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Halfling
“…The result is reminiscent of the Oz stories of L. Frank the reader becomes emotionally invested in the characters while still enjoying the frivolity of the setting. Standard tropes of the genre abound, but there is an originality to the premise and vision that keeps the story fresh. The ending, in particular, is unexpectedly affecting.
A riveting, old-fashioned fantasy tale with a resilient heroine." - Kirkus Reviews
Fourteen-year-old orphan Remmi Clearwater has a secret that could get her killed. For years, she has lived in the cavern lands of Penumbra, the dreariest land in a parallel world called Dreamearth, which people from Realearth visit while they sleep. All her life, she had successfully hidden her multiple magical abilities out of fear that someone would discover the truth about her. These amazing talents strongly hint that she’s a Halfling, the child of a Dreamearth mother and a Realearth father. Such mixed heritage isn’t only taboo, it’s a death sentence. Halflings in the past have caused disasters in both worlds. When Remmi’s magic is exposed, she is forced to flee Penumbra, only to find that her newfound freedom comes with its own set of risks.
A riveting, old-fashioned fantasy tale with a resilient heroine." - Kirkus Reviews
Fourteen-year-old orphan Remmi Clearwater has a secret that could get her killed. For years, she has lived in the cavern lands of Penumbra, the dreariest land in a parallel world called Dreamearth, which people from Realearth visit while they sleep. All her life, she had successfully hidden her multiple magical abilities out of fear that someone would discover the truth about her. These amazing talents strongly hint that she’s a Halfling, the child of a Dreamearth mother and a Realearth father. Such mixed heritage isn’t only taboo, it’s a death sentence. Halflings in the past have caused disasters in both worlds. When Remmi’s magic is exposed, she is forced to flee Penumbra, only to find that her newfound freedom comes with its own set of risks.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 9, 2017
Highly recommend! Such a wonderfully creative story.
March 15, 2017
Excellent read!
If you love Harry Potter and the Divergent series, you will love Halfling! This book stands on its' own! I immediately fell in love with the main character, Remmi. With each page, I was lost in the creative writing of author, Donna Marie Robb. I thoroughly enjoyed this book of fantasy and adventure! Now, I will wait patiently for the next book!
If you love Harry Potter and the Divergent series, you will love Halfling! This book stands on its' own! I immediately fell in love with the main character, Remmi. With each page, I was lost in the creative writing of author, Donna Marie Robb. I thoroughly enjoyed this book of fantasy and adventure! Now, I will wait patiently for the next book!
September 19, 2026
I could see this story as a Studio Ghibli film. Absolutely loved it.
I was given this book as a gift
And I meant to read it while on holiday but forgot to pack it.
So, one night when I was having trouble sleeping, I picked up Halfling hoping it would take my mind off “geopolitical” issues and help me fall asleep. I was right: it took my mind off things — but I did not fall asleep. I couldn’t stop reading it.
I had to force myself to close it just before dawn. And I fell asleep thinking about puffy clouds.
What I loved about it
It's one of my favorite types of stories to read: The Hidden Hero (like King Arthur, Luke Skywalker, Little Orphan Annie (classic comic))
The different lands in the dream dimension Dreamearth concept
There were different places that sleeping humans (who are dreaming) could show up, and the dream crew would follow a script of what was to happen. There was a prop crew who would deliver the items needed in the dream. A monster wrangler who provided the monsters needed. Scriptwriters, stage crew, directors, film crew. The dreamer would disappear when they woke up.
I read *The Sandman* comic books back when they first came out in the 80s, so I’m familiar with dreamworld ideas — but this felt different. Fresh, imaginative, and unlike anything I’ve read before.
How quickly the story pulled me in
The reader is dropped into the cavern lands of Penumbra and immediately realises that Remmi Clearwater has been enslaved and maltreated for years. She’s in danger and ready to escape.
I meant to read a little and ended up glued to it.
Ghost Silks
Cool idea. Just creepy enough to make them special, and the ghost‑hair concept was brilliant and strangely believable.
Some of the Characters names held meaning
I liked the fact that some of the character names reflected who they are or are actually associated with dreaming, dream folklore, or magic in some way.
Remmi Clearwater — main character trying to find her place in the world (REM sleep and pure water, not dark, cleansing)
Periwinkle — café/resort owner who employs Remmi and gives her a place to stay (calming, protective flower)
Morphia Nightshade -- The famous 'Substitute' that knew Remmi's mother (Morpheus, God of Dreams and hallucinogenic family of plants)
Malcent -- The bad penny and the big baddie
Dreamearth’s 6 provinces
The way each province felt distinct and alive, with its own rules and atmosphere simply because of its name.
1. Penumbra — The cavern lands where people live underground with a castle area, but also with extensive impassable, rugged land stretching for miles.
2. The Sandman Island — Warm and tropical, a happy holiday place where Dreamearthlings go on holiday.
3. Nightmare Realm — Where many nightmares are set, especially if they require dark scary spaces and dragons, giant slugs, or other mythological or furry beasts.
4. Zephyr — The floating city, an archipelago of floating “islands.” Big chunks of rock floating in the sky. I loved the detail that the weight of the buildings is offset by balloons.
5. Nod — A bustling cityscape. And traditional word associated with sleep. Shel Silverstein's 'Land of Nod'
6. The Collective Unconscious Forest — Sounds like a Doctor Who place, but the idea comes from Carl Jung’s dream theory.
The cloud beasts were so vivid I’ll probably imagine them now (and hear their voices) whenever I see certain clouds. The nub‑tooth dragon and the couch‑ or car‑size giant slugs — I loved the way she described their mouths. It made me imagine a toothless horse hoovering up hay.
The unpredictability of it all
I genuinely never knew what was coming next, which I love.
The balance of tension, dark moments, calm, kindness.
There were some scary/violent moments, but they weren’t overly graphic.
The emotional and social themes woven into the fantasy: belonging, friendship, prejudice, selfishness, family.
How the dreamworld echoed real‑world social dynamics without feeling heavy‑handed.
The overall sense of immersion — it was exactly the kind of book that takes you somewhere else for a while.
This reminded me of some of my favourite stories where the geography is named for what it’s like:
The Doldrums (*The Phantom Tollbooth*),
The Bog of Eternal Stench (*Labyrinth*),
Mount Doom or the Dead Marshes (*The Lord of the Rings*).
What I didn’t like
I can’t think of anything I didn’t like.
However, I would like to know what the other two provinces of Dreamearth are, given that Ms Flit asked her to name eight. Remmi could only name six, which Flit acknowledged as pretty good — but I don’t recall Flit telling her the name of the other two. So now I’m curious. Is there a story that could be told about those 2 unnamed provinces? (unless of course I just missed them)
Audience
Although Halfling may be aimed at young readers (roughly middle‑grade to young‑adult), it’s interesting enough to engage adult readers too. It’s something a parent could read to or with their children — though if their children are younger than 10, they should read it first because it does have themes that could unsettle some parents and children (being orphaned, trying to find a lost parent, prejudice, cruelty).
I was given this book as a gift
And I meant to read it while on holiday but forgot to pack it.
So, one night when I was having trouble sleeping, I picked up Halfling hoping it would take my mind off “geopolitical” issues and help me fall asleep. I was right: it took my mind off things — but I did not fall asleep. I couldn’t stop reading it.
I had to force myself to close it just before dawn. And I fell asleep thinking about puffy clouds.
What I loved about it
It's one of my favorite types of stories to read: The Hidden Hero (like King Arthur, Luke Skywalker, Little Orphan Annie (classic comic))
The different lands in the dream dimension Dreamearth concept
There were different places that sleeping humans (who are dreaming) could show up, and the dream crew would follow a script of what was to happen. There was a prop crew who would deliver the items needed in the dream. A monster wrangler who provided the monsters needed. Scriptwriters, stage crew, directors, film crew. The dreamer would disappear when they woke up.
I read *The Sandman* comic books back when they first came out in the 80s, so I’m familiar with dreamworld ideas — but this felt different. Fresh, imaginative, and unlike anything I’ve read before.
How quickly the story pulled me in
The reader is dropped into the cavern lands of Penumbra and immediately realises that Remmi Clearwater has been enslaved and maltreated for years. She’s in danger and ready to escape.
I meant to read a little and ended up glued to it.
Ghost Silks
Cool idea. Just creepy enough to make them special, and the ghost‑hair concept was brilliant and strangely believable.
Some of the Characters names held meaning
I liked the fact that some of the character names reflected who they are or are actually associated with dreaming, dream folklore, or magic in some way.
Remmi Clearwater — main character trying to find her place in the world (REM sleep and pure water, not dark, cleansing)
Periwinkle — café/resort owner who employs Remmi and gives her a place to stay (calming, protective flower)
Morphia Nightshade -- The famous 'Substitute' that knew Remmi's mother (Morpheus, God of Dreams and hallucinogenic family of plants)
Malcent -- The bad penny and the big baddie
Dreamearth’s 6 provinces
The way each province felt distinct and alive, with its own rules and atmosphere simply because of its name.
1. Penumbra — The cavern lands where people live underground with a castle area, but also with extensive impassable, rugged land stretching for miles.
2. The Sandman Island — Warm and tropical, a happy holiday place where Dreamearthlings go on holiday.
3. Nightmare Realm — Where many nightmares are set, especially if they require dark scary spaces and dragons, giant slugs, or other mythological or furry beasts.
4. Zephyr — The floating city, an archipelago of floating “islands.” Big chunks of rock floating in the sky. I loved the detail that the weight of the buildings is offset by balloons.
5. Nod — A bustling cityscape. And traditional word associated with sleep. Shel Silverstein's 'Land of Nod'
6. The Collective Unconscious Forest — Sounds like a Doctor Who place, but the idea comes from Carl Jung’s dream theory.
The cloud beasts were so vivid I’ll probably imagine them now (and hear their voices) whenever I see certain clouds. The nub‑tooth dragon and the couch‑ or car‑size giant slugs — I loved the way she described their mouths. It made me imagine a toothless horse hoovering up hay.
The unpredictability of it all
I genuinely never knew what was coming next, which I love.
The balance of tension, dark moments, calm, kindness.
There were some scary/violent moments, but they weren’t overly graphic.
The emotional and social themes woven into the fantasy: belonging, friendship, prejudice, selfishness, family.
How the dreamworld echoed real‑world social dynamics without feeling heavy‑handed.
The overall sense of immersion — it was exactly the kind of book that takes you somewhere else for a while.
This reminded me of some of my favourite stories where the geography is named for what it’s like:
The Doldrums (*The Phantom Tollbooth*),
The Bog of Eternal Stench (*Labyrinth*),
Mount Doom or the Dead Marshes (*The Lord of the Rings*).
What I didn’t like
I can’t think of anything I didn’t like.
However, I would like to know what the other two provinces of Dreamearth are, given that Ms Flit asked her to name eight. Remmi could only name six, which Flit acknowledged as pretty good — but I don’t recall Flit telling her the name of the other two. So now I’m curious. Is there a story that could be told about those 2 unnamed provinces? (unless of course I just missed them)
Audience
Although Halfling may be aimed at young readers (roughly middle‑grade to young‑adult), it’s interesting enough to engage adult readers too. It’s something a parent could read to or with their children — though if their children are younger than 10, they should read it first because it does have themes that could unsettle some parents and children (being orphaned, trying to find a lost parent, prejudice, cruelty).
Read
March 7, 2017I loved this book it a great read for middle schoolers who love fantasy novels and magic. The universal themes of self acceptance, diversity and resiliance really resonated with me and my son. Highly recommend.
July 15, 2017
Not a bad book, but I felt like it was pretty...rough. It definitely needs a little more polishing before it is the excellent book it could become.
I feel like the premise is fairly fresh. The main character, Remmi, is a resident from an imaginary land of Dreamearth. This is a land where "visitors" or Realearthlings come during their dreams. Talented dreamearthlings are able to play as actors in the visitor dreams which are scripted and recorded like a television show and broadcast for all to see. The characters and the situations that they come in to are interesting and fairly well developed.
I did enjoy the story overall, and would look forward to a second book if Robb chose to write one. I do hope, however, that she gets herself a better editor and a publishing company. It's a good story, it deserves a bit of tidying up. I hope to see more from her in the future.
I feel like the premise is fairly fresh. The main character, Remmi, is a resident from an imaginary land of Dreamearth. This is a land where "visitors" or Realearthlings come during their dreams. Talented dreamearthlings are able to play as actors in the visitor dreams which are scripted and recorded like a television show and broadcast for all to see. The characters and the situations that they come in to are interesting and fairly well developed.
I did enjoy the story overall, and would look forward to a second book if Robb chose to write one. I do hope, however, that she gets herself a better editor and a publishing company. It's a good story, it deserves a bit of tidying up. I hope to see more from her in the future.
February 11, 2017
I love Halfling and I would imagine that tweens, teens and adults alike will love it, too! This story reminds me of the writing style of Lois Lowry (The Giver). The magic element keeps the reader wondering - "What is next!" Well, I hope next is another edition of the adventures of Remmi, the star of Halfling!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews