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Dreambound
In this thrilling contemporary fantasy novel, a father must uncover the secret magical underbelly of Los Angeles to find his daughter, who has seemingly disappeared into the fictional universe of her favorite fantasy series.
When Byron Kidd's twelve-year-old daughter vanishes, the only clue left behind is a note claiming she's taken off to explore the Hidden World, a magical land from a series of popular novels. She is not the only child to seek out this imaginary realm in recent years, and Byron—a cynical and hard-nosed reporter—is determined to discover the whereabouts of dozens of missing kids.
Byron secures a high-profile interview with Annabelle Tobin, the eccentric author of the books, and heads off to her palatial home in the Hollywood Hills. But the truth Byron discovers is more fantastical than he ever could have dreamed.
As he uncovers locations from the books that seem to be bleeding into the real world, he must shed his doubts and dive headfirst into the mystical secrets of Los Angeles if he ever hopes to reunite with his child. Soon Byron finds himself on his own epic journey—but if he's not careful, he could be the next one to disappear...
Told through journal entries, transcripts, emails, and excerpts from Tobin's novels, Dreambound is a spellbinding homage to Los Angeles and an immersive
When Byron Kidd's twelve-year-old daughter vanishes, the only clue left behind is a note claiming she's taken off to explore the Hidden World, a magical land from a series of popular novels. She is not the only child to seek out this imaginary realm in recent years, and Byron—a cynical and hard-nosed reporter—is determined to discover the whereabouts of dozens of missing kids.
Byron secures a high-profile interview with Annabelle Tobin, the eccentric author of the books, and heads off to her palatial home in the Hollywood Hills. But the truth Byron discovers is more fantastical than he ever could have dreamed.
As he uncovers locations from the books that seem to be bleeding into the real world, he must shed his doubts and dive headfirst into the mystical secrets of Los Angeles if he ever hopes to reunite with his child. Soon Byron finds himself on his own epic journey—but if he's not careful, he could be the next one to disappear...
Told through journal entries, transcripts, emails, and excerpts from Tobin's novels, Dreambound is a spellbinding homage to Los Angeles and an immersive
400 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
August 3, 2023
Dreambound follows Byron Kidd as he attempts to unravel the mystery of his twelve-year-old daughter’s disappearance. His investigation takes him from the east coast to Los Angeles and throws him into a twisted web of fantastical stories and secrets. The story is told through mixed media elements, including emails, interview transcripts, and Byron’s investigative notes.
My opinions on this novel are clearly in the minority at the time of writing this review. The story, writing, and characters very much work for a lot of readers, but it all was just very much not for me.
Our protagonist, Byron, is self-righteous, egotistical, and misogynistic. While watching other people - actors, writers, and directors - do their actual jobs, he writes in his notes that the room stank of desperation. He’s doing real work, of course, but everyone else doing their jobs is just desperate. He tells a female character, who is at this point mostly just a stranger, that she should “get over herself” and “do it already” in reference to having a baby. Just do it already. This is after the character tells him that she’s not ready to have children yet. But sure, just suck it up and do it already. Byron also implies that having a child can alleviate anxiety and depression and give someone a purpose in life. Seems like a pretty bold statement and also a pretty terrible reason to become a parent, but maybe that's just me.
There are also some other little misogynistic nuggets tucked throughout the book. One female character is described as an adult with an absurd obsession with children’s toys and stories. Another, the author of the books at the center of the mystery, implies that it is strange that grown women have tattoos from her books. A third is really just an archetype of a “dumb blonde,” who collects crystals, drinks smoothies, and uses the word “like” in every other sentence. At one point, while looking at photos of his 12 year old daughter, Byron muses that, while she was beautiful, she didn’t have a “beyond-her-years sultriness” that her peers used to “attract male attention.” Byron also says that he’s proud of his daughter for not needing to be sexualized at her age. He’s writing this in his investigative notes. About 12 year old girls. What 12 year old girl asks for men to sexualize them? No, thank you.
The mixed media storytelling is a really interesting style. At the start, it made the novel a compulsive and quick read, as things moved quickly through emails and forum/Reddit posts. However, a lot of the entries felt tonally off to me. Emails between (somewhat estranged) spouses begin with incredibly professional phrases: Hope that you’re well; I’m writing to share. Are you writing to your boss or someone you share a child with, because I honestly can’t tell. The investigative notes started to feel a bit like just a place to get big chunks of narrative in, including Byron’s morning routine and his commutes across LA. Byron also kept having to tell himself to stick to the facts in his own investigative notes. I wish he had taken his own advice before he lamented about driving in LA for the third time.
The pacing was slow, with the majority of the action and story ramping up in the last 20% of the book. The middle was filled with Byron calling women quirky for having hobbies and trying to bribe, blackmail, and threaten people into giving him information. The ending was predictable by the time it finally happened.
Overall, I wish I’d had a better time with Dreambound. I’ve enjoyed mixed media storytelling in the past and the synopsis sounded very interesting. There were just too many glaring issues for me to have anything but an uncomfortable at best and infuriating at worst time with this one.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Del Rey Books and NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My opinions on this novel are clearly in the minority at the time of writing this review. The story, writing, and characters very much work for a lot of readers, but it all was just very much not for me.
Our protagonist, Byron, is self-righteous, egotistical, and misogynistic. While watching other people - actors, writers, and directors - do their actual jobs, he writes in his notes that the room stank of desperation. He’s doing real work, of course, but everyone else doing their jobs is just desperate. He tells a female character, who is at this point mostly just a stranger, that she should “get over herself” and “do it already” in reference to having a baby. Just do it already. This is after the character tells him that she’s not ready to have children yet. But sure, just suck it up and do it already. Byron also implies that having a child can alleviate anxiety and depression and give someone a purpose in life. Seems like a pretty bold statement and also a pretty terrible reason to become a parent, but maybe that's just me.
There are also some other little misogynistic nuggets tucked throughout the book. One female character is described as an adult with an absurd obsession with children’s toys and stories. Another, the author of the books at the center of the mystery, implies that it is strange that grown women have tattoos from her books. A third is really just an archetype of a “dumb blonde,” who collects crystals, drinks smoothies, and uses the word “like” in every other sentence. At one point, while looking at photos of his 12 year old daughter, Byron muses that, while she was beautiful, she didn’t have a “beyond-her-years sultriness” that her peers used to “attract male attention.” Byron also says that he’s proud of his daughter for not needing to be sexualized at her age. He’s writing this in his investigative notes. About 12 year old girls. What 12 year old girl asks for men to sexualize them? No, thank you.
The mixed media storytelling is a really interesting style. At the start, it made the novel a compulsive and quick read, as things moved quickly through emails and forum/Reddit posts. However, a lot of the entries felt tonally off to me. Emails between (somewhat estranged) spouses begin with incredibly professional phrases: Hope that you’re well; I’m writing to share. Are you writing to your boss or someone you share a child with, because I honestly can’t tell. The investigative notes started to feel a bit like just a place to get big chunks of narrative in, including Byron’s morning routine and his commutes across LA. Byron also kept having to tell himself to stick to the facts in his own investigative notes. I wish he had taken his own advice before he lamented about driving in LA for the third time.
The pacing was slow, with the majority of the action and story ramping up in the last 20% of the book. The middle was filled with Byron calling women quirky for having hobbies and trying to bribe, blackmail, and threaten people into giving him information. The ending was predictable by the time it finally happened.
Overall, I wish I’d had a better time with Dreambound. I’ve enjoyed mixed media storytelling in the past and the synopsis sounded very interesting. There were just too many glaring issues for me to have anything but an uncomfortable at best and infuriating at worst time with this one.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Del Rey Books and NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2024
I picked this up a) on the strength of a glowing review at Strange Horizons and b) because I thought it was mixed media. Strictly speaking, it’s mostly epistolary, switching between diary entries and emails as it tracks a father’s determined search for his 12-year-old daughter. The missing girl, Liza, was obsessed with ‘the Hidden World’, the setting of her favourite fantasy series, and it’s these books (and their enigmatic author) that prove key to untangling what happened to her. I can never resist something that has plot points like ‘person follows clue to to place and ends up in a weird museum’, and Dreambound combines that with whimsical fantasy – something I wouldn’t usually enjoy, but here it gives the narrative an edge, makes the book feel like something fresh. Pure fun with a big heart.
September 18, 2023
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/09/18/...
Dan Frey seems to have a preference for the epistolary format, and to that I say: More power to him! If henceforth all his novels are going to be written in this style, I would certainly continue to eat them up. Clearly, he knows what he’s doing. Much like his previous book, The Future Is Yours (which I adored!) his newest work Dreambound felt surprisingly well-suited for this distinctive approach to storytelling. And in this one, he’s even upped the ante, pushing the boundaries creativity and suspense.
First, the scene is set. Byron Kidd is the protagonist of this tale, an award-winning investigative journalist whose personal mantra has always been “Stick to the facts.” And before she went missing six months ago, his 12-year-old daughter Liza had been the opposite. Possessed of a vivid imagination, the young girl loved things like make-believe and reading fantasy books. Like millions of fans around the world, she had been obsessed with the massively popular Fairy Tale series written by the elusive author Annabelle Tobin. In fact, Byron suspects the books may have something to do with why Liza disappeared.
Unfortunately, it’s a theory no one will take seriously. Never mind that Liza’s disappearance isn’t the only one that has been connected to the Fairy Tale books. All around the world, reports have surfaced of young readers of Annabelle Tobin’s beloved series going missing—dozens of them—but most have dismissed these as coincidences or called those trying to link them conspiracy theorists. Undeterred, Byron decides to do his own digging and write his own piece, going against the advice of his publisher. Ever since Liza vanished, his marriage has also deteriorated. His wife Val, believing their daughter is dead, has all but moved on and won’t support what she feels is his unhealthy denial.
But Byron feels deep down in his gut that Liza is still alive. He has but one clue to go on, a brief ping from his daughter’s cellphone from Los Angeles, not long after she disappeared. The police explained that the phone was likely stolen, but to Byron, the location cannot be an accident. If there’s any truth to the wild speculations he’s read online, all the missing children were trying to find the Hidden World, the magical land of the Fairy Tale books. It would make sense that they would start in L.A., as that is where Annabelle Tobin lives. Ever the pragmatic man though, he still believes there is a perfectly rational explanation to the disappearances. Discovering the truth, however, will turn his world upside down.
I’ve aways been a big fan of epistolary novels because when done well, they can be incredibly immersive and addictive. This is why I loved Dreambound. Like I said, Dan Frey knows exactly how to utilize the format to great effect, creating something interesting and amazing on every page. Through Byron’s personal notes, written in an almost stream-of-consciousness style, we were able to glean so much—of not only what was going on in the story, but also what was happening inside the frenzied mind of our protagonist. All his observations, delivered in rapid succession, painted a picture of a man who was very good at his job, yet the jumble of agitated, fevered thoughts also suggested a desperate father who was barely holding onto his sanity.
Other pieces of documentation, like email exchanges, excerpts from news articles, forum discussions, and even fanfiction, came together to build the world around our characters—brilliantly playing upon readers’ own knowledge and experiences of pop culture and fandom. From Star Wars to Lord of the Rings to Twilight to Harry Potter and beyond, crazes may come and go, but the energy from the communities that form around them have a certain kind of power. In a way, this is what Dreambound seeks to explore: What if there was a magical connection between the Fairy Tale books and the real world? Could the collective enthusiasm and shared beliefs of its readers somehow bring the Hidden World to life, opening the way to a select few—the ones who believe in it the most, as it were?
Granted, this is not a particularly new idea, especially if you read a lot of portal fantasy, but this was certainly one of the most remarkable and fun ways I’ve seen an author go about it. And sometimes, that’s what’s most important. I needed Dreambound to come along when it did, and because it was such an entertaining read, I could give it no less than full marks. Highly recommended for lovers of “books about books” who are looking for a fast-paced part fantasy and part mystery adventure delivered in a unique way.
Dan Frey seems to have a preference for the epistolary format, and to that I say: More power to him! If henceforth all his novels are going to be written in this style, I would certainly continue to eat them up. Clearly, he knows what he’s doing. Much like his previous book, The Future Is Yours (which I adored!) his newest work Dreambound felt surprisingly well-suited for this distinctive approach to storytelling. And in this one, he’s even upped the ante, pushing the boundaries creativity and suspense.
First, the scene is set. Byron Kidd is the protagonist of this tale, an award-winning investigative journalist whose personal mantra has always been “Stick to the facts.” And before she went missing six months ago, his 12-year-old daughter Liza had been the opposite. Possessed of a vivid imagination, the young girl loved things like make-believe and reading fantasy books. Like millions of fans around the world, she had been obsessed with the massively popular Fairy Tale series written by the elusive author Annabelle Tobin. In fact, Byron suspects the books may have something to do with why Liza disappeared.
Unfortunately, it’s a theory no one will take seriously. Never mind that Liza’s disappearance isn’t the only one that has been connected to the Fairy Tale books. All around the world, reports have surfaced of young readers of Annabelle Tobin’s beloved series going missing—dozens of them—but most have dismissed these as coincidences or called those trying to link them conspiracy theorists. Undeterred, Byron decides to do his own digging and write his own piece, going against the advice of his publisher. Ever since Liza vanished, his marriage has also deteriorated. His wife Val, believing their daughter is dead, has all but moved on and won’t support what she feels is his unhealthy denial.
But Byron feels deep down in his gut that Liza is still alive. He has but one clue to go on, a brief ping from his daughter’s cellphone from Los Angeles, not long after she disappeared. The police explained that the phone was likely stolen, but to Byron, the location cannot be an accident. If there’s any truth to the wild speculations he’s read online, all the missing children were trying to find the Hidden World, the magical land of the Fairy Tale books. It would make sense that they would start in L.A., as that is where Annabelle Tobin lives. Ever the pragmatic man though, he still believes there is a perfectly rational explanation to the disappearances. Discovering the truth, however, will turn his world upside down.
I’ve aways been a big fan of epistolary novels because when done well, they can be incredibly immersive and addictive. This is why I loved Dreambound. Like I said, Dan Frey knows exactly how to utilize the format to great effect, creating something interesting and amazing on every page. Through Byron’s personal notes, written in an almost stream-of-consciousness style, we were able to glean so much—of not only what was going on in the story, but also what was happening inside the frenzied mind of our protagonist. All his observations, delivered in rapid succession, painted a picture of a man who was very good at his job, yet the jumble of agitated, fevered thoughts also suggested a desperate father who was barely holding onto his sanity.
Other pieces of documentation, like email exchanges, excerpts from news articles, forum discussions, and even fanfiction, came together to build the world around our characters—brilliantly playing upon readers’ own knowledge and experiences of pop culture and fandom. From Star Wars to Lord of the Rings to Twilight to Harry Potter and beyond, crazes may come and go, but the energy from the communities that form around them have a certain kind of power. In a way, this is what Dreambound seeks to explore: What if there was a magical connection between the Fairy Tale books and the real world? Could the collective enthusiasm and shared beliefs of its readers somehow bring the Hidden World to life, opening the way to a select few—the ones who believe in it the most, as it were?
Granted, this is not a particularly new idea, especially if you read a lot of portal fantasy, but this was certainly one of the most remarkable and fun ways I’ve seen an author go about it. And sometimes, that’s what’s most important. I needed Dreambound to come along when it did, and because it was such an entertaining read, I could give it no less than full marks. Highly recommended for lovers of “books about books” who are looking for a fast-paced part fantasy and part mystery adventure delivered in a unique way.
August 16, 2023
“As humans, we are desperate to be seen. But if we’re not careful, we can warp the world in ways we might not like. Which means we ought to be more mindful about which stories we tell.”
Foremost, the cover of this book is gorgeous. It’s initially what caught my eye and garnered my interest. I am most definitely one who tends to (sometimes unfortunately, but in this case, fortunately) judge a book by its cover, so whoever designed this book deserves the highest of kudos.
Secondly, the way that this book was written was really enjoyable for me. I loved the different formats, and the way that the journal entries were written more as thoughts rather than interests. There were some sentences, or rather “thoughts” I suppose, that were marked through. They seemed to be darker thoughts or things that the main character Byron changed his mind about thinking. This was super relatable for me as I tend to think this way as well. I sometimes will think something in my head that may not be the nicest thing or may be a bit “dark”, and then immediately feel bad or also think to myself “what I ACTUALLY meant was…”. Byron seemed to write in his journal this way a lot, and I just really felt validated by that knowing I’m not the only person who does this. That’s not necessarily a major deal pertaining to this book, but it was for me personally.
Third of all, I want to touch on the dedication this author has to Los Angeles. From reading this, as someone who has never traveled to LA, I was pretty easily able to picture everything that was described out. I was able to paint a pretty clear map in my head of the city, as well as the fantastical world the city was based on. This automatically earns a lot of respect from me, as I can tell the author really did their research and paid great homage to this city.
Finally, I do want to say that the characters themselves were not my favorites. I just personally was not able to connect with any of them, other than the way Byron wrote in his journal. Even with that I feel myself more connected to the author rather than the character themselves. Other than that, I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book. It was a super enjoyable read and I would recommend this to any person who loves fantasy and to any parents of younger children. I definitely see this book making it into my top 10 favorites of the year, and maybe even my top 5.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Foremost, the cover of this book is gorgeous. It’s initially what caught my eye and garnered my interest. I am most definitely one who tends to (sometimes unfortunately, but in this case, fortunately) judge a book by its cover, so whoever designed this book deserves the highest of kudos.
Secondly, the way that this book was written was really enjoyable for me. I loved the different formats, and the way that the journal entries were written more as thoughts rather than interests. There were some sentences, or rather “thoughts” I suppose, that were marked through. They seemed to be darker thoughts or things that the main character Byron changed his mind about thinking. This was super relatable for me as I tend to think this way as well. I sometimes will think something in my head that may not be the nicest thing or may be a bit “dark”, and then immediately feel bad or also think to myself “what I ACTUALLY meant was…”. Byron seemed to write in his journal this way a lot, and I just really felt validated by that knowing I’m not the only person who does this. That’s not necessarily a major deal pertaining to this book, but it was for me personally.
Third of all, I want to touch on the dedication this author has to Los Angeles. From reading this, as someone who has never traveled to LA, I was pretty easily able to picture everything that was described out. I was able to paint a pretty clear map in my head of the city, as well as the fantastical world the city was based on. This automatically earns a lot of respect from me, as I can tell the author really did their research and paid great homage to this city.
Finally, I do want to say that the characters themselves were not my favorites. I just personally was not able to connect with any of them, other than the way Byron wrote in his journal. Even with that I feel myself more connected to the author rather than the character themselves. Other than that, I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book. It was a super enjoyable read and I would recommend this to any person who loves fantasy and to any parents of younger children. I definitely see this book making it into my top 10 favorites of the year, and maybe even my top 5.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 27, 2023
QUICK TAKE: cool concept, iffy execution. I don't have issues with Frey and his take on an epistolary (seems to be his kinda thing), but this is basically a fantasy version of STRANGER THINGS, but if Leigh Bardugo created the upside down. I would have liked a bit more magical realism, and the ending felt a bit rushed. However, there was enough here to keep me entertained and turning pages. I'd be curious to see what he does next.
March 27, 2023
Remember when a great fantasy novel took you away? Did you look in your closet as a kid and hope to find the door to Narnia?
Dreambound is an homage to those stories and those feelings. A thrilling adventure against the backdrop of LA, we follow Byron Kidd as he tries. to locate his missing 12 year old daughter Liza.
Liza fell in love with the Harry Potteresque fairy tales of a reclusive author and left home to find their world. The very fact driven, unemotional and logical Byron is doing his best to follow her trail. Dan Frey masterfully blends fairy tales, transcripts, portions of the infamous books and retelling of old and ancient lore. You will be transported into this world and truly wonder if you ever come out. If you like tales of the fey, thrilling magic but have at least one foot in our current "real word" this story is for you! #RandomHouse #Dreambound #DanFrey
Dreambound is an homage to those stories and those feelings. A thrilling adventure against the backdrop of LA, we follow Byron Kidd as he tries. to locate his missing 12 year old daughter Liza.
Liza fell in love with the Harry Potteresque fairy tales of a reclusive author and left home to find their world. The very fact driven, unemotional and logical Byron is doing his best to follow her trail. Dan Frey masterfully blends fairy tales, transcripts, portions of the infamous books and retelling of old and ancient lore. You will be transported into this world and truly wonder if you ever come out. If you like tales of the fey, thrilling magic but have at least one foot in our current "real word" this story is for you! #RandomHouse #Dreambound #DanFrey
March 8, 2023
3.5 stars. Full review to come closer to publication date.
October 2, 2023
Ok, look.....something shady is going on with goodreads. I do not buy all these 5 star reviews for a second. I'm seriously confused.
Our main character in this story is a horrible person. He is absolutely insufferable. He bitches and complains about literally everything and everyone he comes in contact with. Not to mention the constant sexism!
Even if I were to put all that aside and concentrate on the story I'm not sure who this is marketed for. If your already a fan of fantasy and fairy tales then you will figure things out pretty quickly and the main character will (should) bug the shit out of you and take you out of the fantasy element of things completely. If your not a fan of fantasy or fairy tales then I don't know why you would read it. Either way apparently I'm wrong because this has so many 5 star ratings.
Our main character in this story is a horrible person. He is absolutely insufferable. He bitches and complains about literally everything and everyone he comes in contact with. Not to mention the constant sexism!
Even if I were to put all that aside and concentrate on the story I'm not sure who this is marketed for. If your already a fan of fantasy and fairy tales then you will figure things out pretty quickly and the main character will (should) bug the shit out of you and take you out of the fantasy element of things completely. If your not a fan of fantasy or fairy tales then I don't know why you would read it. Either way apparently I'm wrong because this has so many 5 star ratings.
September 12, 2023
A terrific, twisty journey into the world of fantasy fandom... and into the fantasy world itself. This story of a father's desperate search for his missing daughter explores the power of stories and belief, and is a complex, compelling read.
August 31, 2023
This is my second book by Dan Frey, and I enjoyed it. Byron Kidd is a journalist whose daughter goes missing. She leaves a note saying she's going to the Hidden World, which is a universe in a series of YA books called the Fairy Tale series.
Byron, who thinks fantasy novels, fan fic, and cosplay are a waste of time, is disbelieving of the idea that someone could enter a fictional world. However, if he wants his daughter back, he will need to reexamine those beliefs.
I liked the format this was told in. It is in the form of emails, texts, journal notes, and interview transcripts. The pacing was decent. It does get really long-winded here and there. Many of the characters were unlikable and didn't necessarily redeem themselves. I would recommend to those who like contemporary fantasy and YA fantasy.
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, Del Rey, author Dan Frey, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
Byron, who thinks fantasy novels, fan fic, and cosplay are a waste of time, is disbelieving of the idea that someone could enter a fictional world. However, if he wants his daughter back, he will need to reexamine those beliefs.
I liked the format this was told in. It is in the form of emails, texts, journal notes, and interview transcripts. The pacing was decent. It does get really long-winded here and there. Many of the characters were unlikable and didn't necessarily redeem themselves. I would recommend to those who like contemporary fantasy and YA fantasy.
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, Del Rey, author Dan Frey, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
August 27, 2023
When I started this book, my first thought was that believability was going to be stretched beyond the limit - and I was spot on. That said, count me as one who took a deep breath (make that two or three) and decided to go along for the ride.
And what a ride it is! Part Peter Pan, part Harry Potter, part Narnia and all fantasy with roots in reality, it really blew me away. One big reason is the unique presentation: Written as a cleverly composed compilation of notes, interviews, emails, book excerpts and other interactions between Bryon and other characters, it's far from any of the standard writing styles common to most books. Basically, it follows the frantic attempts of successful writer/reporter Byron James (nee Kidd) to find his 12-year-old daughter Liza. The girl, it seems, left a note, meaningfully stashed in her favorite fantasy book, to inform her parents that she was leaving home to find her way to "the end of the world." Byron and his wife Val are devastated, of course, but Bryan - knowing that several other children have gone missing in similar fashion and never been found - takes it to a whole new level by vowing to find her and bring her back.
Not a little of his intensity is born of guilt; he blames himself for failing to give Liza the attention she deserved and not supporting her strong beliefs in the fantasy world she clearly loved. And, his attempts to win Val over to his assertion that Liza is still alive fall mostly on deaf ears; separated from Byron and in therapy after Liza's disappearance six months earlier, she's struggling to come to terms with her grief and isn't inclined to drag things out any longer. And that brings up another point: while Bryon's dogged determination to find Liza is commendable, he's not the most lovable of heroes. Put another way, his controlling, misogynistic attitudes make it easy to see why he no longer has a wife and daughter. Still, there remains a clear and present danger to Liza - and there are some signs that he's trying for an attitude adjustment - so (insert a couple more deep breaths here) I gave him a pass.
Early on, Bryon concludes that the author of Liza's favorite books, Annabelle Tobin, is central to the disappearance. The wildly popular series has spawned a huge following, right down to an annual event similar to Comic Con. Now, all those fans are clammoring for the sixth, and final book, to be completed; but so far, Annabelle's promises to produce are empty and the author has become a virtual recluse. Just to land a meeting with her, then, is the first significant hurdle Bryon must overcome. The rest of the story follows Byron's progress - complete with gains, setbacks and near disasters - as he tries to follow the path Liza took to get wherever she went and, hopefully, find that she's still alive, able and willing to come back home. Loved it - and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing a pre-release copy.
And what a ride it is! Part Peter Pan, part Harry Potter, part Narnia and all fantasy with roots in reality, it really blew me away. One big reason is the unique presentation: Written as a cleverly composed compilation of notes, interviews, emails, book excerpts and other interactions between Bryon and other characters, it's far from any of the standard writing styles common to most books. Basically, it follows the frantic attempts of successful writer/reporter Byron James (nee Kidd) to find his 12-year-old daughter Liza. The girl, it seems, left a note, meaningfully stashed in her favorite fantasy book, to inform her parents that she was leaving home to find her way to "the end of the world." Byron and his wife Val are devastated, of course, but Bryan - knowing that several other children have gone missing in similar fashion and never been found - takes it to a whole new level by vowing to find her and bring her back.
Not a little of his intensity is born of guilt; he blames himself for failing to give Liza the attention she deserved and not supporting her strong beliefs in the fantasy world she clearly loved. And, his attempts to win Val over to his assertion that Liza is still alive fall mostly on deaf ears; separated from Byron and in therapy after Liza's disappearance six months earlier, she's struggling to come to terms with her grief and isn't inclined to drag things out any longer. And that brings up another point: while Bryon's dogged determination to find Liza is commendable, he's not the most lovable of heroes. Put another way, his controlling, misogynistic attitudes make it easy to see why he no longer has a wife and daughter. Still, there remains a clear and present danger to Liza - and there are some signs that he's trying for an attitude adjustment - so (insert a couple more deep breaths here) I gave him a pass.
Early on, Bryon concludes that the author of Liza's favorite books, Annabelle Tobin, is central to the disappearance. The wildly popular series has spawned a huge following, right down to an annual event similar to Comic Con. Now, all those fans are clammoring for the sixth, and final book, to be completed; but so far, Annabelle's promises to produce are empty and the author has become a virtual recluse. Just to land a meeting with her, then, is the first significant hurdle Bryon must overcome. The rest of the story follows Byron's progress - complete with gains, setbacks and near disasters - as he tries to follow the path Liza took to get wherever she went and, hopefully, find that she's still alive, able and willing to come back home. Loved it - and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing a pre-release copy.
September 27, 2023
This might be my most favorite book that I have read this year, and if I happen to read something better in the few months left in the year than it will be the best portal fantasy book I have ever read. The author uses a mixed media format to deliver an incredibly well thought out and heartfelt story of a father’s quest to find his missing daughter. Byron Kidd is an investigative journalist who uncovers his daughter’s “goodbye” letter tucked inside of her favorite fantasy book series. Unable to believe that his daughter would just run away from home he begins to investigate things and discovers hundreds of missing kids all tied to the book series. Byron travels to the last place his daughter’s cell phone pinged, Los Angeles, which also happens to be the home of Annabelle Tobin, the Eccentric author of the book series at the center of it all. The more Byron uncovers the more the lines between fiction and reality begin to blur. The book reads like a fast-paced thriller, but still managed to have me bawling my eyes out by the last page. I would recommend this book to everyone I know.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing group- Ballantine, Del Rey for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. This book is now available to pick up at your local independent bookshop.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing group- Ballantine, Del Rey for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. This book is now available to pick up at your local independent bookshop.
August 22, 2023
WOW...I really fell for this one.
It reads so fast you don’t really notice the writing, the words. Is that good? Bad? In this case it is irrelevant whether the writing is brilliant or poetic or whatever, because you so want to find out what happens next. Now that it is over I think there is a fair amount of cliched parts, sometimes clumsy or unnatural dialog.
Maybe there is some improbable character development. Maybe. But he gives you something to hold onto in the story to ease over any of that. I see some reviews feel there is some misogyny, and I think I see what them mean. BUT it is “light” misogyny. So not perfect.
However it is a LOT of fun. Plus to feel that longing to get back to reading a book as soon as you can just to see what comes next. THAT is a great feeling.
One final point….i have said before in my reviews I am kind of a cynical curmudgeon, so it is odd that I recognize the author’s maudlin storytelling as it goes by, YET I love it and suddenly I am crying at father/daughter emotional interplay ( even though I have no daughter and am not a father). So yeah, this book turned me into a crybaby at the end
I got this from NetGalley so thanks to them
addendum: I remembered I meant to add this scene where the two main characters are talking about traditional folktales or just stories involving a rescue. Byron is the father and Misha the young hip scholar on fairy tales.
MISHA: But there aren’t that many parent-rescues-child stories. There are more of the other way around! In “Beauty and the Beast,” it’s Belle that rescues her father, and in the Grimm story “The Carnation,” it’s the son who rescues his mother. But dad-rescuing-kid is all over the movies of the last thirty years.
So the question that interests me is…why? What changed?
BYRON: Maybe us modern dads are just better. More connected to our kids. And we like to imagine that if shit went down, we could save the ones we love.
MISHA: I kinda think it’s the opposite. That modern dads are full of guilt, ’cause they all work too much, and modern kids all feel abandoned. | Location 2041-2044
I don't know if it "meta" or what, but from a quick web search I think he is a new father. Just makes you think.
It reads so fast you don’t really notice the writing, the words. Is that good? Bad? In this case it is irrelevant whether the writing is brilliant or poetic or whatever, because you so want to find out what happens next. Now that it is over I think there is a fair amount of cliched parts, sometimes clumsy or unnatural dialog.
Maybe there is some improbable character development. Maybe. But he gives you something to hold onto in the story to ease over any of that. I see some reviews feel there is some misogyny, and I think I see what them mean. BUT it is “light” misogyny. So not perfect.
However it is a LOT of fun. Plus to feel that longing to get back to reading a book as soon as you can just to see what comes next. THAT is a great feeling.
One final point….i have said before in my reviews I am kind of a cynical curmudgeon, so it is odd that I recognize the author’s maudlin storytelling as it goes by, YET I love it and suddenly I am crying at father/daughter emotional interplay ( even though I have no daughter and am not a father). So yeah, this book turned me into a crybaby at the end
I got this from NetGalley so thanks to them
addendum: I remembered I meant to add this scene where the two main characters are talking about traditional folktales or just stories involving a rescue. Byron is the father and Misha the young hip scholar on fairy tales.
MISHA: But there aren’t that many parent-rescues-child stories. There are more of the other way around! In “Beauty and the Beast,” it’s Belle that rescues her father, and in the Grimm story “The Carnation,” it’s the son who rescues his mother. But dad-rescuing-kid is all over the movies of the last thirty years.
So the question that interests me is…why? What changed?
BYRON: Maybe us modern dads are just better. More connected to our kids. And we like to imagine that if shit went down, we could save the ones we love.
MISHA: I kinda think it’s the opposite. That modern dads are full of guilt, ’cause they all work too much, and modern kids all feel abandoned. | Location 2041-2044
I don't know if it "meta" or what, but from a quick web search I think he is a new father. Just makes you think.
September 14, 2023
I actually really enjoyed the concept of this story. It reminded me of a fantasy stranger Things, (I did see someone mention that in a previous review and that’s totally accurate but I’m not sure which review said it). I thought it was pretty fun especially with an adult dealing with fairies and fantasies rather than just the child.
The thing that fell short for me was that I hate epistolary formats because it makes me feel disconnected from the story. Maybe that’s just me but I’ve always hated that and didn’t know it was written this way. That being said I did like this but the letters made it less enjoyable for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
The thing that fell short for me was that I hate epistolary formats because it makes me feel disconnected from the story. Maybe that’s just me but I’ve always hated that and didn’t know it was written this way. That being said I did like this but the letters made it less enjoyable for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
August 20, 2023
I really wanted to love this. I thought the premise of children disappearing related to a super popular YA portal series was amazing, and I expected this to be a cross of Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series with Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere. And in a way, it was, but unfortunately I found the main character deeply unlikable (thanks mostly to the subtle misogyny that permeates everything he says and does) and, more than that, his actions seemed so random that I couldn’t get comfortable in the story. I’m all for a good redemption arc, but that redemption has to be earned, and it didn’t ring true for me here.
I also think it’s possible that the way the story is told—through journal entries, emails, and recorded interviews—just wasn’t for me and made me feel disconnected from the story.
I’m sure there are other people out there who’ll love this, but the rating here is just my experience with this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House!
I also think it’s possible that the way the story is told—through journal entries, emails, and recorded interviews—just wasn’t for me and made me feel disconnected from the story.
I’m sure there are other people out there who’ll love this, but the rating here is just my experience with this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House!
October 9, 2023
The nitty-gritty: A skillfully constructed story-within-a-story full of emotion, tension and magic, Dreambound is one of my favorite books of the year.
Dreambound is every bit as good as people are saying, and trust me, this is one 2023 release you’re not going to want to miss. Dan Frey has stepped up his game from his last book—The Future is Ours—and created what might be his personal masterpiece. Dreambound has everything I love in a story and much much more, including an epic quest, a flawed hero, an intriguing mystery, tension, heart and even humor, all told in a brilliantly constructed epistolary format. Frey’s narrative consists of journal entries, emails, texts, interviews and more, carefully stitched together to reveal the story of a father who is looking for his lost daughter.
Twelve-year old Liza Kidd disappeared a month ago, leaving behind a cryptic note in her favorite book, Fairy Tale, stating “I’m going to the end of the world and beyond.” The police haven’t helped at all, so Byron Kidd, Liza’s father, decides to find her himself. The only clue he has is a single ping picked up from Liza’s cell phone, coming from Los Angeles, CA. Byron can’t imagine how a twelve-year-old got from Massachusetts to California by herself, but he hops on a plane anyway, desperate to find her. Once he arrives, he tracks the GPS coordinates to Venice Beach, where he stumbles upon the End of the World Museum and irrefutable proof that Liza had been there.
Convinced that her disappearance has something to do with Fairy Tale and the book’s reclusive author Annabelle Tobin, Byron begins his personal investigation by contacting and interviewing everyone connected to the popular fantasy series and its fandom. And what he finds is astonishing. With the help of Misha Pimm, the creator of a popular fan website, Byron uses his investigative journalist skills to uncover the truth, which is far stranger and magical than he could ever imagine.
Not all epistolary novels work, but this one does. In fact, I can’t imagine reading this story any other way. Byron is motivated by his love for Liza, but he’s also a formidable journalist, willing to lie his way into an interview for the sake of finding his daughter. The entire story consists of Byron’s personal investigative journal, interspersed with emails, interviews and snippets from Fairy Tale, all of which drop hints about what happened to Liza—and many other children as well. I loved the contrast between the more formal email exchanges (for instance, between Byron and his wife Val, who refuses to believe that Liza is still alive) and interviews and Byron’s rambling, frantic journal entries. It’s this back and forth among different narrative types that keeps the story flowing and almost impossible to put down.
Because I’ve lived in the Los Angeles area for years, I’m always excited to find an L.A. story that gets things right. Frey lives in Los Angeles and is a screenwriter as well as a novelist, so he’s uniquely qualified to write his own L.A. story, and he nails the vibe perfectly. One of my favorite parts of the book is the way he draws parallels between the city of Los Angeles and the Hidden World, the fantasy realm in the Fairy Tale series. Using such iconic sites as the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Silver Lake, Echo Park and more, Frey weaves a portal fantasy that is both familiar and unfamiliar, otherworldly and down to earth.
And while many “quest” stories revolve around the lost child, like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, Dreambound focuses on Byron’s journey instead of Liza’s, although we do get glimpses into what she’s been through. There is a compelling mystery here, and Frey takes his time with the reveal. Why did Liza leave home in the first place? How does a rare book called The Hidden World figure into Annabelle Tobin’s series? What is the meaning behind a rune tattoo that is popular among Fairy Tale fans? And what’s up with Annabelle’s son Gable, and how is he connected to Liza's disappearance? All these mysteries come together in surprising ways, as Frey weaves fairy lore, mythology and history into his story.
The characters were fantastic as well. Byron is a tough-as-nails journalist, but when it comes to Liza he’s a bundle of emotions. I love that he opens up about his flaws as a father—discouraging Liza from her love of Fairy Tale, for example—and admits it could be why she ran away. When Misha enters the picture, she and Byron form a reluctant partnership when she decides to help him, but they grow to like and respect each other in the end. Annabelle was a fascinating character too, a woman who is struggling with some big secrets and knows way more than you think.
Byron’s journey culminates at FairyCon, the fan convention for Fairy Tale fans, where Annabelle has agreed to speak about the upcoming sixth and final book in her series. Byron and Misha have a dangerous plan, and if they can pull it off, Byron can finally see his daughter again. I thought it was the perfect place to stage the story’s climax, and the ending was exciting, emotional and ultimately satisfying. I wish I could read Dreambound again for the first time, which is the highest praise I can give.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Dreambound is every bit as good as people are saying, and trust me, this is one 2023 release you’re not going to want to miss. Dan Frey has stepped up his game from his last book—The Future is Ours—and created what might be his personal masterpiece. Dreambound has everything I love in a story and much much more, including an epic quest, a flawed hero, an intriguing mystery, tension, heart and even humor, all told in a brilliantly constructed epistolary format. Frey’s narrative consists of journal entries, emails, texts, interviews and more, carefully stitched together to reveal the story of a father who is looking for his lost daughter.
Twelve-year old Liza Kidd disappeared a month ago, leaving behind a cryptic note in her favorite book, Fairy Tale, stating “I’m going to the end of the world and beyond.” The police haven’t helped at all, so Byron Kidd, Liza’s father, decides to find her himself. The only clue he has is a single ping picked up from Liza’s cell phone, coming from Los Angeles, CA. Byron can’t imagine how a twelve-year-old got from Massachusetts to California by herself, but he hops on a plane anyway, desperate to find her. Once he arrives, he tracks the GPS coordinates to Venice Beach, where he stumbles upon the End of the World Museum and irrefutable proof that Liza had been there.
Convinced that her disappearance has something to do with Fairy Tale and the book’s reclusive author Annabelle Tobin, Byron begins his personal investigation by contacting and interviewing everyone connected to the popular fantasy series and its fandom. And what he finds is astonishing. With the help of Misha Pimm, the creator of a popular fan website, Byron uses his investigative journalist skills to uncover the truth, which is far stranger and magical than he could ever imagine.
Not all epistolary novels work, but this one does. In fact, I can’t imagine reading this story any other way. Byron is motivated by his love for Liza, but he’s also a formidable journalist, willing to lie his way into an interview for the sake of finding his daughter. The entire story consists of Byron’s personal investigative journal, interspersed with emails, interviews and snippets from Fairy Tale, all of which drop hints about what happened to Liza—and many other children as well. I loved the contrast between the more formal email exchanges (for instance, between Byron and his wife Val, who refuses to believe that Liza is still alive) and interviews and Byron’s rambling, frantic journal entries. It’s this back and forth among different narrative types that keeps the story flowing and almost impossible to put down.
Because I’ve lived in the Los Angeles area for years, I’m always excited to find an L.A. story that gets things right. Frey lives in Los Angeles and is a screenwriter as well as a novelist, so he’s uniquely qualified to write his own L.A. story, and he nails the vibe perfectly. One of my favorite parts of the book is the way he draws parallels between the city of Los Angeles and the Hidden World, the fantasy realm in the Fairy Tale series. Using such iconic sites as the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Silver Lake, Echo Park and more, Frey weaves a portal fantasy that is both familiar and unfamiliar, otherworldly and down to earth.
And while many “quest” stories revolve around the lost child, like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, Dreambound focuses on Byron’s journey instead of Liza’s, although we do get glimpses into what she’s been through. There is a compelling mystery here, and Frey takes his time with the reveal. Why did Liza leave home in the first place? How does a rare book called The Hidden World figure into Annabelle Tobin’s series? What is the meaning behind a rune tattoo that is popular among Fairy Tale fans? And what’s up with Annabelle’s son Gable, and how is he connected to Liza's disappearance? All these mysteries come together in surprising ways, as Frey weaves fairy lore, mythology and history into his story.
The characters were fantastic as well. Byron is a tough-as-nails journalist, but when it comes to Liza he’s a bundle of emotions. I love that he opens up about his flaws as a father—discouraging Liza from her love of Fairy Tale, for example—and admits it could be why she ran away. When Misha enters the picture, she and Byron form a reluctant partnership when she decides to help him, but they grow to like and respect each other in the end. Annabelle was a fascinating character too, a woman who is struggling with some big secrets and knows way more than you think.
Byron’s journey culminates at FairyCon, the fan convention for Fairy Tale fans, where Annabelle has agreed to speak about the upcoming sixth and final book in her series. Byron and Misha have a dangerous plan, and if they can pull it off, Byron can finally see his daughter again. I thought it was the perfect place to stage the story’s climax, and the ending was exciting, emotional and ultimately satisfying. I wish I could read Dreambound again for the first time, which is the highest praise I can give.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
September 14, 2023
Having read and loved Dan Frey’s The Future is Yours, I knew I wanted to read whatever he came up with next.
As with his last book, Dreambound is written as emails, texts, articles, journals, interviews, etc. It’s described as a thrilling contemporary fantasy book and the description does fit. I do enjoy this writing style which Dan does a good job at while relaying the story.
Byron’s 12 year old daughter, Liza, disappears and is presumed dead. Byron won’t accept this so he ventures to Los Angeles to do whatever it takes to find his daughter and encounters unimaginable things that his brain and heart just won’t accept. Does Fairy Tale actually exist?
About 80% in, the story becomes very full on fantasy with some surprising twists along the way, especially at the end which I enjoyed.
To be honest, I’m more of a science fiction fan, so while Dreambound held my attention as a contemporary fantasy and I did enjoy it overall, I was hoping for more sci-fi from Dan Frey. I do look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
If you’re a fantasy lover, you will enjoy this book!
*Thank you so much to Del Rey Books and NetGalley for the gifted eGalley!*
As with his last book, Dreambound is written as emails, texts, articles, journals, interviews, etc. It’s described as a thrilling contemporary fantasy book and the description does fit. I do enjoy this writing style which Dan does a good job at while relaying the story.
Byron’s 12 year old daughter, Liza, disappears and is presumed dead. Byron won’t accept this so he ventures to Los Angeles to do whatever it takes to find his daughter and encounters unimaginable things that his brain and heart just won’t accept. Does Fairy Tale actually exist?
About 80% in, the story becomes very full on fantasy with some surprising twists along the way, especially at the end which I enjoyed.
To be honest, I’m more of a science fiction fan, so while Dreambound held my attention as a contemporary fantasy and I did enjoy it overall, I was hoping for more sci-fi from Dan Frey. I do look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
If you’re a fantasy lover, you will enjoy this book!
*Thank you so much to Del Rey Books and NetGalley for the gifted eGalley!*
November 4, 2023
I am not the right audience for this book. It’s not the type of fantasy that appeals to me. If you like fairytales (and actual fairies) you will probably enjoy this book more than I did. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
August 31, 2023
This book felt very much like a YA book. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but unexpected when you go into it thinking you are reading an adult book. And, my son (in his 20s) agrees with me. I would be more likely to recommend this book to a younger audience despite the horrible relationship between the parents and the father's excessive drinking. Overall, the father was an unlikeable character for most of the book. The story was provided in a combination of the father's investigative journal, emails, texts, quotes from "source" material, and interviews. I enjoyed this approach. It kept things fresh, especially when it felt like the story was lagging at times. I did not understand why Bryan, the father, crossed things out in his own journal. Theoretically those are his own notes and it doesn't matter if he lets his personal feelings in. He could edit them later. A basic understanding of the general outlines of fantasy and fairy tales would help enhance the reading enjoyment of this book. I also wish more time had been spent in the conclusion of the book. For a 400 page book, it felt like a speedy wrap up after a super long build up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
September 21, 2023
“Dreambound” by Dan Frey-(4 Stars) (Out Now!) is a fun, quick-paced, homage to stories and the power they have to not simply entertain, but become real to millions of readers and generations of listeners.
Positives: This story was told in the form of emails, recording transcripts, story excerpts, and journal entries, and as such the room for interpretation was there, while still guiding the reader through the story with a firm attachment to likable and dynamic characters. The format could be considered the “pieces’ of the story, that a future author can stitch together for a reader, but that’s exactly what every story is at its roots…a skillful and creative patchwork quilt of others stories brought together in new and inventive ways using translations and narratives, snippets and imagery from everything that’s come before. Enjoyed it simple, and have loved the occasional, “wait, that’s just like _____ movie that I watched when I was child in the 1980’s”.
Wish List: Because the story was a story about stories, I occasionally got bogged down in comparisons in my head…”wait, this is playing out just like _____” but that is also one of the positives of this story, and my inability to not hyperfixate on patterns is recognizably my own issue. I also wanted to care a little more about the damsel in distress, but it could be that the only ‘mother’ in this story is NOT one that I would identify with at all, so there were great characters but a single one that I felt similar to. It is also not the author's job to make me feel included, so…no real negatives.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read by netgalley and Del Rey Books. The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #Dreambound #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #delreybooks #DanFrey @delreybooks
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Publishing Review 9/18/2023
Positives: This story was told in the form of emails, recording transcripts, story excerpts, and journal entries, and as such the room for interpretation was there, while still guiding the reader through the story with a firm attachment to likable and dynamic characters. The format could be considered the “pieces’ of the story, that a future author can stitch together for a reader, but that’s exactly what every story is at its roots…a skillful and creative patchwork quilt of others stories brought together in new and inventive ways using translations and narratives, snippets and imagery from everything that’s come before. Enjoyed it simple, and have loved the occasional, “wait, that’s just like _____ movie that I watched when I was child in the 1980’s”.
Wish List: Because the story was a story about stories, I occasionally got bogged down in comparisons in my head…”wait, this is playing out just like _____” but that is also one of the positives of this story, and my inability to not hyperfixate on patterns is recognizably my own issue. I also wanted to care a little more about the damsel in distress, but it could be that the only ‘mother’ in this story is NOT one that I would identify with at all, so there were great characters but a single one that I felt similar to. It is also not the author's job to make me feel included, so…no real negatives.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read by netgalley and Del Rey Books. The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #Dreambound #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #delreybooks #DanFrey @delreybooks
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Publishing Review 9/18/2023
August 30, 2023
After reading Dan Frey's last book, this was very much unexpected. It feels quite YA, but technically the main character is a middle aged man who wasn't present for his daughter as she grew into herself and difficult middle school years. The main point is that a father can GO THERE and meet his daughter where she is. Except not quite because it's all about getting her home. Frey tries to put a bandaid on that with the ending, but it doesnt really work.
Dad starts as an a$$hole. Characters make that explicit for you in case you didnt pick it up. But Frey never really rehabilitates him. He has characters that didnt like him like and support him, but mostly for the greater good or for his daughter. It doesnt solve it.
Add in a Harry Potter level popular female protagonist fantasy book series, a parallel universe where time works differently, and some quite watered down discussions of fan fic for flavor. Throw in a dash of marginal seediness a la The Magicians series. There you have it.
I'm not sure what I expected, but this left me feeling meh, as if it were a rehash of overdone ideas for someone to work out their issues on the difficulty of being a father. If you are on the daddy side of daddy issues, then maybe good for you? I don't see me recommending it widely.
Dad starts as an a$$hole. Characters make that explicit for you in case you didnt pick it up. But Frey never really rehabilitates him. He has characters that didnt like him like and support him, but mostly for the greater good or for his daughter. It doesnt solve it.
Add in a Harry Potter level popular female protagonist fantasy book series, a parallel universe where time works differently, and some quite watered down discussions of fan fic for flavor. Throw in a dash of marginal seediness a la The Magicians series. There you have it.
I'm not sure what I expected, but this left me feeling meh, as if it were a rehash of overdone ideas for someone to work out their issues on the difficulty of being a father. If you are on the daddy side of daddy issues, then maybe good for you? I don't see me recommending it widely.
March 10, 2023
A chaotic mindbender with a heart of gold! - 4.5
What if fantasy novels were closer than they appeared? When 12 year old Liza goes missing, her Father links her disappearance, and others, to a series of kids fantasy books... and goes down a rabbit hole into a greater mystery than he is prepared for.
Ultimately, a redemption story leading to the importance of acceptance, I was swept away by not only the story, but the unique way it was told, a mix of narrative, emails, text exchanges and audio transcriptions.
Great for lovers of Rabbits by Miles and Ready Player One by Cline!
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
What if fantasy novels were closer than they appeared? When 12 year old Liza goes missing, her Father links her disappearance, and others, to a series of kids fantasy books... and goes down a rabbit hole into a greater mystery than he is prepared for.
Ultimately, a redemption story leading to the importance of acceptance, I was swept away by not only the story, but the unique way it was told, a mix of narrative, emails, text exchanges and audio transcriptions.
Great for lovers of Rabbits by Miles and Ready Player One by Cline!
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 15, 2024
“…when I was younger, I fought against growing up, tooth and nail. I didn’t want to be anything like the adults I knew. But that’s because I thought being a grown-up would mean closing my heart. I didn’t realize that growing up would actually tear it wide open.”
Ya know what really Ryan’s my Gosling? This perfectly executed book about the strength of a father’s love for his daughter. “Not a hero, just a dad.” 😭
You should probably read this book.
Ya know what really Ryan’s my Gosling? This perfectly executed book about the strength of a father’s love for his daughter. “Not a hero, just a dad.” 😭
You should probably read this book.
October 14, 2023
I was eskeptical to read this one, but I'm glad i did.
It's entertaining and fast paced.
It's entertaining and fast paced.
December 11, 2023
Did Dan Frey tap into my head and write this book specifically for me? It's got all the tropes of storytelling that I love in one single book!
April 12, 2024
I loved this book. Clever and heartwarming with suspense around every corner. As a girl-dad myself, it struck a cord in me and truly will help me see the world through my girls’ eyes.
Shelved as 'dnf'
March 20, 2024DNF @ 26%.
Main character is beyond intolerable and overly full of himself. Apparently if you don’t do exactly as he asks, you’re a bad person for not helping him out even without knowing a single damn thing about the reason he’s doing what he’s doing. If you’ve never had a kid, you never truly cared about anything. Et cetera, et cetera.
Characters are very one-dimensional, and some are extremely stereotypical.
Had such high hopes for this book, and it’s been a while since a book I was this excited for fell this flat.
Main character is beyond intolerable and overly full of himself. Apparently if you don’t do exactly as he asks, you’re a bad person for not helping him out even without knowing a single damn thing about the reason he’s doing what he’s doing. If you’ve never had a kid, you never truly cared about anything. Et cetera, et cetera.
Characters are very one-dimensional, and some are extremely stereotypical.
Had such high hopes for this book, and it’s been a while since a book I was this excited for fell this flat.
May 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this! The use of mixed media worked well here and made this very quick and easy to read. The premise was absolutely fantastic, and I loved exploring the idea of "what if the fantasy world from this book series was real." Byron's desperation to find his daughter is very evident, and I found him to be sympathetic overall. I particularly appreciated his character arc. Seeing him realize that some of his actions were problematic and seeing how he changes/addresses this was very satisfying.
September 13, 2023
Let’s just get this out of the way really quick: This book didn’t get five stars because I thought it was too long and I didn’t think the ending was earned. There we are. I don’t want to spend any more time talking about those negatives, because I want space to talk about other things.
This book is a manuscript mash-up that reminds me a pinch of The Starless Sea (in that sense that stories are being written all the time, are always in progress, and are mutable), every portal fantasy I’ve ever read, and every fantastical detective story I’ve ever read (except make them darker, more like Nick Harkaway’s cyber noir novels). Dreambound has a great balance of plot, characters, worldbuilding, and atmosphere, which is a tough juggling act to keep up. That may be why the book ended up being too long for my tastes.
Frey had gifted us an incredible book with a deep, rich tapestry: journal entries, audio transcripts, emails, text messages, investigative notes, short stories, fairy tales, book excerpts, newspaper and magazine articles excerpts, and more. This book, this story, wouldn’t have been possible to write without mixing the written media formats like this. The book would’ve been a long, boring slag had it been approached any other way. There were other parties who needed to have a voice in this story besides Byron, our main protagonist.
It was a nice touch for Frey to name his main protagonist Byron, for he literally does meet the definition of a Byronic hero: sullen, withdrawn, hard to like, hard to get to know, but a softy on the inside for the precious few who can get close. He has a drinking problem, his wife divorced him, and his relationship with his daughter had become fraught with tension. The thing is, it’s not hard to write a Byronic hero. Byronic heroes are a dime a dozen and have been around as a trope since before they were even called Byronic heroes. Ergo, Byron is a predictable character. Which makes for a pretty predictable story.
That’s not to say the book as a whole is predictable. That’s why we have supporting characters. And to Frey’s credit, all the supporting characters in this book are female. The supporting characters add all the color, all the unpredictability, all the surprises, provide all the guidance, and provide almost all the push back and intervention as well. There are a few interesting male supporting characters, but none stick around as long as the females. Now, this does create another trope-trap where we have a male stumbling through needing females to guide all his movements in order for him to get anywhere, but it doesn’t seem toxic in this story since a great deal of book is about the fandom for books by a female author where a female is the main protagonist of the series, so it makes sense females would be the guide posts for a dad whose daughter was a member of that fandom.
Frey really did put together a lovely story that’s woven together like a crazy quilt of folklore, fairy tales, modern narrative prose, urban fantasy, supernatural entities, memoirs, and what would be nonfiction in the world of this book. It’s a good read if you are willing to put in the time.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All opinions, thoughts, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Dark Fantasy/Epistolary/Fantasy/Fairy Tale/Folklore/Standalone Novel/Supernatural Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
This book is a manuscript mash-up that reminds me a pinch of The Starless Sea (in that sense that stories are being written all the time, are always in progress, and are mutable), every portal fantasy I’ve ever read, and every fantastical detective story I’ve ever read (except make them darker, more like Nick Harkaway’s cyber noir novels). Dreambound has a great balance of plot, characters, worldbuilding, and atmosphere, which is a tough juggling act to keep up. That may be why the book ended up being too long for my tastes.
Frey had gifted us an incredible book with a deep, rich tapestry: journal entries, audio transcripts, emails, text messages, investigative notes, short stories, fairy tales, book excerpts, newspaper and magazine articles excerpts, and more. This book, this story, wouldn’t have been possible to write without mixing the written media formats like this. The book would’ve been a long, boring slag had it been approached any other way. There were other parties who needed to have a voice in this story besides Byron, our main protagonist.
It was a nice touch for Frey to name his main protagonist Byron, for he literally does meet the definition of a Byronic hero: sullen, withdrawn, hard to like, hard to get to know, but a softy on the inside for the precious few who can get close. He has a drinking problem, his wife divorced him, and his relationship with his daughter had become fraught with tension. The thing is, it’s not hard to write a Byronic hero. Byronic heroes are a dime a dozen and have been around as a trope since before they were even called Byronic heroes. Ergo, Byron is a predictable character. Which makes for a pretty predictable story.
That’s not to say the book as a whole is predictable. That’s why we have supporting characters. And to Frey’s credit, all the supporting characters in this book are female. The supporting characters add all the color, all the unpredictability, all the surprises, provide all the guidance, and provide almost all the push back and intervention as well. There are a few interesting male supporting characters, but none stick around as long as the females. Now, this does create another trope-trap where we have a male stumbling through needing females to guide all his movements in order for him to get anywhere, but it doesn’t seem toxic in this story since a great deal of book is about the fandom for books by a female author where a female is the main protagonist of the series, so it makes sense females would be the guide posts for a dad whose daughter was a member of that fandom.
Frey really did put together a lovely story that’s woven together like a crazy quilt of folklore, fairy tales, modern narrative prose, urban fantasy, supernatural entities, memoirs, and what would be nonfiction in the world of this book. It’s a good read if you are willing to put in the time.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All opinions, thoughts, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Dark Fantasy/Epistolary/Fantasy/Fairy Tale/Folklore/Standalone Novel/Supernatural Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
February 8, 2024
Wow. Am I so, so glad I randomly picked this up while browsing the new book section of my library. I had never heard of it before. I was drawn to it by the beautiful cover, soft pages, and floppy paperback. (Though I have to ask, why is this book called "Dreambound"? Having finished it now, I don't quite get it. Like at all. Why not "The Hidden World"? or something? Anyyywaaayy, this does not impact my rating, clearly, but I just had to say it.)
This is an epistolary/mixed media novel, completely told through emails/interviews/journals/etc. Now, if you know me, this is not typically my favorite way to consume a story. However, it just really worked here and I had no issue with the narrative structure. Dreambound is a fairy tale for adults--bordering on urban fantasy, which I *do* absolutely love. I was very immersed in the story, so much so I read most of it in just a couple sittings, and really wished I could stay up all night finishing it. I haven't felt that way about a book in a long time. I also listened along to the audiobook for much of my reading experience, and I thought it was excellent. It is narrated by a full cast, and I think they did a fantastic job bringing the story to life.
The themes in this book are twofold. The surface level story is about how far a father will go to save his daughter, while he comes to terms with the fact that he largely had himself to blame for driving her away in the first place. The dad, Byron James starts out as a pretty big dick, who only cares about what's "real" and "just the facts". I can understand some of the negative reviews saying he was an ass, because, well yes, he was. BUT he is called out for this fact multiple times by pretty much every other person he interacts with. Also, he does learn and change and grow as the story progresses... I enjoyed his character arc and thought it was well done. So yeah, I don't fully agree with this critique. Sidenote, I adored Misha as Byron's reluctant sidekick. She was a great character and I loved the role she played in Byron's journey.
Moving on. The second, underlying theme in this book was a love of stories, storytelling, and belief in the fantastical. I enjoyed how much affection was shown towards fandom, conventions, cosplay, and fanfiction, as by the end of the book Byron comes to appreciate the goodness and community that comes out of these things. I never thought a book like this would inspire me to keep writing fanfic, but, here we are!
I thought the pacing of this book was very good, and I was never bored. The unraveling of the mystery was so well done, in my opinion, and I very much enjoyed the little tidbits of fantasy and folklore stories we got sprinkled throughout. The ending was bittersweet and I thought it all came together very well.
This book was not perfect. However, it reminded me of why I love reading, and particularly why I love reading fantasy and being a part of fandom culture. And for that, I couldn't give it anything less than 5 stars.
This is an epistolary/mixed media novel, completely told through emails/interviews/journals/etc. Now, if you know me, this is not typically my favorite way to consume a story. However, it just really worked here and I had no issue with the narrative structure. Dreambound is a fairy tale for adults--bordering on urban fantasy, which I *do* absolutely love. I was very immersed in the story, so much so I read most of it in just a couple sittings, and really wished I could stay up all night finishing it. I haven't felt that way about a book in a long time. I also listened along to the audiobook for much of my reading experience, and I thought it was excellent. It is narrated by a full cast, and I think they did a fantastic job bringing the story to life.
The themes in this book are twofold. The surface level story is about how far a father will go to save his daughter, while he comes to terms with the fact that he largely had himself to blame for driving her away in the first place. The dad, Byron James starts out as a pretty big dick, who only cares about what's "real" and "just the facts". I can understand some of the negative reviews saying he was an ass, because, well yes, he was. BUT he is called out for this fact multiple times by pretty much every other person he interacts with. Also, he does learn and change and grow as the story progresses... I enjoyed his character arc and thought it was well done. So yeah, I don't fully agree with this critique. Sidenote, I adored Misha as Byron's reluctant sidekick. She was a great character and I loved the role she played in Byron's journey.
Moving on. The second, underlying theme in this book was a love of stories, storytelling, and belief in the fantastical. I enjoyed how much affection was shown towards fandom, conventions, cosplay, and fanfiction, as by the end of the book Byron comes to appreciate the goodness and community that comes out of these things. I never thought a book like this would inspire me to keep writing fanfic, but, here we are!
I thought the pacing of this book was very good, and I was never bored. The unraveling of the mystery was so well done, in my opinion, and I very much enjoyed the little tidbits of fantasy and folklore stories we got sprinkled throughout. The ending was bittersweet and I thought it all came together very well.
This book was not perfect. However, it reminded me of why I love reading, and particularly why I love reading fantasy and being a part of fandom culture. And for that, I couldn't give it anything less than 5 stars.
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