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City of Nightmares #1
City of Nightmares
Gotham meets Strange the Dreamer in this thrilling young adult fantasy about a cowardly girl who finds herself at the center of a criminal syndicate conspiracy, in a city where crooked politicians and sinister cults reign and dreaming means waking up as your worst nightmare.
Ever since her sister became a man-eating spider and slaughtered her way through town, nineteen-year-old Ness has been terrified—terrified of some other Nightmare murdering her, and terrified of ending up like her sister. Because in Newham, the city that never sleeps and the only other home Ness has known, dreaming means waking up as your worst fear.
Whether that means becoming a Nightmare that is only monstrous in appearance but is otherwise able to live a semi-normal existence, to transforming into a twisted, unrecognizable creature that terrorizes the citizens of Newham, no one is safe. Ness will do anything to avoid becoming another victim, even if that means lying low among the Friends of the Restful Soul, a seedy organization that may or may not be a cult.
But being a member of the Friends of the Restful Soul has a price. In order to prove herself, Ness cons her way into what’s supposed to be a simple job for the organization—only for it to blow up in her face. Literally. Tangled up in the aftermath of an explosive assassination, Ness and the only other survivor—a Nightmare boy who Ness suspects is planning to eat her—must find their way back to Newham and uncover the sinister truth behind the attack, even as the horrors of her past loom ominously near.
Ever since her sister became a man-eating spider and slaughtered her way through town, nineteen-year-old Ness has been terrified—terrified of some other Nightmare murdering her, and terrified of ending up like her sister. Because in Newham, the city that never sleeps and the only other home Ness has known, dreaming means waking up as your worst fear.
Whether that means becoming a Nightmare that is only monstrous in appearance but is otherwise able to live a semi-normal existence, to transforming into a twisted, unrecognizable creature that terrorizes the citizens of Newham, no one is safe. Ness will do anything to avoid becoming another victim, even if that means lying low among the Friends of the Restful Soul, a seedy organization that may or may not be a cult.
But being a member of the Friends of the Restful Soul has a price. In order to prove herself, Ness cons her way into what’s supposed to be a simple job for the organization—only for it to blow up in her face. Literally. Tangled up in the aftermath of an explosive assassination, Ness and the only other survivor—a Nightmare boy who Ness suspects is planning to eat her—must find their way back to Newham and uncover the sinister truth behind the attack, even as the horrors of her past loom ominously near.
9 pages, Audiobook
First published January 10, 2023
149 people are currently reading
30222 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Schaeffer
7 books1,546 followersThis author also writes under the name RR Schaeffer
Rebecca Schaeffer is the critically acclaimed author of Not Even Bones, Only Ashes Remain, and When Villains Rise. The Webtoon adaptation of the trilogy has garnered over a hundred million reads and nearly 2 million subscribers. Her next book, City of Nightmares, comes out in January 2023.
*******
I read a lot of books and have a lot of opinions, so the only books I put up and rate on Goodreads are ones I absolutely loved and would heartily recommend to my fans.
****
I also don't add friends and I don't have time to keep up on all platforms, so Goodreads is just for posting book reviews. If you want to contact me, there's a form on my website ^_^
Rebecca Schaeffer is the critically acclaimed author of Not Even Bones, Only Ashes Remain, and When Villains Rise. The Webtoon adaptation of the trilogy has garnered over a hundred million reads and nearly 2 million subscribers. Her next book, City of Nightmares, comes out in January 2023.
*******
I read a lot of books and have a lot of opinions, so the only books I put up and rate on Goodreads are ones I absolutely loved and would heartily recommend to my fans.
****
I also don't add friends and I don't have time to keep up on all platforms, so Goodreads is just for posting book reviews. If you want to contact me, there's a form on my website ^_^
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,758 reviews
July 31, 2022
You know those memes that are like "Would you live in Gotham if rent was 5 dollars a month?" That is basically this book. I mean, the titular city of nightmares is literally called NEWHAM. But I'd say Newham is even worse than Gotham because it's in a world where people have a chance of physically and permanently transforming into their worst nightmare when they sleep--unless they take drugs to stop themselves from dreaming. But the drugs are nullified by alcohol, so Prohibition is in place and the world very much has the vibes of that 1920s era, though with more POC and queer characters living their best lives in waistcoats and dress pants. As good of lives as they can make in a world of living nightmares, anyway. This is a society that's terrible to a hilarious degree. The mayor openly keeps a nightmare-pterodactyl as a pet to unleash on her political opponents. Bribery is mandatory if you want to get anything done. Mail can be expected to get stolen if you don't deliver it yourself or with your own employees. Every time you go out you gotta worry about some kind of monstrous creature showing up to gobble you up.
The protagonist Ness' life was shattered 8 years ago when her own sister turned into a giant spider and ate a bunch of people alive, including their dad. Now Ness just wants a place to call home. She got herself free room and board by joining the Friends of the Restful Soul, which is Definitely Not a Cult, but her membership is threatened when her paralyzing fear of Nightmares prevent her from doing her door-to-door recruitment duties properly. To prove her worth, she volunteers to go on a mail delivery trip that's 6-hours by boat--after causing the usual mail runner to sprain her ankle. Ness is not a typical heroine for sure, not even the typical morally gray and tough-as-nails antiheroine. She's a self-professed coward. She can't fight for sh*t. She's not much of a genius either. But when she barely survives a massive explosion on the boat and gets caught in an assassination conspiracy, she has to work with one of the Nightmares she fears so much in order to survive. Said Nightmare is Cy, a boy-turned-vampire. There's some neat discourse about vampires in the book, like why we as a society keep romanticizing them in questionable ways, and why abusive relationships keep getting romanticized in media in general. Let's just say Ness struggles a lot with whether she should trust Cy, but everything about their relationship is done in a very refreshing way.
Overall, this book is full of dark humor and delightful chaos. I highly recommend it if you like stories that don't pull their punches, like Gotham and The Boys.
The protagonist Ness' life was shattered 8 years ago when her own sister turned into a giant spider and ate a bunch of people alive, including their dad. Now Ness just wants a place to call home. She got herself free room and board by joining the Friends of the Restful Soul, which is Definitely Not a Cult, but her membership is threatened when her paralyzing fear of Nightmares prevent her from doing her door-to-door recruitment duties properly. To prove her worth, she volunteers to go on a mail delivery trip that's 6-hours by boat--after causing the usual mail runner to sprain her ankle. Ness is not a typical heroine for sure, not even the typical morally gray and tough-as-nails antiheroine. She's a self-professed coward. She can't fight for sh*t. She's not much of a genius either. But when she barely survives a massive explosion on the boat and gets caught in an assassination conspiracy, she has to work with one of the Nightmares she fears so much in order to survive. Said Nightmare is Cy, a boy-turned-vampire. There's some neat discourse about vampires in the book, like why we as a society keep romanticizing them in questionable ways, and why abusive relationships keep getting romanticized in media in general. Let's just say Ness struggles a lot with whether she should trust Cy, but everything about their relationship is done in a very refreshing way.
Overall, this book is full of dark humor and delightful chaos. I highly recommend it if you like stories that don't pull their punches, like Gotham and The Boys.
Read
January 22, 2022This book is fucking weird and I love it.
It has pteredactyls, vampires, and a cult run by a giant lizard. It’s about a girl who likes order and safety in a world of pure undiluted CHAOS.
They’re going to put a fancy blurb up here soon, but I want you all to have the fun chaotic description a book like this truly deserves, so here’s how I would pitch it:
In a Gotham-inspired city that is comedically chaotic and full of so many villains they literally trip over each other’s plots in Bacanno style chaos, people are literally transformed into their worst nightmares. We follow a perfectly normal, non-Nightmare, non-villainous girl, who just happens to have joined a cult for the free rent. As one does. She’s also a huge coward (which really, relatable given this is the kind of city where the Mayor has a pet pterodactyl that eats people). But when she gets blown up in some random villain’s plot, she need to grow a semblance of a spine before she ends up a casualty in multiple villainous wars.
Welcome to the City of Nightmares. We hope you don’t end up too dead or horrifically mutilated during your stay.
It has pteredactyls, vampires, and a cult run by a giant lizard. It’s about a girl who likes order and safety in a world of pure undiluted CHAOS.
They’re going to put a fancy blurb up here soon, but I want you all to have the fun chaotic description a book like this truly deserves, so here’s how I would pitch it:
In a Gotham-inspired city that is comedically chaotic and full of so many villains they literally trip over each other’s plots in Bacanno style chaos, people are literally transformed into their worst nightmares. We follow a perfectly normal, non-Nightmare, non-villainous girl, who just happens to have joined a cult for the free rent. As one does. She’s also a huge coward (which really, relatable given this is the kind of city where the Mayor has a pet pterodactyl that eats people). But when she gets blown up in some random villain’s plot, she need to grow a semblance of a spine before she ends up a casualty in multiple villainous wars.
Welcome to the City of Nightmares. We hope you don’t end up too dead or horrifically mutilated during your stay.
January 12, 2023
DNF @ 60%
Apparently, this is the year all of my favorite YA authors disappoint me. Rebecca Schaeffer wrote one of the best YA fantasy series I've ever read with Not Even Bones. I am astounded that this is the same author.
City of Nightmares has an incredible premise. The world is full of literal nightmares- humans turned into horrors based on their bad dreams. Nightmares can be sentient or 'animal-like monsters, but the world's residents now largely drug themselves to avoid dreaming. They walk among monsters every day and have to learn to live with them in this new world.
Ness watched her sister turn into a giant spider, kill her parents and die. Now, she is acting as a courier for a secretive society. When her life becomes at risk, the only person who can help her uncover a web of deception and murder is a mysterious nightmare boy.
So before we dig into the plot, we need to talk about the writing. Rebecca Schaeffer is a VERY good writer, but you wouldn't know from reading this. Did she fire her editor? This reads like a teenager's early fanfiction- the prose is atrocious. I would compare it to Lightlark and Iron Widow. Character descriptions are limited toa few simple adjectives stuff like; "she was tall, black, and had curly hair". The dialogue often has cringy 2edgy or bad/corny comedy lines that really pull you out of the world. This should have really been my first warning.
The characters are charming- Schaeffer hasn't lost her ability to write characters you actually like to follow, thought their interactions can sometimes feel a little wooden. I really enjoyed Ness's relationship with Cy, the nightmare boy that saves her life. There is absolutely potential here and I think a lot of folks will find themselves attached to these characters.
So I wasn't expecting to have an ideological problem with this book, but this is where things really get going for me. Schaeffer wrote Not Even Bones- a book series about monster serial killers who do genuinely atrocious stuff. In this book, she's spitting some really weird ideology. One of her characters goes on a 7 page rant about how fictional media can make women normalize abuse done to them and romanticize it- and make men more comfortable abusing people. A huge debate in YA right now involved spicy romances, enemies to lovers/etc 'normalizing' abuse.
This author wrote books about serial killers. SERIAL KILLERS, and she spent a sizable amount of her book going on a tirade about how fiction tricks women into being more tolerant of abuse. I just thought it was really ugly, and I was sad to see an author who had previously embraced dark themes buy into these notions.
As a side note, coming from someone who has had pretty extensive involvement with domestic abuse and the care of victims, if anyone ever tells you that enemies to lovers, vampires, or weird spicy sexy romance books will affect your tolerance for abuse, get the hell away from them. Abuse is perpetuated through the manipulative and coercive actions of the abuser. 'Accepting' abuse comes from extensive periods of being broken down by that abuser. Sexy romance fiction is not poisoning the minds of women. I cant express how upset I am that this book pushes this concept so hard.
Here is a clip of the 7 page rant/reveal that goes over this topic. It will also give you an idea of the dogshit prose.
https://ibb.co/GVCJvcX
The other wild part of City of Nightmares is the writing. If you were impressed with Iron Widow and Lightlark's "Wattpad Jonas Brothers self insert fic from 2011" style of writing- gear up because you will be blown away by this. I know Rebecca Schaeffer can write. Again, she wrote one of my all-time favorite YA series. I have no idea what happened here. The prose is utterly childish- full of corny jokes and irritating middle-grade style hyper simplicity that does not fit for this reading level. The dialogue constantly borders on cringe, and the inner monologue tends to be repetitive and wooden.
ANYWAY The plot itself is fun as hell, so if you can tolerate everything I just said, I found it compulsively readable. I personally am not comfortable with the themes used in the story, but someone else might find it less problematic and give it a shot.
Apparently, this is the year all of my favorite YA authors disappoint me. Rebecca Schaeffer wrote one of the best YA fantasy series I've ever read with Not Even Bones. I am astounded that this is the same author.
City of Nightmares has an incredible premise. The world is full of literal nightmares- humans turned into horrors based on their bad dreams. Nightmares can be sentient or 'animal-like monsters, but the world's residents now largely drug themselves to avoid dreaming. They walk among monsters every day and have to learn to live with them in this new world.
Ness watched her sister turn into a giant spider, kill her parents and die. Now, she is acting as a courier for a secretive society. When her life becomes at risk, the only person who can help her uncover a web of deception and murder is a mysterious nightmare boy.
So before we dig into the plot, we need to talk about the writing. Rebecca Schaeffer is a VERY good writer, but you wouldn't know from reading this. Did she fire her editor? This reads like a teenager's early fanfiction- the prose is atrocious. I would compare it to Lightlark and Iron Widow. Character descriptions are limited toa few simple adjectives stuff like; "she was tall, black, and had curly hair". The dialogue often has cringy 2edgy or bad/corny comedy lines that really pull you out of the world. This should have really been my first warning.
The characters are charming- Schaeffer hasn't lost her ability to write characters you actually like to follow, thought their interactions can sometimes feel a little wooden. I really enjoyed Ness's relationship with Cy, the nightmare boy that saves her life. There is absolutely potential here and I think a lot of folks will find themselves attached to these characters.
So I wasn't expecting to have an ideological problem with this book, but this is where things really get going for me. Schaeffer wrote Not Even Bones- a book series about monster serial killers who do genuinely atrocious stuff. In this book, she's spitting some really weird ideology. One of her characters goes on a 7 page rant about how fictional media can make women normalize abuse done to them and romanticize it- and make men more comfortable abusing people. A huge debate in YA right now involved spicy romances, enemies to lovers/etc 'normalizing' abuse.
This author wrote books about serial killers. SERIAL KILLERS, and she spent a sizable amount of her book going on a tirade about how fiction tricks women into being more tolerant of abuse. I just thought it was really ugly, and I was sad to see an author who had previously embraced dark themes buy into these notions.
As a side note, coming from someone who has had pretty extensive involvement with domestic abuse and the care of victims, if anyone ever tells you that enemies to lovers, vampires, or weird spicy sexy romance books will affect your tolerance for abuse, get the hell away from them. Abuse is perpetuated through the manipulative and coercive actions of the abuser. 'Accepting' abuse comes from extensive periods of being broken down by that abuser. Sexy romance fiction is not poisoning the minds of women. I cant express how upset I am that this book pushes this concept so hard.
Here is a clip of the 7 page rant/reveal that goes over this topic. It will also give you an idea of the dogshit prose.
https://ibb.co/GVCJvcX
The other wild part of City of Nightmares is the writing. If you were impressed with Iron Widow and Lightlark's "Wattpad Jonas Brothers self insert fic from 2011" style of writing- gear up because you will be blown away by this. I know Rebecca Schaeffer can write. Again, she wrote one of my all-time favorite YA series. I have no idea what happened here. The prose is utterly childish- full of corny jokes and irritating middle-grade style hyper simplicity that does not fit for this reading level. The dialogue constantly borders on cringe, and the inner monologue tends to be repetitive and wooden.
ANYWAY The plot itself is fun as hell, so if you can tolerate everything I just said, I found it compulsively readable. I personally am not comfortable with the themes used in the story, but someone else might find it less problematic and give it a shot.
March 6, 2023
When I saw this book started off with a bang; whew! This is my first read from the author, and I would definitely check out more that she has written. City of Nightmares feels a bit like something Stefan from SNL would describe as the hottest new club. It has everything: nightmares come to life, giant human eating spiders, people with scales who turn into cockroaches, cults, vampires, etc. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is.
One of my issues with this book is simply that there is SO much focus on breakneck plotting that we hardly get any character development or proper world building, something I look forward to when reading books that are fantasy or paranormal centric. If you enjoy pacing and chaotic storytelling, you definitely need to pick this one up. If nothing else, it’s a fun ride, and I appreciate that the author set this up for the conclusion in the duology, but didn’t leave us on such a horrific cliffhanger that we feel there isn’t any closure.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
One of my issues with this book is simply that there is SO much focus on breakneck plotting that we hardly get any character development or proper world building, something I look forward to when reading books that are fantasy or paranormal centric. If you enjoy pacing and chaotic storytelling, you definitely need to pick this one up. If nothing else, it’s a fun ride, and I appreciate that the author set this up for the conclusion in the duology, but didn’t leave us on such a horrific cliffhanger that we feel there isn’t any closure.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
Want to read
January 4, 2023Audience: how much murder is in this one?
Ms Shaeffer: yes
Ms Shaeffer: yes
February 26, 2023
So in this book the main character, Ness, had an older sister who turned into a giant spider and ate their dad alive. It was a super traumatic experience ya know, your older sister turning into a giant spider and eating your dad alive. Did I mention that he was alive while his daughter, who, and I cannot stress this enough, turned into a giant spider and ate him. Yep, a giant spider. She turned into one. And ate her dad. Deeply traumatic event, your sister turning into a giant spider and eating your dad that is. Did I mention that she turned into a giant spider and ate her dad? Her older sister, that is, turned into a giant spi-
Annoying, isn't that? Cause that's what I suffered through with this book. There's a lot of problems with it, but by far one of the most annoying is how often this key piece of Ness's backstory is brought up. Schaffer hammers this in until you're no longer scared of giant spiders, just annoyed. I'd personally go to Mordor and kill Shelob with my bare hands just to make Ness shut up about it.
Now, with that out of the way, let's dissect the rest of this story. Like how Ness's sister dissected their dad as a giant spider.
I am a HUGE fan of Schaeffer's first series, the Market of Monsters trilogy. It's an absolutely wild, bloody ride that's pretty dark for a YA series. City of Nightmares has the foundation to be as thrilling as the first series, even more so honestly. The premise is fascinating! When people have their worst nightmare, they turn into whatever they were dreaming about. Because of this you get people waking up as bugs or vampires or dragons or even viruses, their bodies contorting in even stranger ways if what they fear is abstract. If the person doesn't retain their human mind, then they'll go on killing sprees. Some nightmares like vamps and zombies are even contagious.
It's a really compelling and terrifying concept that demands digging deep into characters and understanding both what they fear most and what that fear would manifest as physically, while also leading to some incredibly disturbing body horror. And I'll give the book credit, it's pretty frightening and disturbing. It could be more creative with some aspects of it, like why would their only be twelve types of vampires? But it's overall pretty solid.
It would be even more terrifying if it were better written. You know those Tumblr posts that are like "you go and do your Evil Tasks™ at the Evil Store™ and buy some Evil Butter™"? This book reads like one of those, but if they were unfunny and went on for almost four hundred pages. It's quite comical how blatant it is and excessively it uses telling instead of showing. This is especially annoying when it's giving insight into what Ness thinks, as it just spells it out for you!
This gets especially annoying as the book becomes a vehicle for moral and philosophical ranting. It confuses me that this is marketed as being "morally gray" as Ness is so clearly someone you're meant to root for with all her ranting about how everyone has agency to choose good and why vampire movies are perpetuating abusive relationships. This is both confusing and ironic considering Schaeffer's previous series actually did allow characters to be morally gray and did so without preaching morality.
By the way, what was with those vampire movie rants? Because the movies are clearly a stand in for darker and/or paranormal romance movies and novels such as Twilight. You see in this book there is an Evil Vampire Director™ who makes Evil Vampire Romance Movies™ that are Evil Vampire Propaganda™ that enforce the idea that Evil Vampires™ are sexy and that consent ain't important. This lore is unimportant to the plot and simply there for the characters to talk about how bad these movies are. Now I do think there is a conversation to be had about how the media being criticized here have some very valid critiques and how they can normalize abuse and rape culture, so I don't disagree with Schaeffer's thesis, I disagree with her arguments.
I question if most of this media is actually made by people who are genuinely bad and trying to convince people their behavior isn't bad, it seems to me we more so live in a patriarchal culture and so creators often perpetuate that. There's also a line about the men who watch those movies and how that makes them think it's okay to be abusive, but I assure you men are very much not the target audience of the media being criticized and that male romantic leads are not, in fact, aspirational for most men. I actually burst out laughing at that line. But rest assured, there is plenty of male centered media that tells them it's okay to hurt women.
And the plot is meandering and weirdly a little too close to the Market of Monsters series. Girl works for someone shady, girl meets a bad boy who's literally a monster that has prey to on people to survive, things go haywire and girl and bad boy work together to survive, girl and bad boy return to society and find out that the shady person was in fact bad while also becoming close friends (but no romance, something I like about both of Schaeffer's works is how she makes the central relationships friendships between a guy and girl, Ness is also implied to be aroace). The big difference is that one of these books did that in an interesting way while the other is City of Nightmares.
Overall, City of Nightmares is my first major let down of my 2023 releases. Despite it's terrifying concept, it fumbles in execution thanks to shitty writing, one note characters, and a plot that is neither gripping nor entirely it's own. Oh, also Ness's sister turns into a giant spider and eats their dad alive, btw. In case you missed that.
TWs: LOTS of body horror, giant bugs and spiders, death and murder, drug usage, depiction of anxiety from the main POV, blood, trauma, grief, a cult, gun violence, discussions of rape culture
Annoying, isn't that? Cause that's what I suffered through with this book. There's a lot of problems with it, but by far one of the most annoying is how often this key piece of Ness's backstory is brought up. Schaffer hammers this in until you're no longer scared of giant spiders, just annoyed. I'd personally go to Mordor and kill Shelob with my bare hands just to make Ness shut up about it.
Now, with that out of the way, let's dissect the rest of this story. Like how Ness's sister dissected their dad as a giant spider.
I am a HUGE fan of Schaeffer's first series, the Market of Monsters trilogy. It's an absolutely wild, bloody ride that's pretty dark for a YA series. City of Nightmares has the foundation to be as thrilling as the first series, even more so honestly. The premise is fascinating! When people have their worst nightmare, they turn into whatever they were dreaming about. Because of this you get people waking up as bugs or vampires or dragons or even viruses, their bodies contorting in even stranger ways if what they fear is abstract. If the person doesn't retain their human mind, then they'll go on killing sprees. Some nightmares like vamps and zombies are even contagious.
It's a really compelling and terrifying concept that demands digging deep into characters and understanding both what they fear most and what that fear would manifest as physically, while also leading to some incredibly disturbing body horror. And I'll give the book credit, it's pretty frightening and disturbing. It could be more creative with some aspects of it, like why would their only be twelve types of vampires? But it's overall pretty solid.
It would be even more terrifying if it were better written. You know those Tumblr posts that are like "you go and do your Evil Tasks™ at the Evil Store™ and buy some Evil Butter™"? This book reads like one of those, but if they were unfunny and went on for almost four hundred pages. It's quite comical how blatant it is and excessively it uses telling instead of showing. This is especially annoying when it's giving insight into what Ness thinks, as it just spells it out for you!
This gets especially annoying as the book becomes a vehicle for moral and philosophical ranting. It confuses me that this is marketed as being "morally gray" as Ness is so clearly someone you're meant to root for with all her ranting about how everyone has agency to choose good and why vampire movies are perpetuating abusive relationships. This is both confusing and ironic considering Schaeffer's previous series actually did allow characters to be morally gray and did so without preaching morality.
By the way, what was with those vampire movie rants? Because the movies are clearly a stand in for darker and/or paranormal romance movies and novels such as Twilight. You see in this book there is an Evil Vampire Director™ who makes Evil Vampire Romance Movies™ that are Evil Vampire Propaganda™ that enforce the idea that Evil Vampires™ are sexy and that consent ain't important. This lore is unimportant to the plot and simply there for the characters to talk about how bad these movies are. Now I do think there is a conversation to be had about how the media being criticized here have some very valid critiques and how they can normalize abuse and rape culture, so I don't disagree with Schaeffer's thesis, I disagree with her arguments.
I question if most of this media is actually made by people who are genuinely bad and trying to convince people their behavior isn't bad, it seems to me we more so live in a patriarchal culture and so creators often perpetuate that. There's also a line about the men who watch those movies and how that makes them think it's okay to be abusive, but I assure you men are very much not the target audience of the media being criticized and that male romantic leads are not, in fact, aspirational for most men. I actually burst out laughing at that line. But rest assured, there is plenty of male centered media that tells them it's okay to hurt women.
And the plot is meandering and weirdly a little too close to the Market of Monsters series. Girl works for someone shady, girl meets a bad boy who's literally a monster that has prey to on people to survive, things go haywire and girl and bad boy work together to survive, girl and bad boy return to society and find out that the shady person was in fact bad while also becoming close friends (but no romance, something I like about both of Schaeffer's works is how she makes the central relationships friendships between a guy and girl, Ness is also implied to be aroace). The big difference is that one of these books did that in an interesting way while the other is City of Nightmares.
Overall, City of Nightmares is my first major let down of my 2023 releases. Despite it's terrifying concept, it fumbles in execution thanks to shitty writing, one note characters, and a plot that is neither gripping nor entirely it's own. Oh, also Ness's sister turns into a giant spider and eats their dad alive, btw. In case you missed that.
TWs: LOTS of body horror, giant bugs and spiders, death and murder, drug usage, depiction of anxiety from the main POV, blood, trauma, grief, a cult, gun violence, discussions of rape culture
October 22, 2023
Cheesy, camp, hilarious and so much fun, this was so much fun to read. I liked that it had the gritty, urban vibes of Repo The Genetic Opera and V For Vendetta, plunging us into a dark, grimy city where everyone's just trying to survive day to day.
I wasn't expecting this to be as funny as it is, and the story balances that well with the fear and grief that Ness constantly feels. I loved that she wasn't a complex character, or a savior of the world, she was just a girl trying to get by, wanting to get back to the safety of her small room.
Cy is a more complex character. A boy turned Nightmare Vampire due to the fear of his father who chose to become one, his wit bounces off Ness's sarcasm so well and the scenes they were both in were some of the best. I do want to see more from Ness's friend Priya in the next book, as she only appeared a few times.
I liked that I couldn't predict where this story was going to go next, and I'm so ready for the sequel. This does have a little bit of a cliffhanger ending, leaving me desperately wanting to know what will happen next now Ness's decision seems to have changed her world forever.
I wasn't expecting this to be as funny as it is, and the story balances that well with the fear and grief that Ness constantly feels. I loved that she wasn't a complex character, or a savior of the world, she was just a girl trying to get by, wanting to get back to the safety of her small room.
Cy is a more complex character. A boy turned Nightmare Vampire due to the fear of his father who chose to become one, his wit bounces off Ness's sarcasm so well and the scenes they were both in were some of the best. I do want to see more from Ness's friend Priya in the next book, as she only appeared a few times.
I liked that I couldn't predict where this story was going to go next, and I'm so ready for the sequel. This does have a little bit of a cliffhanger ending, leaving me desperately wanting to know what will happen next now Ness's decision seems to have changed her world forever.
January 10, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
2023 is off with a bang! Rebecca Schaeffer is a new to me author and I'm just going to say I am beyond impressed and could not put City of Nightmares the first book in the City Of Nightmares Duology down. Not only was it completely different and surprising, I loved the main broken character and her journey to put herself back together as she learns the world around her is not what she thought it was.
Ness lives in a corrupt and crazy city where literal nightmares roam the streets. In Ness's world if you go to sleep and have a nightmare, you become that nightmare in life when you wake up. Some of them look mostly like regular people, just with red skin and horns, others, well let's just say others don't look human at all. Ness knows this well since her sister, the one protector she has ever really had succumbed to that fate.
Ness's new home is with a group called Friends of the Restful Soul, everyone else in the city thinks it is a cult but to Ness it is the place where she is laying low with all of her fears and hiding in a room most of the time curled up on a bed just wishing the world outside away. When Ness's place at the could be cult's sanctuary is threatened, she is willing to go outside the current jobs she has been doing there in hopes of making herself useful so she doesn't get sent away. That is when everything goes wrong and Ness learns that the life she held onto for safety was probably just a big lie, as she tries to find out why now someone is trying to kill her.
The world here is creepy, strange, brutal at times and just so weird. This is one of the few books where I didn't see many of the twists coming and was surprised every time. It is a dark tale and the city has horrors people have just learned to live with are mind boggling but humans can get used to anything we are just resilient that way.
Ness is afraid of so many things, but it is satisfying to see her work through her fear of all Nightmares as she works with Cy, a vampire boy, to find out why there was an explosion meant to kill everyone on the boat they were on. Cy seems like a good enough guy but he is a vampire, and everything Ness knows about vampires make her not trust him. But being short on friends, he is her best bet to stay alive, that is, if Cy doesn't decide she is snackable.
Honestly I enjoyed the world, the plot, the sub-plot, the twists and turns and the reason everyone in the world could turn into a nightmare when they dream. It was all unique and interesting and I am so excited to see what happens in the wrap up to this duology. Rebecca Schaefer has won me over with this book and I'm excited to check out her other series that looks just a dark and twisted.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
2023 is off with a bang! Rebecca Schaeffer is a new to me author and I'm just going to say I am beyond impressed and could not put City of Nightmares the first book in the City Of Nightmares Duology down. Not only was it completely different and surprising, I loved the main broken character and her journey to put herself back together as she learns the world around her is not what she thought it was.
Ness lives in a corrupt and crazy city where literal nightmares roam the streets. In Ness's world if you go to sleep and have a nightmare, you become that nightmare in life when you wake up. Some of them look mostly like regular people, just with red skin and horns, others, well let's just say others don't look human at all. Ness knows this well since her sister, the one protector she has ever really had succumbed to that fate.
My sister’s worst nightmare was a giant, man-eating spider. I know because that’s what she turned into when she went to sleep for the last time.
Ness's new home is with a group called Friends of the Restful Soul, everyone else in the city thinks it is a cult but to Ness it is the place where she is laying low with all of her fears and hiding in a room most of the time curled up on a bed just wishing the world outside away. When Ness's place at the could be cult's sanctuary is threatened, she is willing to go outside the current jobs she has been doing there in hopes of making herself useful so she doesn't get sent away. That is when everything goes wrong and Ness learns that the life she held onto for safety was probably just a big lie, as she tries to find out why now someone is trying to kill her.
The world here is creepy, strange, brutal at times and just so weird. This is one of the few books where I didn't see many of the twists coming and was surprised every time. It is a dark tale and the city has horrors people have just learned to live with are mind boggling but humans can get used to anything we are just resilient that way.
Of course the Mayor has a pet pterodactyl that randomly eats citizens. At this point, I don’t even consider this an odd thing to happen in Newham.
Ness is afraid of so many things, but it is satisfying to see her work through her fear of all Nightmares as she works with Cy, a vampire boy, to find out why there was an explosion meant to kill everyone on the boat they were on. Cy seems like a good enough guy but he is a vampire, and everything Ness knows about vampires make her not trust him. But being short on friends, he is her best bet to stay alive, that is, if Cy doesn't decide she is snackable.
Honestly I enjoyed the world, the plot, the sub-plot, the twists and turns and the reason everyone in the world could turn into a nightmare when they dream. It was all unique and interesting and I am so excited to see what happens in the wrap up to this duology. Rebecca Schaefer has won me over with this book and I'm excited to check out her other series that looks just a dark and twisted.
Currently reading
August 21, 2022read Xiran Jay Zhao’s amazing review and so I’m immediately starting
February 17, 2023
Oh, I'm OBSESSED with this book. Which I honestly wasn't expecting but I'm so glad that's the case, because this book is amazing.
Ness lives in a crime filled city where people's worst nightmares happen to wander the street, just your normal, average, every day type of thing.
When people dream, they have nightmares, and when they have nightmares they turn into their worst fear. So one day Ness's own sister forgot to take a pill that prevents dreams and turned into a huge spider that ended up killing their father.
This eventually led fear-filled Ness into joining a totally-not-cultish organisation that provides therapy for nightmares. And this sets off a chain of events which I can only describe as chaotic. I loved every minute of it.
LITERALLY, from the first sentence I was hooked and I didn't want to stop reading.
This book really feels like YA which is a good thing, because a lot of YA books now border NA, but this one is fine for the younger kids to read.
There's a mystery plot in the background, and by the end it makes sense. I didn't really predict any of it which is another plus.
Our main character Ness starts off as a huge coward who's basically scared of her own shadow, but as the book goes on she faces her fears in a way that felt natural. I believed that she was getting braver and braver.
I also like Cy and the Phantom. Both are cool, and I hope they become a trio in the sequel, they'd be unstoppable.
There's a subtle romance happening between Ness and Cy, me being me though I also ship her with the Phantom so we'll see where it goes.
The world is one of my favourite parts of City of Nightmares, it's so well developed and I'd like to live there despite the fact that I could be killed at any moment. But I'd like to live in Gotham too which this city is inspired by soooooo...
The nightmares are a unique concept that was executed perfectly, in my opinion. No one could've done it better.
And this book sends a good message too, that you are not your fears and you shouldn't let them control you.
I AM ABSOLUTELY GETTING A PHYSICAL COPY OF THIS BOOK, not only because I'm obsessed as I said, but also because the cover is gorgeous. I mean JUST LOOK AT IT, SO PRETTY.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Ness lives in a crime filled city where people's worst nightmares happen to wander the street, just your normal, average, every day type of thing.
When people dream, they have nightmares, and when they have nightmares they turn into their worst fear. So one day Ness's own sister forgot to take a pill that prevents dreams and turned into a huge spider that ended up killing their father.
This eventually led fear-filled Ness into joining a totally-not-cultish organisation that provides therapy for nightmares. And this sets off a chain of events which I can only describe as chaotic. I loved every minute of it.
LITERALLY, from the first sentence I was hooked and I didn't want to stop reading.
This book really feels like YA which is a good thing, because a lot of YA books now border NA, but this one is fine for the younger kids to read.
There's a mystery plot in the background, and by the end it makes sense. I didn't really predict any of it which is another plus.
Our main character Ness starts off as a huge coward who's basically scared of her own shadow, but as the book goes on she faces her fears in a way that felt natural. I believed that she was getting braver and braver.
I also like Cy and the Phantom. Both are cool, and I hope they become a trio in the sequel, they'd be unstoppable.
There's a subtle romance happening between Ness and Cy, me being me though I also ship her with the Phantom so we'll see where it goes.
