Sarah

La Brigade des cauchemars #1

by Franck Thilliez, Yomgui Dumont, DRAC

Tristan et Esteban, deux adolescents de 14 ans, font partie de la brigade des cauchemars. Ils viennent en aide aux enfants et les débarrassent de leurs cauchemars en découvrant la source. Une jeune fille, Sarah, est admise à la clinique et ils doivent intervenir. Mais Tristan est troublé, il l'a déjà vue et ne se souvient pas où.

Genres: Bande Dessinée, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Horror, Comics, Young Adult, France

56 pages, Hardcover

First published October 11, 2017

About the author

Franck Thilliez is the author of several bestselling novels in his native France, where he lives. Thilliez was a computer engineer for a decade before he began writing.
Syndrome E, is his first novel to be published in the United States. Several of his books were made into films : La chambre des morts (2007), Ligne de mire (2014) and Obsession(s) (2009)

Reviews

[S. ≽^•⩊•^≼ I'm not here yet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nightmare Brigade is a scientific group helping young people to recover from their terrible dreams.
Esteban couldn't remember his past, he lives with professor Angus and his son, Tristan. Tristan and Esteban go to Sara's dream to protect her from the nightmare. Professor Angus watches for Sara that wouldn't wake up while they are there, then something goes wrong and they are stuck.

This was an interesting story with nice illustrations, I look forward to the next book to see who and how they going to recover.

Many thanks to Papercutz and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read The Nightmare Brigade #1 (The Case of the Girl from Deja Vu) by Franck Thillez, Yomgui Dumont in exchange for an honest review.
Published Date 01 Feb 2022
My review on 19 Nov 2021

[Muffinsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

J’ai beaucoup aimé l’univers, c’est très original et bourré d’action ! Ça promet une saga très intéressante que je suivrai avec plaisir même si je ne suis pas particulièrement fan du style de dessin !

[Olivia | Liv's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rescuing patients from their worst fears by diving into and visiting their dreams is extremely creative. I’m so happy this will be a series and the concept was so unique that I wish this was a full length novel! I can see this getting darker and spookier with each volume.

I thought the style of the artwork was very fitting for the story, especially for a more complicated plot. I was able to follow along easily and I also enjoyed reading the disabled representation.

I can’t wait to buy the physical book when it releases!

Thank you so much to the publisher for the sample in exchange for an honest review!

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I jumped at a chance to read The Nightmare Brigade by Franck Thillez because it made me think of Scooby Doo and the gang and I love them.

I haven’t read a lot of graphic novels, but I used to read a lot of comics as a kid. Reading The Nightmare Brigade brought back those memories. The illustrations are awesome, so richly detailed that I found myself investigating each panel for clues as to what is terrifying Sarah in her nightmare. That’s when I found out that what happens to the dream brigade in the dream, happens for real, whether it’s an injury, death, or anything else. But, they do have special powers, whether it is walking for someone who can’t walk, being able to go through walls, or flying. Each power will be needed to help those who are having the nightmares…and, eventually getting rid of their nightmare permanently.

There is even more danger than them being real in the dream, they must prevent anyone or anything from following them out and, if things go terribly wrong, they could be stuck in someone’s dream…forever. The Nightmare Brigade deals with real issues, mystery and danger.

I think this is a fantastic glimpse into an adventure series that will delight middle graders. You will not get all the answers, but when I found out about Esteban it only whet my appetite for more. There is more going on than first meets the eye.

To sum it all up…I loved it. I think the youngsters will too. And, they will get a bit of knowledge on the brain, nightmares and dreams.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Nightmare Brigade by Franck Thillez.

[Sandra Uv · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5

“Nunca voy a dormir más para ti, profesor. ¡Nunca!”

La brigada de las pesadillas, T.1 Sarah, es un cómic muy entretenido con una historia con mucho potencial. Me hubiese gustado que tuviera más páginas ya que se me ha hecho extremadamente corto, pero estoy deseando leer el próximo caso.


