A Twist of Dreams

by Remy Steross

For centuries, the Realm of Sallix has been divided into two Kingdoms: The Kingdom of Nightmare and the Kingdom of Daydream.

Evelyn, a loyal citizen of Daydream, awakens to find herself trapped in the Kingdom of Nightmare with no memory of how she got there or who she truly is. Thrust into a brutal trial with her life on the line, she quickly realizes she’s far from the world she once knew. And worse yet, she has no recollection that the love of her life is out there, desperately waiting for her return.

As Evelyn fights to survive the twisted challenges before her, uncover the secrets of her past, and reclaim her stolen memories, she must decide who to trust in a world where nothing is as it seems.

A journey of magick, betrayal, and the fierce resilience of love begins. Where dreams can be deadly, and nightmares may hold the truth.

Perfect for fans of Trial of the Sun Queen, The Bridge Kingdom, and The Serpent and the Wings of Night, jump into a slow-burn, adult fantasy romance.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2026

About the author

Becca and Amy make up Remy Steross. They have been best friends since 7th grade. Becca was always a sports star, and Amy leaned more towards theater and music. But there was never a shortage of late nights, mischeif, and imaginstion. Now, years later, they have poured their magic together to write epic tales, bringing to life unforgettable characters full of romance, passion, and a touch of the girlhood that built their friendship. Their partnership weaves together richly imagined worlds, exciting characters and steamy romance. Every part of the story is a true collaboration of friendship and imagination.

Reviews

[Nickole · Rating 4 out of 5]

rcvd an ARC from the author.

we meet Evelyn, an elven woman from Daydream, awakens in a forest with no memory only to be taken to Nightmare. When she wakes, she is strapped to a wall naked with beasts sucking the souls of the ones around her. this can't be happening. the next thing Evelyn knows shes in a dungeon. she then learns she is part of the Nightmare Trials and the only way to survive is by winning them. Evelyn is starting to remember snippets of her life before memory loss buts its not enough. Cane, the king of Nightmare, is trying to figure out who Evelyn is and if she is friend or foe. his companion Gwen knows Evelyn is a good soul and tries to aid her in the trials. One thing is for certain is that Evelyn needs to win at all costs but what will happen if her memory returns?

[Michelle Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique world. Kingdoms of Nightmares and Daydreams at war with each other.
I actually enjoyed that there was very little world building even though it did make it harder to follow. The reason was we learn and grow with Evelyn as she slowly gets her memories back.
It made everything feel a bit like a mystery.
This sets the stage for the next book and I can't wait to learn more and see how she moves on from that ending.
I received an advanced reader copy but these thoughts are my own.

[coley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for this ARC.

Let me start by saying, I need the second one immediately. We end on a cliffhanger, and goodness am I ready!

This was a unique world and had some incredibly beautiful prose throughout. I appreciated the imagery and writing style, and how the authors weaved the story from different perspectives, but also through trials, dreams, nightmares, and memories.

This book was definitely worth the read, and honestly I can see book 2 being a 5-star read based on how much I loved this one.

[Natalie Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW — A Twist of Dreams by Remy Steross

The cover alone is what first grabbed my attention!!! It is absolutely stunning, magical, and impossible to scroll past. And I’m thrilled to say the story inside is just as captivating. I literally read this ARC in TWO DAYS! That’s how much I loved it!

A Twist of Dreams is everything I want in a fantasy romance: atmospheric worldbuilding, dark whimsical magic, a heroine fighting for her identity, and a cast of characters who immediately make you wonder who you should trust… and who you shouldn’t (gosh if we all knew that lesson!? AMIRITE!?)

The world of Sallix is split between Daydream and Nightmare which is rich, eerie, and completely addictive. Evelyn waking up in the Nightmare Trials with no memories pulled me in right away. Watching her navigate a kingdom built from nightmares, while trying to piece together who she is and who she once loved, created such compelling tension.

I loved Gwen!

Steross’s writing is vivid, imaginative, and filled with little details that make the world feel alive.

If you love dream magic, morally grey characters, amnesia twists, and fantasy romance that keeps you guessing, A Twist of Dreams absolutely belongs on your TBR!

[Hannah R Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

first I am always thankful and honored to get an arc. this book is fascinating. the main character has to go through trials but is it all a dream or is something nefarious going on. I like it. at first I was confused but the twists as I kept reading woah. and that ending! I cant wait to see what happens next!!!! the author does a good job at the twists like the title suggests and the main characters are well written. the action, the romance, the story is so interesting it keeps you on your feet for sure as you try to figure out with Evelyn whats going on! must read for sure. I hope there's a book 2. Brilliant.

[Rope Bound Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked from the start!

I was lost, Evelyn was lost, and we found answers together... and a TON of questions as we hurtled off the cliffhanger. This is the first of a planned trilogy, so I knew I was in for a cliffhanger, but I fell in love with this world so quickly I didn't want it to end.

I love that they tossed both the FMC and reader right into the frey of learning the world together. The trials, the twists, and the mystery around Evelyn had me binging well past bedtime. 

I can't wait for the next book(s) and am so excited to be on this journey with Evelyn & Gwen!

[Brandi Smallwood Uncaged Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a debut novel surprises you with its depth and sheer readability, you know you’ve found something special. A Twist of Dreams by Remy Steross is one of those rare, addictive gems. It’s not just Romantasy; it’s a living, breathing dream state that blurs the line between reality and hallucination, and I was hooked from the first page.

Meet Evelyn, one of our leading ladies, who quite literally wakes up in a nightmare—The Nightmare Trials. With no memory of how she entered, she's told she volunteered, but there’s a deeper, darker motive at play.
Watching her navigate this confusing new life, where every detail feels like a fading dream memory, will keep you questioning everything. Her internal struggle is immediately relatable, yet entirely terrifying. Enter King Cane and his astute lover and advisor, Gwen (our other FMC). They know Evelyn is special—their "Little Raven"—and they’re willing to risk everything on her. But in a world where nothing is real, can they trust their instincts?

💖 What Makes This Book a Must-Read:
• The Flow: The narrative truly flows like a subconscious current, flitting between memories and immediate terror. You, the reader, are just as lost and intrigued as Evelyn, making the immersion total.
• The Spice Factor: If you crave intimacy that feels real, this is for you. The spicy scenes are a masterclass in subtlety and internal thought. They avoid monotonous dialogue and heavy-handed descriptions, instead playing out like the genuine internal monologue of an intimate moment. It makes the spice infinitely more relatable and impactful.
• The Relatable Fantastical: Steross has crafted a truly fantastical world, yet populated it with characters whose doubts, connections, and sacrifices feel deeply authentic.

Be prepared: this book ends on an extreme cliffhanger. With character intentions left ambiguous and multiple questions hanging in the air, I was left frantic for the next installment. This is a story that keeps you guessing until the very last word.

VERDICT: A five-star, high-stakes debut. Add it to your TBR immediately!
Pre-order now! Available January 30, 2026!

+++I have received this eARC from Remy Steross in an exchange for an honest review+++

[Amanda Choquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read A Twist of Dreams as an ARC, it was an easy and intriguing read. I enjoyed slowly delving into why Evelyn was a part of the Nightmare Kingdom but do wish that we were able to read more of that plot and explore that more. It felt like this book could have been the first half of a bigger book and wish we had a bit more plot along with the spice. I definitely will be reading the second one considering how it ended as I felt like we were just getting into meat of the story when it ended with a cliffhanger.

[Mia fawnsandfairytales · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly, I think it's important for me to note that readers should not take the content warnings lightly, particularly the 'graphic description of physical trauma and pain'.

This book felt like a gore fest.

There were many a description of intestines, limbs here and there, mutilation, and the words 'festering' and 'sanguineous' being overused.

I am not unused to graphic violence and brutality in fantasy books, but feel much of it in this didn't land the way it may have been intended - besides being for shock value - , because due to not having a strong connection to the characters being mauled, there was no emotional impact.

It was extremely visceral, and personally, I felt at times it was maybe unnecessary.

However, I respect this may to be to some readers tastes, and it is not wholly the reason for my low rating.

I just wouldn't recommend this book if you are squeamish at all.

As for the 'voyeurism' content warning, the very first encounter we have of this is while the main character Evelyn is in a jail cell surrounded by rotting corpes.

Two side characters enter the prison and have s*x in the midst of decay, and to say it was disturbing would be an understatement, especially as Evelyn enjoyed the show.

We will also later watch the second main character, Gwen, have regular intimate relations with one of these side characters.

The juxtaposition of the themes of s*x and the gore was an uncomfortable one.

This book is labelled as a fantasy romance, but unfortunately, I found the romance to be lacking. This book is a spicy one - which I'm never usually one to complain about - but I found the theme of s*x and the frivolity of the characters overshadowed the romantic.

To put it frankly, people were having s*x everywhere - even in the streets while children were described running about playing.

The entire kingdom was very s*x positive, with org*es occuring almost every time Evelyn walked through a hallway or into a room.

This aspect of the book is intended to be a fun and exciting time, and I do see that angle, but the execution was off for me.

It dampened the connections between the characters and left me craving more depth.

There are two povs throughout this book - Evelyn and Gwen.

*spoiler starts here* (ends further down)

Evelyn's love interest Odin has been separated from her. Their bond with each other is shown to us through Evelyn's dreams, which she spectates over.

For me, there was a disconnect between these scenes telling a story of the past and Evelyn's current reality, making it difficult to fully understand and feel their love.

We don't meet Odin in the present in this book.

We are told they are deeply in love, to the point they would marry were the kingdoms laws not that they must wait until they are 30 years old. This felt like a convienent way to tell the reader how in love they were, without having Evelyn be fully committed to him (I'm sure this will play into the next book, as I feel there could be a different love interest in store for her)

I'm also still hung up that Odin knew about the farms being raided and didn't tell Evelyn despite knowing she lived on a farm. What happened to her family could have been prevented had he informed her. How this wasn't a big deal and how easily she brushed this off I don't know, but it didn't make it any easier for me to connect to Odin.

I had a similar disconnect with Gwen and Cane's relationship - which is an open / polyamorous one. The relationship as a whole was disappointing to me, given that I found Cane to be an underdeveloped and unpresent character.

He didn't have many interactions with Evelyn at all.

I assumed he would have a much larger role to play. I'd even thought he was to be Evelyn's main love interest at the start - which made it very startling when we are thrown into a scene of him sleeping with Gwen instead.

There is a scene in which he briefly tortures Evelyn with spiders to demonstrate his nightmarish powers. This instantly turned me off him.

As dismayed as he is that he's unable to prevent the suffering caused to the contestants in the trials, he didn't seem too bothered by how he treated them outwith.

I personally feel had Gwen and Cane's relationship been removed entirely, more development and time could have been given to Evelyn trying to unravel her memories, as the amnesia and dream aspect of this book is a prominent one.

The magic system and world building to this book felt very undeveloped. There was definitely a lot of lore fed to the reader, but I think this information could have been provided in a more concrete way through the characters experiencing the world.

For example:

"The Night Terror Golems are appearing in record numbers, Kyustos continues to elude us, harboring every degenerate in the kingdom"

- This is fascinating and really intriguing, but these larger issues facing the kingdom are brushed to the side.

We don't get to see this threat to the kingdom, why it's in danger, and how Cane is working so hard to protect it.

Neither do we get a full understanding of The Kingdom of Daydreams. The plan Evelyn and Odin hatch has no build up to it and is sprung on the reader rather suddenly. I definitely feel more explanation was needed as to the kingdom conflict.

*spoiler ends here*

I'm sure there will be more explanation in the next book, but it felt sorely needed in this one to immersify the reader.

The same goes for the magic. It's not explored nearly enough.

There felt like so many elements being balanced, especially with the most compelling plot point being the trials, however they are over by the 50% mark.

There was perhaps too much happening in this book for the shorter span of pages.

I did find that our main characters Evelyn and Gwen were well formed and had a good amount of backstory, and the promise of found family between the two of them was definitely delivered upon.

Their companionship was beautiful, and I also would have loved even more of it.

I suppose due to Gwen's (and the kingdoms as a whole) s*xual nature, it was mentioned that she wanted Evelyn to be a part of their polyamory. I didn't feel like this needed to be included, as their friendship was more than enough for me.

I'm not quite sure if this book is going to end up as a 'why choose' between them or not, but again, there was a lot going on, and I feel this book needed better direction.

The writing itself flowed very well, and I breezed through this book, however the dialogue didn't flow naturally.

The dialogue felt robotic and as though the characters were constantly performing a monologue, with very long paragraphs every time it was their 'turn' to speak.

The only way I can think to explain it is that the characters seemed to wait for the other to finish speaking before it was their turn.

It often felt like a scripted movie that didn't leave space for characters to interrupt or engage in what was being said.

Overall, although the concept of this book regarding the dreams and nightmares felt unique and exciting, and the nightmare trials were very imaginative, a lot of elements to this book fell flat for me.

~

Thank you to the authors for the e-arc.

I received this book for free for the purpose of reviewing. This is my voluntary and honest review.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dyslexic Reviewer - Spoil Free Reviews

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @authorremysteross
POV: Duel 1st person
Gene: Romantasy
Triggers: Explicit sexual content, Violence, Death, physical trauma and pain, etc.
Read Time: 5-7 hours
Expected Publishing Date: OUT NOW

❤️ World Building: There are two different worlds in this story, both are described elegantly. Both are beautiful in their own way. It was almost lyrical in the way the world building was written.

❤️ The Characters: I loved Gwen and Evelyn! I love the way they are so similar yet so vastly different! I look forward to where that friendship goes! Evelyn is our main MFC, and she is tough and a badass, but she is still soft and so unsure of herself. Gwen is about the nicest person I have ever read about, I wish more people these days were like her. Odin and Cane also have their similarities and differences, but the guys' stories are left more in the background in this book.

❤️ The Story: The story had trials in the beginning, but don't worry, the trials aren’t what the book is actually about. The main part of the story is more political intrigue, secret missions, and that about lost souls trying to make sense of the world around them.

❤️‍🔥Overall: This was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it! I can’t wait to read the next book cuz oh! That cliffhanger!

🧌Golem Fact Inspired by the Golems: A golem is a creature formed out of a lifeless substance such as dust or earth that is brought to life by ritual incantations and sequences of Hebrew letters. The golem, brought into being by a human creator, becomes a helper, a companion, or a rescuer of an imperiled Jewish community. In many golem stories, the creature runs amok and the golem itself becomes a threat to its creator. (www.jmberlin.de)

I was gifted this book free for my honest opinion, you know the drill 😉

[Anais (atrailofpages) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure what I just read. This book has a unique concept, it did sound interesting, however, there are things that occur in here that I find odd and questionable, especially when you’re unsure about the plot.

From what I understand, this follows a female elf called Evelyn who lost her memories, finds herself in the Kingdom of Nightmare and has to go through the Nightmare Trials. While going through these Trials, she’s also trying to piece back together her memories through her dreams that she has every night.

That sounds good, right!?

And the start of it is very intense, and rather violent, but we are experiencing this at the same time as Evelyn, confused, disoriented, unsure of why we are here and how we got here while also trying to survive.

The world also seems to be thought out to a point and has uniqueness to it, like what they call guards and creatures in this word.

There’s also another POV of one of the other characters(I just don’t know why), but I will say it’s kind of nice to see a POV from another character in this world.

It’s also easy to read, not overly complicated.

So, yes, it sounds like it would have an interesting plot and an interesting world.

But, in one of the first few chapters, while Evelyn’s in a cell in a dungeon, an elf couple comes into the dungeon, and they are intimate with one another in this dank, disgusting dungeon. And all I could think of is why?

Well, this book seems to focus more on sex positivity, and not on the actual plot. There is a plot, we don’t actually know what the true plot is until halfway or later into the book. The rest of the time, we are with Evelyn who is navigating this terrifying dangerous world trying to survive while also trying not to be seduced by these other elves?

It is so bizarre. I honestly cannot explain what I just read, it is so off-the-wall. I will say that I didn’t particularly enjoy it because it seemed like the authors took all the tropes people love(such as spice and steam) and just shoved it into the book without making it cohesive or flow nicely and create a story that makes sense.

I will say the ending did a good job of drawing me in and making me want to read the next book just simply out of curiosity. However, after feeling like I’ve just wasted so much of my time reading a book that I don’t understand and that seemed to only focus on sex, like literally the entire book, I don’t see it being worth it to continue the series at this point.

Now, this doesn’t mean others won’t like it. In fact, I’m sure others will enjoy it. It just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to the authors for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Julieta Lis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was very fortunate to read this book as an eARC! This is the debut novel by Remy Steross and the book did not disappoint! I can’t wait for book 2!

Overall the story is immediately gripping and continues so throughout the whole book. Evelyn wakes up stuck to a wall in the Kingdom of Nightmare where she is naked, in chains with no memory. Slowly we start getting glimpses into her past. She is part of the Kingdom of Daydreams and tries to escape from this nightmare she wakes up to and figure out what her mission is.

The book is dual POV, from Evelyn we get insights into her main storyline, and from Gwen, who is part of the Kingdom of Nightmares court, we get the background on the creatures, history of this realm, lifestyle choices as well as an inside look into the life of the King of Nightmares, Cane.

The book is centered around trials that Evelyn needs to complete (and survive!) to join, if she wishes, the prestigious guards of the King of Nightmares. I love trials in books and these ones did not disappoint.
I do need to provide a warning that there is A LOT of gore and gruesome descriptions of Evelyn herself, the trials and her past. It was very graphic and I had to skip some lines as there was a lot of vomit, fluids, and cut-off body parts involved. I wish there would have been less of the grotesque descriptions of the murders and killings, but I guess she is in the Kingdom of Nightmares after all? Just be aware of this and maybe skip those parts if you get grossed out easily.

There is a lot of spice in this book, so for all the gruesome killings, there is equal parts smut. In the Kingdom of Nightmares they are not afraid to put on a show (literally).

I can’t wait to see how the story continues and what happens with Evelyn in her quest to find the answers she is looking for. Also Gwen is one of my favorite characters. Looking forward to reading book 2!

** I received this book from Remy Steross as an eARC in exchange for an honest review **

[Quilted.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love fantasy romance with high stakes messed up twists and that “wait WHAT?!” feeling, The story takes place in the Realm of Sallix, which has been split for centuries into two rival kingdoms: Nightmare and Daydream and they’ve basically been at war forever. We follow Evelyn, a loyal citizen of Daydream, who wakes up in the absolute worst place imaginable the Kingdom of Nightmare. And she has zero memory of how she got there or even who she really is.From the start, she’s thrown into brutal trials where her survival is constantly on the line, and it quickly becomes clear that Nightmare plays by its own rules. As she’s fighting to stay alive, Evelyn starts uncovering pieces of her past and realizing there’s so much more going on than she ever knew. Add in stolen memories, betrayal, secrets lurking everywhere, and the constant question of who can she actually trust, and the tension stays HIGH. Meanwhile, what makes it even more heartbreaking is that she doesn’t even remember the love of her life is out there waiting for her to come back.The whole concept of dreams being deadly and nightmares possibly holding the truth is such an interesting twist for a fantasy world, and I really loved the whole “two kingdoms at war” plot line. It felt fresh and had so much potential.Now for the warning: this ends on a CLIFF HANGER and I’m not okay 😭 Like I’m genuinely going crazy waiting on book two because excuse me??? That ending?? RUDE.For a debut novel, I’m seriously impressed. I’m giving this a 4 stars because I do wish there was a little more world building (I wanted to sink into the setting even more), but honestly? I can already tell book two is about to hit in the best way. I can totally see it being an easy 5 stars for me.

[realms.of.romantasy (Cara B) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I want to start by thanking Remy Steross for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy of their debut novel!

I was so intrigued by this one! After that very mysterious prologue, we are dumped right in to the intense action of the deadly Nightmare Trials where grotesque creatures and danger lurk around every corner. From here we endure the most heinously twisted nightmares where lost memories collide, dreams unravel and injuries within the nightmares still linger upon waking. The magic was quite unique and the mystery slowly unravels as the puzzle is pieced together. As Evelyn’s memories come back through her dreams, we learn quite a bit more about why she is in the rival kingdom. But are they truly dreams/nightmares? Or is something much more nefarious going on 🤔. I also thoroughly enjoyed the dual female POVs with Evelyn and Gwen who is certain there’s more to Evelyn than meets the eye.

The mystery, the intrigue, and the twists will have you turning the pages in hopes of getting more answers. Alas, we are left on a bit of a cliff 😭 And now I am very eager for the next installment!!

[Sara-Jane Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a captivating dark fantasy where FMC Evelyn wakes up a prisoner with no memory in a rival kingdom. She is then forced to compete in the Nightmare Trials where winning is the only way to survive.


Evelyn was a great FMC. She’s strong and resilient as she fights in the trials whilst simultaneously trying to figure out who she is, how she got there and who she can trust.

The nightmare trials were gruelling and tense and I loved how they played out.

I enjoyed the world building, the magick and the lore. The Realm of Sallix is divided into two by a huge wall separating the Kingdom of Daydream and Kingdom of Nightmare. It was exciting how we piece together information with Evelyn as she recovers her memories.

There were a few spicy scenes with multiple partners with I enjoyed but not a huge part of the story. I did love how openly sexual the Nightmare residents were.

The book is paced well, kept me intrigued and after ending on a shocking cliffhanger, I am going to be eagerly awaiting book 2 to find out what happens next.

A well deserved 4⭐️ and 3🌶️.

[Whisk Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors for the chance to read this as an ARC. This is a voluntary and honest review.

This was a hell of a debut. It's been awhile since I've read a book that was like a mind fck to me, and honestly I liked it!

I felt like while this book had a lot of things happen (hello, nightmare trials), it really was just building the world. There are clearly a number of scenes that are leading to things we'll understand later on, and I'm absolutely going to have to reread this before the next book.

There is an interesting magic system, and I really loved how the lost memories were done. I will say I was a bit confused about love interests- it seems like we're following more than just Evelyn's love story. I can't wait to see how that all plays out.

I felt the division and hate between Nightmare and Daydream was built well, and really cemented that emotional connection between "good" and "bad" in Evelyn's eyes. Without spoiling anything, the differences between the two kingdoms are opened up for Evelyn to decide for herself, rather than rely on what her kingdom has told her about Nightmare.

Can we talk about the absolutely diabolical cliffhanger?? I'm already impatient for the next book! I feel like I've been left with more questions than answers, but somehow in a good way.

Be sure to check the trigger warnings on this one.

[Abbie Menier · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️

I loved this book from beginning to end! I loved how it wasn’t the typical fantasy/romatasy book. I can’t wait for the next book to learn even more about all of the character.
Evelyn is trapped in the kingdom of nightmare with no memories of how or why she is there. She is in a trial for the kingdom the only way to survive is to win all of the trials. Along the way learning more about herself and gaining few memories.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. Actual rating 3.5/5.

A Twist of Dreams is told in first person POV through the eyes of our main FMC Evelyn, and another FMC Gwen. We are thrown into the action right from the start with Evelyn, hostage, confused and fighting for her life. The premise is interesting, but I felt that the descriptions and writing in the first couple chapters felt chaotic. I couldn't envision her surroundings concerning where she was specifically or how she transitioned there despite all the imagery being described. We later find out that she's been thrown into the brutal trials held in the Kingdom of Nightmare, and Evelyn calls the Kingdom of Daydream home. The POV monologues often felt stiff and robotic, and the passage of time was a bit confusing and inconsistent with the book's pacing.

There is a lot of horror and gore present in the first half of the story, and as heavily the trial is weighted in the overarching plot, it only takes up about 50% of the book. I feel like there could have been more development around the trials. For example, what occurred with the other contestants and what happened to all the other contestants (besides Sage)? Shouldn't there be a little more significance placed on Evelyn's successes considering NO ONE makes it through the trials?

We also have Gwen's POV, which I'm not really sure how her POV and activities contribute to the story overall. The MMC is primarily involved with Gwen, but their relationship is polyamorous (and does not include Evelyn). The Kingdom of Nightmare inhabitants are very liberal and open in their sexuality, which leads to the feeling that 40% of this book involves some form of a sexual scene that also doesn't seem to contribute to the plot or character(s) development, with 60% then involving plot or plot progression.

I feel like threats, whether perceived from the Kingdom of Nightmares in the form of Golems or Kyustos, or perceived from Evelyn about the Kingdom of Nightmares as a whole could be fleshed out a bit more. Evelyn, even when she gets her memories back, talks about needing to protect her people from them; yet, she hasn't actually witnessed any true threats to the Kingdom of Daydream from Nightmare.

There is also magick in this world, and I would also like to know more about the magick system in general. They have powers, but how, why?

Overall, there are interesting concepts in this book, and hopefully, we'll get to learn more in book 2.

[Cassie Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good. It gripped me from page 1 and never let up. The storytelling was great. And my goodness did the author make you feel like you were right there with our characters seeing, smelling, feeling everything they were.

I loved this take on trials/games and I thought it was well-thought out and written. The stakes were high and the reward fitting .

I knew from the moment Evelyn started getting her memories back that Odin was bad news and a walking red flag, very Tamlin-esque. But damn, he really made himself a serious ass hat at the end, in my opinion.

I’m not 100% sure how I feel about Gwen and Cane. Gwen just seems too optimistic for me and Cane is just Cane, idk what else to say about him.

I really want to know more about Gabriel and how he will factor in to future books.

The only thing that kept this from being a 5⭐️ read for me was that some of the dialogue felt juvenile/stilted and kind of dropped me from the story until it worked itself out again.

This is very open door spice, I would say 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ . There is also some very descriptive gore. And there is an instance at the end that does involve a man hitting his partner across the face and leaving marks.

I received an ARC of this book and this review was my own and represents my own opinions.

[SheaLeigh Wooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this debut novel! We meet Evelyn, who wakes up in The Nightmare Trials. The Kingdoms of Daydreams and Nightmares are in war with each other. There's not a whole lot of world building and the story jumps right into the Trials. This is a romantasy and it is spicy. Its was very readable and a quick read. I cant wait for book 2!

[Kelly G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author..
This was a solid start to a series. Unique magic and world and I loved being in the unknown like the main character was in the beginning.
Finding out bits and pieces of the puzzle as she did kept me intrigued.
The ending was a major clifhanger and I can't wait for the continuation to know what happens.

[Ashley Jurczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished my final ARC of the year 🎉📖 and what a way to end it! I was intrigued the moment I read the synopsis, and this book absolutely lived up to my expectations 🤍. The premise of two kingdoms—one of day ☀️ and one of night 🌙—struggling to survive was so fascinating. Evelyn is a strong, compelling FMC 💪✨, and I loved how her story unfolds through memories within her dreams 💤💭. This book is definitely an emotional rollercoaster 🎢 and that ending?! 😱🤯 One serious twist I did not see coming! I can’t wait to see what the author does next 👀📘. Off to find my next read! 📚💫

[Carly Otto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the pleasure of reading the ARC for A Twist of Dreams and it was a fun one to say the least!

If you like deadly trials you'll have a good time reading this. There is not a lot of world building even when Evelyn is aware of her surroundings so if you like less world building and information and like more of the spicy scenes and character focus, you'll like this a lot!
I thrive in high fantasy so it fell short there for me.

This was overall a fun read and the cliffhanger ending has me anticipating what's going to happen in book 2 so I will be waiting patiently 😌

[Dani Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I want to thank the authors for allowing me to review this book before its release it was truly a pleasure to read.

The story opens with a strong beginning, which I really appreciated. It immediately draws you in and sets the tone from the very first pages. The characters are engaging and well-developed, but Cane quickly became my favorite. Even though he doesn’t appear often, he completely steals every scene he’s in.

I also wasn’t expecting the story to include multiple partners, which added an interesting and unexpected dynamic. There is one character in particular who initially seemed harmless, but as the story progressed, I became increasingly suspicious of his true intentions.

There is also a mysterious character who completely intrigued me. We only know his name, and that limited information makes me want to learn so much more about him.

The ending was… intense. It left me with far more questions than answers, and I desperately need the second book as soon as possible. Overall, I highly recommend picking this book up when it releases

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had a little bit of everything I like in a fantasy read! I enjoyed the trials, the characters, the questions, the monsters, the magic, it all added to the story and kept me invested! We end on quite a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to find out more! Evelyn was thrown into these trials, her memory gone, fighting for her life in the Nightmare Kingdom, she tries to remember, all while trying to survive the trials! 4.5 stars!

[Jenn (loves_a_good_book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ I wasn’t ready for this to end. This has a great storyline with danger, betrayal, memory loss, twists and an ending that makes me wish I could have book 2 now. I need more. I’m not sure who can be trusted. The mysterious man has me curious and I need to know more about him. My mind is racing with different possibilities of characters intentions and where the story might go. I really enjoyed this book and I’ll definitely continue reading this series

[Rebecca Bailey]

I think I may be at a loss for words. I absolutely, positively loved this book from beginning to finish! I am honestly sad that it's over because I was enjoying it so much. This book was such an easy and fast read for me. I hate that I now have to wait for book two after that cliffhanger ending.

Evelyn is the FMC. A girl who has no memories of how or why she is in the Nighrmare Trials. The absolute strength and determination to survive...I could NEVER. I love her personality. She is quick with comebacks and her some of her thoughts are even better.

Gwen is another character. I'm not sure if I should call her another FMC or not. Her faith and determination that Evelyn is going to win the Nightmare Trials had me curious from the start since she can see people's auras. I like the friendship she has with Evelyn. She is another favorite of mine.

Cane, king of the Nightmare Kingdom. We didn't really get a lot of him. I would've liked for more of him just to kind of see what all he does and says since he's the one who crates the Nightmare Trials for everyone who enters. I love when characters get nicknames and him calling Evelyn "little raven" just made me all giddy. Hopefully we can see more of him in book two because I'm curious.

Odin, king of the Daydream Kingdom. He is mentioned throughout the book but it's mainly as past memories. I had a feeling of who he was when the dream memories started for Evelyn. As the book went on all I could think is that I don't fully trust him. I'm not sure why but I just have that strong feeling he is one of the characters who acts like the good guy when he is really the bad guy. Hopefully I can find out I'm right in the next book.

The Nightmare Trials were really good, in my opinion. The details do get pretty gruesome and gory. It might not be for everyone. At the beginning I had to stop reading for a moment because I haven't had a book with descriptions like that but I liked it either way. It made it feel more real and easier to imagine in my head. These trials are brutal and hurtful. Your worst fears come to life. They aren't the same for everyone since no one's fears are the same. I thought this was a nice touch and fresh from other books with trials that I've read.

There are sex scenes in here. They happen in open places and some are a little strange with the places they do it in. The people in the Nightmare Kingdom are open and know sex is a normal and natural act that people do. They don't care who sees or hears them. In fact, it makes them more turned on knowing it. Some even have multiple partners. I felt this was different and I honestly didn't mind it.

I did love that we got to see some of Evelyn's past memories, getting a more clear story of her since she has no memories. As it progresses you find out why and how she truly came to be in the Nightmare Kingdom and entering the trials. The ending absolutely has me craving for book two so I can find out who this stranger is at the end of the book and how they tie into everything. This book is a Dual POV between Evelyn and Gwen.

Overall, this book was a great read for me and I enjoyed every second of it. I think the authors did such an amazing job and I look forward to reading more of their books in the future. If you want a book that is really detailed, has magic, secrets, trials, and an ending that will have you craving more, then this is absolutely the book for you!

[Ash (On Lit Wings) · Rating 2 out of 5]

* I was provided an e-ARC by the author for an honest review.

The story had a lot of potential, but it was very rushed and underdeveloped, both from a worldbuilding and character development standpoint. We got very little in terms of the lore of the world and what we were given felt out of place and force-fed instead of natural. We did get some depth of character in the FMC *slight spoiler ahead* as she started to regain her memories, but at times what we knew about her character from her past memories and inner dialogue vs what her actions were did not match up. The plot itself felt very rushed too - the events of the story take place over the course of 3 months, but it felt like 3 days. This also made it difficult to connect with the characters and to feel invested in their relationships.

I did enjoy the trials in the beginning of the book and wish more time was spent focused on that part of the plot. The trials initially had me hooked and invested, but they were over super quickly and the rest of the book lacked the same vibe as the beginning. It sort of felt like two separate stories that were melded into one.

I also feel like we learned nothing about the MMC in this first book. We learn that he likes to flirt, enjoys having s*x with multiple partners, and has nightmare magic … okay, and…? His character lacked depth and a backstory - we were basically given nothing in terms of development for him. Gwen, on the other hand, did have some depth and I did enjoy her character, but there was a lack of storyline for her character as most of the time she was either taking the FMC shopping while feeding her toxic positivity or getting down with the MMC. There was also zero feelings of romance in this book - again, this is likely a result of a lack of character development.

Now, let’s dive into the spice component. I will start by saying that I enjoy spice in books, but I do prefer plot-driven stories with spice vs spice-driven stories with a dash of plot. Perhaps a reader who prefers the latter would enjoy this book more, so please keep this in mind. I don’t want to deter anyone from checking this out for themselves and encourage anyone interested in the premise to give it a chance.

With that said, I found the spice in this book just kind of thrown in to be there instead of earned. The inclusion of s*x scenes amongst gore was jarring and the mention of exploits occurring in the streets of the town while also mentioning kids running around the town a few lines later (to potentially witness said exploits) just didn’t sit right with me. I doubt this was the author’s intention as they were just trying to give a visual of the town and its citizens, but this just felt icky to me and not well-thought out. The scenes at times felt more like filler than anything else.

The plot itself does have a ton of potential (it’s what drew me to sign up for the ARC), but I would have enjoyed the book more had the plot been more of the focus. My hope is that subsequent books will delve deeper into the world and lore and more time will be spent pushing the plot forward. I ultimately don’t think I’ll continue with this series.

[Ariana wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors for the EARC!

I want to preface this by saying that I’m usually a pretty tough reader when it comes to new releases. It’s so easy for books within the same genre to start blending together, but A Twist of Dreams genuinely stood out to me.

This is one of those books you can sit down and devour in a single sitting (if only my toddler would allow it). It has rival kingdoms, two incredibly strong FMCs with dual POVs (!!!), deadly trials, a unique and expansive magic system, and LOTS of spice.

We begin with Evelyn, who is thrown into a horrific ordeal while trying to escape what feels like endless death traps. She quickly learns she’s inside a trial she somehow placed herself into within the Kingdom of Nightmares. "Somehow" because she has no memory of who she is or how she got there. As she works through these trials, her memories return piece by piece, revealing that she is the future queen of the Kingdom of Daydreams, The exact opposite of the Kingdom of Nightmares in every single way and also their rivals (or at least the citizens of daydream see it that way).

Also, this book WRECKED ME EMOTIONALLY!! I can't even count how many times I wanted to cry for Evelyn or how many times my heart ached for her. Her sorrow and pain is portrayed so deeply, you experience the pain like its your own.

Then we meet Gwen, kind and beautiful, yet technically the enemy as part of the King of Nightmares’ court. She ends up being almost a mirror to Evelyn in how deeply she understands and cares for her kingdom, its people, and its king. Through Gwen, we learn that the Kingdom of Nightmares isn’t the horrifying place it’s made out to be, but a warm, welcoming realm with a few dark corners (but what kingdom doesn’t have those?).

We also get the two kings, Odin and Cane, who have very Tamlin and Rhysand energy. They will make you feel every ounce love, hate, admiration and even some wanting.

And now…the spice. Oh my god. We get both the prudish side and the open-minded, “let’s all feel great together” side. There’s polygamy, same-sex couples, orgies, and one-on-one scenes, all written in ways that make you feel the intimacy and passion right along with the characters. It’s centered heavily on women’s pleasure and sexuality, which is so refreshing. Then we get the exact opposite with the Kingdom of Daydreams’ more restrictive, shame based approach to sexuality. It’s such a great way to highlight the major differences between the two kingdoms and to show how much of Evelyn’s own thoughts and opinions might be based on lies she’s not quite ready to confront.

I’m always nervous when reading an ARC, but I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. It’s well thought-out, well paced, and completely gripping. I cannot wait for book two! Also Remy if y'all are reading this please get this book printed, I'm begging, my shelf is begging, we are all begging for this beautiful book to be in our hands!!

[Talitha de Vries · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know those dreams where you wake up and think, what the hell just happened? That is exactly how the first chapters of this book felt like to me. Without spoilers, there is a mention of a wall, and then another wall. Are we still talking about the same wall? How many walls are there? I reread those chapters more than once, trying to make sense of it, and eventually decided to just move on.

You know, in hindsight, based on dream logic, if this was intended, it makes sense. But I promise you this: keep reading. Nothing is as it seems, including the POVs, which makes this book refreshing. And also slightly frustrating. Because who am I supposed to be rooting for as the love interest? I know who I want, but could it be the other POV as well, or someone we do not know much about yet? Is it sapphic? Polyamorous? The one? Anyway, I know one thing for sure. I definitely know who it is not. But I will keep hoping, futile or not, for the one I want. Even if it involves sharing. Sharing is caring, am I right?

To be clear, this is absolutely adult fantasy, but also very much dark fantasy. If that is not your thing, this really is not the book for you. Luckily for me, it is. Just know it is very graphic and has major horror elements. So be warned.

There is still so much left to uncover and confirm when it comes to my theories. I will definitely continue this series.

⚠️ If you want to stay spoiler-free, this is your exit.
Spoilers ahead.

One thing I kept wondering about was whether the book truly needed to be this spicy, and whether Gwen’s POV was partly used to achieve that. Evelyn feels like the clear FMC to me, and I was far more invested in her storyline, her emotional journey, and her eventual love interest than in Gwen’s sexcapades. That does not mean Gwen was uninteresting, but as a POV it sometimes felt confusing. Like, why are we reading about her? There has to be a bigger picture. I found myself expecting, or even hoping for, Cane’s POV instead. I wanted to understand him better, to see what he truly thinks of Evelyn. Cane is my clear preference, and that is also why I joked earlier that I would be fine with “sharing” if it were just the three of them. Gwen and Evelyn do seem to have a connection that goes beyond simple friendship.

That said, at heart I am more of a “the one” kind of reader. And the introduction of Haven Falls, where souls can be bonded to their true love, keeps that possibility very much alive for me. It leaves the door open for a more singular endgame.

Overall, while I questioned some of the narrative choices around POV and spice, they did not take away from my investment in the story. If anything, they left me thinking, theorizing, and wanting answers, which is exactly why I will be picking up the next book.