What do you think?
Rate this book
Dream Casters #1
Light
Mr. Sandman, send me a dream, ta da da da…..
Seventeen year old Chastity Blake knows the Sandman is just a silly children’s story parents tell their children to get them to sleep. At least she thought it was, until the day a mysterious, light golden sand appeared in her hands during a high school prank that went horribly wrong. A sand that has the power to send anyone it touches into a deep, sound sleep.
Fearing she had lost her mind, Chastity soon discovers the shocking truth of her heritage – she is a Dream Caster. Chastity was never supposed to be raised on the Domain, or what humans call Earth and she is forced to return to her true birth place, Revera – the world of Dreams.
However, in Revera there is no balance between good, the Light Casters, and darkness, the Shadow Casters, and Chastity is caught square in the middle. She soon learns that there is no place for anyone containing both the light and the darkness within them, and the shocking truth that if anyone in Revera ever discovered her shadow self, Chastity would be thrown into the Oblivion – the world of Nightmares.
Dreams are always more than they seem, and this time Chastity is going to discover just how different they can be.
Seventeen year old Chastity Blake knows the Sandman is just a silly children’s story parents tell their children to get them to sleep. At least she thought it was, until the day a mysterious, light golden sand appeared in her hands during a high school prank that went horribly wrong. A sand that has the power to send anyone it touches into a deep, sound sleep.
Fearing she had lost her mind, Chastity soon discovers the shocking truth of her heritage – she is a Dream Caster. Chastity was never supposed to be raised on the Domain, or what humans call Earth and she is forced to return to her true birth place, Revera – the world of Dreams.
However, in Revera there is no balance between good, the Light Casters, and darkness, the Shadow Casters, and Chastity is caught square in the middle. She soon learns that there is no place for anyone containing both the light and the darkness within them, and the shocking truth that if anyone in Revera ever discovered her shadow self, Chastity would be thrown into the Oblivion – the world of Nightmares.
Dreams are always more than they seem, and this time Chastity is going to discover just how different they can be.
Paperback
First published May 25, 2015
490 people are currently reading
2293 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Woods
56 books1,640 followersAdrienne Woods is a USA Today Bestselling author, living in South Africa.
She’s been in love with books all her life and knew at the age of 13 that she is going to be a writer one day.
That dream happened in 2009 and she started to pen her stories down on paper. Firebolt, her debut novel, were released 4 years after that, and she hasn’t stop since.
She has written more than 20 novels and she is still busy writing more.
To get your hands on exclusive content and stay in the loop of what's to come, subscribe to her newsletter at https://adriennewoodsbooks.com/sign-up/
She’s been in love with books all her life and knew at the age of 13 that she is going to be a writer one day.
That dream happened in 2009 and she started to pen her stories down on paper. Firebolt, her debut novel, were released 4 years after that, and she hasn’t stop since.
She has written more than 20 novels and she is still busy writing more.
To get your hands on exclusive content and stay in the loop of what's to come, subscribe to her newsletter at https://adriennewoodsbooks.com/sign-up/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
May 21, 2016
I would like to thank Fire Quill Publishing & Adrienne Woods for my copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My actual rating is 2.5 stars, this book has so much potential yet it lacked in so many areas. Such a shame as it really has some awesome parts to it which had me interested but as a whole it flopped.
The story follows Chasity a teenager who is thrust into the world of dream & shadow casters who are in a deep war with each other. The idea is excellent, the whole dream Vs nightmare had me really interested yet it didn't gel together. I kept having to re-read over parts as our main character couldn't see colour yet she keeps telling us about all these beautiful colours she can see in this new world... How she hates paranoid people yet she is a complete paratrooper through the whole book or the fact she is worse than Regina George (Mean Girls) who likes to state that she hates bullies. Also, the way she likes to call people geeks as they wear glasses which does it for her, yeah ok just stop.
The story is really fast paced so you don't really get a chance to know any of the characters, there is so much happening but it couldn't keep my attention so much so I don't really remember a character to tell you a favourite. Such a shame as I think there would be some goodies in there but all I can really remember is a girl nearly making out with a parrot.
I would have enjoyed the book more if I understood what was going on, all these different worlds real or virtual aren't really built up on so I couldn't keep myself interested in any of them. I couldn't connect with the way it is written either I kept cringing as some of the sentences. Such a shame as I say the potential is there yet it just doesn't shine sadly.
The book is more suited for a young teenage audience who like fast paced book with a lot of wacky tucked in.
Check out my blog www.amandaminnockx.tumblr.com thanks!
"Chas, short for Chasity." He looked at the floor and his lips curved upward. "like chasity belt?"
My actual rating is 2.5 stars, this book has so much potential yet it lacked in so many areas. Such a shame as it really has some awesome parts to it which had me interested but as a whole it flopped.
The story follows Chasity a teenager who is thrust into the world of dream & shadow casters who are in a deep war with each other. The idea is excellent, the whole dream Vs nightmare had me really interested yet it didn't gel together. I kept having to re-read over parts as our main character couldn't see colour yet she keeps telling us about all these beautiful colours she can see in this new world... How she hates paranoid people yet she is a complete paratrooper through the whole book or the fact she is worse than Regina George (Mean Girls) who likes to state that she hates bullies. Also, the way she likes to call people geeks as they wear glasses which does it for her, yeah ok just stop.
The story is really fast paced so you don't really get a chance to know any of the characters, there is so much happening but it couldn't keep my attention so much so I don't really remember a character to tell you a favourite. Such a shame as I think there would be some goodies in there but all I can really remember is a girl nearly making out with a parrot.
I would have enjoyed the book more if I understood what was going on, all these different worlds real or virtual aren't really built up on so I couldn't keep myself interested in any of them. I couldn't connect with the way it is written either I kept cringing as some of the sentences. Such a shame as I say the potential is there yet it just doesn't shine sadly.
The book is more suited for a young teenage audience who like fast paced book with a lot of wacky tucked in.
Check out my blog www.amandaminnockx.tumblr.com thanks!
"Chas, short for Chasity." He looked at the floor and his lips curved upward. "like chasity belt?"
May 7, 2016
I receieved an uncorrected, free digital copy of this book from NetGally for an honest review. Had it not been for that, I would probably never have finished this book.
I wanted to read this book because I really liked the idea of it; a secret world with people who create dreams (dream casters), and nightmares (shadow casters), and the war between them. A typical struggle between good and evil, but in a new wrapping. Here's why it just didn't work out for me:
First of all, the cover is really beautiful, but I don't know who this is supposed to be, as the main character in the story, Chastity, is described with raven black hair, and “looking Asian”. I really hope this is not one of those instanses where they put a white girl on the cover to sell more books. I'm not saying it is so in this case, but I have heard of several cases where it's happened.
The first time I put this book down and didn't want to continue was already after chapter two. Chas has a horrible thing happen to her in chapter one, and after telling her mother about it her reaction is completely lacking. I was so angry with her not doing anything about what her daughter told her, that I dreaded the thought of picking this book up again. And sadly it's not the only "unnatural" reaction in this book. Several times through this book I was left with the question: Does normal humans do this? Why would he/she not react?
Another thing I really struggled with was the bad sentences. Since this was an uncorrected version, it was filled with spelling and grammatical errors, and I can overlook that, but some of the sentences gave me a headache.
"My chin ached and when I touched it, my fingers were covered blood, but not so much that I needed a transfusion."
"My leg still ached, but it wasn't gashed open with blood seeping out. It was aching because I'd fallen with all my weight on top of it."
There are also several inconsistencies in the story: Chas is at one point unable to see colour, but continues at times to describe the colours she is seeing. She also suddenly says it was her choice to do certain things, that before that was chosen for her.
The story is fast paced, and has a lot of characters that you really don't get to know before you meet a bunch of new characters, which makes them difficult to tell apart and make them seem one dimensional. I wish the author would focus a bit more on characters development, so it's easier to care for them before things happen to them.
I think this book can become popular, but it's really not to my liking, with one dimensional characters and sentences that makes me want to pull on my hair. I would put it up/down there with Twilight and The Mortal Instruments, books I didn't like at all, but have become super popular for some reason.
I wanted to read this book because I really liked the idea of it; a secret world with people who create dreams (dream casters), and nightmares (shadow casters), and the war between them. A typical struggle between good and evil, but in a new wrapping. Here's why it just didn't work out for me:
First of all, the cover is really beautiful, but I don't know who this is supposed to be, as the main character in the story, Chastity, is described with raven black hair, and “looking Asian”. I really hope this is not one of those instanses where they put a white girl on the cover to sell more books. I'm not saying it is so in this case, but I have heard of several cases where it's happened.
The first time I put this book down and didn't want to continue was already after chapter two. Chas has a horrible thing happen to her in chapter one, and after telling her mother about it her reaction is completely lacking. I was so angry with her not doing anything about what her daughter told her, that I dreaded the thought of picking this book up again. And sadly it's not the only "unnatural" reaction in this book. Several times through this book I was left with the question: Does normal humans do this? Why would he/she not react?
Another thing I really struggled with was the bad sentences. Since this was an uncorrected version, it was filled with spelling and grammatical errors, and I can overlook that, but some of the sentences gave me a headache.
"My chin ached and when I touched it, my fingers were covered blood, but not so much that I needed a transfusion."
"My leg still ached, but it wasn't gashed open with blood seeping out. It was aching because I'd fallen with all my weight on top of it."
There are also several inconsistencies in the story: Chas is at one point unable to see colour, but continues at times to describe the colours she is seeing. She also suddenly says it was her choice to do certain things, that before that was chosen for her.
The story is fast paced, and has a lot of characters that you really don't get to know before you meet a bunch of new characters, which makes them difficult to tell apart and make them seem one dimensional. I wish the author would focus a bit more on characters development, so it's easier to care for them before things happen to them.
I think this book can become popular, but it's really not to my liking, with one dimensional characters and sentences that makes me want to pull on my hair. I would put it up/down there with Twilight and The Mortal Instruments, books I didn't like at all, but have become super popular for some reason.
Want to read
June 21, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/21/2020)! 🎁
October 16, 2015
I was given an uncorrected e-copy for review. My copy contained spelling errors, which hopefully were fixed in the published versions.
Before I start I would like to take a moment to say how lovely the cover art is. It is absolutely gorgeous.
The story opens up with a couple who's destines were not to be together. He a light dream caster and she a dark. The dream casters are not like the Sandman we learn about as children, yes they can can conjure up dreams and things out of sand, light is golden brown while dark is black and brings shadows and nightmares.
"She was his nightmare, and a nightmare he was prepared to die for."
It was a love story that was never meant to be. From this union we have a child, Chastity.
Chastity thought she was a normal girl she had know idea that she was the daughter of a shadow and light caster. Up until the day she felt the sands in her own hand she had never heard of casters or their world.
Once discovered she is lives in fear that she will turn dark, that her sands will run black.
"It can't be that simple. They say Shadow Casters are born Shadow Casters"
Shades laughed again. "Nothing is born dark, Chas, It's made."
I really enjoyed this book, it held my attention from start to finish, despite my review copy having spelling/ grammatical errors. It took nothing away from the story.
Light is the start of a young adult fantasy series, if this first book is any indication of what this series will be like then sign me up for the long haul. This will be one journey I will thoroughly enjoy.
I do have to point out a complaint of mine though, what was with all the freaking giggling?
Before I start I would like to take a moment to say how lovely the cover art is. It is absolutely gorgeous.
The story opens up with a couple who's destines were not to be together. He a light dream caster and she a dark. The dream casters are not like the Sandman we learn about as children, yes they can can conjure up dreams and things out of sand, light is golden brown while dark is black and brings shadows and nightmares.
"She was his nightmare, and a nightmare he was prepared to die for."
It was a love story that was never meant to be. From this union we have a child, Chastity.
Chastity thought she was a normal girl she had know idea that she was the daughter of a shadow and light caster. Up until the day she felt the sands in her own hand she had never heard of casters or their world.
Once discovered she is lives in fear that she will turn dark, that her sands will run black.
"It can't be that simple. They say Shadow Casters are born Shadow Casters"
Shades laughed again. "Nothing is born dark, Chas, It's made."
I really enjoyed this book, it held my attention from start to finish, despite my review copy having spelling/ grammatical errors. It took nothing away from the story.
Light is the start of a young adult fantasy series, if this first book is any indication of what this series will be like then sign me up for the long haul. This will be one journey I will thoroughly enjoy.
I do have to point out a complaint of mine though, what was with all the freaking giggling?
June 28, 2015
Another Grand Slam by Woods!
I swear, Adrienne Woods has a gift people. She had made yet another brilliant start to a new series packed with everything we've come to love and expect from her. I absolutely loved this idea and how well Woods executed this with her phenomenal writing. I definitely compared this book to her first book "Firebolt" and I got to witness how much this author as grown as a writer. This book is definitely more concise and the ideas flow beautifully and the world building is next to flawless.
The characters in this book are a lot of fun to get to know and I really admired the depth and growth with the female lead. It might just be me, but I want to see the process of a character going from normal and perhaps weak to strong and wild. I don't just want to turn the page and bam, the character had morphed into someone completely different.
The romance is light and sweet but I was totally pulling for a Max + Chas thing to happen so I was a little disappointed to see it go a different route. I seriously don't know how Woods is going to pull off the virtual realm boyfriend thing but hey, I've learned not to doubt her!
I'm totally excited for this new series and I can now add Woods to my favorite authors shelf.
I swear, Adrienne Woods has a gift people. She had made yet another brilliant start to a new series packed with everything we've come to love and expect from her. I absolutely loved this idea and how well Woods executed this with her phenomenal writing. I definitely compared this book to her first book "Firebolt" and I got to witness how much this author as grown as a writer. This book is definitely more concise and the ideas flow beautifully and the world building is next to flawless.
The characters in this book are a lot of fun to get to know and I really admired the depth and growth with the female lead. It might just be me, but I want to see the process of a character going from normal and perhaps weak to strong and wild. I don't just want to turn the page and bam, the character had morphed into someone completely different.
The romance is light and sweet but I was totally pulling for a Max + Chas thing to happen so I was a little disappointed to see it go a different route. I seriously don't know how Woods is going to pull off the virtual realm boyfriend thing but hey, I've learned not to doubt her!
I'm totally excited for this new series and I can now add Woods to my favorite authors shelf.
May 27, 2015
Another wonderful book!!! I loved it!!! I was racing through reading the story to see what happened next!!! Before I started to read Light, I wasn't sure a book about a dream world could keep my interest and be somewhat believable. But Adrienne Woods has once again blown me away with her imagination and story telling. I don't want to give too much away of the story but the book revolves around Chastity Blake (love this last name!!!). Chastity finds out the hard way that she is a dream caster. She meets a lot of people in her journey to understanding what a dream caster is, and there is a lot of action!! Who can she trust?? What type of caster is she really?? There is the beginning of a romance, which I loved. I am anxious to see how Adrienne makes the impossible possible!!! It is a fast paced story and you will probably have to read it again just to really take in all of the world!! Because you will miss something!! Highly recommended and I cannot wait for book 2!!
August 24, 2015
This book is a good start to this series. I like that it was different and refreshing form the typical "vampires, werewolves, zombies, and fairies" to name a few. Although I had a hard time getting a jump start on this book. I found myself slowly progressing through it in the beginning. For my it was not until about the third of the way into the book when the story really started and picked up in other words when Chastity was kidnapped. The world that the author built was cool. I liked learning about the different between a light and dark caster. There are some stumbling steps as Chastity learns and develops her talents. At times she really shows and acts her young age. Which was a good thing but also grew old too. The ending left a good lead up to book two.
April 12, 2016
I love the work of Adrienne Woods, she won me over with her "The Dragonian" series. I was so happy when I received this copy. Adrienne is so talented and she has a unique writing style, you just couldn't like her books.
This book was so AMAZING, the main character is so strong and loving. I couldn't stop when I started reading this book, it was just captivating. I finished it in one day because the story just held me, I couldn't let the book down how much I loved it.
Oohh and the COVER... It's so beautiful and enchanting I love it.
I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait for the second book.
This book was so AMAZING, the main character is so strong and loving. I couldn't stop when I started reading this book, it was just captivating. I finished it in one day because the story just held me, I couldn't let the book down how much I loved it.
Oohh and the COVER... It's so beautiful and enchanting I love it.
I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait for the second book.
December 30, 2017
The book seriously needs more editing. If I see the word "giggled" one more time...
I mean... Seriously! You should always avoid repetition and certainly nobody giggles every time they say something.
The characters were a bit meh and the story was missing its flow but I guess the plot had me intrigued enough to finish the book.
***
Oh! And who is the girl from the cover supposed to be? Since the main character is described as an asain-looking girl (even though mixed) why put her on the cover in the first place?
I mean... Seriously! You should always avoid repetition and certainly nobody giggles every time they say something.
The characters were a bit meh and the story was missing its flow but I guess the plot had me intrigued enough to finish the book.
***
Oh! And who is the girl from the cover supposed to be? Since the main character is described as an asain-looking girl (even though mixed) why put her on the cover in the first place?
August 24, 2020
I believe this book was for free or low price on the Google Play Store, which is pretty cool since otherwise I wouldn't have normally picked it up to read.
It was a very fascinating YA paranormal story. I ended up reading it in two parts, which kinda prolonged the reading time, but the first bit was a bit slow to go through (which I've found is normal for similar genre books but still).
Looking forward to picking up the next one in the series and giving it a try!
It was a very fascinating YA paranormal story. I ended up reading it in two parts, which kinda prolonged the reading time, but the first bit was a bit slow to go through (which I've found is normal for similar genre books but still).
Looking forward to picking up the next one in the series and giving it a try!
April 24, 2016
3.5/5 stars
(I received this digital copy in return for an honest review. Many thanks to the author Adrienne Woods, Fire Quill publishing and Netgalley).
First of all, I'll say this. The cover is stunning to the eye. It draws your attention straight away and makes you really look to see what the girl is holding in her hands. I am slightly confused as to whether or not the girl on the cover is supposed to be Chastity or not seeing as Chastity has shoulder length raven black hair and not blond. But regardless the cover is still eye appealing.
The story itself and the world building was fascinating to read about. It has just the right amount of description to make you feel as if your there every step of the way, so as to experience it yourself in a sense. I personally felt the world building felt very Alice in Wonderland, mixed with dashing's of Hogwarts and divergent thrown in. It was a world where anything and everything felt very much alive and you only had to turn your back before something new popped up. But it worked well.
I wanted to learn more about the world Chastity was going to live in and call her new home. I felt as if I was right there with her, trying to take it all in and learn about what was happening around and to her which is great because the connection was there.
In terms of character development I liked Chastity. For a seventeen year old, it's a lot of news to bring onto, for anyone of any age really! To suddenly find out that your life really isn't real and you aren't who you think you are, and I think she coped pretty well regarding the circumstances. She did act her age at times which was to be expected but she coped well and adapted to the situations thrown at her. She wasn't one of those characters that just bitch, or whine or pout or throw temper tantrums like other characters that come to mind from other books I've read and it was actually really nice to read. Sometimes you've just got to handle the situation given to you and deal with and she did so that's a thumbs up in my book.
The development of other characters was great. They each had their own personalities and I liked their interactions between the book. I was taken aback it was revealed who was the real traitor towards the end of the book and it only got me more interested in knowing the other side, the shadow casters because as much as it was lightly spoken about, for me it personally wasn't enough so I'm hoping in the next book this will be explored more.
Three things that are somewhat bugging me however is Mr Grey (Aka the cat) and Leigh and the mother. I really liked the fact that Chastity and Mr Grey had a cute relationship before she found out Their relationship somewhat spoiled and I just wanted to butt their heads together. I can understand why but still, they need to get their act together because from the looks of all the others, their relationship should be the way it is.
And Leigh. I like him I really do but I just think the sudden romance was too quick towards the end. I can understand why she likes him and everything but it did too quick so hopefully this again is explored in book two.
And the last one. Chastity's mum. She plays a big role at the beginning and seeing as the book revolves around her choice and Chastity is where she is now because of her, we get nothing from her whatsoever once she disappears, so I was hoping to read any kind of news about her throughout the rest of the book and there was nothing.
But regardless of all that last paragraph, I did find it a refreshing read that kept my attention the whole way through. The book ended on a good cliff-hanger which has only made me want to find out what happens next even more. I look forward to book two!
(I received this digital copy in return for an honest review. Many thanks to the author Adrienne Woods, Fire Quill publishing and Netgalley).
First of all, I'll say this. The cover is stunning to the eye. It draws your attention straight away and makes you really look to see what the girl is holding in her hands. I am slightly confused as to whether or not the girl on the cover is supposed to be Chastity or not seeing as Chastity has shoulder length raven black hair and not blond. But regardless the cover is still eye appealing.
The story itself and the world building was fascinating to read about. It has just the right amount of description to make you feel as if your there every step of the way, so as to experience it yourself in a sense. I personally felt the world building felt very Alice in Wonderland, mixed with dashing's of Hogwarts and divergent thrown in. It was a world where anything and everything felt very much alive and you only had to turn your back before something new popped up. But it worked well.
I wanted to learn more about the world Chastity was going to live in and call her new home. I felt as if I was right there with her, trying to take it all in and learn about what was happening around and to her which is great because the connection was there.
In terms of character development I liked Chastity. For a seventeen year old, it's a lot of news to bring onto, for anyone of any age really! To suddenly find out that your life really isn't real and you aren't who you think you are, and I think she coped pretty well regarding the circumstances. She did act her age at times which was to be expected but she coped well and adapted to the situations thrown at her. She wasn't one of those characters that just bitch, or whine or pout or throw temper tantrums like other characters that come to mind from other books I've read and it was actually really nice to read. Sometimes you've just got to handle the situation given to you and deal with and she did so that's a thumbs up in my book.
The development of other characters was great. They each had their own personalities and I liked their interactions between the book. I was taken aback it was revealed who was the real traitor towards the end of the book and it only got me more interested in knowing the other side, the shadow casters because as much as it was lightly spoken about, for me it personally wasn't enough so I'm hoping in the next book this will be explored more.
Three things that are somewhat bugging me however is Mr Grey (Aka the cat) and Leigh and the mother. I really liked the fact that Chastity and Mr Grey had a cute relationship before she found out Their relationship somewhat spoiled and I just wanted to butt their heads together. I can understand why but still, they need to get their act together because from the looks of all the others, their relationship should be the way it is.
And Leigh. I like him I really do but I just think the sudden romance was too quick towards the end. I can understand why she likes him and everything but it did too quick so hopefully this again is explored in book two.
And the last one. Chastity's mum. She plays a big role at the beginning and seeing as the book revolves around her choice and Chastity is where she is now because of her, we get nothing from her whatsoever once she disappears, so I was hoping to read any kind of news about her throughout the rest of the book and there was nothing.
But regardless of all that last paragraph, I did find it a refreshing read that kept my attention the whole way through. The book ended on a good cliff-hanger which has only made me want to find out what happens next even more. I look forward to book two!
June 10, 2018
Dream a little dream of me.
Chastity, vagyis Chas, egy átlagos lány, akit a régi barátai terrorizálnak. Így kezdődik az egész, önvédelemből. Majd a feje tetejére áll a világ és valóság elhomályosul, míg az álmok életre kelnek és veled együtt harcolnak a sötétség ellen.
Az elején kapunk egy részletet a múltból, hogy hogyan is kezdődött Chas története. Harccal, előítélettel, tiltott szerelemmel, álommal és rémálommal, majd meneküléssel a valóságba, de már csak ketten a háromból.
Elég sok megpróbáltatáson kell keresztülmennie Chas-nek, az őrület kapujában áll, de még sem lépi át a határt és ez egy beszélő macskának és egy virtuális személyek köszönhető, aki valós is meg nem is. Igazi szerelem, aminek nem lenne szabad léteznie, mégis van és valóságosabb, mint bármi más. Gyönyörű és térdremegtető.
A történet nem a szerelmi szálra összpontosul, hanem a jóra és a rosszra. Mi határozza meg a kettőt? Mitől lesz valaki jó és mitől lesz valaki rossz? És miért félünk annyira az egyiktől, közben meg úgy vágyakozunk a másikra? Így születünk vagy a döntéseink változtatnak minket az egyikké vagy a másikká? Már a születésünktől bennünk van mind a kettő, de képesek vagyunk e mi magunk eldönteti, hogy melyikké válunk vagy a genetika már a fogantatásunk pillanatában eldöntötte ezt? De az egyik nem létezhet a másik nélkül, szóval tényleg van itt választási lehetőség vagy csak annak a látszata létezik?
Chastity-nek is el kell döntenie, hogy a fényt vagy a sötétséget választja. Bár nem hisz benne, hogy van választása. Szent meggyőződése, hogy ő sötét, mert annak született, de a világosság is benne van, hisz az egyik szülője sötét volt a másik meg világos. Leigh is megmondta neki, hogy van választási lehetősége, ő még sem akarja elhinni. Talán a hit a válasz mindenre. Ha hisz önmagában, hogy ő jó, akkor az is lesz, de ha elhiszi, hogy sötétnek rendeltetett, akkor sötét lesz. Volt egy pár belső monológja, amitől a falra másztam. Nem lett a kedvenc főhősnőm, de ez csak az első rész volt, és még van ideje fejlődnie. Csak egy kicsit jobban kell hinni önmagában és azokban, akikben bízik. Ahogy Shades is mondta: Nothing is born dark, Chas. It’s made.
Kissé káosz az egész, de a káoszból csak jó dolgok születnek, szóval e miatt nem aggódom. Jó lenne, ha Chas végre elkezdené követni a tanácsokat, amiket kap és nem csak meghallani őket, majd szépen el is felejti őket. Lyukas az agya, komolyan…
Álmodok egy világot magamnak.
Chastity, vagyis Chas, egy átlagos lány, akit a régi barátai terrorizálnak. Így kezdődik az egész, önvédelemből. Majd a feje tetejére áll a világ és valóság elhomályosul, míg az álmok életre kelnek és veled együtt harcolnak a sötétség ellen.
Az elején kapunk egy részletet a múltból, hogy hogyan is kezdődött Chas története. Harccal, előítélettel, tiltott szerelemmel, álommal és rémálommal, majd meneküléssel a valóságba, de már csak ketten a háromból.
Elég sok megpróbáltatáson kell keresztülmennie Chas-nek, az őrület kapujában áll, de még sem lépi át a határt és ez egy beszélő macskának és egy virtuális személyek köszönhető, aki valós is meg nem is. Igazi szerelem, aminek nem lenne szabad léteznie, mégis van és valóságosabb, mint bármi más. Gyönyörű és térdremegtető.
A történet nem a szerelmi szálra összpontosul, hanem a jóra és a rosszra. Mi határozza meg a kettőt? Mitől lesz valaki jó és mitől lesz valaki rossz? És miért félünk annyira az egyiktől, közben meg úgy vágyakozunk a másikra? Így születünk vagy a döntéseink változtatnak minket az egyikké vagy a másikká? Már a születésünktől bennünk van mind a kettő, de képesek vagyunk e mi magunk eldönteti, hogy melyikké válunk vagy a genetika már a fogantatásunk pillanatában eldöntötte ezt? De az egyik nem létezhet a másik nélkül, szóval tényleg van itt választási lehetőség vagy csak annak a látszata létezik?
Chastity-nek is el kell döntenie, hogy a fényt vagy a sötétséget választja. Bár nem hisz benne, hogy van választása. Szent meggyőződése, hogy ő sötét, mert annak született, de a világosság is benne van, hisz az egyik szülője sötét volt a másik meg világos. Leigh is megmondta neki, hogy van választási lehetősége, ő még sem akarja elhinni. Talán a hit a válasz mindenre. Ha hisz önmagában, hogy ő jó, akkor az is lesz, de ha elhiszi, hogy sötétnek rendeltetett, akkor sötét lesz. Volt egy pár belső monológja, amitől a falra másztam. Nem lett a kedvenc főhősnőm, de ez csak az első rész volt, és még van ideje fejlődnie. Csak egy kicsit jobban kell hinni önmagában és azokban, akikben bízik. Ahogy Shades is mondta: Nothing is born dark, Chas. It’s made.
Kissé káosz az egész, de a káoszból csak jó dolgok születnek, szóval e miatt nem aggódom. Jó lenne, ha Chas végre elkezdené követni a tanácsokat, amiket kap és nem csak meghallani őket, majd szépen el is felejti őket. Lyukas az agya, komolyan…
Álmodok egy világot magamnak.
May 22, 2016
I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley, from the publisher and author in exchange for my honest review.
Oh boy, where do I even begin with this book?! To start, I am so extremely glad that I requested to read this book. I'm still processing everything that happened and the cliff hanger at the end!
This book was a nice change from the whole vampires and werewolf books that everyone seems to come out with (don't get me wrong I love those books just as much!). But this really changed the whole supernatural genre, and the author really created a world that I haven't seen in any other books so far.
It all starts when Chasity is being bullied by some old friends. Sand appears in her hands, and when she throws it in their faces, they get put to sleep. From then on, her world is changed. Seekers come to find her and take her back to Revera, but her mom takes her and they go on the run. Chas then finds out about who she really is, and about her parents past.
But what will happen when she finds out the truth?
I really like the idea of a Dream Caster school, I think it added a really good story line. This author has a way of sucking you in and having you turn page after page.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series to come out, I am definitely an Adrienne Woods fan after reading this!
If I could, I would rate this books 100/5 stars, that's how much I loved it! I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy books, or is looking for a change from the normal vampires and werewolves!
Oh boy, where do I even begin with this book?! To start, I am so extremely glad that I requested to read this book. I'm still processing everything that happened and the cliff hanger at the end!
This book was a nice change from the whole vampires and werewolf books that everyone seems to come out with (don't get me wrong I love those books just as much!). But this really changed the whole supernatural genre, and the author really created a world that I haven't seen in any other books so far.
It all starts when Chasity is being bullied by some old friends. Sand appears in her hands, and when she throws it in their faces, they get put to sleep. From then on, her world is changed. Seekers come to find her and take her back to Revera, but her mom takes her and they go on the run. Chas then finds out about who she really is, and about her parents past.
But what will happen when she finds out the truth?
I really like the idea of a Dream Caster school, I think it added a really good story line. This author has a way of sucking you in and having you turn page after page.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series to come out, I am definitely an Adrienne Woods fan after reading this!
If I could, I would rate this books 100/5 stars, that's how much I loved it! I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy books, or is looking for a change from the normal vampires and werewolves!
June 4, 2016
I thought that this book had an interesting unique concept that it followed and realistic characters. The voice of the protagonist was realistic to follow. The story was gripping from the beginning which engaged me to read on and, the ending made me want to read the next book in the series.
However, aside from a minor few mistakes, I thought that this book was a bit overwhelming with characters. I felt that characters were being introduced to the story in large groups. Because of this, it was hard to keep up with all of the different characters which made the story less enjoyable to me.
I received a review copy of this from NetGalley
However, aside from a minor few mistakes, I thought that this book was a bit overwhelming with characters. I felt that characters were being introduced to the story in large groups. Because of this, it was hard to keep up with all of the different characters which made the story less enjoyable to me.
I received a review copy of this from NetGalley
June 2, 2016
Review:
I received this book from NetGalley for review
I read this book, but I honestly can't tell you what happened in this book. From start to finish everything felt disjointed and really repetitive. There were run-on sentences and very bland characters. I felt like I was proof-reading this book more than reading it for enjoyment.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I don't think I'll be reading anything else by her. This book was just not really for me.
I received this book from NetGalley for review
I read this book, but I honestly can't tell you what happened in this book. From start to finish everything felt disjointed and really repetitive. There were run-on sentences and very bland characters. I felt like I was proof-reading this book more than reading it for enjoyment.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I don't think I'll be reading anything else by her. This book was just not really for me.
August 19, 2017
You can also find this review on my blog: Wings of Nephilim
Favorite Quote:
"Think about the children, about everyone you care about."
"I am."
I received an ARC of: Light (Dream Casters #1) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If this wasn't a Netgalley ARC I honestly would have DNF'd this book after the first 20% or so. I struggled, not wanting to read more, to read something I liked instead and it just got worse and worse and worse. I put my kindle down more times than I can count. I would set goals for myself of just finishing a chapter to feel like I was getting through it.
I did like the premise. It sounded so interesting. I wanted to like it. The powers of the casters were cool. I liked wielding sand. Yet more often than not I was bored. To be fair, the ending did pick up a bit finally but overall it just felt pretty meh. I want to say that I could have liked this. I feel as if it had fleshed out more, taken it's time, explained things in more detail, it could have been a really sold story. However it felt more like a whirlwind. I'm about to complain about this book. A lot. I'm sure the author worked hard but it was just not my cup of tea. Here we go.
Perhaps if I was significantly younger, it might appeal more to me. I know I'm 28 years old reading YA books but I just genuinely find the worlds and stories more fun. Most YA books don't feel this way to me. YA readers can handle some darkness. This girl is supposed to be 17, it has battles, death, blood but they didn't want to add curse words? Readers can handle ACTUALLY TYPED PROFANITY.
Ex:
"If you lie to me, I swear I will kill you myself." The cusses were there, in between all those syllables and I'd never heard anybody cuss as much as Max.
"For once in your life, just shut up," he said through clenched teeth. There was a cuss word in between that sentence and Stacey got up and ran to Ginny who folded her arms around her.
Are. You. Serious. Every single time this showed up (TRUST ME IT WAS NUMEROUS) I found myself rolling my eyes. I find it hard to believe that the author thinks teenagers are unfamiliar with profanity. Perhaps it's a personal choice for the author, and if so, more power to you. I just found it immature. The liberal amounts of "freak'-n" were just as bad.
The characters were mostly very bland. Even writing this I've forgotten the MC's name. Chastity. Ok. Had to go back and look. Everyone she meets is instantly distrusting and also bland. I couldn't tell the difference between Tom and John except one had an owl and the other barely existed/hated Chas? Leigh also seemed barely there and sadly he was the most interesting.
Chas complains. A LOT. Chas complains that she doesn't like the "paranoid" personality trait and SHE IS PARANOID about EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. She is so sure her sand is dark, so sure everyone knows, so sure everyone thinks she's a shadowcaster, that no one believes her or whatever. Everything is out to get her, everything is trying to get her to show her "true self" and spill her secrets. It's annoying.
I can't stand pop culture references in books. I don't care about an "Enrique Eglasias mole" or referencing other books like City of Bones, Twilight and Lord of the Rings. I personally find it cheap and lazy. Instead of explaining, they expect the audience to just understand the reference.
The test was blatantly obvious. I mean, she was warned it was coming. Now I can understand that after weeks you wouldn't think it was still a test, and it felt real but if it was supposed to be a twist in the novel, I wasn't surprised. It just dragged on longer than I expected. Also considering, what kind of adults put a 17 year old through that? Pretty bs if you ask me.
I also wasn't a fan of the pacing. They shove event after event after event down the readers throat. Honestly it didn't even feel important as events. They just went from place to place to place with lots of portals, spinning and Chastity never having any idea what is going on. Then it moved to sorority type mean girls "training"/high school setting. I didn't find this portion interesting either. The ending was also a huge mishmash of changing scenery and it was honestly too much. It all felt too quick, too mashed together, like she was trying to fit in too many scenes into one book.
Revera is certainly a place that sounds cool, but I wouldn't want to be a dreamcaster. They just plop a job in Chastity's lap, no input, no questions, just tell her how it is going to be. Which makes no sense because later in that chapter the teacher says people choose to do other jobs. So why wasn't Chas given a choice? Why don't we even know what other options are available? Then, in the next chapter she is saying she shouldn't have chose to be a guardian. She complains about her "choice" over and over. WHEN DID YOU CHOOSE THAT? LET ME TELL YOU, YOU DIDN'T. If I read about her "decision" one more time I'm ready to chuck my kindle!
Then her whole cat chapter. Reallly didn't endear me to Chas. It's getting to the point where all she does in this novel is complain. I'm so sick of it. Having a talking cat would be awesome. Plus she's always calling him stupid, even after he saves her life.
Considering how much I've complained myself, the last chunk of the book was not nearly as hard to slosh through as the first 70%. It was an interesting world, an interesting premise, but I can't say I'm incline to pick up the sequel.
Favorite Quote:
"Think about the children, about everyone you care about."
"I am."
I received an ARC of: Light (Dream Casters #1) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If this wasn't a Netgalley ARC I honestly would have DNF'd this book after the first 20% or so. I struggled, not wanting to read more, to read something I liked instead and it just got worse and worse and worse. I put my kindle down more times than I can count. I would set goals for myself of just finishing a chapter to feel like I was getting through it.
I did like the premise. It sounded so interesting. I wanted to like it. The powers of the casters were cool. I liked wielding sand. Yet more often than not I was bored. To be fair, the ending did pick up a bit finally but overall it just felt pretty meh. I want to say that I could have liked this. I feel as if it had fleshed out more, taken it's time, explained things in more detail, it could have been a really sold story. However it felt more like a whirlwind. I'm about to complain about this book. A lot. I'm sure the author worked hard but it was just not my cup of tea. Here we go.
Perhaps if I was significantly younger, it might appeal more to me. I know I'm 28 years old reading YA books but I just genuinely find the worlds and stories more fun. Most YA books don't feel this way to me. YA readers can handle some darkness. This girl is supposed to be 17, it has battles, death, blood but they didn't want to add curse words? Readers can handle ACTUALLY TYPED PROFANITY.
Ex:
"If you lie to me, I swear I will kill you myself." The cusses were there, in between all those syllables and I'd never heard anybody cuss as much as Max.
"For once in your life, just shut up," he said through clenched teeth. There was a cuss word in between that sentence and Stacey got up and ran to Ginny who folded her arms around her.
Are. You. Serious. Every single time this showed up (TRUST ME IT WAS NUMEROUS) I found myself rolling my eyes. I find it hard to believe that the author thinks teenagers are unfamiliar with profanity. Perhaps it's a personal choice for the author, and if so, more power to you. I just found it immature. The liberal amounts of "freak'-n" were just as bad.
The characters were mostly very bland. Even writing this I've forgotten the MC's name. Chastity. Ok. Had to go back and look. Everyone she meets is instantly distrusting and also bland. I couldn't tell the difference between Tom and John except one had an owl and the other barely existed/hated Chas? Leigh also seemed barely there and sadly he was the most interesting.
Chas complains. A LOT. Chas complains that she doesn't like the "paranoid" personality trait and SHE IS PARANOID about EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. She is so sure her sand is dark, so sure everyone knows, so sure everyone thinks she's a shadowcaster, that no one believes her or whatever. Everything is out to get her, everything is trying to get her to show her "true self" and spill her secrets. It's annoying.
I can't stand pop culture references in books. I don't care about an "Enrique Eglasias mole" or referencing other books like City of Bones, Twilight and Lord of the Rings. I personally find it cheap and lazy. Instead of explaining, they expect the audience to just understand the reference.
The test was blatantly obvious. I mean, she was warned it was coming. Now I can understand that after weeks you wouldn't think it was still a test, and it felt real but if it was supposed to be a twist in the novel, I wasn't surprised. It just dragged on longer than I expected. Also considering, what kind of adults put a 17 year old through that? Pretty bs if you ask me.
I also wasn't a fan of the pacing. They shove event after event after event down the readers throat. Honestly it didn't even feel important as events. They just went from place to place to place with lots of portals, spinning and Chastity never having any idea what is going on. Then it moved to sorority type mean girls "training"/high school setting. I didn't find this portion interesting either. The ending was also a huge mishmash of changing scenery and it was honestly too much. It all felt too quick, too mashed together, like she was trying to fit in too many scenes into one book.
Revera is certainly a place that sounds cool, but I wouldn't want to be a dreamcaster. They just plop a job in Chastity's lap, no input, no questions, just tell her how it is going to be. Which makes no sense because later in that chapter the teacher says people choose to do other jobs. So why wasn't Chas given a choice? Why don't we even know what other options are available? Then, in the next chapter she is saying she shouldn't have chose to be a guardian. She complains about her "choice" over and over. WHEN DID YOU CHOOSE THAT? LET ME TELL YOU, YOU DIDN'T. If I read about her "decision" one more time I'm ready to chuck my kindle!
Then her whole cat chapter. Reallly didn't endear me to Chas. It's getting to the point where all she does in this novel is complain. I'm so sick of it. Having a talking cat would be awesome. Plus she's always calling him stupid, even after he saves her life.
Considering how much I've complained myself, the last chunk of the book was not nearly as hard to slosh through as the first 70%. It was an interesting world, an interesting premise, but I can't say I'm incline to pick up the sequel.
October 10, 2018
One of the few books I did not finish. If the author and whomever supposedly edited this book can’t care enough to correct the numerous typos, I simply can’t care enough to make myself finish. I honestly don’t care one bit about the main character and what happens to her. She’s bland, everything is bland. I don’t actually care enough about this pile of words to write anything else.
EDIT: I see this is the second book from this author I did not finish. Sometimes YA is too YA. Lesson learnt.
EDIT: I see this is the second book from this author I did not finish. Sometimes YA is too YA. Lesson learnt.
November 22, 2015
Not as interesting as the Dragonian series. I fell asleep twice while reading this and that is saying something. The flow of the story was disjointed, I had a hard time keeping up with what. Characters were okay but there was no development or progression.
June 6, 2016
A wonderful read....anxiously awaiting the continuation of this story.
April 6, 2024
Way. Too. Many. Typos.
Honestly, I have never read a book with this many typos and errors. I really hope I was just reading an un-edited version, but it didn't specify that anywhere when I got it. There's no excuse for anything like that in a published novel. The layout of the paragraphs irritated me, too. I'm not sure if this is true, but this book screams amateur self-published, and not in a good way. I'm not saying self-published novels are all bad, but if you don't do it properly, you end up with something like this.
Now, rant over! There's a perfectly good reason that this book didn't score 1 star for me, and that's because I actually did enjoy the story. I felt the characterisation of Chastity was good, and her mother and Leigh, Fox and Mr Grey. I do feel like her step-father could have had a bit more of a back story (unless he did, and I've just forgotten). There was also the issue that a few characters would get mixed up in my head, like Tom and John. Too many were introduced at once, and it goes confused.
As for the plot, it was good! The lore was thought out and well executed - to an extent. I would have liked to have seen a little about how shadow casters actually interact with the dreams of nomads. Like, what are they actually for? What do they do? Also, there was a little issue with how Henry the owl appeared as a Human in the Domain, but Mr Grey didn't? Of course I can see why that would ruin the building of the relationship with Chas, but still. It's a small issue.
I enjoyed the little details, and learning about the lore. There wasn't too much info-dumping, even though there was every possibility that it could happen. It was a good length, and the story progressed quickly (but not too quickly) so that I didn't get bored. I also enjoyed the plot twist at the end. I wasn't expecting it, but it was explained away enough to be believable, especially with little parts of subtle foreshadowing scattered throughout the book!
It's tempting to read the rest. I've read the first book of The Draconian series, and I liked that too. I do like Adrienne's stories and worlds, but sometimes I do feel like her writing style comes across as amateur-ish.
Honestly, I have never read a book with this many typos and errors. I really hope I was just reading an un-edited version, but it didn't specify that anywhere when I got it. There's no excuse for anything like that in a published novel. The layout of the paragraphs irritated me, too. I'm not sure if this is true, but this book screams amateur self-published, and not in a good way. I'm not saying self-published novels are all bad, but if you don't do it properly, you end up with something like this.
Now, rant over! There's a perfectly good reason that this book didn't score 1 star for me, and that's because I actually did enjoy the story. I felt the characterisation of Chastity was good, and her mother and Leigh, Fox and Mr Grey. I do feel like her step-father could have had a bit more of a back story (unless he did, and I've just forgotten). There was also the issue that a few characters would get mixed up in my head, like Tom and John. Too many were introduced at once, and it goes confused.
As for the plot, it was good! The lore was thought out and well executed - to an extent. I would have liked to have seen a little about how shadow casters actually interact with the dreams of nomads. Like, what are they actually for? What do they do? Also, there was a little issue with how Henry the owl appeared as a Human in the Domain, but Mr Grey didn't? Of course I can see why that would ruin the building of the relationship with Chas, but still. It's a small issue.
