What do you think?
Rate this book
Ndesa #1
Dreams of Verdure
He reached for the stars. The jungle claimed him instead…Dashin grew up on a harsh desert world, always the youngest, always alone. When the chance for adventure finally came, he signed onto a mining ship to prospect uncharted space. But his search for freedom ends in disaster when he crash-lands on a lush jungle planet and wakes in a treetop village among a people unlike any he has ever known—some of whom wield gifts that defy logic.
He is thrust into a series of ritual trials, deadly ones he’s entirely untrained for, even before the attempts on his life begin.
Alina grew up in a canopy village, yearning for something beyond the life she knew. That “something” may just have fallen from the sky. To follow that path, she must embrace the gift she’s always feared and trust in impossible visions and an unlikely ally. And, she must do it before it all slips through her fingers.
He is thrust into a series of ritual trials, deadly ones he’s entirely untrained for, even before the attempts on his life begin.
Alina grew up in a canopy village, yearning for something beyond the life she knew. That “something” may just have fallen from the sky. To follow that path, she must embrace the gift she’s always feared and trust in impossible visions and an unlikely ally. And, she must do it before it all slips through her fingers.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
David Pariseau
4 books5 followersDavid Pariseau has always dreamed of writing novels. He even tried it a few times amid life’s obligations and detours. "Dreams of Verdure" is the culmination of that dream. The first, he hopes, of many books along that path. The second book, "Songs of Flint", is in the final stages of editing, with first drafts of the other three books in the series completed.
Like many other SciFi/Fantasy authors, David spent years in the High-Tech as an engineer, wrangling electrons and debugging unruly code.
David lives in the Bay Area in California with his wife Janis and his writing partner Coco, who’s been invaluable in fleshing out Pritha’s details, though he still doesn’t understand why she had to be a cat and not a Shih-Tzu.
Like many other SciFi/Fantasy authors, David spent years in the High-Tech as an engineer, wrangling electrons and debugging unruly code.
David lives in the Bay Area in California with his wife Janis and his writing partner Coco, who’s been invaluable in fleshing out Pritha’s details, though he still doesn’t understand why she had to be a cat and not a Shih-Tzu.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 24, 2025
What a great story! Gave me a smidge of Avatar vibes. It starts out with a bang (literally) and keeps it going. The relationships feel so authentic and made me really rooting for Dashin and Alina. Also, can someone please make the lanyards in real life… that would be awesome. High stakes, found family, a sweet little romance and adventure. What more could you want!
January 11, 2026
So, I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this book because I couldn't put it down. And I'm very glad to know this is a series since I'm not ready to let these characters go. I had to sit in my feels today and think how I wanted to review my time reading it because I wanted it to sound a little more intellectual than simply gushing away about it. But I think all I can say is this is genuinely a new favorite of mine, and I feel blessed to have received it as an ARC because I might not have discovered it otherwise. As a primarily dark fantasy and horror reader, no one is as surprised as I am at how this captured my heart.
I'm not even smart enough to know how to articulate what it is about the author's writing style that made each character's personality and the way they see the world around them leap off the page as it's not overly wordy in their thoughts or descriptions, yet even the most straightforward interaction, response to the situation or eye crinkle seems to speak volumes to the heart of the characters. Plus, there are some complex fantastical concepts that were explained in such a way I could easily grasp them and visualize how they would work.
I was rooting for the characters from the first page, and invested in the cozy low to mid stakes type of plot too. I just got the sense it takes a kind soul to write characters as charming and endearing as these who I'll be thinking about for a long time and wishing I could be 'of the tribe' with too. Found family, good natured banter, leading with kindness and persevering through hardship are my favorites, and this knocked all that out of the park.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@david.pariseau.author @tara.reeds24
Dreams of Verdure by David Pariseau is the first book in the Ndesa series, a sci-fi fantasy novel about a desert-world native who crash-lands on a lush jungle planet and must adapt to its unique people and dangers, featuring themes of found family, adventure, and magic.
