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Screamcatcher #1
Screamcatcher: Web World
2020 Young Adult Bronze Medal Winner in the Reader's Favorite international Book Awards Contest. When seventeen-year-old Jory Pike cannot shake the hellish nightmares of her parent’s deaths, she turns to an old family heirloom, a dream catcher. Even though she’s half blood Chippewa, Jory thinks old Indian lore is so yesterday, but she’s willing to give it a try. However, the dream catcher has had its fill of nightmares from an ancient and violent past. After a sleepover party, and during one of Jory’s most horrific dream episodes, the dream catcher implodes, sucking Jory and her three friends into its own world of trapped nightmares. They’re in an alternate universe—locked inside of an insane web world. How can they find the center of the web, where all good things are allowed to pass?
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2019
6 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Chris Stevenson (aka Christy J. Breedlove)
20 books75 followersCheck out my blog GUERRILLA WARFARE FOR WRITERS (SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS):
http://guerrillawarfareforwriters.blo...
About me
Gender Male
Industry Science
Occupation Novelist and Science Writer
Location Fyffe, Alabama, United States
Links Wishlist
Introduction Been writing for 42 years, publishing novels, non-fiction books, radio horror plays, short stories, reviews, interviews, poetry and thousands of non-fiction automotive articles. I'm on my third agent, and have had 10 books and twenty-two short stories published, beginning in 1988. Writing Credits and History BOOK CREDITS: Auto Repair Shams and Scams (Forward--Ralph Nader), 1990, Price Stern & Sloan, Los Angeles--226 pages, non-fiction, consumer warning book. Garage Sale Mania, 1988, Betterway Publications, Crozet, Virginia--190 pages, non-fiction book—1988. Word Wars, a SF novel, to Rain Publishing, Canada—May, 2007. Once Upon a Goddess, a Fantasy novel, to Rain Publishing, Canada—January, 2008 Planet Janitor—Custodian of the Stars, a SF novel sold to Engage Books, May 2009 Gate Walker, a Paranormal Fantasy, sold Lyrical Press—January, 2009. The Wolfen Strain, a fantasy thriller sold to LBF Books, February 2009
The Girll They Sold to the Moon, Intrigue Books
Blackmailed Bride to Melange Satin Romance. Screamcatcher: Web World by Melange Books.
Interests Hiking, paleontology, Ufos, cryptozoology, bigfoot, astronomy, lake monsters, ancient Egypt, archeology, geology
Favorite Movies Blade Runner, Time Cop, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Logun's Run, Transformers, The Time Machine, Kickass
Favorite Music REM, Abbaa, When in Rome, Steve Miller Band, SF and fantasy soundtracks.
Favorite Books Icerigger, Virgin Planet, Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Lord of the Flies, Black Marble, Close Encounters, The Island, Black Marble, Dune, Riverworld, The Mote In God's eye
How many books have I published? 18 to date, with three out on agent subs, and five more in the wings ready to go.
http://guerrillawarfareforwriters.blo...
About me
Gender Male
Industry Science
Occupation Novelist and Science Writer
Location Fyffe, Alabama, United States
Links Wishlist
Introduction Been writing for 42 years, publishing novels, non-fiction books, radio horror plays, short stories, reviews, interviews, poetry and thousands of non-fiction automotive articles. I'm on my third agent, and have had 10 books and twenty-two short stories published, beginning in 1988. Writing Credits and History BOOK CREDITS: Auto Repair Shams and Scams (Forward--Ralph Nader), 1990, Price Stern & Sloan, Los Angeles--226 pages, non-fiction, consumer warning book. Garage Sale Mania, 1988, Betterway Publications, Crozet, Virginia--190 pages, non-fiction book—1988. Word Wars, a SF novel, to Rain Publishing, Canada—May, 2007. Once Upon a Goddess, a Fantasy novel, to Rain Publishing, Canada—January, 2008 Planet Janitor—Custodian of the Stars, a SF novel sold to Engage Books, May 2009 Gate Walker, a Paranormal Fantasy, sold Lyrical Press—January, 2009. The Wolfen Strain, a fantasy thriller sold to LBF Books, February 2009
The Girll They Sold to the Moon, Intrigue Books
Blackmailed Bride to Melange Satin Romance. Screamcatcher: Web World by Melange Books.
Interests Hiking, paleontology, Ufos, cryptozoology, bigfoot, astronomy, lake monsters, ancient Egypt, archeology, geology
Favorite Movies Blade Runner, Time Cop, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Logun's Run, Transformers, The Time Machine, Kickass
Favorite Music REM, Abbaa, When in Rome, Steve Miller Band, SF and fantasy soundtracks.
Favorite Books Icerigger, Virgin Planet, Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Lord of the Flies, Black Marble, Close Encounters, The Island, Black Marble, Dune, Riverworld, The Mote In God's eye
How many books have I published? 18 to date, with three out on agent subs, and five more in the wings ready to go.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 23, 2019
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
‘Screamcatcher: Web World’ is a fantasy novel by YA author, Christy J Breedlove. The book is written in the third person and the past tense. We meet Jory Pike, a seventeen year old student of Chippewa heritage, who has recently been orphaned. Her parents died in a car accident and since that time, she has been plagued by nightmares.
Her grandfather owns a curiosity shop where she works part time. Among the items he sells are dreamcatchers, the prototype of which has been suspended from the ceiling in the back of his shop for years. She somewhat reluctantly agrees to try using this device in the hope it will nullify the impact of her nocturnal terrors. Instead, the reverse happens and along with three friends, she is propelled into a parallel world where the horrific thoughts of the subconscious minds of many generations are manifested.
The four friends try to make sense of their new surroundings; everywhere looks slightly different. Colour seems to have vanished from the world with every road, house and tree covered in a blanket of dust. Their families are missing and the people they meet are hostile. Before they can escape back to their own reality, they have to fight many a foe and work out exactly what has led them to become trapped in the web of this alternative universe.
The group find themselves fighting for their very survival in a surreal world where deception and violence prevail. There is certainly no shortage of action and suspense, with the author using a whole variety of literary devices to tell her story.
If I have a criticism, it is that Jory seemed to accept most of what was going on without too much thought or introspection and her leadership skills are remarkably well developed for someone of her age.
This is an unusual concept with its roots embedded in Native American history which definitely gives it a unique feel. I confess to having never heard of the Anishinaabe indigenous people who live in Northern Midwest America and Canada, so it was with interest that I searched for information. I was intrigued by the idea that the author has taken their folklore and woven a modern story around it. I would have appreciated more of this angle and perhaps less fighting with monsters.
The bitter sweet ending will not be lost on its target audience, whom I’m sure will thoroughly enjoy this book. I award four stars.
‘Screamcatcher: Web World’ is a fantasy novel by YA author, Christy J Breedlove. The book is written in the third person and the past tense. We meet Jory Pike, a seventeen year old student of Chippewa heritage, who has recently been orphaned. Her parents died in a car accident and since that time, she has been plagued by nightmares.
Her grandfather owns a curiosity shop where she works part time. Among the items he sells are dreamcatchers, the prototype of which has been suspended from the ceiling in the back of his shop for years. She somewhat reluctantly agrees to try using this device in the hope it will nullify the impact of her nocturnal terrors. Instead, the reverse happens and along with three friends, she is propelled into a parallel world where the horrific thoughts of the subconscious minds of many generations are manifested.
The four friends try to make sense of their new surroundings; everywhere looks slightly different. Colour seems to have vanished from the world with every road, house and tree covered in a blanket of dust. Their families are missing and the people they meet are hostile. Before they can escape back to their own reality, they have to fight many a foe and work out exactly what has led them to become trapped in the web of this alternative universe.
The group find themselves fighting for their very survival in a surreal world where deception and violence prevail. There is certainly no shortage of action and suspense, with the author using a whole variety of literary devices to tell her story.
If I have a criticism, it is that Jory seemed to accept most of what was going on without too much thought or introspection and her leadership skills are remarkably well developed for someone of her age.
This is an unusual concept with its roots embedded in Native American history which definitely gives it a unique feel. I confess to having never heard of the Anishinaabe indigenous people who live in Northern Midwest America and Canada, so it was with interest that I searched for information. I was intrigued by the idea that the author has taken their folklore and woven a modern story around it. I would have appreciated more of this angle and perhaps less fighting with monsters.
The bitter sweet ending will not be lost on its target audience, whom I’m sure will thoroughly enjoy this book. I award four stars.
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April 21, 2025
RATING: 3.5 stars to Screamcatcher!
✬✬✬ To read my full review visit my blog ✬✬✬
“’This is an age of bending metal, cutting down the trees of the forest, fouling the waters and blackening the earth with soot and chemicals. The sound of the flute song and drums has disappeared, along with the dances and animal pantomimes. Today the music is born of electric violence and its words are lost in savage mutterings and howls. The world - the great circle upon which all creatures great and small live - is an angry, dying spirit.” He looked back at Jory. “That is the today you speak of, precious granddaughter. You have lost touch with your origins. The spirit cries out for your return. You have only to give heed to that calling. It’s never left you.”
After being approached by Christy Breedlove (aka Chris Stevenson), author of Screamcatcher:Web World to review her book I was firstly reeled in by an isolated premise that I’d not seen done elsewhere - a dreamcatcher of old, concentrated with the nightmares of centuries, containing countless dark energies…surely that energy will thwart and implode on itself. Can a dreamcatcher full to the brim with saturated, slumbering memories contain such more? And would it take one more unbalanced dream to play with the fabric of precious space, snap it, activating a commencement that would kickoff an improbable chase of littered dreams? That’s what this story down to it’s toes - aside from young, promising Jory’s path - is about.
‘Some part of her wanted to surrender to a deep, relaxing sleep. Yet another part of her didn’t have the courage to face the nightmare that was sure to come. She finally let go of and fell into the netherworld.’
As well as that - and this book’s fantastical cover - I was also beguiled by our reviewer/ author correspondence because Breedlove is an author who is both perceptive, thoughtful and tactful, of not only fellow authors but of the reviewer community. It’s very easy to make an impersonal request and to take a service for granted, but I have to say that one of the reasons I decided to review this book was the manner in which I was approached, and regaled about this exciting YA fantasy book. Breedlove is careful at nurturing communications with potential reviewer and above all appreciative. So without a doubt I was good to go and appreciated Christy’s candid honesty so firstly thank you for that Christy!
‘The thunder rolled on and on. A lightning bolt flashed against the window, capturing the room in a skeletal flash. Above her head, the dream catcher swayed on its thin wire. The tiny charms clicked against each other, sounding like a macabre wind chime.’
