Temple of Dreams: A Novel of Now and Then

by Carolyn Mathews

Homeless and jobless following the death of his adoptive parents, Sebastian enrols at a college of natural medicine which boasts a sanctuary modelled on an ancient Greek healing centre. After a night in the temple, he dreams of Apollos, a young Athenian defeated in a pankration contest, suffering memory loss. More dreams follow, decrypted by Sybil, the lecturer who insists he keeps a dream journal. Seb is kept busy in the 21st century by a budding relationship with Fliss, which stalls when she tries to persuade him to search for his birth parents. Meanwhile, Apollos, in the fifth century BC, readies himself to attend the festival of the Greater Eleusinian Mysteries, to discover the secrets of how to avoid the perils of the underworld and make it to Elysium.

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2019

About the author

Carolyn Mathews fell into teaching by accident, acquiring an MA in Applied Linguistics in the process, going on to produce books and plays for language students. A member of the Society of Authors, she now writes novels from her base in the south of England which she shares with a wild Pomeranian. She practises yoga and meditation whenever possible, in the hope of eventually getting them right!

In a departure from the Pandora trilogy, which is set in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, her forthcoming book, 'The Temple of Dreams,' features two young male protagonists, one of whom lives in ancient Greece.

Reviews

[ABCme · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something about this book is nagging me and I can't quite put my finger on it. The story is nice enough:
Seb enters a scholarship at the Holistic Healing Centre and is required to 'earn his keep' by participating in Dream-Healing-Sessions, which take him to Ancient Greece.
The writing is very much for young adults and reads like a car trying to get into gear on a bumpy road.
The characters are present; I can hear them but don't see them. It's like a stageplay, being on the outside looking in.
The parts where I do feel involved are the ones playing out in Ancient Greece. These are detailed, full of life and character.
The last chapters are rushed and the ending is abrupt.
Although I appreciate the idea behind this story, this is not a book I'm likely to return to.

Thank you Netgalley and Roundfire Books for the ARC.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seb is trying to move on after the death of his adoptive parents. He gets a place on a natural healing course. The course is modeled around the Ancient Greek healing temple of Asldepieion. When he's at the college he discovers a past life that heals his own life. Seb's o ly clue to his background is a brooch harness his mothers, an ancient Greek brooch. Taking part in the dream healing sessions, take him back to Ancient Greece.

This is a time travelling story. All the characters are well rounded, even the ones from Ancient Greece. We all, at some point in our lives, will have to deal with the loss of someone that we love, it's part of lives circle. But to be able to venture into the past, to help the healing process, I'm not to sure about. Seb came across as a it of an idiot and I found it hard to like him. I also felt the ending to be a bit rushed. Loose ends were left untied. I really wanted to like like this story more. A decent enough read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, John Hunt Publishing Ltd and the author Carolyn Mathews for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne Egseth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Mathews' Temple Of Dreams is a captivating read with a vast scope. The architecture of this story weaving past and present, personal and universal themes, is masterful and admirable. It hints to the hidden structures behind all our lives, -to the possibility of glimpsing something of the creative forces guiding our stories on a level beyond our rational minds.
We follow the protagonist Sebastian’s journey of self discovery and healing, and are invited into a detailed rendition of his daily life of romance, friendship and studying. The well described contemporary world, inhabited by recognizable characters engaged in mundane tasks, grounds the dives into mythical time and meeting with Greek Gods and Goddesses. The psychological realism and sometimes minute descriptions of the contemporary scenes provide a good back drop for the larger themes of reincarnation and connection with the divine. The psychologically wounded Sebastian doesn’t believe the soul is immortal, and struggles to have a concept of God. Herein lie some of the tension in the story as Sebastian embarks on a healing journey. He enrolls in a course of study described by one of the tutors as having the aim of ‘awakening the soul so a person can become completely whole…growing beyond the personality and into the soul’ and is told that ‘one of the most important aims in life should be to keep one’s soul fully embodied. Without it we lose our link to the divine.‘
We understand that this becomes part of the premise for Sebastian’s healing, and that through the Greek inspired dream therapy practiced at the college, the synchronistic events and relationships forming in the contemporary world, he is on the path of reclaiming his soul, healing his past and growing into the person he was meant to be.

The Temple of Dreams is a story full of warmth, interesting characters, moments of tension, romance, well researched historical details, and magical surprises. It is unusual in its ability to seamlessly weave the many ingredients and layers into a highly pleasurable and inspiring story of individuation and the healing power of the imagination. I loved it and was sad when it came to an end.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received this book free from the author for an honest review**

I will start by saying that I'm giving this 3*s because the subject matter was not particularly to my taste. Whilst I'm not against giving historical fiction a go, it's not my go-to genre. This book focuses heavily on ancient Greek culture and medicine.

The premise of the story is that Seb, a newly orphaned (his adoptive parents) young man who goes to a college of natural medicine which is focused on ancient Greek medicine. He starts having dreams which take him back to the ancient Greek times which are then interpreted for him by one of his lecturers Sybil.
Alongside this storyline is the meeting of Fliss, his eventual girlfriend and Nick, his flatmate. Also, the discovery of who his real parents are and his eventual meet up with them.
Some of this reads very much like YA fiction but then the historical parts are much more complex and require a lot more concentration.
Carolyn Matthews has obviously done a lot of research in the creation of this book as it goes into depth about the ideas of Greek healing and dream theory.
I would recommend this to someone who enjoys learning about ancient medicine or Greeks.

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is billed as ‘a novel of then and now’ and it certainly lives up to that claim. The ‘now’ features Sebastian, who has recently lost his adoptive parents. Studying at a natural health college, he is encouraged, despite a healthy dose of scepticism, to explore his dreams; dreams that plunge him back to Ancient Greece. And that’s where the ‘then’ comes in, as we follow the path of Apollos, a young Athenian about to be initiated into the Greater Eleusinian Mysteries.

Carolyn Mathews has a deep interest in metaphysics, as anyone who has read her Pandora trilogy will know. But this is her first time slip novel. The device of using third person for Seb’s story and first person for Apollos works well, making a clear demarcation between the two time strands. The depth of research is obvious, but it doesn’t seem forced and we learn a lot about both ancient and modern views on natural healing as we go along.

There are similarities between the two boys’ stories, such as the fact that both lost their birth mothers at an early age and each is recovering from an injury, but the parallels are hinted at, rather than laid on too heavily. This is a well-written, easy to read novel, which I very much enjoyed. Recommended for all fans of time slip stories; or anyone who enjoys a more spiritual approach to their fiction.

[Liz Macrae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unusual and intriguing book which opens dramatically with the troubled background of Sebastian's birth. He is an engaging young man and the novel tells his voyage of self-discovery. He experiences being transported back to Ancient Greece while studying at a college of natural medicine. The author moves deftly between the present and the ancient worlds, maintaining pace and tension while displaying a detailed understanding of ancient philosophies. The story can be read on a number of different levels, including issues about identity, human connection and re-incarnation.

[Veryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Temple of Dreams
by
Carolyn Mathews

The Temple of Dreams ticks all the boxes for an enthralling read; engaging characters, fast paced with moments of tension, and romance, but better still, underlying the story is a very thought provoking spiritual theme.
The principle protagonist, Sebastian, is a likable young man, with whom I felt engaged from the very start. That said there were moments when I felt he was a bit sharp with some of his would-be supporters, something that was understandable due to his vulnerable state. It begins with Sebastian being orphaned when his adoptive parents are killed in a car crash. This unforeseen change in his life leaves him in a somewhat precarious situation. However he is a resourceful young man and possessed of interesting and unusual abilities, abilities that help him win a place as a scholarship student at a nearby college. The college, like Sebastian is also unusual, but as it turns out, is just the place for him. Here he shares a room with Nick, a cheerful ex-actor, a perfect foil for the reflective Sebastian. He also meets a young woman known as, Fliss, a sympathetic friend who is determined to help him. Once the principle characters are set, the story switches backwards and forwards between an ancient Greece steeped in ritual and mystery where the action centers on a young man by the name of Apollos, and the present day. It becomes ever more evident to the reader, if not to Sebastian, that his and Apollos's lives are somehow inexplicably entwined.
Temple of Dreams is a deeply spiritual book, punctuated with ancient myths and philosophies, including thought provoking premises, such as reincarnation and profound gems of wisdom such as 'Man being the microcosm of the macrocosm'.

This is a beautifully written book, which can be read and enjoyed equally at two levels. One, the plight of Sebastian and how he overcomes the difficulties life has thrown at him in the here and now, but for some this will be a story of great spiritual and philosophical depth, a rewarding glimpse of the workings of the spirit within the soul of man.
I loved the book and can't recommend it highly enough.

[Grant Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex, captivating and chimerical, Temple of Dreams manages the difficult feat of presenting two very different narratives with distinct writing styles and weaving them together to create a seamless storytelling experience. That's impressive. The present-day thread reads, to me, like a stage play, almost Oscar Wilde-esque, which means it flies by (I read the first 140 pages in a little over an hour and a half). The narrative teases out Seb's character over the entire first third of the book before crystallising into something more concrete, so I was kept guessing for a while as to what was most important to him: an identity? the chance to be 'normal'? the desire for a lover? closure with his parents? all of the above? He comes across as a flawed, yet well-meaning soul who acts like a bit of a prat on occasion (every time he speaks to Digby, for example, or his interactions with Lynette or Dr Sharma), but develops as he gets closer to the truth of himself.

The other thread focuses on the lyrical, lost Apollos of Ancient Greece. As a fan of authors like Valerio Massimo Manfredi and Conn Iggulden, I can honestly say that the writing here belongs in that company. What stands out above all is the love the author evidently has of this period and the sheer amount of research that has gone into it - from the sacrificial rites to social customs to the description of a pilgrimage. Take a line like this: "Truth is, he's still mourning the loss of his mentor Diogenes, who died at the Battle of Sybota, felled by a Corinthian arrow". Each time I came across these kinds of reference, I found myself heading to Wikipedia to read more about it (turns out the battle was a precursor to the Peloponnesian War - hello Athens vs Sparta fight night).

My only regret is that it takes a while before the Ancient Greek element of the story comes into play - this is what sold the book for me and elevated it from a classic light romance novel to an intriguing historical-spiritual work that straddles (and unites) two very different periods in human history.

[Lynda Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hero of this tale, Sebastian, is faced between choosing between studying for a secure but dead-end career in pub catering, or in signing up for a mysterious course in healing, based on Greek myths and Greek knowledge. Sure he will be unable to pay for the latter he rather churlishly turns it down, when he discovers that he will be tutored for free!
Sebastian recently list his adoptive parents in a motorway pile-up. His only clue to his true background is a brooch left behind by his mother. An ancient Greek brooch.....
Then he meets Felicity, who works in a boutique and romance begins to stir. Yet when City urges him to look for his natural parents, Sebastian, again churlishly, refuses to any help in this. At the same time his new flatmate seems interested in Felicity too, whilst Felicity thinks he prefers a so.ewhat predatory French girl. The path of true love never running through and all that.
So many people seem to want to help Sebastian, but it also seems clear that he can be a bit of a jerk.....
The next woman in his life then seeks to really show Sebastian what his course of study is about - through initiation. A sacred bath within the depths of a temple within the campus, gives Sebastian access to memories of a Greek who lived during the times when the Eleusian mysteries were practised. However, churlish Sebastian here too refuses to continue with the experiment when his muse seems to be more interested in what may be an earlier incarnation, or in what the Mysteries are really about. Yet Fate does seem determined to confront Sebastian with himself......
This can be enjoyed as a romantic novel with an element of the supernatural, if romantic novels appeal to the reader - or, for that matter, for anyone who is interested in the Greek Mysteries. The characters living in this past are well drawn, facing as gritty dilemmas in finding their ways in life as anyoneigjt becon the present - perhaps more so, as the struggles just to survive were far greater then. There is an element of coming-of-age too. Hopefully as far as potential readers gobmow, you know who you are.

[The Starry Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Temple of Dreams’ by Carolyn Mathews follows a young man named Seb who enrolls in a college for natural medicine modeled after the ancient Greek healing temple of Asklepieion. It’s at the college that he discovers a past life that begins to mirror and ultimately heal is own life.

Last year I began studying Greek Medicine so I was very excited to read this book and I’m happy to say that overall it did not disappoint. I really liked the storyline and the author’s writing style. I’m surprised that ancient healing hasn’t featured in more fiction because it’s a fascinating subject with huge potential.

Although part of the book takes place in Ancient Greece, the themes of the story were timeless. Mending the past, acceptance, love & loss, and self-discovery are all things people grapple with no matter the date. ‘Temple of Dreams’ is a time traveling story and like all good time traveling adventures, there has to be a greater purpose to venturing into the past, and in this story, the main character was able to journey into deeper parts of himself, initiating an intense healing process.

With that being said, the only let down was the ending. I thought it was rushed and unresolved. I needed there to be more of an explanation in order to tie up the loose ends. Also, it seemed like there was an underlying conspiracy in the story making me suspicious of some characters that ultimately did not lead to anything, however that might have been done purposely on the author’s behalf.

Overall, I thought Carolyn Mathews did a great job venturing into the intimidating genre of Ancient Greece. She was able to make antiquity contemporary and for that reason I hope it’s not the last time we visit the ‘Temple of Dreams.’

[Susan Plunket · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Temple of Dreams, Carolyn Mathews uses story to explore man’s most fundamental question. Are we related to something bigger than ourselves? As the book opens Mathew’s main character, Seb, has just arrived at the Asklepios Foundation to study a form of esoteric healing. But there’s a big problem. The central premise of Asklepian therapy is that one must grow beyond the personality into the Soul. But Seb is agnostic, and does not accept the idea that one has a Soul which must kept embodied in order to stay connected to the Divine. Seb stops working with his tutor who has been helping him process his dreams when she tells him they are about his past life in Greece circa 450 B.C. because he doesn’t believe in past lives. Despite his non-belief in past lives Seb is compelled by his dream life. He tries to navigate a life in each of the two worlds. In each world he believes himself to be an orphan, undergoes a wounding, suffers amnesia, participates in rituals, has a beloved, and a best friend. Despite the similarities the contrast between the worlds is stark and interesting as the reader becomes involved in both. There’s an added element of suspense as we get deeper into the story and discover more about Seb’s origin and family. The suspense adds to the pleasure of the story as does a very poignant reunion near the end. I was so engaged I read the book in two sittings.

Susan Plunket, Ph.D.
Jungian psychologist and author

[Sarah Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first time in my life I actually loved how detailed and slow a book was for me and truly enjoyed every minute of it.

This book was full of anticipation that captured me from the very beginning and I didn't want it to end, it showed true humanity of what happens in the past at its best and it was a tender reminder of how dreams possibility to possess something special in your heart and how we have become.

It isn't what I usually read but I am so glad I did, and the whole time I was thinking that I couldn't wait to see how the main character would cross paths with his biological father and mother, they were so fully drawn that I felt a personal connection and loved how it was captured on an individual level through healing.

That being, it's description and deconstruction of each plot from many different angles. To be clear, I applaud the author for this approach; it truly seems that Mathews was trying to get to the real anthropological roots of each Greek history.

This story is so beautiful, and there’s just something about everything coming together and all the pieces fitting into place like a puzzle that makes me very excited on what will happen next. It’s moving and I LOVE IT.

I can't express enough how beautifully written the pages are, and this is one of the best books I have read so far.

[Henry Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you plan to read some good historical fiction then Carolyn Mathews " Temple of Dreams" must be top of your list.

Frankly, it is just this organizational structure that makes this book priceless, in my opinion. Now, does the book lend itself to sitting down and reading it straight through, cover-to-cover? No, not particularly. I did, but then I wanted to read each chapter as some of them I wasn't familiar with at all. Having done that though, I can honestly say that I am completely convinced that Mathews organizational scheme in this reference book is nothing short of brilliant. I am also completely comfortable navigating my way around the book, starting from either the beginning until the last page of this book, reading the actual myth of Apollo, the source citations, and then exploring Mathews notes in the beginning. In summation, I'd say that Mathews has taken a scholarly approach in his presentation of the myths, documenting sources, and with other authors explanatory notes and commentary. Having said that though, I also maintain that this is still an enjoyable and eminently readable book, and one that you could pick up and open to any page and start reading and just lose yourself for an hour or two.

[Annie Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s rare to find a book in which I hang onto every word, in fear of missing out on the beauty of writing. Temple of dreams made me truly appreciate writing . How Mathews was able to craft words into an exquisite story that hits every emotion perfectly is a feat in itself even though she is not a historian.
When I first read the book, I found the pacing to be slow and the overall story to be anticlimactic and boring. But for my second read, the pacing works. It’s what helped me understand how Mathew’s every word meant more than it seemed. Every line of the story is extremely quotable, and it was truly one of the best reading experiences I’ve had.

The suspense and accumulation of events throughout the story is extremely satisfying; it’s more than just beautiful writing, it’s a story of family, love, bravery and resilience. And I loved every word of it.

If you wanted to read this cover to cover, I would recommend taking breaks, then coming back to it. I tried power reading it, and found the flow of it terrible and had to put it down several times. However, there are surely some adept readers out there that could handle it. Otherwise, I think it would work very well as a 'reference book', picking each story to read as it comes to mind.

[Grace Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Mathews made me fall in love with words again.

Mathews uses the history of ancient Greece very well using the character of an adopted son, Sebastian which focuses on dreams of the past that may lead to the history of his family, how their paths intersect with a twist and the moments that change his journey forever.

Gorgeous, magical writing. Mathews uses imagery and metaphor in ways that exceed expectations; he captures the beauty and sensation with his words but never goes overboard. He develops Sebastian as the main character and with his incisive choices in diction, and he portrays the former's resilience and the latter's curiosity in a way that made my heart clench. Mathews includes just the right amount of detail to give the side characters specific flavors as well, ranging from obsessed Sebastian to its journey in healing process of his dreams. This passage stood out to me, not because of its relevance to the plot, but because it showcases how Mathews pauses time travel to portray a single, powerful emotion.

Recommended to fans of historical fiction and to those who appreciate remarkable writing.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a strange, time travel book. After the sudden death of his adoptive parents, Seb enrolls in a college for natural medicine modeled after the ancient Greek healing temple of Asklepion. There he finds a life that mirrors his, as he begins to heal. He begins dreaming about ancient Greece, and the dreams actually become part of his life. His college lecturer, Sybil, helps him understand the dreams, as he works to unlock the mysteries that surround his life.

The story is fascinating, but time travel really never does totally interest me, so this book was not as interesting as it would be for a reader fascinated by time travel. The characters are well done and brought to life throughout. The story line was likewise well thought out and done. I did find the ending a bit of a surprise and a bit rushed. All in all, the book was okay, though, as a time travel book, it will never be one of my favorites. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for someone who's interested in Greek myths, as the title may imply. This book is not a commentary on or a history of the myths. It is simply not the classic myths which wonderfully organized and beautifully told about family, love and friendship.

As someone who loves order, the organization of this book is a dream of healing process about your past. Mathews beautifully written the characters that her readers undoubtedly skip its pages.

One of the biggest surprises I found while reading the story was Sebastian is the son of the founder of Asklepios Foundation that makes the story more interesting.

One last comment, I found it interesting to think about whether or not these myths influenced morality - or at least tried to influence it. Certain stories seemed to be pushing a certain point of view (as many stories do) on the reader. Just some food for thought.

Do I recommend? Yes. I think most people can find some parts of this book that they'd enjoy.

[Isabella Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's a rich character driven book taking place during Greek era. It jumps around to various characters, each with a deep background story, and details their personal adventures while the world falls apart. The healing procedures of dreams is almost secondary. It's just a part of their life and they have to survive it. If you love books with non-linear plots that really flesh out the characters you will love this one.

What propels the book forward is the visions of the future. Sebastian seeks as much as information about the gods and goddesses to understand what would be the possibility happens in the past. In his process of mapping of the world, it was surprising how his imagination comes into play to create it, especially how he imbues his dreams and achieve his desires.


I died a thousand times while reading this book. It is mysterious, heart-warming and just brilliantly beautiful. It deserves all the good reviews.

[LilBookMonk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an intriguing and captivating book. This book is synonymous with adventure and discovery. Adventures of past life and discoveries of the truths. The story takes us on a thrilling voyage between past and present amidst two different lands and cultures. The author, Carolyn Mathews, has done a commendable job with the transition between two eras, the shift from past to present is smooth and engage the audience to the happenings of the either worlds. Each character of this story has its place and are elaborated compellingly. I loved the way how the author has unveiled each layers in the story.

The book gives us a closure in the life of Sebastian, the protagonist. The story starts when Seb after losing his adoptive parents joins an ancient greek institution to learn about esoteric healing. However, there’s one thing about the course that bothers Seb, the study demands individuals to look beyond their present life and embrace the soul to connect with divine. Adding to this, he receive some strange dreams about a young man, Apollos who resides in the Greece of 450 B.C. These dreams according to his tutor are the instances from his past life. Although being challenger of the beliefs about past life, soul, and divinity Seb is enchanted by the series of dreams and wants to ascertain the meaning and relation of those dreams.

The story unfolds leaving us readers amused by the revelation of the connection between two worlds and the suspense of Sebastian’s family and pedigree. I immensely enjoyed reading every page of this book. Exquisitely drafted and presented, this book will not let down the fans of ancient dramas and thrillers.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

The start of the book implies it is set in Ancient Greece but it’s mostly set in the real, modern world and the main character has dreams (possible past life memories) that are in Ancient Greece.

I wanted to like this but there’s just something about it that I wasn’t feeling.

I feel like the idea was good but it perhaps wasn’t executed very well. Chapters switched from Seb’s & Apollos’ voice and there wasn’t a distinction for each character so often you didn’t know who’s perspective the chapter was from until you read on and gained context.

It took me longer to read this book than expected as in parts it felt like ‘what’s the point’. So little had happened by 40% in that I wondered if it was going to be a series as I didn’t see how much could be resolved in the remainder.

The ending seemed rushed & not well thought out. Even the characters seemed confused.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolyn Mathews "Temple of Dreams" is a wonderful resource for learning about the gods and goddesses in the ancient Greek. Mathews focus in deliberating of Apollo and contemplating it to the well-defined temple of Gods.

Mathews does a wonderful job of making the story easy to read and understand and discusses the variations which occurred in the myths of Apollo that dreams may vary in different ways and through a certain process.

These ancient references are then listed which easily provides the reader the information they need to do further investigation. Lastly, additional notes are included which help to better understand the myths and and the entire story of the characters to put them into a historical perspective, though again this is not necessarily factual as much as it is supposition on the part of Mathews

[James Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fiction books where the character takes a journey to distant land, curious and intrigued about the reality, finding happiness of the past, love to explore and then lives happily at the end of the story and most importantly you are looking for a deeper understanding of where the characters you know (and either love or hate) come from and interacted with the world, this set is just for you.

This book covers the basic starting from the well-written introduction from the author moving into the beginning when the main character was abandoned by his biological mother and grew up with utmost curiosity .

It is a very interesting story of a young man who found the answers when he entered the foundation and met the gods and goddesses in ancient Greece through a dream.

The must read book.

[Robert King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book for those people who loved time travel to end your curiosity about the happenings of the Greece ancient time. It makes a fine reference for interpreting mythology with somewhat of a historical perspective and giving a view of influences upon Greek myth. A superb and comprehensive account of the Greek gods and goddesses including some very obscure variants, with lots of interesting insights on their anthropological and ritual origins. Matthew's magical healing process can be useful for practitioners in the present. Lots of learnings on how a person can have a peace of mind.

It suffers a bit from Mathews's own prejudices and 'goddess' oriented beliefs, but overall it is a small flaw. I am in the process of re-reading and adding notes for my own future reference. Mathews' style is easy to read and enjoyable.

Recommends it to everyone.

[Patricia Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolyn Mathews’ Temple of Dreams is in a class of its own.
The story is absolutely riveting in itself, but what was perfect about this book is Mathews writing. Reading it felt as though every, single word was carefully considered and endlessly analyzed before it was selected to fit in just the right sentence, in just that exact paragraph. She writes so comprehensively, with such delicacy and finesse. She creates such vivid circumstances and settings that she doesn’t need to tell you how his characters feel. She lays the framework: we know the characters, we experience their lives with them, and therefore we know how they feel. It is deeply affecting. Reading it from the perspective of admiring the craftsmanship was a joy. I always appreciate an author who has such a strong grasp on language that the words alone become a song, with no background music necessary.

[Charles Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually like this book a lot because unlike Keryi's stories about ancient Greek, this book delivers what you're looking for. It actually has the Greek Myths in a style that is understandable and for entertainment purposes. You'll get the whole stories here and they are easy to read!

I also read a range of historical fiction set in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Often myths of the time period are important elements of the story line. I had a cursory knowledge base of the basic myths. What Mathews did for me was connect the dots on when they emerged and why. I'm glad I read this, as I think it will provide an extra layer of understanding in reading future historical fiction work. Mathews is just simply a master

[Joan Dela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 300 pages is worth your precious time and not one to rush through. The plot is intricately woven, with several strands that are developed independently, then gradually wind around each other. The book moves forward and backwards in time, always focused on and progressing steadily toward the climax. In spite of the length, I was sad to finish the story and say goodbye to the characters. I don't want to give anything away. Does it have a happy ending? Does it have a sad ending? You'll have to read it for yourselves. I highly recommend the experience. Carolyn Mathews has created a stunning book, full of exquisite writing and beautifully-drawn characters. It couldn't be more real, or human to try to dream of the gods and goddesses of the ancient Greece and what they look like.

[Alistair Conwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Mathews delivers a clever, thought-provoking story imbibed with esoteric richness. The spiritual and romantic themes make this a page-turner that will resonate long after the last page, much like a vivid, lucid dream. ‘Temple of Dreams’ is an apt title for a story that places consciousness on the altar of reality (where it rightly deserves to be), and in doing so, raises important and timeless philosophical questions.

Alistair Conwell
Circadian Web: The Space of Time A Novel

[Sophie Childs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loving Greek myths, I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. However, it falls down in execution, since most of the novel takes place in the modern world, where a young man, Seb, has lucid dreams about being in Ancient Greece.

The chapters switch perspective from Seb to Apollos and back again, but with no indication as to which character each chapter is about, it's difficult to keep track of what's happening to who and when.

Slow to start and rushed to finish, this could have done with further developing to bring out the potential in it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

[Miller Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my experience with historical fiction, the titles that polarize opinions the most are the ones about the ancient gods. It isn't very difficult to understand the logic behind this.
Still it depends on the authors how they give spice to their characters created and Mathews’ Temple of Dreams is an exception.
This gorgeously bound text delivers the ancient Greek myths, specifically Apollo and the other gods, through an abandoned boy via his dreams in a stunning depth. A thumbs up for the author.

[Zane Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had known how awesome this book is, I might have read it sooner. This book is so entertaining and so brilliant and just so good. It's historical fiction, but it's not dull or boring, not even for a sentence! Sebastian’s transition and journey is so well done and the story is pulled off so well. Sometimes the language felt rather informal but I understand the author's reasoning for writing the book and I supposed its Mathews style. This book is brilliant and awesome and deserves positive reviews.