-Reseña completa: http://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.co...

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concept intéressant et prometteur, que peut bien nous réserver le 2ème tome?

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the quirky illustration style, and this is a really cool concept for a book.

The execution leaves something to be desired, for me at least. However, since this is directed toward a YA audience, I will be less harsh on the expositional dialogue, the occasional typos, and the too-tidy way some of the nightmares are solved.

The dream worlds are suitably creative, and so surreal I wonder if they were in part inspired by actual nightmares!

[Amber Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I was intrigued by the premise of kids helping other kids through their nightmares. They are solving mysteries kind of like the Scooby Gang. I want to read more to find out what happens. I loved the art. It was creepy and really puts you in the story. Thank you to NetGalley and Papercutz for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Fungi Lumini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un concept de base très intéressant, un trait de crayon particulièrement bien adapté à ce type de scénario, mais des personnages auxquels je ne me suis pas du tout attachée. Une incursion dans un monde de cauchemar, qui n’est cependant pas si effrayant que ça. J’ai passé un bon moment de lecture avec cet album.

En savoir plus sur : https://livraisonslitteraires.wordpre...

[Karine P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intrigant et bien ficelé, on veut connaître la suite!

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first became intrigued with this middle grade graphic novel solely on a blurb that said it was like a blend of Stranger Things, Tim Burton, and Inception. And I can see bits of all of that in THE NIGHTMARE BRIGADE. The idea of a group of kids going into peoples' nightmares with the goal of targeting and eradicating the root of negativity. That's pretty cool - it has a Dream Warriors vibe that I am absolutely here for! I loved the little mysteries surrounding the characters and it was really interesting how this graphic novel explores aging, death, and abandonment from a few different perspectives. The ending of this definitely has me excited about what can come next and how this series will grow with even more possible story lines. The illustrations and coloring are both very good and keep you invested in this story page by page. This graphic novel is a fun time for sure!

[Salma Mattar · Rating 5 out of 5]

To enter people's nightmares and change the scenario.. wow! What a page turner graphic novel.. so fun with a touch of creepiness.

Uh... and that ending?
I need the sequel like RIGHT NOW..

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Tiliacacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un très très bon début, j'ai hâte de lire La suite !

[Vincentimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mouais, l’univers de la bd est original mais je sais pas…j’ai pas trop accroché aux dessins et à la résolution de ce premier tome

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I'm giving this a solid four stars. This graphic novel has a really interesting premise, interesting art, and the first one I've seen where one of the protagonists is disabled.
I'm giving it four starts but the writers need to listen to the disabled community. We have, at large, for decades been telling people not to use the word handicapped. The word is DISABLED. That is what we want. Handicapped is insulting.

Unfortunately, since being disabled is such a traumatizing experience, I know a few readers I can't recommend this to because that language is triggering. All they needed to do was use the word disabled. It isn't hard.

One good touched as the disabled boy was able to walk when he was functioning in other people's dreams. That's smart, As a wheelchair user myself, dreaming is the one time I can walk without any problems.

I hope the creators learn from this and stop using the word handicapped. That's a big slap in the face honestly. It isn't hard to not use it.

I have more to say about this on my blog theworldsbetweenpages.wordpress.com

I received this sample for free in return for an honest review.

[Juan Manuel Sarmiento · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah, el primer tomo de La brigada de las pesadillas, plantea una mezcla muy interesante para fans de Stranger Things y Origen, a la vez que enseña sobre los ciclos del sueño y entretiene con un ritmo trepidante y muchos secretos por descubrir.

Tristán y Estéban son dos chicos de catorce años que trabajan junto a un profesor científico que es capaz de introducirles en la mente de los pacientes de su clínica del sueño para resolver las pesadillas que padecen.
Su nuevo paciente, Sarah, tiene amnesia hace tres años y sufre una misma pesadilla recurrente que nunca logra recordar pero sí el miedo que le provoca. Cuando Esteban y Tristán se adentran en lo más profundo de su cerebro, se enfrentarán a problemas que pueden ser letales.

Es el primer tomo de un mínimo de tres, y se hace bastante corto, no sólo por su número de páginas sino por lo mucho que engancha. Además, el volumen termina con un cliffhanger que te hará necesitar leer el siguiente tomo.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cette série BD thriller fantastique nous tient en haleine de tome en tome 👏 Il y a du mouvement, de l'action, des rebondissements et les personnages sont touchants, troublants et attachants. Illustrations quelques peu lugubres, mais simples et vivantes qui s'harmonisent bien avec le scénario psychologiquement inquiétant où l'étrange côtoie la peur. Récit original signé par le maître du polar français Frank Thilliez. On se croirait dans un récit à la Inception! J'ai dévoré les 4 tomes en rafale. Et j'attends le 5e avec impatience 🙏 il promet je pense! Pour les 11 ans et plus. Quoique mon fils de 9 ans a adoré cette série, il aime tout ce qui est frissonnant déjà, mais il reste que ses mots ont été : wahou le tome 2 il fait peuuuuur maman! 😅

[Brittanica Bold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy of the first 48 pages of this book (will be 100+ total) in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. It is scheduled to be published on February 01, 2022.

While I only got to read the first 48 pages, I really enjoyed The Nightmare Brigade #1: The Case of The Girl from Deja Vu. The art is interesting (in a good way), the storyline is great (essentially nightmare chasers/solvers? Hello, that's great!), and I love that there is a disabled character represented.

I see this having the potential to get spookier and spookier as time goes on, and I love that. Not going to spoil anything, but obviously there is a much larger problem at hand here, and that will help to tie what I'm assuming will be a bunch of mini-stories together.

4 solid stars!

[Dustyloup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original review in English below
Relecture décembre 2020, je l'ai acheté cet été dans le cadre du 48H BD 2020 pour 2€. Moins bien aimé cette fois mais c'est parceque la qualité de l'image est moins bien que la version "full price". En plus, je n'ai pas accès au tome suivant pour l'instant. La prochaine fois je prendrai les 3 tomes à la bibliothèque en même temps :)

I'm rating this for the intended YA audience. Great story that teaches about sleep cycles in addition to being engaging. I was really sucked into the story and devoured two volumes in one sitting!
#readharder
Read a book with a main character or protagonist with a disability (fiction or non)

[Heather Horror Hellion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely adorable and some of the art was age appropriately creepy. This little book is aimed at middle graders and after reading it I really think the different problems in the books will fit the age group without being too depressing.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm an adult. There is a section in the middle that explains all the different science to the dreams and to what they do without being too much. The book is a page turner and you really are guessing why the kids are having certain dreams and why certain things are happening. I definitely recommend this one to anyone who might be curious about graphic novels or middle grade books.

[Ave Reads ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.25 🌟

First and foremost, I'd like to express my gratitude to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this graphic novel.

The first half of the story was somewhat puzzling for me, and as it progressed, I have become more engaged in the plot. Visiting someone's dream and becoming a part of it was a fascinating thought.

[Marta Marlau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se lee de una sentada y me ha resultado muy entretenido. Esconde una intriga a resolver que deja con ganas de leer el siguiente, como no podía ser de otra manera con este autor.
Las ilustraciones son geniales, con un toque de color perfecto y dando mucha expresividad a los personajes.

[alex_and_all_her_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une très bonne BD dans laquelle on reconnaît bien la patte de Franck Thilliez ! Les graphismes sont sympa, effrayants aussi quand on est dans les cauchemars des personnages.

Je compte bien lire toute la saga !

[domduclos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je n'avais jamais entendu parlé de cette bd. Elle était dans les nouveautés à ma bibliothèque et je l'ai prise sans même connaître les avis. J'ai été agréablement surprise, j'ai vraiment aimé! 😊 l'intrigue, les illustrations, tout était bon 😍!

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Série TRÈS prometteuse ! Un très bon premier tome, hâte de lire la suite !

[Karine Mon coin lecture · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mon billet sur les trois premiers tomes de la série : http://moncoinlecture.com/la-brigade-...

[Frédérique | Adapt&Cie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh !! Je suis accrochée, j’ai hâte de lire la suite! C’est intriguant et hyper original, j’aime ça!

[Jesse Baggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is quite good, perhaps in a way that only the French could do. In “The Nightmare Brigade,” Professor Albert Agnus sends his tween son, Tristan, and adopted tween, Esteban, “Inception”-style into the nightmares of troubled children to resolve the psychological trauma that is the source of their bad dreams. “Solving” a nightmare provides the central drama for each chapter (this volume has two), while larger unresolved issues and mysteries provide narrative tension from chapter-to-chapter and (hopefully) volume-to-volume. Tween son Tristan, for instance, can walk when in someone else’s dream, but in waking life he’s crippled, a reality he struggles to accept. Adopted tween Esteban, for his part, has no memory of his parents or life before joining the Agnus family. And, most disturbingly of all, the Professor father keeps a seemingly dangerous man locked up in the basement.

“The Nightmare Brigade” has a moody, electric feel, like the charged air before a storm. This is partially due to the writing, which maintains an edge despite being formatted with a strict serial structure like one of the better kids cartoons currently on air. But even a show like “Owl House,” which takes design cues from the terrifying paintings of Hieronymus Bosch, is not as dark as “The Nightmare Brigade,” where the adults may be too preoccupied with their own traumas to keep you safe. Fortunately, the French have a different sense of morality; while there’s no sex here, there’s plenty to scare or disturb younger readers, especially the art, which can be quite creepy.

My only real complaint is that the Papercutz reproduction is so small, it’s hard to make out all the details. This volume is closer in size to a manga; even American comics are bigger, whereas the French album must have been deliciously large. The physics of entering dreams is also strange, to say the least. The kids basically do so via a physical door, which doesn’t make any sense. But then it’s not like entering dreams is a real science, and the physicality of the nightmares quickly becomes an important plot point, so it’s one of those things you have to accept as price of admission to this particular brigade of nightmares, which is well worth it. Can’t wait to read the next volume.

[Aiden Merchant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nightmare Brigade is a comic that comes in volumes roughly the size of five individual issues (though they are only broken in two). This first volume introduces the characters at first, and provides us a hook that curl through our cheeks for future volumes in the series. Though designed to be kid friendly, there's a darkness here, enough of it, to catch an adult's eye as well. Think of Inception, but for nightmares and featuring kids in mental and emotional peril.

This introduction to the Nightmare Brigade is very enjoyable and accessible for the young and old. I look forward to the next volume. I just wish it had been a longer arc; I wanted to be able to continue the story but, alas, the next set isn't yet available.

*I'm only going to note this next part because it is something I personally look out for when buying books. My copy of the Nightmare Brigade had a very poor spine. The pages constantly felt like they would fall out in clumps as I read the book. Had I purchased this in store and seen the spine so weak and poorly fastened, I would have returned it. Hopefully, this was just my copy and not all copies. I would have to see this set in stores and compare to decide if it's a manufacturing problem or just a random lemon.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publish for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. It is scheduled to be published on February 22, 2022 I received a sample of the first 48 pages of this graphic novel and will be reviewing only the sample.

This graphic novel follows two teens, Tristan and Esteban, as they go into kid's nightmares to understand the reason behind them. I found the concept to be interesting and somewhat unique, especially for a young adult graphic novel. It has mystery with a bit of horror elements and the art style plays into that. The story is incredibly fast-paced which allows you to be invested in the story but unfortunately there is very little build-up to the action as it moves so quickly. Sometimes the dialogue comes across as stiff and on-the-nose but I cannot fault this entirely because I believe it's due to translation issues.

Overall, the story was intriguing and I am interested in reading the final publication and future volumes of the series.