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The Dreamer and the Marked
In the wake of her Mam's death, Krystal Monarain has turned to escapism, throwing herself into the fantastic stories she was told as a child and the strange, recurring dreams she has at night. But she never quite believed her Mam's tales that her birth mother wasn't human-That is until Draqa, a stranger from one of her dreams, appears in her life and tells her she's part fae. So she does the unthinkable and risks following him into Arai, the realm where the fae have lived unbothered for hundreds of years. For Draqa, however, Krystal's arrival in his world could mean his execution, and he must do everything he can to get her off his hands before they're caught.
Meanwhile, unrest is growing between the fae and those they deem a threat to the safety of their realm, and when someone from Draqa's past comes to him seeking aid, he and Krystal may have no choice but to get involved.
Meanwhile, unrest is growing between the fae and those they deem a threat to the safety of their realm, and when someone from Draqa's past comes to him seeking aid, he and Krystal may have no choice but to get involved.
450 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2022
About the author
Airic Fenn
4 books17 followersAiric Fenn is a child of the Rocky Mountains who spends more time in their vivid imaginings than perhaps is proper (but who really cares about proper?). Their works include their debut dark/portal fantasy novel The Dreamer and the Marked, the folk horror novella Lamb, Stag & Wolf, and short writings that can be found in such places as Not/Coming Out: A Charity Anthology and BOREAL: An Anthology of Taiga Horror, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 3, 2022
*Thank you to Airic Fenn for a copy for me to review*
When I got the email asking if I’d like to review this book, the synopsis immediately drew me in. I started reading the first chapter on the authors website but stopped because I was going to want to read it all. And I was correct, the first chapter sucked me in. This book is a whirlwind and never leaves you bored in its 442 pages.
The Dreamer and the Marked follows Krystal who never quite believed her Mam’s stories that her biological mother wasn’t human. That is, until she meets Draqa, a stranger from her dreams who tells her she’s part fae. She does the unthinkable and follows him back into his world, Arai, without understanding that Draqa could be executed if she was found out to be someone from the human realm. Draqa wants to get Krystal off his hands before anything could happen, but unrest is high among the fae and those who they deem enemies.
This fantasy world was definitely something different and I loved it. There are half fae, half dragons, fae, brownies, and so many more.
Draqa and Krystals relationship from the beginning is rocky. Draqa is someone who doesn’t trust easily. I love how their relationship grows so steadily throughout the entire book.
As for representation, we have a bi MMC, asexual & demiromantic FMC, queer side character, and trans side character.
I highly suggest looking at this book! It was really good and I think fae lovers would love this. It’s both political but also lots of adventures. Romance is not a big part of the story, but there is one side relationship, and I can see Airic is doing something between 2 of the protagonists ;)
When I got the email asking if I’d like to review this book, the synopsis immediately drew me in. I started reading the first chapter on the authors website but stopped because I was going to want to read it all. And I was correct, the first chapter sucked me in. This book is a whirlwind and never leaves you bored in its 442 pages.
The Dreamer and the Marked follows Krystal who never quite believed her Mam’s stories that her biological mother wasn’t human. That is, until she meets Draqa, a stranger from her dreams who tells her she’s part fae. She does the unthinkable and follows him back into his world, Arai, without understanding that Draqa could be executed if she was found out to be someone from the human realm. Draqa wants to get Krystal off his hands before anything could happen, but unrest is high among the fae and those who they deem enemies.
This fantasy world was definitely something different and I loved it. There are half fae, half dragons, fae, brownies, and so many more.
Draqa and Krystals relationship from the beginning is rocky. Draqa is someone who doesn’t trust easily. I love how their relationship grows so steadily throughout the entire book.
As for representation, we have a bi MMC, asexual & demiromantic FMC, queer side character, and trans side character.
I highly suggest looking at this book! It was really good and I think fae lovers would love this. It’s both political but also lots of adventures. Romance is not a big part of the story, but there is one side relationship, and I can see Airic is doing something between 2 of the protagonists ;)
May 1, 2022
Any Fae lover should immediately add this to TBR! This was such a fantastically written story full of politely intrigue, powerful emotions and a beautiful bond between two people who learn how important helping others out really is. Draqa is my favorite though - his journey to try and get rid of Krystal in the beginning was entertaining and funny and reminded me of myself trying to get rid of my siblings 😂. Definitely recommend for a unique dark fantasy you won’t find elsewhere!
