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Mara is dirt— worse, actually. She’s a dreg.
Nineteen-year-old Mara has spent her whole life wondering why the old Magi refused to awaken her Gift. With no magical ability to call her own, Mara faces a life of persecution with no value, no power and no purpose.
When a charming new Magi arrives in her village of Stonehollow, Mara expects more of the same. Instead, she’s thrust into a dangerous tangle of secrets and lies that will shatter everything she thought she knew.
Now, Mara must flee the Order— a powerful organization of Magi who will do anything to capture her before she can expose the truth.
Nineteen-year-old Mara has spent her whole life wondering why the old Magi refused to awaken her Gift. With no magical ability to call her own, Mara faces a life of persecution with no value, no power and no purpose.
When a charming new Magi arrives in her village of Stonehollow, Mara expects more of the same. Instead, she’s thrust into a dangerous tangle of secrets and lies that will shatter everything she thought she knew.
Now, Mara must flee the Order— a powerful organization of Magi who will do anything to capture her before she can expose the truth.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
389 pages, ebook
Published August 20, 2018
46 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 2, 2020
Discovered this book while browsing book lists on Facebook full of authors offering their books for free or at discount to help cope while we're all stuck social distancing. This was so easy to fall into, the characters were fun, the plot remained interesting, and it had me falling back in love with fantasy. Definitely check this one out!
July 23, 2020
Dreg was an interesting book to me. It concerns a young woman (Mara) who is a dreg--one of an unlucky few that does not have their magical gift awakened at birth. Of course, it's never that simple and events soon conspire to kick Mara on the road and in search of the truth.
This book will hit a lot of readers right in the feels. The prejudices faced by the dregs are often gripping and heart-wrenching. There's a wide cast of characters chasing or following Mara. Some of the antagonists I did downright dislike but I'm not sure I grew to like any of her allies, save the wise-cracking Wynn, who had significant character development of her own. There's betrayals aplenty--though by the end, I was almost chuckling thinking, "What's one more?" and the book ends on a very uncertain note, with lots of unanswered questions. I will say add that Hoeflich's writing style is crisp and clean. I always had a clear idea about what was happening and some of the imagery is quite evocative. The pace is generally consistent.
Having said all that, I found Mara's characterization a touch inconsistent. This might just be me not being the target audience (I am long past the YA age bracket), so I didn't identify cleanly with her. Also, the training montage trope is in full-effect here and I am just plain worn out on those.
But no matter. This is an excellent choice for a YA audience, that doesn't shy away from some hard subjects.
This book will hit a lot of readers right in the feels. The prejudices faced by the dregs are often gripping and heart-wrenching. There's a wide cast of characters chasing or following Mara. Some of the antagonists I did downright dislike but I'm not sure I grew to like any of her allies, save the wise-cracking Wynn, who had significant character development of her own. There's betrayals aplenty--though by the end, I was almost chuckling thinking, "What's one more?" and the book ends on a very uncertain note, with lots of unanswered questions. I will say add that Hoeflich's writing style is crisp and clean. I always had a clear idea about what was happening and some of the imagery is quite evocative. The pace is generally consistent.
Having said all that, I found Mara's characterization a touch inconsistent. This might just be me not being the target audience (I am long past the YA age bracket), so I didn't identify cleanly with her. Also, the training montage trope is in full-effect here and I am just plain worn out on those.
But no matter. This is an excellent choice for a YA audience, that doesn't shy away from some hard subjects.
January 6, 2019
Mara is a typical teenager on the verge of adulthood, trying to survive in a world that oppresses her because of who she is. Then destiny thrusts her into a mortal struggle with the corrupt institutions behind her oppression, and she learns that what matters in the end is what she does. This coming-of-age novel has a strong moral center and an action-packed plot that kept me going from one chapter to the next, especially once Mara leaves her home village and meets up with a wandering company of others like herself. The characters are memorable, the settings are varied, and the world grows ever more complex. Fans of fantasy and strong female protagonists will especially enjoy this novel, and probably the next two as well.
February 6, 2019
Dreg is well written. The prologue mesmerized me into walking along side an old and powerful man visiting a family on their child’s first birthday. I was immediately transported to a small, bustling village in a time before industry and technology.
The main character, Mara, is daring, impulsive and compassionate. Some of her actions are reckless but all are believable. Mara lives in a beautiful world where almost everyone is born with a magical ability. The unfortunate few that don’t have a gift are called dregs and treated like useless outcasts.
Despite being treated poorly by society, Mara is warm-hearted and readers will root for her as she is propelled onto an adventurous quest. The main cast of characters grew on me and the mysteries kept me reading as I tried to figure out who could be trusted and who would surprise me next.
If you like young adult fantasy with a female protagonist, magical realms and adventurous quests, then I highly recommend this debut novel by Bethany Hoeflich. Dreg is book one in a trilogy and available in ebook and paperback format on Amazon.
[ You can read the full article at www.azaaadavis.com/writers-must-read/ ]
The main character, Mara, is daring, impulsive and compassionate. Some of her actions are reckless but all are believable. Mara lives in a beautiful world where almost everyone is born with a magical ability. The unfortunate few that don’t have a gift are called dregs and treated like useless outcasts.
Despite being treated poorly by society, Mara is warm-hearted and readers will root for her as she is propelled onto an adventurous quest. The main cast of characters grew on me and the mysteries kept me reading as I tried to figure out who could be trusted and who would surprise me next.
If you like young adult fantasy with a female protagonist, magical realms and adventurous quests, then I highly recommend this debut novel by Bethany Hoeflich. Dreg is book one in a trilogy and available in ebook and paperback format on Amazon.
[ You can read the full article at www.azaaadavis.com/writers-must-read/ ]
February 12, 2019
WoW !!!!
Bethany Hoeflich has got herself a winner with the first book in this series it is simply fantastic it draws you in and doesn't let go . You hate putting the book down to sleep lol but it is so worth it . If you have this in your tbr or you are thinking about buying it , buy it now you will be so glad you did . 😀😀😀😀😀
Bethany Hoeflich has got herself a winner with the first book in this series it is simply fantastic it draws you in and doesn't let go . You hate putting the book down to sleep lol but it is so worth it . If you have this in your tbr or you are thinking about buying it , buy it now you will be so glad you did . 😀😀😀😀😀
April 20, 2020
What an imaginative adventure.
I laughed and cried and loved it. I love the characters and the world building. I love the sense of humor. Really great book, in general. I can't wait to start the second of the series.
I laughed and cried and loved it. I love the characters and the world building. I love the sense of humor. Really great book, in general. I can't wait to start the second of the series.
February 20, 2022
A fun read that reminded me a bit of Maria V. Snyder and Tamora Pierce. A quick note though, beware reading the ebook version. I luckily had the physical copy also, but a chapter was out of place in the ebook version.
March 9, 2021
—» Rating: 3 Stars
Originally I was leaning towards four stars, but I had to deduct at least one due to the ending.
Hoeflich, was that necessary?I mean, did you really have to do what you did? I feel personally attacked. How am I supposed to move on?
Honestly, the loss of *censored* has soured the story for me. I’m not sure that I want to read the next book.
Originally I was leaning towards four stars, but I had to deduct at least one due to the ending.
Hoeflich, was that necessary?I mean, did you really have to do what you did? I feel personally attacked. How am I supposed to move on?
Honestly, the loss of *censored* has soured the story for me. I’m not sure that I want to read the next book.
August 30, 2018
Could not put it down!
Once I started reading, the story just drew me in. It's been quite some time since I read anything so immersive. The way Bethany writes, you become a part of this universe, enthralled in all of the action, begging to know what's around the next corner. I cannot wait for the rest of this series!
Once I started reading, the story just drew me in. It's been quite some time since I read anything so immersive. The way Bethany writes, you become a part of this universe, enthralled in all of the action, begging to know what's around the next corner. I cannot wait for the rest of this series!
September 1, 2018
Amazing!!
Dreg is an amazing book. The world is fleshed out and feels very real. The drama and action involved only serves to drive you to continue reading. And lastly the betrayal at the end builds so much anger and hurt that it's almost as if you were betrayed as well.
Dreg is an amazing book. The world is fleshed out and feels very real. The drama and action involved only serves to drive you to continue reading. And lastly the betrayal at the end builds so much anger and hurt that it's almost as if you were betrayed as well.
September 7, 2021
I picked up The Dreg Trilogy as I was blown away with the author's writing in her short story 'The Sea Witch' and I wasn't disappointed. Whilst the tone and style is very different here, the characterisations and world building are still top notch and the narrative twists and turns throughout in unexpected ways. This is definitely Young Adult fiction, whereas the prior short I read was darker and more mature in tone.
I felt the author set the tone brilliantly as we are introduced to Mara, an outcast in her village because of her lack of magical potential. Having been rejected at birth by the village Magi, Mara is destined to be a dreg, the lowest of the low. Despite this, she's a strong and compassionate protagonist and I imagine a fair few young adults will empathise quite strongly with her. Personally, I was perhaps more attached to the companions she finds alone the way, which may be down to the fact that I've perhaps 'aged out' of young adult fiction a little bit.
As events spiral out of control, Mara finds herself on the run from the Order. In doing so she will discover secrets that the Order will do anything to protect. The very nature of the world is turned on its head and the blurred lines between truth and lie become clear. The group find themselves betrayed and ambushed at every turn and perhaps my only complaint is that the ways in which they get out of the various scrapes is by Deus Ex Machina rather than by their own wit and cunning.
Either way, I really enjoyed this entry into the series and will undoubtedly continue to read on.
I felt the author set the tone brilliantly as we are introduced to Mara, an outcast in her village because of her lack of magical potential. Having been rejected at birth by the village Magi, Mara is destined to be a dreg, the lowest of the low. Despite this, she's a strong and compassionate protagonist and I imagine a fair few young adults will empathise quite strongly with her. Personally, I was perhaps more attached to the companions she finds alone the way, which may be down to the fact that I've perhaps 'aged out' of young adult fiction a little bit.
As events spiral out of control, Mara finds herself on the run from the Order. In doing so she will discover secrets that the Order will do anything to protect. The very nature of the world is turned on its head and the blurred lines between truth and lie become clear. The group find themselves betrayed and ambushed at every turn and perhaps my only complaint is that the ways in which they get out of the various scrapes is by Deus Ex Machina rather than by their own wit and cunning.
Either way, I really enjoyed this entry into the series and will undoubtedly continue to read on.
June 30, 2023
Lovely world-building, good story & pace, great characters, lovely twists & turns and even some emotional damage moments
When she was a baby, Mara’s naming ceremony went askew - the Magi saw terrible things in her future and refused to grant her a Gift, making her an outcast, a dreg. When she turns 19, a new Magi arrives and things get interesting.
This was a fun book with all the mandatpry epic elements - an underdog experiencing a personal threat that triggers her gift; goes on a journey; finds & loses some friends on the way; finds out shes The One; there’s betrayal & teachings to develop her gifts (hello, Yoda and lifting rocks) - the works. I particularly loved the different magical gifts people could have - Ignis, Impriga, Armis, Caeli, etc. The Order subtly (and not so subtly) controlling the world reminded me of Pullman’s Dark Materials. Magi distributing gifts to 1yolds has parallels to the three fairies in Sleeping Beauty but poses the underlying question - can someone else really “allow” you to have or tell you what your intrinsic gift is (in real life, not just fiction)?
I’ll definitely pick up book 2, perhaps a bit later after the summer reading challenges are is over. I’m curious if anything romantic develops for Mara and with whom.
The FMC turns 19yo in the book, but it’s so coming of age and sweet & innocent, I’d still label it as upper YA.
Recommended for lovers of clean YA epic coming of age fantasy and action-adventure.
When she was a baby, Mara’s naming ceremony went askew - the Magi saw terrible things in her future and refused to grant her a Gift, making her an outcast, a dreg. When she turns 19, a new Magi arrives and things get interesting.
This was a fun book with all the mandatpry epic elements - an underdog experiencing a personal threat that triggers her gift; goes on a journey; finds & loses some friends on the way; finds out shes The One; there’s betrayal & teachings to develop her gifts (hello, Yoda and lifting rocks) - the works. I particularly loved the different magical gifts people could have - Ignis, Impriga, Armis, Caeli, etc. The Order subtly (and not so subtly) controlling the world reminded me of Pullman’s Dark Materials. Magi distributing gifts to 1yolds has parallels to the three fairies in Sleeping Beauty but poses the underlying question - can someone else really “allow” you to have or tell you what your intrinsic gift is (in real life, not just fiction)?
I’ll definitely pick up book 2, perhaps a bit later after the summer reading challenges are is over. I’m curious if anything romantic develops for Mara and with whom.
The FMC turns 19yo in the book, but it’s so coming of age and sweet & innocent, I’d still label it as upper YA.
Recommended for lovers of clean YA epic coming of age fantasy and action-adventure.
July 17, 2023
A compelling prologue introduces readers to the world of Dreg. The Magi arrives, as he does at every birth, to welcome Mara into the world--but something convinces him not to bestow on her a magical gift, dooming her to a life as a Dreg, a second-class citizen. Decades later, as a young woman, Mara must discover the reason she was labeled a Dreg, and the destiny that accompanies it.
I absolutely loved this book! It hits a lot of YA fantasy tropes (the chosen one, prophecies, magic destinies, social injustice) and is just done really well. The scenes of oppression are particularly well written: thoughtful, sensitive depictions of both teh events and of Mara's emotions as she struggles to stand up for what is right.
I also really appreciated the depiction of Mara's family! Almost all YA protagonists have no or terrible parents, but Mara's parents do their best under very difficult circumstances (albeit imperfectly). This made the character and her world feel more "real" to me--full of the kinds of human relationships that motivate her heroism.
I absolutely loved this book! It hits a lot of YA fantasy tropes (the chosen one, prophecies, magic destinies, social injustice) and is just done really well. The scenes of oppression are particularly well written: thoughtful, sensitive depictions of both teh events and of Mara's emotions as she struggles to stand up for what is right.
I also really appreciated the depiction of Mara's family! Almost all YA protagonists have no or terrible parents, but Mara's parents do their best under very difficult circumstances (albeit imperfectly). This made the character and her world feel more "real" to me--full of the kinds of human relationships that motivate her heroism.
October 17, 2020
#6 Dreg (book) & #7 Tales From Stonehollow (Book of short stories) by Bethany HoeflicH
KUChallenge2020
I was ready to put this one down after the first couple of chapters, and am glad I did not. Fairly predictable outsider ungifted book. Then the action starts rolling and does not stop. Good worldbuilding. Most of the twists are well set up.
Followed book 1 with the book of short stories that give insight into several of the secondary characters. Like most of the characters except the main one.
Looking forward to books 2 and 3.
Posting in amazon and facebook also
KUChallenge2020
I was ready to put this one down after the first couple of chapters, and am glad I did not. Fairly predictable outsider ungifted book. Then the action starts rolling and does not stop. Good worldbuilding. Most of the twists are well set up.
Followed book 1 with the book of short stories that give insight into several of the secondary characters. Like most of the characters except the main one.
Looking forward to books 2 and 3.
Posting in amazon and facebook also
September 13, 2020
I've read a LOT of fantasy books in the last few years so trust me when I say is not easy to surprise me with a plot twist.
Also lately I seem to be in the mood to discover hidden gems and Dreg manages to tick both boxes.
I've liked the MC right from the start, the world building goes smoothly and the writing style makes you forget that this is a debut.
Constant surprises, unpredictable twist and turns, packed with adventure, this book was a joy to read.
Also lately I seem to be in the mood to discover hidden gems and Dreg manages to tick both boxes.
I've liked the MC right from the start, the world building goes smoothly and the writing style makes you forget that this is a debut.
Constant surprises, unpredictable twist and turns, packed with adventure, this book was a joy to read.
November 26, 2020
The ideas are interesting, but all the characters are fairly stereotyped and one dimensional. The townspeople are all petty, the hero is all feisty courage, the Order hunting them is pretty much all thugs with no personality (except for the obvious love interest who she thinks of as a "friend" after a single awkward encounter). So it felt like a first try at a book. The author has a lot of promise, but it wasn't yet a mature story.
March 26, 2019
Great read !
Strong characters , solid story line, couldn't put it down! I definitely recommend this series. Can't wait for the next book!
Strong characters , solid story line, couldn't put it down! I definitely recommend this series. Can't wait for the next book!
February 25, 2020
Great world building. I'm starting the second book immediately.
December 21, 2020
A good story and good characters in this story. There are a few slow and boring places to get past. All in all a good read.
January 9, 2022
A likable main character and the writing made Dreg part one remarkable. Will I continue on with the rest of this series? A definite yes. This is a five-star series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews