Dreamers

by Donna Glee Williams

Driven by duty towards a dreamless death… By the time she's sixteen, the town's Dreamer has long ago given up her own life. She only dreams for others now, every morning delivering up to them the divine guidance that comes to her in the night. In exchange, they treat the Dreamer like their queen. All her bodily needs are provided, but love and relationships are forbidden to her. Now something unexpected is happening. Something entirely new. A foreign man has come to the village, wearing a scarlet vest and a gold finger-ring that is far, far too good for a mere Water-Bearer. His strange amber eyes have found the Dreamer’s and she longs to be free. But maybe freedom isn't the only cost of being the When her dreams begin to question the authority of the self-serving Chief Interpreter, will she survive his fury? Or will he quietly entomb her in the her Dreamer's Chamber, clearing her away like so much litter to make room for a hapless new young girl to take her place ? Her fate will be kept as silent as the sacred Garden that is her prison. Driven by duty towards a dreamless death… By the time she's sixteen, the town's Dreamer has long ago given up her own life. She only dreams for others now, every morning delivering up to them the divine guidance that comes to her in the night. In exchange, they treat the Dreamer like their queen. All her bodily needs are provided, but love and relationships are forbidden to her. Now something unexpected is happening. Something entirely new. A foreign man has come to the village, wearing a scarlet vest and a gold finger-ring that is far, far too good for a mere Water-Bearer. His strange amber eyes have found the Dreamer’s and she longs to be free. But maybe freedom isn't the only cost of being the When her dreams begin to question the authority of the self-serving Chief Interpreter, will she survive his fury? Or will he quietly entomb her in the her Dreamer's Chamber, clearing her away like so much litter to make room for a hapless new young girl to take her place ? Her fate will be kept as silent as the sacred Garden that is her prison. Unless she can find a way to give voice to her own dreams.

Genres: Fantasy

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2016

About the author

Donna Glee Williams is a poet and writer of literary fantasy and science fiction. She was born in Mexico, the daughter of a Kentucky farm-girl and a Texas Aggie large-animal veterinarian. She's been a lot of places; now she makes her home in the mountains of western North Carolina, but the place she lived the longest and still calls home is New Orleans. These days, she earns her daily bread by writing and helping other writers bring their creative visions to light, but in the past she's done the dance as turnabout crew (aka, “maid”) on a schooner, as a librarian, as an environmental activist, as a registered nurse , as a teacher and seminar leader, and for a long stint as a professional student. The craft societies of both The Braided Path and Dreamers owe a lot to the time she's spent hanging out in villages in Mexico, Spain, Italy, Israel, Turkey, India, and Pakistan. As a finalist in the 2015 Roswell Awards for Short Science Fiction, her short story "Saving Seeds" was performed in Hollywood by Jasika Nicole. Her graceful speculative fiction has been recognized by Honorable Mentions from both the Writers of the Future competition and Gardner Dozois's Best of the Year collection.

Reviews

[E.C. Ambrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of this book, after enjoying Donna Glee's first release, The Braided Path Like that volume, this one is compact and beautifully written. Williams' spare writing style provides you with exactly the details you need experience a stark and fascinating world where dreams are so important that public policy is guided by them. But what happens if that guidance goes awry?

Williams writes in a classic story-telling mode, with crisp images and characters who are animated by their goals and desires. In this case, that almost fairy-tale veneer hides a darker heart, with a story that explores the meaning of dreams, both those we experience at night, and those that lead us to long for a different life. The coddled Dreamer, after her intense training from childhood, returns to her village to be treated as a revered but distant stranger. She is vital to the community for her role, but separate from it--until she's spotted by a newcomer, a young water-carrier who, lacking the entrenched tradition of the villagers, dares to see her as herself.

The story unfolds at first with an appropriately dreamlike pace, but the hints of danger begin to build into a worrisome drive that propels the story into a different place, a new adventure. You will feel the heat of the desert setting, and long for a drink of that cool, sweet water.

If you admire a well-told tale--especially one where you can imagine yourself seated at a campfire, spell-bound, while a skilled teller weaves her words into your heart--then you will love this book.

