Sweet Dreams Are Made of Teeth

by Richard Roberts

Have you ever had the nightmare of being chased by a beast? Then you’ve met Fang. He’ll be the first to admit that he’s a very simple nightmare. All he knows is hunting your dreams and dragging them into the Dark. He’s not ready for his life to get complicated. He’s not ready to be dragged into his best friend’s schemes to make dreams so terrifying they break people. He’s not ready to love, or to be loved, or to meet someone who makes him happy. He’s definitely not ready for those to be three different girls. He’s not ready to grow up. When he does, one thing will stay the same. He’ll stay an artist, and he’ll paint your dreams with fear until they’re beautiful.

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Young Adult, Fiction

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2011

About the author

I've been writing for a long, long time. A long, long, long time. Do you remember when dirt was invented? I was using it to scratch out stories. Getting published was harder, but now I'm hooked up with Curiosity Quills and I have real books in paper, and you should buy some!

As a writer my fascination has always been children's literature, especially children's lit that is also adult lit. For some reason, this means that instead I write gothic light romance for fun, and very dark and tragic young adult books for passion. I love seeing the world through the eyes of strange people, and I believe that happy endings must be earned the hard way. There's a reason my friends started calling me Frankensteinbeck.

I could talk about how great my writing is until I turn blue, but I should let an expert do that for me. Check out the Kirkus Review for Sweet Dreams Are Made Of Teeth!

http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-rev...

Reviews

[Peter Millane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I stumbled upon this through some amazon recommendation engine magic.

This is a book about dreams, the strongest and most well formed of which take on their own personalities and lives. Narrated by Fang, a nightmare that is all about the chase, and the gnashing teeth in the dark that you cannot escape, Sweet Dreams Are Made of Teeth is an ethereal journey of self discovery.

What I loved most about this book was the fact that almost all of the dream and nightmare characters were never quite defined. As an example, Fang himself, changes form as required, sometimes walking on all fours, sometimes on only two legs. Sometimes he has hands to pull and grasp. He can be as small as a household pet, or larger than a doorway.

The same can be said about the world these characters inhabit. This dream world is constantly changing, affected both by the dreams living there, and also by the whims of dreamers, who can shape things at will. The reader is given only the barest hint of an explanation of the rules and workings of this place, and yet the writing works so well to describe the plot but let your imagination fill in the detail.

I adored this book and I will be checking out Richard Roberts other works as a priority.

[Layla Crowie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dark and fast paced, this tale is an interesting take on dreams and nightmares.

It delves into the human psyche, tackling a variety of human emotions through not only the characters but their world. It was well written but it seemed to lack something, I didn't feel anything. There were small infrequent moments that were meaningful, but I think it was really missing connection with the reader. I sadly found myself feeling a little bored at times, and it had such a morbid undercurrent to it, that it should have appealed to my melancholic nature. However, it just missed the mark for me.

I really enjoyed the entire concept though, and I don't think I've read a book quite like it. Truly original and will certainly appeal to those of a darker demeanour who enjoy tales of a more twisted nature, the writing was just missing something to draw this particular reader in .

[Sarah Hunter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and Crossroad Press in exchange for an honest review.

I think this book had a lot of potential. I loved the perspective of being told from the point of view of a nightmare, as it was really unique. The author did a great job of world building and describing he scenery. That's where the praise ends, unfortunately.

At first I cared about Fang and Self Loathing. However, as the book went on I really didn't care anymore. Their interactions were the same thing over, and over, and what I thought were redeeming qualities at first, ended up being toxic. The girlfriend thing was bizarre, as I feel there was never consent (especially with the muse). Then We have a love triangle that becomes a square which makes no sense. I still don't really know what the plot was.

Overall, I think this book had a great concept but the execution fell really flat.

[Aldo Varela · Rating 5 out of 5]

i came to know Richard Robert as an Author thanks to his Supervillian Series, and browsing through his works i came to find this little marvelous piece of fiction, Sweet Dreams are Made of Teeth is about personal growth and definition of identity, and just like most things in life often find or define ourselves by the circumstances that surround us, that, at least for me is what Fang's story means.
it's not a Romance, it's not an epic quest nor is about the intrincacies and politics of the Realms, it's about Fang defining who he is and who he wants to be, with the hope that he doesn't regret his life.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very into books about dreams and dreamlands and really liked that it was narrated by nightmare of all things. I liked that the wasn't presented as evil or even misunderstood since most of the characters themselves were part of the Dark.

The books presents itself as simple and sure most of it is, but I couldn't stop thinking about it after I was done so to me it earned all the stars I gave it.

[Ian Kirkpatrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. It's all over the place, no focus, no worldbuilding, no stakes, and every girl wants Fang. I decided I just couldn't bother to try and find the story. Reading the other reviews, I guessed what Jeffrey was up to... but it happens off screen and has other things that follow, happening off screen to be told to Fang. Fang has no drive of his own, and even the plot that could've been is defanged by Jeff waving off the minimal stakes as he knows, it's happened before despite Fang acting like it's a first. So. IDK, but seemed pointless to continue.

[Vivian Berk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique spin on dream-based fiction being told from the perspective of a nightmare. The visuals and mood of the novel are strong, and the characters are memorable. If there was anything to harp on, I'd say I found myself far more interested in the characters than the central plot.

If the core premise of a story about dreams told from the perspective of a nightmare intrigues you, Sweet Dreams Are Made of Teeth is definitely worth checking out.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, I don't know how to describe this one. It was good. I liked it. Very much a dark otherworldly fairytale, with a spooky edge, but like, it's no darker than traditional Irish fairy tales? I like the characters, it had a diverse cast, with distinctive personalities. I just can't really describe the book.

[Mockery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, deep, and more than a little beautiful.

[Bookworm52732 · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. It's as if somebody who has never experienced a psychedelic trip is describing one. So it will be on my list of unfinished books, sort of a hall of boredom and nonsense.

[Tonya Nardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fang, Coy, Self-Loathing, Lily, and Jeffrey - the premise was neat and I liked Fang but it felt oddly “dropped in the middle” for the first book in a series.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I would like this book at first, but it quickly grew on me. Fantasies and nightmares. Angels and demons. And the odd dreamer. This novel painted a motion picture, shadowy and vivid, that reached out and touched this reader.

[Rachel R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally like Richard Roberts' books. This was his first "non-children's book" that I read. It has interesting characters, an idea of the dream/nightmare world that I have never seen before, and wanting to know how the characters ended up kept me interested.
Definitely don't look to it for any theology, because in addition to dreams there are lots of angels and demons in it. I would have rather just seen dreams.
I admit I have very kiddish sensibilities, but this was not a "horror" novel. There was no overt sex in it, though a lot of things get torn apart and with great enjoyment. But.. they are only dreams, after all.

I would recommend his 'Don't tell my parents..' series books over this book.

[DOLLY · Rating 3 out of 5]

All in all, a very different and unpredictable book with a unique, fresh story and characters that don't quite fit into worn-in archetypical roles - beautiful in its broad strokes, but falls short upon closer inspection.

[SPOILERS BELOW]

This book was not what I expected at all - weird love triangles (if nightmares, demons, and demiurges were even capable of such things), haughty angels, and Lucy. There is no clear-cut good force vs. evil, no definite 'leading couple' to root for. The book itself was just a mish mash of events with vague recurring characters that bled into the other with no real transition - no clear direction. It is in this way, I guess, the book itself unfolds like a dream. A chapter begins, characters and goals begin to take shape and develop (eg. picking flowers for Elaine, making new dreams with Coy, figuring out what Self-Loathing's all about, Fang possibly becoming the demiurge of The Hunt, Jeffrey's Muse and how that could possibly work), but is abruptly dropped at the chapter's end and another goal takes precedent at the start of the next chapter.

The ultimate focus of the book is finally revealed near the end with Jeffrey's master plan to open a portal to the waking world.
Where did this come from? Yes he's brilliant, yes he's insatiable, but so much information was lacking in the beginning (parts devoted mostly to Fang and his confusing harem of love-sick ladies) that any remote possibility that world-hopping was even possible was lost on me.

And this whole side drama between fallen and non-fallen angels, their "father", and control over this Gate ...what? who cares? And if angels and demons need to pass through this Gate to even get at each other to fight, then what is this Light side that borders Dark? is it a different kind of heaven?

Ugh... too too too much going on with not enough follow through. The only loss that did tug a bit at the heart strings was Elaine's passing. And that's just because Fang trotting off in search of his Muse to recenter himself was just repeated and repeated so many times throughout the book that it became mundane habit - like seeing the same mailman everyday for years then suddenly seeing a new guy on your route because the old one retired or something ...kinda sad, but mostly meh.

And Jeffrey... is "smiling with pride" or "looking in admiration" the only two faces he has for Fang? Really? Someone tell the boy about Blue Steel. Maybe he can work that I to his repertoire. Honestly thought Jeffrey was using Fang for some big evil plan, eventually betraying him, but I guess not. I guess I'm kinda complaining that the two remained steadfast good friends to the end ...what is wrong with me?

Oh, and that news article Lily reads in the end... is it seriously implying that Jeffrey made it to the real world, murdered Lucy's parents, then kept her captive for years, abusing her until she was finally found and rescued? For real?

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can be found on my blog: http://susreviews.blogspot.com/2013/0...

4.5 stars

In the world of dreams, there are two sides: the side where the happy dreams are made and then there is the side where the nightmares are made. Fang is a nightmare. He is the large, scary thing that's right behind you, jaws snapping at your heels, just a second away from catching you. It's not that he's mean or evil or anything, he just really likes chasing, and since he's a nightmare, he's able to. Fang's best friend is an amazing nightmare, probably the best there is, but he has high aspirations, and they are dangerous. And they are going to get everyone into trouble.

This is such an interesting take on dreams and nightmares. Fang is a likeable nightmare. He knows he's not going to catch you, but he wants to scare you while he's chasing you, just like someone who is waiting behind a corner to jump out at you means no harm. He enjoys that thrill and he tries to make his nightmares as beautiful as they can be. His friends are varied and unusual. There's his muse/girlfriend. She lives in a house (you know the house, where every hallway is never ending and any door you open is never the one that lets you out?) in the nightmare world and she cries constantly. Fang talks to her, but she never hears him, never stops crying. But he's in love with her. Then there's the others: Anna, the girl who wandered into the nightmares from a dream and stayed and her evil counterpart, Lucy; the fallen angel, Lily; the fish shaped dream turned nightmare, Coy; the demiUrge Self Loathing (or sometimes Masochism). And then there's his best friend, Jeffrey. Jeffrey is so interesting. He's so focused on achieving his goal that he's willing to use Fang. He doesn't care about the wrath that his goal will bring down on them, he only wants to do it.

I really enjoyed the book. It was odd but sweet. Who would think that nightmares were sweet, yet Richards has humanized them so they aren't the unidentifiable evil thing lurking behind you. He's given them fallacies and insecurities and consciences (though not about scaring you). Richards created a whole other world, very detailed, that is fascinating as it is scary. I don't know if there will be a second book after this, but the epilogue left me to think that there would be. I hope so - I'm dying to find out how things end up with Jeffrey!

[Nikki Tetreault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally just finished the novel, and my head is still spinning, this was a fantastic read. I am an avid reader of fantasy, paranormal, and sci-fi, and I have NEVER came across a novel like this. At first it was a bit difficult for me to wrap my head around because the characters and perspectives are so unique, but I quickly found myself as drawn to this story as Fang is to the Dark.

It's title might be confusing, but this is a novel with great depth and exploration of fantasy, good vs. evil, right and wrong, and love, in it's many different forms. Roberts introduces not one but three characters that define emotions we can all relate too, and then mean such different things. I highly recommend.

[Shannon Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find that I enjoy gems like this - unexpected and unusual settings, a hero honestly like nothing I've really ever read before, and a world that combines mythology and imagination in ways I still don't fully get my head around.

Sweet Dreams is one of those books I've gone back and read a dozen times; it's a YA book, a quick read, but the themes are timeless and deep, exciting and unexpected. It's the story of nightmares and their purpose, their hopes and dreams and aspirations, taught by a hero who is the personification of the Thing that Chases...

... and, honestly, it is a true joy.

[Ionia · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first this book kind of reminded me of a Piers Anthony book, with the crazy cast of fun characters, but as I read on, the author really grew into his own. This book is not only fun, but you never know what is going to happen next.

The world-building was awesome, and the characters are different from any that I had experienced before. This book is a rare gem that you really want to tell everyone about once you have finished reading it. Kept me up reading even when I knew I had to work the next day.

I hope for more from this talented author.

This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite an engaging read, even though I'm not normally a big fan of the fantasy genre. It's set in a world inhabited by dreams and demons, existing on the fringes of our own reality. I found myself identifying with some of the characters, especially Fang, in spite of the exotic setting; the story really drew me in and kept me reading right to the end, and I still find myself thinking about it. It reminds me of Charles DeLint's work, in a way; it has that same sense of being set in a mythological universe that operates under its own different, but consistent, set of rules.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome example of why Richard Roberts is hands down my new favorite author. Sweet Dreams are Made of Teeth followed highly original and detailed characters into the dreamland where we met Angels and Demons, Demi-urges, ghosts and nightmares, following them are they scared dreamers and discovered who they really are. Absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it, as well as checking out his additional works of fiction. Five stars hands down!!

[DJ Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Roberts gives you a new take on nightmares. He gives them life and thought. I was entranced in this book and regretted having to put it down for even a second. Fang is a nightmare who slowly becomes so much more. Trust me when I say that this book will take you on a ride and make you rethink your theories on nightmares.

[Roseanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a little different than I was expecting. While there was nothing wrong with the book, I found it not to my taste. I think I was expecting something different from reading the description and felt let down by the story. Even though it was not to my taste, give it a try it may be to yours. This book was given to me for an honest review.

[Amie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story ended better than it began. The first half was really difficult for me to get into but the last half was better - the characters were more defined with separate personalities instead of all feeling like the same person/nightmare/creature. Overall, not terrible but also not one I'd recommend to my friends since it felt like work slogging through the first bit.

[Mindy Flynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Dreams are Made of Teeth is a book about dreams and nightmares. The author is awesome with the details and really brings the dreams to life for the reader. Although it's not my usual genre, I did enjoy it.

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

i Usually can find something I like about a book.....this one was i guess the imagery. It is very detailed. So much so that I had nightmares.

i could not get into this book.

[Harley · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book made me really really uncomfortable. violent in a way that I couldn't handle.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Likeable characters. Compelling nightmare imagery.

[Lissette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[One smore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a lovely unique surprise, worth reading at least once. author has a distinct voice and the scenarios that play out in this strange and whimsically horrifying book consistently delight.

[Kiana Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different, New, Imaginative and Fun