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Nightmare Academy #1
Nightmare Academy
When Charlie Benjamin sleeps, monsters wake up. It's hard to fit in when your nightmares open portals to the Netherworld, where horrible creatures live—like the class 3 Netherstalker that invaded a sleepover and tried to eat the other children. Luckily there's a place for Charlie—the Nightmare Academy. Built from wrecked ships set in the branches of the world's most incredible tree fort, the Academy trains people to use their unique gifts to fight the monsters that rush in when the lights go out. But Charlie is far more powerful than anyone ever imagined, and his entrance exam opens a portal straight to the heart of the Netherworld, where ultimate evil plots Earth's destruction. He'll need all his cleverness—and the help of his new friends—to save himself and his family and to put these bad boys to bed once and for all. The monsters under your bed are real! But never fear—the Nightmare Academy will train Nethermancers and Banishers like you to destroy them!
312 pages, Hardcover
First published August 21, 2007
79 people are currently reading
3461 people want to read
About the author
Dean Lorey
22 books87 followersEmmy-Nominated screenwriter, Dean Lorey, is currently an Executive Producer (with David E. Kelley) on THE CRAZY ONES, a comedy starring Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar that premieres on CBS this fall. His past TV credits include ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, MY WIFE AND KIDS and RUNNING WILDE.
His movie credits include MAJOR PAYNE, MY BOYFRIEND’S BACK and FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 9: JASON GOES TO HELL. He has also done uncredited work on many movies, including HAPPY GILMORE and GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE.
His novels include the young adult series NIGHTMARE ACADEMY (the first book, MONSTER HUNTERS, was awarded “Best Children’s Novel of the Year — 2008” by the SCIBA). The series is published in over 20 countries and is in development at Universal Studios. Currently, he is the co-author (with Vinnie Tortorich) of the recently released non-fiction bestseller FITNESS CONFIDENTIAL.
He lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, one sort-of normal looking dog and one sort-of weird looking one.
His movie credits include MAJOR PAYNE, MY BOYFRIEND’S BACK and FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 9: JASON GOES TO HELL. He has also done uncredited work on many movies, including HAPPY GILMORE and GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE.
His novels include the young adult series NIGHTMARE ACADEMY (the first book, MONSTER HUNTERS, was awarded “Best Children’s Novel of the Year — 2008” by the SCIBA). The series is published in over 20 countries and is in development at Universal Studios. Currently, he is the co-author (with Vinnie Tortorich) of the recently released non-fiction bestseller FITNESS CONFIDENTIAL.
He lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, one sort-of normal looking dog and one sort-of weird looking one.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
January 23, 2008
Think of Nightmare Academy as Hogwarts only here the good guys learn to banish monsters rather than fight evil wizards. Children with "the gift" go away to a special school to be trained in their respective specialties. The hero begins his studies with a smart girl, and a slightly hotheaded and goofy yet loyal buddy by his side. The hero is both respected and feared at school but his new headmaster takes a liking to him and takes him under her wing. Beginning to sound familiar? Unfortunately, Lorey does not take nearly as much care with developing the characters of Charlie Benjamin and his friends as Rowling does. The headmaster in this book is no Dumbledore. Violet and Theodore are no Hermione and Ron. The potentially interesting characters that confront Charlie early in the book about his destiny are abandoned halfway into the book in favor of following the three kids. The "classes" at the school are likewise set up promisingly (one with a particularly interesting and amusing scene featuring the Trout of Truth) and then abandoned. This would seem to be a likely Potter read-alike but any true fan of the Harry Potter series will be disappointed to run across these semblances of similarity without the same quality to go with it.
June 3, 2009
So we have been reading this as a family. My husband is totally into the book and the best part is that he does voices when he reads the different parts. Dean Lorey has done a great job of creating a fun world for kids to explore. It is creative and funny. The characters are easy to realate to for kids,Oh Theodore- he makes me laugh. My children love the book and they are only 5 and 3. They don't understand everything, but it is great to see my kids enjoy something that sparks the imagination. No pictures for them to look at. We can't wait for the arrival of the next in the series.
May 9, 2010
A Very Harry Book.
A hero with powerful and rare abilities who must go to a special school to learn to control those abilities. A school full of magically talented kids who take turns practicing on magical creatures. A headmaster who stands up for the integrity of her academy against the bureaucratic head of the magical world. Evil dark lords who need the hero to regain their full strength. And let's not forget the two best friends - the not too-bright but energetic boy best friend and the rule following and smart girl best friend.
Could this book BE any more Potterish?
Would recommend for younger fans of Harry Potter.
A hero with powerful and rare abilities who must go to a special school to learn to control those abilities. A school full of magically talented kids who take turns practicing on magical creatures. A headmaster who stands up for the integrity of her academy against the bureaucratic head of the magical world. Evil dark lords who need the hero to regain their full strength. And let's not forget the two best friends - the not too-bright but energetic boy best friend and the rule following and smart girl best friend.
