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The Dreamwitch
Not yet published
Expected 9 Feb 27A darkly romantic, richly imagined and lyrically written gothic fantasy of forbidden magic, and the fragile boundary between reality and ruin. Perfect for fans of Ava Reid, Alix E. Harrow and Keri Lake.
In Camdyn, strangeness seeps from Wolford Manor like blood from an open wound. The manor swelters when it should freeze and the garden rots instead of grows – and the young nephew of Lord Montgomery suffers from crippling and pervasive nightmares. Desperate, the family calls upon Matiah Blood.
As a dreamwitch, Matiah can traverse and manipulate the realm of dreams. Wanting to bolster her reputation and support her struggling sister, Matiah travels to the manor – despite the threat of the huntsmen, an elusive sect who prey on dreamwitches.
While Matiah hurries to uncover Wolford’s secrets and prevent the nightmares from poisoning the rest of the household, she must rely on Atlas, the Montgomery’s handsome, brooding bodyguard, for protection. Forced to work together, the two can’t resist their growing attraction – despite Atlas’s devastating history with dreamwitches.
But something far more sinister than huntsmen and nightmares haunts Wolford, something Atlas can’t protect her from, that threatens to break the barrier between the world of dreams and reality. And if Matiah can’t find a way to save Wolford from the ghosts of its past, it might very well break her.
In Camdyn, strangeness seeps from Wolford Manor like blood from an open wound. The manor swelters when it should freeze and the garden rots instead of grows – and the young nephew of Lord Montgomery suffers from crippling and pervasive nightmares. Desperate, the family calls upon Matiah Blood.
As a dreamwitch, Matiah can traverse and manipulate the realm of dreams. Wanting to bolster her reputation and support her struggling sister, Matiah travels to the manor – despite the threat of the huntsmen, an elusive sect who prey on dreamwitches.
While Matiah hurries to uncover Wolford’s secrets and prevent the nightmares from poisoning the rest of the household, she must rely on Atlas, the Montgomery’s handsome, brooding bodyguard, for protection. Forced to work together, the two can’t resist their growing attraction – despite Atlas’s devastating history with dreamwitches.
But something far more sinister than huntsmen and nightmares haunts Wolford, something Atlas can’t protect her from, that threatens to break the barrier between the world of dreams and reality. And if Matiah can’t find a way to save Wolford from the ghosts of its past, it might very well break her.
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 9, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 5, 2026
I am so pleasantly surprised but how much I enjoyed this book. It sits somewhere between a 4.5 and 5 star for me, but rounding up for Goodreads
This is unlike anything I’ve read. A witchy romantasy but with elements or horror. I loved the way Penny Dreadfuls were brought into this, and I loved the dreaming. It felt fresh and unique. And the romance was everything for me. It was believable and pure.
I felt like there were a couple small moments I wanted a little more from or a little more clarity. But I loved the gothic atmosphere and i really loved when it was difficult to tell if she was awake or dreaming/hallucinating, it made the book feel that much more immersive.
Truly just an incredible book and I cannot wait for the world to read it
Thank you to St Martins Press influencer program and netgalley for the honor and privilege of reading this early
This is unlike anything I’ve read. A witchy romantasy but with elements or horror. I loved the way Penny Dreadfuls were brought into this, and I loved the dreaming. It felt fresh and unique. And the romance was everything for me. It was believable and pure.
I felt like there were a couple small moments I wanted a little more from or a little more clarity. But I loved the gothic atmosphere and i really loved when it was difficult to tell if she was awake or dreaming/hallucinating, it made the book feel that much more immersive.
Truly just an incredible book and I cannot wait for the world to read it
Thank you to St Martins Press influencer program and netgalley for the honor and privilege of reading this early
Review of advance copy received from Author
MY FIRST FIVE STARS FOR 2026. Enchantingly moving and an absolute delight.
I just finished reading the entire novel and I'll save you the time and effort, once this book releases and you do not read this book, you'd be missing one of the best gothic fantasies in 2026.
Considering that this is Monique Hazel's debut book, I have dived into it fresh and clear of any expectations just like every other industry critic. Once I got to meet the characters, the premise of the novel, and continued to read and devour every word my eyes laid upon on and soon, my brain started showing me the story as if I was watching a film... That's when I knew this book had me on a chokehold.
The characters were not boring. They are all layered, intriguing, charming, interesting, and unique. I enjoyed reading every single dialogue. I love the friendship, the dynamics, and how believable the relationships are written for the characters especially Matiah and Atlas'.
OMG! Forget the yearning and the tension a whole lot of people are looking for in a romance; Monique Hazel's strength is in writing the push and pull of Matiah and Atlas' relationship from mission to the very thing that grounds Atlas to the world. UGH! I tell you, this author KNOWS how to hold back and satisfy the readers because THE MOMENT she wrote Ch. 41...? HELLO??? Ah! Also, the stocking scene, the POOL scene??? HELLO???? HELLLLOOOOOOO???
I need to talk to someone. I need you to read this book so we can go crazy over how beautiful these characters were written. How their love flourished through all the trauma and how they realized they were both more than broken figures. They healed each other and became each other's key to staying alive.
I've never read a romance as great and as engrossing as this.
Also, the magic system, actually, the dreamscapes, is wonderfully thought of. I love how the author explained how everything worked, how the Dreamwitches worked. How the problem of the story was laid out. Beautiful, beautiful work, indeed. It is believable and well thought of. I would very much love to read more about the other witches mentioned in this novel as well as how the others used their gifts.
The action sequence, tho... Wow. I was on the edge of my seat. I was slowly breathing, eating up every damn line, making sure I will not miss a single detail. Like I said, I had imagined every bit of the action sequence and if the characters were tired, I felt tired too! It was like I was in the scene with them. (Don't judge me, but I hated the huntsmen during the hotel scene. I threw one of my pillows across my bed in annoyance of their audacity. UGH.)
I don't know how else to explain it other than I would read this novel all over again and still find more details to talk about. (Trust me, I'm doing my best not spoil anything here.) I hope, once this book gets released, a lot of people will appreciate the gorgeous landscape (and dreamscape), Monique hazel had written for all of us to explore and get lost into. I know I have, and I am happy where I am.
Read this for the plot, the emotional hook, the characters, the ever-satisfying push-and-pull of Matiah and Atlas' growing relationship and finally enjoy the fruits they bear. Solve the mystery with Matiah and travel through the unconscious world. This world is something I would glad fall back into and this author has found herself a faithful and loyal reader.
5-stars worthy, indeed.
I just finished reading the entire novel and I'll save you the time and effort, once this book releases and you do not read this book, you'd be missing one of the best gothic fantasies in 2026.
Considering that this is Monique Hazel's debut book, I have dived into it fresh and clear of any expectations just like every other industry critic. Once I got to meet the characters, the premise of the novel, and continued to read and devour every word my eyes laid upon on and soon, my brain started showing me the story as if I was watching a film... That's when I knew this book had me on a chokehold.
The characters were not boring. They are all layered, intriguing, charming, interesting, and unique. I enjoyed reading every single dialogue. I love the friendship, the dynamics, and how believable the relationships are written for the characters especially Matiah and Atlas'.
OMG! Forget the yearning and the tension a whole lot of people are looking for in a romance; Monique Hazel's strength is in writing the push and pull of Matiah and Atlas' relationship from mission to the very thing that grounds Atlas to the world. UGH! I tell you, this author KNOWS how to hold back and satisfy the readers because THE MOMENT she wrote Ch. 41...? HELLO??? Ah! Also, the stocking scene, the POOL scene??? HELLO???? HELLLLOOOOOOO???
I need to talk to someone. I need you to read this book so we can go crazy over how beautiful these characters were written. How their love flourished through all the trauma and how they realized they were both more than broken figures. They healed each other and became each other's key to staying alive.
I've never read a romance as great and as engrossing as this.
Also, the magic system, actually, the dreamscapes, is wonderfully thought of. I love how the author explained how everything worked, how the Dreamwitches worked. How the problem of the story was laid out. Beautiful, beautiful work, indeed. It is believable and well thought of. I would very much love to read more about the other witches mentioned in this novel as well as how the others used their gifts.
The action sequence, tho... Wow. I was on the edge of my seat. I was slowly breathing, eating up every damn line, making sure I will not miss a single detail. Like I said, I had imagined every bit of the action sequence and if the characters were tired, I felt tired too! It was like I was in the scene with them. (Don't judge me, but I hated the huntsmen during the hotel scene. I threw one of my pillows across my bed in annoyance of their audacity. UGH.)
I don't know how else to explain it other than I would read this novel all over again and still find more details to talk about. (Trust me, I'm doing my best not spoil anything here.) I hope, once this book gets released, a lot of people will appreciate the gorgeous landscape (and dreamscape), Monique hazel had written for all of us to explore and get lost into. I know I have, and I am happy where I am.
Read this for the plot, the emotional hook, the characters, the ever-satisfying push-and-pull of Matiah and Atlas' growing relationship and finally enjoy the fruits they bear. Solve the mystery with Matiah and travel through the unconscious world. This world is something I would glad fall back into and this author has found herself a faithful and loyal reader.
5-stars worthy, indeed.
July 1, 2026
Sometimes you step into a world, and it instantly feels like home. Its dreary atmosphere and macabre undertones beckon you to fall under its spell and stay a while. And I was in great company during my stay.
Monique’s prose was achingly beautiful and haunting. The magic was rich and lush, entwining decadently with the plot. The dreams and nightmares are woven so vividly that a few still haunt me. I love how the story unfolded, with trickles of twists and turns along the way, all building up to the grand finale, where the line between dreams, nightmares, and reality gets muddled. In the chaos of it all, we’re left with a lovely truth about grief.
Matiah and Atlas brought so much life to me. Who wouldn’t love a stubborn witch and her stoic bodyguard? They’re the epitome of yearning, and the tension between them was so heavy there were times I worried a single dispelled breath of mine would ruin the moment, as if I was in the room with them. It further illustrates how engrossing Monique’s writing is.
The romance is so compelling and touching because of how layered Matiah and Atlas are. They’re both imperfect, and I really liked how their flaws helped shape the structure of their relationship. Acknowledging someone’s mistakes, understanding why they acted the way they did, and helping them rise above it is how you truly see someone for who they are. And Matiah and Atlas saw each other, recognized each other. And it made the romance feel that much more real.
I had a hard time saying goodbye to this world and these characters. If Monique ever does choose to, I would be ecstatic to return and visit new characters. With such resplendent worldbuilding, it would be fun to explore the different magics amongst the witches. Either way, Monique is a new instant read author.
Monique’s prose was achingly beautiful and haunting. The magic was rich and lush, entwining decadently with the plot. The dreams and nightmares are woven so vividly that a few still haunt me. I love how the story unfolded, with trickles of twists and turns along the way, all building up to the grand finale, where the line between dreams, nightmares, and reality gets muddled. In the chaos of it all, we’re left with a lovely truth about grief.
Matiah and Atlas brought so much life to me. Who wouldn’t love a stubborn witch and her stoic bodyguard? They’re the epitome of yearning, and the tension between them was so heavy there were times I worried a single dispelled breath of mine would ruin the moment, as if I was in the room with them. It further illustrates how engrossing Monique’s writing is.
The romance is so compelling and touching because of how layered Matiah and Atlas are. They’re both imperfect, and I really liked how their flaws helped shape the structure of their relationship. Acknowledging someone’s mistakes, understanding why they acted the way they did, and helping them rise above it is how you truly see someone for who they are. And Matiah and Atlas saw each other, recognized each other. And it made the romance feel that much more real.
I had a hard time saying goodbye to this world and these characters. If Monique ever does choose to, I would be ecstatic to return and visit new characters. With such resplendent worldbuilding, it would be fun to explore the different magics amongst the witches. Either way, Monique is a new instant read author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is EVERYTHING to me. I was so honored to read an early copy and it swept me away into beautifully horrifying dreamlands. I also adore this author and everything she writes, and you should too! Official blurb below:
"Crafted out of gossamer wings and dripping with crystal decadence, The Dreamwitch is a haunting gothic tale complete with spine tingling suspense and agonizing romance. Hazel effortlessly weaves together the macrabe with the fantastical for a spell-binding story that will have your heart racing even as you drift off into dream land." - Grace Morrow, author of We Become Darkness
"Crafted out of gossamer wings and dripping with crystal decadence, The Dreamwitch is a haunting gothic tale complete with spine tingling suspense and agonizing romance. Hazel effortlessly weaves together the macrabe with the fantastical for a spell-binding story that will have your heart racing even as you drift off into dream land." - Grace Morrow, author of We Become Darkness
Want to Read
June 3, 2026A darkly romantic, richly imagined and lyrically written gothic fantasy of forbidden magic, and the fragile boundary between reality and ruin.
it's tag as fantasy and horror, and it's for alix e. harrow fans? sold!
it's tag as fantasy and horror, and it's for alix e. harrow fans? sold!
December 13, 2025
From the very first page, this story draws you into a haunting world of dreamwitches, a cursed manor, and two souls being irresistibly drawn together!! Love this book and love Matiah & Atlas 🖤
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews