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In the Devil's Dreams
While visiting his mother at her secluded Waldport cabin, an English teacher is awoken in the night by screams. Something gigantic is heaving itself against the rickety front door, relentlessly pounding and scratching - and shrieking his name. The hideous creature seems to know everything about the man, and takes special interest in his wife's deteriorating health.
On the other side of the world, a bleary-eyed detective works late, desperate to avoid the recurring dream of his fiancée's murder. But when a bloodied child stumbles into the Pine Rest Police Department and collapses, the detective finds himself facing his worst nightmare.
IN THE DEVIL'S DREAMS is the story of three broken people and the boy who links them. The lives and nightmares of the characters are elegantly interwoven, and the story is revealed through multiple points of view.
"Riveting...mesmerizing...brilliantly written. An elaborate puzzle box of dark storytelling."
-Gail Michael, Author
"Felix is an up and coming writer with a fantastic imagination. One to watch for sure."
-Layton Green, bestselling author of the Dominic Grey series
"A literary juggernaut of terror...Felix shines a light into the darkest corners of your mind and forces you to look."
-T. Baxter, Voice of Fear podcast
On the other side of the world, a bleary-eyed detective works late, desperate to avoid the recurring dream of his fiancée's murder. But when a bloodied child stumbles into the Pine Rest Police Department and collapses, the detective finds himself facing his worst nightmare.
IN THE DEVIL'S DREAMS is the story of three broken people and the boy who links them. The lives and nightmares of the characters are elegantly interwoven, and the story is revealed through multiple points of view.
"Riveting...mesmerizing...brilliantly written. An elaborate puzzle box of dark storytelling."
-Gail Michael, Author
"Felix is an up and coming writer with a fantastic imagination. One to watch for sure."
-Layton Green, bestselling author of the Dominic Grey series
"A literary juggernaut of terror...Felix shines a light into the darkest corners of your mind and forces you to look."
-T. Baxter, Voice of Fear podcast
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2014
510 people are currently reading
2180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
June 10, 2021
After first reading Stolen Tongues, I was beyond excited to read anything else from this author, unfortunately however, this book wasn't nearly as good. I still enjoyed it, and I will continue to read other books he puts out, but I admit, I was disappointed; so if you're expecting a novel as good as Stolen Tongues, be warned. This book was confusing at times, and it read like one big dream.
February 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this audiobook performance of In the Devil's Dreams by Felix Blackwell. I especially liked the story told from the perspective of a very young boy, who was escaping from monsters that took his parents. He encounters a man he can't understand, who helps him escape. He also meets a police officer who helps the boy out. I guessed what those monsters were before the narrator lets us know, and can imagine a young boy thinking that way. The narration was also really good. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an advance copy of this audiobook, in return for an honest review.
April 15, 2015
I can see a really good story lurking beneath this one and I hope that the author grows as a writer and produces better work in the future. I hope for this because it feels like at one time this book was on the right track and was somehow derailed. The final result is something that should have been taken to a writers' workshop before calling it finished. As a result we have a book with a promising premise that is marred by flat characters, stilted writing, and a poor sense of time and place.
April 17, 2015
This is a wonderfully written horror novel. Rich and engaging from beginning to end, it is addictive as it maintains an atmosphere of disturbing uncertainty. The plot is as cohesive as it is elaborate. Recommended to any fan of the surreal and the horror genre in general.
February 3, 2023
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really like the narration in this book along with the variety of voices and accents put on! The story itself was a bit terrifying at times, but I just had to make sure not to listen right before I go to sleep! I enjoyed how all the separate parts of the book told for different characters point of views eventually came together and all intertwined. It’s definitely a must read for anyone who loves horror and this author never disappoints!
I really like the narration in this book along with the variety of voices and accents put on! The story itself was a bit terrifying at times, but I just had to make sure not to listen right before I go to sleep! I enjoyed how all the separate parts of the book told for different characters point of views eventually came together and all intertwined. It’s definitely a must read for anyone who loves horror and this author never disappoints!
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July 10, 2024Dnf 25% not vibing
March 8, 2023
A man who's having marital problems goes home to visit his mother. He has a terrible nightmare while visiting that seems to spill over into real life. He can't tell what is real, and what's not.
Another man in another country is working late at his detective job to keep his nightmares at bay. After a power outage, a young boy stumbles into the police station in need of medical help. He rushes the boy to the hospital. Seated in a chair next to the boy's bed, he falls asleep only to also wake up in a nightmare.
I requested this from NetGalley since I had heard so much about his other book, Stolen Tongues. But this was just okay. Everything eventually tied together, but most of the book was rather disjointed. The loose ends did come together nicely though.
Another man in another country is working late at his detective job to keep his nightmares at bay. After a power outage, a young boy stumbles into the police station in need of medical help. He rushes the boy to the hospital. Seated in a chair next to the boy's bed, he falls asleep only to also wake up in a nightmare.
I requested this from NetGalley since I had heard so much about his other book, Stolen Tongues. But this was just okay. Everything eventually tied together, but most of the book was rather disjointed. The loose ends did come together nicely though.
February 7, 2023
In The Devils Dreams by Felix Blackwell is a dark horror novel. The story is told by a young boy, who is trying to escape the monsters.
I thought the story was very well written, and would definitely recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and RB media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the story was very well written, and would definitely recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and RB media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2024
A gripping story with a lot of heavier undertones. It did get confusing at some parts and derailed for a bit but does wrap up in the end. There is a constant feeling of great sadness and dread as well.
Would recommend.
Would recommend.
Read
August 18, 2025DNF at about 50%.
I've enjoyed the other two Felix Blackwell books I've read. Quite a lot, to be honest. But this one, not so much, but honestly, I'm going to throw most of the blame right back on me.
I'm not a fan of any story that relies on dreams, or going into dream states or dream worlds. It's just one of my personal bugaboos. As soon as there's a dream sequence, or anything close to it, my eyes glaze over, and my mind drifts, because I just don't care.
And the bulk of this book pretty much takes place in a dream world. And I'm the dummy, because...hello...the title of the book. I should have figured that out beforehand and did a touch more investigating.
The stories, and yes, it appears there's probably at least three stories here, though I quit part way through the second one, were well written, if a little overlong in the characters' constant going here and there, and the realizations were good.
Unfortunately, as I said, the story itself just wasn't for me. No score.
I've enjoyed the other two Felix Blackwell books I've read. Quite a lot, to be honest. But this one, not so much, but honestly, I'm going to throw most of the blame right back on me.
I'm not a fan of any story that relies on dreams, or going into dream states or dream worlds. It's just one of my personal bugaboos. As soon as there's a dream sequence, or anything close to it, my eyes glaze over, and my mind drifts, because I just don't care.
And the bulk of this book pretty much takes place in a dream world. And I'm the dummy, because...hello...the title of the book. I should have figured that out beforehand and did a touch more investigating.
The stories, and yes, it appears there's probably at least three stories here, though I quit part way through the second one, were well written, if a little overlong in the characters' constant going here and there, and the realizations were good.
Unfortunately, as I said, the story itself just wasn't for me. No score.
February 2, 2023
I was given this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book presents something that is both dark, interesting and compelling. But what I want to say is that certain parts of this book, like part 4 or when the narrator would shift focus, it would feel like a completely different book. While each story was unique and interesting it left me wondering why this wasn’t all seperate books / novellas. The first story about the man dealing with a manipulative girlfriend was my favorite simply because it showed depravity and how crazy some people are, while having an interesting villain. The rest held my attention but didn’t scratch that itch I wanted which was a little bit more. Over all, I’m comfortable giving this book a 3.5 out of 5.
This book presents something that is both dark, interesting and compelling. But what I want to say is that certain parts of this book, like part 4 or when the narrator would shift focus, it would feel like a completely different book. While each story was unique and interesting it left me wondering why this wasn’t all seperate books / novellas. The first story about the man dealing with a manipulative girlfriend was my favorite simply because it showed depravity and how crazy some people are, while having an interesting villain. The rest held my attention but didn’t scratch that itch I wanted which was a little bit more. Over all, I’m comfortable giving this book a 3.5 out of 5.
July 6, 2024
Was alright but nowhere near as good as Stolen Tongues.
February 13, 2015
Wow.
An amazing book. I came, sadly, to realize who the monsters really were. My heart broke for Trent...for Anya. My mind raced when I wasn't reading....to figure out how these people were connected. A truly gripping story. A must read!
An amazing book. I came, sadly, to realize who the monsters really were. My heart broke for Trent...for Anya. My mind raced when I wasn't reading....to figure out how these people were connected. A truly gripping story. A must read!
February 15, 2024
Was a bit hard to follow at times, but definitely gives you a deeper look into trauma and how it presents itself throughout life. Lots of intense, fighting to survive scenes, lots of heartbreaking goodbyes, overall a good read.
November 21, 2025
Read via Libby.
I really don’t know where to begin on this. I had never heard of this author before a recent thread on “what people are reading”. The premise sounded good, but bad mixed reviews. I assumed this was a strict horror novel Based on the blurb, had I known it was also diving into the fantasy realm, I may have passed this by.
Thank goodness for small favors…
From page one, I was impressed with the writing and descriptive prose, I could picture the opening scenes very vividly. The pace was insanely quick from the get go and sucks you right in
The story does throw you off about a quarter way through. Almost to the point where I second guessed what I thought this was. I for a moment thought this may be a story collection. But that was quickly washed away.
A lot of books tell various plot points in separate times and usually tell this in succession and how each version connects to the other. I hadn’t expected this type of format. But once I got it, it just made more sense.
Now fantasy is not a genre I would ever consider reading. For me it’s just to out there. But that’s just me. But this author has certainly made me rethink this. The story is a horror novel, but there is plenty of what seems like fantasy, but with the author sucking me into the story so hard, I wasn’t going to drop this book. I’m glad I didn’t because there really is some terrifying events in the book and the way it’s told just notches the horror level up to another degree.
By the time I got to part 4, I already had this pegged at a 4 star and above. But Part 4 wraps this story up so well, it hit a 4.5. But the ending? The ending? Straight to a 5.
I went from only wanting to try this guy out, to eagerly waiting to read the rest of his collection.
The reading on this by Curt Bonnem is solid. He really gets into all the characters in the book and keeps you entertained.
I really don’t know where to begin on this. I had never heard of this author before a recent thread on “what people are reading”. The premise sounded good, but bad mixed reviews. I assumed this was a strict horror novel Based on the blurb, had I known it was also diving into the fantasy realm, I may have passed this by.
Thank goodness for small favors…
From page one, I was impressed with the writing and descriptive prose, I could picture the opening scenes very vividly. The pace was insanely quick from the get go and sucks you right in
The story does throw you off about a quarter way through. Almost to the point where I second guessed what I thought this was. I for a moment thought this may be a story collection. But that was quickly washed away.
A lot of books tell various plot points in separate times and usually tell this in succession and how each version connects to the other. I hadn’t expected this type of format. But once I got it, it just made more sense.
Now fantasy is not a genre I would ever consider reading. For me it’s just to out there. But that’s just me. But this author has certainly made me rethink this. The story is a horror novel, but there is plenty of what seems like fantasy, but with the author sucking me into the story so hard, I wasn’t going to drop this book. I’m glad I didn’t because there really is some terrifying events in the book and the way it’s told just notches the horror level up to another degree.
By the time I got to part 4, I already had this pegged at a 4 star and above. But Part 4 wraps this story up so well, it hit a 4.5. But the ending? The ending? Straight to a 5.
I went from only wanting to try this guy out, to eagerly waiting to read the rest of his collection.
The reading on this by Curt Bonnem is solid. He really gets into all the characters in the book and keeps you entertained.
June 15, 2023
When I chose this, I was in the mood for a horror book, and the description sounded intriguing.
I did find this quite chilling, and I think this was partly due to the talent of the audiobook narrator. It seemed that nightmares were a significant theme, and for that reason, I found it quite psychological. Were the characters' experiences actually happening to them, or were they simply dreams/nightmares? Either way, I felt invested while I was listening.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
I did find this quite chilling, and I think this was partly due to the talent of the audiobook narrator. It seemed that nightmares were a significant theme, and for that reason, I found it quite psychological. Were the characters' experiences actually happening to them, or were they simply dreams/nightmares? Either way, I felt invested while I was listening.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
May 2, 2023
The idea for the story is good, but it was more of a paranormal drama than horror.
This book wasn’t for me, for most of it, I found the story a bit confusing, there were connections between the different storylines, but they don’t come together until about the 90% make, which made it difficult to relate and care about the characters.
The narrator Curt Bonnem does a great job with the audibook. He used different voices that suited the character, and he doesn’t overact either, which is good.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.*
This book wasn’t for me, for most of it, I found the story a bit confusing, there were connections between the different storylines, but they don’t come together until about the 90% make, which made it difficult to relate and care about the characters.
The narrator Curt Bonnem does a great job with the audibook. He used different voices that suited the character, and he doesn’t overact either, which is good.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.*
September 18, 2024
Couldn't really tell you anything about this other than that there's a monster that makes sounds like it's a cat hacking up a hairball. Will try reading The Church Beneath the Roots as it is related to Stolen Tongues (which was great!)
February 20, 2023
The book has an exciting plot that uses dreams to build terror into you while reading through the story. The pace is also fast, but the characters keep popping up and disappearing into the story which made it a little confusing for me to follow through. I feel this could be an audiobook issue to as navigating back and forth is a little different than what we do in physical books.
Overall an okayish read, for someone who enjoys creepy stories with paranormal effects and Frankestein theory will enjoy this book. I wish I could have enjoyed this more.
Overall an okayish read, for someone who enjoys creepy stories with paranormal effects and Frankestein theory will enjoy this book. I wish I could have enjoyed this more.
March 25, 2023
3.5, la revelación de lo que sucedió no lo ví venir.
December 21, 2021
Fun read
Fun quick read riddled with nightmares. Makes me want to write a book about mine since they are just as vivid.
Fun quick read riddled with nightmares. Makes me want to write a book about mine since they are just as vivid.
February 18, 2017
Before I start I just want to say that it's kinda my own fault for not liking this book, because I'm not a fan of short stories (this one featuring 4 interconnected stories), and I don't like first-person narratives. So really, I should have checked up a little more before buying it.
That being said, I think the reason (other than the above) that this book didn't really work for me is because it was completely lacking in any kind of visceral energy or emotion. Everything is always very concise and clearly written. Characters are always describing exactly what they're feeling in very clear ways, making it difficult to feel their fear or disillusionment when they're always breaking it down for you as clearly as possible.
Basically, that's it. Never felt anything.
That being said, I think the reason (other than the above) that this book didn't really work for me is because it was completely lacking in any kind of visceral energy or emotion. Everything is always very concise and clearly written. Characters are always describing exactly what they're feeling in very clear ways, making it difficult to feel their fear or disillusionment when they're always breaking it down for you as clearly as possible.
Basically, that's it. Never felt anything.
July 8, 2022
Well Written
So Felix Blackwell has a way of enticing his readers to keep going. I'm still not sure what I just read. As so many parts from perspectives of adults not children (like the narrator) we're still sinister and paranormal, yet we learn the real history taking place at the time and the way that could have been perceived by a child, yet other parts don't add up. I still enjoyed each piece on it's own and when they entertwined, but I'm not gonna lie. I still enjoyed Stolen Tongues more!
So Felix Blackwell has a way of enticing his readers to keep going. I'm still not sure what I just read. As so many parts from perspectives of adults not children (like the narrator) we're still sinister and paranormal, yet we learn the real history taking place at the time and the way that could have been perceived by a child, yet other parts don't add up. I still enjoyed each piece on it's own and when they entertwined, but I'm not gonna lie. I still enjoyed Stolen Tongues more!
July 2, 2022
Oh my!! I'm not really sure how to rate this book. 🤔 It gets 4⭐ for originality and 3⭐ for execution. It's quite confusing at times... There were moments when I felt quite bored and disengaged. I wasn't sure if the stories are connected or what their true meaning is. But in the end, everything makes sense and it's sooo worth it. I wish I had paid more attention in the beginning, cause I might have missed some important details. Felix is a genius! 🤩
April 25, 2015
This story seems to just go in circles with no rhyme or reason. Confusing and boring.
September 12, 2021
While I enjoyed it I didn't find much horror in it. Once you find out what's going on, it's horrific, but not in the scary sense.
November 23, 2023
The reviews given are so vague I wonder if people read the book or merely skimmed and if they understood in the grand scheme of things how absolutely horrible the book is. I truly don't know what's happening in the publishing world. I would be so angry to know I donated funds to get this disaster published.
Stolen Tongues was truly a viscerally frightening experience. I still feel bad for poor Carrot the Parrot who never spoke again during to the trauma. We didn't know what the evil was but we knew it was something rooted in a fear we can choose not to believe true
In the Devil's Dreams sounds so interesting. Something outside trying to get in. The narrator awoken by screams with no origin shrieking his name sets us up for one hell of wild ride. However that's not what really happens.
There are multiple characters and each is narrating their own story. The first guy is a momma's boy. And he's always sleeping because he's stressed. The book is broken into parts which seems like short non sensical stories or a fever dream. Each character sounds mildly exciting and then they don't. The first part goes on forever.
Reading the book felt like the worst college assignment of my life. I actually thought several times of Dante's allegory without the allegory. English majors saying Dante and you know immediately you're on some vile level of hell. I've been out of college for decades but I'll tell ya it did help me catch clues from part 1 that I knew a big part of what was going on.
I actually said to my cats; my captive audience, that I hoped it wasn't what I thought it was because it would really suck. There are several sad messages that we can all relate to which are horrible but not horror per se and never should have been marketed as this book. I at least understood grief, revenge, redemption.
When the actual ending was revealed, I was pissed because the book in no way alludes other that the timeframe of 1946 of the actual material. I don't believe in GenZ trigger warning on everything of suicide, sexual abuse..ect as metaphor is expected. However this book is about the Holocaust in graphic detail I've never heard nor seen in print. I was appalled.
Early in the novel as I was bored out of my mind, I looked to see if I could find a translation for the name of the monster and stumbled upon a review from 2015. The reviewer said the book was excellent and needed to be read. In the opening of this book, Felix Blackwell stated he previously had a books of thr same name under a pen name on the shelves in 2014. He felt his writing style changed, unpublished the book and rewrote it and we have this.
All authors change. Some of their earliest work is their best. Where would Stephen King be without The Stand and Pet Semetary? I can't help but think of how great Stolen Tongues was and wonder why he would give us this absolute garbage?
I'm so upset.
Stolen Tongues was truly a viscerally frightening experience. I still feel bad for poor Carrot the Parrot who never spoke again during to the trauma. We didn't know what the evil was but we knew it was something rooted in a fear we can choose not to believe true
In the Devil's Dreams sounds so interesting. Something outside trying to get in. The narrator awoken by screams with no origin shrieking his name sets us up for one hell of wild ride. However that's not what really happens.
There are multiple characters and each is narrating their own story. The first guy is a momma's boy. And he's always sleeping because he's stressed. The book is broken into parts which seems like short non sensical stories or a fever dream. Each character sounds mildly exciting and then they don't. The first part goes on forever.
Reading the book felt like the worst college assignment of my life. I actually thought several times of Dante's allegory without the allegory. English majors saying Dante and you know immediately you're on some vile level of hell. I've been out of college for decades but I'll tell ya it did help me catch clues from part 1 that I knew a big part of what was going on.
I actually said to my cats; my captive audience, that I hoped it wasn't what I thought it was because it would really suck. There are several sad messages that we can all relate to which are horrible but not horror per se and never should have been marketed as this book. I at least understood grief, revenge, redemption.
When the actual ending was revealed, I was pissed because the book in no way alludes other that the timeframe of 1946 of the actual material. I don't believe in GenZ trigger warning on everything of suicide, sexual abuse..ect as metaphor is expected. However this book is about the Holocaust in graphic detail I've never heard nor seen in print. I was appalled.
Early in the novel as I was bored out of my mind, I looked to see if I could find a translation for the name of the monster and stumbled upon a review from 2015. The reviewer said the book was excellent and needed to be read. In the opening of this book, Felix Blackwell stated he previously had a books of thr same name under a pen name on the shelves in 2014. He felt his writing style changed, unpublished the book and rewrote it and we have this.
All authors change. Some of their earliest work is their best. Where would Stephen King be without The Stand and Pet Semetary? I can't help but think of how great Stolen Tongues was and wonder why he would give us this absolute garbage?
I'm so upset.
April 26, 2019
I'm not one of those readers who picks up every single book written by one author, but in Felix Blackwell's case I totally would. His style is so compelling and vivid - the scale of thoughts and emotions he deals with in a single book (and the way he handles them) is stunning.
The ending of this book - when I first read it years ago (2016) - broke my heart but felt true, which I know made the story all the more heartbreaking and powerful.
Just re-reading the first paragraphs the other night gave me shivers all over again and enveloped me into that nightmarish, yet melancholic world Blackwell created. I can't wait to read this again in its entirety and enjoy the wonderful language.
The main subject matter is extremely important to me, so I was so happy when I discovered this book (even though it made me sad, it was also strangely uplifting). The horror in this is not gory, yet it frightens more because the subjects the author explores go much, much deeper than a regular bloody story would.
This is a force of a book, an unforgettable piece of literature. I can't recommend it enough and I can't wait for this to be made into a movie. It's that kind of classical story that gets adapted and wins Oscars. Movie or no movie though, by writing this book, Felix Blackwell gave a tremendous gift to us readers (and to those of us who write as well).
Thank you! I'm already looking forward to your next book. 😊🤗😊
___
Update:
I've just finished re-reading this novel. I can't believe how much I've forgotten about it, yet how much I still remember 3 years later after first reading it. So many wonderful and terrifying details, so many little stories within the stories.
I've written previously that I would love to see this book adapted into a movie, but I think the task would fall heavily on someone's shoulders. This is a complex story that might be best experienced by reading it word by word, sentence after sentence. Or maybe listening to it being read instead...? A film would either fall short, or be a masterpiece, just like this book is, in my opinion, anyway.
I think this story has the potential to help many people.
If you haven't gathered by now, I highly recommend reading this. 😉
The ending of this book - when I first read it years ago (2016) - broke my heart but felt true, which I know made the story all the more heartbreaking and powerful.
Just re-reading the first paragraphs the other night gave me shivers all over again and enveloped me into that nightmarish, yet melancholic world Blackwell created. I can't wait to read this again in its entirety and enjoy the wonderful language.
The main subject matter is extremely important to me, so I was so happy when I discovered this book (even though it made me sad, it was also strangely uplifting). The horror in this is not gory, yet it frightens more because the subjects the author explores go much, much deeper than a regular bloody story would.
This is a force of a book, an unforgettable piece of literature. I can't recommend it enough and I can't wait for this to be made into a movie. It's that kind of classical story that gets adapted and wins Oscars. Movie or no movie though, by writing this book, Felix Blackwell gave a tremendous gift to us readers (and to those of us who write as well).
Thank you! I'm already looking forward to your next book. 😊🤗😊
___
Update:
I've just finished re-reading this novel. I can't believe how much I've forgotten about it, yet how much I still remember 3 years later after first reading it. So many wonderful and terrifying details, so many little stories within the stories.
I've written previously that I would love to see this book adapted into a movie, but I think the task would fall heavily on someone's shoulders. This is a complex story that might be best experienced by reading it word by word, sentence after sentence. Or maybe listening to it being read instead...? A film would either fall short, or be a masterpiece, just like this book is, in my opinion, anyway.
I think this story has the potential to help many people.
If you haven't gathered by now, I highly recommend reading this. 😉
March 26, 2023
In the Devil's Dreams
I came here after completing Felix's 'Stolen Tongues'. Stolen Tongues' first person narrative and fast pace kept me engaged and completed the book in less than a week.
I started this one thinking of as a Horror, which in one way is correct but more than a horror it is a psychological book. Starts with a nightmare and ends with one. First chapter itself says that it was never meant to be the horror novel. All the demons and monsters it talks about are all in one's head/nightmares and how these nightmares are interconnected with the characters of the book.
Four different nightmares, Three different people and an interwoven story which untangles in the final chapter.
If you are looking for horror or jump scares, this isn't the one. It is a slow burn, involving different person's lives and their hardships. Someone is trying to save/get out from the marriage while still being in love, one finding a closure for his girlfriend's murder, a girl looking for the medicine for her infant brother who is on verge of death, a boy whose life was teared apart when he lost his parents amidst an Historical event. And last few chapters showing how all these individuals were connected with a single thread.
A unique thing in the story was that all these characters appeared at a same place in their individual nightmares and met each other at different time suggesting that a place exist where all this bad dreams are occurring and while one is in there, others might have been there or is being there with then. A place where time is irrelevant, a place where either you stay after your death or learn a lesson and find a closure to live your life in the real world.
Author again used the same first person narrative, giving you an opportunity to experience the nightmares yourself. It is also a considerably fast paced novel (only if you are not bored with all the philosophical talks). You read more than 50% of the book in doubt about how this mess the writer created is going to be managed or answered satisfactorily. But believe me the journey as well as the conclusion is worth reading.
I came here after completing Felix's 'Stolen Tongues'. Stolen Tongues' first person narrative and fast pace kept me engaged and completed the book in less than a week.
I started this one thinking of as a Horror, which in one way is correct but more than a horror it is a psychological book. Starts with a nightmare and ends with one. First chapter itself says that it was never meant to be the horror novel. All the demons and monsters it talks about are all in one's head/nightmares and how these nightmares are interconnected with the characters of the book.
Four different nightmares, Three different people and an interwoven story which untangles in the final chapter.
If you are looking for horror or jump scares, this isn't the one. It is a slow burn, involving different person's lives and their hardships. Someone is trying to save/get out from the marriage while still being in love, one finding a closure for his girlfriend's murder, a girl looking for the medicine for her infant brother who is on verge of death, a boy whose life was teared apart when he lost his parents amidst an Historical event. And last few chapters showing how all these individuals were connected with a single thread.
A unique thing in the story was that all these characters appeared at a same place in their individual nightmares and met each other at different time suggesting that a place exist where all this bad dreams are occurring and while one is in there, others might have been there or is being there with then. A place where time is irrelevant, a place where either you stay after your death or learn a lesson and find a closure to live your life in the real world.
Author again used the same first person narrative, giving you an opportunity to experience the nightmares yourself. It is also a considerably fast paced novel (only if you are not bored with all the philosophical talks). You read more than 50% of the book in doubt about how this mess the writer created is going to be managed or answered satisfactorily. But believe me the journey as well as the conclusion is worth reading.
March 29, 2023
I know you shouldn't expect that all books will live up to an author's masterpiece, but I couldn't help it. I was so impressed with Stolen Tongues. It was one of the first books that ever truly scared me. So yes. I was hoping this would do the same. However, this is an entirely different concept and focuses more in metaphors and existentialism and spirituality and dreams than in a solid, stuck in a snowed in cabin horror trope. But, damn I do love that horror trope!
Several characters, each with their pain, sorrow and fear each find themselves in a dream world of death, nightmares and confusion. Each story manages to intertwine with one another, bringing their very different lives together as one.
The author created an emotional, deeply painful nightmare world filled with moments of confusion and doubt. It was more thought provoking than black and white and the reader was as blind to the lessons at hand as the characters themselves.
It had creepy moments, especially in the beginning when the reader and MC are truly lost. But, it ended up being more of a drama with historical undertones.
While I do hope the author creates another horror book like Stolen Tongues, I did enjoy this one for what it was. I gave this 3.25⭐️.
Several characters, each with their pain, sorrow and fear each find themselves in a dream world of death, nightmares and confusion. Each story manages to intertwine with one another, bringing their very different lives together as one.
The author created an emotional, deeply painful nightmare world filled with moments of confusion and doubt. It was more thought provoking than black and white and the reader was as blind to the lessons at hand as the characters themselves.
It had creepy moments, especially in the beginning when the reader and MC are truly lost. But, it ended up being more of a drama with historical undertones.
While I do hope the author creates another horror book like Stolen Tongues, I did enjoy this one for what it was. I gave this 3.25⭐️.
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