Could this book BE any more Potterish?
Would recommend for younger fans of Harry Potter.
September 15, 2014
I think Dean Lorey did a fantastic job of Nightmare Academy! i love seeing the characters grow and find all the different challenges! Nightmare Academy teaches that no one is perfect and anyone can pursue their challenges!
February 18, 2008
Charlie’s imagination is so strong that when he has a nightmare, the nightmare creature gets portaled right into the room where he’s sleeping. This caused a lot of problems for Charlie, including his parents becoming both over-protective of him and very restrictive, isolating him from other people and children. People are afraid of him, and he doesn’t fit in anywhere. Charlie is very lonely, until one day some people come from the Nightmare Academy, a school that trains children with imagination to fight the monsters from the Netherworld. Charlie is one of the most powerful people at the academy, and he still doesn’t fit in–but he gains a few good friends and starts his training. He ends up having to fight powerful monsters, work to save his family, and deal with bullies. Through this, Charlie finds that he can use his imagination and self-doubt for good–and he can find his own place to fit in, after all. Don’t let the cover fool you–this is a funny, light-hearted fantasy.
Lorey opens the book by showing us how lonely and alone Charlie is, bringing instant reader empathy, and then quickly moves into zany humor. This humor and kookiness runs throughout the book; Lorey has a good sense of comedic timing. THe humor plus the array of characters who support Charlie and look out for him, help to bring lightness to the story. Although the monsters are presented as a threat, they never seem truly scary, and Charlie always overcomes or overpowers them. Even sections of the story that might take a much deeper, more serious tone in another book are suffused with lightness in this one, so the book feels like a pleasure read, never taking the reader to truly dark places or painful emotion. This is not a tension-fraught book. The fantasy explanations for some of the things that happen in the real world also add fun and lightness–such as Gremlins coming to Earth and eating up the power, creating rolling blackouts in New York and California.
You can read my entire review here.
Lorey opens the book by showing us how lonely and alone Charlie is, bringing instant reader empathy, and then quickly moves into zany humor. This humor and kookiness runs throughout the book; Lorey has a good sense of comedic timing. THe humor plus the array of characters who support Charlie and look out for him, help to bring lightness to the story. Although the monsters are presented as a threat, they never seem truly scary, and Charlie always overcomes or overpowers them. Even sections of the story that might take a much deeper, more serious tone in another book are suffused with lightness in this one, so the book feels like a pleasure read, never taking the reader to truly dark places or painful emotion. This is not a tension-fraught book. The fantasy explanations for some of the things that happen in the real world also add fun and lightness–such as Gremlins coming to Earth and eating up the power, creating rolling blackouts in New York and California.
You can read my entire review here.
April 19, 2014
Audiobook
I really love 'The Hero's Journey'. I never tire of reading the stories that illustrate this 'monomyth'. That said, there are stories that excel at this embodiment and that compel the reader to keep going and there are others that are not nearly creative enough, nor sufficiently well written to involve the reader and to propel them along the journey. This book falls closer to the latter.
There wasn't a wondrous amount of imagination present, nor much in the way of tension. In fact, everything, from the friends, to the talents, to the enemies were sort of pale. It's not bad, not at all. It's just okay, and I'd rather try others. I doubt I'll be returning to the Nightmare Academy. It's too cliched and not inventive enough.
Not bad just not really good.
I really love 'The Hero's Journey'. I never tire of reading the stories that illustrate this 'monomyth'. That said, there are stories that excel at this embodiment and that compel the reader to keep going and there are others that are not nearly creative enough, nor sufficiently well written to involve the reader and to propel them along the journey. This book falls closer to the latter.
There wasn't a wondrous amount of imagination present, nor much in the way of tension. In fact, everything, from the friends, to the talents, to the enemies were sort of pale. It's not bad, not at all. It's just okay, and I'd rather try others. I doubt I'll be returning to the Nightmare Academy. It's too cliched and not inventive enough.
Not bad just not really good.
January 30, 2010
This book is so awesome, lot's of fun, very exciting, I love it :o)
This book is so cool that I read it once by myself and then once with my son. I recommend this book to the highest level.
This book is so cool that I read it once by myself and then once with my son. I recommend this book to the highest level.
July 8, 2009
“ aku tidak akan pernah tidur lagi, “ Kata Charlie Benjamin. Karena setiap kali ia tidur dan bermimpi buruk, maka mimpi itu akan menjadi kenyataan. Tidak perduli saat tidur siang atau dimalam hari.
Selama ini orang tua Charlie, Barrington dan Olga mengira Charlie mengamuk saat bermimpi buruk, sesungguhnya ia membiarkan monster-monster memasuki dunia kita dan menyebabkan kerusakan. Oleh karenanya, keluarga Benjamin tinggal di rumah model 3, yaitu rumah sederhana, kuat dan andal.
Setiap anak bermimpi. Suatu saat seorang anak akan mengalami mimpi indah,dan disaat yang lain akan mengalami mimpi buruk. Namun mimpi buruk tidak hanya ada di dalam kepala, mimpi-mimpi itu memiliki maksud tertentu, salah satunya jalan masuk menuju negeri monster, Netherworld, yang berisi banyak makhluk mangerikan yang ingin melewati jalan masuk itu menuju dunia kita untuk berbuat onar.
Charlie sangat gembira saat menerima undangan pesta menginap disalah satu tetangganya. Sekitar pukul tiga dini hari, jeritan nyaring dan bunyi kaca pecah terdengar dari kamar anak-anak menginap. Ketika akhirnya orang dewasa berhasil mendobrak pintu, semua anak menggantung dilangit-langit kamar terbungkus dalam kepompong yang sangat kuat. Hanya Charie yang selamat!
Itu hanya salah satu dari sekian kejadian yang menyebabkan Charlie dikucilkan. Ia terpaksa belajar di rumah dengan ibunya sebagai guru. Setelah lama terkucilkan, ia mengalami bosan, ketakutan dan trauma. Semakin Charlie merasa takut, maka semakin cepat dia mengakses bakatnya. Hanya karena bakat itu tidak dilatih dan diasah, maka monster-monster berdatangan secara acak.
Charlie pertama kali bertemu dengan Rex sang Banisher, Tabhita sang Nethermancer dan Pinch sang fasilitator, sekawanan orang yang memperkenalkannya dengan Nightmare Academy, adalah saat Silvertongue kelas 5 masuk ke kamarnya dan berusaha untuk mencelakakan dirinya, serta Mimic salah satu monster yang menyukai keringat, menculik ibu Charlie lalu selama dua hari menyekapnya di loteng rumah
Charlie dibawa menghadap Dewan Petinggi Nightmare Division yang ingin mengidentifikasi, memproses dan mengevaluasi dirinya. Nightmare Division adalah organisasi sangat rahasia yang bertugas mengendalikan populas Nethercreature, makhluk-makhluk Nether.
Rebinald Drake sang direktur tidak ingin Charlie masuk akademi., ia ingin agar Charlie diturunkan. Yaitu suatu proses menurunkan level kemampuan berpikir kreatif anak yang bersangkutan. Otomatis kemampuan membuka portalnya juga akan menurun. Namun kepala sekolah Brazenhope, menolak ide itu . Dengan membawa Rex, Tabitha dan Pinch sebagai guru, Brazenhope berhasil membawa Charlie ke Academy.
Uji coba yang dilakukan Charlie malah membuka portal menuju Barakkas, monter paling kejam yang ada di lingkaran dalam. Barakkas memprofokasi Charlie agar mau menjadi penerusnya.. Tepat saat Barakkas memasukan kepalan tangannya yang menggunakan gelang logam berkilauan dan dihiasi ukuran rumit berbentuk wajahnya, Rex berhasil menyadarkan Charlie untuk menutup portal,
Portal tertutup diiringi derak menggelegar dari pangkal lengan kanan Barakkas. Bagian tubuh makhluk mengerikan itu jatuh berdebam seolah terhantam bola gergaji penghancur, jari-jarinya bergetar hebat, gelang raksasanya mengilatkan cahaya merah tua ke seluruh ruangan. Jeritannya menggema liar melintasi dimensi.
Nightmare Academy sendiri merupakan rumah pohon paling besar di dunia.. Dibangun diatas sepotong pohon banyan raksaksa. Kapal-kapal layar besar berlabuh di cabang-cabang saling terhubung oleh jembatan-jembatan dan jala-jala yang terjalin indah.. liftnya juga berbentuk perahu kecil.
Mereka yang baru belajar disana disebut Noobs berarti anak baru. Sekolah juga melakukan seleksi guna menentukan apakah murid yang bersangkutan akan menjadi Banisher atau Nethermancer. Charlie ternyata adalah Double Threat, seseorang yang bisa menjadi Banisher dan Nethermancer secara bersamaan, satu yang terlahir dalam duapuluh atau tiga puluh tahun.
Di Academy, Charlie bersahabat dengan Violet dan Theodore.Saat belajar membuka portal, Charlie kembali membuka portal yang menuju ke Barakkas. Barakkas meminta Charlie untuk mengembalikan Artefak Nether yang berada ditangannya , yang diputus Charlie
Rupanya Barakkas sangat menginginkan Artefaknya kembali. Segala upaya dilakukan termasuk dengamn menculik orang tua Charlie. Dengan segala usah, akhirnya Charlie bisa mengetahui bahwa orang tuanya disembunyikan di bawah Gunung Krakatau.
Ternyata Artefak tersebut akan digunakan untuk memanggil satu orang lagi monster yang memiliki kekuatan dasyat. Kelima monster tersebut berniat membuka portal menuju dunia manusia dan menguasainya.
Saat menerima booklet kecil berisi cuplikan novel ini disalah satu toko buku, saya sudah tidak sabar ingin membaca. Baru saat di Pesta Buku Jakarta keinginan saya terwujud. Plus bonus poster yang menggoda untuk dibingkai.
Memang ada beberapa kesamaan yang mengingatkan saya akan Buku Harry Potter, seperti seleksi saat masuk sekolah, bersahabat dengan dua teman. Namun cerita yang ada didalamnya jelas berbeda dengan Harry Potter.
Khabarnya masih ada sambungannya hingga lima buku. Cover bukunya ini terus terang sangat menarik, lalu kertasnya juga menarik. Tapi yang paling menarik buat saya adalah ilustrasi didalamnya serta ilustrasi yang menghiasi pergantian setiap bagiannya.
Plus ada rasa bangga saat membaca Gunung Krakatau dan Borneo (hayo pulau mana.... pasti semua tahu) disebut dibuku yang diterjemahkan dalam banyak bahasa
Setidaknya, saya tidak perlu takut lagi jika ada monster bersarang dikolong tempat tidur saya, karena ada Charlie dan Nightmare Academy yang siap membantu!
Selama ini orang tua Charlie, Barrington dan Olga mengira Charlie mengamuk saat bermimpi buruk, sesungguhnya ia membiarkan monster-monster memasuki dunia kita dan menyebabkan kerusakan. Oleh karenanya, keluarga Benjamin tinggal di rumah model 3, yaitu rumah sederhana, kuat dan andal.
Setiap anak bermimpi. Suatu saat seorang anak akan mengalami mimpi indah,dan disaat yang lain akan mengalami mimpi buruk. Namun mimpi buruk tidak hanya ada di dalam kepala, mimpi-mimpi itu memiliki maksud tertentu, salah satunya jalan masuk menuju negeri monster, Netherworld, yang berisi banyak makhluk mangerikan yang ingin melewati jalan masuk itu menuju dunia kita untuk berbuat onar.
Charlie sangat gembira saat menerima undangan pesta menginap disalah satu tetangganya. Sekitar pukul tiga dini hari, jeritan nyaring dan bunyi kaca pecah terdengar dari kamar anak-anak menginap. Ketika akhirnya orang dewasa berhasil mendobrak pintu, semua anak menggantung dilangit-langit kamar terbungkus dalam kepompong yang sangat kuat. Hanya Charie yang selamat!
Itu hanya salah satu dari sekian kejadian yang menyebabkan Charlie dikucilkan. Ia terpaksa belajar di rumah dengan ibunya sebagai guru. Setelah lama terkucilkan, ia mengalami bosan, ketakutan dan trauma. Semakin Charlie merasa takut, maka semakin cepat dia mengakses bakatnya. Hanya karena bakat itu tidak dilatih dan diasah, maka monster-monster berdatangan secara acak.
Charlie pertama kali bertemu dengan Rex sang Banisher, Tabhita sang Nethermancer dan Pinch sang fasilitator, sekawanan orang yang memperkenalkannya dengan Nightmare Academy, adalah saat Silvertongue kelas 5 masuk ke kamarnya dan berusaha untuk mencelakakan dirinya, serta Mimic salah satu monster yang menyukai keringat, menculik ibu Charlie lalu selama dua hari menyekapnya di loteng rumah
Charlie dibawa menghadap Dewan Petinggi Nightmare Division yang ingin mengidentifikasi, memproses dan mengevaluasi dirinya. Nightmare Division adalah organisasi sangat rahasia yang bertugas mengendalikan populas Nethercreature, makhluk-makhluk Nether.
Rebinald Drake sang direktur tidak ingin Charlie masuk akademi., ia ingin agar Charlie diturunkan. Yaitu suatu proses menurunkan level kemampuan berpikir kreatif anak yang bersangkutan. Otomatis kemampuan membuka portalnya juga akan menurun. Namun kepala sekolah Brazenhope, menolak ide itu . Dengan membawa Rex, Tabitha dan Pinch sebagai guru, Brazenhope berhasil membawa Charlie ke Academy.
Uji coba yang dilakukan Charlie malah membuka portal menuju Barakkas, monter paling kejam yang ada di lingkaran dalam. Barakkas memprofokasi Charlie agar mau menjadi penerusnya.. Tepat saat Barakkas memasukan kepalan tangannya yang menggunakan gelang logam berkilauan dan dihiasi ukuran rumit berbentuk wajahnya, Rex berhasil menyadarkan Charlie untuk menutup portal,
Portal tertutup diiringi derak menggelegar dari pangkal lengan kanan Barakkas. Bagian tubuh makhluk mengerikan itu jatuh berdebam seolah terhantam bola gergaji penghancur, jari-jarinya bergetar hebat, gelang raksasanya mengilatkan cahaya merah tua ke seluruh ruangan. Jeritannya menggema liar melintasi dimensi.
Nightmare Academy sendiri merupakan rumah pohon paling besar di dunia.. Dibangun diatas sepotong pohon banyan raksaksa. Kapal-kapal layar besar berlabuh di cabang-cabang saling terhubung oleh jembatan-jembatan dan jala-jala yang terjalin indah.. liftnya juga berbentuk perahu kecil.
Mereka yang baru belajar disana disebut Noobs berarti anak baru. Sekolah juga melakukan seleksi guna menentukan apakah murid yang bersangkutan akan menjadi Banisher atau Nethermancer. Charlie ternyata adalah Double Threat, seseorang yang bisa menjadi Banisher dan Nethermancer secara bersamaan, satu yang terlahir dalam duapuluh atau tiga puluh tahun.
Di Academy, Charlie bersahabat dengan Violet dan Theodore.Saat belajar membuka portal, Charlie kembali membuka portal yang menuju ke Barakkas. Barakkas meminta Charlie untuk mengembalikan Artefak Nether yang berada ditangannya , yang diputus Charlie
Rupanya Barakkas sangat menginginkan Artefaknya kembali. Segala upaya dilakukan termasuk dengamn menculik orang tua Charlie. Dengan segala usah, akhirnya Charlie bisa mengetahui bahwa orang tuanya disembunyikan di bawah Gunung Krakatau.
Ternyata Artefak tersebut akan digunakan untuk memanggil satu orang lagi monster yang memiliki kekuatan dasyat. Kelima monster tersebut berniat membuka portal menuju dunia manusia dan menguasainya.
Saat menerima booklet kecil berisi cuplikan novel ini disalah satu toko buku, saya sudah tidak sabar ingin membaca. Baru saat di Pesta Buku Jakarta keinginan saya terwujud. Plus bonus poster yang menggoda untuk dibingkai.
Memang ada beberapa kesamaan yang mengingatkan saya akan Buku Harry Potter, seperti seleksi saat masuk sekolah, bersahabat dengan dua teman. Namun cerita yang ada didalamnya jelas berbeda dengan Harry Potter.
Khabarnya masih ada sambungannya hingga lima buku. Cover bukunya ini terus terang sangat menarik, lalu kertasnya juga menarik. Tapi yang paling menarik buat saya adalah ilustrasi didalamnya serta ilustrasi yang menghiasi pergantian setiap bagiannya.
Plus ada rasa bangga saat membaca Gunung Krakatau dan Borneo (hayo pulau mana.... pasti semua tahu) disebut dibuku yang diterjemahkan dalam banyak bahasa
Setidaknya, saya tidak perlu takut lagi jika ada monster bersarang dikolong tempat tidur saya, karena ada Charlie dan Nightmare Academy yang siap membantu!
August 21, 2008
I think I get nervous anytime I see that a new author has a Hollywood background, so when I saw Nightmare Academy's gorgeous cover and slick website, I was prepared for a big movie treatment that lacked substance. A few friends had read the book though and said it was very good to excellent. After reading it for myself, I have to agree that this is a wonderful piece of young adult fiction. The general premise is that children with intelligence and great imaginations can generate some of the worst nightmares and these nightmares can actually open portals from the Netherworld and allow nightmarish creatures to enter our world. So some of these kids are recruited into the Nightmare Academy so they can learn to open portals while awake or to partner with somebody who can to banish these creatures back to the Nether. Our hero Charlie's power is great which has lead to a string of catastrophes during events such as nap time when in preschool and a sleepover, so when he gets recruited to join the Nightmare Academy he thinks he's finally found a place where he can fit in and not feel so different. Even at the Nightmare Academy the strength of his gift sets him apart and gets him in trouble. The way the adult teachers and headmaster of the Academy are written and how they handle Charlie and their ability to empathize what he is going through really show how Dean Lorey has depth and intelligence as a writer. He really treats his characters with respect and rather than falling into the trap of having his characters withholding information from each other because they feel they are protecting them, or that they aren't ready to know certain things, these characters are honest with each other and exhibit a level of trust rarely seen in young adult fantasy. Not to say he's the only one that does this, but I think he takes it to a level that is very refreshing. This story has a vivid and exciting world, very real and threatening danger, and lots of adventure. Charlie's friends are also not your stereotypical friends either. This story is all about facing your fears, dealing with insecurities, and using your faults to your advantage. I highly recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2009
Melirik buku ini karena covernya yang mengingatkan gw akan suatu tokoh yang hebat. Plus taglinenya "menjadikan monster ganas menjadi sopan" pinter banget dah penulisnya. Pas di buka layoutnya bikin indah & nyaman di mata. Buku fantasi yang bisa di baca oleh segala usia.
Tema yang di angkat buku ini, cukup unik kalau kata gw. Menjadikan mimpi buruk sebagai suatu portal yang menghubungkan bumi dengan dunia monster, Nether. Dan yang paling gw suka menjadikan ketakutan itu sebagai sumber kekuatan itu sendiri.
Mengisahkan kehidupan seorang anak berusia 13 tahun bernama charlie benjamin, yang merasa sejak kecil selalu dikucilkan, di anggap aneh oleh lingkungan sekitarnya. Tanpa Charlie sadari, dia sebenarnya memiliki kekuatan yang sangat dahsyat dalam membuka portal. Hingga akhirnya Rex, seorang banisher, Tabitha, seorang necromancer dan Pitch, seorang fasilitator menceritakan tentang Nether dan monster-monster yang mendiami Nether.
Untuk mengasah dan mengendalikan kemampuan Charlie, charlie mendapat pendidikan di Nightmare Academy. Dan di sinilah petualangan charlie dimulai. Petualangan yang juga mengancam jiwa Charlie sendiri.
Tema yang di angkat buku ini, cukup unik kalau kata gw. Menjadikan mimpi buruk sebagai suatu portal yang menghubungkan bumi dengan dunia monster, Nether. Dan yang paling gw suka menjadikan ketakutan itu sebagai sumber kekuatan itu sendiri.
Mengisahkan kehidupan seorang anak berusia 13 tahun bernama charlie benjamin, yang merasa sejak kecil selalu dikucilkan, di anggap aneh oleh lingkungan sekitarnya. Tanpa Charlie sadari, dia sebenarnya memiliki kekuatan yang sangat dahsyat dalam membuka portal. Hingga akhirnya Rex, seorang banisher, Tabitha, seorang necromancer dan Pitch, seorang fasilitator menceritakan tentang Nether dan monster-monster yang mendiami Nether.
Untuk mengasah dan mengendalikan kemampuan Charlie, charlie mendapat pendidikan di Nightmare Academy. Dan di sinilah petualangan charlie dimulai. Petualangan yang juga mengancam jiwa Charlie sendiri.
November 2, 2016
Nightmare Academy by Dean Lorey is an amazing book because the storyline and how the things that happen are introduced is just truly amazing. Nightmare Academy is about a boy named Charlie who always has nightmares, ´´Sometimes bad things happen when I have nightmares´´ and by that Charlie means he basicly opens a portal for the monsters in his nightmares to come into the real world. Charlie goes to a sleepover and has a nightmare when it was time to go to sleep, the nightmare was about a spider and the spider tried to eat the other kids but the spider didn´t try to eat Charlie. Charlie then goes to the Nightmare Academy because that is the only place for him and I am not going to spoil the ending, so you are going to have to read it, I recommend this book if you like books that are creepy and suspenseful.
March 14, 2015
When harry meets monsters inc.
This book can be summarized with that line. The similarity of this book with harry series is a little more than ordinary. I am not saying it's bad, it's just that, it feels like a hybrid kid of Harry Potter and monsters inc(an animated movie).
There are three kids. 2 boys and a girl.
There is a secret academy to hone their special abilities. I can go on. But let's stop it at that.
As a story, this book is kinda average light read. Nothing special.
This book can be summarized with that line. The similarity of this book with harry series is a little more than ordinary. I am not saying it's bad, it's just that, it feels like a hybrid kid of Harry Potter and monsters inc(an animated movie).
There are three kids. 2 boys and a girl.
There is a secret academy to hone their special abilities. I can go on. But let's stop it at that.
As a story, this book is kinda average light read. Nothing special.
November 22, 2017
Re-read this just because I loved it so much as a kid. Now that I'm older I see a lot more of it's problems. I had issues with its sexists remarks, and its blatant tell and not show style of writing. The characters were 2D and the plot was a little too transparent for my liking. It gets two stars, one as homage to my youth and the inspiration this story gave me for my future endeavours and one more because I'm still going to attempt to finish the series. So while I admit it's bad, it's the type of bad that was popular when it was published - it's very true to the times in which such views and characters were ground breaking and different.
November 5, 2020
When Charlie learns that his nightmares are summoning creatures from another realm, he is brought to Nightmare Academy to train, before his devastating powers allow a powerful being from the Inner Circle into his world...Lorey offers young readers a decent adventure that, though cliched and quite dark, is carried by entertaining lore and a likeable cast. Can Charlie find a way to control his ability before his newfound enemies end up controlling him?
October 4, 2023
"... mas nós sabemos que as coisas mais assustadoras não estão lá fora..., mas aqui - disse ela, tocando com um dedo na cabeça. - E nós enfrentamos esses medos todos os dias."
February 22, 2024
Reliving my childhood, such a fun concept
October 11, 2023
4.5/5
O conceito do livro e a evolução das personagens >>>>
(Preciso do próximo livro)
O conceito do livro e a evolução das personagens >>>>
(Preciso do próximo livro)
July 23, 2009
Akhirnya baca juga buku ini, sebenarnya ga begitu tertarik, karena sempet buka2 dikit di toko buku [emang udah kebuka bukunya, bukan gw yang robek plastiknya haha:], kok kaya'nya rada-rada Harry Potter gitu yah.
Tapi karena banyak yang udah baca, ikut2 deh baca ... plus tergoda katanya ada setting di Indonesia... [halah ternyata dijadiin sarang monster... nasib nasib ..:]
Kemiripan sama Harry Potter karena genk-nya Charlie juga tiga orang, dua cowok dan satu cewek [meskipun ntar tambah satu cewek lagi:].
Sama-sama di sekolah yang tersembunyi/disembunyikan, trus ada perlindungannya juga [kaya' Hogwart:].
Kepala sekolah yang sakti mandraguna, bisa jadi banisher sekaligus tukang buka pintu [arghhh dimarahin sama Theodore..:] eh Nethermancer.
Kalo Harry baru berani nyerbu kementrian sihir di buku 5, Charlie dkk udah mengobrak-abrik Departemen Nightmare di buku pertama.. hahaha
Jadi dari sisi kepala batu, kaya'nya dua-duanya setara-lah. Sama-sama anak kesepian, tapi kalo Charlie digambarin punya kekuatan besar, kalo Harry kan kekuatan terbesarnya adalah cinta... halah
Di buku satu ini sih belum terlau keliatan keahlian banisher memerangi monster, paling cuma Rex yang pake lasso yang bersinar biru kalo deket monster [hmmmm... Lord of The Rings ga sih:], itu pun ga terlalu sakti, ga kebayang kalo monster Nether bebas semua, gimana caranya tuh ngelawannya, apa buka portal - serbu, buka portal lagi - kabur ..
Yang seru sih kemampuan bisa buka portal kemana-mana [Doraemon.. ??:]
Yah nunggu buku ke-2 deh, kaya'nya lebih seru...
September 25, 2013
It started out so well - engaging, exciting, vividly written...even the cookie-cutter 'tortured gifted preteen' protagonist somehow rang true. Charlie's helpless losing battle against the weird things that happen in his sleep, the reveal, the ensuing world-building...everything was so well handled that even the odd ripoff notes (Charlie gets a letter, just like a certain bespectacled wizard, and the first appearance of the Nightmare Division brigade closely mirrors a similar scene from Darren Shan's 'Demon Thief') in no way detracted from the reading.
But then...
...then, once Charlie is whisked away to school, it all becomes a tame Caribbean rehash of Harry Potter. The lead trio is an exact pastiche of both Ron/Harry/Hermione AND Grover/Percy/Annabeth (the banter is so similar, it hurts), while the Headmaster is little more than a female Dumbledore. The teachers do manage to raise some interest, but even they are too close to the likes of Tonks, Sirius. Lupin or Hermes (from Percy Jackson) to really ever come into their own. A real shame, as the concept, the villains and the occasional twist all show this series' potential. Perhaps Mr. Lorey has improved in later books, but until he breaks out of the Potter/Jackson mold he has voluntarily fit into, it is highly unlikely that the Nightmare Academy series will succeed.
But then...
...then, once Charlie is whisked away to school, it all becomes a tame Caribbean rehash of Harry Potter. The lead trio is an exact pastiche of both Ron/Harry/Hermione AND Grover/Percy/Annabeth (the banter is so similar, it hurts), while the Headmaster is little more than a female Dumbledore. The teachers do manage to raise some interest, but even they are too close to the likes of Tonks, Sirius. Lupin or Hermes (from Percy Jackson) to really ever come into their own. A real shame, as the concept, the villains and the occasional twist all show this series' potential. Perhaps Mr. Lorey has improved in later books, but until he breaks out of the Potter/Jackson mold he has voluntarily fit into, it is highly unlikely that the Nightmare Academy series will succeed.
August 20, 2011
A very fun, light, and quick read! Some Gregor the Overlander, a dash of Percy Jackson, and a maybe a pinch of Harry Potter, and I think I have what you can expect from Nightmare Academy. The characters and their dialogue are hilarious and witty! I really look forward to learning a little more about each of them, as I have the feeling that this will be one of those series where by book four, you'll be kept up at night crying as a beloved character dies... or would that be too much wishful thinking?
My one complaint would be the pacing. I would've liked to see the students spending more time at the Nightmare Academy, learning different skills and more about the Nethercreatures (by the way, I LOVE that the school is built from pieces of different ships nestled into the tree tops!). But the story's timeline is the space of about 3 days, I think, leaving only time for Charlie to attend two classes. I really hope we get to see more of the academy and classes in the next book, Monster Madness.
My one complaint would be the pacing. I would've liked to see the students spending more time at the Nightmare Academy, learning different skills and more about the Nethercreatures (by the way, I LOVE that the school is built from pieces of different ships nestled into the tree tops!). But the story's timeline is the space of about 3 days, I think, leaving only time for Charlie to attend two classes. I really hope we get to see more of the academy and classes in the next book, Monster Madness.
November 10, 2014
I loved every startlingly bright image Nightmare Academy showed me. I really enjoyed picturing the giant tree of recycled wrecks and arenas, and the deserts and mountains and volcanoes teeming with monsters, and I LOVED the hags with their purple hair, cracking green skin and rank, torn gowns. What kept me from rating it higher, however, was the lack of dimension in pivotal characters - though I admit, I found Rex the Monster Wrangler as charming as any young lady might - and it took me out of the story a few times too many for my liking. I can forgive many a poorly rounded character if the story is engaging enough, but the over-convenience of certain people at crucial moments - Charlie's insta-besties for example - sort of had me raising my eyebrows. But like I said, I loved the fantastical world, and the humour was right up my alley. I understand this is the beginning of a series, so perhaps the lack of depth and motivation in some of the characters will be fleshed out and explained later. I will probably seek out book 2 sometime in the next couple months.
June 5, 2015
Have you ever had the fear of feeling that someone is watching you while you're asleep? Have you ever feared that your nightmares may come into a reality? Well for Charlie both aren't a choice for him to have.Charlie Benjamin is an ordinary looking kid through out the day, but at night when he falls asleep, he manages to open portals into the Netherworld which is a world filled with horrendous monsters of all kinds. His parents have even had to lock him up on his room because they had no idea what was wrong with him. But luckily for Charlie there was a place who knew exactly what he is going through. Welcome to Nightmare Academy a place where teens are taught to control their "gifts" and are trained to use them for the greater good.
I strongly recommend this book to the Fantasy, Action, and Adventure lovers. The book has an incredibly interesting background/plot that links the mysterious unknown Netherworld all the way to the "safe" Humanworld.
I strongly recommend this book to the Fantasy, Action, and Adventure lovers. The book has an incredibly interesting background/plot that links the mysterious unknown Netherworld all the way to the "safe" Humanworld.
January 2, 2014
Nightmare Academy is about a boy named Charlie Benjamin. The fiction story is about how when Charlie falls asleep, he opens a portal where monsters from the 'Netherworld' can come into the modern mortal world and destroy everything. So therefore, Charlie finds himself at the Nightmare Academy where he can train with others like him to fight off the horrendus monsters. Charlie and his friends go to the worst, monster-infested place in the Netherworld and try to defeat the mosters there that are coming out of the portal. I reccomend this book to readers who like fantasy books, and are looking for an easy read.
August 1, 2019
Great idea for a book, but unfortunately it was very poorly executed. Plot gaps wide enough to drive a bus through and 2d characters make for a pretty rubbish book.
I like a fast paced book but this novel sprinted in a way that would leave a runner injured. The main characters presentation, introduction to the world of Nightmares and further evens are too fast that they don’t make much sense. The characters are shallow and unlikeable, which can be a flaw often found in YA novels, but this is to the extreme.
I think another reviewer put it best - this reads like a poor imitation of Harry Potter.
I like a fast paced book but this novel sprinted in a way that would leave a runner injured. The main characters presentation, introduction to the world of Nightmares and further evens are too fast that they don’t make much sense. The characters are shallow and unlikeable, which can be a flaw often found in YA novels, but this is to the extreme.
I think another reviewer put it best - this reads like a poor imitation of Harry Potter.
January 12, 2017
Yo this shayte was hella gud like wtf i thought this was gonna be those types of books that i would of just pretended to read and put it back.But once i actually decided to read the first page i was hooked.Not only was the beginning very interesting but i felt like the Main protagonist was an easy going main character who had no friends and end up becoming someone who isn't normal but in a good way.
June 18, 2011
To tell you the truth I really found this book depressing and deep. It was all about nightmares, finding the things that make you sad and most scared. There was nothing redeeming about it. Even the friendships that were midly formed were formed on fear and bullying. Not really sure that it was terrible, it was an interesting idea, but just really sad to think of a life only full of fear.
January 1, 2015
I am reading many series. And yet there is non, that can make me read them one after another so fast like I readed this one. As soon as I ended the first book, I started reading the second, and then the third. Non of the books I read today, makes me want to read the second one as soon as I end the first one. I love every single book. Its worth reading.
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January 31, 2016This book tries really hard to be wacky and hip, and the two characters who were supposed to be funny were pretty much detestably sexist. (Hint: calling your female coworker “sweetheart” after she’s asked you not to is not funny and charming, it’s demeaning.)
March 13, 2011
This was a fun quick read. I don't know if I would really want to read the others. It was too similar to the Harry Potter formula for stories... three teenagers (two boys and one girl) run away from the nightmare academy (without their teachers or headmaster) to take on the big bad villain.
November 13, 2011
Fun, page-turning story, for middle-graders and up, set at Nightmare Academy, where Charlie Benjamin and his schoolmates learn to control the monsters that their nightmares bring to Earth. Sending this on to my grandsons.
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