I enjoyed the little details, and learning about the lore. There wasn't too much info-dumping, even though there was every possibility that it could happen. It was a good length, and the story progressed quickly (but not too quickly) so that I didn't get bored. I also enjoyed the plot twist at the end. I wasn't expecting it, but it was explained away enough to be believable, especially with little parts of subtle foreshadowing scattered throughout the book!
It's tempting to read the rest. I've read the first book of The Draconian series, and I liked that too. I do like Adrienne's stories and worlds, but sometimes I do feel like her writing style comes across as amateur-ish.
June 12, 2018
The opening chapters were the best part of this book: a Romeo and Juliet situation in which a Light Caster (think sandmen, people who can conjure golden sand that puts people to sleep and does other magic) and a Dark Caster (dark sand, that delivers people into nightmares and does other magic) pursue a doomed romance, knowing that our Earth is the only place that they might be free. But it's hard to cut ties, so ....
Fast forward some years and Chas is a poor bullied girl whose mother asks her every morning about her dreams, as strange things start happening around her. Not spoiling much, but she ends up being taken to the world the Light Casters inhabit to learn how to use her powers (and how to stay safe from the Dark Casters). But even in the Light, there may be some darkness which Chastity has to deal with.
The book is YAish, so the relatively simple characterization and somewhat plain sentences shouldn't be held against it, but it felt erratic. There would be chapters that flowed and made me curious about the entire setting, and then there'd be ones that bucked like a stuttering car. Key to the entire novel is the notion of a Virtual Reality, a fictional setting partially created by the mysterious Leigh (apparently an artificial being of that reality whose kind is termed "Jumpers." Oh, but wait, Leigh is the only Jumper that is known to exist. Say what?) But Leigh seems to be roughly Chas's age and very handsome, so ... yes, this is YA, all right.
I went between 2 and 3 stars; I don't know that I"l pursue it but I'd cheerfully hand it over to an actual young adult.
Fast forward some years and Chas is a poor bullied girl whose mother asks her every morning about her dreams, as strange things start happening around her. Not spoiling much, but she ends up being taken to the world the Light Casters inhabit to learn how to use her powers (and how to stay safe from the Dark Casters). But even in the Light, there may be some darkness which Chastity has to deal with.
The book is YAish, so the relatively simple characterization and somewhat plain sentences shouldn't be held against it, but it felt erratic. There would be chapters that flowed and made me curious about the entire setting, and then there'd be ones that bucked like a stuttering car. Key to the entire novel is the notion of a Virtual Reality, a fictional setting partially created by the mysterious Leigh (apparently an artificial being of that reality whose kind is termed "Jumpers." Oh, but wait, Leigh is the only Jumper that is known to exist. Say what?) But Leigh seems to be roughly Chas's age and very handsome, so ... yes, this is YA, all right.
I went between 2 and 3 stars; I don't know that I"l pursue it but I'd cheerfully hand it over to an actual young adult.
August 3, 2017
Fire Quill Publishers and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Dream Casters: Light. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
Graig Chen and his pregnant fiance must flee from their home world, in order to secure a normal life for their child. Graig is a light caster, but Vinicola is a shadow one, so their respective communities would never allow their union. The only option is to live in reality like humans, but only one of them makes the trip.
16 years later, Chastity Blake is having trouble with her former best friend when something unexpected happens. Not knowing what what is transpiring, Chastity ends up learning, with the help of the last person she expected, how to protect herself. When Chastity ends up without a support system in an unfamiliar setting, will she be able to use her instincts and ingenuity to survive?
If you took Romeo and Juliet and placed it in a fantasy/dystopian setting, you would get Dream Casters: Light. The concept was good, but it was nothing that I had not read before. The author spent too much time explaining everything, from the world building to the character flaws, that the story suffered. The book could have used more editing, as the choppy writing style, missing punctuation, and awkward paragraph changes helped to pull the focus away from the actual story. I am on the fence with regards to the series because I am curious to see if the author can settle into the concept more, now that the exhaustive explanations about the world are finished.
Graig Chen and his pregnant fiance must flee from their home world, in order to secure a normal life for their child. Graig is a light caster, but Vinicola is a shadow one, so their respective communities would never allow their union. The only option is to live in reality like humans, but only one of them makes the trip.
16 years later, Chastity Blake is having trouble with her former best friend when something unexpected happens. Not knowing what what is transpiring, Chastity ends up learning, with the help of the last person she expected, how to protect herself. When Chastity ends up without a support system in an unfamiliar setting, will she be able to use her instincts and ingenuity to survive?
If you took Romeo and Juliet and placed it in a fantasy/dystopian setting, you would get Dream Casters: Light. The concept was good, but it was nothing that I had not read before. The author spent too much time explaining everything, from the world building to the character flaws, that the story suffered. The book could have used more editing, as the choppy writing style, missing punctuation, and awkward paragraph changes helped to pull the focus away from the actual story. I am on the fence with regards to the series because I am curious to see if the author can settle into the concept more, now that the exhaustive explanations about the world are finished.
July 1, 2020
This first book in The Dream Casters Series by Adrienne Woods certainly set the bar for readers' satisfaction and enjoyment. The characters are put through many trials and tests and obstacles, especially Chas who must make the decision as to whether she is going to be a light (good) or dark (bad) Dream Caster and what that choice will mean as to where she resides and how she lives and survives this suspenseful and emotional adventure. To me, the author is saying that people are NOT born good or bad and their surrounding culture does NOT determine that status. No, they must make a conscious decision to make that choice themselves as evidenced by the many people who come out of the same neighborhoods, family situations, etc. and become upstanding citizens who contribute to society in many professions. This book also sets up the next book in the series as there are many questions left unanswered and even some that are not even asked. The only negative I have about the storyline, is I wish the author had spent just a little more time explaining the differences between the light and dark side of things. I have already added book 2 to my TBR file. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Booksprout.
July 26, 2020
3.75 - 4 stars
I'm not really the type of person to write a lot, because I sort of dislike it and it's hard for me to express myself through writing like others do.
Leaving that aside, when it comes to the book, I liked it. It didn't change my life but I enjoyed it, and it was an easy and funny read, so it was pretty nice.
I think that the only part I didn't like was that it was kind of predictable and the principal character (Chastity) I guess because she acted like a teenager. Also, I feel like the author could've made the story way more interesting giving more insight on the shadow casters' situation and it left me wanting to know moooooore about Chastity's mom, I mean she's an interesting character.
Also, I think that it would've been nice if the people on the book were more open when it comes to their personal views, especially Chastity (since she's the principal character). I feel like nobody tries to look ahead about what they've been told, but then again, I wouldn't judge it.
In the end, it was sort of nice, I enjoyed it and Shades was my favorite character (being real, we don't get to know the others "that" well) and I'm going to read the next book soon.
I'm not really the type of person to write a lot, because I sort of dislike it and it's hard for me to express myself through writing like others do.
Leaving that aside, when it comes to the book, I liked it. It didn't change my life but I enjoyed it, and it was an easy and funny read, so it was pretty nice.
I think that the only part I didn't like was that it was kind of predictable and the principal character (Chastity) I guess because she acted like a teenager. Also, I feel like the author could've made the story way more interesting giving more insight on the shadow casters' situation and it left me wanting to know moooooore about Chastity's mom, I mean she's an interesting character.
Also, I think that it would've been nice if the people on the book were more open when it comes to their personal views, especially Chastity (since she's the principal character). I feel like nobody tries to look ahead about what they've been told, but then again, I wouldn't judge it.
In the end, it was sort of nice, I enjoyed it and Shades was my favorite character (being real, we don't get to know the others "that" well) and I'm going to read the next book soon.
January 3, 2021
The english review is below.
Premier livre de l'année! J'ai adoré la première série de cette autrice, soit The Dragonian. Ce premier tome m'a plutôt déçue. J'ai adoré l'atmosphère et l'univers, mais les personnages ne m'intéressaient pas et l'intrigue s'essoufflait à plusieurs reprises. De plus, je n'ai pas tant aimé la relation entre deux personnages. L'aspect romantique n'est pas vraiment utile et je préférais qu'ils restent amis. Le concept des dream casters était intéressant, mais je trouve qu'il n'a pas été exploité à son potentiel. Je ne continuerai pas la série, mais je compte essayer les prochaines séries de cette autrice.
***
First book of the year! I loved this author's first series The Dragonian. I was rather disappointed with this first volume. I loved the atmosphere and the universe, but I wasn't interested in the characters and the plot was something a little boring. I also didn't really liked that romance between two characters. It's not love at first sight, but I don't see them together. The concept of the dream casters was interesting, but I find that it was not exploited to its potential. I won't continue the series, but I plan to try the next series of this author.
Premier livre de l'année! J'ai adoré la première série de cette autrice, soit The Dragonian. Ce premier tome m'a plutôt déçue. J'ai adoré l'atmosphère et l'univers, mais les personnages ne m'intéressaient pas et l'intrigue s'essoufflait à plusieurs reprises. De plus, je n'ai pas tant aimé la relation entre deux personnages. L'aspect romantique n'est pas vraiment utile et je préférais qu'ils restent amis. Le concept des dream casters était intéressant, mais je trouve qu'il n'a pas été exploité à son potentiel. Je ne continuerai pas la série, mais je compte essayer les prochaines séries de cette autrice.
***
First book of the year! I loved this author's first series The Dragonian. I was rather disappointed with this first volume. I loved the atmosphere and the universe, but I wasn't interested in the characters and the plot was something a little boring. I also didn't really liked that romance between two characters. It's not love at first sight, but I don't see them together. The concept of the dream casters was interesting, but I find that it was not exploited to its potential. I won't continue the series, but I plan to try the next series of this author.
June 17, 2020
With a high school prank that goes terribly wrong, Chastity finds out the secret of her heritage. Cassie is a “Dream Caster”. Because she was never meant to be raised on Earth, the daughter of a Light Caster and a Shadow Caster, she must go back to Revera, the world of Dreams. But she finds there is no balance between the Light Casters (representing good) and the Shadow Casters (representing darkness). The problem that makes for Chastity is that she is actually caught somewhere in the middle where she contains both the light and the darkness. If they find she has a shadow self, Chastity would be thrown into the Oblivion world of Nightmares!
In a world where she has no idea who can be trusted, Chastity has to make her own way and stay hidden as much as possible. Will she be discovered? Will she end up in Oblivion?
This book was different, but not necessarily what I was hoping for. It didn’t make the world building come alive. It didn’t pull me into the story. I thought it was difficult to follow what was going on. I’m hoping the next couple of books in the series will improve on this.
In a world where she has no idea who can be trusted, Chastity has to make her own way and stay hidden as much as possible. Will she be discovered? Will she end up in Oblivion?
This book was different, but not necessarily what I was hoping for. It didn’t make the world building come alive. It didn’t pull me into the story. I thought it was difficult to follow what was going on. I’m hoping the next couple of books in the series will improve on this.
February 10, 2021
This book centers around Chastity, who is the daughter of a light and dark caster relationship. Throughout the whole novel, she battles the belief that she is a dark caster and must hide it from everyone. The author hammers home that are not born good or bad, and their surrounding culture does not determine that status. You, as a person, make the conscious choice to become one or the other.
The world-building for this world is outstanding, and the characters are unique and exciting as the standard for most stories like this. Our main characters are put through many trials to determine where they belong and what position they hold in this new world. Chasity is torn between hiding what she thinks she is and what others expect her to be. In the first part of the novel, I liked that we got time with Chastity and her mom, and then she gets dropped into the new training and life she expected to embrace. A stunning start to what I think will be a very unique and entertaining series.
The world-building for this world is outstanding, and the characters are unique and exciting as the standard for most stories like this. Our main characters are put through many trials to determine where they belong and what position they hold in this new world. Chasity is torn between hiding what she thinks she is and what others expect her to be. In the first part of the novel, I liked that we got time with Chastity and her mom, and then she gets dropped into the new training and life she expected to embrace. A stunning start to what I think will be a very unique and entertaining series.
June 5, 2020
Young Tweens would love this...
Okay, it’s an interesting story, about good and bad dreamcasters. It’s mostly about a mixed child, a daughter of the union between light and dark. Much of it I’ve read before in other novels. However this is geared towards young adults, or imho, tweens. It’s written towards that age group, which meant that this senior citizen thought it a bit childish. Like I said, it’s an interesting story.
But do I want to continue? Gods no. I’d rather get a few teeth pulled then continue reading about Chastity and her self centered exploits.
The book could have used an editor. There were many superfluous passages that could have been cut, or condensed. A good editor would have made this a much better book. And would’ve caught the two grammatical errors I found.
Anyway, the books okay for a freebie, that’s about it.
Otherwise, not recommended!
Sorry.
Okay, it’s an interesting story, about good and bad dreamcasters. It’s mostly about a mixed child, a daughter of the union between light and dark. Much of it I’ve read before in other novels. However this is geared towards young adults, or imho, tweens. It’s written towards that age group, which meant that this senior citizen thought it a bit childish. Like I said, it’s an interesting story.
But do I want to continue? Gods no. I’d rather get a few teeth pulled then continue reading about Chastity and her self centered exploits.
The book could have used an editor. There were many superfluous passages that could have been cut, or condensed. A good editor would have made this a much better book. And would’ve caught the two grammatical errors I found.
Anyway, the books okay for a freebie, that’s about it.
Otherwise, not recommended!
Sorry.
March 29, 2025
There is no cooking way I would recommend this book to anyone. There are literal words missing from sentences across every chapter, the main character is as two-faced as they come, and the world building is a total mess. The thing with writing is you need to describe where the characters are, what they’re seeing, feeling, and how they reach conclusions. It gives you a sense of who they are, what they stand for, and how they perceive things. About 50% in, the protagonist has “died” about three times. The number of times the characters said “we’ll tell you later” for important events made no sense, and the way they have to travel through various worlds to get to the main one is downright stupid. And painful? So dumb. Don’t even get me started on the info dump in the first few pages. This book is a hard no from me and I’m glad I got it for free. How are there 5-star reviews?
If there is a other book of hers on my TBR pile on Kindle I’m just deleting the book.
If there is a other book of hers on my TBR pile on Kindle I’m just deleting the book.
October 1, 2018
So I wasn’t sure what I was going to thing when I started to read this book but I was determined to read it all. Very glad I did as I really did enjoy it. Chastity is a normal teenager trying to get through school when she finds out her life is not what she thinks it is and a whole different world is about to open up to her, but there’s the risk of her becoming good or bad. I loved how she seemed to accept everything that was going on around her and trust me there was always something happening in this book. I found it so easy to read and could easily carry on from where I previously left off. If you are thinking about reading this book definitely give it a try, I will definitely be reading book 2 to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews