The Nightmare Thief

The Nightmare Thief #1

by Nicole Lesperance

For fans of A Snicker of Magic and The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl comes a suspenseful dark fantasy read, perfect for middle school readers that love stories of magic and sisterhood with a dash of danger.Maren Partridge loves working in her family's dream shop where she can hand-craft any dream imaginable. The shop has only one rule. Dreams cannot be given to a person without their consent. Maren has no problem with this--until her sister, Hallie, has an accident that leaves her in a coma. Maren's certain she can cure Hallie with a few well-chosen dreams. And when no one is watching, she slips her a flying dream.But a strange new customer from the shop has been following Maren and knows what she did. Now she's laid the perfect trap to blackmail Maren into creating custom nightmares for a dark and terrible purpose. As Maren gets drawn further into the sinister scheme, she must make a to protect her family or to protect the town from her family's magic.Pick up The Nightmare Thief if you are looking Suspenseful stories of magical realism for kidsGifts for 11-13 year old girls or any young readers that loves fantasyBooks that explore bullying, family ties, and feature strong female charactersBooks for 3rd - 8th grade classrooms

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Horror, Magical Realism, Magic, Fiction, Adventure

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2021

About the author

Nicole grew up on Cape Cod and graduated from Wesleyan University. She spent a few years in London and now lives near Boston with her family and two rambunctious black cats. She writes young adult and middle grade books.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an Middle Grade, and this is the First book in the Nightmare Thief series. I have to say this was a very fun book to read. It had twist and turns, and the book had very developed characters. I loved all the characters. I loved reading this book so much. The ideas in this book was so good. I feel this is a great middle grade book, but I think adults will love it too. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Sourcebooks Young Readers) or author (Nicole Lesperance) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This middle grade story this was surprisingly scary at its climax. Will definitely give some middle grade horror buffs excitement. I'd put in the category of as scary as the Lockwood and Co series. Although The Nightmare Thief is not nearly as good, frankly. That said it's a solid read that will thrill a lot of younger kids. I'd be sure the child looking to read it is interested in being a bit scared. I know children that both love to be scared and those that absolutely hate it. One child I know absolutely adores being frightened (we're pretty sure) isn't a future serial killers (he likes animals and is nice to other kids) LOL.
This is a perfect one to borrow from the library. The type of book that isn't likely to have huge lasting effect on a child; but certainly a good gap read for any voracious young reader; or adult too afraid to read real horror but wanting some thrills and chills! For those old (like me) this is a bit scarier than the Goosebumps of the 80s/90s.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an imaginative, amazing read! I’ve realized how much I LOVE books having to do with dreams in any way. This continues to prove that for me. This was such a unique story, & really makes you think about the power dreams/nightmares could have, & the damage they could cause in the wrong hands. This is a darker at time upper MG, & I ate it up. Again the blend of real life relatable issues mixed with a magical fantasy element so well that I’ve been loving. Maren’s sister being in a coma after a car accident, & the guilt she carries, plus the way it affects every aspect of her life. Her parents are working almost all the time trying to cover medical bills for her sister, she feels like they never even notice her anymore, & just so much sadness in everything without her sister there & healthy. This is so atmospheric as well, with this coastal magical town. I found all the different kinds of magic that different families could have so fascinating. I absolutely loved how they made dreams & nightmares! The ingredients, & just the whole process! There’s even a villain with a dastardly plot! Lol And boy was she pure evil! She IS the darkness lol. I loved Maren(loved that she is a tap dancer too! So cool!), & I loved Amos & the complexities of their friendship. I really enjoyed seeing them find their way back to a special friendship like they used to have-maybe even stronger after all of this haha! Henri is the absolute best though! Love that bird. Highly recommend! Just started the 2nd, & I’m so excited to continue! BEAUTIFUL cover by Federica Frenna as well!💜

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantasy for young readers. Maren's sister is in a coma. Maren will do anything to help her, even dark magic. Even though she is neither big or strong, can Maren use her smarts and bravery to outsmart the evil Maybe Ms Malo Obscura Gray?

[Christina Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book and thinking that this was simply the most lovely and imaginative idea. I absolutely loved every minute of this lush, gorgeous book, in which Maren tries to use dream magic to bring her sister out of a coma, only to get wrapped up in a nefarious plot that threatens Maren, her family, and her town. The book moved at a brisk pace, and I found myself staying up to finish the book--I had to know what happened next. I would highly recommend for all readers!

[Shanice · Rating 4 out of 5]

*A big thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

The Nightmare Thief is a middle-grade book which manages to balance the sweet magical setting with some darker and scarier themes really well. We follow Maren, and the book starts off about three weeks after she and her older sister Hallie got into an accident. Unfortunately, ever since this accident Hallie has been in a coma which has drastically derailed both Maren's personal and family life. As a distraction Maren focusses on working with her grandmother in her dream shop, where they sell dreams and occasionally also some nightmares.

The whimsical and magical feel of this town Maren lives in is lovely, and I really enjoyed it. I also liked how the villain in the story shows that not everything is as sweet as sugar as it may seem. Maren has lost her former best friend since he is now hanging out with someone who has bullied her, which was obviously very sad so I was glad to see them slowly rekindling their friendship.
Overall there were a lot of lovely themes in this book and an exciting plotline going on, I just personally wished it had been a little longer and spent a bit more time on the ending, since that did feel a little rushed to me.

If you're looking for a middle-grade novel with some great themes and magical vibes, this book releases today and I'd recommend you to check it out!

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE NIGHTMARE THIEF by Nicole Lesperance is the first in a series of Middle Grade fantasy horror books and quickly sets the tone and pace for what will surely be a household name in the genre. Blending magic and family, this book is full of all kinds of little twists and fun turns. The town itself is somewhere I would actually like to visit and there are definitely a few characters that would be fun to hang out with. But there are a few I would like to steer clear of, as well. The character descriptions and development are handled extremely well and Lesperance has a gift at making them come to life and right off the page. I actually would have been happy for this book to be even longer! I could have spent more time with these characters and their journey than I did - guess that means I will need to check out the sequel!

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book.

The Nightmare Thief is a delightful read full of whimsical and dark magic. I loved learning about the different magical talents that made up the town, including the main character, Maren, and her family's dream magic. Nicole Lesperance seamlessly weaves magic and real family tragedy together into a story full of hope, friendship, and love. Even with magic, Maren felt like a real kid who struggles to fix her mistakes. Middle schoolers will identify with the themes of shifting family dynamics and changing childhood friendships, all while enjoying the mystery of the nightmares plaguing the town. Plus, who could not love Henri, this mischievous parrot who screams insults in French and just might help save the day...

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I highly recommend it!

[Chad Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Nightmare Thief has such a richly crafted world, where whimsical magic comes with dark undertones. Full of spooky twists, memorable characters and a stand-out villain, this is a perfect read for fans of books like The Night Gardener.

[Union County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a duology, The Nightmare Thief is a fun and imaginative middle-grade fantasy book about a town entrenched in magic. Maren's family possesses dream magic; the ability to craft dreams. This magic comes with one rule, you must never give a dream or nightmare to someone without consent. But with Maren's older sister in a coma, she breaks this rule in the hopes of using dream magic to awaken her sister. When Maren is caught by a mysterious stranger, she falls into a nefarious plot that threatens the entire town. This stranger's pursuit of magical revenge will have readers on the edge of their seats as they root for good to triumph over evil. Readers should be prepared for a good scare but will love the satisfying ending.

- Reviewed by Chelsea G.

[Terry Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to read an arc of The Nightmare Thief set in the magical coastal town of Rockpool Bay. Magical is not an adjective when applied to Rockpool Bay. It is a fact. Many of the people in town possess magic—like the kind that makes bubbles sing and roses grow even in the winter. Maren works in her grandmother’s shop—a shop where you can buy dreams and if, you have a good enough reason, maybe a nightmare to give you thrills.
But Maren’s family has just had a tremendous blow. Her sister is in a coma as a result of an accident. Who wouldn’t try to do all she could to bring her sister back to real life even if it involves a little forbidden magic? In a story in which the town is a character, Maren has been abandoned by her best friend, a deliciously wicked villain holds a life-long grudge and a French speaking parrot who curses fluently could be either Maren’s undoing or her savior, Maren sets off a cascading series of events that in the end threaten everything she loves. I loved it. Highly recommend.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading the ARC and loved it! After school Maren works in her family's typewriter repair shop, and also in the shop in back where she helps her grandmother prepare dreams for sale. Not such an odd thing when you come from a town known for its magical qualities. Up to now, she has led a pretty normal life with school, tap dancing lessons and family but she and her best friend have fallen out, and a car accident has put her older sister, Hallie into a coma from which recovery does not look promising. Maren's loving family has become filled with anxiety and sadness.
The cardinal rule of the dream shop is that a dream must never, under any circumstances be given to someone without their expressed consent. Maren feels sure she can create a dream for her sister that will put her on the road to recovery but no one can get consent from a coma patient and the rules are for everyone, including family members. Breaking the rule would mean banishment from the dream shop and loss of her beloved grandmother's company. As preparations begin to transfer Hallie to an out-of-town residential facility, Maren panics. She creates a dream she feels sure will help her sister to awaken and slips it to Hallie. Of course, more than one dose will be needed but each time, the risk of discovery increases. As it turns out, someone knows what Maren has done and knows just how to use that knowledge to further her own nefarious goals. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Maren is captured in a web of deceit, blackmail and nightmares.
Realistic personalities, a unique setting, lovely writing, a cussing, French speaking parrot, an evil ballerina, lots of dreams and lots of heart all combine to make this one a winner.

[Payal Doshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to be able to receive an ARC of THE NIGHTMARE THIEF and I just finished reading it! And oooh did I love it!

THE NIGHTMARE THIEF is one of those books where you wait for any free time you get and rush to read it even if you can squeeze in only two pages. It is a wonderful story of family especially sisters--I absolutely adored Haley and Maren's relationship--sprinkled with a magical, mysterious dose of a family with the ability to create dreams and nightmares. This story is poignant, thrilling, funny (I'm looking at you, Henri, the French speaking parrot!) and so full of heart.

The book is set in a lovely little coastal town complete with magic, an evil woman, a shop of dreams, blackmail and stolen nightmares. It was such an easy, lovely read with characters that you fell in love with. I especially loved the portrayal of Maren's family, who despite their tough situation, were lovingly there for each other.

The prose in this book is also just delightful! I felt as though I was right there on the boardwalk of Rockpool Bay with sea spray in my hair! The descriptions of magic and the magical nightmare were so fun to read! I highly recommend this book to middle graders and even adults who love reading MG books!

[Shakirah Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to receive an ARC for this book. If you like whimsical fantasy with a sweet sibling relationship, then this book is perfect for you.
Maren lives in a magical coastal town where she works in her grandmother's dream shop, helping her to make wonderful dreams. But some customers have a penchant for nightmares, and will go to great lengths to secure them, even if it means destroying Maren's family and the peaceful town.I absolutely loved the relationships in this book. We learn so much about her comatose sister, Hallie, through Maren's eyes, and there are some truly heart-wrenching moments, though lined with a dash of hope. There is just such a great bond between Maren and her grandmother; it's the kind of love, respect and friendship between older and younger generations that I wish were present in more MG books. With the addition of a ridiculously talented villain, and a parrot that can teach you some creative French insults, this book was a joy to read. I highly recommend it!

[Alysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to read an arc of this wonderfully imaginative MG debut.

Maren lives in a marvelously magical town and spends her free time working in her grandmother's shop, learning how to mix and make dreams for sale. But not everything about Maren's life is marvelous -- she's lost her best friend to a bully and even worse, her older sister, who lies in the hospital in a coma.
Desperate to help her sister, Maren devises a plan she's confident will help heal her sister, even as it breaks her grandmother's cardinal rule of dream magic: to never give a dream to anyone without their consent.
Driven by love, not defiance, Maren sets out to help her sister only to find herself caught up in a web spun out of blackmail and nightmares.
Dark, twisty and full of heart, this fast-paced story features a diabolical ballerina, a foul-mouthed parrot who will steal your heart, and a heroine whose inner journey is just as compelling as the adventure she finds herself lost in.
I loved it!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE NIGHTMARE THIEF is magic, quite literally. A beautifully told story about Maren, a girl from a family of dream-makers, who risks everything to save her sister. I loved all the fantastic details about Maren's magical town (Disco Donuts with flashing sprinkles?!?). I adored the parrot who injected plenty of humor into the story by offering insults in French. The villain is marvelously villainous, and the story effortlessly blends magic, mystery, suspense, and poignant messages about family, friendship, and believing in yourself. I'm very grateful to Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read an advance reader's edition.

[CozyReaderKelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover of this book had me expecting a whimsical middle grade fantasy, but this book has quite a few scary scenes. I really liked the weaving of magic into the modern world and learning about the dream magic of Maren’s family. The villain was actually creepy and the second half of this book had some scenes that had me spooked for sure. Even though, as an adult, I kept screaming at Maren to make different choices throughout the story, I think everything she did was in line with her age and her desperate need to save her sister. I would definitely recommend this book if you like magic incorporated into our world and a little bit of a creepy read.

[Sam Subity · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Nightmare Thief is one of those books you'll want to read at least twice -- once to rush through breathlessly to find out what happens and a second time to slowly savor the richness of the language and the nuances of the setting in the magical little coastal town that smells inexplicably of warm bread. The way the author uses just the right words to evoke a feeling or set the tone of the story is just amazing. And the story of a girl risking everything she cares about to save her sister kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end.

[Christyne Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to curl up with on a chilly October day! It takes place in a town full of “small magic,” including a shop that sells dreams. The dreams are packaged like tea bags that dissolve on your tongue as you sleep - how cool is that? But things take a dark turn when someone starts stealing nightmares and administering them without permission. By turns whimsical and chilling, this book pulled me in and didn’t let go until the very last page. Another delightful middle grade debut to add to the “must read” pile!

[Emperor Ember · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly kind of just picked up this book because I loved the cover. The problem is the cover makes it look like it will be kind of cheerier, while the feel of the book is not. I just didn’t love this one as much. It was an interesting concept that I haven’t seen a lot of, but it just wasn’t for me.

It also didn’t help that Maren’s character just kind of annoyed me. She spent a lot of the time not making the best choices. Although it’s easy to critique someone’s choices when your not in that situation.

[Kate Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, magical, clever, dark, twisty story. Maren is THE perfect protagonist - vulnerable, creative, motivated - and she's surrounded by a cast of fully realised and well-rounded characters. It's a wonderfully smart and original story. This is definitely my kind of book and if you love something a little bit different with the fabulous layering of magic and darkness, this is the perfect book for you!

[Lorelei Savaryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully whimsical, magical, sweet, and a sprinkle of spooky middle grade read. Maren's relationship with her grandma and her sister are just a couple of highlights, and the author's way with descriptions really makes the quirky, magical town Maren lives in come to life. Obscura is truly a villain to be feared and the way the imaginative dream magic interweaves with the plot creates a very satisfying conclusion. Can't wait to share this one with my kids!

[Jessica Vitalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book and loved every word of it! Filled with dreams and nightmares, a sassy French-speaking parrot, and a moth-controlling villain, this magical, heartfelt story is reminiscent of Ingrid Law's work (and since she's one of my favs, that is saying something)!

[Lisa Riddiough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this wonderful MG debut. Whenever dreams, magic, evil moth-wielding ballerinas, and parrots who swear in French collide in a middle-grade novel, I am here for it! What a thrilling ride this one was. Did I mention the tap dancing? Fast-paced, original, and so well done!

[Sam Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!! Imaginative and engaging middle grade fantasy featuring a heartfelt sister story that will leave you with all the feels, a dream-witch granny, a scheming ballerina, a second chance with a former friend, and a parrot with attitude who insults people in French. Highly recommend!

[Rajiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

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“The Nightmare Thief” is a delightful middle-grade fantasy novel that reminded me of “Hansel and Gretel,” with sprinkles of magic.

Firstly, I loved how the author wrote the characters. Maren is charming in the role. It was interesting to see how she tries to balance many issues in her life, from being blackmailed by Obscura to her friendship with Amos, while trying to help Hallie. Obscura is one of the most dastardly villains I have read as of late and made the story very entertaining. She would stop at nothing to get what she wants and seems to cover her tracks. After a point, I honestly felt that Maren and Amos would not be able to stop her.

Furthermore, even her backstory was interesting, that even made me feel sorry for her. The author wrote them all so well, and I love how the events transpired. On a side note, I loved Henri and thought he was adorable.

Moreover, the storyline is also gripping, with some scenes that would even scare adults. Some parts gave me the chills, and I am glad I did not read this at night. One particular moment was when droplets of paint fall on Maren, and cats surround her and hiss. This scene particularly creeped me out.

However, my only criticism of the story is the ending. While I enjoyed the end, I thought the author wrapped up all the storylines very quickly. A lot of things happen in the last few pages, which made the story feel rushed. It would have been nice to have the end detailed out a bit more, especially concerning Hallie.

Apart from that, “The Nightmare Thief” was an excellent read, and I am curious to see how the storyline continues.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nightmare Thief is the Nicole Lesperance that I've read and it's a cute story about standing up for yourself despite the odds against you. This story busts the traditional view of being bravery: it doesn't mean not being afraid of anything but it means confronting the fears head on from the standpoint of what you believe in. In the time where uncertainty is high and things seem to become more and more difficult as we grow up, knowing how to face our fears is a very important life lesson to have. And The Nightmare Thief instills this messaging to its intended audience: middle grade readers solidly.

As I've mentioned a few times when I reviewed middle-grade books, I really admired how unique the book concepts are. The Nightmare Thief is no exception. I think the idea of nightmares, creating dreams, and how it's linked to the emotional state of the characters is pretty creative. As I enjoy when books strive to colour outside of the normal writing conventions, I thought the magic elements are really refreshing to read.

On the flipside, there were a few drawbacks that compromised my reading experience. While middle grade books tend to be less cliche comparing to YA, I still think there exists a few overdone tropes: namely the villain / bad person tend to be poorly developed and are usually the one who seems to put up the most glamorous front when he or she is first introduced. So I didn't feel very invested reading about the villain. Another slight concern I had was the pacing of the novel. I felt that the build up was a tad abrupt and lacked a proper following up.

Concerns aside, I find The Nightmare Thief a pretty cute and refreshing read. Even if the writing falters a little, it's nevertheless a conceptually creative and well-messaged middle-grade fiction.

N.B. This novel contains following content warnings: accidents, hospital visits, and emotional blackmails

(3.5 stars out of 5)

[Mark Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

My name is Maren, and I miss my sister so much. It's hard seeing her in a coma every day, so I decided to break the rules and give her a dream. It was a nice dream, so how could it hurt? Well, sharing dreams is against the rules, and someone saw me do it. The lady wants me to steal nightmares and will report me if I don't do as she says. I don't know what she plans to do with them, but I can't risk getting banned from my sister and my grandmother's store. I feel so helpless to stop this evil woman, but what else can I do? What is she doing with these terrible dreams?

As you can probably tell, this was one of those stories where the main character knew she did something wrong and then spent the rest of the book trying to hide it. Things would have gone much easier if she'd told the truth or asked for help, but that wouldn't have been any fun. The story had a fresh twist, as the whole book was realistic fiction except that some of the town's residents had magical abilities. For example, Maren's grandmother sold and serviced old typewriters and sold homemade dreams on the side. Maren carried a few dreams and nightmares in her pocket while riding the local bus to the hospital. A subplot involved Maren's relationship with her former best friend Amos that had soured due to a lack of communication. He started hanging with another boy who made fun of others, but Maren was unaware of Amos's positive reason. It took Maren awhile to sort through her feelings and decide if she was willing to forgive him. Overall, this was a nice story of friendship and family. The antagonist created a dark vibe to everything, but it wasn't enough to overcome the support for Maren. Give it a shot.

[Alexis The Nerdy Bruja · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 Stars

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!**

I have some mixed feelings about this book. The Idea of this book was very interesting and grabbed my attention, I needed to see how it would play out. I liked the main character and I liked how important family was to her. The "magic" that was in the book is still very interesting to me. I still think being able to make dreams and nightmares and sell them is an awesome idea. I wanted to know all the interworkings of all the magic and dream/nightmare making. For me, I wasn't a massive fan of the writing. I just wanted more from the story and it, unfortunately, fell a little flat for me. Overall I still had a fun time reading and still really enjoyed the plot and characters. I would recommend giving this a read.

[Simi Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I received an ARC of the book from winning the author's giveaway. I must say the cover of the book is really enticing---I'm sure readers from middle school would marvel when they first see the book, because I sure have.

Even there there were a couple of errors in the book, it didn't hinder my enjoyment in reading it. And I might've cringed, but in a good way. This is a about a young girl whose world has turned upside down since her sister's accident. And she wanted to make things better by doing the unthinkable, which led her to into more trouble. At least there was some moral to the story, along with the fact Maren---the main character---has come out of the situation.

Well done, Miss Lesperance, on creating a book that is whimsical and creative. I really loved how she created such a fantasy through words. I don't anyone has created such a story plot to my knowledge. Very unique.