The Dreamwitch

by Monique Hazel

A 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Gothic, Romance, Adult, Dark Romance, Romantasy

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 9, 2027

Reviews

[Tatianna]

The Dreamwitch by Monique Hazel is a rich gothic fantasy standalone that is beautifully written with a delicious romance subplot, unique magic system and compelling mystery.

The gothic atmosphere in this book is delightfully macabre, revolving around a historic manor that surrounded by decay and plagued by terrible night terrors. Our main character, Matiah Blood, is an ambitious dreamwitch who travels to the manor to investigate a young boy's night terrors in hopes of curing them. But this boy's dreams are not what she expected and as things being to escalate, she wonders if she took on more than she can handle.. or even survive.

This takes place in a Victorian-esque fantasy world where views on witchcraft are polarizing across countries. In Camdyn, dreamwitches are feared and hunted, and being identified by the wrong person could cost Matiah her life (enter: the broody bodyguard). I loved the idea of the huntsmen and the sense of foreboding they added to the setting.

What to expect:
- Victorian-esque fantasy world
- gothic atmsophere
- slow burn romance
- horror elements
- lyrical prose
- dreamwalking
- witchcraft
- witch hunters

The romance in this book is a beautiful, slowly burning depiction of mutual vulnerability and attraction between a contracted witch and her broody bodyguard, though I definitely wish Hazel could have leaned into the forbidden element of the romance more. I loved Atlas so much! He made me swoon and I really appreciated the depth of his backstory and how it informed his character.

The magic system revolves around dreams and dreamwalking and I loved how it was depicted. So refreshing and easily to digest, but also the perfect vehicle to maneuver the classic gothic structure that creeps toward a pinnacle of psychological instability. I loved how witches were presented as having magic belonging to a specific niche.

I enjoyed the resolution of the plot but in hindsight but I would have loved to get more glimpses into the past to illustrate certain revelations rather than have them spelled out near the end. Some immersive flashbacks would have really elevated the storytelling!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and Saturday Books for the advanced reading copy of this incredible debut! I would recommend this read to gothic romance and gothic fantasy readers who appreciate lush prose and unique magic systems. Releases February 9th, 2027.

[nyanuit]

DNF @ 20%

I really wanted to like this one! That opening chapter was stunning, an extremely compelling setup that showcased the magic system and our main character’s skill at wielding it. And the atmosphere! Serial killers, automatons, sprawling manors, and a not yet forgotten memory of a war between countries—it is so deliciously and fantastically Victorian, with a gothic atmosphere that is on full display, haunting and gritty. Ultimately though, I was bogged down by the writing style. The prose is very overwrought and excessively florid. It’s okay to just use the word “said” in place of other adverb-verb pairs! Lengthy descriptions and superfluous metaphors can aid immersion and worldbuilding, but it slowed down the pace of the plot too much for me. This book wouldn’t suffer from an editing once-over either.

In the end, the foundation is there for a really great read, but I just don’t think I was in the right audience to appreciate it as much as it could be appreciated. Give it a chance yourself if a gothic bodyguard romantasy interests you!

[Meshari.m]

Dreamwitch is a new concept for me. Therefore, I knew I had to read it. It was such a refreshing read. I liked how Dreamwitches can manipulate dreams and the side effects that comes with it. I was engaged throughout the whole book with multiple plotlines that didn't make me overwhelmed but excited. Matiah was dealing with nightmares of the nephew of Lord Montgomery, the threat of huntsmen, her brooding hot bodyguard, and something more sinister on the horizon.

The characters were great, I love Matiah and Atlas. Their buildup was well-crafted and i found myself starving for more. I hope we get a novella or a second book because there is a potential. I'm glad i dove into the book with little knowledge because it made it better. There were so many plot twists i didn't get a break lol. I highly recommend it if you love gothic mystery and fantasy! It is one of my favorite reads this year.

[Ariana]

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

[Betül]

RTC

[Carlos Serrano]

This was a pleasant surprise and did not disappoint. I normally listen to audiobooks but I actually read this one. Very well written and I couldn’t put it down. This book had a bit of everything. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Kelly]

⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Dreamwitch by Monique Hazel in exchange for an honest review.

I’m of two minds about this one because the vibes were incredible. Dark, gothic, eerie, and witchy—this is the kind of atmosphere that is perfect for spooky season. I also loved the concept of dreamwitches, especially the opening involving Matiah dreamwalking as part of a criminal investigation. It immediately had me hooked!

Matiah is sent to Wolford Manor to help a young boy named Otis who is suffering from terrifying nightmares. Since dreamwitches are still hunted in this area, she is assigned a bodyguard, Atlas, and a slow-burn, forbidden romance begins brewing between them. As Matiah investigates Otis’s dreams, she discovers they may actually be memories belonging to a dreamwitch who once lived in the house, adding another layer to the mystery.

Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, I felt like the story lost focus. Otis’s nightmares are the entire reason Matiah travels to the manor, yet there are long stretches where they barely seem to be a concern. The pacing also felt uneven, and the writing could sometimes be overly complicated when simpler language would have made the story flow much better.

The romance had moments I enjoyed, but I wasn’t completely sold on Matiah and Atlas’s chemistry. I wanted a little more development to make their enemies-to-lovers tension feel natural rather than something the story needed to happen.

What really worked for me was the gothic atmosphere, body horror, petals and garden imagery, and the way dreamwitches are treated as outsiders. I also loved the imagery near the end comparing grief and love to a rose—love as the petals and grief as the thorns.

Overall, The Dreamwitch had such an interesting premise and a deliciously spooky atmosphere, but the execution didn’t quite live up to the concept for me. The beginning was strong, the middle was fine, and the ending left me wanting a little more.

[Bailey Bootles]

4/5 stars
This was such a fun and interesting read. A dreamwitch- witches who can wonder one’s dreams. The atmosphere was very dark, gothic, and lots of horror. I thought the concept was something new and intriguing. You also start to form a bond with all of the characters of the book as they have such differing personalities. The pacing of the story was the only flaw for me personally. While I loved the in depth dreams and lore, I felt some parts were dragged on more than necessary. While on the other hand, I felt some parts needed more detail. But over all, it was a fun and different read!



**Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins publishing group for sending me an ARC to review! All opinions are my own**

[Samantha Hastings]

The first chapter starts with a bang as Dreamwitch Matiah uses her ability to make an arrested child murderer tell her where his latest victim is who might still be alive. The police station and story feels quite modern, but then Matiah goes to another country where Dreamwitches are illegal. This world-building feels completely different. There are corsets, carriages, operas, and masked balls that have a Victorian feel. The narrative shifts to a haunted house story with a side of forbidden romance.

Content: brief strong language and intimate scenes.

[Hanna Herndon]

3.5/5 stars. I genuinely enjoyed reading this. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

Quick summary: Matiah Blood is a dream witch who can walk through dreams and manipulate them. Our FMC has one goal in mind- to save enough money for a down payment for a house for her sister and nephews. Although her current gig of helping the local police with catching serial killers pays the bills, she could be making way more money if she were to go behind her head witch’s back to take on a case to solve a young lord’s nightmare. The only downsides include 1) pretending to be a governess because said young lord lives in a neighboring country that is prejudiced against dream witches, 2) having a bodyguard who has a seething hatred for dream witches, and 3) living in a haunted mansion that seems determined to kill her in both the dream world and the real one. But if it means making enough money to buy a house, Matiah is all in.


Things I liked (especially in the beginning):
• I really liked Matiah’s character (in the beginning, at least). She had a unique talent but didn’t harbor a secret superpower that made her above the laws of the world (iykyk). She felt very realistic- she had a goal in life, she had friends she cared for and actually stayed in touch with throughout the story, she had insecurities that caused her to make mistakes, and she owned up to those mistakes. She definitely suffered from being overly helpful, but it came from a good place, so it wasn’t terribly distracting. She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, and she remained professional. She understood the prejudice against dream witches and didn’t try to insert herself overly into the conversation. Rather, she respected others’ feelings, so long as it didn’t harm her.
• I think the author did a fantastic job writing Matiah’s experiences in the unconscious realm. I loved the analogy of fabrics to describe the dreams. In general, I really enjoyed the writing style. It was descriptive and whimsical, with not too much info-dumping that often occurs in fiction.
• I loved the horror/body horror aspects. It made the terror that Matiah and Otis experienced so much more awful.


