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Somnia
It's the year 2034. Hollywood is dead, and Somnia killed it.
Alan E. Smith invented a revolutionary new technology that turns dreams into digestible, viewable entertainment. Users upload their subconscious footage, and the company's "Directors" edit, colorize, and curate the content for mass consumption. Films are now made with the power of thought, and Somnia has become a trillion-dollar juggernaut in just a few years.
But beneath its glossy facade, something dark is festering. Someone inside the company is dreaming over and over again about murdering Alan's wife, and the only person who can save her is David Keaton, a 24-year-old former film student turned reluctant Somnia employee. After surviving a plane crash that left him unable to dream or visualize images, David is the only one Alan can trust to do the job.
Forced to confront his limitations and save the company that killed the industry he loved, David must navigate a world built on nightmares, corporate surveillance, and fractured minds to stop a murder that may only exist in someone's head.
Alan E. Smith invented a revolutionary new technology that turns dreams into digestible, viewable entertainment. Users upload their subconscious footage, and the company's "Directors" edit, colorize, and curate the content for mass consumption. Films are now made with the power of thought, and Somnia has become a trillion-dollar juggernaut in just a few years.
But beneath its glossy facade, something dark is festering. Someone inside the company is dreaming over and over again about murdering Alan's wife, and the only person who can save her is David Keaton, a 24-year-old former film student turned reluctant Somnia employee. After surviving a plane crash that left him unable to dream or visualize images, David is the only one Alan can trust to do the job.
Forced to confront his limitations and save the company that killed the industry he loved, David must navigate a world built on nightmares, corporate surveillance, and fractured minds to stop a murder that may only exist in someone's head.
394 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 27, 2026
Note: I received advance review copy of Somnia.
Somnia is a very surprising twisty adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat.
At the start of the book I was extremely surprised by the premise of this book, and as I got more into the story I really got pulled in. The story in Somnia is one of the most twisty stories as the main character works his way forward looking of a potential future murderer. As he explores the company he works for and learns more about the people involved, there is just so much going on that inspires new layers of existential dread in this slightly futuristic society where dreams are a commodity.
The character writing doesn't exactly keep pace with the story as characters tend to be more of plot pieces than fleshed out characters. The one thing I really did enjoy about the character writing is that it is surprisingly cynical as the books paints everyone as a bit of a villain in some way. Even the main character is a bit flat at times but has some small degree of depth with some darkness in him.
My biggest complain about Somnia is that the direct build up to the climax and the climax itself seems awfully deus ex machinaed. I mean, I like the layers of conspiracies piling on top of each others in the story but at a certain point it feels like these new twists are coming simply to save the story where its been written into a corner.
Even with its issues, I found Somia to be a really fun read and I would recommend checking it out.
Somnia is a very surprising twisty adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat.
At the start of the book I was extremely surprised by the premise of this book, and as I got more into the story I really got pulled in. The story in Somnia is one of the most twisty stories as the main character works his way forward looking of a potential future murderer. As he explores the company he works for and learns more about the people involved, there is just so much going on that inspires new layers of existential dread in this slightly futuristic society where dreams are a commodity.
The character writing doesn't exactly keep pace with the story as characters tend to be more of plot pieces than fleshed out characters. The one thing I really did enjoy about the character writing is that it is surprisingly cynical as the books paints everyone as a bit of a villain in some way. Even the main character is a bit flat at times but has some small degree of depth with some darkness in him.
My biggest complain about Somnia is that the direct build up to the climax and the climax itself seems awfully deus ex machinaed. I mean, I like the layers of conspiracies piling on top of each others in the story but at a certain point it feels like these new twists are coming simply to save the story where its been written into a corner.
Even with its issues, I found Somia to be a really fun read and I would recommend checking it out.
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January 9, 2026My first time reading a Brian Mazzarella book. What an intriguing plot to intertwine our dreams, technology, AI and my favorite movie making experience to uncover the villain right before your eyes.
December 17, 2025
Somnia by Brian Mazzarella is a superb mystery thriller set in the near future, where dreams have supplanted Hollywood as the world's entertainment.
Fans of film and TV will find a huge number of subtle and not-so-subtle nods towards Hollywood, in character names and sentences that resemble famous movie lines. Dream sequences are also written in film script style; and while this might feel a little odd at first, it very quickly wraps into the story and serves to make it easy to differentiate dreams from in-story reality.
I appreciated that while there are hints of this being set in a dystopian society, the plot focuses firmly on the mystery thriller aspect and leaves the question of society at large ambiguous, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions.
Many thanks to the author and BookSirens for arranging the early copy on which this review is based.
Fans of film and TV will find a huge number of subtle and not-so-subtle nods towards Hollywood, in character names and sentences that resemble famous movie lines. Dream sequences are also written in film script style; and while this might feel a little odd at first, it very quickly wraps into the story and serves to make it easy to differentiate dreams from in-story reality.
I appreciated that while there are hints of this being set in a dystopian society, the plot focuses firmly on the mystery thriller aspect and leaves the question of society at large ambiguous, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions.
Many thanks to the author and BookSirens for arranging the early copy on which this review is based.
Review of advance copy
Somnia - Brian Mazzarella
I LOVED the premise of this book. Dream Extremes!! The dream theme was fun and intriguing. Science Fiction is not always my first pick for a genre, however, this one really caught my eye and kept me going until the final scene. I am so glad I got an opportunity to read this book.
The main character, David, takes us through his tormented experiences and we really get to know him through the story. The author has painted a well developed picture of David and I found myself really invested in his trials and tribulations throughout the book.
There were some GREAT lines quoted in the book and several of them really resonated with me. Alan, who runs the company, Somnia, had a couple good lines. One of them was, “if you dream it, you can view it,” which is one of the main ideas in this book. The second quote that is fabulous occurs during a conversation between Alan and David when Alan says, “words are often the enemies of facts….” Although a perfect quote in the literary work of Mazzarella, it is also applicable in the world in which we live!
I enjoyed the second half of this book much more than the first half of the book. The early part of the book is loaded with characters of Somnia, and there is also some technical setup because of the dream sequences. As the story was coming closer to its climax, all of the characters fell into place and made more sense to me.
Like many books, this book was divided into three parts for me. The first part was a little more difficult for me to follow and it was the foundation and problem of the story. (Yes - important!!) The second part of the story was the development of the problem and how the problem was to be addressed by the characters. The third part of the book was action packed resolution and all of my questions were properly addressed.
Brian has chosen a nice addition in the style of his writing. When we are experiencing dream sequences throughout the story, it is written as if it was a television or movie “script.” Giving the setting and simple screen directions, this scripting style really enhances the reader’s experience. There was also good use of analogies throughout the book which helped with visualization of characters and story elements
I totally RECOMMEND this book. The ideas in this story really bend reality and challenge the paradigms in your mind of what is “normal!” Did I mention how much I loved this premise!
I received an advanced review copy of “Somnia” for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily!
Review of advance copy
Meta plotted science fiction mystery lust story.
The author is fair in starting the book as if it was a film script and tells us how an invention has crippled the film studios and altered society and economy by rewarding dreaming. The technology can read the user's mind and project their dreams for others to see. The proprietor, Alan, of this gadget and system has become the world's richest and most powerful man. He has monetised the showing of dreams as entertainment and has power because of the knowledge and secrets he holds of other people's thoughts and imagination.
Our hero, David, is the sole survivor of a plane crash and has neurological damage resulting from that incident. Ironically, his lack of visualisation stops his ambition of becoming a film editor (if he can't be creator) yet makes him the ideal investigator of who is dreaming about killing Alan's beautiful wife, Mira. There are several suspects along the way, and David has the power of visualisation restored through new technology. He discovers Mira's relationship with Alan is not as it seems and wants to become her saviour. Security guards who should protect the main characters have divided loyalty and one even becomes a betrayer. Our hero is in peril when his fantasies about Mira become real, and known to others.
The plotting is intricate, and I wondered what was happening when the culprit was caught about four-fifths into the story. Things become more fantastic and more backstory is revealed. I thought it was a very clever and thought-provoking ending, making the reader work out the bones and twists of the story.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author is fair in starting the book as if it was a film script and tells us how an invention has crippled the film studios and altered society and economy by rewarding dreaming. The technology can read the user's mind and project their dreams for others to see. The proprietor, Alan, of this gadget and system has become the world's richest and most powerful man. He has monetised the showing of dreams as entertainment and has power because of the knowledge and secrets he holds of other people's thoughts and imagination.
Our hero, David, is the sole survivor of a plane crash and has neurological damage resulting from that incident. Ironically, his lack of visualisation stops his ambition of becoming a film editor (if he can't be creator) yet makes him the ideal investigator of who is dreaming about killing Alan's beautiful wife, Mira. There are several suspects along the way, and David has the power of visualisation restored through new technology. He discovers Mira's relationship with Alan is not as it seems and wants to become her saviour. Security guards who should protect the main characters have divided loyalty and one even becomes a betrayer. Our hero is in peril when his fantasies about Mira become real, and known to others.
The plotting is intricate, and I wondered what was happening when the culprit was caught about four-fifths into the story. Things become more fantastic and more backstory is revealed. I thought it was a very clever and thought-provoking ending, making the reader work out the bones and twists of the story.
I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Somnia is a book based on near future where Hollywood has collapsed and Dreams has taken over as the entertainment industry.
This was a mind-blowing thriller I have read so far. The book was an absolute rollercoaster. From the beginning of the book, I was intrigued. I really enjoyed it, and there was not a single dull moment.
It actually felt like watching a movie with all the behind the scenes and scripts.
Thank you, Book Siren, and the author for the ARC.
This was a mind-blowing thriller I have read so far. The book was an absolute rollercoaster. From the beginning of the book, I was intrigued. I really enjoyed it, and there was not a single dull moment.
It actually felt like watching a movie with all the behind the scenes and scripts.
Thank you, Book Siren, and the author for the ARC.
Review of advance copy
This was a very unique read. The author had a unique writing style, and I really appreciated that it was something different from a typical thriller. Occasionally things felt a little rushed, but overall, I enjoyed the story, and it's originality. Definitely a book I will recommend to people that are looking for something a little different.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews