares — come to life before your eyes . . .

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 mum.

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.

Korean Kiwi author Graci Kim is the New York Times bestselling author of The Gifted Clans series.

Read all Graci Kim's books!

Gifted Clans Series
The Last Fallen Star
The Last Fallen Moon
The Last Realm

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

285 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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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 4 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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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 · 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.

[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.

[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.

[Nazreen Begum · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was safe to say she was traumatized. You suffered from the same mutation as the people who killed your mom was enough to scar a kid for life." - Graci Kim

Are you a fan of Harry Potter AND Pokemon? Then this one is definitely for you!

Aria Lovebridge is a rare Dreamslinger, a gifted few who can enter a magical dream realm and bring its powers into the real world. In America, her kind is feared and taught to suppress their abilities. Aria supports her father’s mission to promote control in the name of peace, until a powerful Dreamslinger kingdom in Korea, Hanguk, challenges that belief by training Dreamslingers to embrace their full potential.

Posing as a spy, Aria enters Hanguk to uncover its secrets. But as hidden truths about her mother’s death surface, and bonds with her Dreampanion grow stronger, Aria must decide: remain loyal to her father's cause? Or.. claim her destiny as a royal Dreamslinger!

"Aria looked up at the impossibly violet sky and hoped whatever Beast was coming for her today, she would have the fortitude to ignore its temptations."

Another surprising middle-grade read and this time from my favorite genre, fantasy! Dreamslinger instantly transported me back to my younger days, obsessing over magical powers, creatures, and deep friendships. But make no mistake: this is far more than just a Korean version of Harry Potter or Pokemon. 😉

Sure, you willl feel echoes of those beloved classics, like the sorting of Trialeers into four houses, the grand trip to the central palace that gives off Diagon Alley vibes, Uncle Nam’s Hagrid-like warmth, Battlejoy as a thrilling Quidditch-like game, Dreampanions that remind us of Pokemon, and a beautiful trio friendship that tugs at your heart. Yet, Dreamslinger goes further. The imagination is wilder, the dream-powered worldbuilding is breathtaking, and the emotional tension Aria faces, where she is torn between loyalty to her father and her newfound friends, is intense!😱

I truly appreciate the deeper message this story carries: embracing differences to build a more peaceful world. It is a real first-world issue today, making this not just a great fantasy, but a meaningful one, especially for young readers.👏

The pacing is excellent, the writing immersive, and the intricate details of the world are mesmerizing. And let’s not forget the unexpected humor sprinkled throughout, which adds just the right amount of charm.😍

So grab your copy at all good bookstores now! And take note that this is just the beginning of an epic Slinger series!🫡

"You were born exception, so you will rise to be exceptional!"

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but there were aspects of it that bugged me…like the fact that I didn’t find the main character Aria particularly likable. I do think this was part of the plot and she did end up with some good character development that was enjoyable to see. But she just didn’t feel likable enough or developed enough to me. She felt a bit flat and unlikable for most of the book. I can’t even say exactly why and it’s likely just a me thing. Plus, I am not the intended audience for this book, being that I’m not a child.

But overall I enjoyed the uniqueness of this story and how interesting it was to learn about another culture. And I will likely read any subsequent books.

I do wish there was a pronunciation guide for the names and Korean words and some sort of glossary to help keep track of all the characters and cultural words. That would have helped a lot, I think.

I didn’t LOVE this book as I have others, and I was feeling over halfway through the book like it was going to get 3 stars from me for some of the awkward plot and character development…it just didn’t feel like it was as well developed as some books I’ve read…but I AM picky. And I don’t feel like Rick Riordan is a particularly great writer…love his books but they don’t have the quality of writing I find in so many other kids books…the stories are FANTASTIC, just not what I would call super well written…Graci Kim’s writing was better in my mind than that for the most part…just it’s hard to explain but some of it just felt awkwardly written. It didn’t leave me with the feeling I get from some books like YES! Now THAT was a great book that I will read again and again! I feel that way about the Keeper of the Lost Cities series (Shannon Messenger) and the Unwanteds series (Lisa McMann) and the WondLa series (Tony DiTerlizzi) and the Mysterious Benedict Society series (Trenton Lee Stewart)…but this one I am unsure of my feelings…

I do love the story, it’s quite fascinating and I had to find out how it ended and I am looking forward to more…I just didn’t find some of details as fleshed out and well written as I had expected from this author. Likely it’s just my pickiness and like I said, I know I’m not the intended audience. But I DO recommend it, especially to kids! Maybe the next time I read it I will feel differently. And maybe it had something to do with the books I read before and during my read of this one…maybe they made the contrast of writing style too great for me. 🤷‍♀️

All this to say…I liked it…didn’t love it but I did truly like it! 🤦‍♀️ And I DO recommend it!

[Deshawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Disney Hyperion Publishing for granting me an ARC copy of the book via Netgalley and Graci Kim for writing it!

What a whirlwind of dreams, ideologies, and learning about family. I was already ecstatic to read Graci Kim's newest book, Dreamslinger, but I never knew how much I really needed it. In a world of chaos and turmoil, it's so nice to have a book this whimsical and imaginative. For some context, Dreamslinger takes place in our world with a key difference: Some people are born with a special genetic mutation that allows them to enter the Asleep, a magical realm that takes place in their dreams. This gene also allows them special powers. Aria Loveridge is a fourteen-year-old girl who goes undercover in an effort to save her father and her home, entering the dangerous Dreamslinger Trials in the mysterious and secretive kingdom of Royal Hanguk.

First off, what a magical first entry. It is jaw-droppingly inspiring how much work Graci and Disney have put into this book. I found myself stopping to Google multiple Korean terms and games throughout my reading. Also, dreampanions?! 10/10, I need one in my life NOW. The political aspect of this book is also so prevalent in the book, especially when seeing how the trials that Aria enters challenge not only her viewpoints, but also how readers can see the faults of the Dreamslinger League as well. It was also great to see all of the diversity in the novel as well, I'm a sucker for kids being able to see themselves in stories, it's so important to feel represented.

The magical school aspects of the novel take center stage as well. The way the Asleep is woven together with Aria's trialeer life and the daily lives of Royal Hanguk is super well-done, and the worldbuilding, while simple, leaves enough out for readers to truly get immersed. It's also, of course, refreshing to see another novel give their take on the magical school genre; more books in it are needed more than ever.

Overall, I loved the book. While some parts of the dialogue were a bit lackluster and boring, any reader in the age group is gonna be absolutely enthralled with this new series. And I look very, very forward to the next book in the series. Alas, there's nothing in the Asleep that can make time go faster, is there? :D

[Ashley | thewindedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

What an absolutely charming read! Dreamslinger by Graci Kim has everything you’d hope for in a middle-grade fantasy—imagination, heart, and adventure—but with a unique twist of Korean history, rich cultural details, and magical lore that makes it truly stand out. It’s a whimsical story that had me chuckling one moment and tearing up the next.

Graci Kim’s storytelling shines in how beautifully she weaves Korean culture into the narrative. The descriptions of traditional clothing, food, and homes bring the world to life in a way that adds depth to both the setting and characters. You can feel the love and care poured into every detail.

At the center of the story is Aria Loveridge, a young dreamslinger tasked with helping to control and restrain dangerous dream magic. When an important event for her father—who’s been working on a project to help dreamslingers—takes a sudden and chaotic turn, Aria finds herself entangled in a mystery involving two dreamslingers who’ve harnessed forbidden power from the world of Asleep. Her journey leads her to the dreamslinger trials, where she goes undercover as a spy in hopes of making her father proud.

But nothing is as it seems. Along the way, Aria uncovers secrets, makes unexpected friends, and learns powerful lessons about identity, trust, and the true meaning of family. Her growth throughout the story is heartfelt and rewarding to witness.

I especially loved the supporting characters—Librarian Yong and her snackpan tree, Lion, and Tui—each one vibrant and memorable in their own way. They brought warmth, humor, and emotional resonance to the story.

For a middle-grade novel, Dreamslinger packed in more twists than I expected, and I genuinely didn’t see them coming! They added so much excitement and made the story even more enjoyable.

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, Amari and the Night Brothers, or Nevermoor, you’ll find so much to love in Dreamslinger. And yes… I think I need my own dreampanion too.

[Kendra FairyKind · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completly understand that this is aimed at younger readers but despite that the story is so worth reading at practically every age.
I do think that this book was definetly worth the price I paid for it and the time I spent reading it. I have no idea when the next one is going to be relased, I mean there is no realease date or title literally nothing. The ending was...why are her parents like this seriously trying to capture her for a freaking pawn in there own game!!! I have no idea whose side I'm on to be honest, but maybe I'll know later in the series I really hope so!!
Anyway, I love how it was a gradual like thing for the character to be on the I suppose Royal Hanguk's side. I hate when it is just sudden and like bam she's change her mind about everything with like no reason and has just randomly decided to change sides. I hate that but thankfully this was not one of those!
The story is suprisingly unique TBH like there are few things similar to other books but the overall story is like amazing. The characters are unqiue in some ways aswell.
I just saw it coming when we found out about...I don't remember the characters names...Whatever his name is was the prince although then again I was a little shocked just a little.
I do think this is highly worth the read and would recommend to anyone who wants an easy not too stressful read. Oh yeah and anyone who loves Asian dragons. I sure love them!!
Right I have a confession to make...I kinda imagined Rio being male😅😅😅 I was so worried her dragon was going to be all weird and abnormal when that guy came in to chop them down, I hate anti-slingers! But I do think Rio is adorable with hi-her stubby little tail. I hope the dragon will be able to fly!!
Oh and the frost turtles and the phoenixs and the autummnal tigers were adorable...but I love love Asian dragons!!! Best ones in my opinion!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aria Loveridge is different from most of the people in the world. Born with the Dreamslinger gene, Aria wakes with intense powers that can be dangerous without the proper control. Luckily, Aria's father is a preeminent researcher of Dreamslinger traits, and he has built a special school to keep Aria and others like her safely restrained. When the mysterious Kingdom of Royal Hanguk invites Dreamslingers from around the world to participate in their Dreamslinger trials, Aria leaps at the chance to be a spy for her father to determine exactly how these dangerous people operate. What Aria finds is far different from what she expects, however, and she must use both her head and her heart to determine where her path truly lies. This first in the Dreamslinger series begins in a world that is similar to the X-Men comics, where a few individuals have skills and powers that are perceived as frightening and dangerous to the masses. As a fourteen-year-old, Aria is initially convinced that these perceptions are true, especially as she witnesses the havoc her unchecked powers can wreak. Through Aria’s perspective, the narrative offers rich detail and engaging scenes that transform Aria’s existence from one of fear to one of joy, with understandable moments of conflict along the way. Occasional strong language and perilous circumstances make this book best suited to teen readers, though the progression of the plot flows much like an older middle grade novel. Together, this book is one that readers can use as a stepping stone to transition into traditional young adult literature. Blending Korean culture with the ubiquitous nature of dreams, this story has a compelling premise that keeps readers engaged throughout the novel. This is an excellent start to the Dreamslinger series, and it is a positive addition to library collections for emerging young adult readers.

[Karen Cohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aria Loveridge is a dreamslinger, one of a growing group of people with a genetic mutation that allows her to dream lucidly, to visit a magical realm during sleep, and to wake up with residual powers - powers that can become wildly out of control and therefore dangerous. She lives at the Resthaven Home for Dreamslingers, which was established by, and is run by, her father, who is trying to find ways for dreamslingers to control their powers. This is especially important after the Great Outburst a decade previously which killed a great many people, Aria's mother among them. Because of the Great Outburst, dreamslingers are viewed with suspicion and fear, and there is legislation controlling their movements in this country, and others.

But some countries, such as the Kingdom of Royal Hanguk, treat dreamslingers in a different way: they base their society and technology on the abilities of dreamslingers, and seek them out to be trained, so they can benefit society. The Kingdom of Royal Hanguk is, for the first time, opening its dreamslinger trials to people from across the world - and Aria is invited to participate. At the trials, she meets people from a wide range of cultures, and begins to realize that her father's way isn't the only way.

This novel does a wonderful job of exploring what it's like to grow up knowing you are different, and that your difference is considered something unwanted, to be hidden whenever and however possible - and then discovering a society in which your difference is not only accepted, but celebrated. Recommended for readers of all ages.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.