Cover Image: Dawn of Dreams

Dawn of Dreams

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Member Reviews

I have tried to like this book, but i just can not get past the meandering sloggish chapters, there is nothing in this that grabs my attention. I am clearly not cut out for YA... Thank you Net Galley for accepting my request.

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Did not finish. Did not like this book.

I couldn't get into it.

The writing was awful and the characters were just dull. The story dragged too much for me.

I like to give books a chance with the first 100 pages and I did and I just couldn't read anymore.

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Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately I was not particularly taken with this YA novel. Jaden is on a hike with his friends when he encounters these mythical monsters only he can see. He later meets Kayla who can also see them and a strong bond forms between them. They go on a quest to save the world. The beginning seemed to lag for me. While the author does a terrific job painting this new world, I felt too much time was consumed by the details. The action doesn't begin till much later in the story.
Overall a good start to a promising series.

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This book captured me based on the cover artwork. I really like how all three books are similar in artwork. I'll be the first to admit that I steer clear of Science Fiction books, so I didn't realize this was in that genre until after I was hooked. I was thinking of more Fantasy, but it's not. Leroux has a beautiful writing style, even in the first book. Her descriptions are captivating and truly get your imagination going.

My main criticism is similar to everyone else's in that the characters in the book are almost "too nice". They are always so polite and prim and proper to each other. Even the teens with their parents, which, as a parent of a teen I know to be a fact that it's as rare as Bigfoot. They just aren't. Jaden has a very short temper, but even with that, I still feel like even he is too nice most of the time. My other main criticism is there is so much focus on the internal struggle of each of the teams regarding their feelings for each other and their attempts to ignore them and do the right thing and focus on the task at hand. It gets distracting at times.

The story begins a bit unbelievably, and I'm glad that I stuck with it even though it wasn't my normal genre. It truly was her writing style that captivated me and kept me going. The monsters are just that. Truly monsters. Aside from that fact, the characters have depth, the plot is amazing, and the world is unbelievable yet similar at the same time. I'm excited to read the next book in the story.

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I really loved this book. The story is full with great plottwists that really got me. I love good Fantasy and Sci-Fi and this book got both of it. I liked Kayla and Jaden a lot and their connection was believable, well so it was for me. So am very happy that I am able to start reading the second book really soon. Thank you.

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I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed reading this. An interesting story with fun characters. Well written.

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You can find the full review here and on Goodreads

http://www.starangelsreviews.com/2019/08/review-by-carol-dawn-of-dreams-by.html

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I finished it because I started it. I wanted it to be better than what it was but I was bored and it let me down.

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This book starts off in a futuristic world not <i>that</i> much unlike ours, except for some things that are done better. I think it is refreshing how this world is not clearly broken from the start.

For me personally, Jaden and Kayla were a bit too much the good and well behaved, sporty and smart teenagers. That is something very personal though, because I was the opposite of sporty, especially as a teen - I was more like the girl at the start, that had a bit of difficulty climbing the mountain, but had baked the most delicious cookies. I did feel this portrayal was somewhat excluding teenagers like her though, like she was humored for her food although she was unfit. I think I'm rambling here, sorry for that. As you might notice, this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine, so your experience with character portrayal in this book may be very different from mine.

Anyway. Another thing that made this book not as awesome as it would otherwise have been was that there were too many just a bit too elaborate descriptions.

It still is a fun book! Just not as great as I hoped it would be.

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The story began in the near future (2073) with Jaden and Kayla seeing the same mysterious creature which anyone but only they can see. As in the blurb, they are strangers are living worlds apart. But unlike blurb, I can say they are not so much different, they enjoy mostly the same things (playing games, arrowball). For me, both of them are likable characters and they are competitive. Jaden was open any new exciting experience except being his and her life in danger (immediately he undertake as a duty to protect Kayla). Kayla was more in shock compare to him but being stubborn and competitive, she overcomes her fears. There was a spark between them but I can' say there was any romance, maybe It can happen to be other books in the series. They met smoothly and fastly become friends very but nothing was out of place. After that, they began to seek after this creature to learn what was it, why it was after them and why only they can see it. As they began their quest and as they get some answers to their questions, they come up with more questions. As they go on their quest they met some comrades who help them. I could say Ohanze and Tazanna were the most interesting characters which added to the story after halfway through.

The story began very slowly I can say until the half of the book there wasn't any important event. For me, it wasn't so disturbing but I could do with the more shorter start. I can say we learn more about their daily life than I needed. With that, Bronwyn Leroux added mystery so I wasn't bored with the slow beginning mostly I found myself trying to figure things with Jaden and Kayla. After finishing half of the book everything improve faster. After that, I couldn't let down the book until I finish it. My problem with some series mostly for the book in the series finishing with it ends with a cliff-hanger so make you made mad to the author. Even though this book ends with a cliff-hanger I wasn't mad to Leroux I think she answered my question so far as much as I can feel satisfied with the way it (Could it be I'm more forgiving because I have the next book in the series so I'm not sure If I would be less forgiven if I didn't have it ^-^) .
It is a 4⭐ read for me. I would recommend anyone who enjoys this genre and wouldn't mind having a slow beginning with some mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley, the BooksGoSocial Publishing Group and Bronwyn Leroux providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review and making this available!

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Interesting premise, but I felt as though there was too much exposition getting in the way of the plot and characterization. Good start to the series overall.

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I really tried to enjoy this book. It falls into my favorite genre and I was so excited for this book after reading the description of it. However, it fell flat for me. The writing was so tedious. It was written simplistically, however, there was too much fluff and awkward wording. The writing was not refined enough to hold my interest. In addition, the plot felt so boring! I usually can't wait to have time to read and have a hard time putting books down, but I dreaded having to come back to this book.

The cover photo and title are beautiful and really hooked me, but I really did not enjoy the story itself.

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In this near-future story, Kayla and Jaden have to uncover the myths and legends of a dangerous creature only they can see.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kayla has just moved again, due to her parents work. She doesn't expect this town to be any different than all the others. Except this one is home to a flying monster that no one else can see.
Jaden has lived in the town his whole life, with a supporting family and great group of friends. Only recently has he started to see something that seems half-animal and half-machine.

This started off as a very strong adventure, as both our heroes are stalked by this malevolent beast, trying to work out what it is, why they are the only ones who can see it, and why the hell it is after them.
The monster sounds suitably disturbing, and it is clear that it is up to no good.

Unfortunately, the story starts to tail off. It feels like there's a lot of filler, a lot of unnecessary information about cleaning houses/unpacking, and the minutiae of futuristic games. There were so many of these background chapters that blurred together, without adding anything to the story, or characters.
I just wish there had been more to this story. Yes, they are being chased by a deadly bird, and they have to investigate. Yes, there is a hint of romance between the two, but that is it. There is nothing else. No angst, no drama, no subplot or issues with friends and family. Everything is straightforward.
Oh, and can I just say mild annoyance that Kayla is an awesome sportswomen and kicks Jaden's arse on the court; but needs Jaden to save her, when both are attacked by vicious birdy.

Overall, this was a great idea, and started off well, but it didn't hold my attention.

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This was a great start to the series, the characters were interesting and the story was great. It made me excited to read the next book in the series.

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Caution, mild spoilers ahead.

A 3*

“Jaden stumbled, dimly aware that although he had never heard the sound before, it was as if he had spent his entire life waiting to hear it. Fear snaked down his spine.”

I got a copy of this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Dawn of Dreams is the book that hits you on the first page and takes you on an adventure until the last page is turned. Except for the fact that you need to survive entire paragraphs of needless actions and descriptions.

Yes, the opening was exciting. But when I was at around 1/3rd of the book, there was still nothing new that happened, except for an apparition of a strange monster and a medallion, which I must say was a wrapped in a tedious description itself. But it was only half of the book when the first really intriguing thing happens. There is just too much description in this book and a useless one at that.

We get to know what the protagonists do at all the times and with too much unnecessary detail, we get to see characters that appear for a chapter and we never see them again. It might be needed to construct a world, but it is tiresome if it lasts for the whole book.

The same goes for the protagonists themselves. They are deep, well-developed characters, but with too much detail given about them, their each and every thought, each and every action. And at the same time, they are too perfect. Kind, pretty and popular, with no defect to them that would make us easy to associate with them.

All in all, underneath this too detailed world, there is an outstanding plot, with a unique adventure and, of course, a unique monster. One that is scary and awful and makes for a perfect antagonist, even though it might not be the evilest creature in the series. A few hints are dropped but only the next books will tell.

This book could be shorter, by half, but, even though, it ends with a cliff-hanger with enough of intrigue to start the next one as soon as finishing the previous one.

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A really interesting fantasy book full of twists and turns, great characters and a fast paced plot. I loved the writing style and can’t wait to read the next book. First read by this author but looking forward to more now

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

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I have read so many fantasy novels I feel like I could write one myself - if I had writing skills. So many are the same thing (dark world, love triangle, lack of water, evil KIng, etc etc). This was really different which I enjoyed.

It started out in the "normal" world and developed the characters. Then it began to draw you into the alternate world.

I really enjoyed the writing, the characters and the story.
I did think the parents were a little too accepting - they were kind of like "go ahead and save the world - good luck". (Ok maybe a slight exaggeration).

I will be getting the next one in the series - I am interested to see what happens next..

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for the advance copy. This did not affect my review.

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Dawn of Dreams is the stuff of imagination. Bronwyn Leroux writes with a voice that is clear and descriptive.

A perfect title for fantasy enthusiasts and fiction that dips a little into darker corners. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading others from this author.

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