The world is one of my favourite parts of City of Nightmares, it's so well developed and I'd like to live there despite the fact that I could be killed at any moment. But I'd like to live in Gotham too which this city is inspired by soooooo...
The nightmares are a unique concept that was executed perfectly, in my opinion. No one could've done it better.
And this book sends a good message too, that you are not your fears and you shouldn't let them control you.
I AM ABSOLUTELY GETTING A PHYSICAL COPY OF THIS BOOK, not only because I'm obsessed as I said, but also because the cover is gorgeous. I mean JUST LOOK AT IT, SO PRETTY.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
September 25, 2023
Dreaming means waking up as your worst fear, you say?
Let's also add in some "eh, might die, but I can't afford to be anywhere else" vibes and I'm sold. This was such a fascinating concept and a really fun read.
Concept: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Man, I really wish I'd gotten around to my advanced reading copy sooner so that I could have been an AGGRESSIVE promoter of it during its release week. I have fallen down on my duties!!
This book was such a good ride, y'all, and I am definitely paying attention now.
Ness Near lives in the City of Nightmares. No wait, Gotham. No wait, it's not either of those places—it's Newham. Either way, the vibes are the same: this is not the kind of city you'd like to live in.
Rampant crime and violent death. In-your-face political corruption. Unbelievable living conditions. And none of those things are the worst selling point—it's the Nightmares that you have to worry about.
What if every time you dreamed, you rolled the dice on the chance that you woke up as your worst Nightmare?
Ness is very aware of the tragedy and horror of that gamble. When she was younger, one night her older sister, Ruby, went to sleep and woke up as a giant, man-eating spider. Ruby was gone, and the spider in her place killed their father and others in town.
Let's just say that Ness never quite got over that.
Now a young adult living at the Friends of the Restless Soul compound—a charity (cough cough, cult) organization that provides "pay as you can afford" therapies to Nightmare trauma survivors—Ness is eeking away a frightened and barely there existence in the country's most dangerous city and surrounded on a daily basis by her worst fear: Nightmares.
And then, to make matters worse, Ness ends up embroiled in an embroiled assassination attempt beyond her wildest imaginings and finds the little ground she's scraped and bled to assemble ripped out from under her.
Oh, and then there's the Nightmare that ends up in (and on) the same boat she's in, who just might turn out to be her only friend.
Yep. Things are about to get...interesting.
(And that's saying something for the city of Newham, where the current Mayor keeps a Nightmared-pterodactyl on a leash to eat her political enemies.)
Okay, so if you've made it this far into the review and are somehow NOT already interested, let me just say that City of Nightmares was such a fun and self-aware ride.
As a reader who burned herself out on traditional young adult books, it's getting rarer and rarer these days for me to find a hook that invites me into a story. I'd like something new—that I haven't read before—and I'd like it to be done well and with the right amount of believable character traits. I'm ruthless with my reading tastes when I want to be, and for the past year the genre under the chopping block has been young adult fantasy.
But not this one. This one, I devoured.
Ness is the right kind of character for this story. In a world where fear itself is the commodity of choice, Ness is a true scaredy cat. She's a self-professed coward, one who can barely handle the benign Nightmares that walk the streets harmlessly, not to mention the actually dangerous ones. Ness jumps from safe zone to safe zone under the constant internalized threat of Death by Nightmare. She's a right mess, alright?
And that really worked for me. While we all like to pretend we're relatable to the hero of a fantasy story, we're really...not. How many of us would sign up for that dangerous quest, or that big bad boss showdown, or that heist against the odds? I'm self-aware enough to admit that given the actual facts, I'd be like Ness. "How can I survive this experience and avoid personal damage to the best of my abilities, please?" Sign me up for that self-preservation track. Yup.
So I thought that thread of character realism in this caricaturized, fictional version of our real world's dark side was awesome. It lent a dose of grounding to the sensational world building. And it made for a very good reading experience.
Did the pacing lag a bit? Yeah. Did we also kind of rush things there at the end of this first book? Maybe. But honestly, I had such a good time that I don't really care about that.
Book two, I'm waiting for you!
Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks
Let's also add in some "eh, might die, but I can't afford to be anywhere else" vibes and I'm sold. This was such a fascinating concept and a really fun read.
Concept: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★★
Man, I really wish I'd gotten around to my advanced reading copy sooner so that I could have been an AGGRESSIVE promoter of it during its release week. I have fallen down on my duties!!
This book was such a good ride, y'all, and I am definitely paying attention now.
Ness Near lives in the City of Nightmares. No wait, Gotham. No wait, it's not either of those places—it's Newham. Either way, the vibes are the same: this is not the kind of city you'd like to live in.
Rampant crime and violent death. In-your-face political corruption. Unbelievable living conditions. And none of those things are the worst selling point—it's the Nightmares that you have to worry about.
What if every time you dreamed, you rolled the dice on the chance that you woke up as your worst Nightmare?
Ness is very aware of the tragedy and horror of that gamble. When she was younger, one night her older sister, Ruby, went to sleep and woke up as a giant, man-eating spider. Ruby was gone, and the spider in her place killed their father and others in town.
Let's just say that Ness never quite got over that.
Now a young adult living at the Friends of the Restless Soul compound—a charity (cough cough, cult) organization that provides "pay as you can afford" therapies to Nightmare trauma survivors—Ness is eeking away a frightened and barely there existence in the country's most dangerous city and surrounded on a daily basis by her worst fear: Nightmares.
And then, to make matters worse, Ness ends up embroiled in an embroiled assassination attempt beyond her wildest imaginings and finds the little ground she's scraped and bled to assemble ripped out from under her.
Oh, and then there's the Nightmare that ends up in (and on) the same boat she's in, who just might turn out to be her only friend.
Yep. Things are about to get...interesting.
(And that's saying something for the city of Newham, where the current Mayor keeps a Nightmared-pterodactyl on a leash to eat her political enemies.)
Okay, so if you've made it this far into the review and are somehow NOT already interested, let me just say that City of Nightmares was such a fun and self-aware ride.
As a reader who burned herself out on traditional young adult books, it's getting rarer and rarer these days for me to find a hook that invites me into a story. I'd like something new—that I haven't read before—and I'd like it to be done well and with the right amount of believable character traits. I'm ruthless with my reading tastes when I want to be, and for the past year the genre under the chopping block has been young adult fantasy.
But not this one. This one, I devoured.
Ness is the right kind of character for this story. In a world where fear itself is the commodity of choice, Ness is a true scaredy cat. She's a self-professed coward, one who can barely handle the benign Nightmares that walk the streets harmlessly, not to mention the actually dangerous ones. Ness jumps from safe zone to safe zone under the constant internalized threat of Death by Nightmare. She's a right mess, alright?
And that really worked for me. While we all like to pretend we're relatable to the hero of a fantasy story, we're really...not. How many of us would sign up for that dangerous quest, or that big bad boss showdown, or that heist against the odds? I'm self-aware enough to admit that given the actual facts, I'd be like Ness. "How can I survive this experience and avoid personal damage to the best of my abilities, please?" Sign me up for that self-preservation track. Yup.
So I thought that thread of character realism in this caricaturized, fictional version of our real world's dark side was awesome. It lent a dose of grounding to the sensational world building. And it made for a very good reading experience.
Did the pacing lag a bit? Yeah. Did we also kind of rush things there at the end of this first book? Maybe. But honestly, I had such a good time that I don't really care about that.
Book two, I'm waiting for you!
Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks
October 26, 2023
Reread #1: Still a 4.5⭐️ read!!!
“Fear only has power when what we’re afraid of takes away the things we value most .”
Sometimes a book hits differently the second time around.😌😌😌.
YYYEEESSS!!! I finally got to reread this entertaining piece of literature with my new Book Bestie (BB) Anja and it was so much fun!!!
Even after rereading this entire book, I still cannot stop thinking about this: “Imagine living in your current city and knowing that falling asleep and having dreams can be dangerous. If you dream, you run the risk of having a nightmare, which you will MOST DEFINITELY morph into by morning. You will be stuck as your nightmare for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!! Ultimately, your survival dependents on how violent you are as your nightmare.” 😱😱😱.
Honestly though, this book hit me differently this time around. Especially because I got to decode things and discuss my thoughts and feelings. My BB had my mind working. Had me out here thinking about and focusing on things that I didn’t even consider during my first read. I LOVED IT!!!
I promise, if you ever get a chance to do a Buddy Read, at least once, DO IT. 🥰🥰🥰.
Book #2. Anja and I are coming for you!!!
“And that’s the thing-you can’t gain meaningful things in life without risking yourself. I’ve been afraid of failure, loss, betrayal. But you can’t succeed without risking failure. You can’t love without risking loss. You can’t trust without risking betrayal.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4.5⭐️
I cannot remember the last time that I have been so eager to wake up every morning and choose reading a book over watching television. I mean, I truly had SSSOOO MUCH FUN with beautiful but messy masterpiece!!!
Think about this for just a second: “Imagine living in your current city and knowing that falling asleep and having dreams can be dangerous. If you dream, you run the risk of having a nightmare, which you will MOST DEFINITELY morph into by morning. You will be stuck as your nightmare for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!! Ultimately, your survival dependents on how violent you are as your nightmare.”
Sounds scary, huh??? Maybe even a little weird??? 🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣…Trust me, everyday I spent time thinking about the following:
A) What is my worst nightmare?
B) How would I behave if I actually became it?
C) Would I be able to physically survive everyday as my nightmare?
D) What if I never became my nightmare but close family and friends did, would I be able to physically survive this new world?
This book will have you thinking about so many different things all at once!!!
Main Character, Vanessa (Ness) Near, was so lovely and I just wanted to reach through the pages and hug her. Ness was 8-years-old when her sister, Ruby, turned into a nightmare, killed their father, and then was gun down. She ends up living with her aunt, who then dies several years later. All of this trauma caused her to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and forced her to con her way into The Friends of Restful Soul, which is a group designed to provide a safe haven for both the human beings and nonviolent nightmares of Newham…Or are they???…🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨…Ness spends the entire novel talking about and deconstructing her PTSD. To some, it might get annoying, but to me, I understood why she felt the need to discuss it. What I didn’t enjoy was her constant need to compare herself to her best friend Priya, who she meets during her time with The Friends of Restful Soul. It became disheartening for me to read about how Ness just didn’t feel like she was enough and how she needed to force herself to be like someone else just to function on a daily basis. I hope that BOOK #2 (Cage of Dreams) continues to expand on Ness’s growth that slowly occurred toward the end.
Ah, Bestie Priya was everything girl could ask for in a friend. She is the definition of a Badass Female Character. I mean, Priya has no fears and literally can conquer anything. What I loved the most about Priya, though, was her constant support and love for Ness. Priya admits that she needs Ness as much, if not more, than Ness needs her. She was never ashamed in admitting how much their friendship meant to her. I am MOST DEFINITELY looking forward to getting more of Badass Priya in Book #2.
And then we have Cyril (Cy) Coatas III. Cy is an ACTUAL, LIVING nightmare. I mean, he literally went to sleep one night, dreamt about his worst nightmare, and then became it the next morning. He is labeled as a violent and contagious nightmare. However, he is truly a beautiful soul who is carrying so much pain. Ness meets Cy during the aftermath of her last task, for The Friends of the Restful Soul, that she practically lies, scams, and begs for. Their meeting is what caused me to truly fall in love with this story. EVERYTHING intensifies once Cy enters the picture. I mean, we learn that a dozen of different characters are keeping secrets. Get loads of dark humor. Multiple encounters with a number of different nightmares. Discussions of weird and wild conspiracy theories. Even a murder mystery element becomes a major focus point by chapter 15. Cy even comes with SEVERAL secrets of his own. What I loved the most about Cy and Ness’s relationship was that it appears that a romance may be developing but their friendship development was so beautiful. I am looking forward to getting more of Cy, as well, in Book #2.
Although this story was beautiful and fast-paced, the writing style felt off to me. This is my first novel from Rebecca Schaeffer so I have no idea how her previous novels were written. However, the writing style for this one made this story just a little messy. Allegedly, the City of Newham is supposed to be similar to the City of Gotham (you know, in Batman). Unfortunately, I did not get that vibe whatsoever. The description of the City of Newham as well as other places was difficult to comprehend. I literally had to reread the description of several different characters, places, and things, at least, three times to understand what was being said. The worst part was that even after I read things a third time, I either still didn’t understand or would forget about it completely. The writing style also made the era/time of where this novel was taking place particularly nonexistent. Words like penny novels (short stories that cost a penny) and auto (automobiles) were used. I have no idea what century/era where these terms were used. Also, THERE WERE NO CELL PHONES!!! 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭… Regardless of the writing style, I was still able to fell in love with this story and will be counting down the days until BOOK #2 hits the market!!!
“Fear only has power when what we’re afraid of takes away the things we value most .”
Sometimes a book hits differently the second time around.😌😌😌.
YYYEEESSS!!! I finally got to reread this entertaining piece of literature with my new Book Bestie (BB) Anja and it was so much fun!!!
Even after rereading this entire book, I still cannot stop thinking about this: “Imagine living in your current city and knowing that falling asleep and having dreams can be dangerous. If you dream, you run the risk of having a nightmare, which you will MOST DEFINITELY morph into by morning. You will be stuck as your nightmare for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!! Ultimately, your survival dependents on how violent you are as your nightmare.” 😱😱😱.
Honestly though, this book hit me differently this time around. Especially because I got to decode things and discuss my thoughts and feelings. My BB had my mind working. Had me out here thinking about and focusing on things that I didn’t even consider during my first read. I LOVED IT!!!
I promise, if you ever get a chance to do a Buddy Read, at least once, DO IT. 🥰🥰🥰.
Book #2. Anja and I are coming for you!!!
“And that’s the thing-you can’t gain meaningful things in life without risking yourself. I’ve been afraid of failure, loss, betrayal. But you can’t succeed without risking failure. You can’t love without risking loss. You can’t trust without risking betrayal.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4.5⭐️
I cannot remember the last time that I have been so eager to wake up every morning and choose reading a book over watching television. I mean, I truly had SSSOOO MUCH FUN with beautiful but messy masterpiece!!!
Think about this for just a second: “Imagine living in your current city and knowing that falling asleep and having dreams can be dangerous. If you dream, you run the risk of having a nightmare, which you will MOST DEFINITELY morph into by morning. You will be stuck as your nightmare for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!! Ultimately, your survival dependents on how violent you are as your nightmare.”
Sounds scary, huh??? Maybe even a little weird??? 🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣…Trust me, everyday I spent time thinking about the following:
A) What is my worst nightmare?
B) How would I behave if I actually became it?
C) Would I be able to physically survive everyday as my nightmare?
D) What if I never became my nightmare but close family and friends did, would I be able to physically survive this new world?
This book will have you thinking about so many different things all at once!!!
Main Character, Vanessa (Ness) Near, was so lovely and I just wanted to reach through the pages and hug her. Ness was 8-years-old when her sister, Ruby, turned into a nightmare, killed their father, and then was gun down. She ends up living with her aunt, who then dies several years later. All of this trauma caused her to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and forced her to con her way into The Friends of Restful Soul, which is a group designed to provide a safe haven for both the human beings and nonviolent nightmares of Newham…Or are they???…🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨…Ness spends the entire novel talking about and deconstructing her PTSD. To some, it might get annoying, but to me, I understood why she felt the need to discuss it. What I didn’t enjoy was her constant need to compare herself to her best friend Priya, who she meets during her time with The Friends of Restful Soul. It became disheartening for me to read about how Ness just didn’t feel like she was enough and how she needed to force herself to be like someone else just to function on a daily basis. I hope that BOOK #2 (Cage of Dreams) continues to expand on Ness’s growth that slowly occurred toward the end.
Ah, Bestie Priya was everything girl could ask for in a friend. She is the definition of a Badass Female Character. I mean, Priya has no fears and literally can conquer anything. What I loved the most about Priya, though, was her constant support and love for Ness. Priya admits that she needs Ness as much, if not more, than Ness needs her. She was never ashamed in admitting how much their friendship meant to her. I am MOST DEFINITELY looking forward to getting more of Badass Priya in Book #2.
And then we have Cyril (Cy) Coatas III. Cy is an ACTUAL, LIVING nightmare. I mean, he literally went to sleep one night, dreamt about his worst nightmare, and then became it the next morning. He is labeled as a violent and contagious nightmare. However, he is truly a beautiful soul who is carrying so much pain. Ness meets Cy during the aftermath of her last task, for The Friends of the Restful Soul, that she practically lies, scams, and begs for. Their meeting is what caused me to truly fall in love with this story. EVERYTHING intensifies once Cy enters the picture. I mean, we learn that a dozen of different characters are keeping secrets. Get loads of dark humor. Multiple encounters with a number of different nightmares. Discussions of weird and wild conspiracy theories. Even a murder mystery element becomes a major focus point by chapter 15. Cy even comes with SEVERAL secrets of his own. What I loved the most about Cy and Ness’s relationship was that it appears that a romance may be developing but their friendship development was so beautiful. I am looking forward to getting more of Cy, as well, in Book #2.
Although this story was beautiful and fast-paced, the writing style felt off to me. This is my first novel from Rebecca Schaeffer so I have no idea how her previous novels were written. However, the writing style for this one made this story just a little messy. Allegedly, the City of Newham is supposed to be similar to the City of Gotham (you know, in Batman). Unfortunately, I did not get that vibe whatsoever. The description of the City of Newham as well as other places was difficult to comprehend. I literally had to reread the description of several different characters, places, and things, at least, three times to understand what was being said. The worst part was that even after I read things a third time, I either still didn’t understand or would forget about it completely. The writing style also made the era/time of where this novel was taking place particularly nonexistent. Words like penny novels (short stories that cost a penny) and auto (automobiles) were used. I have no idea what century/era where these terms were used. Also, THERE WERE NO CELL PHONES!!! 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭… Regardless of the writing style, I was still able to fell in love with this story and will be counting down the days until BOOK #2 hits the market!!!
February 10, 2023
I genuinely hope an anti-substance abuse organization like D.A.R.E. paid this author to write this novel about a city where drinking alcohol transforms Teens Who Think They're Cool into monsters, because the idea that someone would sit down and write this story just as a creative passion project is the bleakest thing I can imagine. I don't think "alcohol reacts with chemical in water supply to transform people into monsters" is an inherently terrible idea for a story, I actually think it could be very complex and cool, but this narrator happens to be the world's biggest wet blanket straight-edge judgmental goody two-shoes, and she stays that way throughout the entire novel.
The characters in this book also have so many conversations about how problematic vampire movies are, particularly because there's an evil Vampire Director of Vampire Films who keeps making propaganda movies about how awesome and sexy vampires are, and he is discussed So Many Times that I was sure he'd end up being, like, a character in this story? Someone they'd have to defeat at the end? But no, we never meet this Vampire Director of Vampire Films on the page at all. He's apparently just a device for the author to include MULTIPLE multi-page rants about how vampire movies are warping the brains of impressionable teenage girls.
I did listen to this audiobook all the way to the end because listening to an adult performer drop sentences like "Thankfully, ever since the second prohibition..." and "I don't think it's okay to romanticize vampires. They actually hurt people," makes for A Very Unique reading experience, but yeah, I don't recommend this one.
The characters in this book also have so many conversations about how problematic vampire movies are, particularly because there's an evil Vampire Director of Vampire Films who keeps making propaganda movies about how awesome and sexy vampires are, and he is discussed So Many Times that I was sure he'd end up being, like, a character in this story? Someone they'd have to defeat at the end? But no, we never meet this Vampire Director of Vampire Films on the page at all. He's apparently just a device for the author to include MULTIPLE multi-page rants about how vampire movies are warping the brains of impressionable teenage girls.
I did listen to this audiobook all the way to the end because listening to an adult performer drop sentences like "Thankfully, ever since the second prohibition..." and "I don't think it's okay to romanticize vampires. They actually hurt people," makes for A Very Unique reading experience, but yeah, I don't recommend this one.
December 13, 2022
One of my favourite reads of the year - right at the end of the year! I found this so atmospheric and original!
January 11, 2023
City of Nightmares was a fast-paced, thrilling read that kept me constantly guessing. I thought the idea of nightmares coming to life after dreaming was such a cool concept, and one that was expertly explored. As someone who had a lot of nightmares as a kid, this book was both fascinating and kind of terrifying, because I’m pretty sure I even had a nightmare about my nightmares coming to life at one point!
This book begins quite unassuming. The reader follows Ness, a terrified girl who wants nothing more than to feel safe and secure. Unfortunately for Ness, safety is just an illusion in the corrupt and dark city of Newham, and she soon finds herself caught in a conspiracy that would see her dead. I really enjoyed how the book started almost quietly—introducing us to Newham and all its horrors, while still shielding us from some of the grimmer parts of the city. Gradually, though, and almost imperceptibly, the stakes were raised so high that it became impossible for us or for Ness to ignore. Each chapter increased the anticipation that little bit more, so skillfully I didn’t always notice until I felt suffocated by the suspense.
I was never quite sure where it was headed, but I always knew each piece of information being introduced was going to be important at some point, which it most certainly was. Aptly, the entire story felt like a spider weaving its web until the entire city of Newham and all of its plot points were trapped and connected by this web. Even though a lot of questions were answered, there’s still so much to be uncovered, and I already cannot wait until the next book comes out!
Something I especially enjoyed about City of Nightmares was the protagonist’s personality. Unlike many other MCs in YA fiction, Ness was terrified of almost everything, and very rarely willing to put herself on the line to face those fears. It was rather refreshing to see and set up some interesting plot points. Additionally, her personality made for an excellent character arc that was done believably. I enjoyed being in her thoughts, and I’m excited to see what adventures she gets up to in the sequel.
Another aspect to commend is the relationships. While there’s a hint of romance between Ness and Cy, most of the story is focused on friendship and building that foundation, which I love to see! Neither Ness nor Cy was in the position to begin a relationship, so I loved the fact it focused on developing their interactions as friends. Ness is also best friends with Priya, someone completely opposite in personality to Ness. Even so, they compliment each other well. Their friendship was already established before the book began, but that didn’t keep the author from exploring it further and expanding the dynamic.
From start to finish, City of Nightmares was a wild ride that constantly kept me on my toes. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys paranormal or urban fantasy with a little bit of a spook factor.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
This book begins quite unassuming. The reader follows Ness, a terrified girl who wants nothing more than to feel safe and secure. Unfortunately for Ness, safety is just an illusion in the corrupt and dark city of Newham, and she soon finds herself caught in a conspiracy that would see her dead. I really enjoyed how the book started almost quietly—introducing us to Newham and all its horrors, while still shielding us from some of the grimmer parts of the city. Gradually, though, and almost imperceptibly, the stakes were raised so high that it became impossible for us or for Ness to ignore. Each chapter increased the anticipation that little bit more, so skillfully I didn’t always notice until I felt suffocated by the suspense.
I was never quite sure where it was headed, but I always knew each piece of information being introduced was going to be important at some point, which it most certainly was. Aptly, the entire story felt like a spider weaving its web until the entire city of Newham and all of its plot points were trapped and connected by this web. Even though a lot of questions were answered, there’s still so much to be uncovered, and I already cannot wait until the next book comes out!
Something I especially enjoyed about City of Nightmares was the protagonist’s personality. Unlike many other MCs in YA fiction, Ness was terrified of almost everything, and very rarely willing to put herself on the line to face those fears. It was rather refreshing to see and set up some interesting plot points. Additionally, her personality made for an excellent character arc that was done believably. I enjoyed being in her thoughts, and I’m excited to see what adventures she gets up to in the sequel.
Another aspect to commend is the relationships. While there’s a hint of romance between Ness and Cy, most of the story is focused on friendship and building that foundation, which I love to see! Neither Ness nor Cy was in the position to begin a relationship, so I loved the fact it focused on developing their interactions as friends. Ness is also best friends with Priya, someone completely opposite in personality to Ness. Even so, they compliment each other well. Their friendship was already established before the book began, but that didn’t keep the author from exploring it further and expanding the dynamic.
From start to finish, City of Nightmares was a wild ride that constantly kept me on my toes. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys paranormal or urban fantasy with a little bit of a spook factor.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
November 28, 2024
I just finished "City of Nightmares" and holy wow - this book is a wild ride that kept me up way too late last night. Rebecca Schaeffer has created this absolutely bonkers world where your deepest fears can literally turn you into a monster, and trust me, it's every bit as terrifying and awesome as it sounds.
Meet Ness - she's basically me if I were dropped into the most nightmare-fuel version of a city possible. After something seriously traumatic in her past, she's just trying to survive without getting transformed into some horrifying creature straight out of her worst dreams. And let me tell you, in Newham (the city where this all goes down), that's easier said than done.
The whole concept is just chef's kiss. Imagine living somewhere that if you're scared enough, you might literally turn into a vampire, or a giant beast, or whatever your deepest fear represents. It's like therapy gone horribly, horribly wrong. Ness is snarky and broken in all the best ways - her dry humor had me laughing out loud even when the situation was completely terrifying.
What really hooked me was how Schaeffer balances the dark, gritty stuff with these moments of genuine heart. Ness isn't some superhero - she's just trying to get by, dealing with trauma and somehow finding the courage to keep going. The supporting characters are fantastic too. There's this mysterious ally who's got more layers than an onion, and a love interest that had me totally invested.
The pacing is relentless. I'd be reading thinking "okay, I'll just finish this chapter" and suddenly it's 2 AM and I'm too scared to turn off the lights. The city feels so alive - Newham isn't just a setting, it's like another character breathing down your neck.
Look, if you're into urban fantasy that's more "dark and twisty" than "sparkly and magical," this is absolutely your book. It's got horror elements, it's got heart, it's got a protagonist you can't help but root for. I'm definitely going to be recommending this to everyone who will listen.
4.5/5 stars - Consider this your warning that you might lose sleep, but it'll be totally worth it.
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Meet Ness - she's basically me if I were dropped into the most nightmare-fuel version of a city possible. After something seriously traumatic in her past, she's just trying to survive without getting transformed into some horrifying creature straight out of her worst dreams. And let me tell you, in Newham (the city where this all goes down), that's easier said than done.
The whole concept is just chef's kiss. Imagine living somewhere that if you're scared enough, you might literally turn into a vampire, or a giant beast, or whatever your deepest fear represents. It's like therapy gone horribly, horribly wrong. Ness is snarky and broken in all the best ways - her dry humor had me laughing out loud even when the situation was completely terrifying.
What really hooked me was how Schaeffer balances the dark, gritty stuff with these moments of genuine heart. Ness isn't some superhero - she's just trying to get by, dealing with trauma and somehow finding the courage to keep going. The supporting characters are fantastic too. There's this mysterious ally who's got more layers than an onion, and a love interest that had me totally invested.
The pacing is relentless. I'd be reading thinking "okay, I'll just finish this chapter" and suddenly it's 2 AM and I'm too scared to turn off the lights. The city feels so alive - Newham isn't just a setting, it's like another character breathing down your neck.
Look, if you're into urban fantasy that's more "dark and twisty" than "sparkly and magical," this is absolutely your book. It's got horror elements, it's got heart, it's got a protagonist you can't help but root for. I'm definitely going to be recommending this to everyone who will listen.
4.5/5 stars - Consider this your warning that you might lose sleep, but it'll be totally worth it.
medium.com
February 8, 2023
Holy man-eating spiders! You do not want to miss this gloriously dystopian and utterly addictive YA fantasy, where your nightmares can transform you into literal monsters.
It’s set in Newham (a city so crime-ridden it makes Gotham looks tame by comparison) and follows nineteen year old Ness, who has an irrational fear of nightmares (and of becoming one) ever since her sister turned into a man-eating spider and went on a killing spree.
And Ness is willing to do anything to make sure she doesn’t suffer the same fate, even joining Friends of the Restful Soul-a group that offers help to those affected by nightmares (and which may or may not be a cult.)
But being part of Friends of the Restful means contributing to the group. And when her assigned voluntary job ends in disaster—AGAIN—she cons her way into delivery duty as penance. Until that too ends in chaos.
Now Ness is tangled in the aftermath of the explosion and, alongside the only other survivor, decides to look for answers. Because the accident may not have been soo accidental after all…
I absolutely loved every second of this—it’s pacey, plot twisty and fabulously dramatic in all the best ways!
The world-building was really good and leans into the dark and gritty, 1920s-style comic book aesthetic that paired well with all the morally ambiguous characters we encounter. Most of whom had some rather big personalities, or eccentric quirks that made them really memorable (like keeping a pterodactyl to kidnap or eat your enemies.) Their questionable actions also kept me on my toes, though it’s probably the first time my tendency to suspect everyone has actually paid off.
I did like Ness, though she is a complex and utterly flawed character still coming to terms with her PTSD-like childhood trauma. She can be selfish, cruel, and a little unlikable at first but I did find her really relatable—particularly in terms of her fear. I mean, if I lived in a city that’s nearly destroyed by dragons, dinosaurs or giant carnivorous creatures on a weekly basis, I’d be terrified too!
But what made her such an interesting character was that she’s entirely aware of those flaws, and is both honest and unapologetic about it. And it didn’t take long for me to warm to her (and root for her) inspite of it.
The simmering undercurrent of tension that permeates the entire plot also really amps up the mystery aspect, as Ness attempts—with her only friend Priya and fellow boat survivor Cy, to find out what really caused the explosion. I also really enjoyed that old school, crime noir-style dynamic that we see between Ness and both Priya and Cy.
As a nightmare whose own fear turned him into a vampire, Cy was definitely a character I enjoyed getting to know. Unlike the romanticised versions, Cy is pretty much the complete antithesis of what vampires are expected to be—and even argues against the widespread media coverage that glorifies them. Even bringing up some very valid (and thought provoking) points on the ethics of consent within the vampire mythos-such biting/ feeding without consent (or mind controlling them) and then wiping the memories being no different than date rape.
Schaeffer also explores some pretty important issues such as kidnapping, human trafficking, and fraud, bribery and corruption in both government and law enforcement. Issues that, despite the absurdity and fantastical elements of the plot are sadly but unsurprisingly rather relevant in the world’s current social climate.
Overall, a deliciously thrilling and utterly entertaining read that lovers of morally grey characters,Gotham or stories of pure unadulterated chaos are gonna love!
Also, a huge thank you to Kate over at Hodder for the wonderful physical arc.
It’s set in Newham (a city so crime-ridden it makes Gotham looks tame by comparison) and follows nineteen year old Ness, who has an irrational fear of nightmares (and of becoming one) ever since her sister turned into a man-eating spider and went on a killing spree.
And Ness is willing to do anything to make sure she doesn’t suffer the same fate, even joining Friends of the Restful Soul-a group that offers help to those affected by nightmares (and which may or may not be a cult.)
But being part of Friends of the Restful means contributing to the group. And when her assigned voluntary job ends in disaster—AGAIN—she cons her way into delivery duty as penance. Until that too ends in chaos.
Now Ness is tangled in the aftermath of the explosion and, alongside the only other survivor, decides to look for answers. Because the accident may not have been soo accidental after all…
I absolutely loved every second of this—it’s pacey, plot twisty and fabulously dramatic in all the best ways!
The world-building was really good and leans into the dark and gritty, 1920s-style comic book aesthetic that paired well with all the morally ambiguous characters we encounter. Most of whom had some rather big personalities, or eccentric quirks that made them really memorable (like keeping a pterodactyl to kidnap or eat your enemies.) Their questionable actions also kept me on my toes, though it’s probably the first time my tendency to suspect everyone has actually paid off.
I did like Ness, though she is a complex and utterly flawed character still coming to terms with her PTSD-like childhood trauma. She can be selfish, cruel, and a little unlikable at first but I did find her really relatable—particularly in terms of her fear. I mean, if I lived in a city that’s nearly destroyed by dragons, dinosaurs or giant carnivorous creatures on a weekly basis, I’d be terrified too!
But what made her such an interesting character was that she’s entirely aware of those flaws, and is both honest and unapologetic about it. And it didn’t take long for me to warm to her (and root for her) inspite of it.
The simmering undercurrent of tension that permeates the entire plot also really amps up the mystery aspect, as Ness attempts—with her only friend Priya and fellow boat survivor Cy, to find out what really caused the explosion. I also really enjoyed that old school, crime noir-style dynamic that we see between Ness and both Priya and Cy.
As a nightmare whose own fear turned him into a vampire, Cy was definitely a character I enjoyed getting to know. Unlike the romanticised versions, Cy is pretty much the complete antithesis of what vampires are expected to be—and even argues against the widespread media coverage that glorifies them. Even bringing up some very valid (and thought provoking) points on the ethics of consent within the vampire mythos-such biting/ feeding without consent (or mind controlling them) and then wiping the memories being no different than date rape.
Schaeffer also explores some pretty important issues such as kidnapping, human trafficking, and fraud, bribery and corruption in both government and law enforcement. Issues that, despite the absurdity and fantastical elements of the plot are sadly but unsurprisingly rather relevant in the world’s current social climate.
Overall, a deliciously thrilling and utterly entertaining read that lovers of morally grey characters,Gotham or stories of pure unadulterated chaos are gonna love!
Also, a huge thank you to Kate over at Hodder for the wonderful physical arc.
June 7, 2024
City of Nightmares is really wacky and I love that about it. Set in a fictionalised version of our world where dreaming is dangerous. Where having a nightmare causes you to turn into one. The city of Newham has a mayor with a pet tetradactyl that she sometimes flies around on killing people, and for it's citizens that's probably low on the list of dangerous/weird things they encounter.
We follow Ness, who as she's trying to navigate life without dying or getting turned into a nightmare, gets pulled into a plot alongside Cy who's nightmare turned him into a vampire.
This was loads of fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously plot wise, but it does tackle some serious topics as well.
We follow Ness, who as she's trying to navigate life without dying or getting turned into a nightmare, gets pulled into a plot alongside Cy who's nightmare turned him into a vampire.
This was loads of fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously plot wise, but it does tackle some serious topics as well.
October 16, 2023
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: trauma, death of family members (sister, father), explosion, threat of drowning, gore weapon use, cannibalism, abusive father, rape metaphor, cult, mentioned trafficking
4.6
“In death she became something more. Someone impossibly intelligent, savant-level gifted. Something bigger, something larger than she’d ever been in life. Literally. That spider was fucking massive.”
Lemme tell you how much fun I had!!! This is one of my favorite books of 2023 so far, I preordered it immediately after reading my ARC, I desperately checked to make sure there was going to be a sequel (there is), and I cried when I couldn’t immediately yell over it because I do not cross picket lines. If you want whiplash, Gotham energy, and morally gray people everywhere with some of the funniest out of the blue lines you could expect, please, please, pick this book up!
This book was promoted as basically being about “someone ordinary living in Gotham, without heroes”. And that tracks! It’s actually even more fun if you start actively reading it that way. This book is kind of crazy, and goes off the rails in the most perfect ways. This book hits you over the head again and again and you just say thank you. There is never a dull moment, never a “stop and rationalize” narrative pause, never a need to be down to earth or moral with it.
And that means you never- never- know where it’s going to go, or what’s even possible. And yet! What does happen always winds up feeling plausible and even foreshadowed! I don’t know how that’s possible.
I also weirdly love everyone in this book. In particular I, of course, love Ness and her willingness to break ankles, and I have a soft spot for Cy, but I also absolutely love the Nightmare Phantom, without even getting to know him more than about chapter. This is one of the big reasons I needed a sequel- I absolutely must see how this plays out.
I fell for Ness and Cy’s friendship, and I still think it’s wonderful, but I have a bad feeling it’s going to turn into a romance, which will be a disappointment for me personally, though I’m sure go over well with some other readers. I just love a platonic coupling! I love a platonic love story! I want those couple of moments implying Ness might actually be aspec to not be accidental! But, well, we’ll see.
The only things about this book I didn’t totally love, were the parts that felt a bit too loose. The thematic moments, the lessons, didn’t quite work for me overall, there are places in the end that feel forced. And the character arcs are fairly slow for the first two thirds, which is a shame- though there’s so much going on I can almost excuse this. What I wanted, was really for Ness’ conflicting personality to have been worked out earlier or made more sense. She’s characterized as a coward- she clearly thinks of herself that way and we’re supposed to too. But she’s also ruthless! She’s fine threatening people, going on a boat full of people, she bounces back from danger mostly easily- her fear of being on the street just makes her more willing to put herself in compromising situations where she has to metaphorically bite. She just has a phobia of Nightmares.
“I weigh my options and then decide I’m screwed anyway, so I might as well go out by being an absolute bitch.”
I really love this book! It’s a wild ride with characters that are easy to be ride or die with, and a world so out there that nearly anything can happen. I’ll take the sequel now please!
Pre-review comments below
"Ever since her sister became a man-eating spider" 👀👀👀👀👀
AND blurbed by Xiran Jay Zhao?????? Okay, go off. Wtf.
TW: trauma, death of family members (sister, father), explosion, threat of drowning, gore weapon use, cannibalism, abusive father, rape metaphor, cult, mentioned trafficking
4.6
“In death she became something more. Someone impossibly intelligent, savant-level gifted. Something bigger, something larger than she’d ever been in life. Literally. That spider was fucking massive.”
Lemme tell you how much fun I had!!! This is one of my favorite books of 2023 so far, I preordered it immediately after reading my ARC, I desperately checked to make sure there was going to be a sequel (there is), and I cried when I couldn’t immediately yell over it because I do not cross picket lines. If you want whiplash, Gotham energy, and morally gray people everywhere with some of the funniest out of the blue lines you could expect, please, please, pick this book up!
This book was promoted as basically being about “someone ordinary living in Gotham, without heroes”. And that tracks! It’s actually even more fun if you start actively reading it that way. This book is kind of crazy, and goes off the rails in the most perfect ways. This book hits you over the head again and again and you just say thank you. There is never a dull moment, never a “stop and rationalize” narrative pause, never a need to be down to earth or moral with it.
And that means you never- never- know where it’s going to go, or what’s even possible. And yet! What does happen always winds up feeling plausible and even foreshadowed! I don’t know how that’s possible.
I also weirdly love everyone in this book. In particular I, of course, love Ness and her willingness to break ankles, and I have a soft spot for Cy, but I also absolutely love the Nightmare Phantom, without even getting to know him more than about chapter. This is one of the big reasons I needed a sequel- I absolutely must see how this plays out.
I fell for Ness and Cy’s friendship, and I still think it’s wonderful, but I have a bad feeling it’s going to turn into a romance, which will be a disappointment for me personally, though I’m sure go over well with some other readers. I just love a platonic coupling! I love a platonic love story! I want those couple of moments implying Ness might actually be aspec to not be accidental! But, well, we’ll see.
The only things about this book I didn’t totally love, were the parts that felt a bit too loose. The thematic moments, the lessons, didn’t quite work for me overall, there are places in the end that feel forced. And the character arcs are fairly slow for the first two thirds, which is a shame- though there’s so much going on I can almost excuse this. What I wanted, was really for Ness’ conflicting personality to have been worked out earlier or made more sense. She’s characterized as a coward- she clearly thinks of herself that way and we’re supposed to too. But she’s also ruthless! She’s fine threatening people, going on a boat full of people, she bounces back from danger mostly easily- her fear of being on the street just makes her more willing to put herself in compromising situations where she has to metaphorically bite. She just has a phobia of Nightmares.
“I weigh my options and then decide I’m screwed anyway, so I might as well go out by being an absolute bitch.”
I really love this book! It’s a wild ride with characters that are easy to be ride or die with, and a world so out there that nearly anything can happen. I’ll take the sequel now please!
Pre-review comments below
"Ever since her sister became a man-eating spider" 👀👀👀👀👀
AND blurbed by Xiran Jay Zhao?????? Okay, go off. Wtf.
May 3, 2023
Think I just found another book to add to my favourites list! I read this in a day, I haven’t done that with a book in forever so you know it must be good!
I was so intrigued by the concept of people turning into their worst fears and becoming nightmares and this did not disappoint! It was wild! I loved the entire thing, Ness was a great main character and I loved her viewpoint on the city and how she grew in this book! And Cy my beautiful boy *mwah*!
I love that this book essentially despite being about people turning into their worst fears had so many great scenes and points about conquering those fears, self agency and consent. It was honestly just such a good book I loved everything about it and I just couldn’t put it down! I just loved how Ness grew and changed in the book and really evolved as a main character, it was refreshing to get such a strong transformation!
THAT ENDING THOUGH MAKES ME SO MAD I HAVE TO WAIT…THE PHANTOM???
I was so intrigued by the concept of people turning into their worst fears and becoming nightmares and this did not disappoint! It was wild! I loved the entire thing, Ness was a great main character and I loved her viewpoint on the city and how she grew in this book! And Cy my beautiful boy *mwah*!
I love that this book essentially despite being about people turning into their worst fears had so many great scenes and points about conquering those fears, self agency and consent. It was honestly just such a good book I loved everything about it and I just couldn’t put it down! I just loved how Ness grew and changed in the book and really evolved as a main character, it was refreshing to get such a strong transformation!
THAT ENDING THOUGH MAKES ME SO MAD I HAVE TO WAIT…THE PHANTOM???
March 9, 2025
Please don't talk about politicians having pet pterodactyls. I don't want my own deranged ugly president to get any ideas.
This silly paranormal/scifi book had a better point to make about the dangers of romanticising toxic behaviour in fiction than 99% of those delusional romance booktokers.
What a fun time, folks.
This silly paranormal/scifi book had a better point to make about the dangers of romanticising toxic behaviour in fiction than 99% of those delusional romance booktokers.
What a fun time, folks.
April 2, 2023
In the acknowledgments the author writes “This book should never have existed” and I wholeheartedly agree with that.
The premise of this book is AMAZING, but what an extreme letdown it was. I thought the book was going to be dark and gritty and weird, but it’s just the main character having panic attacks for 400 pages. It’s also extremely badly written and come across like some teenager’s fan fiction. The repetition was driving me absolutely insane, I don’t know how many time I had to read that her older sister turned into a spider and ate their dad, but it’s at least once every chapter.
This is a spoiler:
The main character is also extremely unlikeable, her constant panic attacks makes her unable to perform any sort of assignment at work. So as a last resort she threatens the person that was responsible for the mail, Cindy, so she could steal that persons job. When it then gets revealed that Cindy was a target for an assassination attempt, the main character blames Cindy. But it’s not Cindy’s fault? She didn’t offer you the mail run, you threatened her because you’re totally worthless at doing simple tasks?
Spoiler end.
The entire book is also some sort of modern day pop culture critic to the point that it becomes ridiculous. Some examples from the book:
*If the romantic interest is older, it’s predatory.
*If the guy holds something you need, in this case a train ticket, it’s power play. (Don’t ever let your significant other hold your bag or anything, that person is trying to dominate you!)
*To prevent you from dreaming and turning into your worst nightmare, there are drugs. Alcohol nullifies their effect, so alcohol is bad.
*Monogamy is toxic.
*Liking media that features vampires, makes the person more acceptable towards abuse. (Apparently I’m fucked, given my Twilight period in high school.)
The irony is then that the author makes the male main character a vampire, thus making this book part of the problem she’s trying to criticize? I can agree it’s a problem when a story romanticize truly problematic behavior that has a possibility of manifesting in real life (think all the new adult books in the early 2010 period), when manipulating and controlling behavior is painted as romantic. But I think everyone know that vampires aren’t real and can distinguish between that sort of fiction and real life, otherwise it’s just insulting towards the readers intelligence. I can see what the author tried to do, but it failed tremendously and just became absurd.
This is truly one of the worst books I’ve ever read, you can’t pay me to read the sequel.
The premise of this book is AMAZING, but what an extreme letdown it was. I thought the book was going to be dark and gritty and weird, but it’s just the main character having panic attacks for 400 pages. It’s also extremely badly written and come across like some teenager’s fan fiction. The repetition was driving me absolutely insane, I don’t know how many time I had to read that her older sister turned into a spider and ate their dad, but it’s at least once every chapter.
This is a spoiler:
The main character is also extremely unlikeable, her constant panic attacks makes her unable to perform any sort of assignment at work. So as a last resort she threatens the person that was responsible for the mail, Cindy, so she could steal that persons job. When it then gets revealed that Cindy was a target for an assassination attempt, the main character blames Cindy. But it’s not Cindy’s fault? She didn’t offer you the mail run, you threatened her because you’re totally worthless at doing simple tasks?
Spoiler end.
The entire book is also some sort of modern day pop culture critic to the point that it becomes ridiculous. Some examples from the book:
*If the romantic interest is older, it’s predatory.
*If the guy holds something you need, in this case a train ticket, it’s power play. (Don’t ever let your significant other hold your bag or anything, that person is trying to dominate you!)
*To prevent you from dreaming and turning into your worst nightmare, there are drugs. Alcohol nullifies their effect, so alcohol is bad.
*Monogamy is toxic.
*Liking media that features vampires, makes the person more acceptable towards abuse. (Apparently I’m fucked, given my Twilight period in high school.)
The irony is then that the author makes the male main character a vampire, thus making this book part of the problem she’s trying to criticize? I can agree it’s a problem when a story romanticize truly problematic behavior that has a possibility of manifesting in real life (think all the new adult books in the early 2010 period), when manipulating and controlling behavior is painted as romantic. But I think everyone know that vampires aren’t real and can distinguish between that sort of fiction and real life, otherwise it’s just insulting towards the readers intelligence. I can see what the author tried to do, but it failed tremendously and just became absurd.
This is truly one of the worst books I’ve ever read, you can’t pay me to read the sequel.
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August 14, 2025THIS IS SO UNDERRATED
November 8, 2023
Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
En el mundo de Ness, soñar es peligroso, pues corres el riesgo de convertirte en una Pesadilla, como le ocurrió a su hermana, que se despertó convertida en una araña gigante y mató a su padre. Así, Ness vive con miedo constante ante los monstruos que ve cada día en su ciudad, aunque no todos sean tan peligrosos como parecen, pero ¿cómo diferenciarlos? Sin embargo, llegará un momento en el que le tocará enfrentarse a todo lo que siempre ha temido si quiere sobrevivir...
Bua. Pensé que me iba a dar más repelús, porque la sinopsis habla tanto de monstruos, Pesadillas y criaturas del demonio que no sabía muy bien qué esperarme de este libro, además de que no había leído apenas opiniones al respecto, pero fue de esos en los que, habiendo leído apenas unas páginas, ya sabes que va a ser una lectura de esas que te va a atrapar de principio a fin, que tienen algo especial porque nunca has leído nada parecido.
Me ha parecido increíblemente original, con una protagonista que es una auténtica cagueta, que vive con miedo y cuyo "superpoder" es salir por patas. Y me lo he pasado pipa con ella, con su evolución, y con lo bien que está tratado su desarrollo, gracias a lo que tiene que pasar y a las personas a las que conoce a lo largo de su camino.
En el mundo de Ness, soñar es peligroso, pues corres el riesgo de convertirte en una Pesadilla, como le ocurrió a su hermana, que se despertó convertida en una araña gigante y mató a su padre. Así, Ness vive con miedo constante ante los monstruos que ve cada día en su ciudad, aunque no todos sean tan peligrosos como parecen, pero ¿cómo diferenciarlos? Sin embargo, llegará un momento en el que le tocará enfrentarse a todo lo que siempre ha temido si quiere sobrevivir...
Bua. Pensé que me iba a dar más repelús, porque la sinopsis habla tanto de monstruos, Pesadillas y criaturas del demonio que no sabía muy bien qué esperarme de este libro, además de que no había leído apenas opiniones al respecto, pero fue de esos en los que, habiendo leído apenas unas páginas, ya sabes que va a ser una lectura de esas que te va a atrapar de principio a fin, que tienen algo especial porque nunca has leído nada parecido.
Me ha parecido increíblemente original, con una protagonista que es una auténtica cagueta, que vive con miedo y cuyo "superpoder" es salir por patas. Y me lo he pasado pipa con ella, con su evolución, y con lo bien que está tratado su desarrollo, gracias a lo que tiene que pasar y a las personas a las que conoce a lo largo de su camino.
January 24, 2024
3,0 ✨✨✨
(Audiobook)
(Audiobook)
March 10, 2023
This book's synopsis is a lie.
It promised something deliciously dark and morally ambiguous, a la Tokyo Ghoul.
Instead, it's giving some weird social commentary about vampires normalising abuse in real life, because of course ~everyone~ knows fiction and reality are the same thing. 🙄🙄🙄 Every second page has a character with stilted, clumsy dialogue that makes them sound like they're mouthpieces reading Twitter discourse aloud. It's eye-rollingly unnatural.
The MC is a weird mix of naive and obnoxious, with all these morally superior views that apparently are completely at odds with the rest of the terrible, corrupt city she lives in. So... yeah, that's not exactly giving 'morally grey.'
I had to DNF around 45% in.
Look, I don't mind a little social commentary, but this was that weird take on how certain fictional tropes are Bad!!! (Like how certain folks insist video games make kids violent- it's that level of simplistic, moralistic preaching) and it just feels SO forced, I was jarred out of the story multiple times.
I wanted a story about 'monsters' or 'nightmares' ... so vampires being a thing felt kinda like a letdown.... I was hoping for something newer, something a bit more unique...
Also, I skimmed through the last part, and there's a scene where the MC allows the vampire boy to bite her, (after making sure us readers know she's making a fully informed, consensual decision!!!) And then... the chapter just ends. We don't get to see it. Which, fine, I get the author was probably trying to make some point, but I'm sorry, that's just BORING.
If this book had been marketed as a book on vampires, and examining vampire tropes, I wouldn't have been so annoyed (but I still would've given one star, because c'mon, telling (predominantly) women who enjoy reading fantasy spicy stories with darker themes is leaving them vulnerable to IRL abuse is, quite frankly, both insulting and ridiculous,) but at least I would've known what to expect.
It promised something deliciously dark and morally ambiguous, a la Tokyo Ghoul.
Instead, it's giving some weird social commentary about vampires normalising abuse in real life, because of course ~everyone~ knows fiction and reality are the same thing. 🙄🙄🙄 Every second page has a character with stilted, clumsy dialogue that makes them sound like they're mouthpieces reading Twitter discourse aloud. It's eye-rollingly unnatural.
The MC is a weird mix of naive and obnoxious, with all these morally superior views that apparently are completely at odds with the rest of the terrible, corrupt city she lives in. So... yeah, that's not exactly giving 'morally grey.'
I had to DNF around 45% in.
Look, I don't mind a little social commentary, but this was that weird take on how certain fictional tropes are Bad!!! (Like how certain folks insist video games make kids violent- it's that level of simplistic, moralistic preaching) and it just feels SO forced, I was jarred out of the story multiple times.
I wanted a story about 'monsters' or 'nightmares' ... so vampires being a thing felt kinda like a letdown.... I was hoping for something newer, something a bit more unique...
Also, I skimmed through the last part, and there's a scene where the MC allows the vampire boy to bite her, (after making sure us readers know she's making a fully informed, consensual decision!!!) And then... the chapter just ends. We don't get to see it. Which, fine, I get the author was probably trying to make some point, but I'm sorry, that's just BORING.
If this book had been marketed as a book on vampires, and examining vampire tropes, I wouldn't have been so annoyed (but I still would've given one star, because c'mon, telling (predominantly) women who enjoy reading fantasy spicy stories with darker themes is leaving them vulnerable to IRL abuse is, quite frankly, both insulting and ridiculous,) but at least I would've known what to expect.
September 25, 2023
after enjoying Rebecca Schaeffer’s first series, I’m so disappointed by this book. she’s really great at coming up with unique concepts for her books and City of Nightmares is no different. I mean, people literally turn into their worst nightmares whenever they manage to dream in their sleep.. sounds cool right? but there isn’t even that much focus on that in the actual story. there’s a million things going on at once and none of them were fleshed out properly — the villains are so unserious and random. we have another unlikable main character here with Ness; who is so unbelievably irritating with no back bone until it’s convenient in the end. I did like Cy and Priya though, maybe this would’ve been better with them as the main character’s instead.
also what was all that mention of vampires in media and how they “glorify toxicity in romance”? I guess in some cases that’s true, but I’m sure it’s common sense to know that those aren’t real or healthy relationships. people can like what they like in fiction without it being something they’d accept in real life. the messaging was so obnoxious and unnecessary tbh.
also what was all that mention of vampires in media and how they “glorify toxicity in romance”? I guess in some cases that’s true, but I’m sure it’s common sense to know that those aren’t real or healthy relationships. people can like what they like in fiction without it being something they’d accept in real life. the messaging was so obnoxious and unnecessary tbh.
January 30, 2023
2.5/5
I loved Schaeffer's Market of Monsters series and was eager to try this one. Sadly, it didn't work out for me at all.
I'm sure this book will appeal to readers looking for a snarky, self-deprecating, and sensible (but strong in the end) heroine.
That said, all the snorting, groaning, and developing relationships tired me. The plot, well, I won't spoil it, but I feel it has more than one hole and I disliked the ending.
Now, my rating doesn't mean it's a bad book; it simply means I disliked the book.
I loved Schaeffer's Market of Monsters series and was eager to try this one. Sadly, it didn't work out for me at all.
I'm sure this book will appeal to readers looking for a snarky, self-deprecating, and sensible (but strong in the end) heroine.
That said, all the snorting, groaning, and developing relationships tired me. The plot, well, I won't spoil it, but I feel it has more than one hole and I disliked the ending.
Now, my rating doesn't mean it's a bad book; it simply means I disliked the book.
October 26, 2022
A funny, heartwarming masterpiece of a book. Give me the sequel yesterday.
I took a whopping zero notes whilst reading this book, so please excuse me if this review is short.
In the city of Newham, no one is safe. Corruption is rife, violence is commonplace, and if people dream when they sleep, they become their worst fear. Ness's sister Ruby dreamt once, for once is all it takes, and became a giant man-eating spider, killing her father and leaving Ness traumatised.
Ness takes refuge in the Friends of the Restful Soul, a totally-not-cult offering Nightmare therapy. All is well in the world, Ness safe in her ex-janitor's closet of a bedroom, before a Bad Day at Work leads to the threat of that safety being ripped from her. As a last ditch effort to remain with the Friends, Ness cons her way into the only remaining job in the organisation, but - as this book's synopsis will tell you - it blows up in her face. Like, actually blows up. It's through this assassination attempt that Ness meets Cy, a vampire who has to make a fair few reassurances that he won't eat Ness over the course of the book.
From the very first page, I was drawn to Ness as a protagonist. I can't say that my non-existent sister turned into a giant spider and ate people, but there was something inexplicably relatable about her, and it was a joy to follow along with her journey as she faced her fears. Her development from start to finish was so heartwarming, and I'm already eagerly anticipating spending more time with her in the sequel (which is out the same year as this first book.... big yay!!!). I loved Cy just as much. He's a softer, quieter character compared to Ness, but with just as big a heart, and once you get to know him, all you want to do is give him a bear hug. There wasn't any romance between the two of them, but in my opinion, this book didn't need it. Their friendship was more than enough, and the cutest thing at that. Ness's feisty best friend, Priya (a wannabe Nightmare hunter), was also a great addition to the cast, and I loved her back and forth banter with Ness.
City of Nightmares was everything I wanted in a book: it's full of twists and turns, action-packed with a loveable core cast of characters, and tackles some potentially difficult topics like grief and trauma. But it does all of this whilst being funny and retaining a level of lightheartedness. I really couldn't recommend it more, and will certainly be keeping an eye out for any special editions of this book that pop up ;)
A big thank you to Kate Keehan at Hodder & Stoughton for sending me an ARC of City of Nightmares!
↠ 5 stars
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I took a whopping zero notes whilst reading this book, so please excuse me if this review is short.
In the city of Newham, no one is safe. Corruption is rife, violence is commonplace, and if people dream when they sleep, they become their worst fear. Ness's sister Ruby dreamt once, for once is all it takes, and became a giant man-eating spider, killing her father and leaving Ness traumatised.
Ness takes refuge in the Friends of the Restful Soul, a totally-not-cult offering Nightmare therapy. All is well in the world, Ness safe in her ex-janitor's closet of a bedroom, before a Bad Day at Work leads to the threat of that safety being ripped from her. As a last ditch effort to remain with the Friends, Ness cons her way into the only remaining job in the organisation, but - as this book's synopsis will tell you - it blows up in her face. Like, actually blows up. It's through this assassination attempt that Ness meets Cy, a vampire who has to make a fair few reassurances that he won't eat Ness over the course of the book.
From the very first page, I was drawn to Ness as a protagonist. I can't say that my non-existent sister turned into a giant spider and ate people, but there was something inexplicably relatable about her, and it was a joy to follow along with her journey as she faced her fears. Her development from start to finish was so heartwarming, and I'm already eagerly anticipating spending more time with her in the sequel (which is out the same year as this first book.... big yay!!!). I loved Cy just as much. He's a softer, quieter character compared to Ness, but with just as big a heart, and once you get to know him, all you want to do is give him a bear hug. There wasn't any romance between the two of them, but in my opinion, this book didn't need it. Their friendship was more than enough, and the cutest thing at that. Ness's feisty best friend, Priya (a wannabe Nightmare hunter), was also a great addition to the cast, and I loved her back and forth banter with Ness.
City of Nightmares was everything I wanted in a book: it's full of twists and turns, action-packed with a loveable core cast of characters, and tackles some potentially difficult topics like grief and trauma. But it does all of this whilst being funny and retaining a level of lightheartedness. I really couldn't recommend it more, and will certainly be keeping an eye out for any special editions of this book that pop up ;)
A big thank you to Kate Keehan at Hodder & Stoughton for sending me an ARC of City of Nightmares!
↠ 5 stars
Blog ✦ Instagram ✦ Twitter ✦
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