Dreamfall (Dreamfall, #1)

by Amy Plum

"Remarkable, riveting, disorienting and dark." —Madeleine Roux, New York Times bestselling author of the Asylum series

A Nightmare on Elm Street meets Inception in this gripping psychological thriller from international bestselling author Amy Plum. Seven teenagers who suffer from debilitating insomnia agree to take part in an experimental new procedure to cure it because they think it can’t get any worse. But they couldn’t be more wrong.

When the lab equipment malfunctions, the patients are plunged into a terrifying dreamworld where their worst nightmares have come to life—and they have no memory of how they got there. Hunted by monsters from their darkest imaginations and tormented by secrets they’d rather keep buried, these seven strangers will be forced to band together to face their biggest fears. And if they can’t find a way to defeat their dreams, they will never wake up.

Dreamfall is perfect for fans of dark and edgy young adult novels from authors like Danielle Vega, Natasha Preston, Kendare Blake, and Madeleine Roux. It is the first book in a spine-tingling duology full of action, suspense, and horror that's sure to keep readers on the edge of their seat until the very last page.

• ISBN10: 0062429876
• ISBN13: 9780062429872
• Publish Date: 7 September 2017 (first published 2 May 2017)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 7 June 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Imprint: HarperTeen
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[Chelsea]

Read for Popsugar's 2018 Reading Challenge #16: A book about mental health

Actual Rating 3.5

I went into this book not knowing anything except that I loved Amy's other series and that this was some kind of sci-fi book. I was happily surprised while reading it when it had a little bit of horror and maybe some paranormal to it!

I really loved the idea that these teens are in some kind of dream world (or nightmare world in their case) and that one by one they try to survive each other's nightmares. It was also interesting to see them try and figure out the rules and what exactly is going on. I loved all the characters and seeing them bond because they all have some mental health issues was nice. There was no judging, just an overall acceptance of each other and the need to survive.

My favourite part is that we get the perspective of one character who isn't in the dreamworld. He's in the science lab monitoring their bodies and trying to figure out how the experiment went so wrong and what none of the kids are waking up. I don't know too much about science but it was pretty cool learning a few things and seeing what was going on from his view.

The only reason I gave it 3.5 stars was because I found the beginning a little slow and some parts didn't give me all the information I wanted. I think the whole book could have used a few more pages since it was way shorter than I expected!

I'm really looking forward to reading book two and seeing what else could possibly happen!

[whisperingchapters]

*reaches ending* WHAT?! You're kidding, right? Ha! Okay.
I need that second book NOW!!!!

[cornerfolds]

Read more of my reviews at Cornerfolds.com!

*Review to come!*

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

[shannonmiz]

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

This was interesting. I went from "hmm I am not sure about this" to "need book two NOW, please and thank you" pretty quickly. It was a slow start- and kind of weird, if I am being honest. I also wasn't sure about the likelihood that parents would sign their kids up for this with it being so unknown, but I guess if you're desperate... I certainly can't judge. The science part of it I didn't fully get- nor do I know if I was supposed to, but it didn't really matter. All that matters is that the author made clear that the stakes are very, very high. This could result in death, this was no joke.

The characters were great too, and we got to see inside their minds so much while they were "dreaming". And I don't want to say a ton, because I am afraid that I'd spoil stuff, but it was a very unique way to get to know characters. There was some unbelivibility, especially when it came to letting the random med student stay in the room when stuff started going haywire. But, even though it was a little "off", her POV was essential, so it didn't bother me.

There were some amazing twists too that I definitely hadn't seen coming, and the book kept me guessing the whole time. I am seriously excited for the second book, because I have no idea what the endgame is and I love that!

Bottom Line: After a slightly shaky start, I got really, really hooked on this book. It was very unique and wholly consuming, and I am eager to read the sequel!

*Copy provided for review