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Dreamer
On her thirteenth birthday, Elleni Salgado lost her childhood friend to a devastating tragedy. The years have passed and despite the gaping hole of loss in her heart, Elleni seems to have found comfort in her hilarious Hispanic family, a wacky southern counselor, and her faith in Christ.
Now a talented songwriter on the verge of seventeen, Elleni is plagued by nightmares which send her running to "The Spot," her childhood haven. It is there that she unexpectedly meets the handsome Julian Rossi, a young drug dealer convinced he has no reason to live.
When Elleni’s youth group makes plans to embark on a road trip to Grace Place Camp, one state away, she thinks it the perfect place for Julian to find the answers he’s been looking for. But she will have her own truth to dig up, a secret that, until now, she thought had been buried four years ago...along with her best friend.
Now a talented songwriter on the verge of seventeen, Elleni is plagued by nightmares which send her running to "The Spot," her childhood haven. It is there that she unexpectedly meets the handsome Julian Rossi, a young drug dealer convinced he has no reason to live.
When Elleni’s youth group makes plans to embark on a road trip to Grace Place Camp, one state away, she thinks it the perfect place for Julian to find the answers he’s been looking for. But she will have her own truth to dig up, a secret that, until now, she thought had been buried four years ago...along with her best friend.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2021
23 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
D.S. Fisichella
3 books8 followersD.S. Fisichella, author of Dreamer and spoken word artist performing as Mezmur, is a Costa Rican-American writer whose work explores the human condition with honesty, faith, and heart. On stage as Mezmur—a name God gave her in a dream, meaning “song” or “praise”—she transforms her poetry and performances into melodies of worship, honoring God in every word.
Her life and writing are shaped by her roles as a wife since 2016 and as a mother of three children on earth, with one child in heaven through miscarriage. These experiences give her work tenderness, authenticity, and resilience, reflecting both joy and grief.
Fisichella has overcome mental health challenges, body image struggles, bullying, and disability—not by her own strength, but through God’s grace. The name Mezmur reminds her to live as a sacrifice of praise before the Author of Life, Jesus.
Her writing does not shy away from life’s darker corners—shame, regret, grief—but always points toward hope and healing. By weaving the personal with the universal, she invites readers and listeners to confront their own truths and find courage.
She was born Sonya Daniela Gonzalez-Esquivel in 1993 in San José, Costa Rica, and carries a rich family legacy of artists, woodworkers, singers, and writers that informs every word she pens.
Through poetry that heals and prose that challenges, D.S. Fisichella—Mezmur— offers connection, legacy, and worship in art that endures.
To read her latest pieces click here:
https://vocal.media/authors/mezmur
To learn more about Sonya Daniela click here:
https://dsfwrites.carrd.co/
Her life and writing are shaped by her roles as a wife since 2016 and as a mother of three children on earth, with one child in heaven through miscarriage. These experiences give her work tenderness, authenticity, and resilience, reflecting both joy and grief.
Fisichella has overcome mental health challenges, body image struggles, bullying, and disability—not by her own strength, but through God’s grace. The name Mezmur reminds her to live as a sacrifice of praise before the Author of Life, Jesus.
Her writing does not shy away from life’s darker corners—shame, regret, grief—but always points toward hope and healing. By weaving the personal with the universal, she invites readers and listeners to confront their own truths and find courage.
She was born Sonya Daniela Gonzalez-Esquivel in 1993 in San José, Costa Rica, and carries a rich family legacy of artists, woodworkers, singers, and writers that informs every word she pens.
Through poetry that heals and prose that challenges, D.S. Fisichella—Mezmur— offers connection, legacy, and worship in art that endures.
To read her latest pieces click here:
https://vocal.media/authors/mezmur
To learn more about Sonya Daniela click here:
https://dsfwrites.carrd.co/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 28, 2022
I'm writing this review on behalf of my 13 year old daughter. She liked how realistic it was. She loved Miss Josie...she was amazing. Favorite character.
Some parts made her happy. Some parts made her sad. Very well made. She would read a second book, and she's waiting for it to come out. She's excited for it.
Some parts made her happy. Some parts made her sad. Very well made. She would read a second book, and she's waiting for it to come out. She's excited for it.
November 28, 2022
A funny, well-written story of faith
Dripping with vivid details, this book sucked me in and kept me engrossed till the end. Try it and you'll see why.
Some parts I found memorable
Love the attention to detail here:
-"Even after several coats of eggshell, there was no masking the memory of his pre-teen obsession with the Ninja Turtles."
-"The kick-start of a neighbor's leaf blower caused a little bird to abandon her perch near my open window."
And the humor here:
-"Well...just cause you can't marry the man, don't mean you can't appreciate God's handiwork...We'll keep praying he gets saved. If he does, he'll fit right in with all the hunks in Heave. David, Samson, Boaz..."
-"She winked at me. 'Who needs beauty when you're Godly and loaded?"
-"I hugged my legs to my chest...transforming myself into a tight, hyperventilating ball. Now all I need is for someone to kick me into outer space."
-"Papi on the other hand, drove stiffly, his eyes burning holes through the windshield."
-"All the while, I, the culprit responsible for their despondency, sat...sporting a wedgie deep enough to make the Grand Canyon look like a crack on the sidewalk."
The message became preachy at times, but the book lets you know the type of story it is from the very start. I don't mind this at all, but for readers expecting something subtle, this is not that. But give this a try anyhow because the Gospel blends naturally into the story. I especially appreciated the outright Gospel message at the very end of the book. I've never seen that in a novel before, and I hope readers won't skip out on that.
If this author releases more books, my fingers will be hunting for the buy button.
Dripping with vivid details, this book sucked me in and kept me engrossed till the end. Try it and you'll see why.
Some parts I found memorable
Love the attention to detail here:
-"Even after several coats of eggshell, there was no masking the memory of his pre-teen obsession with the Ninja Turtles."
-"The kick-start of a neighbor's leaf blower caused a little bird to abandon her perch near my open window."
And the humor here:
-"Well...just cause you can't marry the man, don't mean you can't appreciate God's handiwork...We'll keep praying he gets saved. If he does, he'll fit right in with all the hunks in Heave. David, Samson, Boaz..."
-"She winked at me. 'Who needs beauty when you're Godly and loaded?"
-"I hugged my legs to my chest...transforming myself into a tight, hyperventilating ball. Now all I need is for someone to kick me into outer space."
-"Papi on the other hand, drove stiffly, his eyes burning holes through the windshield."
-"All the while, I, the culprit responsible for their despondency, sat...sporting a wedgie deep enough to make the Grand Canyon look like a crack on the sidewalk."
The message became preachy at times, but the book lets you know the type of story it is from the very start. I don't mind this at all, but for readers expecting something subtle, this is not that. But give this a try anyhow because the Gospel blends naturally into the story. I especially appreciated the outright Gospel message at the very end of the book. I've never seen that in a novel before, and I hope readers won't skip out on that.
If this author releases more books, my fingers will be hunting for the buy button.
August 19, 2022
Everyone needs something to get them thrue the hard days, especialy a teenage girl! A group of friends that you can call your family is an important one.
In high school this was running and reading for me and the dance studio were I did ballet was my second home.
For Elleni it is music and God. And at the beginning of the book she's unaware that her group of friends is just under her nose.
.
Daim this book started really great and like how I imagened the start of a book I would write!
A girl running. She reached her destination but what happenend and why? I directly wanted to know more!
.
There is a suicide attemt in the book and I'm realy glad Elleni pulled Julian to safety, but didn't convince him right away of God. Because then I would have to DNF the book because it would be to unreal and to much.
I just love that there is a believer / non-believer friendship growing. It all starts when Elleni saves Julian's life and just wont let go of him afterwarts and it's amazing! You see them both grow so much through the story! 'smart people learn from their mistakes but wise people learn from the mistakes of others!'
.