[Anne V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dew is a prisoner to her only purpose in the hot, dusty town --dreaming the future for all who live there from the isolated chamber at the center of her cool garden. Things are as they have always been, each day’s small duties blending into the next for the girl, each night dream upon dream produced for the council. Then one day there is a new presence, an answer to a thirst she never knew she had, a splash of the brightest color among the grays of her existence. Unfortunately, the greed of the Chief Interpreter knows no bounds, and the Dreamer must serve, even if it kills her. The friendship of a weaver, the willingness of a water-bearer, and the loyalty of a scribe may not be enough to rescue her before she is destroyed for waking to a world beyond the waters of the North Gate, where only dreamers can go.

I love this publisher, (Edge-Lite). They really have a knack for picking up good storytellers, and Donna Glee Williams is indeed a master storyteller in Dreamers. From the first page of this fantasy to the last (which you will leave behind with a regretful sigh), she immerses you in the images, sounds, tastes, smells, and textures of the world. The characters are as bitter-sweetly unforgettable as the story itself. Truly magical. Watch for more from this author.

A review copy was provided by the publisher through Librarything in exchange for this honest review. This and more reviews of books you may want to put on your reading list at annevolmering.com.

[Pat Hu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is thoroughly engaging and keeps the tension strong as it unravels its secrets bit by bit The Dreamer lives a ritualistic and solitary life that is totally dedicated to dreaming for the good of the village. Her dreams are interpreted every day by the Council of Interpreters to help them make decisions for the village. Each day for the Dreamer is the same - following rituals exactly and doing what the Council dictates to try and inspire dreams. She is followed everywhere by her ladies who prevent her interaction with anyone else and make sure she does not sleep during the day. At night, she is alone in a pitch black room - alone with the Scribe, who writes down all the dreams the Dreamer tells him about. The Water-Bearer, a foreigner to this primitive superstitious village, notices the Dreamer and wonders if she chose this life or was it chosen for her. The Master Interpreter loves the dreams, because they help him become more powerful. The tension builds to a climax as the Dreamer is gradually drained of life, as the Scribe worries and tries to protect her, as the Water-Bearer learns about the Dreamer's life and tries to help her, as the Master Interpreter gets more and more greedy for her Dreams. Great psychological thriller. The ending is too abrupt and was too short. I wonder if there will be a sequel.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feb 29, 2020: I just wanted to come back and say that this book, that I read 4 years ago, has stuck with me. I still think about it sometimes and I remember it being so beautiful and universal. And vivid. The pool was what brought me back to the memory of this book this time.

*****

I received this free e-book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.

This was a beautiful story. I loved the world she created. And the Dreamer, as a role in society, felt like a fresh concept. It actually felt fresh and really old at the same time. I liked that. Williams did an amazing job of creating and bringing to life a traditional feeling culture. And, she did it in a way that did not feel like a typical fantasy novel.

A negative: The story moved slowly. There was nothing big that grabbed my attention. But the world was one I wanted to spend time in, which is what continuously brought me back to the story.

A positive: The love story was subtle and felt organic. It is actually one of my favorite love stories that I've read so far this year.

Another positive: the pool in the cave. Williams did an amazing job of describing that place and showing what it meant to the Dreamer.

This is definitely worth the read.

[Jack Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was offered an advance copy of Dreamers. In this desert country,Dreams are so important that public policy is guided by them, in all areas of the life of the town. The hand picked "Dreamer" wakes from sleep to tell her Scribe what she's drempt. Her Scribe then writes down her dreams and the council of Interpreters,led by the chief Interpreter interprets the meaning of these dreams. Everything is fine as long as the dreams keep coming. But what happens if that guidance goes awry? I enjoyed Donna Williams vivid story line and the various characters in this classic fairy tale. The Dreamer,after her intense training from childhood, returns to her village to be treated as a pampered prisioner, watched at all times by her keepers.She's expected to take part in all aspects of community life but she's kept apart from that life by her keepers, that is, until she's spotted by a newcomer, a young water-carrier, Orik, who, lacking the entrenched tradition of the villagers, dares to see her for herself. And so the story unfolds, with Dew becoming aware of the attention of Orik, who is much more then he seems. The story takes us to a new place, with hints of a darker undercurrent. If you enjoy a well-told story,then you'll love this book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exciting adventure romance set in a land of little rain. The dreamer is the one who brings the town prosperity, she brings the rain and gives the dreams that guide the counsel. The current chief interpreter the man who leads the counsel is corrupt changing the dreams to reflect what will make him the most profit. The granaries are full and the town is as prosperous as it has ever been but the dreamer is burning out she sleeps too little and dreams too often during the night. Her loyal scribe the man who catches her dreams on paper every night knows it, he knows she's losing the dreams and will soon lose her life as well. Orik is the water boy a handsome and strong young man that pulls the water cart in the town but this is just his disguise he is really a runaway prince who has left his kingdom and his throne behind. When the Dreamer and the water boy see each other at the town well an instant attraction begins. Soon what begins as mere curiosity for both turns to love but time is running out for the dreamer, can Orik save the woman he has fallen in love with? I’d like to see the further adventures of the warrior prince, the dreamer and the scribe to find out.

[Melissa Polk · Rating 3 out of 5]

First thing, this book was given to me by the LibraryThing Early Reviewer Program in exchange for an honest review.

Okay. I have no idea how I feel about this book. It was beautifully written. I could see and feel everything. The story follows the Dreamer and her life. We learn a bit about Orik, the Water-bearer and the Scribe. The characters were intersting enough - I could keep everyone straight in my head. Each had a voice that was wholly their own. At times it felt like the story was going nowhere. It was a steady day after day after day after day feeling for a bit. Then the excitement kicked in (claustrophobia/asphyxiation triggers near the end there).

The end.. the end was both fulfilling and a bit of a let down. Without spoilers.. it just didn't tie up all the loose ends that I wanted tied. We found out about the horse thief but not Orik's brother. Or where the river let out. Or... yeah. I don't know. I was a little disappointed.

That said, it was still a really good book. A nice change from what I've been reading lately.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won an early release of this novel through Librarything.

A solid piece of YA lit. I think the story started a little slowly but the pace seemed to get faster and faster the more you read. I could see some of the plot points before the characters, but that by no means spoiled it for me. And I do like that this story is definitely the author's, it sounds like her.

The characters were a little one dimensional, but the world itself seems completely developed. You open the book and are immediately set down in a world with it's own established culture and customs, and people's lives and histories. You have to trust the author to reveal the important information as you read, and be okay with not understanding parts of the beginning. But I think it's a perfect read for the YA crowd, especially middle schoolers.

[Lisa Morris]

I received a free advanced copy of this book through the LibraryThing Reviewer program for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author totally developed a new world for me to lose myself in. I could picture Dreamers garden clearly. Loved the Northern Gate pool that she had access to for bathing and relaxing.
I really enjoyed how the Water-Bearer drew the Dreamer out slowly. I would love to see this expanded into a series of books a book that goes back and tells in more detail the history of Orik (the Water-Bearer) and then goes forward continuing the story of what happens to everyone after the ending. There are so many possibilities. Totally enjoyable.

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dreamer is charged with dreaming divine dreams that the Interpreters search for the meanings that affect their town. This sixteen year old finds this life more and more confining, and the new Water-Bearer, Orik, might be the one to help her find her freedom.

What I liked about this one is that it's imaginative and the concept behind the story is really interesting. I just don't feel like it was as well executed as it could have been. The writing felt a little sloppy, and I couldn't connect with The Dreamer.

I recieved a free advance copy from the LibraryThing in exchange for a free review.

[Bronwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is beautifully written. The story takes a while to become something you don't want to put down. The personalities of the characters are revealed through their actions and reactions of circumstances. A town believes what its governing bodies tell it to believe. The Dreamer dreams the future of the town. Her life is used by the people for the town's good. And for once, a Dreamer fights back and refuses to be used or let to let them take her life.
I received this as a free ebook from librarything.com for my honest review.

[Jen Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an early release Kindle copy of this book with the agreement that I would post reviews about it when I finished it. I thought that this was a really interesting book. The plot was really unique and the characters were well written. It is a really good story and I would definitely read more by Donna Glee Williams.