Things I disliked:
• I initially thought Atlas would be a cool MMC. He was the bodyguard who hated dream witches (enemies-to-lovers vibes), and he wasn’t afraid to let Matiah know his feelings. Early in the book, he and Matiah agree to keep things professional since he isn’t employed directly by her, and they both want to help Otis. Atlas’s backstory is tragic. He was a teenage soldier who was severely injured during a war and forced to join a secret squad that was psychologically and physically manipulated into something beyond human (at least in society’s eyes). Despite deeply loathing dream witches due to his traumatic past, he quickly changes his opinion of Matiah. In fact, he allows her to walk in his dreams to learn about his past and gain her trust. This is almost immediately after a scene where he reprimands Matiah for not receiving full consent from someone to read their dreams and talks about his dislike for dream witches. This sudden change of opinion, and the fact that his whole backstory was told through dreams, made me really dislike his character. He goes from treating Matiah like a door to drooling all over her, letting her try to “fix” him. He originally acted very mature, and once they began to like each other, he acted like a teenage boy. I also didn’t like that Matiah knew his whole backstory from the dreams, but he still didn’t know much about her.
• The pacing of the story was odd. Since it was a fairly short book, it was overall fast-paced, but there were random slice-of-life scenes where side characters, the FMC, and the MMC were bonding that felt shoehorned in. Towards the end, the book felt very rushed.
• A little side note: I wish the author would use a period after “Mr.” or “Mrs.” Just a little personal pet peeve of mine.

[Illustrated Arcane]

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.

[TheDrunkenReaderReviews]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

“The Dreamwitch” is a classic haunting story with some unique elements that bring a new twist, set in a time period with some interesting developments and a new world to explore.

The plot is a strong concept. A young lord is being tormented by exceptionally disturbing nightmares in a country that is not so kind to dreamwitches, people who can enter other people’s dreams at will and even perform some alterations in the process. It is understandable, I think, that some people are hesitant, if not antagonistic, towards dreamwitches because of this great ability to invade their privacy and even torment them in a place they are meant to feel secure. This problem is brought up on occasion in the book, which I appreciated immensely, as it certainly puts our main character in a position that has her confront how she has been using her abilities to enter people’s dreams and just what exactly consent is in this tricky situation.

The plot does feel a bit lost at times, with our main character getting distracted by side quests that do not contribute much to development for any character except for one incident, but the conflict that is brought up in this scenario could have been explored in another way that is more connected to the plot. The book is also romance-heavy, which diverts us at times from the main story or pressing issue. The romance is sweet, but around the halfway point, Atlas seems to change in character dramatically and rather abruptly, as if to allow this romance to bloom slightly. It does get messy at times, with them taking three steps forward to take five steps back, and it is frustrating for a great deal of time, not in an entertaining way but more of a “why are we backing up from the progress we made?” type of way. I will admit, though, the stocking scene was a work of art and even had me feeling tingly.

The mystery behind what is haunting the little lord is rich and bending in the best ways. Curveballs are thrown at you that you do not see coming. The language is very descriptive and really puts you in the moment, with the prose keeping you locked into the story. The only problem I had with the story and our villain is that they all seem forgiven too easily, with one antagonist being skimmed over so fast that you scratch your head, wondering if that was even necessary (it is only about a page that this is touched on; I mean, super quick). I think the book would definitely benefit from being the first in a duology or trilogy. It has enough flesh on its bones to be a standalone story, but another adaptation can really iron things out regarding the world the story takes place in and answer some questions that are left open to an unsatisfying extent at the conclusion of this one.

Overall, it is a solid story with some fresh ideas and creepy haunts, perfect for anyone who likes a juicy romance, enthralling mystery, and haunted habitations as well as minds.

[Julia]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Dreamwitch!

This is a 4.4!
I am new to the gothic fantasy genre and I was thrilled by this book. Dreams have always been hugely fascinating to me and I love talking about them, analyzing them, and trying to influence my dreaming hours during my waking hours. Being a dreamwitch sounds exhausting, draining, and quite frankly terrifying, but a world with them in it doesn't sound so bad.
I'm personally a huge fan of decorated language - I'm quite the verbose writer and I love reading new, creative, atmospheric ways to describe an otherwise plain or simple experience. The style makes total sense with Matia as a dreamwitch, holding ephemeral qualities and detecting otherworldly feelings the rest of us wouldn't.

Matia starts out with a great support network and clear professional affinity, driven by a quest for glory and fixing a dangerous problem even at the risk of her own peril. Her friends back home are memorable and it's easy to imagine how homesick she would be. Her attachment to them is tangible and I appreciate the continuity that she continues to write to them and feel inspired by their 'encoded' exchanges.
I just wish a similar depth of connection was shown to us between her and Atlas. The slow burn was slow burning, but the lack of communication was driving me crazy. For someone she's able to understand easily after their first dreamwalk, she continues to have very little insight into the man he is outside of his trauma and hotness. He likes books, doesn't like his arm, and is a hot uniformed war veteran, but beyond their physical attraction I just didn't see a bond between them presented.