November 21, 2022
In the throes of grief, people can be compelled to do whatever it takes to find some semblance of normalcy and comfort among the tidal wave of emptiness that losing a family member can cause. Airic Fenn explores the consequences of that desire to escape in their debut novel, The Dreamer and the Marked. When the reader meets her, Krystal is in the middle of recovering from her Mam’s death. Her Mam was the only close family she had left, and now she is in the world alone… or so she thinks.
One day, a stranger by the name of Draqa arrives and tells her he’s been watching her, which leaves Krystal a little unsettled. Draqa explains that he’s taken interest in her because she is, in fact, part fae. This unlocks something in Krystal and sparks a feeling that anyone who has ever lost a family member (whether through death or otherwise) can relate to: the dream of escape.
The Dreamer and the Marked gives readers a look into what happens when your grief and the longing for something more immediately plummets you into situations beyond your control. Every character explores elements of grief and trauma, whether through Draqa and his rocky and broken relationship with his family, Krystal and her desire for compassion (even when it puts her own life in danger), or the quirky Javis and his complete lack of an ability to stand up for himself that transforms him over time. These characters are woven and real in a way that all adult readers can relate to, and more often than not I was left with an eerie feeling that I had lived their experiences of othering and trauma before.
The world of Arai, the fantasy continent that Krystal is quite unexpectedly transported to, is not free of its own issues, and Fenn does a fantastic job of touching on racism, colonization, and, as they say, “the grey morality of politically forcing change in a society set in its ways.” These forced changes cause a lot of political unrest in Arai, a world desperately in need of good leadership. The book’s characters must not only navigate their own trauma but also resist this world that is trying to eat them alive.
If you are looking for a fresh new speculative fantasy written by an LGBTQ+ indie author about what it truly means to escape, and the consequences that come with it, then The Dreamer and the Marked is for you. While it was not published by a major publishing house, the care that has gone into crafting the book is apparent and the quality is that of any big five book. The world of Arai is such an expansive universe, and this book is only the first of many of Fenn’s upcoming books, so readers can expect to look forward to many more adventures to come.
One day, a stranger by the name of Draqa arrives and tells her he’s been watching her, which leaves Krystal a little unsettled. Draqa explains that he’s taken interest in her because she is, in fact, part fae. This unlocks something in Krystal and sparks a feeling that anyone who has ever lost a family member (whether through death or otherwise) can relate to: the dream of escape.
The Dreamer and the Marked gives readers a look into what happens when your grief and the longing for something more immediately plummets you into situations beyond your control. Every character explores elements of grief and trauma, whether through Draqa and his rocky and broken relationship with his family, Krystal and her desire for compassion (even when it puts her own life in danger), or the quirky Javis and his complete lack of an ability to stand up for himself that transforms him over time. These characters are woven and real in a way that all adult readers can relate to, and more often than not I was left with an eerie feeling that I had lived their experiences of othering and trauma before.
The world of Arai, the fantasy continent that Krystal is quite unexpectedly transported to, is not free of its own issues, and Fenn does a fantastic job of touching on racism, colonization, and, as they say, “the grey morality of politically forcing change in a society set in its ways.” These forced changes cause a lot of political unrest in Arai, a world desperately in need of good leadership. The book’s characters must not only navigate their own trauma but also resist this world that is trying to eat them alive.
If you are looking for a fresh new speculative fantasy written by an LGBTQ+ indie author about what it truly means to escape, and the consequences that come with it, then The Dreamer and the Marked is for you. While it was not published by a major publishing house, the care that has gone into crafting the book is apparent and the quality is that of any big five book. The world of Arai is such an expansive universe, and this book is only the first of many of Fenn’s upcoming books, so readers can expect to look forward to many more adventures to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2026
Absolute turn-offs:
The repeated clunky focus on how many appendages characters have (except when it’s been completely forgotten about) and the jarring effect of liberties taken with more-or-less established forms of fantasy creatures.
Always-spelled-out-full-names (except when they randomly aren’t) repeated endlessly throughout the book. Yes, it can be an in-world rule of showing hierarchy or whatnot, but we are inside the characters heads when reading and there is no f’ing way the brains we are in work like this.
Just bad choices of names - kept reading one of them as “monorail” and another as I-am-Lord-Voldemort style “I am sus n’ evil”. Not to mention that Taevale is an actual word in my mother tongue meaning “for the heaven”.
The whole thing with the “mystical foreign language” basically being badly spelled pronunciation of Anglo-Saxon words anyone with a basic grasp of a couple of European languages can understand anyway. Just... don’t. Also the translation-tech ex machina.
No tension to be found in any situation there should be at least some. Partly because all characters are utter idiots in their actions, decisions and choosing whom to trust - a.k.a absolutely everyone with zero consideration for anything at all.
Random non-ending.
The author needs many more years to learn to write cohesive text and to also employ an adequate editor. At the half-way mark I would have added “but there is promise in the setup and the story”, but since the story died without getting anywhere after that, sorry, no can do.
The repeated clunky focus on how many appendages characters have (except when it’s been completely forgotten about) and the jarring effect of liberties taken with more-or-less established forms of fantasy creatures.
Always-spelled-out-full-names (except when they randomly aren’t) repeated endlessly throughout the book. Yes, it can be an in-world rule of showing hierarchy or whatnot, but we are inside the characters heads when reading and there is no f’ing way the brains we are in work like this.
Just bad choices of names - kept reading one of them as “monorail” and another as I-am-Lord-Voldemort style “I am sus n’ evil”. Not to mention that Taevale is an actual word in my mother tongue meaning “for the heaven”.
The whole thing with the “mystical foreign language” basically being badly spelled pronunciation of Anglo-Saxon words anyone with a basic grasp of a couple of European languages can understand anyway. Just... don’t. Also the translation-tech ex machina.
No tension to be found in any situation there should be at least some. Partly because all characters are utter idiots in their actions, decisions and choosing whom to trust - a.k.a absolutely everyone with zero consideration for anything at all.
Random non-ending.
The author needs many more years to learn to write cohesive text and to also employ an adequate editor. At the half-way mark I would have added “but there is promise in the setup and the story”, but since the story died without getting anywhere after that, sorry, no can do.
October 13, 2025
Reason you will love this:
- Magical creature and a cool take on fae, including a huge world to get lost in
- Multy POV, two maps and lots of travelling
- Emotional rollercoaster including family drama, political intrigue and dark action
- Focus on friendships and found family
Every once in a while Krystal dreams of this large manor filled with fantastical creatures. So far so good, until one of them see her, talks to her and we learn about portals.
There is an entirely different realm and Krystal - who grew up as an orphan - has family there.
We get thrown into a huge world, rich of different fae creature, al sorts of magic and technology. The world building was 100% my favourite part of this book. Everything seemed so well thought out and bigger that the plot let on (like, it wasn't just flat for the plot, but alive and thriving).
I will definitely be coming back for book 2 and the characters. They had deep relationships, and friendships where the main focus. I loved Krystal and Draqa and how tender their friendship was.
The ending? No spoilers, but ough it was a gut punch and really hooked me for the next book for sure.
- Magical creature and a cool take on fae, including a huge world to get lost in
- Multy POV, two maps and lots of travelling
- Emotional rollercoaster including family drama, political intrigue and dark action
- Focus on friendships and found family
Every once in a while Krystal dreams of this large manor filled with fantastical creatures. So far so good, until one of them see her, talks to her and we learn about portals.
There is an entirely different realm and Krystal - who grew up as an orphan - has family there.
We get thrown into a huge world, rich of different fae creature, al sorts of magic and technology. The world building was 100% my favourite part of this book. Everything seemed so well thought out and bigger that the plot let on (like, it wasn't just flat for the plot, but alive and thriving).
I will definitely be coming back for book 2 and the characters. They had deep relationships, and friendships where the main focus. I loved Krystal and Draqa and how tender their friendship was.
The ending? No spoilers, but ough it was a gut punch and really hooked me for the next book for sure.
July 25, 2022
Imagine if you were told you're a mystic being from a magical land with royal parents. Who wouldn't want to pursue this and learn about a past they never knew? It sounds wonderfully tempting, but there is always a darker side to any story.
TDAM provides a story that'll be thoroughly enjoyable for anyone who likes high fantasy, a character driven story, and a thrilling amount of plot twists. I really appreciated Fenn's detailed descriptions of settings and characters while still giving enough room for interpretation. The chapters switch from the perspectives of three characters. I liked this for the variety and to see the connections of characters relationships as well as how they interact with their environment. It was so awesome to have LGBT presentation in the book as well. Fenn doesn't push a romantic subplot either, but I can sense one budding in the next book.
If this book sounds like something you'd like, definitely put it in your to read and consider supporting an up and coming author.
TDAM provides a story that'll be thoroughly enjoyable for anyone who likes high fantasy, a character driven story, and a thrilling amount of plot twists. I really appreciated Fenn's detailed descriptions of settings and characters while still giving enough room for interpretation. The chapters switch from the perspectives of three characters. I liked this for the variety and to see the connections of characters relationships as well as how they interact with their environment. It was so awesome to have LGBT presentation in the book as well. Fenn doesn't push a romantic subplot either, but I can sense one budding in the next book.
If this book sounds like something you'd like, definitely put it in your to read and consider supporting an up and coming author.
November 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Above all, the world building in this fantasy novel is unique, exciting, and through. Piecing together the lore and characteristics of these different types of fairy-folk was a blast. Four-eyed, winged elves? Sure! Marginalized shape-shifters? You bet! Great care has been taken to craft this fabulous fae-world, and I ate it up.
Although I prefer a story with high-heat romance elements, the likability of the characters more than made up for its lack. Draqa, in particular, was a favorite of mine. However, I did find the Kyrstal’s naïveté grating at times which was the reason it isn’t a full-fledged five star read for me.
So, would I recommend The Dreamer and the Marked to someone looking for a fresh take on the fantasy/fae genre? Yes, yes, absolutely!
Above all, the world building in this fantasy novel is unique, exciting, and through. Piecing together the lore and characteristics of these different types of fairy-folk was a blast. Four-eyed, winged elves? Sure! Marginalized shape-shifters? You bet! Great care has been taken to craft this fabulous fae-world, and I ate it up.
Although I prefer a story with high-heat romance elements, the likability of the characters more than made up for its lack. Draqa, in particular, was a favorite of mine. However, I did find the Kyrstal’s naïveté grating at times which was the reason it isn’t a full-fledged five star read for me.
So, would I recommend The Dreamer and the Marked to someone looking for a fresh take on the fantasy/fae genre? Yes, yes, absolutely!
September 10, 2023
Krystals dreams are vivid and soon she finds out that they are real...in another realm. When meeting Draq, the marked from her dream, a friendship blossems. But the mystery surrounding him is so interesting to her, she starts following him and that is not without danger.
Draq is not from this world, and when Krystal follows him into the realm she was never meant to enter, things go from bad to worse.
Loved the writing! Good, evil and grey characters. Well set up plot. Will read book 2 when it is published.
Draq is not from this world, and when Krystal follows him into the realm she was never meant to enter, things go from bad to worse.
Loved the writing! Good, evil and grey characters. Well set up plot. Will read book 2 when it is published.
April 25, 2022
What would you do if for months you dream of a house with people you don't know & one day you run into one of those people? The Dreamer & the Marked is a wonderful written dark fantasy. I enjoyed the characters in this book. Krystal showed so much growth. But the way Krystal & Draqa helped each other grow & the bond they created was nice to see. They complemented each other well. The world building is unique & interesting. Overall it's a creative & entertaining story!
April 29, 2022
This was a very fun Dark Fantasy. I loved the back and forth between the dreams and Krystals life. Draqa wasn't my favorite character in the beginning but he grew on me. His relationship with Krystal and their interaction was fun to read! If your looking for a new Dark Fantasy to Read definitely add this one to your TBR!
February 26, 2023
Interesting cast, fascinating worldbuilding, and artful prose made this book a joy to read! If you enjoy diverse viewpoints, complex character relationships and unique fantasy worlds you will love this one. I'll be eagerly awaiting more from this author!
April 19, 2022
Review Coming Soon...
March 14, 2025
Time of death, 8%
Too many difficult place and character names...can't be bothered
Too many difficult place and character names...can't be bothered
May 1, 2026
amazing world building... them...
Did Not Finish
May 28, 2026DNF at 22%. Wasn't for me, might be for you. I'll try other works by this author.
August 17, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It has great character development that kept me intrigued to learn more as I kept reading. Very unique style of multi points of view and learning about one of the main characters' past through dreams. Lots of political intrigue and great world building!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews