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Dreaming Dangerous
Brassmere Academy for the Extraordinary is a school for orphans with strange and wonderful gifts. Twelve-year-old Plum has lived there forever, and each night, she ventures into her dreams alongside her three best friends, Vien, Gwendle, and Artem, to fight monsters and journey on dangerous quests. But one night, Plum gets a mysterious warning that she and her friends are no longer safe. And the next morning, Artem is nowhere to be found.
As Plum, Vien, and Gwendle search for their friend—in both the dreaming and waking worlds—they start to uncover alarming secrets about Brassmere and its intentions. Will they be able to find Artem before it’s too late, or will they be next to disappear?
As Plum, Vien, and Gwendle search for their friend—in both the dreaming and waking worlds—they start to uncover alarming secrets about Brassmere and its intentions. Will they be able to find Artem before it’s too late, or will they be next to disappear?
208 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
May 26, 2019
This was just disappointing. I think there was potential with story being that is it basically about a boarding school with kids that have these abilities. For one thing this book was far too short this should have been a least 100 to 200 more pages to really capture the eerie and mysterious the book was. I also think there was was no obstacles that occurred in the plot. With this there was no adversity that cause the characters to develop and become stronger. Every “problem” and “challenge” that the main character Plum doesn’t grow as a character. I wanted to see more of the characters and have more of an understanding of the abilities that the kids at this boarding school have. I just wanted more from the story and characters. This book was just very surface level.😐
July 28, 2018
I really love Lauren DeStefano, and I would love to see her expand on this. This book was very short, barely 200 pages, but it dealt with a big story and some big ideas, and they just didn't get enough time on the page. It felt very much like an outline for a longer book or even series.
November 4, 2018
8.5 out of 10
It's not 5 stars just because I can't fangirl about a middle-grade book, but, gosh, it was awesome! Little X-Men in da Gossip Girl style with mystery and sci-fi elements. Fast-paced, dynamic, beautifully written, heart-touching. I really enjoyed this one.
May 12, 2022
This was an interesting middlegrade.
I liked the concept, but wish there had been more backstory to get me invested.
I liked the concept, but wish there had been more backstory to get me invested.
October 6, 2018
This was a strange little book that was pretty into for the first 1/2, but it kind of fell apart for me in the second half - and yes, this is only 200 pages, so, um, that's not a lot of time to do that. Tbh, there wasn't enough time to do a lot of things since there was a LOT of take care of this novel, and only 200 pages to actually accomplish anything. Safe to say that pacing got incredibly fast at the end and I was left blinking in confusion and wth moments.
But I really did like the concept and the cover and the dreams. I think the main characters were interesting, and the first part of the novel was really intriguing. Jumping into dreams with the kids and the spookiness/mood/atmosphere was fantastic. It was totally my vibe and I was feeling it.
I really don't have too much to say beyond that, since it was such a short book, but it was a decent story. 3 crowns and a Belle rating!
But I really did like the concept and the cover and the dreams. I think the main characters were interesting, and the first part of the novel was really intriguing. Jumping into dreams with the kids and the spookiness/mood/atmosphere was fantastic. It was totally my vibe and I was feeling it.
I really don't have too much to say beyond that, since it was such a short book, but it was a decent story. 3 crowns and a Belle rating!
February 18, 2019
DeStefano's middle grade offerings continue to be excellent (in a surprising twist, I usually love YA and don't like middle grade, but I really like DeStefano's middle grade and not her YA - go figure).
Dreaming Dangerous takes place at a mysterious school for the gifted and largely takes place in the dreams of the main four students whose power is that they dream in tandem. Within the dreams, they come to suspect that all is not right in the state of Brassmere Academy.
The mood is on point, haunting and eerie, and I devoured the pages curious for the outcome. The plotting, however, runs to the simplistic, and the world building is pretty much nonexistent. Brassmere seems to exist outside of the actual world, unconnected to anything.
I enjoyed Dreaming Dangerous, but it's probably the weakest of her middle grade books so far. It's worth it for the horror and inventiveness of it, but I would have liked for there to be a bit more meat on these bones.
Dreaming Dangerous takes place at a mysterious school for the gifted and largely takes place in the dreams of the main four students whose power is that they dream in tandem. Within the dreams, they come to suspect that all is not right in the state of Brassmere Academy.
The mood is on point, haunting and eerie, and I devoured the pages curious for the outcome. The plotting, however, runs to the simplistic, and the world building is pretty much nonexistent. Brassmere seems to exist outside of the actual world, unconnected to anything.
I enjoyed Dreaming Dangerous, but it's probably the weakest of her middle grade books so far. It's worth it for the horror and inventiveness of it, but I would have liked for there to be a bit more meat on these bones.
August 30, 2022
Almost an Interesting story
Kinda reminds me of stranger things and eleven. Controling things or doing shit or moving shit with your mind.
Evil doctor and a hospital full of special kids.
They were some differences but overall the same story eveytime.
But...
It was not enough to get involved in the story or grow/have a connection to characters.
These genre of books are better when turned into a tv show or a movie, visual effects or the overall esthetic of a well produced tw show or movie are gonna make the differences and make it unique bc it has it's own style.
On paper, they all look and sound the same. The art makes the difference.
Kinda reminds me of stranger things and eleven. Controling things or doing shit or moving shit with your mind.
Evil doctor and a hospital full of special kids.
They were some differences but overall the same story eveytime.
But...
It was not enough to get involved in the story or grow/have a connection to characters.
These genre of books are better when turned into a tv show or a movie, visual effects or the overall esthetic of a well produced tw show or movie are gonna make the differences and make it unique bc it has it's own style.
On paper, they all look and sound the same. The art makes the difference.
May 20, 2023
This is probably the best book I’ve ever read.
July 15, 2018
*Book Received in Exchange for Honest Opinion/Review*
I absolutely adore these quick, little middle grade books by Lauren DeStefano and Dreaming Dangerous was no exception. With a unique twist, four best friends not only go to a secluded school where they have been their entire lives, they also have been dreaming in tandem for as long as they can remember. With non-stop adventure and action, the book is hard to put down and will captivate the middle grade audience.
I think the most important take away from the story is the bonds of friendship. Regardless of distance or separation, friends will always find a way to be together. The bond shared by Plum, Vien, Gwendle, and Artem is magical and had me feeling all the warm, fuzzy feels. The plot and mystery surrounding Brassmere Academy didn't play out like I thought it would. And that was a nice surprise because the twist at the ending wasn't the twist I was anticipating.
The story was the perfect balance of mystery and fantasy. While these students all have extraordinary talents, the mystery is what kept me reading. What happened to Artem, what is really going on at Brassmere Academy, and who is Dr. Abarrane? While searching for answers, their friendship is put to the test, with dangerous adventures, life-risking rescue missions, and surprise events that make them question dreams versus reality. The story was a fast read and while I was left with a few lingering questions, I enjoyed this refreshing read.
I absolutely adore these quick, little middle grade books by Lauren DeStefano and Dreaming Dangerous was no exception. With a unique twist, four best friends not only go to a secluded school where they have been their entire lives, they also have been dreaming in tandem for as long as they can remember. With non-stop adventure and action, the book is hard to put down and will captivate the middle grade audience.
I think the most important take away from the story is the bonds of friendship. Regardless of distance or separation, friends will always find a way to be together. The bond shared by Plum, Vien, Gwendle, and Artem is magical and had me feeling all the warm, fuzzy feels. The plot and mystery surrounding Brassmere Academy didn't play out like I thought it would. And that was a nice surprise because the twist at the ending wasn't the twist I was anticipating.
The story was the perfect balance of mystery and fantasy. While these students all have extraordinary talents, the mystery is what kept me reading. What happened to Artem, what is really going on at Brassmere Academy, and who is Dr. Abarrane? While searching for answers, their friendship is put to the test, with dangerous adventures, life-risking rescue missions, and surprise events that make them question dreams versus reality. The story was a fast read and while I was left with a few lingering questions, I enjoyed this refreshing read.
August 24, 2018
Deliciously different, eerie and suspenseful! Readers feel slightly off-kilter and uncertain right along with the 4 protagonists as begin to awaken to the reality that something in their world is deeply wrong.