Screamcatcher at it’s implicit midpoint is a story about the unsteady survival of a group of teenagers as they find themselves on the most obscure Seeker’s quest in a world of nightmares brought to literal life. 17-year-old Jorlene ‘Jory’ Pike is the female lead along with her three friends we follow from the set out. It’s been roughly a month since Jory has been coping with a sudden loss that leaves her quite alone aside from the company of her Native American grandfather, Albert White Feather Pike>, who owns a novelty outlet of Native American and modern paraphernalia - an echoic mix to Jory’s own heritage, and a heritage she knows of from old tales and teachings but never gave more than a little plausible thought to.
‘But, Grandfather, you have to understand that the ways and teachings of the old ones are so very lost in today’s culture. I don’t think I have the proper faith to make it work.’
After a night of letting loose and having some teenage fun, Jory’s sleepover of four transforms into the ultimate nightmare. Garish weather, night terrors, and storms through the night begin the start of the queerness that comes upon waking…and this foursome start to wish that slumber was a constant, a better bet it would have been than waking to the collision of surreal oddities. Jory, Choice, Darcy and Lander quickly realise that survival has to take precedence above anything else. Fighting, preparing and protecting themselves, from what exactly? they don’t know. All they know is that they are pinnacle targets in a dreamcatcher’s world, enemies, foemen, adversaries disrupting a balance that nobody wants them to touch. Everything is primed and everyone is fit to defeat them.
‘Even the Gatherers were afraid, pumped up with fear and confusion and unable to solve the biggest riddle of all. What in the hell happened to humanity?’
I ruminated quite constantly about what rating I would give this because although this story is the pinnacle of acceptance and adventure for Jory it didn’t feel like the biggest adventure for me. My reasons for giving Christy Breedlove’s Screamcatcher a 3.5 star (an average but solid mark in my ballpark of ratings) was because I felt that this story was a very creative tale with strong character direction and a keen premise that knew what it wanted to do. With the intention of a crossover the likes of which follow in Jumanji's footsteps, but with the dystopian content one might discover in the Hunger Games and the adventure one might find in Journey to the Center of the Earth or Honey I Shrunk the Kids I could see the appeal in Breedlove’s purpose to write this and why she loves meshing these genres together, bringing back the authenticity of fun but cryptic and risky adventure.
‘The further in they went, the closer they were to the ultimate secret of this world.’
On this journey of vigilance, alertness and quick-acting instinct we were missing those personal, intimate moments between humans, the nurturing perhaps that would be shown during a situation such as this. Or even taking the time for personal conversation to energise relationships. Although this story naturally paves the way for organic bonds to form themselves as it’s four against the world I didn’t feel the connection as strongly between the characters. This truly would have strengthened the story, and good dose of some internal chatter from Jory would also have gone a long way.
‘I don’t think Choice is a tool or a chump. I think he’s a prince and just doesn’t know it.’
I do like precise details in a story because the details are essential in making a story feel authentic, and Breedlove definitely pays attention the fine details, such as the mapping of the dreamcatcher landscape and using dialogue well for description. Trekking through the wildness and running from wild creatures is a test not just of stamina but of perpetual endurance when there isn’t a solid hope that light will show itself at the end of the tunnel. Jory shows more fear than courage as the leader of this pack as they travel rough terrain to find some visual aspect of life and promise, with Choice (my favourite character) as her second in command to support her.
Creatures of fable, angry mobs, monsters of primordial time, ancestral nightmares, exploring the dangerous, and nightmares of old revolve around this story of a girl who starts to put more faith in her indigenous genes when the answers she needs - but didn’t expect - are the ones she turns to when logic doesn’t even reason with itself. Indifferent to her ethnic beginnings Jory finds herself in a place where she already has the answers when she looks closely enough. It’s the dreamcatcher’s whim and she’s just brought it’s nightmares to life.
‘You will remember. And she did. All of it, from the very beginning. “Dances with the wolves,” she said.
I’m very much used to reading about Greek Gods and Goddesses and similarly written mythology but i haven’t come across a lot of Native Indian mythology, especially executed in a fresh way such as this, and in this sense, Screamcatcher really is a breath of fresh air while drawing from action/adventure style of the dystopian stories we love to read about. This story is told in a clear, simplistic style that’s welcoming, capturing grim wonder and dwindling desire.
I love the integration of tradition and spirituality in this story of web trapping, with the diverse addition of Indian lore that brings life to this story. I have to give this unique concept marks for ingenuity and Breedlove’s perspicacity in thinking up this idea of an ancient dreamcatcher stuffed to the brink with terrors that can’t be contained. No longer blessed with the colours and promises of their world, they are doomed to the Gatherers who seek them. Will they maintain their heads or yield to the worst this diabolical nightmare has to offer. Maintaining optimism has never been more difficult and strength is waning. With some soft, slow burn romance on the side, Screamcatcher is a survivalist’s pursuance of will ruling fragility - It’s a Seeker’s book and a Pathfinder’s quest.
Read this if you want to climb the web of the dreamcatcher!
“The web is a perfect circle with a hole in the middle. All of the bad forces, visions and dreams enter onto the web where they are trapped and held. All of the good forces find their way into the center and slip through, to travel down the feather and bead path, arriving upon the sleeper. If you believe in the Great Spirit, the web will filter your visions and give you pleasant dreams. The bad ones will never pass.’”
Thank you so much to Christy for getting in touch and kindly offering me a copy of her work! :)
Twitter I Blog I Instagram
✬✬✬ To read my full review visit my blog ✬✬✬
“’This is an age of bending metal, cutting down the trees of the forest, fouling the waters and blackening the earth with soot and chemicals. The sound of the flute song and drums has disappeared, along with the dances and animal pantomimes. Today the music is born of electric violence and its words are lost in savage mutterings and howls. The world - the great circle upon which all creatures great and small live - is an angry, dying spirit.” He looked back at Jory. “That is the today you speak of, precious granddaughter. You have lost touch with your origins. The spirit cries out for your return. You have only to give heed to that calling. It’s never left you.”
After being approached by Christy Breedlove (aka Chris Stevenson), author of Screamcatcher:Web World to review her book I was firstly reeled in by an isolated premise that I’d not seen done elsewhere - a dreamcatcher of old, concentrated with the nightmares of centuries, containing countless dark energies…surely that energy will thwart and implode on itself. Can a dreamcatcher full to the brim with saturated, slumbering memories contain such more? And would it take one more unbalanced dream to play with the fabric of precious space, snap it, activating a commencement that would kickoff an improbable chase of littered dreams? That’s what this story down to it’s toes - aside from young, promising Jory’s path - is about.
‘Some part of her wanted to surrender to a deep, relaxing sleep. Yet another part of her didn’t have the courage to face the nightmare that was sure to come. She finally let go of and fell into the netherworld.’
As well as that - and this book’s fantastical cover - I was also beguiled by our reviewer/ author correspondence because Breedlove is an author who is both perceptive, thoughtful and tactful, of not only fellow authors but of the reviewer community. It’s very easy to make an impersonal request and to take a service for granted, but I have to say that one of the reasons I decided to review this book was the manner in which I was approached, and regaled about this exciting YA fantasy book. Breedlove is careful at nurturing communications with potential reviewer and above all appreciative. So without a doubt I was good to go and appreciated Christy’s candid honesty so firstly thank you for that Christy!
‘The thunder rolled on and on. A lightning bolt flashed against the window, capturing the room in a skeletal flash. Above her head, the dream catcher swayed on its thin wire. The tiny charms clicked against each other, sounding like a macabre wind chime.’
Screamcatcher at it’s implicit midpoint is a story about the unsteady survival of a group of teenagers as they find themselves on the most obscure Seeker’s quest in a world of nightmares brought to literal life. 17-year-old Jorlene ‘Jory’ Pike is the female lead along with her three friends we follow from the set out. It’s been roughly a month since Jory has been coping with a sudden loss that leaves her quite alone aside from the company of her Native American grandfather, Albert White Feather Pike>, who owns a novelty outlet of Native American and modern paraphernalia - an echoic mix to Jory’s own heritage, and a heritage she knows of from old tales and teachings but never gave more than a little plausible thought to.
‘But, Grandfather, you have to understand that the ways and teachings of the old ones are so very lost in today’s culture. I don’t think I have the proper faith to make it work.’
After a night of letting loose and having some teenage fun, Jory’s sleepover of four transforms into the ultimate nightmare. Garish weather, night terrors, and storms through the night begin the start of the queerness that comes upon waking…and this foursome start to wish that slumber was a constant, a better bet it would have been than waking to the collision of surreal oddities. Jory, Choice, Darcy and Lander quickly realise that survival has to take precedence above anything else. Fighting, preparing and protecting themselves, from what exactly? they don’t know. All they know is that they are pinnacle targets in a dreamcatcher’s world, enemies, foemen, adversaries disrupting a balance that nobody wants them to touch. Everything is primed and everyone is fit to defeat them.
‘Even the Gatherers were afraid, pumped up with fear and confusion and unable to solve the biggest riddle of all. What in the hell happened to humanity?’
I ruminated quite constantly about what rating I would give this because although this story is the pinnacle of acceptance and adventure for Jory it didn’t feel like the biggest adventure for me. My reasons for giving Christy Breedlove’s Screamcatcher a 3.5 star (an average but solid mark in my ballpark of ratings) was because I felt that this story was a very creative tale with strong character direction and a keen premise that knew what it wanted to do. With the intention of a crossover the likes of which follow in Jumanji's footsteps, but with the dystopian content one might discover in the Hunger Games and the adventure one might find in Journey to the Center of the Earth or Honey I Shrunk the Kids I could see the appeal in Breedlove’s purpose to write this and why she loves meshing these genres together, bringing back the authenticity of fun but cryptic and risky adventure.
‘The further in they went, the closer they were to the ultimate secret of this world.’
On this journey of vigilance, alertness and quick-acting instinct we were missing those personal, intimate moments between humans, the nurturing perhaps that would be shown during a situation such as this. Or even taking the time for personal conversation to energise relationships. Although this story naturally paves the way for organic bonds to form themselves as it’s four against the world I didn’t feel the connection as strongly between the characters. This truly would have strengthened the story, and good dose of some internal chatter from Jory would also have gone a long way.
‘I don’t think Choice is a tool or a chump. I think he’s a prince and just doesn’t know it.’
I do like precise details in a story because the details are essential in making a story feel authentic, and Breedlove definitely pays attention the fine details, such as the mapping of the dreamcatcher landscape and using dialogue well for description. Trekking through the wildness and running from wild creatures is a test not just of stamina but of perpetual endurance when there isn’t a solid hope that light will show itself at the end of the tunnel. Jory shows more fear than courage as the leader of this pack as they travel rough terrain to find some visual aspect of life and promise, with Choice (my favourite character) as her second in command to support her.
Creatures of fable, angry mobs, monsters of primordial time, ancestral nightmares, exploring the dangerous, and nightmares of old revolve around this story of a girl who starts to put more faith in her indigenous genes when the answers she needs - but didn’t expect - are the ones she turns to when logic doesn’t even reason with itself. Indifferent to her ethnic beginnings Jory finds herself in a place where she already has the answers when she looks closely enough. It’s the dreamcatcher’s whim and she’s just brought it’s nightmares to life.
‘You will remember. And she did. All of it, from the very beginning. “Dances with the wolves,” she said.
I’m very much used to reading about Greek Gods and Goddesses and similarly written mythology but i haven’t come across a lot of Native Indian mythology, especially executed in a fresh way such as this, and in this sense, Screamcatcher really is a breath of fresh air while drawing from action/adventure style of the dystopian stories we love to read about. This story is told in a clear, simplistic style that’s welcoming, capturing grim wonder and dwindling desire.
I love the integration of tradition and spirituality in this story of web trapping, with the diverse addition of Indian lore that brings life to this story. I have to give this unique concept marks for ingenuity and Breedlove’s perspicacity in thinking up this idea of an ancient dreamcatcher stuffed to the brink with terrors that can’t be contained. No longer blessed with the colours and promises of their world, they are doomed to the Gatherers who seek them. Will they maintain their heads or yield to the worst this diabolical nightmare has to offer. Maintaining optimism has never been more difficult and strength is waning. With some soft, slow burn romance on the side, Screamcatcher is a survivalist’s pursuance of will ruling fragility - It’s a Seeker’s book and a Pathfinder’s quest.
Read this if you want to climb the web of the dreamcatcher!
“The web is a perfect circle with a hole in the middle. All of the bad forces, visions and dreams enter onto the web where they are trapped and held. All of the good forces find their way into the center and slip through, to travel down the feather and bead path, arriving upon the sleeper. If you believe in the Great Spirit, the web will filter your visions and give you pleasant dreams. The bad ones will never pass.’”
Thank you so much to Christy for getting in touch and kindly offering me a copy of her work! :)
Twitter I Blog I Instagram
July 25, 2019
The Review
This was an exceptional new YA Horror/Fantasy novel like no other. So many novels in this genre explore well know and already established mythology, such as that of the Greek gods or the Norse gods, etc. Yet it is rare to find a novel that not only incorporates Native American folklore, but does it in a fresh, unique and action-packed way.
The story not only has fantastic and horrifying creatures, tales of survival and growing romance, but also has a deeply rooted emotional core in the character’s journey. Most notably Jory, the protagonist, brings a lot of heart and struggle to the tale, as she deals with the recent loss of her parents that slowly begins to mirror her adventure inside the nightmarish world she and her friends awoke in. The author does a brilliant job of creating relatable characters that readers will identify with and also creating natural bonds between them all that elevate the drama of the journey to find a way out of this hellish landscape they’re in.
The Verdict
This is a must read YA Horror/Fantasy novel. Filled with twists and turns, scares and thrills, and most importantly an emotional rollercoaster of a journey, this is a brilliant work of fiction that is deserving of a series, and I can only hope to see what happens next in Jory and her friend’s adventures. This is a candidate for YA Horror/Fantasy of the year. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of Screamcatcher: Web World by Christy J. Breedlove today!
This was an exceptional new YA Horror/Fantasy novel like no other. So many novels in this genre explore well know and already established mythology, such as that of the Greek gods or the Norse gods, etc. Yet it is rare to find a novel that not only incorporates Native American folklore, but does it in a fresh, unique and action-packed way.
The story not only has fantastic and horrifying creatures, tales of survival and growing romance, but also has a deeply rooted emotional core in the character’s journey. Most notably Jory, the protagonist, brings a lot of heart and struggle to the tale, as she deals with the recent loss of her parents that slowly begins to mirror her adventure inside the nightmarish world she and her friends awoke in. The author does a brilliant job of creating relatable characters that readers will identify with and also creating natural bonds between them all that elevate the drama of the journey to find a way out of this hellish landscape they’re in.
The Verdict
This is a must read YA Horror/Fantasy novel. Filled with twists and turns, scares and thrills, and most importantly an emotional rollercoaster of a journey, this is a brilliant work of fiction that is deserving of a series, and I can only hope to see what happens next in Jory and her friend’s adventures. This is a candidate for YA Horror/Fantasy of the year. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of Screamcatcher: Web World by Christy J. Breedlove today!
August 12, 2021
It was a quick paced, action packed, fun book. A lot of lore was written into this plot and the characters are what really make it enjoyable. Jory and her friends are young, anywhere from sixteen to twenty something, but they don’t give off an inexperienced vibe which, at my age (25), is a huge turn off now. These characters get thrown into a situation that is terrifying, harsh and fast paced. The way the author portrays their qualities is what kept me enthralled the entirety of this book and at each turn, there’s another danger and it was so enticing to see how they would deal with it. While I really really enjoyed a lot of components of this story, the only thing I would say is the resolution of Jory and her nightmare world felt a little generic and the nightmare creatures didn’t hold a lot of fear factor for me personally, but since those were my ONLY complaints, and those are more due to the fact that I read a lot within this genre, I think it deserves a high praise. It’s overall plot is pretty original, it was fast paced and at the characters are very enticing. I very much enjoyed this book!
August 3, 2019
A read that has the ability of meeting its readers' satisfaction and thirst is hard to come by – such as this fine piece of art produced by Christy Breedlove – if you are a seeker, look no further.
Consisting of 16 chapters, Screamcatcher is a Young-Adult read that will take you on a journey like no other. Bringing out the unique cultural believes of the Native Americans, the underlying story will wrap and take you deep into the heart of a dream catcher. If you are an avid reader with an insatiable hunger for the adventures of the unknown, actions that fuel your adrenaline rush, and budding romance then Breedlove wouldn't fail to surprise you.
With a minimal amount of typos and grammatical errors, Breedlove maintains a smooth flow in these 219 pages. One may remove any scruples, from their mind, about the originality and the quality of this stand-alone read as the experience gained is a unique one. The author's use of literary devices are elegantly portrayed: the use of time is evident through modernization, and the change of youths' interests and believes. She prodigiously creates a unique world which is remarkably similar to a video game, taking you to an alternative dimension. There were slow-paced moments, but the wait is worthwhile when the plot shifts and bursts into action. Its clarity and simplicity gives ample freedom of understanding to its readers. You can experience hilarious moments though not so hilarious from the character's perspective: "she knew in a moment that he'd been treed by the animal. It looked like the cat had taken the bait first and then chased the man up into the branches (loc.2626)."
As a character-driven read, it's written from a narrative, third-person perspective. Maintaining a smooth transition between the protagonist's inner and outer dialogs, you can feel the self-importance the author gave to Jory. Nevertheless, one may experience the likes and dislikes, and the row of emotions thrown at them. Each character presents their unique self, such as Jory's leadership skills and her flexibility in understanding her friends. Through them, Breedlove adds mysticism to the plot with an underlying flow of self-discovery and revelation. She makes you compare yourself with these characters, sparking a thought-provoking perspective. Ending on a cheerful note, one can happily look forward to its upcoming installment.
Consisting of 16 chapters, Screamcatcher is a Young-Adult read that will take you on a journey like no other. Bringing out the unique cultural believes of the Native Americans, the underlying story will wrap and take you deep into the heart of a dream catcher. If you are an avid reader with an insatiable hunger for the adventures of the unknown, actions that fuel your adrenaline rush, and budding romance then Breedlove wouldn't fail to surprise you.
With a minimal amount of typos and grammatical errors, Breedlove maintains a smooth flow in these 219 pages. One may remove any scruples, from their mind, about the originality and the quality of this stand-alone read as the experience gained is a unique one. The author's use of literary devices are elegantly portrayed: the use of time is evident through modernization, and the change of youths' interests and believes. She prodigiously creates a unique world which is remarkably similar to a video game, taking you to an alternative dimension. There were slow-paced moments, but the wait is worthwhile when the plot shifts and bursts into action. Its clarity and simplicity gives ample freedom of understanding to its readers. You can experience hilarious moments though not so hilarious from the character's perspective: "she knew in a moment that he'd been treed by the animal. It looked like the cat had taken the bait first and then chased the man up into the branches (loc.2626)."
As a character-driven read, it's written from a narrative, third-person perspective. Maintaining a smooth transition between the protagonist's inner and outer dialogs, you can feel the self-importance the author gave to Jory. Nevertheless, one may experience the likes and dislikes, and the row of emotions thrown at them. Each character presents their unique self, such as Jory's leadership skills and her flexibility in understanding her friends. Through them, Breedlove adds mysticism to the plot with an underlying flow of self-discovery and revelation. She makes you compare yourself with these characters, sparking a thought-provoking perspective. Ending on a cheerful note, one can happily look forward to its upcoming installment.
November 8, 2019
This is a book that a reader who dares to start will find hard to put down. I started thinking I have read something similar but that was only loosely based on a similar premise.
Screamcatcher is incredible in its originality. It is an epic tale of nightmares and reality. The author has a gift to create the most vivid landscape through words. You can feel the temperature, taste the water and feel the insects and animals as if you are living it and not just reading it.
The journey that Jory takes in dealing with her grief is so beautifully told, this book will resonate with anyone who has tried to deal with the loss of a loved one. The magnificent creation of the dark images of Native Americans was electrifying. I may be dating myself, but for many parts of the book, I kept hearing the song 'Great White Buffalo' in my head.
A brilliant book that reads as both an adventure and a paranormal thriller. Anyone who has actually enjoyed playing one of those adventure games with challenges and monsters will appreciate and enjoy this book. Superb for anyone with an appreciation of Native American mythology and a great read for someone who wants to be drawn quickly and deeply into a book. This is a book that will carry you on edge right to the end.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
Screamcatcher is incredible in its originality. It is an epic tale of nightmares and reality. The author has a gift to create the most vivid landscape through words. You can feel the temperature, taste the water and feel the insects and animals as if you are living it and not just reading it.
The journey that Jory takes in dealing with her grief is so beautifully told, this book will resonate with anyone who has tried to deal with the loss of a loved one. The magnificent creation of the dark images of Native Americans was electrifying. I may be dating myself, but for many parts of the book, I kept hearing the song 'Great White Buffalo' in my head.
A brilliant book that reads as both an adventure and a paranormal thriller. Anyone who has actually enjoyed playing one of those adventure games with challenges and monsters will appreciate and enjoy this book. Superb for anyone with an appreciation of Native American mythology and a great read for someone who wants to be drawn quickly and deeply into a book. This is a book that will carry you on edge right to the end.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
May 24, 2021
“Screamcatcher” is a young adult, fantasy adventure that centers on young Jorlene Pike, left alone at 17 when both of her parents die in a tragic accident. Jorlene—Jory—now helps her grandfather run their family curiosity shop that specializes heavily in Chippewa items and lore. Jory doesn’t necessarily put much stock into her heritage, until one night when she is having a sleepover with three of her other friends. The nightmares of her friends, as well as Jory, overload the old dream catcher in her apartment, they are then sucked into an alternate reality steeped heavily in Chippewa Indian folktale and lore. But as only Jory knows anything about what may be happening, and the strange alternate reality full of terrors they suddenly find themselves in, it’s up to her to navigate the twisting web and lead her friends to safety before they get stuck in the dream catcher forever—or until the nightmares kill them. This quick-paced adventure is nonstop action! Literally! The action almost never stops and features so many different native legends and harrowing survival scenarios, but the quick pace does mean this ended up being mainly a story focused on plot, and little character development.
Let me start officially by saying that I am in no way an OwnVoices reviewer, so I cannot say how authentic the portrayal of these native legends are, or how accurate. From the little I do know, and the level of detail the author provides of the different trials and the history of dream catchers, a lot of care was put into portraying Jory and the Chippewa stories and culture accurately while not making her, or her people’s struggle or culture, the focal point of the novel. These teens are sucked into the place where nightmares are caught, and escaping that horror show is what this story is about first and foremost. So much detail went into the different areas that Jory and her friends’ traverse, and as the friends are always in danger, they rarely stop to discus exactly what is happening or the history behind what they face, so take that for what you will.
But here’s the fun thing about “Screamcatcher”: the different areas of this dream catcher web are set up like levels of a video game, progressively getting harder and harder, complete with boss battle-like trials and beasts they have to face in order to “level up” and keep going. The characters have to become increasingly smarter about how and when they travel, and what they do for food as they have hundreds of miles to hike: through canyons and mountains, changing climates and topography along the way. The author does a great job of capturing the grittiness and just sheer difficulty of hiking for long stretches, let alone camping when you don’t have the appropriate gear, that it made me increasingly glad I was not in Jory or her friends’ shoes! Jory and her friend Choice really shine when it comes to their sheer force of will and tenacity to survive; those two never give up and keep going when the set-backs they face would have broken lesser minds. But despite Jory and Choice’s creativity and resolve, the other two characters weren’t all that well developed, and I was getting a little annoyed at how everyone treated the other girl in the group, Darcy.
The reader is only ever given Jory’s perspective, so I expect her to be the most fleshed out and well-rounded character, but even with that, the focus is rarely on the characters as individual people as much as the setting and plot of the book itself. Which is fine! But if you love more character driven novels, you may have similar problems with Lander barely feeling like a unique character, and poor Darcy being shoved into a kind of “fat girl” trope where she is constantly portrayed as this type of lazy slob who whines and pops painkillers all the time. Darcy is painted to be the weak link of the group, surviving only because of how steadfastly Jory and Choice push her to keep going. I get that not everyone would do well under the kind of stress these kids are under, but for people who are supposed to be Darcy’s friends, she’s just portrayed to be a really unlikeable, fat girl and some of the language used when comparing thin, athletic Jory to Darcy, I found to be a bit problematic. Plus, Darcy goes through these odd mood swings where she is throwing tantrums or professing her love suddenly, to then falling to her knees to beg God to deliver them from their trials… It was just all over the place at times, and the responses Darcy gets never made me feel like Jory or Choice were actually 17.
Which is ultimately why this book is getting 3.5 stars from me. While the action is well written and nonstop, and this was such a unique way to show an alternate reality based in ancient native folktales, the characters fell a bit flat and they never even read like they were teenagers. Come the end of the novel, I still didn’t feel like I even knew them all that well. But, this was a fun fantasy that, while it is part of a series, is a complete adventure all on its own, which was very refreshing for YA stories! So if you like adventure heavy YA fantasy, you may want to give this one a try! And thanks to the author for providing a copy for an honest review.
Let me start officially by saying that I am in no way an OwnVoices reviewer, so I cannot say how authentic the portrayal of these native legends are, or how accurate. From the little I do know, and the level of detail the author provides of the different trials and the history of dream catchers, a lot of care was put into portraying Jory and the Chippewa stories and culture accurately while not making her, or her people’s struggle or culture, the focal point of the novel. These teens are sucked into the place where nightmares are caught, and escaping that horror show is what this story is about first and foremost. So much detail went into the different areas that Jory and her friends’ traverse, and as the friends are always in danger, they rarely stop to discus exactly what is happening or the history behind what they face, so take that for what you will.
But here’s the fun thing about “Screamcatcher”: the different areas of this dream catcher web are set up like levels of a video game, progressively getting harder and harder, complete with boss battle-like trials and beasts they have to face in order to “level up” and keep going. The characters have to become increasingly smarter about how and when they travel, and what they do for food as they have hundreds of miles to hike: through canyons and mountains, changing climates and topography along the way. The author does a great job of capturing the grittiness and just sheer difficulty of hiking for long stretches, let alone camping when you don’t have the appropriate gear, that it made me increasingly glad I was not in Jory or her friends’ shoes! Jory and her friend Choice really shine when it comes to their sheer force of will and tenacity to survive; those two never give up and keep going when the set-backs they face would have broken lesser minds. But despite Jory and Choice’s creativity and resolve, the other two characters weren’t all that well developed, and I was getting a little annoyed at how everyone treated the other girl in the group, Darcy.
The reader is only ever given Jory’s perspective, so I expect her to be the most fleshed out and well-rounded character, but even with that, the focus is rarely on the characters as individual people as much as the setting and plot of the book itself. Which is fine! But if you love more character driven novels, you may have similar problems with Lander barely feeling like a unique character, and poor Darcy being shoved into a kind of “fat girl” trope where she is constantly portrayed as this type of lazy slob who whines and pops painkillers all the time. Darcy is painted to be the weak link of the group, surviving only because of how steadfastly Jory and Choice push her to keep going. I get that not everyone would do well under the kind of stress these kids are under, but for people who are supposed to be Darcy’s friends, she’s just portrayed to be a really unlikeable, fat girl and some of the language used when comparing thin, athletic Jory to Darcy, I found to be a bit problematic. Plus, Darcy goes through these odd mood swings where she is throwing tantrums or professing her love suddenly, to then falling to her knees to beg God to deliver them from their trials… It was just all over the place at times, and the responses Darcy gets never made me feel like Jory or Choice were actually 17.
Which is ultimately why this book is getting 3.5 stars from me. While the action is well written and nonstop, and this was such a unique way to show an alternate reality based in ancient native folktales, the characters fell a bit flat and they never even read like they were teenagers. Come the end of the novel, I still didn’t feel like I even knew them all that well. But, this was a fun fantasy that, while it is part of a series, is a complete adventure all on its own, which was very refreshing for YA stories! So if you like adventure heavy YA fantasy, you may want to give this one a try! And thanks to the author for providing a copy for an honest review.
August 16, 2019
I also did a quick Q&A with the author The Irresponsible Reader.
I don't have a lot to say about this one, my views are pretty straightforward and most of the analysis I'd give would be spoiler-heavy, but I do want to try to say enough to entice someone (preferably a few someones) to read this satisfying YA Fantasy.
I really prefer to come up with my own synopses, but I've failed to think of a succinct way to give one for this book (well, I had one that was too succinct and was really unsatisfactory), so I'm just going to appropriate the official blurb:
I don't pretend to have an extensive, much less exhaustive, familiarity with uses of Native American symbology, imagery, spirituality, or anything. But I've come across my share over the years, and I don't remember anyone using the dreamcatcher in any significant way before. And I don't know why -- this is an awesome idea.
The first few pages (maybe the first chapter or so) were a little rough, and my expectations lowered a little bit. But once Breedlove had established the world and things started happening, the book became a lot more enjoyable and I got sucked right into it. Breedlove does a great job of balancing the fantastic elements of this dream world (I guess nightmare world would be closer to the truth) and reality to make it easy to understand, but still following a nightmare logic ad full of the stuff that dreams are made of (just without the statuary from Malta).
There was a love story that was established early on, and I really had no interest in it, but it eventually won me over and I started pulling for it. Making it on two fronts that Breedlove got me to invest in both the story and the characters when I wasn't in any frame of mind to do so. I can't tell you what ineffable quality there is to her writing that accomplishes that, but call it what you will, I like it when someone can do that.
There was a little suspense concerning the fate of some of Jory's friends/companions, but by and large, you get the feeling early on just how things will turn out for almost all involved, the pleasure (for the reader, not the characters) is in the journey. There's some self-discovery and personal growth to go with the monster fighting (fighting and/or avoiding).
It is written for a YA audience and certainly will appeal to that sensibility, but it can easily be entertaining for those of us with gray in our beards or on our heads (assuming there's anything to gray). I'd like a little more depth to the primary characters, but that wasn't in the cards, and it's not like they're not three-dimensional, I just think those dimensions could be a little deeper.
I did expect a lot more Native American imagery and myth (something akin to Riordan maybe, at least like Craig Johnson). I don't think what we got was incompatible with it by any means, but it certainly wasn't steeped in it. I'm not complaining, I don't think the story needed it, but it might have made things a bit richer.
I don't see how this leads to a sequel, in fact, I'd have thought it precluded one. But the end of the book tells me it'll be available this year. Color me curious.
Imaginative and compelling with an unusual focus/motivating hook. For a fast, fun YA fantasy, Screamcatcher: Web World will satisfy.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for this post, but I read it because I wanted to and the opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the receipt of the novel.
I don't have a lot to say about this one, my views are pretty straightforward and most of the analysis I'd give would be spoiler-heavy, but I do want to try to say enough to entice someone (preferably a few someones) to read this satisfying YA Fantasy.
I really prefer to come up with my own synopses, but I've failed to think of a succinct way to give one for this book (well, I had one that was too succinct and was really unsatisfactory), so I'm just going to appropriate the official blurb:
When seventeen-year-old Jory Pike cannot shake the hellish nightmares of her parent's deaths, she turns to an old family heirloom, a dream catcher. Even though she's half blood Chippewa, Jory thinks old Indian lore is so yesterday, but she's willing to give it a try. However, the dream catcher has had its fill of nightmares from an ancient and violent past. After a sleepover party, and during one of Jory's most horrific dream episodes, the dream catcher implodes, sucking Jory and her three friends into its own world of trapped nightmares. They're in an alternate universe-locked inside of an insane web world. How can they find the center of the web, where all good things are allowed to pass?
I don't pretend to have an extensive, much less exhaustive, familiarity with uses of Native American symbology, imagery, spirituality, or anything. But I've come across my share over the years, and I don't remember anyone using the dreamcatcher in any significant way before. And I don't know why -- this is an awesome idea.
The first few pages (maybe the first chapter or so) were a little rough, and my expectations lowered a little bit. But once Breedlove had established the world and things started happening, the book became a lot more enjoyable and I got sucked right into it. Breedlove does a great job of balancing the fantastic elements of this dream world (I guess nightmare world would be closer to the truth) and reality to make it easy to understand, but still following a nightmare logic ad full of the stuff that dreams are made of (just without the statuary from Malta).
There was a love story that was established early on, and I really had no interest in it, but it eventually won me over and I started pulling for it. Making it on two fronts that Breedlove got me to invest in both the story and the characters when I wasn't in any frame of mind to do so. I can't tell you what ineffable quality there is to her writing that accomplishes that, but call it what you will, I like it when someone can do that.
There was a little suspense concerning the fate of some of Jory's friends/companions, but by and large, you get the feeling early on just how things will turn out for almost all involved, the pleasure (for the reader, not the characters) is in the journey. There's some self-discovery and personal growth to go with the monster fighting (fighting and/or avoiding).
It is written for a YA audience and certainly will appeal to that sensibility, but it can easily be entertaining for those of us with gray in our beards or on our heads (assuming there's anything to gray). I'd like a little more depth to the primary characters, but that wasn't in the cards, and it's not like they're not three-dimensional, I just think those dimensions could be a little deeper.
I did expect a lot more Native American imagery and myth (something akin to Riordan maybe, at least like Craig Johnson). I don't think what we got was incompatible with it by any means, but it certainly wasn't steeped in it. I'm not complaining, I don't think the story needed it, but it might have made things a bit richer.
I don't see how this leads to a sequel, in fact, I'd have thought it precluded one. But the end of the book tells me it'll be available this year. Color me curious.
Imaginative and compelling with an unusual focus/motivating hook. For a fast, fun YA fantasy, Screamcatcher: Web World will satisfy.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for this post, but I read it because I wanted to and the opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the receipt of the novel.
December 19, 2019
Sreamcatcher: Web World is definitely not my usual type of book. I usually stick to horrors and thrillers, rather than fantasy and I don’t often venture in to the YA genre either, so this was really out of my comfort zone. However, after reading the synopsis for the book, I was extremely intrigued, and I am glad that I gave it a chance.
The storyline is very unique, and unlike anything I’ve ever read. Using a dreamcatcher as the main part of the plot, and creating an entire web world was an extremely clever idea from Christy J. Breedlove, and the story was executed brilliantly. The attention to detail made the web world come to life, and very easy for the reader to envisage it. There were parts that seemed to drag a little, but as a whole, the book was very well written.
Jory was definitely my favourite character. She’s strong, and smart, and she also doesn’t take any shit. Darcy was a little irritating, but I think that was the point, she was supposed to be the whiney, annoying one of the group. I also found Choice’s obsession with Jory a little creepy at times, and didn’t really enjoy their ‘love story’, but other than that, I did enjoy Choice’s character. Lander was actually an interesting character, but after around half way through the book, we don’t see much of him. We were given a brief background of the main characters, but I did feel that their personalities could have been explored more during the story.
As a whole, I did really enjoy Screamcatcher: Web World, and it made a nice change to read something a little different to my usual picks. If you enjoy YA and fantasies, I would definitely recommend giving this book a read.
I give Screamcatcher: Web World a 4/5 rating!
The storyline is very unique, and unlike anything I’ve ever read. Using a dreamcatcher as the main part of the plot, and creating an entire web world was an extremely clever idea from Christy J. Breedlove, and the story was executed brilliantly. The attention to detail made the web world come to life, and very easy for the reader to envisage it. There were parts that seemed to drag a little, but as a whole, the book was very well written.
Jory was definitely my favourite character. She’s strong, and smart, and she also doesn’t take any shit. Darcy was a little irritating, but I think that was the point, she was supposed to be the whiney, annoying one of the group. I also found Choice’s obsession with Jory a little creepy at times, and didn’t really enjoy their ‘love story’, but other than that, I did enjoy Choice’s character. Lander was actually an interesting character, but after around half way through the book, we don’t see much of him. We were given a brief background of the main characters, but I did feel that their personalities could have been explored more during the story.
As a whole, I did really enjoy Screamcatcher: Web World, and it made a nice change to read something a little different to my usual picks. If you enjoy YA and fantasies, I would definitely recommend giving this book a read.
I give Screamcatcher: Web World a 4/5 rating!
August 21, 2019
Such a cool concept! I loved the winding together of the supernatural and mythology of Native American tales. The whole idea that dream catchers not only work, but that the nightmares they trap still exist somewhere is unimaginable.
Full review here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/...
Full review here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/...
March 25, 2020
Engrossing and Intriguing Fantasy
A unique plot revolving around a dream catcher as a treasured heirloom becomes a nightmare for four teenagers and the inside reality of a web world.
The characters are diverse and well-drawn. The vivid description of the protagonists helps you to know the characters and the situations they face better. It also has sweet and endearing moments.
During one of Jory’s most horrific dream episodes, the dream catcher implodes, sucking Jory and her three friends into its own world of trapped nightmares. They’re in an alternate universe—locked inside of an insane web world filled with murders, beasts, and thieves. How can they find the center of the web, where all good things are allowed to pass?
You will feel the same experience when you are watching the movie ' Jumanji' mixed with wonderful life thoughts.
The author's observation of detail is incredibly stunning.
Distinctive story and characters with strange happenings give you thrills and chills, with unexpected twists holding the suspense till the end. Authors' creative and imaginative skills at its best.
I loved the sequence where the characters experience black and white mode visually which has been beautifully narrated.
Teamwork, humanity, coping with the changes, never take people for granted, consciousness, mental toughness, stability, the courage to fight all the odds, risk-taking, looking on the bright side of life with purity, conviction, intelligence, and faith are some of the Life Thoughts which can be imbibed from the book when you are faced with difficult situations.
Loved these quotes in the book:
"Relationships take time, like reading a book. You don’t show the whole plot in the beginning. You have to sprinkle it in, space it out, take a rest and wait for a reaction. It has to go both ways with a little patience and time."
"All puzzles have a solution. Mazes have a path that leads to an end. For every question, there’s an answer."
Next on my reading list is "Screamcatcher: Dream Chasers".
A unique plot revolving around a dream catcher as a treasured heirloom becomes a nightmare for four teenagers and the inside reality of a web world.
The characters are diverse and well-drawn. The vivid description of the protagonists helps you to know the characters and the situations they face better. It also has sweet and endearing moments.
During one of Jory’s most horrific dream episodes, the dream catcher implodes, sucking Jory and her three friends into its own world of trapped nightmares. They’re in an alternate universe—locked inside of an insane web world filled with murders, beasts, and thieves. How can they find the center of the web, where all good things are allowed to pass?
You will feel the same experience when you are watching the movie ' Jumanji' mixed with wonderful life thoughts.
The author's observation of detail is incredibly stunning.
Distinctive story and characters with strange happenings give you thrills and chills, with unexpected twists holding the suspense till the end. Authors' creative and imaginative skills at its best.
I loved the sequence where the characters experience black and white mode visually which has been beautifully narrated.
Teamwork, humanity, coping with the changes, never take people for granted, consciousness, mental toughness, stability, the courage to fight all the odds, risk-taking, looking on the bright side of life with purity, conviction, intelligence, and faith are some of the Life Thoughts which can be imbibed from the book when you are faced with difficult situations.
Loved these quotes in the book:
"Relationships take time, like reading a book. You don’t show the whole plot in the beginning. You have to sprinkle it in, space it out, take a rest and wait for a reaction. It has to go both ways with a little patience and time."
"All puzzles have a solution. Mazes have a path that leads to an end. For every question, there’s an answer."
Next on my reading list is "Screamcatcher: Dream Chasers".
January 5, 2020
Have you ever had a nightmare? A reoccurring nightmare? They are the worst! Our protagonist Jory Pike knows all about it. After her parents’ death she keeps having nightmares. She doesn’t believe in old Indian lore even though she’s half Chippewa, but she is willing to try anything to get rid of the nightmares. Even using a dream catcher.
It couldn’t hurt, right? Unfortunately for her, the ancient dreamcatcher she uses has had its fill of horrible nightmares. During a sleepover with her friends, while Jory has another one of her nightmares, she and three of her friends are sucked into the world of the dreamcatcher. A parallel universe filled with the worst nightmares one can imagine.
Parallel World With Your Worst Nightmares
Christy J. Breedlove created a dreamcatcher world filled with violence, deception and a lot of horrible creatures. At first it reminded me a little of “The Walking Dead”, mostly because it seemed to be a desolate universe. But instead of zombies there were a whole lot of other creatures to worry about. And not long after our friends end up in the web the parallels I saw with The Walking Dead disappeared and it became its own world.
I liked the book. I enjoyed how it grabs back to Indian folklore, which is something I haven’t seen a lot in stories yet. The story is original and it made for a nice change from all the YA Fantasy books I’ve read in a while. I did think that Jory seemed to be able to solve all the riddles and quests rather easily. I guess I would have liked it a little more if she had a little more “trouble” solving it all. But non-the-less I like the uniqueness of this book.
If you want to read an original YA Fantasy storyline based on Indian folklore this book is definitely for you. It is pretty fast paced and makes for a great change from the regular YA stories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Christy J. Breedlove in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
It couldn’t hurt, right? Unfortunately for her, the ancient dreamcatcher she uses has had its fill of horrible nightmares. During a sleepover with her friends, while Jory has another one of her nightmares, she and three of her friends are sucked into the world of the dreamcatcher. A parallel universe filled with the worst nightmares one can imagine.
Parallel World With Your Worst Nightmares
Christy J. Breedlove created a dreamcatcher world filled with violence, deception and a lot of horrible creatures. At first it reminded me a little of “The Walking Dead”, mostly because it seemed to be a desolate universe. But instead of zombies there were a whole lot of other creatures to worry about. And not long after our friends end up in the web the parallels I saw with The Walking Dead disappeared and it became its own world.
I liked the book. I enjoyed how it grabs back to Indian folklore, which is something I haven’t seen a lot in stories yet. The story is original and it made for a nice change from all the YA Fantasy books I’ve read in a while. I did think that Jory seemed to be able to solve all the riddles and quests rather easily. I guess I would have liked it a little more if she had a little more “trouble” solving it all. But non-the-less I like the uniqueness of this book.
If you want to read an original YA Fantasy storyline based on Indian folklore this book is definitely for you. It is pretty fast paced and makes for a great change from the regular YA stories.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Christy J. Breedlove in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
May 17, 2019
Jorlene (Jory) Pike and Choice Daniels are the people you meet right off the bat, and they greet you with some humor, in this encounter that you get to witness. As they talk in the first chapter you will see a build into what direction the story will be heading into, Nightmares.
Jory has /nightmares all the time that it takes her ages to fall asleep. Jory's grandfather (Albert White Feather Pike) has tried to give her some old herbal remedies like wild black cherry tea to try to help her through it, but nothing has worked.
Jory resorts to using a dream catcher from her grandfathers shop after being tag teamed with her Grandfather and Choice telling her to at least try it out cause it couldn't hurt. Choice and her grandfather make a deal in another room after she agreed to try it. If you wish to know about the deal (which in my opinion is why things with this precise dream catcher went wrong) you will just have to go read this epic tale yourself.
Jory and her 3 sleepover companions are dragged into the Nightmare-ish world. In this place there is one twist and turn after another that they have to deal with.
Personally i found this book to be a page turner, something I didn't want to put down until the end. There were so many twists and turns that it keeps you on the edge trying to guess what is going to be around that next corner (page). I really enjoyed this book, and will be looking forward to any others that may follow.
I received this book free from the author for an honest review on what I thought of it
Jory has /nightmares all the time that it takes her ages to fall asleep. Jory's grandfather (Albert White Feather Pike) has tried to give her some old herbal remedies like wild black cherry tea to try to help her through it, but nothing has worked.
Jory resorts to using a dream catcher from her grandfathers shop after being tag teamed with her Grandfather and Choice telling her to at least try it out cause it couldn't hurt. Choice and her grandfather make a deal in another room after she agreed to try it. If you wish to know about the deal (which in my opinion is why things with this precise dream catcher went wrong) you will just have to go read this epic tale yourself.
Jory and her 3 sleepover companions are dragged into the Nightmare-ish world. In this place there is one twist and turn after another that they have to deal with.
Personally i found this book to be a page turner, something I didn't want to put down until the end. There were so many twists and turns that it keeps you on the edge trying to guess what is going to be around that next corner (page). I really enjoyed this book, and will be looking forward to any others that may follow.
I received this book free from the author for an honest review on what I thought of it
August 20, 2019
The book Screamcatcher: Web World by Christy J. Breedlove follows seventeen-year-old Jory Pike who had just recently lost both her parents and has been having nightmares about their death ever since. The only relative that she keeps in contact with is her grandfather and with the death, they both rely on each other to find comfort. She is a half-blood Chippewa and finds herself using a dreamcatcher, gifted to her by Choice even though she does not believe in the tales of the old folklores. This changes when a sleepover had gone wrong and Jory and her friends find themselves sucked into the dreamcatcher. Now they have to find a way out of the nightmares that the dreamcatcher had trapped through the many years to get back home. As they venture through the webs on in the dreamcatcher, they start to question the folklores and what is the reality.
The first thing that should be acknowledged is the idea for the book. It is unique in the sense that many of the creatures that were mentioned in the book are not read about often in books. The author uses creatures from old folklores to help with the originality of the book on top of using a dreamcatcher as the subject of the story. Both of these assisted with creating an interesting plot.
For full review: sammiereadsbook.wordpress.com/2019/08...
The first thing that should be acknowledged is the idea for the book. It is unique in the sense that many of the creatures that were mentioned in the book are not read about often in books. The author uses creatures from old folklores to help with the originality of the book on top of using a dreamcatcher as the subject of the story. Both of these assisted with creating an interesting plot.
For full review: sammiereadsbook.wordpress.com/2019/08...
August 24, 2019
3.5
Screamcatcher introduces readers to a terrifying concept. Where do bad dreams go once entangled in the web of an ancient dream catcher? And what would happen if it exploded, taking four unsuspecting people into a world made of nightmares?
The plot of Screamcatcher is a unique one. I cannot imagine surviving the harrowing journey that these characters went through. I kept wondering, “what next?” Weaved throughout the story are interesting, familiar and unfamiliar to me, Native American lore. The main character is a woc (Chippewa/Hawaiian). Her character was the most believable/well-written among the cast. I feel like Lander and Darcy weren’t fleshed out enough to be likable. Let’s be honest, I would’ve left Darcy behind. :^)
There are a few things I feel unsure or nitpicky about but I think it’s more of a me issue. Overall, Screamcatcher is well-written, thoughtful book for fans of fantastical adventures.
Screamcatcher introduces readers to a terrifying concept. Where do bad dreams go once entangled in the web of an ancient dream catcher? And what would happen if it exploded, taking four unsuspecting people into a world made of nightmares?
The plot of Screamcatcher is a unique one. I cannot imagine surviving the harrowing journey that these characters went through. I kept wondering, “what next?” Weaved throughout the story are interesting, familiar and unfamiliar to me, Native American lore. The main character is a woc (Chippewa/Hawaiian). Her character was the most believable/well-written among the cast. I feel like Lander and Darcy weren’t fleshed out enough to be likable. Let’s be honest, I would’ve left Darcy behind. :^)
There are a few things I feel unsure or nitpicky about but I think it’s more of a me issue. Overall, Screamcatcher is well-written, thoughtful book for fans of fantastical adventures.
December 10, 2019
The dreamcatcher of legend will only allow good dreams to pass through its center. But what happens to the bad dreams trapped on its web-like paths?
Christy J. Breedlove’s Screamcatcher is first of a WebWorld series and introduces a group of teenagers who accidentally enter a scary alternate universe. Scornful of magic and lore, they’re looking for sleepovers to heal Jory’s nightmares after the death of her parents. But the old dream catcher has finally had enough.
A fascinating premise leads to a cool scary tale, including touches of history and myth together with believable teens and plenty of action. The story is pleasingly original, intriguingly paranormal, and nicely grounded in Native American lore. If the teenagers and their relationships sometimes seem shallow, well, they are teens. And their failures are as fascinating as their successes. I really enjoyed the read (and would love to read more).
Disclosure: I was given a copy and I enjoyed it.
Christy J. Breedlove’s Screamcatcher is first of a WebWorld series and introduces a group of teenagers who accidentally enter a scary alternate universe. Scornful of magic and lore, they’re looking for sleepovers to heal Jory’s nightmares after the death of her parents. But the old dream catcher has finally had enough.
A fascinating premise leads to a cool scary tale, including touches of history and myth together with believable teens and plenty of action. The story is pleasingly original, intriguingly paranormal, and nicely grounded in Native American lore. If the teenagers and their relationships sometimes seem shallow, well, they are teens. And their failures are as fascinating as their successes. I really enjoyed the read (and would love to read more).
Disclosure: I was given a copy and I enjoyed it.
August 6, 2019
A dream catcher: a woven item designed to trap the bad dreams.
All 17-year old Jorlene has had were bad dreams, ever since the tragic death of her parents. But what happens when she stops having the bad dreams and starts living in them?
Story was well-written for the most part, but it was somewhat confusing. At times, it was hard to tell what was going on. I had a hard time picturing where the characters were. I understand they were trapped in this dream world (the dream catcher,) but I just couldn’t quite grasp the setting. The whole thing is an intricate web of mystery, which some readers may get a kick out of. But I just couldn’t get into this world. The concept sounded interesting, but I felt lost and that, in itself, lost my interest.
All 17-year old Jorlene has had were bad dreams, ever since the tragic death of her parents. But what happens when she stops having the bad dreams and starts living in them?
Story was well-written for the most part, but it was somewhat confusing. At times, it was hard to tell what was going on. I had a hard time picturing where the characters were. I understand they were trapped in this dream world (the dream catcher,) but I just couldn’t quite grasp the setting. The whole thing is an intricate web of mystery, which some readers may get a kick out of. But I just couldn’t get into this world. The concept sounded interesting, but I felt lost and that, in itself, lost my interest.
September 19, 2020
Really enjoyed Scream catcher web world. It is a YA fantasy novel about 4 friends who fall asleep and wake up in another world. The book has an interesting concept that I haven't really read about before.
The only downside for me is that Darcy is portraied as really young. How she was written made me think she was a lot younger than she was. Other than that the story and characters are really good and kept me interested!
The only downside for me is that Darcy is portraied as really young. How she was written made me think she was a lot younger than she was. Other than that the story and characters are really good and kept me interested!
August 5, 2019
I received a complimentary copy.
If you like fantasy and getting immersed in a world of horror with a ride of romance, this is going to be a really interesting read. The author choose a great dreamcatcher and native american theme that was refreshing and not overdone. I would recommend to YA, but adults will enjoy the turns and journey as well.
If you like fantasy and getting immersed in a world of horror with a ride of romance, this is going to be a really interesting read. The author choose a great dreamcatcher and native american theme that was refreshing and not overdone. I would recommend to YA, but adults will enjoy the turns and journey as well.
July 29, 2019
Screamcatcher is a fantasy novel in which the characters embark on a journey to reach the centre of a world of nightmares, coming to terms with their own fears along the way. With an imaginative and intense narrative, this book was a struggle to put down once I started reading it. The nightmares that the group faced were from the indigenous North American legends; thunderbirds, sasquatches, and giant bison. The various obstacles and solutions that the characters came up with were captivating and fun to read and they were great in helping Jory to accept her ancestry and identity.
The characters and their reactions to the situation that they had landed themselves in were complex and believable. While Jory tended to keep calm in the face of the dangers, other characters such as Darcy and Lander reacted in more negative ways. I liked Breedlove’s inclusion of the basic needs of characters, such as sleep and rest from walking miles through the Badlands and the conflicts that arose due to weariness and frustration. The characters remained true to the ages that they were given, shown through their actions and dialogue. I think Jory was a strong favourite of mine in the book and I deeply felt her frustrations with Darcy.
The setting was written to be both familiar to the characters yet completely strange and terrifying. From losing all colour and electricity in the dreamcatcher world to subtle changes in the Badlands, it was designed for all characters to be pushed out of their comfort zones. With a compelling and imaginative narrative and what felt like a very well-researched background, the settings around the characters really came alive in this book.
Overall, I loved reading this book and found it incredibly difficult to put down once I had started it. I would really recommend it to those who love YA adventure and fantasy books, especially those who like reading about some old legends as well.
The characters and their reactions to the situation that they had landed themselves in were complex and believable. While Jory tended to keep calm in the face of the dangers, other characters such as Darcy and Lander reacted in more negative ways. I liked Breedlove’s inclusion of the basic needs of characters, such as sleep and rest from walking miles through the Badlands and the conflicts that arose due to weariness and frustration. The characters remained true to the ages that they were given, shown through their actions and dialogue. I think Jory was a strong favourite of mine in the book and I deeply felt her frustrations with Darcy.
The setting was written to be both familiar to the characters yet completely strange and terrifying. From losing all colour and electricity in the dreamcatcher world to subtle changes in the Badlands, it was designed for all characters to be pushed out of their comfort zones. With a compelling and imaginative narrative and what felt like a very well-researched background, the settings around the characters really came alive in this book.
Overall, I loved reading this book and found it incredibly difficult to put down once I had started it. I would really recommend it to those who love YA adventure and fantasy books, especially those who like reading about some old legends as well.
September 3, 2019
I was really taken by the premise of this story. It felt unique and I was looking forward to reading it.
Unfortunately, for me, the execution didn't live up to the promise. I'm genuinely disappointed about that.
I found the narrative to be a bit jumbled and the characters' behaviours and interactions didn't feel to me to be age appropriate.
Ultimately, this simply wasn't sufficiently engaging to keep my interest.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Unfortunately, for me, the execution didn't live up to the promise. I'm genuinely disappointed about that.
I found the narrative to be a bit jumbled and the characters' behaviours and interactions didn't feel to me to be age appropriate.
Ultimately, this simply wasn't sufficiently engaging to keep my interest.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
November 26, 2019
What I Did Like:
-Native American Lore. The Chippewa legends that are woven into this story are, as far as I know, accurate. I enjoyed reading about them and learning some new ones.
-The action. Taking a book into the landscape of nightmares allows you to bend the rules and play with a lot of fears. I thought the author here did a good job of incorporating some of our biggest fears right into the central plot. It made for some intense scenes.
-Ending. I don’t want to spoil anything but I liked the way this one ended.
Who Should Read This One:
-Intrigued by Native American lore (not just dreamcatchers) and stories about them?
-Readers who like stories about nightmares or horrors we imagine coming to life will love this one.
My Rating: 3 stars. Good book with a slightly more niche audience. If you’re in that niche, give it a read!
For Full Review (including what I didn't like): https://youtu.be/swf8hNfn15E
-Native American Lore. The Chippewa legends that are woven into this story are, as far as I know, accurate. I enjoyed reading about them and learning some new ones.
-The action. Taking a book into the landscape of nightmares allows you to bend the rules and play with a lot of fears. I thought the author here did a good job of incorporating some of our biggest fears right into the central plot. It made for some intense scenes.
-Ending. I don’t want to spoil anything but I liked the way this one ended.
Who Should Read This One:
-Intrigued by Native American lore (not just dreamcatchers) and stories about them?
-Readers who like stories about nightmares or horrors we imagine coming to life will love this one.
My Rating: 3 stars. Good book with a slightly more niche audience. If you’re in that niche, give it a read!
For Full Review (including what I didn't like): https://youtu.be/swf8hNfn15E
October 15, 2019
3.5ish stars. The premise behind this drew me in right away, it's not something I've seen done before. These unsuspecting kids are brought into this world of literal nightmares. I really enjoyed the Native American lore. I had a difficult time grasping the world but it nonetheless held my attention and kept me wanting to know more.
June 9, 2019
I received a copy of Screamcatcher from the author im exchange for an honest review.
I immediately liked the easy-to-read style. The words flowed and I was instantly taken aback by how easy the author made writing feel. It felt natural and authentic in terms of both description, characters and dialogue. Jory's relationship with her grandfather was endearing and poignant, but most of all believable. As the plot progressed there were periods when the characters visited each of their family homes and this was a nice, subtle way of the reader finding out more about each character and of the characters finding out about each other.
The only slight criticism I have is that I found it difficult to gauge the age of the 4 main characters. At times they felt so much older than 16 and at other times, felt so much younger than 16. This age plotting didn't feel consistent and didn't develop as the book and plot progressed.
Overall, a well written; well thought out novel that flowed well and introduced folklore as the plot progressed. I would definitely read more by Christy J Breedlove.
I immediately liked the easy-to-read style. The words flowed and I was instantly taken aback by how easy the author made writing feel. It felt natural and authentic in terms of both description, characters and dialogue. Jory's relationship with her grandfather was endearing and poignant, but most of all believable. As the plot progressed there were periods when the characters visited each of their family homes and this was a nice, subtle way of the reader finding out more about each character and of the characters finding out about each other.
The only slight criticism I have is that I found it difficult to gauge the age of the 4 main characters. At times they felt so much older than 16 and at other times, felt so much younger than 16. This age plotting didn't feel consistent and didn't develop as the book and plot progressed.
Overall, a well written; well thought out novel that flowed well and introduced folklore as the plot progressed. I would definitely read more by Christy J Breedlove.
November 9, 2019
I received this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read an excerpt on my blog.
I’m always up for a fantasy adventurer incorporating cultures I’m less familiar with. So, when I got the opportunity to read Screamcatcher, I jumped on it. Dreamcatchers are not something I’ve seen a lot of fiction books about—perhaps I’m running in the wrong book circles—but regardless, my curiosity was peaked.
In terms of the dreamcatcher, I was not disappointed. Breedlove captures the tradition and purpose behind it so well. I felt like I got a history lesson without getting bogged down and taken from the story. The way in which the dreamcatcher is used is also really cool. When the characters get dropped into this alternate world, things move fast, action and mystery unraveling into something I wasn’t quite expecting but did enjoy.
On the flip side, while the pacing moved at a steady clip, there were parts where I felt like it could have slowed down. There were a lot of action scenes. It worked for the story, but the character development got a little lost behind them. There would be some great sharing moments that got interrupted by something attacking the group, and those moments were lost. Sometimes, it never felt like the story got back to them. As a result, the characters felt a bit underdeveloped, and their arcs played out in a sequence of each just getting more tired, hurt, and irritable. In particular, I had a difficult time with Darcy. She complained a lot, which didn’t make her very likeable, and she was referred to as being a girl and so young when she was actually sixteen (only one year younger than Jory). I kept having to remind myself she wasn’t twelve. She was also very weak and took some kind of medication. I never found out what was up with her, whether the meds were for something or just drugs. Thus, Darcy just kept being the kind of annoying one.
Overall, Screamcatcher brings some interesting culture to the table. The world was fascinating, and the dreamcatcher played a great role in everything. The characters could have been more fleshed out, but I’m glad I took the opportunity to read this book.
Read an excerpt on my blog.
I’m always up for a fantasy adventurer incorporating cultures I’m less familiar with. So, when I got the opportunity to read Screamcatcher, I jumped on it. Dreamcatchers are not something I’ve seen a lot of fiction books about—perhaps I’m running in the wrong book circles—but regardless, my curiosity was peaked.
In terms of the dreamcatcher, I was not disappointed. Breedlove captures the tradition and purpose behind it so well. I felt like I got a history lesson without getting bogged down and taken from the story. The way in which the dreamcatcher is used is also really cool. When the characters get dropped into this alternate world, things move fast, action and mystery unraveling into something I wasn’t quite expecting but did enjoy.
On the flip side, while the pacing moved at a steady clip, there were parts where I felt like it could have slowed down. There were a lot of action scenes. It worked for the story, but the character development got a little lost behind them. There would be some great sharing moments that got interrupted by something attacking the group, and those moments were lost. Sometimes, it never felt like the story got back to them. As a result, the characters felt a bit underdeveloped, and their arcs played out in a sequence of each just getting more tired, hurt, and irritable. In particular, I had a difficult time with Darcy. She complained a lot, which didn’t make her very likeable, and she was referred to as being a girl and so young when she was actually sixteen (only one year younger than Jory). I kept having to remind myself she wasn’t twelve. She was also very weak and took some kind of medication. I never found out what was up with her, whether the meds were for something or just drugs. Thus, Darcy just kept being the kind of annoying one.
Overall, Screamcatcher brings some interesting culture to the table. The world was fascinating, and the dreamcatcher played a great role in everything. The characters could have been more fleshed out, but I’m glad I took the opportunity to read this book.
October 3, 2019
Screamcatcher: Web World by Christy J. Breedlove takes the readers into a world devoid of colors and packed with dangerous creatures. The story begins with Jory, the protagonist, struggling with the horrid nightmares that would not let her sleep. Ever since she lost her parents in a car accident, she hadn’t gotten a decent sleep. The lack of sleep, however, was not the only problem she was trying to tackle; no matter what she did, Choice Daniels would not stop following her around. She ignored him all the time, and yet he was always finding ways to be around her. He even bought her an expensive dream catcher to rid her of the nightmares that would not stop bothering her. He did not know at the time that the same dream catcher would throw them all into a hellish world devoid of happiness.
Read more on my blog.
Read more on my blog.
April 22, 2019
In a never before plot, our main characters get stuck in a living nightmare through an ancient dreamcatcher. Jory has recurring nightmares about her parent’s death and no matter what she does or what her grandfather does to stop these bad dreams, nothing seems to be working.
The book is entangled with Indian lore so when Jory’s friend Choice wants to give this old family heirloom (a dreamcatcher) a chance, there’s no point in avoiding it. But things go south when Jory and her friends go to sleep in Jory’s house but wake up in a hellish world.
Plot:
I loved the plot. It was so unique and fast-paced. After every chapter, I was waiting for new twists and turns, just expecting to read what new amazing instance the author’s imagination could conjure up this time. I especially liked the second half of the book. It was definitely more action-packed than the first half.
Characters:
There is just some wrong vibe I got from Choice. Every time I would read about him, I’d find more and more reasons not to like him. But Jory turned out to be the most likeable character in the book despite everything. I liked the presence of her grandfather in the book as well.
Writing:
The writing was the most interesting part of the book and though I liked the world-building and the characters as well, the book would have been nothing without great writing. The dialogues were well-managed and the prose described the emotions of the characters perfectly. Plus, this book was quite easy to read and I could picture all the scenes as if they were playing out like a movie.
Climax:
Ah, the endings are often something that lead to disappointment. And even in this book, it was somehow the same case. I found the ending to be a little predictable and though there is nothing particularly wrong with that, I just really think there was scope for a major mind-blowing twist at the end.
The book is entangled with Indian lore so when Jory’s friend Choice wants to give this old family heirloom (a dreamcatcher) a chance, there’s no point in avoiding it. But things go south when Jory and her friends go to sleep in Jory’s house but wake up in a hellish world.
Plot:
I loved the plot. It was so unique and fast-paced. After every chapter, I was waiting for new twists and turns, just expecting to read what new amazing instance the author’s imagination could conjure up this time. I especially liked the second half of the book. It was definitely more action-packed than the first half.
Characters:
There is just some wrong vibe I got from Choice. Every time I would read about him, I’d find more and more reasons not to like him. But Jory turned out to be the most likeable character in the book despite everything. I liked the presence of her grandfather in the book as well.
Writing:
The writing was the most interesting part of the book and though I liked the world-building and the characters as well, the book would have been nothing without great writing. The dialogues were well-managed and the prose described the emotions of the characters perfectly. Plus, this book was quite easy to read and I could picture all the scenes as if they were playing out like a movie.
Climax:
Ah, the endings are often something that lead to disappointment. And even in this book, it was somehow the same case. I found the ending to be a little predictable and though there is nothing particularly wrong with that, I just really think there was scope for a major mind-blowing twist at the end.
September 6, 2019
With Screamcatcher, Christy Breedlove takes an item we've all at least heard of and explores a new thought - Where do all those bad dreams go, and how much can one dream catcher hold before it can't take anymore? I don't pretend to be an expert in Native American lore. In fact, I wouldn't even consider myself well-versed, but that's the beauty of this one. I didn't have to know all the lore to completely devour this fantastical story where Jory and friends are thrust into a world made of nightmares, a world of no color where the worst of the worst will test them to the breaking point.
The story moves at breakneck speed from the time these teenagers enter the nightmare world, and it doesn't let up. I would be hard put to pick a specific genre for this one because the author runs the gamut with that. It's most certainly a fantasy, but we also get action, adventure, and even a bit of sweet romance. It also reminds me of dystopian fiction, and some coming of age for these young adults as they learn to defend themselves in the worst of circumstances. As far as a target age group, I would consider Screamcatcher's target audience to be older teen to young adult, but I'm well past both of those and I found this one almost impossible to put down once I started.
Any fantasy requires some world building, and Breedlove does it with style. We're drawn into this nightmare realm and the author paints vivid pictures with her words. Not only could I visualize this terrifying world, but it's given to me organically throughout the story. In addition to the setting, every new nightmare is well-written and gripping.
The only drawback for me came in the form of character development. That's not to say that the characters aren't well-drawn, they certainly are in that we get a good look at how each deals with their circumstances and it's not hard to feel Choice's love for Jory. That said, I would've liked a bit more into Jory, especially. Obviously, she's dealing with plenty of inner turmoil, and she's forced to dig deep into her heritage if there's to be any hope of escape. But, I wanted more of what was going on inside her head as she came to grips with this new reality, more of the things that shaped her into the person she is. Here, I have to add that more of Choice would've also been a big plus for me, but that wasn't a deal-breaker. He comes across as pretty much an open book, and it's not hard to figure out his motives for anything.
In the end, I was thoroughly gripped by the world Christy Breedlove has created. Screamcatcher starts with a gorgeous cover, and its inside is filled with originality and an edge of your seat tale that kept this reader turning pages well into the night.
The story moves at breakneck speed from the time these teenagers enter the nightmare world, and it doesn't let up. I would be hard put to pick a specific genre for this one because the author runs the gamut with that. It's most certainly a fantasy, but we also get action, adventure, and even a bit of sweet romance. It also reminds me of dystopian fiction, and some coming of age for these young adults as they learn to defend themselves in the worst of circumstances. As far as a target age group, I would consider Screamcatcher's target audience to be older teen to young adult, but I'm well past both of those and I found this one almost impossible to put down once I started.
Any fantasy requires some world building, and Breedlove does it with style. We're drawn into this nightmare realm and the author paints vivid pictures with her words. Not only could I visualize this terrifying world, but it's given to me organically throughout the story. In addition to the setting, every new nightmare is well-written and gripping.
The only drawback for me came in the form of character development. That's not to say that the characters aren't well-drawn, they certainly are in that we get a good look at how each deals with their circumstances and it's not hard to feel Choice's love for Jory. That said, I would've liked a bit more into Jory, especially. Obviously, she's dealing with plenty of inner turmoil, and she's forced to dig deep into her heritage if there's to be any hope of escape. But, I wanted more of what was going on inside her head as she came to grips with this new reality, more of the things that shaped her into the person she is. Here, I have to add that more of Choice would've also been a big plus for me, but that wasn't a deal-breaker. He comes across as pretty much an open book, and it's not hard to figure out his motives for anything.
In the end, I was thoroughly gripped by the world Christy Breedlove has created. Screamcatcher starts with a gorgeous cover, and its inside is filled with originality and an edge of your seat tale that kept this reader turning pages well into the night.
September 8, 2019
Yet another YA Fantasy where our heroes are torn from their everyday world and tossed into a nasty reality where they must survive or die. This novel is stark in its simplicity: four characters, a straight-line quest, most of the conflict against the nature of the land they end up in. The tension is fleshed out with internal conflict in the main character, two very different love stories and a certain amount of inter-personal wrangling. The problematic relationship between Jory, the main character, and her wanna-be boyfriend, Choice, is quite touching.
There is plenty of action in the story, aided by detailed and creative world building. Or should I say destructive world building. The alternative Earth is not a nice place, full of things that want to kill you. If I had to judge, I’d say there was a bit too much plain physical conflict, not handled with much finesse. Straight, screaming, “there’s-another-monster-after-me” conflict can be overdone.
The resemblance to a video game is obvious, and that tends to mean a certain flatness of suspense, with the author depending on throwing in a new environment with a new set of obstacles and violent creatures whenever the tension flags.
However, the characters and the relationships carry the story, and by the time the happy ending rolls around, we are ready to accept it. And wonder what could possibly go wrong for Book Two of the series.
Recommended for teen Fantasy fans who enjoy video game plots.
There is plenty of action in the story, aided by detailed and creative world building. Or should I say destructive world building. The alternative Earth is not a nice place, full of things that want to kill you. If I had to judge, I’d say there was a bit too much plain physical conflict, not handled with much finesse. Straight, screaming, “there’s-another-monster-after-me” conflict can be overdone.
The resemblance to a video game is obvious, and that tends to mean a certain flatness of suspense, with the author depending on throwing in a new environment with a new set of obstacles and violent creatures whenever the tension flags.
However, the characters and the relationships carry the story, and by the time the happy ending rolls around, we are ready to accept it. And wonder what could possibly go wrong for Book Two of the series.
Recommended for teen Fantasy fans who enjoy video game plots.
October 27, 2022
Seventeen-year-old Jorlene (“Jory”) Pike is experiencing horrendous nightmares following the death of her parents in a car accident. When she discovers an old dreamcatcher in her grandfather’s Native American gift shop, she decides to see if it will help.
However, little does she realize that the dreamcatcher’s web is too heavy with all the horror it has caught through the ages, and instead of providing comfort, it sucks Jory and friends, Darcy, Choice, and Lander into a hellish world of ancient night terrors…
Screamcatcher: Web World certainly has a place in the YA market, but, as a young adult no longer, I found it a solid, entertaining, and gruesome horror fantasy that, although uses a fairly traditional structure to unfold the action, also brings some unusual elements into play which elevate the novel and will certainly provide longevity and interest to the Screamcatcher series.
Breedlove’s writing is fast-paced, fluid, and deceptively easy to read. Sentences are short and the reader is taken pretty much straight into the action.
Screamcatcher: Web World does exactly what it promises and once inside Jory’s grandfather’s bric-a-brac shop with the antediluvian dreamcatcher high up on the wall, it is just a matter of seeing what Breedlove does with it and where he takes us.
It's not disappointing, the premise of the web world is simple, which is good, too many novels of this type become over-engineered and confusing, but Breedlove has wisely left enough possibilities and threads (pardon the pun) to expand or rein in the narrative as he wishes.
Jory and her friends fit the group of stereotypical teenagers in the genre, a leader, a dark horse, a whinger, and an unpredictable liability who may or may not be on the right side.
In the beginning, the main characters are as evolved as they need to be as the focus is, mainly, on the deadly world the teenagers find themselves in. But as the four progress through the web, their experiences mature them believably and rub off a few corners. The reader is given enough context on each to hold interest without detouring from the main narrative and there are a few surprises.
As the friends wake up to the aftermath of the dreamcatcher’s implosion, it’s an addictive read, cleverly thought-out, and credible. There are layers of imaginative intricacy as Jory and co., travel through the horrors that the web serves up in order to reach the center. Some of the manifestations they battle are truly unedifying and downright awful, while others are almost amusing in their otherworldly irony.
Once the story progresses, it segues from horror to fantasy to a race for survival in an apocalyptic landscape. Indeed, Breedlove takes the variable climate and dramatic geography of Badlands National Park in South Dakota and exaggerates its volatility and ruggedness through the twisted universe of the dreamcatcher, providing the perfect backdrop for the majority of the action.
This also ensures that the narrative has a visual, filmic quality that is complemented by the creatures and phenomena that the four encounter. All are relatively uncomplicated to imagine, rendering them relatable and, consequently, all the more horrid.
Because Screamcatcher: Web World is written with such a confident, breezy pace with concentration focused on the four friends reaching the center of the web, it’s easy to overlook the wealth of detail and knowledge of Native American folklore and belief. Jory’s heritage provides the roots and eventual framework for the story and it’s deceptively well-explored.
There are a few convenient moments and, in parts, Jory seems a touch detached, but overall Screamcatcher: Web World is a solidly enjoyable paranormal fright-fest that is skillfully plotted and smartly written.
However, little does she realize that the dreamcatcher’s web is too heavy with all the horror it has caught through the ages, and instead of providing comfort, it sucks Jory and friends, Darcy, Choice, and Lander into a hellish world of ancient night terrors…
Screamcatcher: Web World certainly has a place in the YA market, but, as a young adult no longer, I found it a solid, entertaining, and gruesome horror fantasy that, although uses a fairly traditional structure to unfold the action, also brings some unusual elements into play which elevate the novel and will certainly provide longevity and interest to the Screamcatcher series.
Breedlove’s writing is fast-paced, fluid, and deceptively easy to read. Sentences are short and the reader is taken pretty much straight into the action.
Screamcatcher: Web World does exactly what it promises and once inside Jory’s grandfather’s bric-a-brac shop with the antediluvian dreamcatcher high up on the wall, it is just a matter of seeing what Breedlove does with it and where he takes us.
It's not disappointing, the premise of the web world is simple, which is good, too many novels of this type become over-engineered and confusing, but Breedlove has wisely left enough possibilities and threads (pardon the pun) to expand or rein in the narrative as he wishes.
Jory and her friends fit the group of stereotypical teenagers in the genre, a leader, a dark horse, a whinger, and an unpredictable liability who may or may not be on the right side.
In the beginning, the main characters are as evolved as they need to be as the focus is, mainly, on the deadly world the teenagers find themselves in. But as the four progress through the web, their experiences mature them believably and rub off a few corners. The reader is given enough context on each to hold interest without detouring from the main narrative and there are a few surprises.
As the friends wake up to the aftermath of the dreamcatcher’s implosion, it’s an addictive read, cleverly thought-out, and credible. There are layers of imaginative intricacy as Jory and co., travel through the horrors that the web serves up in order to reach the center. Some of the manifestations they battle are truly unedifying and downright awful, while others are almost amusing in their otherworldly irony.
Once the story progresses, it segues from horror to fantasy to a race for survival in an apocalyptic landscape. Indeed, Breedlove takes the variable climate and dramatic geography of Badlands National Park in South Dakota and exaggerates its volatility and ruggedness through the twisted universe of the dreamcatcher, providing the perfect backdrop for the majority of the action.
This also ensures that the narrative has a visual, filmic quality that is complemented by the creatures and phenomena that the four encounter. All are relatively uncomplicated to imagine, rendering them relatable and, consequently, all the more horrid.
Because Screamcatcher: Web World is written with such a confident, breezy pace with concentration focused on the four friends reaching the center of the web, it’s easy to overlook the wealth of detail and knowledge of Native American folklore and belief. Jory’s heritage provides the roots and eventual framework for the story and it’s deceptively well-explored.
There are a few convenient moments and, in parts, Jory seems a touch detached, but overall Screamcatcher: Web World is a solidly enjoyable paranormal fright-fest that is skillfully plotted and smartly written.
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