Wednesday, September 18, 2019

#BookReview: Dream Keeper (The Dark Dreamer Trilogy #1) by @AmberR_Duell #Giveaway


Synopsis: The Sandman is seventeen-year-old Nora’s closest friend and best-kept secret. He has to be, if she doesn’t want a one-way ticket back to the psychiatrist. It took her too long to learn not to mention the hooded figure in her dreams to her mother, who still watches Nora as if she’ll crack. So when Nora’s friends start mysteriously dying gruesome deaths in their sleep, she isn’t altogether surprised when the police direct their suspicion at her. The Sandman is the only one she can turn to for answers. But the truth might be more than she bargained for…

For the last five years, the Sandman has spent every night protecting Nora. When he hid the secret to the Nightmare Lord’s escape inside her dreams, he never expected to fall in love with her. Neither did he think his nemesis would find her so quickly, but there’s no mistaking his cruel handiwork. The Nightmare Lord is tired of playing by the rules and will do anything to release his deadly nightmares into the world, even if that means tormenting Nora until she breaks.

When the Nightmare Lord kidnaps Nora’s sister, Nora must enter enemy territory to save her. The Sandman is determined to help, but if Nora isn’t careful, she could lose even more than her family to the darkness.

(Please note: This story contains vivid death scenes.)


Add to Goodreads
Buy from Amazon

About the Author: Amber R. Duell is a native of Central New York but currently lives in Mississippi with her husband and two sons. She survives on caffeine and baked goods. When not reading or writing, she enjoys snowboarding, embroidering, staying up way too late to research genealogy, and discovering real-life adventures.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
My Review: When I started this one I wasn't to sure what I was going to get.  I have to say that I really love the cover but not after reading the title, I kind of wished they would have done something else with it.  For me I would have loved to see the sands of the beach and then Nora standing facing the darkness in the horizon with a sword at her side glowing red. It would give us a lot of detail from the story and really make you understand how kick butt Nora is!!  But alas that is not the cover that we got. 


The story kicks off with us learning that Nora has seen the Sandman since she was 12 and she used to tell her family about him. Only to be put on meds and having to see doctors etc.  So she learned quickly to keep him to herself. After reading that I thought this was going to turn into a title where Nora ends up in the loony-bin.  Which I am really glad that didn't happen.  That loony-bin troupe is so overdone.  So what did we get in this one?  Well let me tell you!!! 

This story was one that I won't soon forget! It was the perfect blend of contemporary and fantasy and I fell so hard for Nora and the Sandman!! The writing was simple but descriptive and although I do believe that this was geared toward a slightly younger audience I loved the simplicity of the writing.  It was very easy to read and follow which was a nice change.  As the story unfolds we learn that Nora isn't a damsel in destress! She could hold her own and she was out to save her family and the world.  

The dual POV worked out very well as we learned more about the world from both Nora and the Sandman.  With the Waking World and the World of Dreams and Nightmares.  I have to say that the world building in this one was all about the otherworld and the author did a fabulous job bringing it to life. Towards the end of this story the World of Nightmares really reminded me a lot of Wonderland.   

The ending of this one ended in a way that it turned me on my head and killed me.  I didn't see it coming at all. And I need book two NOW!!  

Overall, this one was pretty perfect in my eyes.  I loved every aspect of the story and the characters.  I flew through it in just over 3 hours and I could not put it down! 

This book in three words: True Love, Dreams, Hope
Favorite Quotes: 

"The sandman was my anchor, holding me firm when life tried to wash me out to sea. Without him....I swallowed hard. Without him I would be a ship without sails."

"Wasn't there some sort of sister code about this stuff?  Her baby pictures were so coming out the next time Jen came over for dinner, especially the one where she decided to go streaking down out street when she was two.

"You had me steal nightmares?" My jaw hung open, and I lightly punched his shoulder. "Are you crazy? Why would you let me do that?"

"I'll never be able to break your heart without breaking my own." 











Did you know that comments are DELICIOUS? Well they are and if you comment on any of these posts you could win some awesome goodies! 


Don't forget to check out our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and out other social media found on the side bar! 



 Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."  Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. Buying via these links allows my site to get a % of the sale at no cost to you. 

FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. If am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored. 




0 comments:

Post a Comment

Hateful and Unrelated Comments Will Be Deleted. Anonymous comments are invalid to enter into giveaways.