The help Elleni feels from God and the Bible really gives you an amazing insight of what it would be to be a Christian YA living in America. On the one hand you get to know what it is like to be in a Christian youth group and on the other hand you get to see someone, a non believer, being new to all of it and how this brings a change.
.
Through the book you get flashbacks to the past and little by little you get to know the whole story of what happened and why Elleni was running home that night!
.
The book is humorous, witty and full of good advice and nice quotes. It reads like a train and you just want to know more! Things happen, but it's what you learn and how you evolve that counts. A YA Christian novel for all to learn and read!
In high school this was running and reading for me and the dance studio were I did ballet was my second home.
For Elleni it is music and God. And at the beginning of the book she's unaware that her group of friends is just under her nose.
.
Daim this book started really great and like how I imagened the start of a book I would write!
A girl running. She reached her destination but what happenend and why? I directly wanted to know more!
.
There is a suicide attemt in the book and I'm realy glad Elleni pulled Julian to safety, but didn't convince him right away of God. Because then I would have to DNF the book because it would be to unreal and to much.
I just love that there is a believer / non-believer friendship growing. It all starts when Elleni saves Julian's life and just wont let go of him afterwarts and it's amazing! You see them both grow so much through the story! 'smart people learn from their mistakes but wise people learn from the mistakes of others!'
.
The help Elleni feels from God and the Bible really gives you an amazing insight of what it would be to be a Christian YA living in America. On the one hand you get to know what it is like to be in a Christian youth group and on the other hand you get to see someone, a non believer, being new to all of it and how this brings a change.
.
Through the book you get flashbacks to the past and little by little you get to know the whole story of what happened and why Elleni was running home that night!
.
The book is humorous, witty and full of good advice and nice quotes. It reads like a train and you just want to know more! Things happen, but it's what you learn and how you evolve that counts. A YA Christian novel for all to learn and read!
May 1, 2022
Dreamer, by D.S. Fisichella, is the YA Christian fiction tale of two teens (Elleni Salgado and Julian Rossi) who meet in the midst of a suicide attempt.
This beautiful and heartfelt story is a journey about facing tough pasts, confronting demons, and finding forgiveness. Fisichella paints realistic situations and relatable characters with a talent and style that can be enjoyed by anyone. I loved the way the story is set up, visiting the past while living the present, slowly building up to the tragic events that trigger Elleni’s soul searching journey of faith.
Despite some very tough and somber subject matter, this was a highly enjoyable read for me. It has a little bit of everything, and I’d recommend it to readers of all ages, Christian or non-Christian, and no matter their genre preference. The characters and the story have the potential for a sequel or even a series, and I really hope Fisichella continues beyond Dreamer. Well done D.S.!!
This beautiful and heartfelt story is a journey about facing tough pasts, confronting demons, and finding forgiveness. Fisichella paints realistic situations and relatable characters with a talent and style that can be enjoyed by anyone. I loved the way the story is set up, visiting the past while living the present, slowly building up to the tragic events that trigger Elleni’s soul searching journey of faith.
Despite some very tough and somber subject matter, this was a highly enjoyable read for me. It has a little bit of everything, and I’d recommend it to readers of all ages, Christian or non-Christian, and no matter their genre preference. The characters and the story have the potential for a sequel or even a series, and I really hope Fisichella continues beyond Dreamer. Well done D.S.!!
May 29, 2023
Wow. I couldn't stop reading this book. I love the characters except Cal. He is terrible. But the family and the friends and the faith. Spot on. This story doesn't shy away from mental health like suicidal and struggles like PTSD. It is amazing how God still works in small and big ways in our lives without realizing it. He uses flaw and broken human and mold them into something much greater and beautiful than we can ever imagine. But this book is definitely has sweet and funny moments. Everything in between. I really enjoy the story.
If you stories like stories has raw faith but also how we can help others with mental health issues, then you might like this book.
If you stories like stories has raw faith but also how we can help others with mental health issues, then you might like this book.
May 27, 2022
This was a truly amazing book! It talks about several topics that aren’t talked about enough! This story truly showed an example of how Gods love reaches down to touch our lives in miraculous ways! I would recommend this book to all (teenagers especially) It wasn’t what I expected but I’m so glad I have it a chance!!!
April 5, 2022
This book follows Elleni, a young girl who is handling more than she’s actually capable of and believing she can. Elleni uses music to express the depth of her heart and desire for healing. She meets Julian, a handsome, troubled soul that needed a friend when it mattered most ❤️
Their journey is anything but straightforward, however, as Elleni deals with the pain of her past, and Julian struggles through the pain of his present, they somehow keep finding each other to lean on.
I love how author D.S. paints the picture that Elleni, the church-going believer, has just as many hang-ups as Julian, the boy who never considered church, or God as an option. The beauty comes from learning how to look outside of their own hang-ups and the issues of others to see something—or someone—bigger than themselves.
Such a well written YA novel that had characters with so depth and soul!
Their journey is anything but straightforward, however, as Elleni deals with the pain of her past, and Julian struggles through the pain of his present, they somehow keep finding each other to lean on.
I love how author D.S. paints the picture that Elleni, the church-going believer, has just as many hang-ups as Julian, the boy who never considered church, or God as an option. The beauty comes from learning how to look outside of their own hang-ups and the issues of others to see something—or someone—bigger than themselves.
Such a well written YA novel that had characters with so depth and soul!
April 3, 2022
An great, emotional story
This was a really quick read, but it was packed with a lot of things—characters dealing with trauma, cute, romantic moments, and a lot of heartfelt emotion. It deals with heavy topics like suicide and sexual assault, but at the same time, brings so much hope and joy into play as well.
I’m not a regular reader of Christian literature, but I enjoyed this one. I think fans of the genre will really like this book and have a great time reading about Elleni and Julian’s relationship as they both learn how to face both their pasts and their futures.
This was a really quick read, but it was packed with a lot of things—characters dealing with trauma, cute, romantic moments, and a lot of heartfelt emotion. It deals with heavy topics like suicide and sexual assault, but at the same time, brings so much hope and joy into play as well.
I’m not a regular reader of Christian literature, but I enjoyed this one. I think fans of the genre will really like this book and have a great time reading about Elleni and Julian’s relationship as they both learn how to face both their pasts and their futures.
July 26, 2022
Dreamer by D.S. Fisichella is a fabulous contemporary Christian fiction read. In this novel, the author shows that being a young Christian is not always fun and games with the youth group. They make mistakes, they forgive, they deal with mental health problems and loss, and through it all, they must reach out to those who need Jesus.
December 17, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. It was beautifully written with lovely characters. The plot was heart breaking and heart warming and carried an important message about being able to move forward with life after trauma / grief.
I recommend to young and older audiences / Christians and Non Christians. I really wish I had this book when I was about 17, but I truly believe anyone can learn from it and most importantly, simply enjoy this little world :)
I recommend to young and older audiences / Christians and Non Christians. I really wish I had this book when I was about 17, but I truly believe anyone can learn from it and most importantly, simply enjoy this little world :)
June 22, 2022
This book is a great story about a young girl and her relationship with God - how it can be difficult, and the hardships one still faces here in this life as a believer. Above all else to me, it's just written very well. The writing and storytelling is topnotch and should still appeal to anyone. The characters are relatable, and the emotion is real.
February 24, 2025
This is a great YA book with many relatable characters and topics and themes that teens face, but all leading to Jesus and how He uses everything for his perfect purposes in the end.
October 27, 2025
Really loved this book. I liked how my version said fine to everyone. Not YA in my opinion but not for a 9 year old. This very good. Good Christian Book. I LOVED.
October 21, 2023
A powerful, moving story that doesn't pull its punches. it's a book that everyone needs to read, for it shows the painful reality that comes with being a broken human in a broken world, while showing even more so that despite our brokenness the Lord is there for us all. All we must do is seek Him out.
Funny, powerful, and well-written, this book reignited my love for reading. An absolute must-read.
Funny, powerful, and well-written, this book reignited my love for reading. An absolute must-read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews