Lucid Dreams

by Daphne Palasi Andreades

A surreal and intimate novel about a disillusioned artist who, plagued by mysterious visions, must navigate a series of personal and existential crises that upend their way of life, by the award-winning author of Brown Girls.

Fresh off the success of their first novel, a writer—intense, ambitious, and increasingly embittered by the purpose of art—struggles with feelings of despair. Despite achieving their childhood dream, they find themself dissatisfied and despondent in a post-pandemic world that feels violent and unstable.

Amidst this turmoil, and a looming deadline for their second book, the writer tries and fails to create. Instead, they begin to experience strange hallucinatory visions. Enigmatic letters and sketches appear, written in handwriting that isn’t their own, followed by sightings of a mysterious figure, which blur the line between the narrator’s fiction and lived reality.

These challenges—psychological, artistic, spiritual—and the secrets the writer harbors, alienate them from their loved ones, their art, and themself. Despite forays into learning a heritage language, Tagalog, traveling abroad, and changing their look, the visions persist—until one fateful event, which draws the writer and the mysterious figure together.

With her signature daring approach and evocative prose, Daphne Palasi Andreades explores immigration, modern womanhood, and the tension between art and commerce, in this wholly original novel. Lucid Dreams examines how we find purpose, the nature of change, and the courage it takes to be fully alive today.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary, Adult, Queer, Literary Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2026

About the author

Daphne Palasi Andreades is the author of the novels, LUCID DREAMS, forthcoming Oct. 27th, 2026, and BROWN GIRLS. BROWN GIRLS was a finalist for The Carol Shields Prize, The Center for Fiction's First Novel Prize, and the New American Voices Award. Her work has been taught in classrooms across the US and the UK, and has published in over seventy countries. Daphne is a graduate of CUNY Baruch College and Columbia University’s MFA Fiction program. She lives in New York City. Find her on Instagram at @DaphnePalasiA.

Reviews

[emma]

i never achieved my middle school goals of lucid dreaming, but at least i can read about it

[Quilted.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s more of a surreal story than something plot heavy and it really focuses on one character’s inner spiral.It’s about a writer who just had success with their first novel basically living the dream they always wanted but instead of feeling fulfilled, they’re stuck feeling empty, bitter, and kind of lost. It’s set in this post pandemic world that feels unstable and heavy, which adds to that overall sense of unease. On top of that, they’re under pressure to write a second book and just can’t. Total creative block.Then things start getting weird. They begin having these strange visions, and stuff starts showing up letters and drawings in handwriting that isn’t theirs plus sightings of this mysterious figure. What I liked is how personal it feels. It’s not just about writer’s block it’s about identity, purpose, and feeling disconnected from your own life. The main character tries to fix things in different ways, like reconnecting with their roots, learning Tagalog, traveling, even changing their appearance, but nothing really makes the visions stop. It all builds up to this moment where everything kind of collides.Theme wise, it dives into a lot immigration, modern womanhood, the pressure to turn art into something “successful,” and what it even means to live a meaningful life. It’s definitely more on the thoughtful, artsy side, and not always easy, but it sticks with you.Overall, it’s a slow, surreal, slightly unsettling read that’s more about the internal journey than anything else. If you like books that are a little abstract and really dig into emotions and identity, this one’s worth it.

[suzannah ♡ · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

go girl give us nothing

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, I loved this book. It's rare to find a book where, even though you are so different from the main character, you identify with this completely. This is the story of someone at a crossroads in life, now that their "dreams" have been made true, they're uncertain of their identity and what comes next. As someone of a similar age to this character and background to this character, I found myself highlighting page after page after page.

I love this book because I've rarely felt so seen. Thank you to the author for writing this with all of your heart and soul

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!

In Andreades’ Lucid Dreams, a Filipino woman undergoes a surreal journey of self discovery, ebbing through crises and pivotal crossroads while attempting to complete a draft of her second novel. The new author’s writer’s block stems initially from societal expectations for a married woman of her age to bear children, which is something she is not certain she desires. As the story progresses, she debates her femininity and patriarchal conformity, combats the religious expectations from her in-laws, faces tragedy head-on, and grapples with the disconnect from her ethnic origins as a child of immigrant parents, who are also struggling.

Simultaneously, our protagonist is haunted by a man in a Victorian suit and his anatomical eye art, both her dreams and daily life plagued by his disruptive presence. Andreades brilliantly blurs the lines between “reality and fantasy,” mimicking what it means to be stuck in a lucid dream. There is a delicate unravelling of our protagonist as she discovers who she truly is. The writing accurately captures the truth of self discovery: it is challenging, overwhelming, discouraging, and ultimately the best thing for you. She takes her growth in phases, pacing herself, ensuring she is ready for a shift in her life.

It tackles a lot at once, piling on struggle after struggle, which initially feels burdensome. These are themes that are often individually centric rather than getting stacked and muddled together within one tale. Upon completion, however, an understanding can be reached: this is reality (despite the surreal aspects of the story itself, the general representation is rooted in truth). The overwhelming pileup of crises, both internal and external, is a jumbled mess, because that’s what happens in life. It is not always “one step at a time.” This style puts the reader directly in line with the protagonist. Following along as she discovers who she really is is a rewarding experience, even if it demands focus. It reaches an odd, yet satisfying conclusion that fits the overall vibe of the events that ensued throughout.

[sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you so much to Net Galley & Random House Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this title early!

I went into this book not really knowing what to expect, and it ended up being a thoughtful read that left me reflecting more than I anticipated. The story follows a young woman chasing her dream of becoming a successful writer while going through an internal existential crisis, questioning who she is, whether this is truly the life she wants, and how much of her identity has been shaped by the expectations and opinions of the people around her.

There were so many themes being explored at once that, at times, it felt overwhelming. One idea that really stood out to me was the feeling that even after accomplishing what you once believed was your purpose, fulfillment doesn't automatically follow. The novel also reflects on how the creative process mirrors life itself. Art is messy, unpredictable, and there is never one clear path forward. In many ways, the book suggests that the act of living is also the act of pretending, constantly trying on different versions of yourself until you figure out which one feels real.

My biggest struggle was connecting with the main character's motivations. She was carrying so much internal conflict that I sometimes lost sight of her "why," which made it harder for me to stay emotionally invested in her journey. I also felt like the author was trying to tell several different stories at once, and because of that, some of the themes didn't have enough room to fully develop. While I appreciated the conversations the novel started about identity, purpose, and creativity, I think a more focused narrative would have made its message even stronger.

[Nocturne Pages · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lucid Dreams is a Literary Fiction novel by Daphne Palasi Andreades. It will be released on October 27th, 2026. So thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the early copy to read and review honestly! This book is heavy. Don't go expecting sunshines and rainbows. This woman explores everything about herself and THEN SOME. It explores important themes one needs to come to terms with and dissect in all of our lives, but especially as a woman. SPECIFICALLY specifically women who create. Very pandemic/fever dream oriented. Which, for me, I don't like revisiting that time but that's on ME not the story. The main character's headspace however, I found to be slightly  (okay, maybe very) hypocritical. I just didn't agree with some of her thoughts or beliefs and that made it hard to connect to her character. If you keep going, it tries to touch on all sides. Some you'll agree with, some you won't. You just gotta read and examine with a grain of sand. I wasn't expecting a certain aspect to be such a large part of this novel. It deals with a LOT of different themes and I feel as though with so many themes you're gonna step on some toes… or a lot of toes. The overall voice felt back and forth. All in all the word I would use is fragmented. But I am happy the Main Character took the time to find themselves. 2.75 ⭐ 

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lucid Dreams was one of the most tiresome books I’ve read. A deep dive into the mind of an unnamed author who had success with her first book and is struggling to keep it together. Demons battle inside her head over arrival fallacy, familial pressures to start a family, alienation from her Filipino culture, gender identity, sexual identity, and monetizing art (writing) to live in expensive NYC.

Each of these battles is contemplated, pondered, examined, flipped over, examined more, and analyzed to a point that was just TOO MUCH. The main character is very abrasive and unlikable and frankly hard to empathize with. I was very happy that she started therapy.

The drama in her head goes on for about 3/4 of the book. In the last portion, she goes back to the Philippines to visit family. This frees her in a way that was such a relief after the pressure cooker of her mind. I enjoyed this part of the book a lot more. The theme of belonging to two worlds but never feeling like she 100% belonged to either was really interesting.

There was a magic realism component to the book featuring Jose Rizal that I enjoyed a lot. He was a fascinating person and I need to read more about him.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley.

[Jazmyne Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Random House for allowing me to read this early!

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed myself. I'm a sucker for a good book cover and this one really drew me in. When I read the synopsis of the story I was intrigued at first and I was hooked after the first chapter. I finished this book in a day and a half. I truly enjoyed following the main characters journey for the entire book. This story is a coming of age story in my opinion. It was refreshing to read a story like about a young woman going into her 30s and still not quite having it all figured out. I related so much to the characters questions around having kids, the purpose of art and the performance of being a woman. I think this is great novel about what it means to use your voice and how that can benefit not just you but the community around you. There is so much layered in this book and sometimes that can be overwhelming but it didn't feel that way with this story. It all felt perfectly layered and gave me so much to think about. I really enjoyed the dreams and how they seemed to bread crumb the main character connecting to her ancestor.

[Jeremy Garber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always thought that musicians who write songs like Bob Seger's "Turn the Page" have run out of things to sing out, so they just write songs about how much they dislike touring. This seems to be the inevitable outcome of postmodernity in novels as well. The last two books I've read advance copies of have inserted the authors directly into their novels - and this one seems to be the "Turn the Page" of angst-ridden writers. It's an unfortunate sign that this is only Andreade's second novel.

Like other meta novels, it takes the reader a little while to realize that the protagonist of Lucid Dreams is in fact the author herself. The novel takes place over several months, tracing the author's book tour of her successful debut novel (natch). She struggles with her relationship with her dynamic Filipino mother and withdrawn father, including whether to have children or be creative instead; the effects of COVID; and a whole lot of soul-searching about whether writing is a legitimate way to earn a living (and whether that question is a bad question in itself). Andreades is a lovely writer and has a great ear for dialogue and characterization. But the navel-gazing feels a little bit like eavesdropping on somebody else's gripe session at a restaurant and not being able to turn back to your own table.

[Temple Ruff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is not what I expected; however, it wound up at a creative, introspective end. Based on the title and opening chapter, I thought that literal lucid dreaming would be more central to the premise. Instead, it was a deeper reflection on the detachment and displacement felt by the author as the first-generation daughter of Filipino immigrants.

We are taken on a journey of the writer's struggle to define life on her own terms — in the light of cultural, societal, and familial expectations. Most of the novel is made up of the protagonist's observations and subsequent internal dialogue. The story centers on the months that the writer is experiencing her first press tour while working to compose and submit her second novel. It's an international story that takes us from New York to Paris, the Philippines, and eventually, Berlin. It's also a multi-dimensional story... but I don't want to give spoilers.

Overall, Lucid Dreams was an enjoyable read. It likely warrants a reread now that I better understand its direction. Well done.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theme of this book, how to find your true self, will resonate with a lot of readers. An author finds great success with their first novel, yet struggles to write their second.
A loving husband, a critical mother, a father who returns to the Philippines after retirement and a gay younger brother, all combine to reflect the life of the character.
When they keep seeing a Victorian gentleman everywhere and having lucid dreams, the character decides to study Tagalog and take a trip to visit their father.
There they are able to write again.
After returning back to New York cryptic notes continue to appear as the manuscript is finally finished, only to disappear. Following a cryptic note to Berlin, they finally meet the Victorian gentleman who turns out to be a famous Phillipino writer and revolutionary. He takes them around Berlin explaining life and history. I found this part fascinating, learning about an historical figure I never knew about.
I would say this book is literary magical realism.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC. I do enjoy finding wonderful books by authors I might not otherwise encounter.This is my honest review.

[Coral Reef · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would appeal to readers of character driven and a stream of consciousness type narrative more so than for me. I thought that this would lean weirder according to the description but it is really grounded in reality with like 1% speculative. So much so, that real life events of covid and post covid turmoil is discussed in detail. Our main character is thinking about EVERYTHING..like you think of a topic and she’s going back and forth about it. That was my least liked aspect..she generally heightened my own anxiety which may be a positive for other readers.

I loved the parts about Filipino culture and the immigrant experience but there was another topic that really drove a majority of the story which I have my own issues with (this is a me problem).

Ultimately, I wish this was weirder. This first chapter really drew me in and then it was like real life everyday post covid..I need to write this book..oh…eyeball!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-ARC copy of this book. All thoughts and feedback are my own opinions.

[Kayla Saurus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. My favorite part by far was the main character. How she sees the world, speaks about it, and handles being at a super relatable crossroad. She achieved her dream of becoming a successful author and now she is wrestling with the pressure of writing her second book while feeling pressure from her family/society to start having children. Will she live up to the success of her first novel? Does she want to be a mother or is she just trying to appease those around her? I connected with her immediately, and the author had so many insightful things to say about womanhood, immigration, and self discovery.

The latter half of the novel leans into a surreal speculative vibe, but because the first half is so grounded it feels like a natural pull into the rabbit hole rather than an abrupt fall. If you love stories where you women do a lot of thinking and you are a fan of weird girl lit, this is definitely one to pick up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Carae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received via NetGalley

I was drawn in via the cover, but the book itself did not disappoint! I generally can always tell where I think a book may be going, but this one did a great job of keeping me guessing - I was so curious to figure out who was leaving these notes, drawing these eyes. While I am white as a saltine and cannot fully relate to the main character, I live in an area where I am the minority and I see how hard the immigrant families work to be here in America. I feel like I got a little glimpse into what families torn between two worlds experience to a degree. The ending was a bit odd for me personally = it did not feel concluded BUT I still understood the ending and was not left wanting. Small grammatical and punctuation errors earlier on in the book - other than that, amazing!

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lucid
By Daphne Palasi Andreades

This is a first person narrative. The protagonist is a young woman of Filipino descent, born and raised in New York City. She is married to a young man from a family of Christian fundamentalists.

Our narrator is, in my opinion, a very unlikeable character. At her young age, she has managed to write and have published a book which is successful. With comparatively little struggle her career has taken off. But this doesn't make her happy. She is married to a nice man that she claims to love. But he doesn't make her happy either. In fact nothing seems to make her happy. From her hairstyle to her gender and sexual identity, she is a very unhappy person.

I did not finish this book. I confess that I could not relate to this totally self-involved woman. Thus the book did not engage my interest.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Stephanie Tom · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this one, contrary to my prior reservations about a surrealist pandemic book. though we follow the inner turmoils of our protagonist (among them writing a second novel on the heels of a successful debut, navigating family milestones that kickstart her journey to find herself amidst diasporic existentialism, and trying to find meaning while existing in a cruel world), it’s not a navel-gazing novel. rather, the author brings us along on a quest for deeper connection to her family, heritage, culture, and world around her, in the only way she is well-equipped: by the power of her pen.

the surrealist elements of this story drew a logical narrative thread throughout, which strengthened the plot when we seemed to be drifting through the calendar year. won’t spoil it, but the reveal and resolution of the driver behind the “lucid dreaming” across the book tied up all loose arcs in a clean way without distracting from the reality of our protagonist. absolutely one of the more natural endings of a speculative fiction that i’ve read that did not seem heavy-handed.

thoroughly enjoyed this one!

[Katie Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this novel as an ARC from NetGalley. I am unpaid and all opinions are mine alone.

I found myself surprisingly enchanted by the main character of this book. She was spunky, provocative, and so insightful. I highlighted so many profound quotes.
While reading this book, I could not seem to tear myself away, which is unusual for me in most books that are not thrillers. I was drawn to the character, rooting her on and desperate to see where she ended up.
The ending of the book was an unexpected twist for me, but I found it heartwarming.

[Allison Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about Lucid Dreams. It felt like I was reading two different novels. One about an eyeball popping up in random places for reasons I couldn’t figure out and another novel about a woman visiting her Philippino family and reclaiming her identity. When she wrote about her family genealogy and her feelings about being an immigrant I was invested. I didn’t at all understand her being queer and it didn’t seem to fit into the novel at all.

Overall I can’t strongly recommend it as I feel like it was disjointed but thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for the ARC of this novel.

A very meta story of an authors journey of self discovery while trying to write their second novel. Really interesting read, aptly titled. I liked the inclusion of poetry and images. It took me a little while to “get it” but once I did I found it very magical. Would definitely recommend, especially to 30 somethings who are still trying to figure out who they are.

[Sydnopses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Random house for this ARC of Lucid Dreams. I was privileged with receiving this incredible book and could hardly put it down. Our main character was incredibly relatable. The way the author depicts mental health, burnout, identity struggles all while seamlessly including riveting and extremely important political topics was absolutely amazing. I’m so glad I was able to read this. It’s one everyone should add to their list.

[Illyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the beautiful writing and the thoughtful exploration of creativity, identity, and purpose, but the story didn't fully connect with me. The atmosphere was immersive and the themes were interesting, yet the pacing felt slow and the narrative became a bit too abstract at times. There were moments that really stood out, but overall I found myself admiring the book more than truly enjoying it.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has an experimental quality abd the experiment didn’t work for me. It is a strong effort and an interesting presence. I can imagine other readers might enjoy this more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher the ARC.

[Sam Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

What was that??

[Deranged]

Won but not yet received a copy through a Goodreads Giveaway. Giveaway ended Sep 30 2026

[DREA 87 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE A GOOD FEVER DREAM BOOK AND THIS ONE WAS JUST THAT. IVE READ HER PREVIOUS BOOK AND ITS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN THIS ONE. THIS SHOWS THAT DAPHNE HAS RANGE.