Reverie

by Ryan La Sala

A B&N’s YA Book Club Pick * Walmart Buzz Pick * Indie Next Pick * Book of the Month Club YA Box
A “joyously, riotously queer” (Kirkus) young adult fantasy from debut author Ryan La Sala, Reverie is a wildly imaginative story about dreams becoming reality, perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Laini Taylor.
A few weeks ago, Kane Montgomery was in an accident that robbed him of his memory. The only thing he knows for certain is that the police found him half-dead in the river. The world as he knows it feels different—reality seems different. And when strange things start happening around him, Kane isn’t sure where to turn.
And then three of his classmates show up, claiming to be his friends and the only people who can tell him what’s truly going on. Kane doesn’t know what to believe or who he can trust. But as he and the others are dragged into increasingly fantastical dream worlds drawn from imagination, it becomes clear that there is dark magic at work. Nothing in Kane’s life is an accident, and only he can keep the world itself from unraveling.
Reverie is an intricate and compelling LGBT young adult book about the secret worlds we hide within ourselves and what happens when they become real.
Praise for Reverie:
"This outstanding debut novel will light readers' imaginations on fire...Imaginative, bold, and full of queer representation, this is a must-purchase for YA collections."—School Library Journal *STARRED REVIEW*
“This fantasy offers readers something wonderfully new and engaging...a gem of a novel that is as affirming as it is entertaining."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“The story's many LGBTQ characters are prominently represented and powerfully nuanced."—Publishers Weekly
"A darkly imagined, riveting fantasy… thrilling."—Shelf Awareness
"Joyously, riotously queer... The themes of creating one's own reality and fighting against the rules imposed by the world you're born into will ring powerfully true for many young readers."—Kirkus Reviews

• ISBN10: 1492682667
• ISBN13: 9781492682660
• Publish Date: 3 January 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Sourcebooks Fire
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[Leah]

What an incredible novel! I couldn't get into this the first time I tried to read it - my mind was too busy to take it all in, but I merely set it aside until I was ready and today felt like a good, clear minded day to carry on with it! And boy am I glad I did, it's so imaginative and clever and I really, really enjoyed it.

I'm not gonna lie, part of the reason I bought this book was the cover, it's absolutely gorgeous and I really am the worst person for judging books by their covers. Or buying books because of their covers. Often times, I just see a nice cover, skim the blurb and go yup! I need this book in my life.

I loved the idea that reveries/dreams can come to life. It's absolutely terrifying, but if that happened to me they would just be about my ex. Or work. Or my ex AT MY WORK. Because that's the kind of weird shit I dream about. They aren't fantastical, they're just horribly boring.

But this was incredible. This was fantasy at its finest and what made it even better was how un-apologetically queer it was. It's everything I want in a queer fantasy and it's like Ryan La Sala just downloaded the most warped, incredible, amazing, enthralling plot into this book. It thrives with love and hope and it's so beautifully written. I'm in awe of Ryan's imagination and talent.

This was genuinely such a fun novel. Fantasy books need more drag queen villains, because they're amazing and more magic in general because AMAZING. I love, love, loved it!

[Stephanie]

This took me way longer to read than expected, I blame The Month and not The Book.

[Kelly]

Kane Montgomery was found on the embankment in the Cobalt Complex among the scorched remains, an abandoned industrial estate and landmark in the small town of East Amity. The local authorities are questioning Kane. Why was he trespassing on private property and why did he set the landmark ablaze? Unable to remember the incident or the months preceding, Kane is appointed a counsellor, assigned a journal and coerced into providing information in exchange for his freedom from incarceration. It's an impossible situation. Kane believes he's ostracised by his peers and Doctor Posey offers a sense of belonging and kinship, seemingly understanding of his precarious situation. What Doctor Posey lacks in subtlety, they more than compensate in cryptic information, knowing all too well how Kane has lost his memories.

Investigating the scene of the incident, Kane is no closer to discovering his memories, the town believing the ostracised young man many have attempted suicide. Did he? Boisterous and opinionated sibling Sophie doesn't agree. Doctor Posey is fabulously sinister, an extravagant drag queen sorceress who may hold the key to unlocking Kane's memories. Quite literally. Posey sees the injustice of the world and wants to fashion a new version of the sleepy Connecticut town. Everyone shall live within the new reality of a Reverie, their narratives controlled and forever trapped within their world of elaborate trinkets and fabulous coiffed hair while living their best life. The Others must put an end to Posey's madness, who would want to live in such a world? I ask as the entire reading audience raises their hand.

The Others are a small alliance of local adolescents who guide the Reverie, appearing as characters within the dreamscape and remaining lucid throughout. Although Kane cannot remember, he is responsible for guiding the Reverie narrative to completion. It isn't until he overhears a ragtag group of students talking about strange new worlds that he learns who he truly is and he's not alone, he has friends, although somewhat peculiar and slightly terrifying for a multitude of reasons. Kane's sexuality has always been the target of ignorant and homophobic peers so to find out he has friends is a delight. Gosh I felt for the poor confused boy, Kane is so lovely and kindhearted and deserves to be surrounded by people who care deeply for him. Ursula was that person. An old friend who suddenly feels like a new friend who is passionate and athletic and makes absolutely no excuses for herself.

Ursula understands what it feels like to be labelled, being a tall young woman with an athletic build, she's labelled a lesbian as though it's an insult. She's incredibly kind and patient with Kane and their friendship seemed to ease Kane's anxiety. Each member of The Others holds a special power, Ursula has speed and strength on her side, cheerleader and aloof Adeline can wipe your memories and Elliot can cast illusions, which comes in handy when you're sneaking around trying to thwart the plans of a villainous drag queen. Regardless of how fabulous her wigs are.

A Reverie is a vividly imagined narrative that manifests as a dreamscape, depicting our wildest desires, aspirations or turmoil. Worlds created from our sprawling imagination. of romance, betrayal and heroism. The Others remain lucid throughout the experience, assisting the Reverie to conclusion without interfering regardless of the dreamscape. The premise is breathtaking and beautifully imagined.

Reverie also touches on queer communities and the queerphobia they endure. Kane was isolated by his peers for being gay. At a young age, Kane was outed due to his eccentricities and avoided by other boys in elementary school, no longer invited to sleepovers as if being gay was contagious, causing Kane to withdraw from his peers. Ursula understands. Why does society feel the need to label athletic women as lesbians? It happens in all aspects of women's sport. Regardless of their sexual orientation, females have every right to play sport without being labelled or objectified. If society and in particular men, learnt to respect women and shut their damn mouths, I dare say more females would feel comfortable being active. Adeline isn't without her detractors. Being a cheerleader, she's assumed to be unintelligent or even dimwitted when in fact, it's quite the opposite. She's feisty, fierce and someone you need on your team when battling Posey in all her evil fabulousness.

Posey may be the villain but she's absolutely fabulous! At first Posey describes herself as a man in mascara but throughout the narration, Posey is referred to as she or her. I'm not certain if Posey is a drag queen or transgender but she's a phenomenal character who struts onto the page to her own theme music, tinkling in trinkets on her wrist and coiffed wigs to the nines. I adored her.

Reverie is a fantastical journey of adventure, breaking stereotypes and coiffed hair with a side dish of jazz hands. Outrageously fabulous!

[bookperson]

dnf

[Inkslinger]

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"He thought sugar cookies were for people who had never tasted actual happiness, but he wasn't about to tell Ursula that."

01-19: Ryan la Sala's debut novel, 'Reverie,' reads like a dream. Not simply due to the fact large portions of the story take place in the walking fantasies of East Amity's citizens.. born into alternate realities with all the fervor of New Year's Eve fireworks, but because he writes as Van Gogh painted.. in rich strokes and vivid colors, textures you can feel even without being able to touch them.
​
A love story to the stargazer.. an encouragement to throw off all bonds.. and live boldly and brightly in all things, the novel feels as if its full to bursting with hope. Settle for nothing, fight for what you want.. for what you believe in.. and make sure above all else, that you believe in yourself.

"But mostly, I wonder what must a person discover to make them dangerous enough to be hurt in the way you have been hurt. What power is deserving of such a thorough and vicious suppression?"

Honestly, I can't say enough good things about 'Reverie.' It's wildly imaginative, the prose is melodious, the characters are each deeply layered. Though it centers around a group of teens, they often feel ageless, as the focus is really on doing what's right.. on persisting.. and learning to see others beyond the surface. The development of the new worlds that periodically just materialize is elegantly scripted. No matter how outrageous the manifested story may seem, there's reason to it. Rhythm.

It's a wonderful story. The comraderie between the main character, Kane, and his friends.. is reminiscent of the greatest coming of age stories of literature and film -- The Goonies, The Outsiders, Stand By Me.. you name it. They fight, they lash out, run or push each other away, yet when all is said and done, they continue to show up for one another. Much of the time is devoted to Kane trying to regain his memory, lost during a horrific accident that leaves him brutally scarred at some point before the opening of the story, as he tries to understand what happened and who he can trust. And this too is fascinating. The mystery is woven almost delicately throughout the daily goings-on of the characters. At times, it almost feels secondary to the sheer experience, but it is not.

Of course, there are pairings within the group, but really only one romance throughout the pages. And it's beautiful. It's tender.. fragile at times.. then warming.. and swelling like a symphony at others. Even more that the resolution of the reveries, this is what I found myself cheering for.. hoping for, invested in. This glimmer of connection that appears, constantly threatening to wink out.

"When Dean tried to speak, Kane breathed the words back into his mouth, refusing their deceit, until Dean's hands climbed over Kane in sure familiarity. Kane, hungry to know, took everything he could from the kiss--Dean's truth and his pain--and when it ended, it was against Dean's will. And that's how Kane knew."

Numerous times I found myself worriedly leaning into the pages or caught off guard when I'd allowed myself to relax, only for some potentially disastrous incident to occur. Sometimes my worst fears seemed to be realized and others, I didn't know enough to worry about the right things.

I didn't want to put this book down once I started it.. and though I was delayed by other deadlines, I was constantly desperate to return to 'Reverie' and see where everything was going to end up. Ryan is a truly gifted writer and I expect great things are ahead yet for him.

"Dreams can be parasites we sacrifice ourselves to. Dreams can be monstrous, beautiful things incubated in misery and hatched by spite. Or dreams can be the artifacts we excavate to discover who we really are."

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01-18: Determined to finish this today!

01-17: I swear, everything is conspiring to keep me from finishing this story.. and it's driving me tea party mad. lol. I keep trying to get ahead on my schedule just enough to fit the rest of this book in.

[Charli G.]

When the Barnes & Noble book club chose this book for the January book club, I was a little leary. I actually had this book from NetGalley and just couldn’t get into it. I tried for months to get into the book and just couldn’t do it. But, I hate to miss a book club, so I bought the book, hoping getting it in a physical copy would help. It did, but so did finally just sticking to it and getting through the first portion of the book.

I’m going to say this now – the only character I actually like is Ursula. The main character, Kane, is so annoying I want to reach through and just smack the daylights out of him. His thing of nothing being able to remember anything about his accident or who he was/what he was like before the accident, asking people what he was like or who he was before the accident, and then not believing them drove me bonkers.

Adeline’s attitude of seeming to be better than everyone is also annoying, Sophia’s overprotective character makes me cringe, and Elliott spends most of his time trying to impress Ursula. Poesy is a whole other ball of wax… let me tell you. I still don’t know if Poesy is biologically male and a drag queen, biologically female and dressed as a man for Kane and Poesy’s first meeting, or if Poesy is simply supposed to be unknown in gender – Poesy is referred to as “he” once or twice, “they/them” at other times, and “she” at other times. It’s a bit confusing and seriously easy to mis-gender Poesy because it’s hard to keep track of gender on that character.

The writing is done very well. The editing not so much. There are several places were words are misspelled, the wrong words are used, and where words are missing, but that’s a double edged issue – writing and editing. I mean, honestly, you’d think the editors would have noticed.

The story in and of itself is very creative. It gives a whole new perspective on “our own little worlds” and what could happen if those worlds managed to escape into reality. If you’re looking for a YA fantasy with major LGBTQ+ rep, I suggest you read this book. If there’s a sequel, I’m definitely going to read it.

[writehollydavis]

A twisty, fun magical realism novel with a drag queen sorceress villain, alternate realities, and a hero I rooted for from the first page! Ryan's prose had me drooling at times with his well refined and imaginative descriptions. I'm excited to follow Ryan on his author journey.

[Quirky Cat]

Ryan La Sala’s debut novel, Reverie is something to behold. Set in a world where magic and the normal collide and nothing is what it appears to be. It’s the most charming read of the year, providing a whole slew of characters to enchant readers.
Kane Montgomery was just a normal teenager. That is, until his accident. Now everyone wants to know what happened, even though he has no memories of the event either. Or the few months leading up to it. And that’s just making people ask even more questions.
It turns out, the whole situation is even more complex than Kane could have ever imagined. Because magic and powers are real – and along with them plenty of risks and dangers that need to be prevented.

“Confused. When he first woke up in the hospital after the accident, when he first realized he was in trouble, it seemed like a good idea to hide behind that word until he could figure out what was going on.”

Reverie was a fascinating and brilliant read, one that was full to the brim of unique and dynamic characters. Kane’s quest for answers ended up being so much more than anyone could have predicted. Well, anyone other than Ryan La Sala, that is.
This is one of those fantasy novels that just blew me away with how creative it was. It is unlike everything I have ever read, blending together a character-driven plot with dreams, fantasies, magic, and cost. Oh, and did I mention that the antagonist is both brilliant and captivating as well?
I will confess that I actually did have a bit of trouble getting into Reverie at first. Trust me; I really wanted to like it too, so it was not from lack of trying. I think it took me about ten percent of the book before I really started getting absorbed into the material, but once I did I couldn’t look away. So if you’re struggling, keep reading!
There is a lot to love about Reverie. Kane himself, for example. Then there are the secondary characters, the plot itself, and the fact that Reverie is adorably and endearing LGBT+ friendly. And that made me love it all the more.
I’m absolutely blown away by this debut novel, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Ryan La Sala comes out with next. If it’s anything like Reverie, it’s going to be worth reading.

[Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for honest opinion. This is available in stores now.

What drew me to the book was the comparison to Inception, a mind-bending movie that I really liked, though the gorgeous cover definitely helped. I’m a big fan of twisty plots, so I had high hopes.


This book just didn’t do it for me. It felt too big, and at times I worried that the plot had gotten away from the author. I’m not sure that makes much sense, but it’s the impression I had. It’s difficult to become immersed in a book when you are unsure if the author can deliver on what he set out to do. It was actually mildly stressful.

The characters didn’t really stand out all that much to me. One of them actually shot rainbows, and I couldn’t stop thinking of Aoyama from My Hero Academia: he has a laser that shoots from his naval and for some reason that image kept popping into my mind as I read this. Poesy, the drag queen sorceress was my favorite by far. The other characters just didn’t interest me.

The concept was interesting, but felt a bit shaky on delivery. The descriptions were fantastic, however, and I consider the prose itself the strong point of this book. La Sala definitely knows how to turn a phrase.

I think this is one of those books that many people will love; it just didn’t butter my biscuit.

[dragononabook]

Disclaimer: eARC was provide via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Reverie has been on my radar for a while now, and when I finally got to read it, it exceeded every single one of my expectations. I picked it up to reread almost as soon as I finished this.

It follows a teenage boy, Kane, trying to figure out the gaps in his memory and how they came to be, alongside having to deal with manifestations of people's daydreams - reveries.

Now it may seem obvious what part these reveries play in the plot, considering the title of the book and all, but they were so well developed, but in a way that ignites the reader's curiosity and basically makes Reverie unputdownable. Without going into too much detail so as to avoid spoilers, each reverie is written in such a way that they have their own unique tones, and come to life as stories within the main plot, adding an extra dimension to the already dynamic plot. Major kudos to Ryan La Sala for coming up with stories within this one; I would have read a full novel for each one.

The writing style itself was breathtaking. There were several part where I had to put my kindle down because the writing was so visceral, and as great as the book was, I really didn't want to be sucked in literally. It also changed in subtle ways for each reverie that made it so I could picture exactly what they would be like if I were sitting in a movie theatre watching them on the big screen. I'm honestly still not over how beautiful this book is.

The writing is not alone in what makes Reverie so magical and wonderful. The magic system in this, with the etherea that creates the reveries and the powers that characters possess, is a large part of how compelling Reverie is as a story. It worked similarly to science, in a way that reminded me of A Wrinkle in Time; even though it was at times complex (which goes to show the thought that Ryan La Sala put into it) everything made sense. Also, where can I apply to do Poesy's degrees?

The characters themselves are all fantastic. Poesy especially was really well written, multidimensional with compelling motives that felt completely natural, even though unfortunately we live in a world where (as far as I know) there are no reveries. Kane, the main character, was extraordinarily relatable as we followed his journey through the book, and even though part of the plot revolves around his loss of memories there is a very strong sense of who he is as a person, but he also has good character development. Also, he's gay, and we really could use more fantasy that has gay main characters but doesn't centre around their struggles, at least with regards to sexuality. I could go on an in-depth rant on how great some of the characters who show up later in the book are, but we'd be here for days and I'd like to avoid spoilers. What I will say, though, is that Sophia is the best sibling ever, and Kane is lucky she's on his side.

The plot itself is just twisty enough to keep the reader at the edge of their seats, but not so twisty that it launches them into space. The different elements of the book come together to enhance the plot, not detract from it, and lend themselves well to creating a perfect pace, balancing well with the twists and the suspense.

TL;DR: Everyone should preorder this immediately. It is such a fantastic book that whenever someone asks me how much I liked it, I loose all knowledge of the English language. Whether you're a plot person, a fan of great antagonists, or a lover of magic, you will not feel deprived.