The plot of the haunting itself was great, I enjoyed the pace of the suspense and Matia not immediately "getting it" just because of her powers. I actually really enjoyed how the end wrapped, with Matia's personal dirtying of her hands with Fable. I wasn't very attached to him (he's an antagonist after all...) and thought it was weird how quickly Matia came around to "yeah we could have been friends" despite the fact that he was trying to kill her...multiple times...and murdered innocent people while doing it...but I like that she recognizes how inhumane the 'death' she gave him was, and that even bad people don't deserve an eternity of suffering between worlds. Thus giving her more insight into Nina.

I also wish Mr. and Ms. got appropriately punctuated, that drove me crazy!

Overall a stellar read and I had a great time chewing through the plot. Looking forward to more from Monique! Thank you for the ARC!

[andrea gayle]

This is a review of an advance reader copy from NetGalley.
____________________________

What drew me into The Dreamwitch was its opening scene, when we first meet Matiah Blood, a Dreamwitch who uses her unusual abilities to investigate criminal cases. We encounter her in the middle of a dream walk and quickly discover that her talents extend beyond spellcasting—including a weakness for men in uniform.

The camaraderie of the coven within the House of Dreams was another highlight. Readers are given a quick glimpse of each Dreamwitch’s quirks and personality, and I only wish we had been allowed more time with them—and a little more banter—before Matiah is summoned to a new case. The chemistry between the characters is apparent from the outset, and the novel offers a refreshingly adult portrayal of sex and desire.

From there, the story moves to a country manor in the throes of a cold season, where the central mystery builds with genuine suspense. Some of its underlying dynamics became relatively easy to anticipate, but that did not diminish my curiosity about how they would ultimately unfold. I also appreciated the subplot involving family and collective care, particularly the rapport between Matiah and her young charge, Otis, who was a favorite.

Where the novel occasionally lost me was in its movement between waking life and dreams. Several scenes blurred the two so thoroughly that it became difficult to keep track of who was where, what was happening and when. That disorientation may have been intentional, but I found it more distracting than immersive. Some additional editorial clarity could have preserved the dreamlike atmosphere without leaving the reader nearly as exhausted as Matiah after spellcasting and dreamweaving.

Although categorically gothic, Dreamwitch often reads more like steampunk neo-noir, particularly with the inclusion of automatons. It is atmospheric, sensual and suspenseful, with an engaging ensemble at its center—even when its dream logic becomes difficult to follow. It is an entertaining addition to the romantasy genre, and I am curious to see how Matiah and the other Dreamwitches develop should the story continue as a series.

One entirely personal quibble: I struggled with the choice of Atlas as a name, particularly so soon after the popularity of Colleen Hoover’s character. I would have preferred Kai to be the more prevalent name, but that is admittedly a matter of taste.

[Lexi Reads]

This book was such a random but very welcome surprise for me. I went in mostly because the idea of Dreamwitches sounded interesting, and I ended up getting completely sucked into the story. I loved the whole idea of being able to enter and manipulate dreams, especially because it was not treated like some easy magical ability with no consequences. There was always a sense that something could go wrong. Add in the creepy manor, nightmares, witches being hunted, and all the weirdness happening around Matiah, and I was hooked.

Matiah was definitely one of my favorite parts of the book. She has a good heart, but she is also stubborn and knows when to stand her ground. I liked that she did not suddenly become fearless just because she was the main character. She gets scared, she questions things, and she still pushes forward anyway. And then there is Atlas, who had me from the broody bodyguard introduction. I really enjoyed the way their relationship developed because it was not instant. There was a lot of hesitation, tension, and those little moments where you could tell they were starting to care about each other before either of them wanted to admit it.

The dream sequences were probably what stood out to me the most. There were times when I genuinely had to stop and think about whether something was actually happening or if Matiah was still trapped inside a dream. I loved that feeling of not being completely sure what I could trust. The mystery kept giving me little pieces without handing me all the answers at once, so I was constantly trying to connect everything. Some parts were definitely creepy too, which I was not expecting to enjoy as much as I did.

By the end, I was not ready to leave this world. I wanted more of Matiah and Atlas, more about the Dreamwitches, and honestly just more of everything. There were a few things I would have liked to see explored a little further, but overall I had such a good time reading this. It has that perfect dark, old fashioned gothic feel mixed with magic, mystery, romance, and just enough horror to keep things interesting. Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who wants something a little different from the usual romantasy.

[Ashley Morton]

This is a review of an advance reader copy from NetGalley.
____________________________

"The Dreamwitch", by Monique Hazel is a novel about a woman with the ability to enter and manipulate the dreams of other people. She volunteers for an assignment in a neighboring country involving a young boy who is suffering from terrifying nightmares. Upon arrival at the manor, where the boy lives with his uncle and a small group of household staff, it becomes clear to Matiah that there is more going on than bad dreams.

Stuck in a strange town, whose residents despise dreamwitches, Matiah must uncover the secrets of Wolford Manor in order to save its residents and put the past to rest.
____________________________

I gave this novel 3 stars out of 5.

- It had all the vibes. The author did an exceptional job of creating a dark and haunting atmosphere. The visuals in my brain as I was reading were so creepy and exactly what I look for in a Gothic horror novel.

- The plot elements were well put together. The pacing was good. The way the mystery was laid out and then worked through by the characters was very well done.

I had two issues that made it hard for me to fully LOVE this book:

- Word choice. It really felt at times that the author was trying to use as many SAT words as possible. Sometimes it was okay, but mostly it shocked my brain out of the story. Also, the overly flowery language and overuse of metaphorical descriptions was off-putting for me.

- The relationship between the FMC and her bodyguard. It was fine at first, but at some point it felt like the author couldn't decide which type of relationship was developing. She seemed to go back and forth between having an "animosity that turns to respect" type of tension and a "forbidden attraction" type of tension. Normally there's a predictable progression in the types of interactions we see between the characters, but this author seemed to go back and forth ... which made it hard to fully feel the chemistry in the romantic part of the plot.
_______________________________

Overall, I feel like this book has the potential to be a 5 star read and a favorite in the Gothic/horror/romance genres ... I just think it needs a little bit of revising.

[cloudy ♡]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️

A gothic fantasy about a woman who can travel into and shape dreams at will, while also solving a mystery of a haunted mansion and the little boy who lives there.

We follow Matiah Blood, a Dreamwitch who has travelled to another country to help a boy with his severe nightmares. However, Dreamwitches are not liked here and many are hunted. Because of this, her new employer has hired two bodyguards, one of which has peaked her attention...

Starting with my dislikes; the writing was overly done and in my opinion the plot dragged in some areas. For me, around the 50-65% mark. The plot also got a little muddled near the end and it was hard to keep up. The writing was very much focused on the feelings and descriptions of things, which at times I really enjoyed but most other times feel it was unnecessary.

The romance was good, except I got whiplash from the characters going back and forth using each others last names, first names, and nicknames. I feel the it was not too rushed, but our main girl DEFINITELY was in lust at first sight which had me like; I get it! He is super strong and has huge muscles, please stop reminding me. (Also to all the girlies who love the Wintersoldier/Bucky ... read this.)

For what I did like; all of the side characters were fleshed out and different, and our main girl came from a caring, loving family and she wasn't snarky or rude, she was calm and professional. I related to her with her insecurities and demeaner.
The thought of a witch who can travel into and manipulate dreams is super interesting and I really enjoyed that. I also found it interesting how witches chose different areas to pursue, such as grief, love, criminal investigations, etc.

Overall a good read! Just a smidge too long and some descriptions could have been cut down. The romance and atmosohere were definitely there and I would read more from this author, especially if this were a series and followed other witches.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this eArc!

[Karolina Books]

This book absolutely had me wandering around in its creepy little dream world like “Excuse me, where is the exit?” This was such a fun mix of gothic fantasy, mystery, magic and romance. Monique Hazel created a world that felt dark, beautiful and a little unsettling in the best way. The dream magic was such a cool concept and I loved how dreams and nightmares became more than just a cool aesthetic, they actually mattered to the story.

Matiah was a character I really enjoyed following. She’s stubborn, powerful, emotional and very human. And then there’s Atlas… the quiet, protective bodyguard who clearly has a whole suitcase of feelings he refuses to unpack. Their dynamic was EVERYTHING. The tension, the trust slowly building, the “please communicate before I throw my kindle across the room” moments… I was invested. The atmosphere was probably my favorite part. Wolford Manor, the secrets, the eerie dreamscapes and the feeling that something was always lurking made this book so easy to get lost in. I could picture everything playing out like a movie in my head.

I also really enjoyed how the story slowly revealed pieces of the bigger picture. The action scenes brought a nice dose of intensity and there were moments where I was definitely holding onto my kindle like “Okay… what happens next?!”

Was everything perfect for me? Not completely.
There were a few moments where I wanted a little more time with certain parts of the story and a bit more exploration of some elements of the world. But overall, those little things didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed getting lost in this dark, magical world. If you love gothic vibes, witchy magic, slow burn romance, protective bodyguards and a story that feels like stepping into a beautiful nightmare… add this one to your TBR. 🖤

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Monique Hazel for allowing me to read this eARC before release through NetGalley. The Dreamwitch releases February 9, 2027.

[Shannon]

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for the arc!

The premise of this novel intrigued me when I first heard about it. I’m on a constant quest to find a book that combines romance and horror well. Although Dreamwitch didn’t quite nail it, it was pretty close. I’d say this one leans more towards gaslamp/gothic than straight-up horror, but maybe that’s just a me thing (I like gothic and technically, it is a horror subgenre, but I never really click with gothic as horror).

The world was interesting, a completely made up place that had Victorian/Edwardian England vibes including penny dreadfuls, gas lighting and fancy balls. The magic system was interesting even though we only hear about the other times of witches in passing since the focus is (surprising no one) on dream magic. I also really enjoyed the mystery element and was constantly wanting to know who did what and when and why.

The real standout of this story was the writing. Normally, I am kind of meh on lots of similes and metaphors, but it really worked in Dreamwitch. It gave the story a surreal, almost dream-like quality that suited the book.

The reason I’m not giving this one five stars is that a) I just never really connected with the romance and b) I wish there was a tad more world building around witches/hunters. Atlas and Matiah were both interesting characters, but the romance felt a little flat. I didn’t hate it or anything. I just didn’t feel super invested in the outcome.

Overall, this was a 4 out of 5 for me. I do hope the author writes additional stories set in this world because it really was an interesting place and I want to know more about it. There were a few side characters I’d really like to see more of in (hopefully) future books. I’d recommend this one to anyone who wants a romance with gothic vibes, a mystery to be solved and a bit of gaslamp style fantasy.

[The Starry Library]

The Dreamwitch by Monique Hazel is a gothic fantasy about dreams, cursed love, and the monstrous effects of grief.

Set in alternative Victorian world, Matiah is a dreamwitch. She is able to enter the dream world of sleeping clients and help them to heal from the unconscious traumas. When she has the opportunity to help a distressed young boy haunted by night terrors, she jumps at the chance of visiting a neighbouring country where dreamwitches are forbidden. Once Matiah arrives at Wolford Manor, she finds the young boy is indeed being haunted by ghosts of Wolford's dark history. When she enters the dreamworld, she finds something disturbing that connects her to the mysteries at Wolford, something that will threaten her power, her heart, and her life.

I really enjoyed the unique magical system in this book, with dreams, sleep, and the unconscious being explored in whimsical ways. For me personally, I wish the story was set in a real Victorian world and not a fantastical one. I think the concept would still have worked and it would have made everything more interesting to me. The plot was complex with a lot of moving parts, at times I was a little confused, especially when the penny dreadful elements were included. The mystery was gripping and the magic was intriguing. The author is a talented writer, I loved the descriptiveness of the writing with its poetical ways that captured the enchanting quality of the story. I am not a big fan of romantasy so I found the romantic scenes a little much, but fans of the genre will love the simmering tension between Matiah and her love interest. This is the first time I have a read a gothic fantasy, and I thought overall the author did a great job at incorporating both genres, even if it wasn't to my personal taste.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[iris]

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.

[Kiersten Cassel]

Since this is Monique Hazel’s debut, I went in not really knowing what to expect, and honestly, that made the experience even better. I got to go in completely fresh, meet the characters, learn the world, and figure everything out as the story unfolded. Once I got into it, I was hooked.

The characters were a huge part of why I enjoyed this book. Everyone felt distinct, with strong, well-defined personalities that made their interactions engaging and easy to follow. I especially loved how natural the friendships and relationships felt, which made it really easy to get invested in them.

Matiah and Atlas were a real standout for me. I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop, especially the way it shifted as the story went on. Matiah becoming such a grounding presence for Atlas added a lot of depth to their dynamic, and their connection felt like so much more than just a romance. I was invested in them the entire time.

The magic system, especially the dreamscapes, was another highlight. I liked how the Dreamwitches and their abilities were introduced in a way that was clear without ever feeling overwhelming. The dreamscapes added a really unique layer to the world, and I thought they tied into the main conflict really well.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The mystery, the characters, and the world all kept me fully engaged, and I was especially drawn to the push and pull between Matiah and Atlas. Experiencing this world through Matiah as she tried to make sense of everything was a highlight, and by the end, I honestly wasn’t ready to leave it. I would absolutely read more from this world, and Monique Hazel has definitely gained a new reader because I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next.

[Laura]

Thank you to NetGalley and StMartin’s Press for the ARC.

Gothic Vibes? Check. Unique Magic? Check. Yearning? CHECK!

The Dreamwitch is an incredible, immersive read that will draw you in and hold you captive. The victorian gothic-esque setting of Wolford Manor and Camdyn were a wonderful backdrop for a story about agency, healing and hope. The unique magic of the Dreamwitches is incredibly powerful and thought-provoking, and the story does a great job of cracking that open and examining how dreamwalking can leave a lasting effect, for good or for worse. The tinge of horror and mystery studded into the story weaves it all together into something really special

Matiah was such a compelling character, the confidence and conviction behind her decisions was refreshing to see. She was such a grounded, realistic character, both in her desires for herself and her love for her coven. As her task of helping Otis became more wide-reaching and complex, her relentless determination to help really fueled the story well. The supporting cast of characters were well-colored and added a fullness to the story and setting.

The build-up between Matiah and Atlas was so deliciously well-done, and their relationship evolved in a way that felt very real and raw to me, given Atlas’s history with Dreamwitches. It was messy at first but every moment they shared nudged them closer and closer together and the payoff was so rewarding. I wouldn’t really call this enemies-to-lovers, but more of two people on different sides of the worldview on Dreamwitches. Their connection really deepened and improved both of their characters and made this story special.

Overall this was a well-paced enjoyable read both in setting and plot and I had a great time with these characters and story.

[Gee]

Thank you to Monique Hazel and St. Martin’s Press (Saturday Books) for providing me with a complimentary eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. It is set to be released on February 9, 2027. All opinions are my own.

I’m having a hard time rating this one. The first 8 or so chapters completely enchanted me with the dreams and gothic atmosphere… and then my interest started to waver in and out for the rest of the book. I can’t pinpoint the exact cause of this, but the plot does periodically hit lulls and while all of the descriptions are beautiful, they can be overwrought at times. Some of the things Matiah did felt superfluous and did not feel like they really accomplished anything in the overarching plot. And the slow-burn romance between Mariah and Atlas was potentially the lowest simmer of all time for how long it took to come to fruition, to the point it felt contrived or a matter of convenience.

One thing I found myself questioning throughout the story was The Half War. It’s brought up multiple times and we get breadcrumbs, but it never is truly delved into. Just barebones. I feel like fleshing out that backstory more would have been helpful in understanding how it shaped their lives/worldviews. (And it brought a mild steampunk vibe in with Atlas. It didn’t mesh well with the overall dreamlike quality of the book.)

I will say that the magic system was captivating. I loved the witches and dream walking. Despite it being fantasy, it felt so very rooted in reality that it made you forget people that really can’t consciously go into other people’s dreams. And the mystery woven throughout it was enough to keep me reading because I wanted to see what was haunting Otis.

[Ever Seas]

The beginning was good, the middle was fine, and the ending was just fine.

The writing is confusing sometimes. The writer can't figure out the 70-30 rule. It's like in graphic design, you need to find balance when it comes to the text and the elements. The author uses too many SAT hard words in many sentences, which just left me confused. Sometimes, it's ok to use simpler words. I understand that this was set in the past, but there needs to be a balance when it comes to the structure of the sentence.

Another reason I rated it low is the main character's decision to be gentle toward the huntsmen after killing one of them. Sometimes, it's ok to not forgive and give a huntsman an honorable death or let their soul rest peacefully. Mind you, these huntsmen are committing femicide! The main character is just too nice. It's just wack; it is literally mentioned that some witches went extinct, and you choose to let him rest in peace?

Despite what is written above, I actually like the romance of this book; it is a slow one, and I felt like I was being edged. But sometimes, I feel like the author cannot decide what's going on between them, as if she can't decide whether to keep the hatred part longer or what.


Another thing I appreciate about this book is the body horror—especially the petals and the garden —and the way it shows how weird people are toward dream witches; the otherness felt so real that I had to shake my head many times because I see that happening in real life. Also, another favorite of mine is the part near the end, the line about how grief and love are like a rose. A rose has petals (love), and existing on that rose are (thorns); it's up to you whether you find the balance of grief and love or go all thorny and haunt people.


All in all, a 2.75 read. That's all I can say.

[Christy]

This is more a 3.5 stars. The plot and storyline are great. The magic system is unique - I'd never heard of a dreamwitch and having more books with the other kinds of witches mentioned would be interesting.

I loved the gothic horror of the setting. The beginning with the serial killer was a great hook. Then it got bogged down in a lot of old fashioned words that many people wouldn't understand and might get frustrated by. Parts of the story frustrated me - it took a long time to find out why Atlas didn't like Matiah; I never really knew why there was a Half War (but I guess that didn't really matter in the end); I feel like there should have been some kind of reason or meaning behind the chef using flowers and leaves to decorate everything (and maybe it's just symbolism); there were a couple of scenes that screamed Winter Soldier; and Matiah CONSTANTLY doing the opposite of what her bodyguard said was annoying. However, I loved the yearning, the macabre, the mystery (even though I mostly figured it out), and Otis finding out there are secret passageways. Oh, and windchimes. *kicks feet* I loved Atlas (though I hated his name). Most of the time, Matiah annoyed me.

Finally, I read an uncorrected copy and it was glaringly evident. While it made me roll my eyes everytime, it didn't take away from the story. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy.

[Jess Scibetta]

I thought this was a fine book, with equal parts being highlights as well as disappointments. To begin with, I thought the story was very binge-able. I finished it in 2 days, but I will say the middle portion does get a bit monotonous with the same characters, same setting, and somewhat repetitive build up of the dreams and their power over the household. The ball was a nice reprieve from the settings and the characters in the house. While I initially thought the book would be very lust-forward, it ended up being a really well done slow-burn, which is more to my taste as a reader.
The overall concept was very unique and I really enjoyed the magic system Hazel created. The concept of being able to go into people's dreams was very interesting, although at times it got a bit convoluted with the types of dreams and how they were created or who was creating them at a time.
I loved the dark, gothic atmosphere and the pre-industrialization/early industrialization time period. However, I did have a bit of difficulty rationalizing that cars were a relatively new invention to the FMC, yet the MMC has a bionic arm, with a skin graft that moves like an actual arm despite having exposed metal. It just didn't really add up to me, but I think it's a discrepancy that most readers would overlook.

Overall, I would say this is a good read especially for readers new to gothic romantasy. Thank you to NetGalley, Monique Hazel, and MacMillan for the eARC.

[Kaitlyn Singer]

Thank you, Netgalley for an opportunity to read this!

Dreamwitch starts off a little slow for me and a lot of setting the tone and what Matiah is and does. But it started to pick up abiut 30% of the way through for me and I found myself immersed in a beautiful, yet also horrifying Gothic world where dreams aren't safe and penny dreadfuls become reality.

I admit, I was confused at times. And I feel some details were overlooked or not explained by the ending, which seemed a little rushed to wrap everything up. Definitely still don't quite know why the petals were eaten and then said to be poisonous? I could've easily missed the symbolism of that, but feel it got lost.

While I love me a good romance and squealed and kicked my feet when Atlas and Matiah started to fall for one another, I felt this was....sudden. Like, Matiah is focused on her job, helping Otis, figuring out the mystery of the manor, then BAM...suddenly she's noticing Atlas and how handsome he is and how much she'd like to basically be with him. Her notice and interest in Atlas felt very abrupt before it smoothed into interactions and then eventually the romance.

Overall, this story is beautifully woven together for the most part and a pretty badass gothic setup. The concept of dream worlds and dreamwitches were something i found unique. As well as pulling in the whole mystery of a penny dreadful and a dead, vengeful spirit.

[Cheryl Farrell]

Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest rating and review.

This was about a 3.75 rounded to a 4 for me!
I really enjoyed this book overall, I found the plot refreshing and the characters are established with just enough background to get you invested in them. I also really enjoyed the pace, the book is a good length yet I flew through it because it just flowed so nicely I never wanted to take a break!

One thing I didn’t love is not reflective of the author but my own peeve- I am not a fan of insta lust which does take place between our mmc and fmc. The romance had a nice build up, but having matiah obsess over Atlas’s good looks immediately just killed something for me. While Matiah was a strong female lead, she almost obsessed over Atlas in the beginning even though he was genuinely unlikable for the first quarter of the book- which to me was unrealistic.

I really enjoyed Otis and his dreamscapes and found the whole story really intriguing, and will definitely pick up anything else Monique Hazel chooses to write.

I think any fantasy, romance, or horror fans would enjoy this thoroughly!

[Hailey Boone]

3.5 stars rounded up

This read more like a romance first, dark plotline second. I loved the dreamwitch concept and the magic system in this book. I wish we got more scenes with it, as they seemed sparse and often written in only a few sentences. I really liked the romance and the yearning that came with it. This is a great book for those who like romantasy but want to dabble in some horror elements. Many moments also made it a great read as the fall season approached. I definitely recommend it if you are a seasonal reader.

I wish her helping Otis was more prominent throughout the book, and the ending felt rushed. There are multiple small side plots and a big focus on the female and male leads' dynamic, which made the Otis timeline feel less relevant. Some parts of the writing confused me, like the older timeline where cars are recently invented; however, other elements and the writing feel more modern. The author brings up little moments here and there that bring you back to the older feel. Some side plots and extra descriptions, like all the food references, slowed the book down for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Monique Hazel, and MacMillan for the eARC.