Elegy of the Dreamer: Book Three of A Dreamer's Misfortune

by C.A. Farran

Death is not the end. I will find you again.

The veil has fallen. Gavriel shows no signs of awakening from his cursed slumber, and Lark despairs. When she feels the first stirrings of her power return, the power she relinquished when she became mortal once more, she can’t decide if it’s a blessing or a curse. Has the fall of the veil restored a sorely needed advantage, or is she losing the humanity she’d sacrificed everything for?

As their enemies gather in strength, so must they gather courage if they’re to halt the greatest threat of destruction the world has ever faced. A reaper, a wolf, an assassin, a rogue, a scholar, a hunter, a lost soul, and a princess of a fractured kingdom. All must rise and fight if they are to stand a chance of surviving this war.

Perhaps the dreamer’s misfortune was in waking. In finding the truth of the world.

In this epic conclusion of the Dreamer’s Misfortune trilogy, the fate of Lark’s world hangs in the balance, threatening all who remain to plunge into darkness.

Elegy of the Dreamer is a dark reimagining of Sleeping Beauty.

“More than a simple retelling of a children's classic, this original fantasy is psychologically riveting and endlessly original.” —Indies Today on Songs of the Wicked

Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance

737 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

C.A. Farran is an emerging author of dark fantasy. She’s addicted to video games, Kit Kats, and energy drinks.
Farran grew up by the sea on a steady intake of fairytales, renaissance fairs, and mythology. She’s always felt a profound connection to horror and dark fantasy, spending her childhood searching the woods for monsters and magic.
Now, she spends her days photographing nature in Maine with her two cats; Commander and Demon, her husband, and their wildling.
This is C.A.’s first novel, but her short story "Safe Travels" can be found in the anthology "Frontiers: Past, Present, and Future" by Owl Hollow Press.

To stay updated on her shenanigans, check out cafarran.com

Reviews

[Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fear was not weakness. Fear was a survival skill, the instinct of nature. But love? Love had found the gap in his armor. Had carved out a hole in his fortress and allowed weakness to flourish."

Elegy of the Dreamer was a beautiful story, and the perfect conclusion for this trilogy! It's hard for me to pick a favorite book in this series because they were all amazing.

Faran's writing style is absolutely beautiful. I love the layered storylines, beautiful world building, and of course the found family element.

There is something for everyone in this story. It's hard to pick a favorite character, they each add something special and I love their friendships.

Reviewing the last book in a series is difficult because I want to gush about all the things I love but don't want to spoil anything!

I can't believe this is the end, but it has been a great journey. 🥲 Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an eARC, I cannot wait for my physical copy to come in!

If you love fantasy and are looking for the next series to obsess over check this one out!

[Susan Lafontant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lark and her friends have had a chokehold on me since I first read Songs of the Wicked and it feels bittersweet saying goodbye to their journey with this final installment in the Dreamer’s Misfortune trilogy—oh, who am I kidding? It’s not the end because I’ll definitely be rereading them!

Farran’s prose is a thing of beauty and I am awestruck every time I read her works. Elegy of the Dreamer is no different and I immediately fell back into her world. The stakes have never been higher for our friends and I was on the edge of my seat to see if and how they would get through all their ordeals.

I’ve been singing Farran’s praises since I first read SOW and that will not change any time soon. I believe everyone should read anything and everything she writes.

[K.M. Hogenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so I was in love with the first two books but the final installment seemed to drag a bit. There was a lot of time spent in odd places for things that ended up not mattering but then we skipped through the times the characters did succeed. There was also a string of coincidences that felt a bit convenient. Overall, the feel of the characters was the same so that was nice but the other pieces made the rest of the reading experience a bit less satisfying than the first two

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one that will always stick with me and holds a very special place in my heart. A Dreamer's Misfortune series is as close to perfection as a book series can get for me and five stars is simply not enough. I fell in love with this series the first time I read Songs of the Wicked and each book that followed, I fell more and more in love. I absolutely loved this book and as sad as I am that it's the end, it was such a beautiful send off.

There are so many reasons why I enjoy this series so much but I feel like the number one reason this series stole my heart was the characters. I am such a sucker for a good found family especially in a fantasy series and Lark, Gavriel, Daciana, Langford, Alistair (and Hugo) won me over in the first book and I like how throughout the series, their little found family grows. I just love how these characters love and care for one another and how that doesn't change throughout the series.

I like how the story grows from one book to the next and it feels so much bigger in this last book but also isn't so removed from the first book. I appreciate that the story kind of comes full circle and calls back to some things that happened in the first book. I like there is a good balance of adventure, romance, and humor. There were moments I was left in tears but also moments I laughed at. I liked that there were dark moments but also light moments. It is such a well balanced book and also a really satisfying ending even if I'm not ready to say goodbye to these characters. I could read countless other tales featuring these characters but I'm also happy with how the author ended this trilogy. This trilogy has become one of my all time favorite series and I know that it's one that I'll reread again and I cannot recommend it enough.

[Alysha Everwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so incredibly honored to have been able to read an advanced copy of this book.

(By the way, I’m not a paid reviewer, I just genuinely obsess over books I love and won’t shut up)

I have been in love with these books ever since I read the first one, the characters and world capturing my heart and staying rooted deeply inside! The way I feel like these characters, are in a way, family to me makes this last installment even more bittersweet as the final chapter is closed.
I absolutely adore Farran’s writing style and enjoy every intricately woven piece coming together to round out the overall story or character arch. The way she can make me care so deeply for a character in such a short time whether they be a long lasting character or not, is so incredibly impressive. The tie in of fairytales with a twist is also done in such a unique and beautiful way, almost feeling nostalgic in ways you wouldn’t think.
One thing I really love about these characters is that Farran isn’t afraid to give them unlikable moments, which really sells them as real and tangible for me. In fantasy, it is so easy to make characters infallible and heavily protected by plot armor that they can do no wrong, but she allows her characters to make bad decisions, to make mistakes, but to also learn from them and grow.
With each book, I grew alongside each character, feeling like I was inside the story itself, a lush and vivid picture painted in my mind every step of the way. It was truly so sad to come to the conclusion of these books, not wanting to finish so it could live on longer, but it was so rewarding to see the final story play out.

[Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending to this trilogy was beautiful yet bittersweet. I loved these characters, their relationships and the found family in this series.

Lark and Gavriel shattered my heart and put it back together multiple times. They are just perfect for each other and they both fought so hard to be together. I loved seeing Gavriel and Lark happy and together after so much heartbreak over their lifetimes.

Daciana was one of my favourite characters in this trilogy. She and Kenna had such a cute relationship and I loved the jealousy between them. I loved seeing them travel together.

Langford and Alistair were also so cute with how infatuated they were with each other. I loved seeing them finally settle down to be together after everything they went through.

Demetria and Balan broke my fucking heart. I loved seeing their relationship develop and I was routing for them so hard especially after the pain they had been through. I was so sad when Balan died and she wasn’t even with him. But I’m glad she got her kiss from him and that she was restoring her kingdom.

Ashlin was a great character with her being so sweet and gentle and turning out to be a god. I thought her relationship with Merik developed very quickly but I still really enjoyed it.

I just loved the ending and I enjoyed the writing in this series a lot. I thought this book was definitely slow for a little bit which may have contributed to it taking so long for me to read but it picked up in the end. Overall, I just adore these characters and I’ll miss them.

[Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to keep notes on this, and then forgot to keep going... Here's what I remember:
* Can I 5⭐ at 25%
* If this isn't LotR found families with all the romances, I'm not sure what is
* Can I live with Langford and Alistair (actually, maybe not 🤭 Nextdoor neighbours then... )
* [Spoilers] well, that sounds like an audiobook.

No, I'm not going into this bit by bit. I can't. It's like a puzzle. There are so many pieces and each is an important part to a bigger picture. This was a wonderfully put together book, ending a trilogy that told a vast story.

You can take the story at face value (let's beat the bad guys) and it would still be fun to read. But to slow down and look into the depths of it... I felt deeply moved to be reading something that was taking my mind off of all the things but also settling in to something that addressed and started to heal some wounds too.

The found family in this book is incredible. Tolkien's Fellowship is maybe my favourite band of unlikely beings on a quest. Farran's band of unlikely souls forming their wee family is as close to that as I've read so far.

The characters are so varied, and the way they relate to each other is so fun and companionable that this whole series was just a joy to read, but definitely by this book, I felt that I knew these characters and wanted all the good things for them all.

If you're a reader of fantasy and want to get lost in something epic, this series will not disappoint!

[Tuesday Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy has meant so much to me since I picked up the first book, and this final installment is the perfect ending. I never know what to expect from Farran's work, (other than beautiful writing and a guaranteed nonstop ride on an emotional roller coaster) I can never predict what comes next, what these characters will do, and especially what Alistair might say, and she always surpasses my already high expectations.
'Elegy of the Dreamer' has got to be my favorite in the trilogy, it harkens back to the magic of the first book while expertly weaving in all the character growth we saw from the second book. Those twists had my jaw on the floor and vision blurry.
Farran has such a knack for writing how nothing is ever easy, but it's always worth it. Her characters face trial after trial, injuries, heartbreak, grief, their pain and fortitude cries out to the the reader's soul and provides so much comfort through their own pain. These pages pull you away, held captive by every word until you're accidentally callling your own pets by the characters' names. Every character feels like an old friend, even among the creatures they fight that end up sneaking into my nightmares.
My favorite lines and scenes are full of spoilers, so I'll refrain from sharing.
But let it be known...
Farran's books are all love letters to her readers, and this one is for the dreamers.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was almost the perfect ending to a trilogy that I fell in love with the moment I started the first book.

The best thing about each book in this series is the diversity and depth to the relationships throughout. We have so many POVs and follow so many characters through their different types of loves and friendships, and it never feels too convoluted to follow. The plot pacing to this installment felt slower. We had a lot more going on with everyone running parallel to each other, but there also seemed to be a lot of downtime that felt superfluous

I really am in love with all the characters throughout this. And the inspirations for the characters and the story really shined through. It felt like there was so much childhood nostalgia sprinkled in so despite being an entirely new story, it felt comfortably familiar. The ending was well done, if bittersweet. I would certainly not be opposed to reading more books in this universe, possibly following some of the less major characters.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even begin to explain how much I adore this story and how sad I am that it’s over. I was lucky enough to be given an Advanced Copy by the author, and immediately dove in.

This was the perfect conclusion to this amazing trilogy, with so many twists and turns. We follow each character along their journey to help save the world, rally troops, or find answers, and end up with so much more than expected. There are so many moments where you realize how important each character truly is, and SO MANY full-circle moments. No detail in the story is not important, and many minute choices come back to the group.

The way that Farran writes just truly captivates me. She’s so immersive and descriptive, I felt like I was in the story. She created my new best friend in Lark. I want to hold her and keep her safe, but go on adventures with her at the same time.

Cannot recommend this series enough!!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me longer than usual to finish this book, not because it wasn’t anything short of excellent, but because I had a hard time saying goodbye to these amazing characters.

CA Farran is the QUEEN of found family and it’s phenomenal how she can write all these people that constantly tug on your heartstrings and have them delve deep into your soul. It’s truly a wonderful feat when a writer can transport the reader so seamlessly into their story that they feel part of it and part of their group.

I love when each book in a series gets progressively better and this one delivers tenfold. It’s an amazing conclusion that left me laughing and crying and yearning for more but satisfied with a worthy ending.

This series and its writer deserves so much more recognition and appreciation. I also HIGHLY recommend her standalone “The Ballad of the Last Dragon” cause it’s also so so so good!

[Friel Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I even leave a review for this book, this series, this author? This is a series I will reread every year, searching for the feeeeeeeling! That feeeeeling! The emotion, the saturated memories of found family, the heart-stopping trauma, the immersive and evocative worldbuilding. I am not well...I may never be well again. I can't leave a review for a piece of art that means so much to me. Farran's writing style draws you into a world that feels nostalgic, with unique and horrific monsters, complex and vivid characters, plot twists you'd never see coming. Depth of emotion, metaphors for grief, the palpable longing. It is a masterpiece and will forever hold a place in my heart as my favourite book series.

[Meli Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant and hopeful. Moving and devastating. This was a magnificent conclusion to a soul-stirring trilogy. I absolutely adore the entire cast of characters — they're truly some of the most touching relationships and friendships I've ever had the pleasure of reading. This book brought me to tears so many times, both happy and sad. I really enjoyed how rich and layered the world-building and lore are. This series is a gripping, evocative feast for the imagination and it's so bittersweet to have finished it. Thank you so much to the author, C.A. Farran for the ARC, and for dreaming up and sharing this masterpiece of a story with all of us.

[Jessika Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? A favorite series has come to an end. When I first picked up book 1 in the A Dreamer's Misfortune Series, I didn't know I would be stepping into a comfort map of characters and writing and swear words and copious amounts of stewed apples. Farran has created a world in these books that rivals the fantasy many of us have grown up with. I truly believe that this series has the potential to be recognized worldwide for the gold it is. Legendary. Epic. Cozy and dark in equal measure. From book 1 to book 3, A Dreamer's Misfortune is an adventurous fantasy series we will be reading for decades. Thank you for a wrapping up these characters' tales in the most satisfying way.

[Annabella Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a journey. I adore this story. I could probably count on one hand the series that have made me fall in love with every single character- each a unique voice with flaws and lovable traits that stay with you and feel so real, and wrapping up this story felt like saying goodbye to friends. Truly an incredible trilogy and I cannot wait for more from Farran. If she writes it, I read it ❤️

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed with this story and all of my babies. I just…. Didn’t want it to end? Like at all. I dragged my feet and cried about it, but I did it and I love it. This will always be a fantasy comfort read

[Pumareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the trilogy! Usually books get worse as a series goes on, but these get better and better! #justiceforHugo

[Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't get over how talented Caity is. Hands down, best book series! Now I need a reread