I'm not even smart enough to know how to articulate what it is about the author's writing style that made each character's personality and the way they see the world around them leap off the page as it's not overly wordy in their thoughts or descriptions, yet even the most straightforward interaction, response to the situation or eye crinkle seems to speak volumes to the heart of the characters. Plus, there are some complex fantastical concepts that were explained in such a way I could easily grasp them and visualize how they would work.
I was rooting for the characters from the first page, and invested in the cozy low to mid stakes type of plot too. I just got the sense it takes a kind soul to write characters as charming and endearing as these who I'll be thinking about for a long time and wishing I could be 'of the tribe' with too. Found family, good natured banter, leading with kindness and persevering through hardship are my favorites, and this knocked all that out of the park.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@david.pariseau.author @tara.reeds24
Dreams of Verdure by David Pariseau is the first book in the Ndesa series, a sci-fi fantasy novel about a desert-world native who crash-lands on a lush jungle planet and must adapt to its unique people and dangers, featuring themes of found family, adventure, and magic.
January 17, 2026
Let me tell you how my journey with Dashin and Alina began.
As I always do, I started by taking notes—setting, narrative conventions, characterisation, pace. That lasted until about page ten. By then, I was completely absorbed by the world-building and the characters, and note-taking went straight out the window. I devoured this book.
Dashin, a mechanical engineer, crash-lands on a strange planet—home to the Treepeople. Alina, a member of the tribe, finds him and decides to take him back to the village with the help of her closest friends. Once there, Dashin is faced with a harrowing choice: complete three deadly trials to earn his place among the tribe.
But first, the setting—the forest. My god. The descriptive elements of this world were so vivid that I truly believed I was walking beside Dashin and Alina through the trees. The imagery unfolded like a film playing in my mind, rich and immersive at every turn.
The characterisation is equally stunning. Not only Dashin and Alina, but the other members of the tribe—Eror, Hurza, and Kani—are all distinct, emotionally resonant, and beautifully written. And how could I forget the two cutest children I have ever encountered in a book? Solvan and Matse completely stole my heart.
The way David gradually releases nuggets of information pertinent to the unfolding mystery is exquisite and masterfully done, keeping the tension simmering and the pages turning.
The subtle undercurrent of romance only deepens the story, adding emotional weight without ever overshadowing the plot.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As I always do, I started by taking notes—setting, narrative conventions, characterisation, pace. That lasted until about page ten. By then, I was completely absorbed by the world-building and the characters, and note-taking went straight out the window. I devoured this book.
Dashin, a mechanical engineer, crash-lands on a strange planet—home to the Treepeople. Alina, a member of the tribe, finds him and decides to take him back to the village with the help of her closest friends. Once there, Dashin is faced with a harrowing choice: complete three deadly trials to earn his place among the tribe.
But first, the setting—the forest. My god. The descriptive elements of this world were so vivid that I truly believed I was walking beside Dashin and Alina through the trees. The imagery unfolded like a film playing in my mind, rich and immersive at every turn.
The characterisation is equally stunning. Not only Dashin and Alina, but the other members of the tribe—Eror, Hurza, and Kani—are all distinct, emotionally resonant, and beautifully written. And how could I forget the two cutest children I have ever encountered in a book? Solvan and Matse completely stole my heart.
The way David gradually releases nuggets of information pertinent to the unfolding mystery is exquisite and masterfully done, keeping the tension simmering and the pages turning.
The subtle undercurrent of romance only deepens the story, adding emotional weight without ever overshadowing the plot.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2025
Dreams of Verdure is a MUST-READ, fantastic start to what promises to be an epic fantasy series!
I was hooked from the opening scene, where Dashin and Gralan’s ship disaster had me on edge, vividly crafted like a movie.
The plot, centered on an outsider proving themselves to the Treepeople through trials, is fresh and engaging, with twists I didn’t see coming and a deeply satisfying ending.
The characters are a highlight—Dashin and Alina are brave, caring, and easy to root for, while secondary characters like Rigin and the adorable pet Pritha add heart. Even the villain, Hendrick, gets a compelling arc.
