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Lucid #1
Lucid
A Terrifying Power. A Horrifying Curse.
Lucy Piper lives a lonely existence on the precipice between life and death. She possesses the horrifying ability to resurrect real-life tragic events in her nightmares, reliving over and over, as if she were there, the last few moments before the victim takes their final breath. Car accidents, drownings, plane crashes – Lucy has seen it all. No one understands what it’s like living death by night and fearing sleep by day.
When Tyler Sims and his family move to town to escape past traumas, Lucy is drawn to him. The two of them are linked through their dreams, and with Tyler’s trust and friendship, hope for a brighter future returns to Lucy’s world. But Tyler’s presence awakens something else in Lucy, and with this new knowledge she will be forced to make impossible decisions. Decisions that will change history, and the future.
Chilling, haunting and compelling, this novel is the first in a two-part series for fans of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and The Hidden Memory of Objects that will leave you breathless for days.
Lucy Piper lives a lonely existence on the precipice between life and death. She possesses the horrifying ability to resurrect real-life tragic events in her nightmares, reliving over and over, as if she were there, the last few moments before the victim takes their final breath. Car accidents, drownings, plane crashes – Lucy has seen it all. No one understands what it’s like living death by night and fearing sleep by day.
When Tyler Sims and his family move to town to escape past traumas, Lucy is drawn to him. The two of them are linked through their dreams, and with Tyler’s trust and friendship, hope for a brighter future returns to Lucy’s world. But Tyler’s presence awakens something else in Lucy, and with this new knowledge she will be forced to make impossible decisions. Decisions that will change history, and the future.
Chilling, haunting and compelling, this novel is the first in a two-part series for fans of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and The Hidden Memory of Objects that will leave you breathless for days.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2019
9 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Kristy Fairlamb
2 books61 followersKristy Fairlamb is an Australian author of Young Adult novels with high stakes and heart. She spends her days drinking coffee and torturing her characters with loads of tension – both love related and the nail biting kind.
She lives with her husband and three teenage children in the beautiful Adelaide Hills where they’re lucky enough to get occasional visits from the local koalas.
She’s terrible at gardening, likes her bookshelves sorted by colour, and recently checked off a lifelong dream of jumping from a plane.
When she’s not writing or daydreaming about her stories you’ll find her reading, cooking for her family, or doing anything to avoid the housework.
She lives with her husband and three teenage children in the beautiful Adelaide Hills where they’re lucky enough to get occasional visits from the local koalas.
She’s terrible at gardening, likes her bookshelves sorted by colour, and recently checked off a lifelong dream of jumping from a plane.
When she’s not writing or daydreaming about her stories you’ll find her reading, cooking for her family, or doing anything to avoid the housework.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 21, 2019
Lucid intrigued me and was tempting me like a forbidden sweet. The blurb made me want to understand the world Lucy lives in. She is haunted by the reality of her dreams. She sees people’s deaths and witnesses the brutality. One dream in particular holds a secret. She meets a boy who is about to become her past, future and present. This is a romance with a fantasy element. It’s the first book in a series and will leave you wanting more.
Tyler is the boy of her dreams. His name rings a bell and his presence sets a domino effect of events. Her dreams are about to start a new future. The two worlds are about to collide.
This is an interesting start to a series and outside the box. It gives enough to satisfy a thirst but will leave you wanting more.
4 stars out of 5. It’s hard to rate a book that leaves you with unanswered questions but it’s definitely worth the read. Let’s hope the sequel lives up to the hype.
*Netgalley
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Blog Tour date: 1st May.
Tyler is the boy of her dreams. His name rings a bell and his presence sets a domino effect of events. Her dreams are about to start a new future. The two worlds are about to collide.
This is an interesting start to a series and outside the box. It gives enough to satisfy a thirst but will leave you wanting more.
4 stars out of 5. It’s hard to rate a book that leaves you with unanswered questions but it’s definitely worth the read. Let’s hope the sequel lives up to the hype.
*Netgalley
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Blog Tour date: 1st May.
April 12, 2019
"I'd once thought love weakened a person, but it didn't. It was the loss of love that brought people to their knees."
Teenager Lucy Piper has very vivid nightmares… the problem is they’re real. Lucy relives tragic deadly events of people she knows as well as people she’s never met. And she’s powerless to do anything as she watches people die every night in her dreams. But when someone moves into town that she’s linked with in her dreams, Lucy begins to learn that her curse may have more power than she ever realized.
As someone who has very vivid waking nightmares, I was intrigued with this book from the first time I read the synopsis. Lucy lucid dreams of death after death after death and can do nothing as she watches people of all ages suffer as they pass away. I wasn’t prepared for how heartbreaking this story would be! I think I shed a tear with every dream she had. As sad as it was for me to read, I felt even more deeply for Lucy, as she had to watch even a child die while being unable to stop it. I just wanted to hug her as she woke every morning trying to deal with the pain on her own, and try to live as normal a life as possible.
At first, I felt as if the non-dream portions of the book were too long, that we needed more scenes of her lucid dreaming. Now I realize it was perfectly balanced as seeing Lucy interact with her friends and family helped to make her a more realistic character. It makes you realize that despite her horrific nightmares, Lucy desperately just wants to be normal, to have a free spirit and be able to enjoy her youth.
But at the same time, while her dreams plague and torture her, we get to see how completely tenderhearted Lucy is. I think if I had dreams like this my whole life, I would be cold-hearted and emotionless. But Lucy still maintains a pure servants heart, and is clinging to hope that one day she can make a change. She is constantly imagining different ways she might save these people given the chance. What a selfless character!
Towards the middle of the book, I predicted the ending, and while I was correct, it wasn’t any less powerful or moving. Many tears were shed and I wait anxiously for the sequel! This was such a beautiful, creative story of sacrifice and love for others, I highly recommend!
Teenager Lucy Piper has very vivid nightmares… the problem is they’re real. Lucy relives tragic deadly events of people she knows as well as people she’s never met. And she’s powerless to do anything as she watches people die every night in her dreams. But when someone moves into town that she’s linked with in her dreams, Lucy begins to learn that her curse may have more power than she ever realized.
As someone who has very vivid waking nightmares, I was intrigued with this book from the first time I read the synopsis. Lucy lucid dreams of death after death after death and can do nothing as she watches people of all ages suffer as they pass away. I wasn’t prepared for how heartbreaking this story would be! I think I shed a tear with every dream she had. As sad as it was for me to read, I felt even more deeply for Lucy, as she had to watch even a child die while being unable to stop it. I just wanted to hug her as she woke every morning trying to deal with the pain on her own, and try to live as normal a life as possible.
At first, I felt as if the non-dream portions of the book were too long, that we needed more scenes of her lucid dreaming. Now I realize it was perfectly balanced as seeing Lucy interact with her friends and family helped to make her a more realistic character. It makes you realize that despite her horrific nightmares, Lucy desperately just wants to be normal, to have a free spirit and be able to enjoy her youth.
But at the same time, while her dreams plague and torture her, we get to see how completely tenderhearted Lucy is. I think if I had dreams like this my whole life, I would be cold-hearted and emotionless. But Lucy still maintains a pure servants heart, and is clinging to hope that one day she can make a change. She is constantly imagining different ways she might save these people given the chance. What a selfless character!
Towards the middle of the book, I predicted the ending, and while I was correct, it wasn’t any less powerful or moving. Many tears were shed and I wait anxiously for the sequel! This was such a beautiful, creative story of sacrifice and love for others, I highly recommend!
March 24, 2019
Lucid By Kristy Fairlamb
Lakewater Press Pub Date; April 23, 2019
********five star book ***five star book***** five stars
Lucy lives a lonely existence on the precipice between life and death. She possesses the horrifying ability to resurrect real-life tragic events in her nightmares, reliving over and over, as if she were there, the last few moments before the victim takes their final breath. Car accidents, drownings, plane crashes – Lucy has seen it all. No one understands what it’s like living death by night and fearing sleep by day.
When Tyler Sims and his family move to town to escape past traumas, Lucy is drawn to him. The two of them are linked through their dreams, and with Tyler’s trust and friendship, hope for a brighter future returns to Lucy’s world. But Tyler’s presence awakens something else in Lucy, and with this new knowledge she will be forced to make impossible decisions. Decisions that will change history, and the future.
Why I voted this author for Best Debut YA author of 2019:
" If you admitted you loved deeply, a certain vulnerbility existed in the proclamation of love; It said I need you, don't ever leave me ,you are my world. I'd once thought love weakened a person, but it didn't. It was the loss of love that brought people to their knees." Lucy Piper
Lucy is possibly the most unique character created for the young adult genre since Blue Sargent in Maggie Steifvater's The Raven Boy series. We all have a purpose in life, Lucy Piper's purpose is through the power of her dreams she can undo tragedy. Fans of the Netflix Sense8 series will adore the interaction Lucy is able to have within her dreams with her boyfriend Tyler., can you imagine a first kiss so real you wake feeling the tingles? How about Tyler was dreaming the same dream, and felt the same way? There are points in the story I was afraid Lucy would break because she experiences fire, plane crashes, and car crashes. She experiences getting lost in the woods and freezing. Carl Jung once wrote that he saw his wife in dreams long before they met, and scientists never have harnessed the brain power that is working within a dream, what if we could unlock our true potential? If you liked The Butterfly Effect, Sense8 or the Matrix ; you should grab this book once released! April 23!!!!!!!
There was nothing I disliked with this story, but I do hope Tyler has a more active role in book 2, as I imagine Lucy's fear of travel must end so she can go find him in Sydney! Will she get him to enter her dreams to help her stop tragedy? Or will there be a wrinkle that keeps them apart for ever?
Lakewater Press Pub Date; April 23, 2019
********five star book ***five star book***** five stars
Lucy lives a lonely existence on the precipice between life and death. She possesses the horrifying ability to resurrect real-life tragic events in her nightmares, reliving over and over, as if she were there, the last few moments before the victim takes their final breath. Car accidents, drownings, plane crashes – Lucy has seen it all. No one understands what it’s like living death by night and fearing sleep by day.
When Tyler Sims and his family move to town to escape past traumas, Lucy is drawn to him. The two of them are linked through their dreams, and with Tyler’s trust and friendship, hope for a brighter future returns to Lucy’s world. But Tyler’s presence awakens something else in Lucy, and with this new knowledge she will be forced to make impossible decisions. Decisions that will change history, and the future.
Why I voted this author for Best Debut YA author of 2019:
" If you admitted you loved deeply, a certain vulnerbility existed in the proclamation of love; It said I need you, don't ever leave me ,you are my world. I'd once thought love weakened a person, but it didn't. It was the loss of love that brought people to their knees." Lucy Piper
Lucy is possibly the most unique character created for the young adult genre since Blue Sargent in Maggie Steifvater's The Raven Boy series. We all have a purpose in life, Lucy Piper's purpose is through the power of her dreams she can undo tragedy. Fans of the Netflix Sense8 series will adore the interaction Lucy is able to have within her dreams with her boyfriend Tyler., can you imagine a first kiss so real you wake feeling the tingles? How about Tyler was dreaming the same dream, and felt the same way? There are points in the story I was afraid Lucy would break because she experiences fire, plane crashes, and car crashes. She experiences getting lost in the woods and freezing. Carl Jung once wrote that he saw his wife in dreams long before they met, and scientists never have harnessed the brain power that is working within a dream, what if we could unlock our true potential? If you liked The Butterfly Effect, Sense8 or the Matrix ; you should grab this book once released! April 23!!!!!!!
There was nothing I disliked with this story, but I do hope Tyler has a more active role in book 2, as I imagine Lucy's fear of travel must end so she can go find him in Sydney! Will she get him to enter her dreams to help her stop tragedy? Or will there be a wrinkle that keeps them apart for ever?
April 30, 2019
3.5/5*
Original review
This book was provided by the author through Chapter by Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Kristy Fairlamb and Chapter by Chapter!
Lucid is the first book in the Lucid series and tells the story of Lucy and Tyler.
I really like the concept of Lucid, because it’s really interesting. I mean, dreaming about people’s death and then trying to save them is really original. I really liked Lucy and Tyler’s relationship and I liked reading about their friends and family.
I think that the ending was a bit predictable and I had a ‘solution’ in my head for Lucy and Tyler’s problem, but then again I get why Lucid didn’t end with my ‘solution’. I often thought that the dreams were a bit too long and that the story was a bit slow.
Besides that, I really liked the story and I thought that the writing was good. I’m interested in the sequel and I really want to know what will happen to Lucy and Tyler!
Original review
This book was provided by the author through Chapter by Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Kristy Fairlamb and Chapter by Chapter!
Lucid is the first book in the Lucid series and tells the story of Lucy and Tyler.
I really like the concept of Lucid, because it’s really interesting. I mean, dreaming about people’s death and then trying to save them is really original. I really liked Lucy and Tyler’s relationship and I liked reading about their friends and family.
I think that the ending was a bit predictable and I had a ‘solution’ in my head for Lucy and Tyler’s problem, but then again I get why Lucid didn’t end with my ‘solution’. I often thought that the dreams were a bit too long and that the story was a bit slow.
Besides that, I really liked the story and I thought that the writing was good. I’m interested in the sequel and I really want to know what will happen to Lucy and Tyler!
February 8, 2019
It's 2am and I am buzzing. Once I got into the story I was unable to stop reading, despite the late hour. I want to know what happens in the next installment! But I digress... let's backtrack...
'Lucid' thrusts us into the world of Lucy Piper, a teenager who has been plagued by visions of death, but now things have changed, because someone from her dreams has interrupted her waking life, and her life will never be the same again.
Set among an Australian backdrop, which brings to mind the familiar countryside brought to life in John Marsden's 'Tomorrow' series, I felt as if I was thrust back into my own teen years... high school memories, but with the intrigue of mystery and a touch of the supernatural.
I believed every page, my heart ached with Lucy and what she has gone through, and I want more.
Kristy Fairlamb's debut novel is fresh and easy to read and fall in love with. Luminous is next and Spring 2020 cannot come soon enough.
'Lucid' thrusts us into the world of Lucy Piper, a teenager who has been plagued by visions of death, but now things have changed, because someone from her dreams has interrupted her waking life, and her life will never be the same again.
Set among an Australian backdrop, which brings to mind the familiar countryside brought to life in John Marsden's 'Tomorrow' series, I felt as if I was thrust back into my own teen years... high school memories, but with the intrigue of mystery and a touch of the supernatural.
I believed every page, my heart ached with Lucy and what she has gone through, and I want more.
Kristy Fairlamb's debut novel is fresh and easy to read and fall in love with. Luminous is next and Spring 2020 cannot come soon enough.
April 28, 2019
The idea behind this book caught me immediately. A curse to see the dark moments people face? How much more interesting is that?
One of my favorite parts of this book was the darkness in the writing. An Australian girl tries to live with the ability to see people's most tragic memories leading her to isolate herself. Then, everything is interrupted when a boy from one of her dreams walks in front of her.
The main character is a tough one and experiences things that push her to the breaking point. But it's not a totally dark story as heartwarming romance is slowly spun in.
There were a few moments that seemed to drag a little, but other than that, I was hooked. This is a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me.
I loved the chemistry between the characters, and their heavy emotions accented the plot wonderfully. This is a solid start to a series, and I highly recommend this one for readers who love dark, unique stories.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the darkness in the writing. An Australian girl tries to live with the ability to see people's most tragic memories leading her to isolate herself. Then, everything is interrupted when a boy from one of her dreams walks in front of her.
The main character is a tough one and experiences things that push her to the breaking point. But it's not a totally dark story as heartwarming romance is slowly spun in.
There were a few moments that seemed to drag a little, but other than that, I was hooked. This is a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me.
I loved the chemistry between the characters, and their heavy emotions accented the plot wonderfully. This is a solid start to a series, and I highly recommend this one for readers who love dark, unique stories.
February 7, 2019
I wish I didn’t have to be anywhere or do anything once I started this as I was captivated right from the beginning. I love that I truly felt I was on the journey with Lucy, completely immersed in her experiences and life. Lucy took me back to my high school days - the emotions, the dramas, the friends. I knew this was an incredible read when I would put the kindle down and my mind would drift back in time reminiscing then returning to think on Lucy and what could be in store for her in the coming pages.
I highly recommend this book to YA lovers, young and old alike! Now to wait until 2020 to know more.
I highly recommend this book to YA lovers, young and old alike! Now to wait until 2020 to know more.
July 26, 2019
I absolutely enjoyed reading this, I couldn’t put it down! The main character, Lucy has an ability to experience the last moments of people’s lives in her dreams. She has an incredibly big and selfless heart and struggles with not being able to change the outcomes until she encounters a boy that had appeared in one of these dreams. She then starts to discover how her ability can be expanded and how to help people.
I cannot praise Kristy Fairlamb’s writing style enough, I was drawn in with each word and I could see everything so clearly as if I was truly there. The emotions some parts of the book drew out of me were just so real and captivating. Hands down you should read this book.
I cannot praise Kristy Fairlamb’s writing style enough, I was drawn in with each word and I could see everything so clearly as if I was truly there. The emotions some parts of the book drew out of me were just so real and captivating. Hands down you should read this book.
February 7, 2019
Lucid is a very well-written story with a compelling premise - a girl who dreams about tragedies as if she's there at the scene. Fairlamb is an excellent writer who does a great job conveying the scene, emotions and thoughts of her characters. The only drawback for me was the interactions between the teens went on a little long and I wanted to get back to the dreams. That said, this is definitely recommended for those who like the YA category with a supernatural twist. You won't be disappointed.
March 19, 2019
This was a wonderful supernatural romance (/ thriller? So hard to pin down!)
I loved reading the whole thing, but for me it was definitely the ending that cinched it, which I just adored. Without getting into spoiler territory, I just loved that final conflict and seeing the decisions our main characters were forced to make. The ending really has me keen for the next book in the series! A big dose of romance too, which I am always fully here for! :)
I was so excited to get an advance ARC from the publisher, thank you very much!
I loved reading the whole thing, but for me it was definitely the ending that cinched it, which I just adored. Without getting into spoiler territory, I just loved that final conflict and seeing the decisions our main characters were forced to make. The ending really has me keen for the next book in the series! A big dose of romance too, which I am always fully here for! :)
I was so excited to get an advance ARC from the publisher, thank you very much!
March 16, 2019
Lucid was a real page-turner for me – it gripped me from the start with strong imagery coupled with perfect pacing. The dialogue flowed well and it was easy to imagine the scenes playing out in real life.
I was fully immersed in Lucy’s world in Lucid, both in her dreams and her awakened state. The dream scenes were gripping and the young love story was sweet and authentic.
I’m now invested in this wonderful story and can’t wait to read the sequel.
I was fully immersed in Lucy’s world in Lucid, both in her dreams and her awakened state. The dream scenes were gripping and the young love story was sweet and authentic.
I’m now invested in this wonderful story and can’t wait to read the sequel.
April 14, 2019
Great read! What a clever premise that had me wondering where it would take me. I wasn’t disappointed. I’m glad you took the time to follow your creativity. Thank you. I look forward to the sequel!
February 8, 2019
LUCID is a tightly-woven story about a teen girl, Lucy, who dreams about real-events after they happen, only in her dreams she’s right there, watching, agonizing as the victims take their final breaths.
When Tyler moves to town, Lucy feels an instant connection. It isn’t long before she realizes why—she’s seen him in her dreams—because she relived the night his father died. But her ability to dream the past and connect with the dead might not be the nightmare that she’s tried so hard to avoid.
Kristy Fairlamb has created an exciting ride, packed with tension and conflict, as well as a well-rounded cast of believable and likable characters who bring the story to life. Well-written and thought-provoking, this nail-biter will keep you on the edge of your seat and anxiously turning the pages!
A must-read YA from a talented debut author. I can’t wait for book 2!
Rebecca Carpenter, author of Butterfly Bones and Butterfly Blood
When Tyler moves to town, Lucy feels an instant connection. It isn’t long before she realizes why—she’s seen him in her dreams—because she relived the night his father died. But her ability to dream the past and connect with the dead might not be the nightmare that she’s tried so hard to avoid.
Kristy Fairlamb has created an exciting ride, packed with tension and conflict, as well as a well-rounded cast of believable and likable characters who bring the story to life. Well-written and thought-provoking, this nail-biter will keep you on the edge of your seat and anxiously turning the pages!
A must-read YA from a talented debut author. I can’t wait for book 2!
Rebecca Carpenter, author of Butterfly Bones and Butterfly Blood
April 5, 2019
I've read an early draft and can't wait to read the final version!
Updated after reading the final version
Lucy has a gift, which is also a curse. At night, in her dreams, she visits and relives tragedies, watching as strangers across the world take their final breaths.
And then a familiar boy moves in near Lucy, she knows she’s never met him, but why does she remember his face so clearly?
Soon Lucy is confronting the realities of her abilities, are there limitations to what she can do in her dreams or has she underestimated herself all this time?
Lucid is an exciting, mind-bending thriller that throws open the “What-If” door and demands to explore every possibility. I can’t wait for book 2!!
Updated after reading the final version
Lucy has a gift, which is also a curse. At night, in her dreams, she visits and relives tragedies, watching as strangers across the world take their final breaths.
And then a familiar boy moves in near Lucy, she knows she’s never met him, but why does she remember his face so clearly?
Soon Lucy is confronting the realities of her abilities, are there limitations to what she can do in her dreams or has she underestimated herself all this time?
Lucid is an exciting, mind-bending thriller that throws open the “What-If” door and demands to explore every possibility. I can’t wait for book 2!!
February 4, 2019
This book was actually quite riveting!
The plot is original and interesting. Although Lucy can be annoying, almost repetitive at times, she made for a really enjoyable narrator. It tells of her nightmares, which are reliving the last moments of people's deaths. Ironic, much?!
I especially loved Tyler and the ending pulled at my heart strings. I definitely recommend Lucid and I'd actually really enjoy Grandma Tess' story. Perhaps we'll see more with the sequel!
Thank you so much for this ARC.
The plot is original and interesting. Although Lucy can be annoying, almost repetitive at times, she made for a really enjoyable narrator. It tells of her nightmares, which are reliving the last moments of people's deaths. Ironic, much?!
I especially loved Tyler and the ending pulled at my heart strings. I definitely recommend Lucid and I'd actually really enjoy Grandma Tess' story. Perhaps we'll see more with the sequel!
Thank you so much for this ARC.
February 22, 2019
Many thanks to Lakewater Press for an ARC.
Lucy is haunted nightly by dreams of death. Not only that, they are real deaths which have already occurred. Once Lucy hears the news, she dreads the night to come, the helplessness of witnessing the last moments of the people who have died.
Lucy feels isolated by her ability. However, when Tyler moves to town she finds him not only a welcome confidante, but they share a connection with dreams.
This story has an intriguing premise, and the developments in Lucy’s abilities had me enthralled. I’m looking forward to book two.
Lucy is haunted nightly by dreams of death. Not only that, they are real deaths which have already occurred. Once Lucy hears the news, she dreads the night to come, the helplessness of witnessing the last moments of the people who have died.
Lucy feels isolated by her ability. However, when Tyler moves to town she finds him not only a welcome confidante, but they share a connection with dreams.
This story has an intriguing premise, and the developments in Lucy’s abilities had me enthralled. I’m looking forward to book two.
March 26, 2019
Thanks to netgalley for allowing me to read this arc.
If you liked the “Mara Dyer” series, you’ll love this book. Even though it’s a YA book, as an adult, I enjoyed everything about this. The characters connect through their dreams. Even if paranormal reads aren’t your thing, give this book a shot. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
If you liked the “Mara Dyer” series, you’ll love this book. Even though it’s a YA book, as an adult, I enjoyed everything about this. The characters connect through their dreams. Even if paranormal reads aren’t your thing, give this book a shot. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
May 8, 2019
Kristy Fairlamb’s debut YA supernatural thriller, Lucid, has an intriguing premise - it’s about a girl who dreams of real-life tragedies as if she’s there at the scene. When she meets new boy, Tyler, her ‘powers’ take on a special significance. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but what I can say is - Lucid is a real page-turner and the pace and plot keep you guessing right up to the end. If you like YA supernatural contemporaries with a nice twist of romance, you’ll love Lucid. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
March 9, 2019
Absolutely loved this book! Captivating plot, beautifully written - didn’t want to put it down. When can I get my hands on the sequel!!!!!!!
April 29, 2019
**Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
Lucy has been having vivid dreams for years, more nightmares than anything else, where she experiences the deaths of strangers that she can't help. She has no one to confide in and feels overwhelmed and depressed about her life, but all of a sudden that changes. Someone from one of her dreams is now attending her school and he seems to know her too. Lucy has no idea what to do, but it seems like fate has everything all planned out anyway.
Oh my geez, this was a heart breaking story! Don't get me wrong, it was a good interesting book, but don't expect unicorns and rainbows from a story that is focused on death. No matter what, horror and heart break swarmed Lucy at every turn, be it her dreams or her having to deal every day with the fact she dreams the death of strangers. This girl needed a hug in the worst of ways. I enjoyed how Kristy intertwined mystery, romance and paranormal elements together to create a new kind of story that I was not sure what was going to happen next or how everything would end.
And as necessary to fit with most of the story, the ending broke my heart but could not have gone any other way- Lucy was 100% true to herself. I did not realize this was a series and with that ending it seemed like this could be a standalone, but the glimpse of hope makes me really want to have another book asap! I recommend this for anyone who likes romance found in dark places and a mystery that may not have the happiest of endings.
I reviewed a complimentary copy of this title.
Lucy has been having vivid dreams for years, more nightmares than anything else, where she experiences the deaths of strangers that she can't help. She has no one to confide in and feels overwhelmed and depressed about her life, but all of a sudden that changes. Someone from one of her dreams is now attending her school and he seems to know her too. Lucy has no idea what to do, but it seems like fate has everything all planned out anyway.
Oh my geez, this was a heart breaking story! Don't get me wrong, it was a good interesting book, but don't expect unicorns and rainbows from a story that is focused on death. No matter what, horror and heart break swarmed Lucy at every turn, be it her dreams or her having to deal every day with the fact she dreams the death of strangers. This girl needed a hug in the worst of ways. I enjoyed how Kristy intertwined mystery, romance and paranormal elements together to create a new kind of story that I was not sure what was going to happen next or how everything would end.
And as necessary to fit with most of the story, the ending broke my heart but could not have gone any other way- Lucy was 100% true to herself. I did not realize this was a series and with that ending it seemed like this could be a standalone, but the glimpse of hope makes me really want to have another book asap! I recommend this for anyone who likes romance found in dark places and a mystery that may not have the happiest of endings.
I reviewed a complimentary copy of this title.
May 22, 2019
After reading the description and seeing the cover (so pretty) I had to read it. Dreams can be so mysterious and sometimes we wonder what they mean. In the book the perspective is a little different but still interesting.
About the story, Lucy has a power, a gift according to her grandmother, a curse according to her. Can’t blame her for thinking that way, her nightmares of their deaths are very vivid, and it happens a lot. Through the story we see how much she struggles with this gift, the hardships she has to handle every time she has a nightmare that affects her mind, body and, in a minimal way, her relationships.
Somehow, she manages but when Tyler appears things change. It’s entertaining seeing their connection, how they meet, and see the relationship between them grow, very innocent and sweet.
The story is simple, apart the supernatural gift, but that is what makes it more fascinating. The writer shows the normal teenager girl going to school and being with her friends. I loved the fact the reader knows how she feels with a constantly desire to want a normal life but can’t really fight against the dreams. Frustrated, hurt, alone, that’s Lucy. Another thing is her family, always supporting specially her grandmother.
There’s a part when the end becomes predictable but still couldn’t stop reading. Deep down I was hoping for a different end but oh well, still good!
I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
About the story, Lucy has a power, a gift according to her grandmother, a curse according to her. Can’t blame her for thinking that way, her nightmares of their deaths are very vivid, and it happens a lot. Through the story we see how much she struggles with this gift, the hardships she has to handle every time she has a nightmare that affects her mind, body and, in a minimal way, her relationships.
Somehow, she manages but when Tyler appears things change. It’s entertaining seeing their connection, how they meet, and see the relationship between them grow, very innocent and sweet.
The story is simple, apart the supernatural gift, but that is what makes it more fascinating. The writer shows the normal teenager girl going to school and being with her friends. I loved the fact the reader knows how she feels with a constantly desire to want a normal life but can’t really fight against the dreams. Frustrated, hurt, alone, that’s Lucy. Another thing is her family, always supporting specially her grandmother.
There’s a part when the end becomes predictable but still couldn’t stop reading. Deep down I was hoping for a different end but oh well, still good!
I received a free copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2019
I just loved this. wow Kristy well done. Can’t wait for the next one.
September 22, 2019
Wow I enjoyed this.
The concept is chilling… dreams so lucid it is like being there but the catch is that the dreams are of someone’s untimely death. What does that do to a person. To see, over and over, the deaths of innocent people (and children) and know you can do nothing but bare witness to the worst day, the final day, of their life? Then imagine you are only 16. Lucy Is gifted with a terrible burden and it is taking a massive toll on her young life. But then someone she meets in a dream she meets in real life and everything changes.
This is a beautifully written love story, and a beautifully written horror/fantasy that takes you into the mysterious world of the mind. It grips you quickly and keeps you hooked and I have to say, I loved the way this book ended. It’s part one of a two part series and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Set in Australia, its a story full of young love, high emotion, high stresses and moral dilemmas. This is a gripping story and one you should certainly read. A fabulous debut by Australian author Kristy Fairlamb.
The concept is chilling… dreams so lucid it is like being there but the catch is that the dreams are of someone’s untimely death. What does that do to a person. To see, over and over, the deaths of innocent people (and children) and know you can do nothing but bare witness to the worst day, the final day, of their life? Then imagine you are only 16. Lucy Is gifted with a terrible burden and it is taking a massive toll on her young life. But then someone she meets in a dream she meets in real life and everything changes.
This is a beautifully written love story, and a beautifully written horror/fantasy that takes you into the mysterious world of the mind. It grips you quickly and keeps you hooked and I have to say, I loved the way this book ended. It’s part one of a two part series and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Set in Australia, its a story full of young love, high emotion, high stresses and moral dilemmas. This is a gripping story and one you should certainly read. A fabulous debut by Australian author Kristy Fairlamb.
April 17, 2019
I love books about time travel, changing the past, alternate realities, etc. so the premise of this book really caught my attention. The main character, Lucy, experiences strange dreams every night - vivid nightmares. She doesn't know the people in her dreams, but one day she meets a boy named Tyler and immediately recognizes him from the night before. What's more shocking, he recognizes her from the dream as well!
This book is so well written that I didn't want to put it down. I also really enjoyed the setting. I can't remember the last time I read a novel that was set in Australia, which was refreshing. The conclusion tied up loose ends, but still left me wanting to read the sequel. My only pushback is the amount of profanity that this book contained, which was a bit gratuitous, especially for a book in the YA category. For that reason alone I can't recommend it to my own teenagers, so I give it 4-stars. Otherwise, very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
This book is so well written that I didn't want to put it down. I also really enjoyed the setting. I can't remember the last time I read a novel that was set in Australia, which was refreshing. The conclusion tied up loose ends, but still left me wanting to read the sequel. My only pushback is the amount of profanity that this book contained, which was a bit gratuitous, especially for a book in the YA category. For that reason alone I can't recommend it to my own teenagers, so I give it 4-stars. Otherwise, very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
July 6, 2019
Lucid mixed a coming of age YA story with almost believable fantasy suspense. The main characters are all well developed and very likable. Kristy Fairlamb has blended the high emotions associated with tragic loss and life changing situations with the everyday occurrences that happen at school and in families. I am not normally a YA reader but this had me wanting to go to bed each night to see what was happening for Lucy, Tyler and their friends. I look forward to the sequel.
May 4, 2020
What a unique concept! I loved being drawn into the fantasy world of Lucid, yet it was still very much grounded in a realistic world. I could relate to the characters and found myself becoming nostalgic about my own youth. Beautifully written - and as I turned the final page, I was left satisfied, as the story resolved poetically and profoundly.
May 11, 2019
I loved this book immensely and got so caught up in it that I had to keep reading, as well as spreading out my reading time so that the end didn't happen too quickly as I wanted to savour it ..... I can't wait for Luminous to see what happens next. A must read for young and old.
May 8, 2019
My heart ached for Lucy and as I read to the end I hoped that she would one day set out to find Tyler because their love was meant to be. So looking forward to reading Luminous to see what path they take in life.
Well written Kristy thanks for letting me know Lucy and Tyler.
Well written Kristy thanks for letting me know Lucy and Tyler.
March 26, 2020
A unique take on the time travel genre. In this one, the protagonist (Lucy) is haunted by nightmares on the night immediately following when she hears of a tragedy on the radio or sees a news story on TV that involves the loss of life. On that night, she dreams of the tragedy as it actually occurred and her vantage point is as if she were there when the accident happened. She learns the details and awakens the next morning with a feeling of hopelessness and loss as though she knew the victims personally, even though they were actually strangers to her. This phenomenon negatively impacts her ability to sleep at night and function during the day. She is unable to live peacefully or enjoy her life.
Yet one day at school, she (literally) runs into a new kid named Tyler. Although she has never met him, she feels as though she has seen him before... in one of her tragic dreams. Tyler joins Lucy's clique of personal friends, and as they begin to spend a lot of time together both in and away from school, a close relationship quickly develops between the two of them. Through the encouragement and acceptance she gains from getting to know Tyler (who has his own abilities in dreams), Lucy discovers peace and starts to enjoy her life.
The strength that she draws from Tyler causes her to discover that she has the power to go back and re-dream the nightmares and potentially save the victims from a death that has already occurred. But will her newfound ability force her to make a choice that could take everything away? In my favorite passage from the book, Lucy struggles with this question and says, "The biggest problem of all, if you admitted you loved deeply, you opened yourself to an equally deep pain. But the admission didn't alter how you felt. If you loved, you loved, regardless of whether you said it out loud or not, the pain would still be the same on the other side. I'd once thought love weakened a person, but it didn't, it was the loss of love that brought people to their knees."
The author did a great job of driving this thought home with the way the plot is resolved in the closing pages of the book.
As far as how realistic the writing was, it seems strange to point out the implausibility of how many times the group of teenagers in the story are allowed to spend the night together, unsupervised by adults, while also accepting the implausibility of Lucy's ability to control her dreams and change past events. Such is the nature of fiction. Not everything has to be realistic, or it may not be as interesting to read! This story is compelling and the book is hard to put down.
Yet one day at school, she (literally) runs into a new kid named Tyler. Although she has never met him, she feels as though she has seen him before... in one of her tragic dreams. Tyler joins Lucy's clique of personal friends, and as they begin to spend a lot of time together both in and away from school, a close relationship quickly develops between the two of them. Through the encouragement and acceptance she gains from getting to know Tyler (who has his own abilities in dreams), Lucy discovers peace and starts to enjoy her life.
The strength that she draws from Tyler causes her to discover that she has the power to go back and re-dream the nightmares and potentially save the victims from a death that has already occurred. But will her newfound ability force her to make a choice that could take everything away? In my favorite passage from the book, Lucy struggles with this question and says, "The biggest problem of all, if you admitted you loved deeply, you opened yourself to an equally deep pain. But the admission didn't alter how you felt. If you loved, you loved, regardless of whether you said it out loud or not, the pain would still be the same on the other side. I'd once thought love weakened a person, but it didn't, it was the loss of love that brought people to their knees."
The author did a great job of driving this thought home with the way the plot is resolved in the closing pages of the book.
As far as how realistic the writing was, it seems strange to point out the implausibility of how many times the group of teenagers in the story are allowed to spend the night together, unsupervised by adults, while also accepting the implausibility of Lucy's ability to control her dreams and change past events. Such is the nature of fiction. Not everything has to be realistic, or it may not be as interesting to read! This story is compelling and the book is hard to put down.
May 17, 2022
I can't. At about 80 pages in I was still wondering when the plot would appear. Turns out, this is just a teenage romance disguised as an interesting premise. So let's tackle the plot first. What little there is is predictable. I saw the ending coming from about the moment she tells us she meets the boy from her dream. Even knowing this it moves SO. SLOW. At times I doubted it even existed.
Maybe I would have minded the plotless-ness a little less if the main character had been at all likeable. She spends so much time thinking about her problems, and explaining them to us, and agonizing over them that it seems she does little else, to the point that I often forgot her name. (Because no one really says her name in the short passages in which they do talk and she rarely has reason to say mention it herself.) She's so self-centered, it's absurd. It's incredibly hard to care about any of the tragedy she describes when it's viewed almost solely through how it makes HER feel. We get it, you're sad, you're guilty, etc. But last I checked the tragedy is the fact that somebody died and somebody lost a loved one, not that you have to dream about it. Many of the characters lack dimension as a result of the author's single-minded focus on Lucy's trauma. If you're going to have so many characters at least give them more than a singular personality trait, otherwise dispense with them. YA is so awful at this.
Tyler. Oh, Tyler. I've studied six languages in my high school, college, and graduate careers, and never once have I been douchebaggey enough to insert random words into conversation (unless facetiously). And certainly not when the word is "Oui." He even acts like he forgets to English at one point. Bro. You're studying high school French in Australia. You're not a French person. You don't whoops and slip into your native tongue. Just...the asshattery of it all. And "ma petite reveuse"? Gag me with a spoon. Not cute. Ok, I'm getting too fired up.
I didn't feel like the need to finish this as I already knew how it ended and I'm not up to pointless meanderings through the angst of a teenager with a God complex. Not a bad premise, could have made it matter so much more.
Maybe I would have minded the plotless-ness a little less if the main character had been at all likeable. She spends so much time thinking about her problems, and explaining them to us, and agonizing over them that it seems she does little else, to the point that I often forgot her name. (Because no one really says her name in the short passages in which they do talk and she rarely has reason to say mention it herself.) She's so self-centered, it's absurd. It's incredibly hard to care about any of the tragedy she describes when it's viewed almost solely through how it makes HER feel. We get it, you're sad, you're guilty, etc. But last I checked the tragedy is the fact that somebody died and somebody lost a loved one, not that you have to dream about it. Many of the characters lack dimension as a result of the author's single-minded focus on Lucy's trauma. If you're going to have so many characters at least give them more than a singular personality trait, otherwise dispense with them. YA is so awful at this.
Tyler. Oh, Tyler. I've studied six languages in my high school, college, and graduate careers, and never once have I been douchebaggey enough to insert random words into conversation (unless facetiously). And certainly not when the word is "Oui." He even acts like he forgets to English at one point. Bro. You're studying high school French in Australia. You're not a French person. You don't whoops and slip into your native tongue. Just...the asshattery of it all. And "ma petite reveuse"? Gag me with a spoon. Not cute. Ok, I'm getting too fired up.
I didn't feel like the need to finish this as I already knew how it ended and I'm not up to pointless meanderings through the angst of a teenager with a God complex. Not a bad premise, could have made it matter so much more.
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