Large font and the cover make this book seem young but the complexity of the tale pushes it comfortably into the middle school audience. Lots to think and talk about as the story spools out.
Large font and the cover make this book seem young but the complexity of the tale pushes it comfortably into the middle school audience. Lots to think and talk about as the story spools out.
July 31, 2026
I read this book back in seventh grade and decided to reread it now. I remember loving it in seventh grade, but this time around it wasn’t my favorite. In my personal opinion, the author didn’t do a great job of describing the world. Like I had a hard time envisioning the scenes while I was reading. Also, the story is so rushed. Like I’m glad that it was such an easy because I wasn’t enjoying it that much unfortunately the second time around, but all the events in the book happens so quickly in little detail. So I guess I’d recommend this read to a younger audience cause I definitely enjoyed the seventh grader, but not as much now as a rising college freshman. Solid 3 stars.
November 19, 2018
Book #94 Read in 2018
Dreaming Dangerous by Lauren DeStefano
Young children are in a home because they have the ability to do special things. Plum and her three friends have the ability to meet each other in dreams and they battle monsters etc. But is the home really a good or bad thing? Plum begins to look into it once her friend goes missing. This book could work for upper elementary to middle school readers. It's a quick read and has lots of action.
Dreaming Dangerous by Lauren DeStefano
Young children are in a home because they have the ability to do special things. Plum and her three friends have the ability to meet each other in dreams and they battle monsters etc. But is the home really a good or bad thing? Plum begins to look into it once her friend goes missing. This book could work for upper elementary to middle school readers. It's a quick read and has lots of action.
December 26, 2019
I give this book 3.5 rounded up. It wasn’t as complex as it could have been, but delightful nonetheless. I can’t begin to say how much I appreciate a stand alone book that is not part of a series.
The story of Plum and her friends, tandem dreamers with extraordinary abilities, is imaginative and engaging. There could have been better character development for all, including some of the peripheral characters. Melinda’s role is never explained, for instance. Regardless, I enjoyed this light read over the holiday break.
The story of Plum and her friends, tandem dreamers with extraordinary abilities, is imaginative and engaging. There could have been better character development for all, including some of the peripheral characters. Melinda’s role is never explained, for instance. Regardless, I enjoyed this light read over the holiday break.
May 19, 2018
Very nice story, but not my favorite of her middle grade books. I will still highly recommend it. It’s significantly different from the others.
August 7, 2018
The best book by Lauren DeStefano so far.
September 1, 2018
Promising premise, but not enough pages to really take it anywhere.
January 2, 2022
Gracie wanted me to read this so I did. It was okay. Really good plot IDEA, but I feel like it just wasn't formed very well. Would have been a good movie.
January 12, 2019
The wrap up ending was very swift and I was hoping that this would be the start of a series.
September 5, 2019
reaming Dangerous by Lauren DeStefano, 201 pages. Bloomsbury Book, 2018. $17.
Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – NO
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
Twelve-year-old Plum and her three best friends live at Brassmere Academy. The academy houses a lot of special children with different powers, but Plum and her friends’ power is to be in each other’s dreams and to come up with creative ways to survive dangerous events in their dreams. When the friends start having unusual dreams and one of the friends goes missing, Plum begins to question those who are in charge, especially when she has a dream that her friends don’t share, and Plum thinks might be a memory.
I didn’t mind this book and thought the overall idea was creative at first, but there are a lot of holes in the plot line. The ending didn’t provide enough answers and as much as I wanted Plum to figure out what was going on, she never did. I’m unsure how this book got published because it felt more like an idea, not a complete book. Also the kids’ dreams are disturbing and involve death and animal attacks.
Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – NO
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
Twelve-year-old Plum and her three best friends live at Brassmere Academy. The academy houses a lot of special children with different powers, but Plum and her friends’ power is to be in each other’s dreams and to come up with creative ways to survive dangerous events in their dreams. When the friends start having unusual dreams and one of the friends goes missing, Plum begins to question those who are in charge, especially when she has a dream that her friends don’t share, and Plum thinks might be a memory.
I didn’t mind this book and thought the overall idea was creative at first, but there are a lot of holes in the plot line. The ending didn’t provide enough answers and as much as I wanted Plum to figure out what was going on, she never did. I’m unsure how this book got published because it felt more like an idea, not a complete book. Also the kids’ dreams are disturbing and involve death and animal attacks.
Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
August 23, 2024
I LOVED this book! . . . Up until about page 150.(Which is a good three-quarters of the book.) At that point things started feeling a bit too convenient. The ending was super hasty, and at least one key occurrence was left totally unexplained.
BUT WAIT!
I still REALLY LIKE this book! The concept of children who share dreams had entered into my wish-I-were-a-writer head as a really cool idea, but I had no story to go with it. So I was super excited to find this book! I love how the dreams were very dreamlike in just the right way, and I really like the plot (until the end, where it kinda disappears). And, for such a tiny book, we get to know just enough about the characters for them to be compelling.
So, yeah. I like this book. Even if the ending is . . . bad. (Not a BAD ENDING, but, badly done.) The first 3/4 are good enough for me!
BUT WAIT!
I still REALLY LIKE this book! The concept of children who share dreams had entered into my wish-I-were-a-writer head as a really cool idea, but I had no story to go with it. So I was super excited to find this book! I love how the dreams were very dreamlike in just the right way, and I really like the plot (until the end, where it kinda disappears). And, for such a tiny book, we get to know just enough about the characters for them to be compelling.
So, yeah. I like this book. Even if the ending is . . . bad. (Not a BAD ENDING, but, badly done.) The first 3/4 are good enough for me!
June 18, 2018
I was really, really enjoying this one - and then all of a sudden it ended and there was an epilogue and a lot of the plot threads that I was looking forward to exploring didn't really get explored? I'm not sure if I just didn't "get" it or what, but I found the end of the book very abrupt. I really enjoyed the writing and the characters and the concept, but I wanted more of it. (From about the end of chapter one, I was in love with the style and our protagonist, so overall it was a really positive reading experience - it was really just the ending I had issues with, but that is by nature the book's last impression.) I've really loved DeStefano's books in the past, and maybe it was just a galley thing (thank you to NetGalley, by the way).
December 30, 2018
I have been a fan of Lauren for years now. And have read a lot of her books, but not all of them, not yet. I have read all her middle grade books, though, and my god, they are so very good. It took me some time before I finally read this newest one, but I got to it. And I'm so glad that I did. Because it was such an amazing book.
Parts of this book was perfect. And I'm pretty sure I loved it more than all her other books. Yet I'm only giving it four stars. Which I do have some reasons for. Most parts of this book were so good and I enjoyed reading it so very much. The writing was excellent too. But it is a four star for me, because it ended too fast. Hmph.
But first I will mention that this book was all kinds of stunning and good. I found the writing to be awesome and I so adored reading from the point of view of twelve year old Plum. She was just the cutest. And I loved getting to know her a little bit. She has lived her whole life at a school in the woods, a school for children with special gifts. I was so curious about all of it and I wanted to know more. Plum have the gift of dreaming with her three best friends. They dream together each night, fighting monsters and doing dangerous things. They are truly the best of friends, and I loved that so. Because Plum, Vien, Gwendle and Artem were the most adorable together. I loved reading about them. Especially loved that Plum started to feel something else for Vien. So so cute.
This book tells the story of Plum and her friends. About how they live at this school, the things they learn, and what happens to them. They all write down their dreams and share them with the teacher. But things are getting strange. And Artem is suddenly missing. I loved how they searched for him, how they learned new things about their school, who not to trust. I liked the plot in this book a whole bunch. I liked learning about their powers and how they came to be. At least the one page I got about that, haha. Needed more.
But yeah. While I loved parts of this book a whole lot, it was not enough. The book was too short. I mean, sure, it's a middle grade, but I have often read middle grades that are around five hundred pages long. I felt that this story was too short for this book. The ending was rushed. Beyond rushed. Many answers left behind. It was sort of happy, yet not too, and nothing was explained more. It was suddenly just done with. Yeah. It wasn't that good. Too rushed and with way too few answers. I loved the book, but not the ending.
And so much else could have been better if this book had been longer too. It took me less than two hours to read this one. I wish it had taken me two days, because I felt like it could have been so much longer. I wanted to know more about Plum. I wanted to discover more about her feelings for Vien. I wanted more of her friendship with all three of them. And I wanted to know more about their shared dreams. Especially wanted more of the ending, what happened next, how it all happened. Sigh. I wish this book was longer.
But despite this book not being everything I wanted it to be, since it was too short, and ended too fast, it was still such a great read. And I loved Plum a whole bunch. And I very much adored reading her story. I only know that I would have loved it so so much more had it been given more pages and more time to be excellent. I'm hoping Lauren might one day write the rest of this story, because to me it was far from over. Still. Dreaming Dangerous was a stunning book full of great friendships and I'm so happy I read this book.
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This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2018...
Parts of this book was perfect. And I'm pretty sure I loved it more than all her other books. Yet I'm only giving it four stars. Which I do have some reasons for. Most parts of this book were so good and I enjoyed reading it so very much. The writing was excellent too. But it is a four star for me, because it ended too fast. Hmph.
But first I will mention that this book was all kinds of stunning and good. I found the writing to be awesome and I so adored reading from the point of view of twelve year old Plum. She was just the cutest. And I loved getting to know her a little bit. She has lived her whole life at a school in the woods, a school for children with special gifts. I was so curious about all of it and I wanted to know more. Plum have the gift of dreaming with her three best friends. They dream together each night, fighting monsters and doing dangerous things. They are truly the best of friends, and I loved that so. Because Plum, Vien, Gwendle and Artem were the most adorable together. I loved reading about them. Especially loved that Plum started to feel something else for Vien. So so cute.
This book tells the story of Plum and her friends. About how they live at this school, the things they learn, and what happens to them. They all write down their dreams and share them with the teacher. But things are getting strange. And Artem is suddenly missing. I loved how they searched for him, how they learned new things about their school, who not to trust. I liked the plot in this book a whole bunch. I liked learning about their powers and how they came to be. At least the one page I got about that, haha. Needed more.
But yeah. While I loved parts of this book a whole lot, it was not enough. The book was too short. I mean, sure, it's a middle grade, but I have often read middle grades that are around five hundred pages long. I felt that this story was too short for this book. The ending was rushed. Beyond rushed. Many answers left behind. It was sort of happy, yet not too, and nothing was explained more. It was suddenly just done with. Yeah. It wasn't that good. Too rushed and with way too few answers. I loved the book, but not the ending.
And so much else could have been better if this book had been longer too. It took me less than two hours to read this one. I wish it had taken me two days, because I felt like it could have been so much longer. I wanted to know more about Plum. I wanted to discover more about her feelings for Vien. I wanted more of her friendship with all three of them. And I wanted to know more about their shared dreams. Especially wanted more of the ending, what happened next, how it all happened. Sigh. I wish this book was longer.
But despite this book not being everything I wanted it to be, since it was too short, and ended too fast, it was still such a great read. And I loved Plum a whole bunch. And I very much adored reading her story. I only know that I would have loved it so so much more had it been given more pages and more time to be excellent. I'm hoping Lauren might one day write the rest of this story, because to me it was far from over. Still. Dreaming Dangerous was a stunning book full of great friendships and I'm so happy I read this book.
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This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2018...
July 15, 2018
This review and many more like it are available on
Read Till Dawn
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This is the sort of book I would have absolutely loved when I was younger. I was a sucker for stories set at boarding schools or orphanages, and I loved main characters with special powers.
In fact, these aspects of Dreaming Dangerous reminds me quite a bit of Victoria Forester's The Girl Who Could Fly. It's basically a shorter, slightly younger alternative of the other book. Which is good, because The Girl Who Could Fly was (and still is) one of my all-time favorite books.
I love the ambiance of these books. The setting and workers at Brassmere are described in a deliciously spooky way, and the dreams Plum shares with her friends are fascinatingly weird (as is the fact that Plum doesn't even realize all the ways her control over her dreams are unique). I loved reading the dream sequences, especially.
Honestly, my main issue with Dreaming Dangerous was that it wasn't long enough: it didn't give us long enough at Brassmere to explore that oppressive ambiance, it didn't give us long enough with the kids to really get to know them or their friendship dynamics on a deeper level, and it didn't give us enough time with the drama and adventure later in the book. If it had been longer, it would have been even closer to perfect.
This is a reaction I actually share with my middle-school-aged brother, by the way: I lent the book to him when I was done with it, and when I asked what he thought he said he wished it had been longer and more detailed. The conversation about the book also morphed into a long debate about medical ethics, so I have DeStefano to thank for that as well as for the fun read! I always love when media forces us to think about deeper topics.
All in all, Dreaming Dangerous is a great little book that really just suffers from one main flaw: length. And that's only an issue for us–if you or your reader likes shorter reads, then Dreaming Dangerous could be absolutely perfect.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is the sort of book I would have absolutely loved when I was younger. I was a sucker for stories set at boarding schools or orphanages, and I loved main characters with special powers.
In fact, these aspects of Dreaming Dangerous reminds me quite a bit of Victoria Forester's The Girl Who Could Fly. It's basically a shorter, slightly younger alternative of the other book. Which is good, because The Girl Who Could Fly was (and still is) one of my all-time favorite books.
I love the ambiance of these books. The setting and workers at Brassmere are described in a deliciously spooky way, and the dreams Plum shares with her friends are fascinatingly weird (as is the fact that Plum doesn't even realize all the ways her control over her dreams are unique). I loved reading the dream sequences, especially.
Honestly, my main issue with Dreaming Dangerous was that it wasn't long enough: it didn't give us long enough at Brassmere to explore that oppressive ambiance, it didn't give us long enough with the kids to really get to know them or their friendship dynamics on a deeper level, and it didn't give us enough time with the drama and adventure later in the book. If it had been longer, it would have been even closer to perfect.
This is a reaction I actually share with my middle-school-aged brother, by the way: I lent the book to him when I was done with it, and when I asked what he thought he said he wished it had been longer and more detailed. The conversation about the book also morphed into a long debate about medical ethics, so I have DeStefano to thank for that as well as for the fun read! I always love when media forces us to think about deeper topics.
All in all, Dreaming Dangerous is a great little book that really just suffers from one main flaw: length. And that's only an issue for us–if you or your reader likes shorter reads, then Dreaming Dangerous could be absolutely perfect.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2018
My name is Plum, and I have an unusual ability to share dreams with my three closest friends. Dr. Abarrane asks us to keep a diary of them, and doctors frequently check our health. However, our dreams have been getting stranger, and I've started wondering about the doctors questions. Artem has disappeared, and in our dreams he's warned us that someone is coming to get us. Who is he talking about? Gwendle, Vien, and I have decided no one can be trusted, so we've started lying to the doctors and in our diaries. We used to be in control of our dreams, but something's changed. I don't feel safe in them anymore, and sometimes I can't wake up. I've got to find Artem and figure out what's going on. He doesn't seem to be in Brassmere Academy anymore. If we can't trust the doctors, what can we do?
The beginning of the plot seemed innocent enough, but it quickly sucked me in. I found myself very curious about the dreams and trying to figure out what was happening at this isolated academy. It seemed like the plot was equally split between reality and the dream world. The four friends would often go to sleep in order to be together and to speak in private. The dreams were very imaginative and created a lot of drama. Even though I enjoyed most of the book, I didn't care much for the climax and resolution. I figured the plot would amp up a bit once the secret was revealed, but it actually signaled the end. Also, there seemed to be a bit of magic with the gargoyles that wasn't found earlier in the book. In the end, I wanted to know more about what the doctor was doing and why he was doing it. I still don't know what happened to him after everything was resolved. I'm wondering if there's going to be a sequel, although it didn't feel like that was in the plans. Overall, I really enjoyed most of the book, and you may not have the same feelings about the ending. Everyone is different!
The beginning of the plot seemed innocent enough, but it quickly sucked me in. I found myself very curious about the dreams and trying to figure out what was happening at this isolated academy. It seemed like the plot was equally split between reality and the dream world. The four friends would often go to sleep in order to be together and to speak in private. The dreams were very imaginative and created a lot of drama. Even though I enjoyed most of the book, I didn't care much for the climax and resolution. I figured the plot would amp up a bit once the secret was revealed, but it actually signaled the end. Also, there seemed to be a bit of magic with the gargoyles that wasn't found earlier in the book. In the end, I wanted to know more about what the doctor was doing and why he was doing it. I still don't know what happened to him after everything was resolved. I'm wondering if there's going to be a sequel, although it didn't feel like that was in the plans. Overall, I really enjoyed most of the book, and you may not have the same feelings about the ending. Everyone is different!
October 2, 2018
Dreaming Dangerous by Lauren De Stefano
For grades three to seven
To be honest, the book was as disappointing as it was exciting. The story starts with four twelve year olds; Plum, Vien, Gwendle, and Artem; who live and study in Brassmere Academy for the extraordinary, a school for orphans with extraordinary powers. The four children in particular had the mysterious ability to share dreams with each other, where they fight spooky monsters and have other adventures. It was a strange school and had strange grown ups, also known as The pinks coming to test the children living in the school. For the most part, the children accept that they are being tested for their own good. The children are happy ...mostly ...that is ...until Plum begins to receive some strange warning that all is not well with the school. The story starts out with a great deal of enthusiasm. I'm not big on reading fantasy stories, but even I got hooked by the exciting twists and turns through most of the book. And just when my expectations were drawn to the highest levels, the author abruptly ends the story and I found myself wondering what just happened. The ending could easily have stretched on to twenty five pages more ...at least. It feels like we have just been on a roller coaster with scary twists and turns, our heart rate reaching its peak just before the coaster comes to a sudden stop and every sensation falls flat. Its a good book overall ...but leaves you wanting more from the story.
For grades three to seven
To be honest, the book was as disappointing as it was exciting. The story starts with four twelve year olds; Plum, Vien, Gwendle, and Artem; who live and study in Brassmere Academy for the extraordinary, a school for orphans with extraordinary powers. The four children in particular had the mysterious ability to share dreams with each other, where they fight spooky monsters and have other adventures. It was a strange school and had strange grown ups, also known as The pinks coming to test the children living in the school. For the most part, the children accept that they are being tested for their own good. The children are happy ...mostly ...that is ...until Plum begins to receive some strange warning that all is not well with the school. The story starts out with a great deal of enthusiasm. I'm not big on reading fantasy stories, but even I got hooked by the exciting twists and turns through most of the book. And just when my expectations were drawn to the highest levels, the author abruptly ends the story and I found myself wondering what just happened. The ending could easily have stretched on to twenty five pages more ...at least. It feels like we have just been on a roller coaster with scary twists and turns, our heart rate reaching its peak just before the coaster comes to a sudden stop and every sensation falls flat. Its a good book overall ...but leaves you wanting more from the story.
June 30, 2018
I had the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this middle grade fantasy novel in exchange for a review. This book is a fun adventure that takes readers into the world of dreams. The main characters are friends that attend Brassmere, a school for extraordinary children with supernatural talents. Plum, Vien, Gwendle, and Artem have the ability to interact with each other while they’re asleep. They are able to engage in tandem dreaming, where they meet up with each other in a dream and work together to defeat whatever threatens them.
But their dreams become more unusual and they start to receive strange warnings in them. When one of the friends disappears, the others realize that things aren’t as they seem at this school, and they can’t be sure who to trust. There is lots of action and ideas about dream experiences for middle grade readers who like those sorts of stories. There’s a little bit of violent gore, but not anything that’s over the top for kids in grades five and up. The story can be a bit confusing at times as the action switches between real life and the dream world. Also, the ending is a bit abrupt without a clear understanding of the motives for the villain of the story.
But their dreams become more unusual and they start to receive strange warnings in them. When one of the friends disappears, the others realize that things aren’t as they seem at this school, and they can’t be sure who to trust. There is lots of action and ideas about dream experiences for middle grade readers who like those sorts of stories. There’s a little bit of violent gore, but not anything that’s over the top for kids in grades five and up. The story can be a bit confusing at times as the action switches between real life and the dream world. Also, the ending is a bit abrupt without a clear understanding of the motives for the villain of the story.
April 9, 2018
*i got this book for review and gave it 3.5 stars for review from the publisher*
I have never read any of lauren's middle grade and I really enjoyed this book. I was shocked that even though this book was super short the story had both a solid plot but also characters that I felt were super well rounded and also a world that was compelling and easy to understand. I thought it was sold standalone and it was a really quick read. If younger reads enjoy movies like X men or anything super hero related. I think this book will be right up their alley. I just wanted to explore more of this world and exlore all the other characters were "heard" about. I liked Plum and our three characters alot and almost wanted to get into their heads as well. I will def be checking out lauren previous middle grade novels!
I have never read any of lauren's middle grade and I really enjoyed this book. I was shocked that even though this book was super short the story had both a solid plot but also characters that I felt were super well rounded and also a world that was compelling and easy to understand. I thought it was sold standalone and it was a really quick read. If younger reads enjoy movies like X men or anything super hero related. I think this book will be right up their alley. I just wanted to explore more of this world and exlore all the other characters were "heard" about. I liked Plum and our three characters alot and almost wanted to get into their heads as well. I will def be checking out lauren previous middle grade novels!
June 28, 2018
Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and Netgalley for the advance Kindle copy of this 7/3 release. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 for this uniquely sophisticated story aimed at middle grades audiences. Plum has been raised at the Brassmere Academy for the Extraordinary. Each student has a gift (or gifts), and their dreams are monitored carefully by Brassmere’s staff. Each night, Plum and her three friends dream in tandem. As the dreams start to change, Plum discovers the truth about why they are there and where they really belong. Can they find a way out?
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I really like how the story is just the right amount of scary for middle grades readers. This is a quick read as well; however, I would have liked to see the ending a little less rushed. Overall, a winner for teachers and librarians who work with readers in grades 5-8 (I would peg the ideal audience at grades 5-7).
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⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 for this uniquely sophisticated story aimed at middle grades audiences. Plum has been raised at the Brassmere Academy for the Extraordinary. Each student has a gift (or gifts), and their dreams are monitored carefully by Brassmere’s staff. Each night, Plum and her three friends dream in tandem. As the dreams start to change, Plum discovers the truth about why they are there and where they really belong. Can they find a way out?
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I really like how the story is just the right amount of scary for middle grades readers. This is a quick read as well; however, I would have liked to see the ending a little less rushed. Overall, a winner for teachers and librarians who work with readers in grades 5-8 (I would peg the ideal audience at grades 5-7).
December 10, 2018
Overall the book was good and I enjoyed reading it . . . . until the end. You have a fast paced story involving kids with superpowers that discover their caregivers are not the kind people they thought they were. You have this fast moving story and then all of a sudden it jumps to "epilogue" that is staged years afterwards. Curious readers that would want to know "what happened next?" won't get any answers for anything except the main characters. The way it's written makes one think it's the first book in a series, which would have made this kind of ending all right. However, this does not appear to be the case. It seemed a very cheap and easy way to end a book. A simple explanatory paragraph would have been enough to bridge between the end of the fast paced story line to the epilogue.
I will probably try one of the authors other novels to see if this is a consistent style or whether this was a fluke (or even something insisted upon by some sort of deadline or, who knows, perhaps it was something insisted upon by someone in the publishing office). Like I said the *majority* of the book was enjoyable and it was just the ending that ruined it for me.
I will probably try one of the authors other novels to see if this is a consistent style or whether this was a fluke (or even something insisted upon by some sort of deadline or, who knows, perhaps it was something insisted upon by someone in the publishing office). Like I said the *majority* of the book was enjoyable and it was just the ending that ruined it for me.
July 30, 2018
I was also disappointed when it ended so quickly. Just when I was getting to know the characters. However, as a librarian who struggles to find enough books that are 200 pages or less and compelling enough to finish(and don't feel like the "chapter books" they read in 3rd grade), I am happy to have found this book. It is just right for the 4th or 5th graders who are excited by the descriptions of 300+ page fantasy books their classmates describe and they don't have the stamina to finish. This book will be a good fit. And just creepy enough too. Not sure why my public library had it marked at TEEN.
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