The romance between Dashin and Alina feels natural, never overshadowing the main story, which I loved.
The writing flows beautifully, with vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and perfectly paced cliffhangers that kept me reading late into the night.
The pacing balances action, training, and character development without a dull moment.
I’m already eager for the next book and highly recommend this to fantasy fans, especially for YA readers! A must-read I’ll be sharing with my daughters.
I was hooked from the opening scene, where Dashin and Gralan’s ship disaster had me on edge, vividly crafted like a movie.
The plot, centered on an outsider proving themselves to the Treepeople through trials, is fresh and engaging, with twists I didn’t see coming and a deeply satisfying ending.
The characters are a highlight—Dashin and Alina are brave, caring, and easy to root for, while secondary characters like Rigin and the adorable pet Pritha add heart. Even the villain, Hendrick, gets a compelling arc.
The romance between Dashin and Alina feels natural, never overshadowing the main story, which I loved.
The writing flows beautifully, with vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and perfectly paced cliffhangers that kept me reading late into the night.
The pacing balances action, training, and character development without a dull moment.
I’m already eager for the next book and highly recommend this to fantasy fans, especially for YA readers! A must-read I’ll be sharing with my daughters.
September 15, 2025
This young adult fantasy drops you into a world of breathtaking forests that is both beautiful yet dangerous, where every shadow feels alive.
I quickly fell in love with the main characters of this dual narrative, Dashin and Alina. Dashin has to fight for his life, alone in a world designed to defeat him and tribe members who want him gone. Alina, on the other hand, is torn between the traditions of her people and the pull of her own uncharted identify. Throughout the book, you watch them wrestle with survival, friendship, belonging, and the courage to face who they really are.
The side characters aren't just for scenery or to drive the plot forward, but they each have their own motives and secrets which makes the village and day to day life realistic. The pacing is exactly what I look for in a YA fantasy- brisk enough to keep me turning pages yet filled with rich detail. I never wanted to put the book down while I was lost in the lush forests of Ndesa.
If you love immersive worlds, characters you can't stop rooting for, and high stakes adventure, this is the book for you!
I quickly fell in love with the main characters of this dual narrative, Dashin and Alina. Dashin has to fight for his life, alone in a world designed to defeat him and tribe members who want him gone. Alina, on the other hand, is torn between the traditions of her people and the pull of her own uncharted identify. Throughout the book, you watch them wrestle with survival, friendship, belonging, and the courage to face who they really are.
The side characters aren't just for scenery or to drive the plot forward, but they each have their own motives and secrets which makes the village and day to day life realistic. The pacing is exactly what I look for in a YA fantasy- brisk enough to keep me turning pages yet filled with rich detail. I never wanted to put the book down while I was lost in the lush forests of Ndesa.
If you love immersive worlds, characters you can't stop rooting for, and high stakes adventure, this is the book for you!
November 13, 2025
Two Worlds Collide in a Kaleidoscope
This is book 1 of the Ndesa Series. This book has a Prologue followed by 51 chapters so if you are looking for a short read, then this book is not what you are looking for. If you want an amazing experience into another world - THEN READ THIS BOOK.
What an amazing book!! Talk about an intensely immersive storyline! It felt like Avatar and the Hunger Games (without the threat of death - mostly) came together in a stunning visual explosion! You feel yourself flying through the trees with them. You feel the intense emotional connections the partners have with each other. You feel individuals come together and choose to be a family. Grace is given to an outsider and an insider. Love turns a lonely individual into a beloved family member. Friendships are bound more tightly together. Maturity and Respect are given and earned. Knowledge is shared and learned even when not understood.
Read the book. You won’t be disappointed and I cannot wait for book 2 to come out!!
5 stars!
This is book 1 of the Ndesa Series. This book has a Prologue followed by 51 chapters so if you are looking for a short read, then this book is not what you are looking for. If you want an amazing experience into another world - THEN READ THIS BOOK.
What an amazing book!! Talk about an intensely immersive storyline! It felt like Avatar and the Hunger Games (without the threat of death - mostly) came together in a stunning visual explosion! You feel yourself flying through the trees with them. You feel the intense emotional connections the partners have with each other. You feel individuals come together and choose to be a family. Grace is given to an outsider and an insider. Love turns a lonely individual into a beloved family member. Friendships are bound more tightly together. Maturity and Respect are given and earned. Knowledge is shared and learned even when not understood.
Read the book. You won’t be disappointed and I cannot wait for book 2 to come out!!
5 stars!
January 17, 2026
Dashin, a young man from a harsh desert world who signs onto a mining ship seeking freedom and adventure. His journey takes a sudden turn when he crashes on a mysterious, lush jungle planet and wakes up in a treetop village full of people and powers he doesn't understand. Struggling to survive in this strange place, he is forced into dangerous trials and must learn how to navigate a world very different from the one he knew. Meanwhile, Alina, a native of the jungle canopy who has always longed for something beyond her home, feels drawn to this unexpected newcomer and must confront her own fears and unusual gifts while forming an unlikely bond with Dashin. The story blends high-stakes adventure, rich worldbuilding, and themes of belonging, identity, and connection.
January 17, 2026
(3.5 rounded to 4)
This was an enjoyable start to a new series by indie author David Pariseau that has elements of scifi and fantasy. I’ll be honest and say that the mythology of an ancient civilisation that seeded life on multiple planets is very intriguing and I wish we had more of it!
However, Dashin, Alina, Hedrick and all of the other characters came together nicely to weave a story that had emotion, ups and downs, and the bit of anxiety that underlines the otherwise happy ending sets book 2 up for an interesting, perhaps darker and more expansive, continuation of the TreeFolk.
Thanks to the author for a free copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
This was an enjoyable start to a new series by indie author David Pariseau that has elements of scifi and fantasy. I’ll be honest and say that the mythology of an ancient civilisation that seeded life on multiple planets is very intriguing and I wish we had more of it!
However, Dashin, Alina, Hedrick and all of the other characters came together nicely to weave a story that had emotion, ups and downs, and the bit of anxiety that underlines the otherwise happy ending sets book 2 up for an interesting, perhaps darker and more expansive, continuation of the TreeFolk.
Thanks to the author for a free copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2026
ARC review - This was a great read with imaginative scenery and characters that I fell in love with instantly. Alina and Dashin were a lovely duo that complemented each other well. If you’re into sci-fi and romance this book is perfect for you. The romance part is not over bearing and doesn’t take from the plot, so if you aren’t sure about romance you should definitely give this book a read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2026
This book is one beautiful adventure. From found family and cute animals, this touches on all the heartstrings the right way. There was just enough angst to keep you on your toes with all the things going on. I look forward to more of this world. This was my first read from this author and won't be my last.
January 12, 2026
Really well written Sci Fi fantasy story. You follow Dashin and Alina. I did enjoy the dual POV. The picture the author paints of the Tree Folk and their village is inviting. If you are a fan of Avatar the movies you would probably like this.
January 13, 2026
I don’t usually do spaceships and magic, but this was a surprisingly easy read. Even if you aren't a sci-fi fantasy fan, the found family story and the connection between Alina and Dashin makes it worth a read.
December 30, 2025
This was a fun read. The characters were likeable and relatable. The overall story arc was a little predictable but there were some neat surprises along the way.
January 17, 2026
It was a good book. I like the characters and the storyline. I would definitely read this again.
November 30, 2025
Fantasy that feels like home.
I’m one of those people who devours books like other people eat food. So several years later, I could tell you that I loved a book, and maybe I couldn’t even tell you everything that happens in the book, but I could definitely tell you how it made me feel. Dreams of Verdure is a fantasy, but in the way of all good fantasies, it’s also much more. It’s about this:
Family. Finding your home.
Love. Building a life together.
Adventure. Solving problems and innovating solutions.
Dashin, lovable, smart, hardworking and slightly goofy, literally crashes into the world and life of Alina.
Alina, intelligent, intuitive, and adventurous will find herself put slightly off kilter by this stranger as she helps him acclimate to his new surroundings.
But this is no Hallmark Channel romance. Alina‘s people must fight for their survival in the jungle. There are threats everywhere—within and without—and not everyone wants to let an outsider into their close-knit family.
Pariseau weaves together all the elements of a family saga with those of a great adventure while adding the glint of a budding love story. He combines the grounded nature of duty to family and tribe with intense introspection and seeking. He has crafted new characters that somehow we all already know and love. He creates a world so tangible that’s it’s difficult to put the book down for fear you’ll miss something while you’re gone.
I’m one of those people who devours books like other people eat food. So several years later, I could tell you that I loved a book, and maybe I couldn’t even tell you everything that happens in the book, but I could definitely tell you how it made me feel. Dreams of Verdure is a fantasy, but in the way of all good fantasies, it’s also much more. It’s about this:
Family. Finding your home.
Love. Building a life together.
Adventure. Solving problems and innovating solutions.
Dashin, lovable, smart, hardworking and slightly goofy, literally crashes into the world and life of Alina.
Alina, intelligent, intuitive, and adventurous will find herself put slightly off kilter by this stranger as she helps him acclimate to his new surroundings.
But this is no Hallmark Channel romance. Alina‘s people must fight for their survival in the jungle. There are threats everywhere—within and without—and not everyone wants to let an outsider into their close-knit family.
Pariseau weaves together all the elements of a family saga with those of a great adventure while adding the glint of a budding love story. He combines the grounded nature of duty to family and tribe with intense introspection and seeking. He has crafted new characters that somehow we all already know and love. He creates a world so tangible that’s it’s difficult to put the book down for fear you’ll miss something while you’re gone.
Read
January 9, 2026“Dreams of Verdure” swept me into a world so lush, dangerous, and alive that I swear I could hear the jungle breathing beside me. David Pariseau has created a story that feels both mythical and deeply human, full of mystery, adventure, and a quiet emotional pull that stays with you long after the final page.
What stole my heart most were the characters. The journey through Ndesa doesn’t feel like following a plot — it feels like walking beside real people who carry their fears, their courage, and their longing for something more. Every moment of tension, every eerie sound in the darkness, every whispered secret of the forest feels amplified because you’re connected to them.
The worldbuilding is phenomenal. The rainforest itself is practically a character — breathing, glowing, hiding monsters in its shadows. The strange creatures, the flickers of green light, the hints of ancient magic… everything is woven together so vividly that I could picture every leaf, every glowing eye staring back from the darkness.
And that undercurrent of mystery? Perfection. The way Pariseau slowly reveals answers while introducing even bigger questions kept me hooked all the way through.
This is the kind of sci-fantasy that feels wildly original yet comfortingly classic — the perfect blend of adventure, heart, and world-deep lore.
If you love immersive worlds, atmospheric reads, and character-driven fantasy with a pulse of danger running beneath every scene, this is absolutely for you. I’m already excited for Book Two in the Ndesa series!
What stole my heart most were the characters. The journey through Ndesa doesn’t feel like following a plot — it feels like walking beside real people who carry their fears, their courage, and their longing for something more. Every moment of tension, every eerie sound in the darkness, every whispered secret of the forest feels amplified because you’re connected to them.
The worldbuilding is phenomenal. The rainforest itself is practically a character — breathing, glowing, hiding monsters in its shadows. The strange creatures, the flickers of green light, the hints of ancient magic… everything is woven together so vividly that I could picture every leaf, every glowing eye staring back from the darkness.
And that undercurrent of mystery? Perfection. The way Pariseau slowly reveals answers while introducing even bigger questions kept me hooked all the way through.
This is the kind of sci-fantasy that feels wildly original yet comfortingly classic — the perfect blend of adventure, heart, and world-deep lore.
If you love immersive worlds, atmospheric reads, and character-driven fantasy with a pulse of danger running beneath every scene, this is absolutely for you. I’m already excited for Book Two in the Ndesa series!
November 15, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I read it on a flight and couldn't put it down. It has everything: sci Fi, fantasy, engineering, & romance. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews