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DREAM's Nightmare #1
Where DREAM Fades to Nightmare
Graham Garnett, an insecure Factotum in a newly-formed support squad, is shaken to his core as bloodthirsty, modified monsters begin to terrorize his near-utopian home of DREAM. He and his squadmates, Trevor, Paxton, and Erica, are hand-picked by Vice President Randy McGregor to investigate where these horrid and deadly creatures are coming from. As the squad looks to rid DREAM of its new demons, Graham is fighting his own. Self-doubt and guilt from his past consume him, leaving him and his squadmates in a near-constant state of peril. As the four come closer to finding the answers they seek, more cities are attacked, more questions arise, and more of DREAM’s dirty little secrets come to light. Armed with the abilities granted to them by the magic-like substance known as conjierum, it is up to Graham and his squad to save DREAM before it completely fades to nightmare.
- GenresFantasy
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 7, 2026
A fantasy mystery that quickly reveals itself to be far more ambitious than it first appears. What begins as a tightly focused investigation expands into a layered political thriller, where shifting alliances and a developing coup gradually take centre stage.
The characters feel grounded and emotionally real, making it easy to invest in their journey. Even secondary losses carry weight, not just for impact but for how naturally they feed into the wider story.
The worldbuilding is subtle but confident, blending familiarity with just enough strangeness to keep you slightly off balance. The standout element is the magic system, which leans into a biological interpretation of “advanced enough to seem like magic,” giving it a fresh and unsettling edge.
Pacing is well handled, balancing an immediate early mystery with a slower political build that pays off in the second half. It’s tightly written, cohesive, and never feels like it loses control of its own direction.
By the end, it’s the kind of book that doesn’t just resolve - it compels you straight into the next installment.
The characters feel grounded and emotionally real, making it easy to invest in their journey. Even secondary losses carry weight, not just for impact but for how naturally they feed into the wider story.
The worldbuilding is subtle but confident, blending familiarity with just enough strangeness to keep you slightly off balance. The standout element is the magic system, which leans into a biological interpretation of “advanced enough to seem like magic,” giving it a fresh and unsettling edge.
Pacing is well handled, balancing an immediate early mystery with a slower political build that pays off in the second half. It’s tightly written, cohesive, and never feels like it loses control of its own direction.
By the end, it’s the kind of book that doesn’t just resolve - it compels you straight into the next installment.
December 13, 2021
This is my kind of story. A story that takes a look into our world of tomorrow. I love the dystopian feel. Then seeing how the world reacted to such a valuable resource such as gaining magical ability. Who has magic? How is it used? How did they get it? Who is left out and who was harmed in the process?
I enjoyed having it told through the eyes of a young protector of the races, inexperienced and just out of training. You can’t help but feel for him as his confidence goes from bad to worse as his squad deals with the crisis.
I like the complexity as many of the likeable characters wrestle with their own demons. It takes a lot to find who is unleashing monsters upon our future world. With a host of other characters easy to despise during some cruel encounters and surprises twisting the story until the very end, I find the book enjoyable to read. It only leaves me wanting more.
I enjoyed having it told through the eyes of a young protector of the races, inexperienced and just out of training. You can’t help but feel for him as his confidence goes from bad to worse as his squad deals with the crisis.
I like the complexity as many of the likeable characters wrestle with their own demons. It takes a lot to find who is unleashing monsters upon our future world. With a host of other characters easy to despise during some cruel encounters and surprises twisting the story until the very end, I find the book enjoyable to read. It only leaves me wanting more.
April 26, 2026
THIS BOOK IS AN ORIGINAL MASTERPIECE THAT SHOULD BE ON EVERY LOVER OF URBAN FANTASY'S TBR. IF YOU LOVE THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS SERIES THIS BOOK AND HIS SECOND BOOK NEED TO BE ON YOUR RADAR ASAP. ADAM FINCKE WROTE A DELECTABLE AMAZING NOVEL LIKE NOTHING I HAVE EVER READ BEFORE IT IS EXTREMELY WELL WRITTEN THE PACING IS AMAZING AND THIS IS THE KIND OF BOOK WHERE YOU LOSE TRACK OF WHAT PAGE YOU ARE ON BECAUSE YOU JUST CANT STOP READING AND IT IS SOOO GOOD YOU KEEP ON READING THAT BY THE TIME YOU HIT THE END OF THE BOOK YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO HAVE THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NEXT TO YOU BECAUSE OF THE ENDING OH MY GOD THE ENDING IS SOO AMAZING IM SO GLAD THE SECOND BOOK IS SITTING ON MY SHELF READY FOR ME TO DEVOUR IT. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR BUY THIS BOOK AND THE SECOND BOOK ITS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND TREAT YOURSELF TO A WHOLE NEW WONDERFULLY WRITTEN WORLD OF URBAN FANTASY.
December 20, 2021
I was a voracious reader as a kid/young teen—particularly in the sci-fi and fantasy genre, but as an adult, I’ve slowly drifted away from reading fiction. I picked up this book in hopes I could reignite that love of reading and boy am I glad I did!
Fincke’s dystopian world sucked me in from the start. The writing is fresh and punctuated with great little hits of humor while still keeping the action going at a nice pace.
Graham is a classic flawed protaganist and I have the feeling his hero’s journey has just begun.
Looking forward to more from this author!
Fincke’s dystopian world sucked me in from the start. The writing is fresh and punctuated with great little hits of humor while still keeping the action going at a nice pace.
Graham is a classic flawed protaganist and I have the feeling his hero’s journey has just begun.
Looking forward to more from this author!
January 11, 2022
Where DREAM Fades to Nightmare captivated me from the first chapter to the last and has left me eagerly waiting for the sequel to be published! This book takes you on a journey like none other with action packed suspense weaved all throughout the pages. The imagery and creativity of the author draws you in and makes you feel like you are part of the squad battling it out alongside Trevor, Graham, Paxton, and Erica. Just when you think Trevor’s squad has the upper hand an exciting twist takes things to another level. Where DREAM Fades to Nightmare was a very interesting and enjoyable read!
October 12, 2021
I was hooked as soon as I started reading. At times it was hard for me to put the book down. It's full of action and always keeping you on the edge of your seat. I love the creativity of all the different creatures and the difference in personalities of the characters. I'm pretty excited for the second book.
December 19, 2021
As someone who has exclusively read nonfiction my entire adult life, I’m SO glad that I branched out and picked up this book! It had a very good balance of showing me a whole new world that is unlike the one I live in, while touching on very real issues that we face as a society. I really enjoyed the pace of this book and the variety of places it went. Now I’m ready for the second book!
October 9, 2021
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but was happily drawn into the story from the very beginning. The author's creativity with the different aspects of the story was engaging and entertaining throughout. I'm already looking forward to book #2 in this series!
March 29, 2026
What?!
I loved this book! It reminds me of Blade runner meets Avatar meets Detective Pikachu. It's got corruption, romance, betrayal, action, magic, and mutant creatures! I have to know what happens next! Glad there is a book 2!
I loved this book! It reminds me of Blade runner meets Avatar meets Detective Pikachu. It's got corruption, romance, betrayal, action, magic, and mutant creatures! I have to know what happens next! Glad there is a book 2!
March 2, 2026
Action packed and captivating!
“Where DREAM Fades to Nightmare” is an exciting and imaginative blend of dystopian sci-fi, horror, and action. The story is action-packed from the very first page: you’re thrown straight into chaos as if dropped into the middle of a video game or a virtual-reality simulation gone wrong. The world of DREAM, once a polished utopia, quickly unravels as terrifying, genetically modified monsters begin destroying everything in their path.
The protagonist, Graham Garnett, is relatable in a refreshing way: insecure, imperfect, and far from a typical hero. Watching him navigate both external threats and his own internal battles forms the emotional spine of the story. His squad, Trevor, Paxton, Erica, and their overseer Randy McGregor, adds depth and tension, creating a team dynamic that feels inspired by classic dystopian works while still maintaining its own voice. As the characters search for the source of the monsters and uncover the hidden corruption behind DREAM, the narrative steadily escalates in intensity.
Overall, this is a well-crafted debut with strong pacing, vivid action, and a world that hints at deeper secrets yet to be revealed. Readers who enjoy fast-paced dystopian sci-fi, monster-driven danger, and stories that mix action with moral uncertainty will find this a highly entertaining start to what promises to be a larger series.
“Where DREAM Fades to Nightmare” is an exciting and imaginative blend of dystopian sci-fi, horror, and action. The story is action-packed from the very first page: you’re thrown straight into chaos as if dropped into the middle of a video game or a virtual-reality simulation gone wrong. The world of DREAM, once a polished utopia, quickly unravels as terrifying, genetically modified monsters begin destroying everything in their path.
The protagonist, Graham Garnett, is relatable in a refreshing way: insecure, imperfect, and far from a typical hero. Watching him navigate both external threats and his own internal battles forms the emotional spine of the story. His squad, Trevor, Paxton, Erica, and their overseer Randy McGregor, adds depth and tension, creating a team dynamic that feels inspired by classic dystopian works while still maintaining its own voice. As the characters search for the source of the monsters and uncover the hidden corruption behind DREAM, the narrative steadily escalates in intensity.
Overall, this is a well-crafted debut with strong pacing, vivid action, and a world that hints at deeper secrets yet to be revealed. Readers who enjoy fast-paced dystopian sci-fi, monster-driven danger, and stories that mix action with moral uncertainty will find this a highly entertaining start to what promises to be a larger series.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews