What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dream Slayer #1
The Dream Slayer
When your dreams come true, sometimes you get more than you bargained for...
Natalie Johnson has always dreamed she’s someone else; calm, beautiful, in control. A chosen warrior with a maniacal arch nemesis and a dreamy boyfriend, the type that can make your knees melt and your heart quiver.
Real life is much different. She’s tormented by a bully and endures the sharp tongue of her father, but finds solace in her dreams.
When her bully ends up dead, de ja vu from a dream hits her hard as everything around her begins to fall apart.
Whatever killed Sarah in her dreams is now in reality, hunting her from the shadows. And it wants her dead.
Somehow as the lines between reality and nightmare blur, Natalie must discover hidden strength to pull her friends and family back from the brink of madness.
Natalie Johnson has always dreamed she’s someone else; calm, beautiful, in control. A chosen warrior with a maniacal arch nemesis and a dreamy boyfriend, the type that can make your knees melt and your heart quiver.
Real life is much different. She’s tormented by a bully and endures the sharp tongue of her father, but finds solace in her dreams.
When her bully ends up dead, de ja vu from a dream hits her hard as everything around her begins to fall apart.
Whatever killed Sarah in her dreams is now in reality, hunting her from the shadows. And it wants her dead.
Somehow as the lines between reality and nightmare blur, Natalie must discover hidden strength to pull her friends and family back from the brink of madness.
312 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
35 people are currently reading
1119 people want to read
About the author
Jill Cooper
60 books589 followersAuthor of the YA Dream Slayer series, Jill loves to blend horror, comedy, the supernatural, and love, through her novels. A fan of genre blending, her work strives to cross boundries, but most of all strives to entertain.
She loves soft cuddly cats, warm blankets, and paranormal romances.
Jill resides in Massachusetts, is constantly renovating her home that she shares with her husband, young daughter, and two skittish cats.
She loves soft cuddly cats, warm blankets, and paranormal romances.
Jill resides in Massachusetts, is constantly renovating her home that she shares with her husband, young daughter, and two skittish cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 5, 2014
In real life Natalie is a slightly overweight loner and a bully target. In her dreams she is a super cool demon slayer. When the demons she battles in her dreams start to cross over into her real life she needs to discover the confidence to become her alter-ego the kick ass slayer.
That's a pretty cool idea.
Unfortunately the cool doesn't extend much beyond the idea. The story is told from two alternating POVs, Natalie (the bully target) and Natalie (the demon slayer). The same characters appear in both perspectives though their roles are slightly different. It gets a bit confusing to be honest.
Added to that there is really too much going on. It's like Spiderman 3...too many villains and not enough story. Way too many characters who don't do all that much but still take up space.
That's a pretty cool idea.
Unfortunately the cool doesn't extend much beyond the idea. The story is told from two alternating POVs, Natalie (the bully target) and Natalie (the demon slayer). The same characters appear in both perspectives though their roles are slightly different. It gets a bit confusing to be honest.
Added to that there is really too much going on. It's like Spiderman 3...too many villains and not enough story. Way too many characters who don't do all that much but still take up space.
Want to read
May 25, 2012COMES OUT ON MY BIRTHDAY! WOO!
July 9, 2012
3.5 hearts
We've all experienced a funk where NOTHING interests us. I mean you have satellite with over a thousand stations, for Pete's sake and there is NOTHING worth watching on the tube. Then there's an info commercial that really catches your eye. I mean it looks great and sounds like a miracle...God made that AB fat zapper specifically in answer to your prayers, wrapped that baby in gold foil, and presented it to you on Angel wings. So you you dial that toll free number and get your blessing for 4 easy installments of 29.99. And you're beaming for all the world to see. Heck you may even tweet about it. One week later it arrives in the mail and you're seriously questioning if it's really worth 120 bucks plus shipping and handling. *Sigh*
I was in a reading funk before this book came along. From first impressions, the synopsis and beautiful cover art instantly snagged my attention and interest.
The Dream Slayer is about a teenage girl named Natalie who is from an abusive home and get bullied at school. To cope with her unfortunate life, she created an alter ego in her dreams. She often visits this fabricated universe by dozing off or daydreaming. Natalie is a tad narcoleptic, but I loved her. She was believable. Her insecurities could have easily been my own. I loved the male friend harboring unsaid emotions swing and once best friend who grew apart. It helped to create a realistic high school portrayal. I felt that the school bully was way overdone; and the other nemesis' were a bit corny.
Overall, I had mixed feeling about this novel. While there were parts I loved, there were equally parts I didn't. The stereotypical 90's prime time show jargon, where the teenage dialect is super long winded in an attempt at comedy and intelligence was a major turn off. I mean it worked in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, sometimes on the Gilmore Girls and was a gray zone on Dawson's Creek. Any who in this story it acted as a distraction always taking the character completely off subject. Then as I read on I realized that this was Natalie's dream state. It bewilders me why her alter ego was so annoying, but heck, to each his own. Aside from her being a push over I actually liked the real Natalie. I especially liked the love triangle. It was definitely unusual and unique. In future novels I hope to see more of Natalie instead of her dream self. In the end, this novel helped pull me out of my reading funk. The non-stop action definitely keep me turning the pages.
Favorite Quote:
"'dreams don't kill people, people kill people' or do they?"
*I received a copy of this novel for an honest review.
We've all experienced a funk where NOTHING interests us. I mean you have satellite with over a thousand stations, for Pete's sake and there is NOTHING worth watching on the tube. Then there's an info commercial that really catches your eye. I mean it looks great and sounds like a miracle...God made that AB fat zapper specifically in answer to your prayers, wrapped that baby in gold foil, and presented it to you on Angel wings. So you you dial that toll free number and get your blessing for 4 easy installments of 29.99. And you're beaming for all the world to see. Heck you may even tweet about it. One week later it arrives in the mail and you're seriously questioning if it's really worth 120 bucks plus shipping and handling. *Sigh*
I was in a reading funk before this book came along. From first impressions, the synopsis and beautiful cover art instantly snagged my attention and interest.
The Dream Slayer is about a teenage girl named Natalie who is from an abusive home and get bullied at school. To cope with her unfortunate life, she created an alter ego in her dreams. She often visits this fabricated universe by dozing off or daydreaming. Natalie is a tad narcoleptic, but I loved her. She was believable. Her insecurities could have easily been my own. I loved the male friend harboring unsaid emotions swing and once best friend who grew apart. It helped to create a realistic high school portrayal. I felt that the school bully was way overdone; and the other nemesis' were a bit corny.
Overall, I had mixed feeling about this novel. While there were parts I loved, there were equally parts I didn't. The stereotypical 90's prime time show jargon, where the teenage dialect is super long winded in an attempt at comedy and intelligence was a major turn off. I mean it worked in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, sometimes on the Gilmore Girls and was a gray zone on Dawson's Creek. Any who in this story it acted as a distraction always taking the character completely off subject. Then as I read on I realized that this was Natalie's dream state. It bewilders me why her alter ego was so annoying, but heck, to each his own. Aside from her being a push over I actually liked the real Natalie. I especially liked the love triangle. It was definitely unusual and unique. In future novels I hope to see more of Natalie instead of her dream self. In the end, this novel helped pull me out of my reading funk. The non-stop action definitely keep me turning the pages.
Favorite Quote:
"'dreams don't kill people, people kill people' or do they?"
*I received a copy of this novel for an honest review.
May 19, 2012
I have been privileged to read the entire series by Jill Cooper. The Dream Slayer is a story with so many layers, lovingly told with an enchanting voice. The story is for Every Person. Who can't relate to those moments of awkwardness as a teenager where you wish the world would quake open and swallow you whole? Who hasn't felt their alter ego stir inside them?
Jill Cooper creatively blends two worlds, that of our Every Girl Natalie and that of The Dream Slayer, both equally harrowing in the fantastic and every day life. Jill Cooper doesn't shy away from the wicked, nor does she sugar coat her characters' worlds and she does it so magically that you're rooting for your favorites--regardless of what side you're one.
She deliciously paints evil against a beautiful backdrop and takes the reader through a fast whirlwind of suspense and horror anchored with solid characters. There were times I was truly afraid for the protagonist and her friend, and times when I cheered with their triumphs. It is more than just a teen story with vampires and dark fangy things in the night. It is a story about finding inner strength and overcoming adversity, even when everyone wants to see expected failure.
If the supernatural is your passion and you want to sink your teeth into a little more than a young adult paranormal story, you'll love Jill Cooper's The Dream Slayer.
Jill Cooper creatively blends two worlds, that of our Every Girl Natalie and that of The Dream Slayer, both equally harrowing in the fantastic and every day life. Jill Cooper doesn't shy away from the wicked, nor does she sugar coat her characters' worlds and she does it so magically that you're rooting for your favorites--regardless of what side you're one.
She deliciously paints evil against a beautiful backdrop and takes the reader through a fast whirlwind of suspense and horror anchored with solid characters. There were times I was truly afraid for the protagonist and her friend, and times when I cheered with their triumphs. It is more than just a teen story with vampires and dark fangy things in the night. It is a story about finding inner strength and overcoming adversity, even when everyone wants to see expected failure.
If the supernatural is your passion and you want to sink your teeth into a little more than a young adult paranormal story, you'll love Jill Cooper's The Dream Slayer.
June 1, 2012
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway...
I, too, had a hard time getting the image of Buffy and her pals out of my head as I began this book. I found that as I got further into it, the "reality"-based Natalie finally formed her own identity for me. I enjoyed the story, it was creative and humorous, an easy read. I just felt like I should be seeing it played out on a screen, which is my own problem and not a reflection on the book itself. :) I will have to loan it to a non-Buffy watcher, and get an unbiased opinion from them!
I, too, had a hard time getting the image of Buffy and her pals out of my head as I began this book. I found that as I got further into it, the "reality"-based Natalie finally formed her own identity for me. I enjoyed the story, it was creative and humorous, an easy read. I just felt like I should be seeing it played out on a screen, which is my own problem and not a reflection on the book itself. :) I will have to loan it to a non-Buffy watcher, and get an unbiased opinion from them!
July 9, 2012
Sometimes dreams are more than what they seem. They're an escape from reality. A new world we can create just by thinking about it. A new person. A new you. They make our lives so much easier... except in this case.
Normal Natalie is the the insecure, self-conscious teenager who's constantly bullied. Her father is a drunk, her mother allows her own husband to hit her, her sister never visits, and the family is plagued by the haunting memories of a dead son. On the plus side, she's got an awesome best friend. Unfortunately, reality isn't enough for Natalie. She wants more. This is where the dreams kick in.
Demon Slayer Natalie is the awesome kick-butt heroine who's ready for almost anything. She's got the hot boyfriend, the best mentor, the coolest best friends, the icky villain, the body of a model, and the moves even Bruce Lee would be jealous of. Who could ever ask for more?
When strange things things start happening around town, Reality Natalie can't help the deja vu-like feeling. It's almost as if her dreams are coming true (or more like her worst nightmares). People start going crazy, a weird force field seems to surround the town, keeping everyone trapped, and something is trying it's hardest to get rid of Natalie. But what?
The Dream Slayer was a fast-paced, action-packed, hilarious, and absolutely thrilling start to a really promising series. I got hooked by the first page. Seriously, the book starts off with Slayer Natalie saving a school bus that was stolen by Morach the Great (villain) and then gets attacked by demons so we get to see her kick some ugly demon butt. The story line is laced with twists throughout the book. Cooper makes us suspect the people we shouldn't even be suspecting.
The characters really nabbed my attention, especially Natalie. I didn't like how she let herself be bullied in reality, but I loved how her best friend, Tristan, stepped up for her. A true Prince Charming of a sort. Slayer Natalie was even better. She was just like Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a better bad attitude (if that made sense). Reality Natalie did get on my nerves a little. She was so feeble, didn't even stand up for herself, had to have someone else do it. But that's what made the contrast so much more interesting. Reality Natalie and Slayer Natalie were the perfect opposites in almost every way. I loved how everything sort of clashed together in the end (and sort of didn't). And then there's the love triangle. Hot demon-guy vs. best friend... that's a tough one.
The plot was intriguing. There some points that were predictable and others that I definitely didn't see coming. The pace was constant throughout the book, maybe a little too fast at some parts. That may have been the only small problem I had. Some events happened way too fast and I didn't get the chance to adjust to the changes. I struggled a bit to get used to the transition from dreamworld to reality too, but once I did, I was absorbed into the story better.
Overall, I loved The Dream Slayer. It's got almost everything you could ask for: adventure, romance, mystery, and lots of witty comebacks. I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in this series.
Normal Natalie is the the insecure, self-conscious teenager who's constantly bullied. Her father is a drunk, her mother allows her own husband to hit her, her sister never visits, and the family is plagued by the haunting memories of a dead son. On the plus side, she's got an awesome best friend. Unfortunately, reality isn't enough for Natalie. She wants more. This is where the dreams kick in.
Demon Slayer Natalie is the awesome kick-butt heroine who's ready for almost anything. She's got the hot boyfriend, the best mentor, the coolest best friends, the icky villain, the body of a model, and the moves even Bruce Lee would be jealous of. Who could ever ask for more?
When strange things things start happening around town, Reality Natalie can't help the deja vu-like feeling. It's almost as if her dreams are coming true (or more like her worst nightmares). People start going crazy, a weird force field seems to surround the town, keeping everyone trapped, and something is trying it's hardest to get rid of Natalie. But what?
The Dream Slayer was a fast-paced, action-packed, hilarious, and absolutely thrilling start to a really promising series. I got hooked by the first page. Seriously, the book starts off with Slayer Natalie saving a school bus that was stolen by Morach the Great (villain) and then gets attacked by demons so we get to see her kick some ugly demon butt. The story line is laced with twists throughout the book. Cooper makes us suspect the people we shouldn't even be suspecting.
The characters really nabbed my attention, especially Natalie. I didn't like how she let herself be bullied in reality, but I loved how her best friend, Tristan, stepped up for her. A true Prince Charming of a sort. Slayer Natalie was even better. She was just like Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a better bad attitude (if that made sense). Reality Natalie did get on my nerves a little. She was so feeble, didn't even stand up for herself, had to have someone else do it. But that's what made the contrast so much more interesting. Reality Natalie and Slayer Natalie were the perfect opposites in almost every way. I loved how everything sort of clashed together in the end (and sort of didn't). And then there's the love triangle. Hot demon-guy vs. best friend... that's a tough one.
The plot was intriguing. There some points that were predictable and others that I definitely didn't see coming. The pace was constant throughout the book, maybe a little too fast at some parts. That may have been the only small problem I had. Some events happened way too fast and I didn't get the chance to adjust to the changes. I struggled a bit to get used to the transition from dreamworld to reality too, but once I did, I was absorbed into the story better.
Overall, I loved The Dream Slayer. It's got almost everything you could ask for: adventure, romance, mystery, and lots of witty comebacks. I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in this series.
July 29, 2012
RATING: 3.75 DAMIEN STARS!
Natalie is a demon slayer and a kick ass one ...... in her dreams. Damien the hottie , Mr Buckle and Mark are also in her dreams. Damien is the half demon hottie.
Now....I am going to be honest and say that I was a tad confused sometimes where reality and dream scenes blurred a bit and my head got the fuzzy wuzzys, but!! I totally loved what Jill was doing.
Picture Buffy the vampire demon slayer and this is how the sub characters and Natalie felt a bit in a comparison way, but then there was the whole dream thing, which is the twist. Parallel lives going on, but the characters were different in each one.
This book starts off with a bit of an ode to the movie ‘Speed’. Chick on bus, no brakes .........which I really liked. The feel is this chick who saves the day, and we get a hint of a villain , Morach, and we are introduced to the some time boyfriend , Damien.
......then, Natalie becomes the little chubby , not so chickie babe looking ,and we meet Tristan, her friend since they were little kidlets running barefoot in the sandpit. Tristan is crushing big time and sees Natalie as gorgeous. He totally digs her. Unfortunately for Natalie in this world she is picked on and not kickass. She is regular girl , who gets pounded on by a bully named Sarah.
Don’t worry karma has a way of rearing its head.
So, we go back and forth and as the reader I found myself trying to grasp where I was sometimes. I knew I was in two worldy type things, but I got a bit confuzzed what was the reality and what wasn’t. Now this could have been deliberate.
....then, the story takes on another turn and it gets a bit darker and students at Meadow Creek High become effected by their nightmares . Some kids obviously have bad fears , they really were hard done by. Mr Buckle, he just feared bad tea.....lol!
I really loved the sound of Marcus, the rather righteous dude. He kinda floated about. Michelle was the character you thought was going to be a bit of a pain, but she turned out to be ok. She just needs to work on her social skills a bit, lol!!
Action scenes grow into quite good fighting scenes and we watch Natalie start to realise what is going on in her life, even though she is as baffled as we are to the wt!! Evil has come through a portal and if left to their own devices , could take over Meadow Creek, and then possibly the world. This is where I would like to insert a MWahhhha..haaaaaa!! ( evil laugh)
I can’t help it, I am suss about Mark. Jill has sowed some seeds in this book, I think they have yet to grow. I am sure they will be nice and green in the sequel.
All I will say is bottom roast and gravy.....yum! Yes, I mean bottom/butt/backside/tush ... my daughter calls hers , her chi chi.
Jill has laid the foundations for the sequel and I am quite interested to see where she goes . Light on the romance with an original idea, I think the Buffy fans will enjoy.
Natalie is a demon slayer and a kick ass one ...... in her dreams. Damien the hottie , Mr Buckle and Mark are also in her dreams. Damien is the half demon hottie.
Now....I am going to be honest and say that I was a tad confused sometimes where reality and dream scenes blurred a bit and my head got the fuzzy wuzzys, but!! I totally loved what Jill was doing.
Picture Buffy the vampire demon slayer and this is how the sub characters and Natalie felt a bit in a comparison way, but then there was the whole dream thing, which is the twist. Parallel lives going on, but the characters were different in each one.
This book starts off with a bit of an ode to the movie ‘Speed’. Chick on bus, no brakes .........which I really liked. The feel is this chick who saves the day, and we get a hint of a villain , Morach, and we are introduced to the some time boyfriend , Damien.
......then, Natalie becomes the little chubby , not so chickie babe looking ,and we meet Tristan, her friend since they were little kidlets running barefoot in the sandpit. Tristan is crushing big time and sees Natalie as gorgeous. He totally digs her. Unfortunately for Natalie in this world she is picked on and not kickass. She is regular girl , who gets pounded on by a bully named Sarah.
Don’t worry karma has a way of rearing its head.
So, we go back and forth and as the reader I found myself trying to grasp where I was sometimes. I knew I was in two worldy type things, but I got a bit confuzzed what was the reality and what wasn’t. Now this could have been deliberate.
....then, the story takes on another turn and it gets a bit darker and students at Meadow Creek High become effected by their nightmares . Some kids obviously have bad fears , they really were hard done by. Mr Buckle, he just feared bad tea.....lol!
I really loved the sound of Marcus, the rather righteous dude. He kinda floated about. Michelle was the character you thought was going to be a bit of a pain, but she turned out to be ok. She just needs to work on her social skills a bit, lol!!
Action scenes grow into quite good fighting scenes and we watch Natalie start to realise what is going on in her life, even though she is as baffled as we are to the wt!! Evil has come through a portal and if left to their own devices , could take over Meadow Creek, and then possibly the world. This is where I would like to insert a MWahhhha..haaaaaa!! ( evil laugh)
I can’t help it, I am suss about Mark. Jill has sowed some seeds in this book, I think they have yet to grow. I am sure they will be nice and green in the sequel.
All I will say is bottom roast and gravy.....yum! Yes, I mean bottom/butt/backside/tush ... my daughter calls hers , her chi chi.
Jill has laid the foundations for the sequel and I am quite interested to see where she goes . Light on the romance with an original idea, I think the Buffy fans will enjoy.
January 15, 2016
Full review here: http://zodiacbookreviews.blogspot.com...
Natalie Johnson is a girl tormented by a bully at school and her alcoholic father at home, but when she dreams Natalie is the Slayer. Strong, beautiful, and completely in control, the Slayer is everything that Natalie isn't but desperately wishes she was. When the Real World and the Dream World begin merging together, Natalie will need to find the strength hidden deep inside herself to claim her destiny and save both worlds from destruction.
When I first started reading The Dream Slayer I was a little confused. The book starts with Natalie (the Slayer) trying to stop a runaway school bus. She succeeds and proceeds to chase her arch nemesis, Morach, behind the school where she loses him. Shortly thereafter, the story moves to Natalie being beaten up by her bully at school, Sarah, on the bus to school. I couldn't tell which world was supposed to be the real one, but as I kept reading it all began to make sense and I really started enjoying the book.
We have the Real World and the Dream World. In the Real World Natalie is a shy girl who is the target for bullies; whereas in the Dream World Natalie is the Slayer, kicking demon butt and looking good while doing it. In the Real World Natalie's enemy is the Patricians--magicians with the power to manipulate dreams for their own purposes--and in the Dream World Natalie's enemy is Morach the Great, a demon master of great power. And in the Real World Natalie's love interest is her best friend, Tristan; and in the Dream World Natalie is deeply in love with Damien, a half-demon warrior. Though there are similarities between the two worlds there are also a lot of differences to look out for.
There were two things that I thought were pretty cool:
1) Natalie may not be a Slayer, but she has a role just as important.
2) Natalie created a growing, thinking world that is more than just a dream. What was not real before may very well be real now.
I would very much like to learn more about WOMP (World Organization of Magical Protection) and about who Marcus is. He just shows up one day and all of a sudden is pretty chummy with Natalie and her friends. He's not even surprised by the mention of demon slaying. Just who is he??
I loved seeing Natalie finally stand up and fight. I could picture the battle in my head and it was just amazing!
I can't wait to read the sequel, Demon Royale, and see how Natalie has changed, what's going on with the Slayer, and what new adventure there is to be had!
Natalie Johnson is a girl tormented by a bully at school and her alcoholic father at home, but when she dreams Natalie is the Slayer. Strong, beautiful, and completely in control, the Slayer is everything that Natalie isn't but desperately wishes she was. When the Real World and the Dream World begin merging together, Natalie will need to find the strength hidden deep inside herself to claim her destiny and save both worlds from destruction.
When I first started reading The Dream Slayer I was a little confused. The book starts with Natalie (the Slayer) trying to stop a runaway school bus. She succeeds and proceeds to chase her arch nemesis, Morach, behind the school where she loses him. Shortly thereafter, the story moves to Natalie being beaten up by her bully at school, Sarah, on the bus to school. I couldn't tell which world was supposed to be the real one, but as I kept reading it all began to make sense and I really started enjoying the book.
We have the Real World and the Dream World. In the Real World Natalie is a shy girl who is the target for bullies; whereas in the Dream World Natalie is the Slayer, kicking demon butt and looking good while doing it. In the Real World Natalie's enemy is the Patricians--magicians with the power to manipulate dreams for their own purposes--and in the Dream World Natalie's enemy is Morach the Great, a demon master of great power. And in the Real World Natalie's love interest is her best friend, Tristan; and in the Dream World Natalie is deeply in love with Damien, a half-demon warrior. Though there are similarities between the two worlds there are also a lot of differences to look out for.
There were two things that I thought were pretty cool:
1) Natalie may not be a Slayer, but she has a role just as important.
2) Natalie created a growing, thinking world that is more than just a dream. What was not real before may very well be real now.
I would very much like to learn more about WOMP (World Organization of Magical Protection) and about who Marcus is. He just shows up one day and all of a sudden is pretty chummy with Natalie and her friends. He's not even surprised by the mention of demon slaying. Just who is he??
I loved seeing Natalie finally stand up and fight. I could picture the battle in my head and it was just amazing!
I can't wait to read the sequel, Demon Royale, and see how Natalie has changed, what's going on with the Slayer, and what new adventure there is to be had!
July 16, 2012
Jill Cooper takes the paranormal genre to another level in The Dream Slayer. Natalie Johnson's life sucks; bullied by Sarah the cheerleader, a parent who is always drunk and the other a bearer of the outcomes. It seems like apart from Tristan, the one BFF she hasn't managed to lose to the social abyss that is high school (insert Michelle, captain of the cheerleading team), life is at its worst. The escape? Dreams. Only if that weren't so complicated what with Natalie's dreams now crossing over to the reality and the constant onslaught of déjà vus. What's a girl to do?
Natalie is a loser and a scared little mouse, nobody pays her any attention except to laugh at her when she's being bullied. She hates it, Tristan hates it; but she knows it will only get worse if she does anything to resist the bullying. Except it does in her dream because Sarah becomes possessed and throws herself over the window of the high school building. Talk about a dramatic death and on the night of the pep rally no less. Only Natalie has seen that already, in her dream.
It all really started when a portal opened and the Patricians escaped through it. It happened in her dream but the horror of it spilling over to the reality was only the beginning. It's a good thing that Natalie's alter ego is a kick-butt, strong, fearless demon slayer with a hot boyfriend, Damien. Mark is her custodian in dreams but in reality, it is Charles. Oh and the demon master, Morach is a big, fat nuisance to just everybody included.
As much as Natalie has to now embrace her fate of being a paladin, she needs all the strong-wiliness she can muster and she does. She rises above and beyond the pitiful feelings of being scared and pushed over all the time. She pulls out of it a stronger, kick-butt, magic-wielding heroine. How she does it is a sure treat to read and a very enjoyable and engrossing one at that.
The Dream Slayer is an action-packed, chock full of one hell of a great storyline debut by Jill Cooper. The cover is mesmerizing and the paranormal aspect of the story mixed with the dreams is like a breath of fresh air. For Natalie, it is somewhat of a coming of age story as well and it was a novel thing to see an average, fat girl with chunky fingers get transformed into a strong character in her dreams and then some. I will recommend The Dream Slayers to the lovers of the paranormal genre. This is a thrilling start to an awesome series.
Natalie is a loser and a scared little mouse, nobody pays her any attention except to laugh at her when she's being bullied. She hates it, Tristan hates it; but she knows it will only get worse if she does anything to resist the bullying. Except it does in her dream because Sarah becomes possessed and throws herself over the window of the high school building. Talk about a dramatic death and on the night of the pep rally no less. Only Natalie has seen that already, in her dream.
It all really started when a portal opened and the Patricians escaped through it. It happened in her dream but the horror of it spilling over to the reality was only the beginning. It's a good thing that Natalie's alter ego is a kick-butt, strong, fearless demon slayer with a hot boyfriend, Damien. Mark is her custodian in dreams but in reality, it is Charles. Oh and the demon master, Morach is a big, fat nuisance to just everybody included.
As much as Natalie has to now embrace her fate of being a paladin, she needs all the strong-wiliness she can muster and she does. She rises above and beyond the pitiful feelings of being scared and pushed over all the time. She pulls out of it a stronger, kick-butt, magic-wielding heroine. How she does it is a sure treat to read and a very enjoyable and engrossing one at that.
The Dream Slayer is an action-packed, chock full of one hell of a great storyline debut by Jill Cooper. The cover is mesmerizing and the paranormal aspect of the story mixed with the dreams is like a breath of fresh air. For Natalie, it is somewhat of a coming of age story as well and it was a novel thing to see an average, fat girl with chunky fingers get transformed into a strong character in her dreams and then some. I will recommend The Dream Slayers to the lovers of the paranormal genre. This is a thrilling start to an awesome series.
July 24, 2012
Cover Thoughts-
Love it! The girl on the cover is probably Natalie and she is probably in her dream world because she is holding her sword thing. Bad ass covers like this is what really catches my attention.
First Thought-
Just what I was looking for! Romance, Adventure, Paranormal, and Slayers! I can not wait to get started on this book!
What I liked-
There is so much to like! First off Butt kicking heroins are my favorite characters. Natalie is basically a nobody wimp nerd by day and a somebody brave hero by night. In her dreams she defeats evil doers like Morach the Great. She has awesome skills using weapons and has a I'm better than you attitude. Everybody knows her name. And if your a demon you better hope you don't run into her. Then when she wakes up she is living her nightmare at home and at school. Dreams are her only escape. A little while into the book her dreams become reality and it becomes harder to escape them. The whole book is a dangerous middle between fantasy and reality. Somebody or Something is out to get Natalie and how can she overcome them when she is actually a little weak nobody? I was seriously swept in this tide of dreams throughout the whole book. I found myself comparing my dreams and even wishing I had such realistic ones like in The Dream Slayer. I even pictured myself exactly like the weak real Natalie. I guarantee this series is one I'll be following just because this book kept me on the edge all the way through. When I thought all evil was defeated at the end I was still wrong!
What I disliked-
The beginning was so confusing! I struggled through the first couple chapters trying to keep up with the action and adventure and fierce fighting skills then a sudden weak girl who does nothing shows up. I finally got it after a few more pages. :) The idea is genius! Anyway that is really it. The Dream Slayer had everything I could want in a book; romance, fights, dreams, vampires, slayers, nerds, and bad ass girls like I want to be. I loved it!
Overall Readability-
A total top of the to read lister. I finished it all in one sitting because every page puts you on edge. You have to know what happens next. Everything is so beautifully detailed and totally fierce in the butt kicking. I actually am already thinking about rereading it. :) I recommend The Dream Slayer for people who love dreams and the paranormal.
My Final Thought-
She blossomed! Once a wimpy nerd now a beautiful brave somebody!
5 out of 5 Haunted Roses
Love it! The girl on the cover is probably Natalie and she is probably in her dream world because she is holding her sword thing. Bad ass covers like this is what really catches my attention.
First Thought-
Just what I was looking for! Romance, Adventure, Paranormal, and Slayers! I can not wait to get started on this book!
What I liked-
There is so much to like! First off Butt kicking heroins are my favorite characters. Natalie is basically a nobody wimp nerd by day and a somebody brave hero by night. In her dreams she defeats evil doers like Morach the Great. She has awesome skills using weapons and has a I'm better than you attitude. Everybody knows her name. And if your a demon you better hope you don't run into her. Then when she wakes up she is living her nightmare at home and at school. Dreams are her only escape. A little while into the book her dreams become reality and it becomes harder to escape them. The whole book is a dangerous middle between fantasy and reality. Somebody or Something is out to get Natalie and how can she overcome them when she is actually a little weak nobody? I was seriously swept in this tide of dreams throughout the whole book. I found myself comparing my dreams and even wishing I had such realistic ones like in The Dream Slayer. I even pictured myself exactly like the weak real Natalie. I guarantee this series is one I'll be following just because this book kept me on the edge all the way through. When I thought all evil was defeated at the end I was still wrong!
What I disliked-
The beginning was so confusing! I struggled through the first couple chapters trying to keep up with the action and adventure and fierce fighting skills then a sudden weak girl who does nothing shows up. I finally got it after a few more pages. :) The idea is genius! Anyway that is really it. The Dream Slayer had everything I could want in a book; romance, fights, dreams, vampires, slayers, nerds, and bad ass girls like I want to be. I loved it!
Overall Readability-
A total top of the to read lister. I finished it all in one sitting because every page puts you on edge. You have to know what happens next. Everything is so beautifully detailed and totally fierce in the butt kicking. I actually am already thinking about rereading it. :) I recommend The Dream Slayer for people who love dreams and the paranormal.
My Final Thought-
She blossomed! Once a wimpy nerd now a beautiful brave somebody!
5 out of 5 Haunted Roses
July 18, 2012
** Originally on Read-A-holicZ**
Although I’m not into fantasy this book was really good. It was a bit confusing in the beginning I didn’t know she was dreaming. Natalie was bit clueless about the whole best friend romance thing. Tristan made it WAY too obvious. In the beginning I felt pity for Natalie but I also wanted to smack her for not standing up for herself.
Her alter ego “the slayer” was very witty and stronger than Natalie, but I feel like she could channel her alter ego if she just gained a little more confidence in herself. I thought Damien’s intrest in her was a little creepy just because the author made him sound so much older.
The whole personal nightmares I thought was brilliant! Absolutely brilliant, what better way to torture someone than by having them live their nightmare. Brian's (Natalie's dad) nightmare made me gasp. It really showed how messed up he was and why. Ruth (Natalie’s mom) nightmare's were torture! I was curious on how the death occurred, but it explained why she was so fragile.
Michelle's nightmare were very shallow, but I like that she starts gaining personality toward the end of the book. I didn’t pity Sarah’s death. She treated Natalie like dirt, and I think she totally deserved what she got. I really enjoyed when “The slayer” (Natalie’s alter) had a dream about the real world and when her dad came in trying to comfort her.
I can't WAIT for the sequel. Other than some holes that needed to be filled and some confusing patches the book was really good.
Oh and I really liked the villain. Not the three brothers but Morach. He was witty, evil and the type of villain you like.
I give this book 4/5 feathers. It was a really GOOD book! I enjoyed it a LOT & you SHOULD DEFINITIVELY READ THIS BOOK! =)
-Karina
Although I’m not into fantasy this book was really good. It was a bit confusing in the beginning I didn’t know she was dreaming. Natalie was bit clueless about the whole best friend romance thing. Tristan made it WAY too obvious. In the beginning I felt pity for Natalie but I also wanted to smack her for not standing up for herself.
Her alter ego “the slayer” was very witty and stronger than Natalie, but I feel like she could channel her alter ego if she just gained a little more confidence in herself. I thought Damien’s intrest in her was a little creepy just because the author made him sound so much older.
The whole personal nightmares I thought was brilliant! Absolutely brilliant, what better way to torture someone than by having them live their nightmare. Brian's (Natalie's dad) nightmare made me gasp. It really showed how messed up he was and why. Ruth (Natalie’s mom) nightmare's were torture! I was curious on how the death occurred, but it explained why she was so fragile.
Michelle's nightmare were very shallow, but I like that she starts gaining personality toward the end of the book. I didn’t pity Sarah’s death. She treated Natalie like dirt, and I think she totally deserved what she got. I really enjoyed when “The slayer” (Natalie’s alter) had a dream about the real world and when her dad came in trying to comfort her.
I can't WAIT for the sequel. Other than some holes that needed to be filled and some confusing patches the book was really good.
Oh and I really liked the villain. Not the three brothers but Morach. He was witty, evil and the type of villain you like.
I give this book 4/5 feathers. It was a really GOOD book! I enjoyed it a LOT & you SHOULD DEFINITIVELY READ THIS BOOK! =)
-Karina
July 15, 2012
Natalie is a teenage girl who has low self-esteem, is overweight, has an abusive father, and is targeted by bullies. She has always dreamed of being someone else, never having realized what a special person she is. After being attacked on the school bus one morning, her best friend Tristan takes her to the nurse's office. Soon thereafter, Sarah, the girl who has been bullying her, ends up dying tragically. Natalie then begins to remember the dreams she has been having. Dreams where she is a "slayer" that fights against demons, vampires, and defends the city against all kinds of evil. Not only is she a kick-butt heroine, she has a hot boyfriend to. She discovers that the things that are happening in her dream world are also beginning to parallel and spill over into this world. Natalie finds out she is much more than she thought she was, a paladin, destined to truly defend her city against evil, but can she live up to the expectations that are placed upon her and rise up to the occasion before it's too late?
The Dream Slayer is not dull by any means, it starts off with action and just keeps on going. I felt bad for Natalie and what she was going through, and hated that she had such a low opinion of herself in most of the book, though she finally does manage to begin to get past that by the end, and actually turns out doing some pretty kick-butt stuff herself. I thought the love interest with Tristan was sweet, and was glad to see some of Natalie's relationships begin to mend with family and friends. This is one of those books you will need to pay attention to because it switches from Natalie the normal teenage girl, to Natalie the Slayer, her alter ego, though this is actually taking place in her dreams. Overall, this was a fun read, and though it dealt with killing demons and the like, to me it was not gruesome like your typical horror story. If you are into teenage fantasy, the paranormal, with a little bit of horror, and some sweet romance, then you would probably enjoy The Dream Slayer.
The Dream Slayer is not dull by any means, it starts off with action and just keeps on going. I felt bad for Natalie and what she was going through, and hated that she had such a low opinion of herself in most of the book, though she finally does manage to begin to get past that by the end, and actually turns out doing some pretty kick-butt stuff herself. I thought the love interest with Tristan was sweet, and was glad to see some of Natalie's relationships begin to mend with family and friends. This is one of those books you will need to pay attention to because it switches from Natalie the normal teenage girl, to Natalie the Slayer, her alter ego, though this is actually taking place in her dreams. Overall, this was a fun read, and though it dealt with killing demons and the like, to me it was not gruesome like your typical horror story. If you are into teenage fantasy, the paranormal, with a little bit of horror, and some sweet romance, then you would probably enjoy The Dream Slayer.
June 26, 2012
Natalie Johnson takes the adage "if you dream it, you can be it" to a whole new level. In fact, her dreams have spilled out into the real world and now threaten her life and the lives (and sanity) of all those who matter to her. Man, that'll teach Nat to dream of demons, vampires, and evil magic-doers--or is it magic evil-doers?
Jill Cooper's debut novel offers a lot of *punch.* Bam, kapow, hiyaaah! Witty dialogue, memorable characters, and hilarity in the face of certain doom all make for a stunning read. The zingers keep flying as unextraordinary Natalie Johnson discovers that she was wrong this whole time. After all, who needs high school popularity when you're a supremely powerful slayer?
While all the characters are dynamic, Natalie really stole the show. She's not a bland perfect protagonist, and I like that. She's overweight, bullied, and has an abusive home life--no wonder her dreams become so vivid. Another stand-out was her frenemy Michelle, who totally deserved that acne breakout, thank you very much. And Tristan? He's the ultimate good guy you wanna root for and believe in. Yeah, they pretty much all rocked.
Okay, so I should address why this is 4-stars instead of 5. While the writing, characterization, and dialogue were all outstanding, the setting confused me at times. I wasn't always sure where the dream world ended and the real world began--especially when they began to cross over. Maybe that's part of the fun, not knowing exactly, but I'm the kind of person who is totally and completely afraid of the dark. Not knowing what lurks behind the ether makes me so uncomfortable, you know? (OMG, is that a demon behind me? Aaaaaah!)
In short, there is much to love about this book, and you are in for a wild ride, my friends.
Also, I hear The Dream Slayer is a fantastic read for Buffy enthusiasts, and you better believe I'm passing it on to my bestie for her reading pleasure.
Jill Cooper's debut novel offers a lot of *punch.* Bam, kapow, hiyaaah! Witty dialogue, memorable characters, and hilarity in the face of certain doom all make for a stunning read. The zingers keep flying as unextraordinary Natalie Johnson discovers that she was wrong this whole time. After all, who needs high school popularity when you're a supremely powerful slayer?
While all the characters are dynamic, Natalie really stole the show. She's not a bland perfect protagonist, and I like that. She's overweight, bullied, and has an abusive home life--no wonder her dreams become so vivid. Another stand-out was her frenemy Michelle, who totally deserved that acne breakout, thank you very much. And Tristan? He's the ultimate good guy you wanna root for and believe in. Yeah, they pretty much all rocked.
Okay, so I should address why this is 4-stars instead of 5. While the writing, characterization, and dialogue were all outstanding, the setting confused me at times. I wasn't always sure where the dream world ended and the real world began--especially when they began to cross over. Maybe that's part of the fun, not knowing exactly, but I'm the kind of person who is totally and completely afraid of the dark. Not knowing what lurks behind the ether makes me so uncomfortable, you know? (OMG, is that a demon behind me? Aaaaaah!)
In short, there is much to love about this book, and you are in for a wild ride, my friends.
Also, I hear The Dream Slayer is a fantastic read for Buffy enthusiasts, and you better believe I'm passing it on to my bestie for her reading pleasure.
July 21, 2012
A paranormal story where Natalie (the main character) has a split personality....in reality she is a bullied insecure girl and in her dreams she is a slayer. The book follows Natalie's struggles and battles in both the dream world and reality. Then one dream changes it all and brings the dream world into reality and puts the reality Natalie in a predicament where she must become as strong and confident as her other slayer personality. Natalie's character gets put to the test when Morach, a demon from her dream world, steps into reality and starts trying to harm Natalie and the ones she cares for. While battling the demons Natalie also has to choose who she really loves..Tristan(her real world best friend) or Damien(her half demon, half human warrior in her dream world).
This had a great story line and I loved seeing Natalie's reality character really grow and become confident and as strong as her slayer personality in the dream world. Who she chooses to love in the end was a nice choice and I felt that it suited her very well.
The only issue that i had with the book was when Natalie goes from dream to reality. Sometimes it got jumbled around and it was hard to tell if she was dreaming or if she was in reality. Other then that it was a good book and I look forward to reading the second one when it comes out.
I give this book 4 stars!
This had a great story line and I loved seeing Natalie's reality character really grow and become confident and as strong as her slayer personality in the dream world. Who she chooses to love in the end was a nice choice and I felt that it suited her very well.
The only issue that i had with the book was when Natalie goes from dream to reality. Sometimes it got jumbled around and it was hard to tell if she was dreaming or if she was in reality. Other then that it was a good book and I look forward to reading the second one when it comes out.
I give this book 4 stars!
July 19, 2012
I really liked Dream Slayer - loved it actually. It's really different from all the other paranormal stories out right now. Dream Slayer is a complex story with two worlds - the real world Natalie lives in, where she is an over-weight, bullied girl with a bad home life. In the dream world Natalie kicks butt and fights evil and has a strong sense of confidence and self-worth. The real action begins when the two worlds start to collide.
I liked the fact that the heroine, Natalie, is "plus size." (or maybe just overweight). Granted, we all want to be the beautiful, Barbie doll heroines in the other stories out (like society tells us we should be), but we’re not. I think it’s great to have a heroine who isn’t perfect by today’s standards – who is normal and real. I think because she isn’t some idealized version of what a girl should be according to Hollywood and magazines etc, that she more relatable and more likable. We all wish that we could be something more – someone heroic and brave, and it’s great to have a lead character that can be heroic and brave while also being herself. Thank you for that. It’s refreshing.
Overall, I rate this book 5 stars. It's well worth the read, and I hope to learn more about the secondary characters in the next book.
I liked the fact that the heroine, Natalie, is "plus size." (or maybe just overweight). Granted, we all want to be the beautiful, Barbie doll heroines in the other stories out (like society tells us we should be), but we’re not. I think it’s great to have a heroine who isn’t perfect by today’s standards – who is normal and real. I think because she isn’t some idealized version of what a girl should be according to Hollywood and magazines etc, that she more relatable and more likable. We all wish that we could be something more – someone heroic and brave, and it’s great to have a lead character that can be heroic and brave while also being herself. Thank you for that. It’s refreshing.
Overall, I rate this book 5 stars. It's well worth the read, and I hope to learn more about the secondary characters in the next book.
December 5, 2015
#EPICFAIL. Wants, REALLY HARD, to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Reads like BTVS fan fiction. The dream dimension thing could be cool if only it were well-written. Sadly, it is not, and all attempts to ape the Buffy 'verse, humor and vernacular fail miserably. I cannot, for the LIFE of me, figure out how there is an entire series of at least 5 books of this atrociously executed premise, other than they must be self-published. Book 1 is virtually unreadable. (Srsly, did I mention the fanfic ripoff thing??) Do yourself a favor: stake this horror in the heart and go read Karen Lynch's "Relentless" (or even an actual BTVS novel*) instead.
* Yes, I actually said that... which should tell you just how bad this thing is, because the official BTVS novels are pretty lame, in my experience.
Edited on 12/4/15 to say that I will also recommend Cooper's 15 Minutes (Rewind Agency, book 1) in lieu of this one. It succeeds in every way Dream Slayer fails.
* Yes, I actually said that... which should tell you just how bad this thing is, because the official BTVS novels are pretty lame, in my experience.
Edited on 12/4/15 to say that I will also recommend Cooper's 15 Minutes (Rewind Agency, book 1) in lieu of this one. It succeeds in every way Dream Slayer fails.
July 9, 2013
I thought this book had a very interesting plot. It was unlike anything I've read before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is about mousey teenage girl, Natalie who is bullied and ridiculed at school. But at night she dreams she is a demon slayer. Eventually her dreams start affecting what is happening in reality. I loved when the two worlds started to weave into one another, even if I did get confused at times. I also loved seeing the growth in Natalie, as the real Natalie started to become stronger like the dream Natalie. I also loved the budding romance between she and Tristan. I'm always a fan of the friend love. It feels very organic and real. The book had some very creepy, thriller moments, but also some sweet young adult moments. Overall, I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone looking for a fast paced unique YA read.
May 16, 2013
This was a fun read. I have to admit that when I first opened it up, I thought, "Oh, I'm reading Buffy the Vampire Slayer." However, when we hit the Real World, I was able to see the complexities that were woven into this story.
Natalie feels powerless. Well, she is in real life, not because she lacks power, but because she doesn't believe she can be powerful. So she escapes to her dream world where she had power and she's a kick-butt gal. She finds her power that way, and then scares the ever living crap out of herself when her dreams overlap into the Real World.
I love the intricacies between the two worlds. This was a fun read!
Natalie feels powerless. Well, she is in real life, not because she lacks power, but because she doesn't believe she can be powerful. So she escapes to her dream world where she had power and she's a kick-butt gal. She finds her power that way, and then scares the ever living crap out of herself when her dreams overlap into the Real World.
I love the intricacies between the two worlds. This was a fun read!
July 29, 2012
I read this in less than 2 days. Couldn't put it down. Fast paced and so much fun. The world building was interwoven with witty dialogue - internal and external - and fun action.
I was cocnerned at first that maybe the humor would detract from the action, but surprise-surprise when it only enhanced it. That was a shocker for me. I've never seen that pulled off in books - in movies, sure, but not books. When I'm sitting on the edge of my seat and then suddenly laughing out loud, there's a lot going on and you know I'm engaged.
Great read. I can't wait for the rest of the series. Grab yours now... seriously!
I was cocnerned at first that maybe the humor would detract from the action, but surprise-surprise when it only enhanced it. That was a shocker for me. I've never seen that pulled off in books - in movies, sure, but not books. When I'm sitting on the edge of my seat and then suddenly laughing out loud, there's a lot going on and you know I'm engaged.
Great read. I can't wait for the rest of the series. Grab yours now... seriously!
March 22, 2013
Natalie Johnson is pretty much your average bullied teen with an abusive father... but that is about where the average ends! The novel starts off in a chase (quite literally!) and doesn't let up until the final face off! The novel is well paced and characters are likeably flawed in BOTH worlds. I found myself wishing she'd end up with one boy and then the other... then the opposite in the next second. Loved that triangle.
Someone mentioned Buffy in another review and I had to laugh... Buffy has nothing on Natalie! She's is the slayer I'd want watching my town!
Someone mentioned Buffy in another review and I had to laugh... Buffy has nothing on Natalie! She's is the slayer I'd want watching my town!
December 18, 2012
I got this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
Be careful what you dream...you just might discover they're more real than you ever could have imagined.
Real world Natalie is chubby and always unsure of herself.
Dream world Natalie is a svelt, kick-ass slayer who always knows what she's doing.
The two Natalie's are more alike than anyone including herself realised.
I loved this book and need to read the next one - Demon Royale.
Be careful what you dream...you just might discover they're more real than you ever could have imagined.
Real world Natalie is chubby and always unsure of herself.
Dream world Natalie is a svelt, kick-ass slayer who always knows what she's doing.
The two Natalie's are more alike than anyone including herself realised.
I loved this book and need to read the next one - Demon Royale.
June 26, 2012
This is an amazing book about the most unlikely of heroes. Natalie Johnson is a downtrodden girl who never gets a break. She dreams about a better world where she is popular and everyone likes her. This isn't terribly uncommon--except the world she dreams of is real...
July 29, 2012
You can read my review on Amazon :)
July 31, 2012
Fun, captivating, leaves you wanting more...
September 29, 2017
This was a really fun book. I loved Natalie as an ordinary girl, despite all her problems etc, and loved her dream / alternate reality self as a kick-a** heroine, a type of character I've always loved (even leaving aside my lifelong adoration of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which is the clear inspiration here). Both stories are great, and the author's ability to blend them into a single tale is wonderful and highly enjoyable.
Strongly recommended.
Strongly recommended.
July 29, 2012
MICHELLE'S REVIEW:
RATING: 3.75 DAMIEN STARS!
Natalie is a demon slayer and a kick ass one ...... in her dreams. Damien the hottie , Mr Buckle and Mark are also in her dreams. Damien is the half demon hottie.
Now....I am going to be honest and say that I was a tad confused sometimes where reality and dream scenes blurred a bit and my head got the fuzzy wuzzys, but!! I totally loved what Jill was doing.
Picture Buffy the vampire demon slayer and this is how the sub characters and Natalie felt a bit in a comparison way, but then there was the whole dream thing, which is the twist. Parallel lives going on, but the characters were different in each one.
This book starts off with a bit of an ode to the movie ‘Speed’. Chick on bus, no brakes .........which I really liked. The feel is this chick who saves the day, and we get a hint of a villain , Morach, and we are introduced to the some time boyfriend , Damien.
......then, Natalie becomes the little chubby , not so chickie babe looking ,and we meet Tristan, her friend since they were little kidlets running barefoot in the sandpit. Tristan is crushing big time and sees Natalie as gorgeous. He totally digs her. Unfortunately for Natalie in this world she is picked on and not kickass. She is regular girl , who gets pounded on by a bully named Sarah.
Don’t worry karma has a way of rearing its head.
So, we go back and forth and as the reader I found myself trying to grasp where I was sometimes. I knew I was in two worldy type things, but I got a bit confuzzed what was the reality and what wasn’t. Now this could have been deliberate.
....then, the story takes on another turn and it gets a bit darker and students at Meadow Creek High become effected by their nightmares . Some kids obviously have bad fears , they really were hard done by. Mr Buckle, he just feared bad tea.....lol!
I really loved the sound of Marcus, the rather righteous dude. He kinda floated about. Michelle was the character you thought was going to be a bit of a pain, but she turned out to be ok. She just needs to work on her social skills a bit, lol!!
Action scenes grow into quite good fighting scenes and we watch Natalie start to realise what is going on in her life, even though she is as baffled as we are to the wt!! Evil has come through a portal and if left to their own devices , could take over Meadow Creek, and then possibly the world. This is where I would like to insert a MWahhhha..haaaaaa!! ( evil laugh)
I can’t help it, I am suss about Mark. Jill has sowed some seeds in this book, I think they have yet to grow. I am sure they will be nice and green in the sequel.
All I will say is bottom roast and gravy.....yum! Yes, I mean bottom/butt/backside/tush ... my daughter calls hers , her chi chi.
Jill has laid the foundations for the sequel and I am quite interested to see where she goes . Light on the romance with an original idea, I think the Buffy fans will enjoy.
RATING: 3.75 DAMIEN STARS!
Natalie is a demon slayer and a kick ass one ...... in her dreams. Damien the hottie , Mr Buckle and Mark are also in her dreams. Damien is the half demon hottie.
Now....I am going to be honest and say that I was a tad confused sometimes where reality and dream scenes blurred a bit and my head got the fuzzy wuzzys, but!! I totally loved what Jill was doing.
Picture Buffy the vampire demon slayer and this is how the sub characters and Natalie felt a bit in a comparison way, but then there was the whole dream thing, which is the twist. Parallel lives going on, but the characters were different in each one.
This book starts off with a bit of an ode to the movie ‘Speed’. Chick on bus, no brakes .........which I really liked. The feel is this chick who saves the day, and we get a hint of a villain , Morach, and we are introduced to the some time boyfriend , Damien.
......then, Natalie becomes the little chubby , not so chickie babe looking ,and we meet Tristan, her friend since they were little kidlets running barefoot in the sandpit. Tristan is crushing big time and sees Natalie as gorgeous. He totally digs her. Unfortunately for Natalie in this world she is picked on and not kickass. She is regular girl , who gets pounded on by a bully named Sarah.
Don’t worry karma has a way of rearing its head.
So, we go back and forth and as the reader I found myself trying to grasp where I was sometimes. I knew I was in two worldy type things, but I got a bit confuzzed what was the reality and what wasn’t. Now this could have been deliberate.
....then, the story takes on another turn and it gets a bit darker and students at Meadow Creek High become effected by their nightmares . Some kids obviously have bad fears , they really were hard done by. Mr Buckle, he just feared bad tea.....lol!
I really loved the sound of Marcus, the rather righteous dude. He kinda floated about. Michelle was the character you thought was going to be a bit of a pain, but she turned out to be ok. She just needs to work on her social skills a bit, lol!!
Action scenes grow into quite good fighting scenes and we watch Natalie start to realise what is going on in her life, even though she is as baffled as we are to the wt!! Evil has come through a portal and if left to their own devices , could take over Meadow Creek, and then possibly the world. This is where I would like to insert a MWahhhha..haaaaaa!! ( evil laugh)
I can’t help it, I am suss about Mark. Jill has sowed some seeds in this book, I think they have yet to grow. I am sure they will be nice and green in the sequel.
All I will say is bottom roast and gravy.....yum! Yes, I mean bottom/butt/backside/tush ... my daughter calls hers , her chi chi.
Jill has laid the foundations for the sequel and I am quite interested to see where she goes . Light on the romance with an original idea, I think the Buffy fans will enjoy.
July 18, 2012
Okay, so dreams bleeding into real life, awesome right? I was so excited to read this book. I am fascinated with dreams and the lines between them and real life. When those lines get blurred it has to make for a whole lot of awesome. Well, yes and no. I have to say for a lot of this book I was absolutely confused. I couldn't make sense of anything for the first few chapters at all. The idea of this is really awesome and after a while I was able to grasp it, but I had a really hard time at first. Maybe that is the way it's supposed to be, I don't know. Anyways, I did end up enjoying it though.
Natalie is the girl who gets picked on. She is overweight, not pretty by a lot of the other people's standards, wears glasses, and doesn't have cool clothes. She escapes into her dreams where she is a total bad ass vampire slayer who is pretty, confident, and has a hot guy who adores her. In her dreams she is what she wishes she could be in real life. That's all great until somehow she dreams of her number one bully getting possessed by evil demons and killing herself to warn Natalie, and she dies in real life too. The problem is, now it seems that everyone's nightmares are a reality. Somehow she has brought the dream world to life. She is the only one who can stop whatever is going on, but in real life, she isn't the confident bad ass she is in her dreams.
Tristan is really great. He is her best friend since they were toddlers. He's her BFF in both the real world and dream world. He will do anything he can to protect her and be there for her. Even though she lies to him and keeps secrets, he still really cares about her and can't stay mad at her. He is not the toughest guy ever, but he is honest and caring. Yes, he can totally be a jerk, but when he is, it's for a reason.
As the lines between dreams and reality blur, Natalie finds out that dream Natalie continues to live her life in dreams while she is awake and living her real life. Also things that affect them in dreams also will affect them in real life. If you die in the dream, you will die for real for example. Natalie must learn how to get some of her dream alter ego's confidence and skill to defeat the evil that has leaked into the real world.
Overall this was an interesting story. I didn't like how confused I was for almost the first half of the book, but I did like the great action in it and the creativity of her being able to go in and out of her dreams. There is a great magical element to the story too. It was a fast paced read with a lot of fighting, action, and a little romance.
Natalie is the girl who gets picked on. She is overweight, not pretty by a lot of the other people's standards, wears glasses, and doesn't have cool clothes. She escapes into her dreams where she is a total bad ass vampire slayer who is pretty, confident, and has a hot guy who adores her. In her dreams she is what she wishes she could be in real life. That's all great until somehow she dreams of her number one bully getting possessed by evil demons and killing herself to warn Natalie, and she dies in real life too. The problem is, now it seems that everyone's nightmares are a reality. Somehow she has brought the dream world to life. She is the only one who can stop whatever is going on, but in real life, she isn't the confident bad ass she is in her dreams.
Tristan is really great. He is her best friend since they were toddlers. He's her BFF in both the real world and dream world. He will do anything he can to protect her and be there for her. Even though she lies to him and keeps secrets, he still really cares about her and can't stay mad at her. He is not the toughest guy ever, but he is honest and caring. Yes, he can totally be a jerk, but when he is, it's for a reason.
As the lines between dreams and reality blur, Natalie finds out that dream Natalie continues to live her life in dreams while she is awake and living her real life. Also things that affect them in dreams also will affect them in real life. If you die in the dream, you will die for real for example. Natalie must learn how to get some of her dream alter ego's confidence and skill to defeat the evil that has leaked into the real world.
Overall this was an interesting story. I didn't like how confused I was for almost the first half of the book, but I did like the great action in it and the creativity of her being able to go in and out of her dreams. There is a great magical element to the story too. It was a fast paced read with a lot of fighting, action, and a little romance.
February 12, 2013
What happens when your dreams start to come true? Especially your dreams about being a demon slayer. That's what happens to Natalie Johnson in this first installment of the Dream Slayer series.
The story starts out with echoes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Natalie saves the day from a demon and a run-away bus. Unfortunately, in the "real" world, another Natalie Johnson is being bullied at school. There's a juxtaposition between the two Natalies that they are not aware of, but that the author reveals early in the book. Natalie Johnson the chubby and bullied (both at home and at school) has always had detailed dreams--and in her dreams she's beautiful, powerful--oh, and a demon slayer. What Natalie doesn't know, though, is that even when she's not dreaming, the characters of her dreams are living their own life.
What's a girl to do when there starts to be slippage between her real life and her dream life? That's the premise for the series.
The series seems inspired by the television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: there's Natalie (Buffy), Mr. Buckle (her Watcher), her best friend Tristan (Zander), and a cheerleader nemesis (Cordelia). But, Jill takes the inspiration and makes it into something uniquely her own.
What chubby, bullied girl doesn't dream of being someone different--someone powerful and in charge of her own life? In this series, it comes true for Natalie. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it will be interesting to see the next installment of the series to see how the author is going to handle two story lines that intersect when Natalie in this life is becoming more like the Natalie in the dream world.
Although this book could be dark, part of its charm is that there are many moments of lightness--especially in the dialogue:
I'm going to get this book for the library. I think it will be a good addition.
The story starts out with echoes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Natalie saves the day from a demon and a run-away bus. Unfortunately, in the "real" world, another Natalie Johnson is being bullied at school. There's a juxtaposition between the two Natalies that they are not aware of, but that the author reveals early in the book. Natalie Johnson the chubby and bullied (both at home and at school) has always had detailed dreams--and in her dreams she's beautiful, powerful--oh, and a demon slayer. What Natalie doesn't know, though, is that even when she's not dreaming, the characters of her dreams are living their own life.
What's a girl to do when there starts to be slippage between her real life and her dream life? That's the premise for the series.
The series seems inspired by the television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: there's Natalie (Buffy), Mr. Buckle (her Watcher), her best friend Tristan (Zander), and a cheerleader nemesis (Cordelia). But, Jill takes the inspiration and makes it into something uniquely her own.
What chubby, bullied girl doesn't dream of being someone different--someone powerful and in charge of her own life? In this series, it comes true for Natalie. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it will be interesting to see the next installment of the series to see how the author is going to handle two story lines that intersect when Natalie in this life is becoming more like the Natalie in the dream world.
Although this book could be dark, part of its charm is that there are many moments of lightness--especially in the dialogue:
Morach's eyes grew even more afraid. Natalie gripped the hilt in both hands on final approach. "It's just us now, Morach. Maybe you should say a little prayer."
"I don't understand. It was all so well thought out. Why exactly won't you die?" Morach backed up farther as the tip of her sword pushed into his neck. He trembled. "You wouldn't kill an unarmed demon, would you?"
"I think I've proved I would. Six times or so."
"Let's cut a deal. Listen, I have a very extensive DVD collection. I'm sure we can work something out."
"I don't make deals. Do I look like a lawyer to you? I don't think so. I've been waiting a long time for this, and I plan on enjoying it."
I'm going to get this book for the library. I think it will be a good addition.
December 21, 2017
Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Jem and the Holograms through The Looking Glass… yeah, I’m dating myself and I don’t care. Did you even get all those references? Ultimately, this was a fun story that took a while for me to get into, but when it all came together, I enjoyed it. I’m bumping my 3.5 rating up to a 4 for posting purposes.
Before I dive into this tale of alternate reality with what I did and didn’t like, I just want to say that this is the first in a series and I’m not sure if I want to read the rest of the series. I liked the story, but based on how it ended and my experience with stories like this, I’m fearful of where the story will go and how the characters that I liked will change…
But that’s an issue for another day. I like this first installment and here are my overall thoughts.
Natalie, the real one, is a sweet girl who’s a major push-over, but still worth your time to read and get to know.
Tristan was my favorite character; the only one I really liked all the way through. He’s Natalie’s best friend so of course there’s possibly some teenage calamity disguised as unrequited love or something similar going on there.
There are tons of other characters, including the main villain (‘cause there’s more than one), that really aren’t worth mentioning right now, though they are generally entertaining as you read. However, I will mention that the half-demon character named Damien who was, I think supposed to be dreamy, came off creepy from the start and only got creepier, to me, as the story progressed.
Overall, I’d say I was doomed not to fall in love with this story simply because it’s YA and takes place in high school. As long as that’s not an obstacle to the reader, I think many paranormal and dark fantasy readers will really enjoy this story. There are some fairly humorous elements to the story, but there are also some really harsh and violent moments too. I guess you can’t have the good without the bad. Despite not falling in love with this story, by the time I was nearing the end, I could not put it down. I had to know how it would end.
I enjoyed this book and think those feeling nostalgic about late 90’s paranormal teen dramas will really love this book. Others may just like it.
Before I dive into this tale of alternate reality with what I did and didn’t like, I just want to say that this is the first in a series and I’m not sure if I want to read the rest of the series. I liked the story, but based on how it ended and my experience with stories like this, I’m fearful of where the story will go and how the characters that I liked will change…
But that’s an issue for another day. I like this first installment and here are my overall thoughts.
Natalie, the real one, is a sweet girl who’s a major push-over, but still worth your time to read and get to know.
Tristan was my favorite character; the only one I really liked all the way through. He’s Natalie’s best friend so of course there’s possibly some teenage calamity disguised as unrequited love or something similar going on there.
There are tons of other characters, including the main villain (‘cause there’s more than one), that really aren’t worth mentioning right now, though they are generally entertaining as you read. However, I will mention that the half-demon character named Damien who was, I think supposed to be dreamy, came off creepy from the start and only got creepier, to me, as the story progressed.
Overall, I’d say I was doomed not to fall in love with this story simply because it’s YA and takes place in high school. As long as that’s not an obstacle to the reader, I think many paranormal and dark fantasy readers will really enjoy this story. There are some fairly humorous elements to the story, but there are also some really harsh and violent moments too. I guess you can’t have the good without the bad. Despite not falling in love with this story, by the time I was nearing the end, I could not put it down. I had to know how it would end.
I enjoyed this book and think those feeling nostalgic about late 90’s paranormal teen dramas will really love this book. Others may just like it.
May 10, 2012
3.5*
The cover art on this book is really appealing and had I seen it in a book shop I would be instantly drawn to it, after scanning the blurb I would have bought it, and after reading the book I wouldn’t have been disappointed.
The Dream Slayer is an interesting story, Natalie Johnson has two lives. Her real life is quite depressing she is bullied by the ‘popular’ girl Sarah, she lives with a drunken, verbally abusive father and a mother who is too tolerant of his brutish behaviour. Her other life is in the dream world where she is strong and confident, the slayer of all things evil and the protector of her town. When Sarah turns up at the pep rally cut bruised and dying, Natalie has a sense of de ja vu and remembers Sarah died in her dream too. It soon becomes clear that both her lives are blending into one and she has to find a way to save her family and the town for real.
I couldn’t help but think of ‘Buffy the vampire Slayer’ while I was reading this, obviously there were differences, the dream world and the real world etc but once the picture of Sarah Michele Gellar was planted in my head it was the only image I had for Natalie and the story played out for me like an episode of that show. There were a few places once the dream world seeped over that I got a little confused and wasn’t sure which dimension I was in but it kind of sorted itself out in my brain with a little mind juggle and deep thoughtsy!
I enjoyed the writing style it wasn’t heavily laden with big words and unnatural dialogue, the teenagers sounded like teenagers and the adults sounded like adults so it was a comfortable read. The ‘dream’ slayer part of the book was new to me but like I said the actual slayer didn’t feel so unique. I enjoyed the read and was able to escape for a few hours while I read it, it left me satisfied but not overly excited about the book. I would definitely read more work by this author and more tales about Natalie and her friends should there be a sequel.
Copy supplied for review
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews