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A Peculiar String of Bizarre Dreams
A small-town girl wakes up one day to discover that she possesses peculiar abilities.
This story is about Jemma, who dreams a few bizarre dreams and along the way meets many endearing beings, reminiscent to the townspeople of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, and creatures from Alice's Wonderland.
But maybe...just maybe...Jemma isn't dreaming at all - perhaps her wishful thoughts have finally come true and she is reliving a string of surreal adventures.
This story is about Jemma, who dreams a few bizarre dreams and along the way meets many endearing beings, reminiscent to the townspeople of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, and creatures from Alice's Wonderland.
But maybe...just maybe...Jemma isn't dreaming at all - perhaps her wishful thoughts have finally come true and she is reliving a string of surreal adventures.
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Published October 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 7, 2018
As I am the sister of A Peculiar String of Bizarre Dreams' author, I will give biased sisterly-love 5 stars because its awesome to say "yeah my sister wrote a book"
On a less biased level with still a little bit of biased-ness, I give it 4 enjoyable happy stars.
This book just like the quote centers around love, kindness, good morals and accepting that there is something special about being human with an active imagination. It was a fun journey albeit a bit too happy for my taste (I can be quite a grinch). The main character Jemma was a miss and hit for me. Extremely loved the peculiar/intriguing chapter headings, character names like Vazouk, Phina, Specka, Daylily, Yuna (very unique names) and the book title itself.
This book is very reminiscent of Gilmore Girls. Picture Luke running a bookstore cafe called 'Words Haven Cafe' in a town called 'Avian Oaks', with a fantasy twist to the story--tell me that doesn't sound dope. It also has a less action-y, less violent vibe of Ready Player One , I am by no means comparing the two works against each other, but merely mentioning what it reminded me of. It's a reader's dream come true, to be able to venture into your favorite worlds created by some of the best authors and time travel through them, having your own little adventure. I appreciated the realms; their descriptions and the plot that surrounded them. Numerous pop culture references to some of my favorite things, my favorite reference was the 'Coldplay mystery case' (Thank you sister for putting my love for Coldplay into your book).
I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a fun free eBook to de-stress from a hard day, you might have to suspend your disbelief a little and just value it for its happiness and honesty.
A-VUN JOB SANAA HYDER , I'M SO PROUD OF YOU.
So much for acknowledging the other people as your sole readers when I'm the one who deserves that title to be the first one to have read your first ever novel.
On a less biased level with still a little bit of biased-ness, I give it 4 enjoyable happy stars.
"A thoughtful gesture, say a gift or a word of kindness exchanged can leave a pretty flush on your cheeks or a glow on your heart. But does anyone stop to tell you that your face suddenly looks lovelier? Or goodness, your heartshine is immense, what have you done, what's your secret? No, No such thing happens; you're not a fairy princess or a brave knightly wizard, you only have so much magic as a human. And that is why thoughtful gestures are rarely exchanged; their tangibility is mostly illusory. The key is to be kind, regardless of outcome. It makes the word a better place."
This book just like the quote centers around love, kindness, good morals and accepting that there is something special about being human with an active imagination. It was a fun journey albeit a bit too happy for my taste (I can be quite a grinch). The main character Jemma was a miss and hit for me. Extremely loved the peculiar/intriguing chapter headings, character names like Vazouk, Phina, Specka, Daylily, Yuna (very unique names) and the book title itself.
This book is very reminiscent of Gilmore Girls. Picture Luke running a bookstore cafe called 'Words Haven Cafe' in a town called 'Avian Oaks', with a fantasy twist to the story--tell me that doesn't sound dope. It also has a less action-y, less violent vibe of Ready Player One , I am by no means comparing the two works against each other, but merely mentioning what it reminded me of. It's a reader's dream come true, to be able to venture into your favorite worlds created by some of the best authors and time travel through them, having your own little adventure. I appreciated the realms; their descriptions and the plot that surrounded them. Numerous pop culture references to some of my favorite things, my favorite reference was the 'Coldplay mystery case' (Thank you sister for putting my love for Coldplay into your book).
I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a fun free eBook to de-stress from a hard day, you might have to suspend your disbelief a little and just value it for its happiness and honesty.
A-VUN JOB SANAA HYDER , I'M SO PROUD OF YOU.
So much for acknowledging the other people as your sole readers when I'm the one who deserves that title to be the first one to have read your first ever novel.
October 24, 2016
I am a very sorry person right now because I have been deprived of the joys of this book for more than a year. It has been on my To Read list FOREVER. And for reasons that will be revealed below, I am sorry for delaying the reading for so long for not specific reason, whatsoever.
I love books with Harry Potter references and this one has a LOT. It was like greeting old friends when I read those names again and the way they have been written about doesn't make the reader feel like the characters were from another story even for a second.
The book comprises my favourite elements in the world, including the author, and tells a story of courage and kindness where the lead goes through time and realms to help the people she loves get rid of their problems. When we think of helping people, we always think of grand gestures. This story tells how it's helping with the small things that makes life much easier, like helping someone get rid of their crowd anxiety, like helping someone reduce the amount of annoyance they feel for the world in general, like helping your father sleep peacefully or even helping your neighbor with their garden issues. The entire theme of doing some good in the world without being concerned about the outcome makes you WANT to be that good; to be that compassionate just to experience that feeling of seeing someone happy and knowing that YOU were the one who made that happen.
On a more personal level, I related with Yuna the most. Which is funny, because I happen to be the author's best friend.
I could make do with a chrysanthemum any day now.
I love books with Harry Potter references and this one has a LOT. It was like greeting old friends when I read those names again and the way they have been written about doesn't make the reader feel like the characters were from another story even for a second.
The book comprises my favourite elements in the world, including the author, and tells a story of courage and kindness where the lead goes through time and realms to help the people she loves get rid of their problems. When we think of helping people, we always think of grand gestures. This story tells how it's helping with the small things that makes life much easier, like helping someone get rid of their crowd anxiety, like helping someone reduce the amount of annoyance they feel for the world in general, like helping your father sleep peacefully or even helping your neighbor with their garden issues. The entire theme of doing some good in the world without being concerned about the outcome makes you WANT to be that good; to be that compassionate just to experience that feeling of seeing someone happy and knowing that YOU were the one who made that happen.
On a more personal level, I related with Yuna the most. Which is funny, because I happen to be the author's best friend.
I could make do with a chrysanthemum any day now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2018
The author has a wonderful way with words. The premise of this book would be a good metaphor for her writing; it juxtaposes the quaint and the quotidian in a remarkably perceptive way and feels like a warm mug of tea and brioche french toast on a snug, rainy day.
Take the movie About Time, add a pinch of Inkheart and The Faraway Tree and you’d come close to creating some of the unadulterated, whimsical fun that this book was.
The only thing I disliked about this book was that the Harry Potter bit didn’t last long enough. I’d love to see a sequel or a short story where Jemma returns to Hogwarts so I could live out my childhood dream for a little while longer.
Also, it’s hard not to give 5 stars to a book which has chapter titles like “Vikings in a Mosh Pit”, where characters are seen sporting Pantera and Incubus t-shirts and making music recommendations like Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky. A+ for likeable, relatable characters!
Recommended for anyone who needs a delicious and surreal fantasy for their tired brain.
Take the movie About Time, add a pinch of Inkheart and The Faraway Tree and you’d come close to creating some of the unadulterated, whimsical fun that this book was.
The only thing I disliked about this book was that the Harry Potter bit didn’t last long enough. I’d love to see a sequel or a short story where Jemma returns to Hogwarts so I could live out my childhood dream for a little while longer.
Also, it’s hard not to give 5 stars to a book which has chapter titles like “Vikings in a Mosh Pit”, where characters are seen sporting Pantera and Incubus t-shirts and making music recommendations like Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky. A+ for likeable, relatable characters!
Recommended for anyone who needs a delicious and surreal fantasy for their tired brain.
May 7, 2016
Sanaa Hyder is a dear friend and when I first heard about her novel I was super excited to read it. I've said this before, there's an added wonderment when your own friends create art!
A Peculiar String of Bizarre Dreams is a beautifully written adventure novel which follows the story of a girl named Jemma, who discovers she's a time traveler. Driven by the cause to find gemstones with special powers tailored for her friends and family, she uses her newfound ability to travel in time through different realms. In her journey, she encounters characters from fiction, magical creatures in strange worlds and also some trouble along the way!
It was a delightful read and I was thoroughly fascinated by Jemma's adventures throughout the book. I strongly feel an animated series could easily be based on this.
Great job Sanaa on your first novel and I look forward to your next work
A Peculiar String of Bizarre Dreams is a beautifully written adventure novel which follows the story of a girl named Jemma, who discovers she's a time traveler. Driven by the cause to find gemstones with special powers tailored for her friends and family, she uses her newfound ability to travel in time through different realms. In her journey, she encounters characters from fiction, magical creatures in strange worlds and also some trouble along the way!
It was a delightful read and I was thoroughly fascinated by Jemma's adventures throughout the book. I strongly feel an animated series could easily be based on this.
Great job Sanaa on your first novel and I look forward to your next work
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews