A slow-burning romance between two misfits. I liked how Ren and Nico interacted, although the magician got into my nerves now and then. Both characters are well-developed, interesting and appealing, each of them with their good and bad sides. Great reading to spend the time.

This book had me hooked from beginning to end. The character development and pacing were on point. I wish there would have been a better understanding as to what Ren's powers were, so I am really hoping for a followup. I can't get enough of these two!

“Magic is dangerous: it's neither good nor bad, right nor wrong; it can be both a blessing and a curse. It takes strength, the strength of a man, to make the magic his own, to make it serve him, and not the other way around.” ~ Daniel Wallace (The Kings and Queens of Roam)

What do you think of when you think about magic? Fairy godmothers? Glenda Goodwitch? Or maybe David Copperfield? Ren has dreamed of magic all of his life. His dreams have been very vivid and seemingly prophetic, but he can never quite grasp their meaning. When he has a chance to see magic firsthand, it doesn’t turn out to be anything like he thought it would be. Ren is confounded and horrified by what he learns, but not by Nico, the wizard who reveals its true nature to him.

Ren’s village discourages magic, so he sneaks out in the middle of the night to attend a magical carnival, expecting an exciting and enlightening time. Almost as soon as he arrives, Ren crashes into an acrobat named Nico. Ren is enamored with Nico and wants to get to know him more intimately. Nico, on the other hand, does not; he does everything he can to discourage Ren. Still, Ren persists. Finally, Nico relents and has dinner with Ren, but makes it emphatically clear that they are not going to have sex.

As the night goes on, Nico begins to realize that Ren is a man of character who truly cares more about getting to know Nico and does not just see him as an object, a potential one-night stand and his attitude toward him softens. Nico decides to “save” Ren and leads him away from the fair and into the woods. Understandably, Ren is confused when Nico who has been good to him all night, is suddenly interested in him. Instead of having sex with him, Nico frantically tries to get him to leave, but Ren is having no part of it. Suddenly, they are not alone. They are approached by some nefarious beings who attack and try to kill Nico. Even as Nico is bleeding out, he is still able to show his attackers just how much power he can invoke.

This is a very dark story that had me wondering about the morals of both main characters. It’s one of the most drawn-out enemies-to-lovers tales I’ve ever read and one of the most illogical. By all rights, Ren should have been terrified of Nico, but, for some inexplicable reason, he was not. There is a bond between them that is unbreakable. Even though Ren doesn’t think he has any magic, Nico sees that he is capable of things that Nico doesn’t see. Thanks, Emme, for reminding me that magic is neither good nor bad and that every situation has its own sense of ethics as how it is to be used.

I really adored this dark, magical tale or Ren and Nico and how they fell in love while running from the monsters that wanted nothing more than to hurt Nico and steal his magic from him. I died over learning about all the cruelties Nico had endured and how he just wanted to escape. I loved how sweet and sunshiney Ren was and how he just wanted to help, how he never ran away, how he stayed with Nico through it all.

I loved how Ren could see Nico's magic when no one else could and the chapter at the end about how he might have given his magic to the boy who needed it more through their shared dreams when they were younger, how Ren might have always been looking out for Nico without even realizing it. I loved the two of them and how adorable and perfect they were together and I loved watching their journey and how they slowly began telling each other about their pasts.

Ren was a really incredible protagonist and I just loved how he always looked on the bright side of things and how he took comfort in other people and being there for others, how he just wanted someone to cuddle up with who wouldn't leave him (and it killed me that no one in his village had ever stayed before). I loved how much he wanted to help Nico, how despite seeing the danger and knowing he had no magic of his own to fight back with, he refused to leave, knowing that if he did, Nico would allow himself to be devoured.

I really loved this story. It was dark. It was tragic. It was beautiful. It was magical. It was romantic. It was everything and all the things and absolutely stunning.

This was a wonderful story and it had me hooked from the very moment Nico and Ren meet. They were always meant to be together. Saving each other. I loved the ending, even though I could totally read a sequel.

Sublime, magical, and mysterious! This fantasy novel by a new-to-me author was a win at 4 stars!!

What I liked: The descriptive and specific language immersed me in this magical world where humans, magicians, and monsters exist side by side. It was so easy to picture myself rowing across a lake of fire or in the middle of an arboreal carnaval.

I also liked the characters, Ren and Nico, who appeared to be polar opposites and who wanted vastly different things. Ren was an open book, making his attraction to magic and Nico abundantly clear. Nico, however, was puzzling with ever changing moods and wants. Why Nico is both flirty and cagey makes sense as the story progresses, but for both Ren and the reader Nico is a magnet.

I also liked the adventure aspect of the story once we moved away from the carnaval scene. It’s here where we learn more about Nico and begin to empathize with him. It is also during this trek that we begin to realize that there might be more to Ren than his size.

What I didn’t like: the monsters, while decidedly wicked and creepy reminded me too much of mo Ayers in a very popular wizard and witches series. I had a hard time not thinking of the dark cloaked creatures as anything but dementors.

I also had difficulty warming up to Nico because of his constant abrasive behavior towards Ren. Had I been Ren, I might have been done with Nico early on. Somehow, Ren’s attraction to Nico and his desire for adventure overcame the wounds inflicted by his barbed words.

Overall I very much enjoyed this book and need the next one NOW! This one does end with a big finale but it only sets us up for what comes next as Ren and Nico carry on in their quest to save humanity from the monsters.

My rec? If you love fantasy and adventure, this is your ticket!!

**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review **

This fun, fast-paced magical fantasy story "mostly" worked for me.

Ren was an outgoing, friendly guy from a local village, living an okay life, but he longed for excitement. To be out in the world, experiencing more than his current life had to offer.

So in spite of his little town's decree to avoid all forms of magic, Ren couldn't help but attend the magical carnival across the lake, which was where he met Nico.

But the wondrous carnival turned out to be all smoke and mirrors, nothing at all what it appeared to be on the surface. Full of unspeakable dangers, and an inescapable prison for Nico.

I loved Nico right from the start, but after being held captive and abused by a horde of monsters for over a decade, let's just say that he wasn't a shiny, happy soul. Who could be after all of that?

Ren didn't realize any of what was happening for a lot of the story, so I enjoyed having Nico's history unfold as they went, along with Ren's subtle flirting and Nico's often-snarky rebuffs.

The story line was great, and the world building was pretty good; however, to say this story was "descriptive" would be a massive understatement. Like saying water is a little wet. Sooooooo so descriptive.

I'm probably exaggerating a bit, but it *felt* like there were at least 20 pages describing the texture of grass alone. It's GRASS. I get it. But nope, let's continue describing page after page. Of grass.

So yeah, I think the story could've done with a lot less description, yet still had the same impact, without making me want to skim for actual dialogue.

The action was pretty constant, as the pair fled from the monsters, only to be found again and again, so the pacing was pretty spot on -- aside from being so wordy with descriptions of every tiny thing in the book.

The carnival at the beginning felt exciting, but my favorite part of the story was toward the end, when they visited Vellen, Nico's childhood home.

There, we quickly discovered that Davvon, Martin & the Magicians were all a bunch of BETRAYING ASSHOLES, so I don't feel even a little guilty in saying that I was thrilled to see them get their comeuppance. They more than deserved everything that they got.

I do have to admit that after fleeing the castle in Vellen, The Big Showdown between Nico and the massive crowd of monsters felt a bit anti-climactic and seemed too easily overcome for such a world-conquering threat.

I was also slightly disappointed that the "What exactly are you?" question was never fully answered in relation to the abilities that Ren showed. It seemed like Ren's abilities were going to make an actual *difference* when fighting the monsters, but I'm still not quite sure if they did or didn't, since more specific details weren't revealed. Even by the end of the story. Color me a bit confused.

When all was said and done, Nico's story was heartbreaking, but the angst was fairly manageable. As for steam, this was your typical fantasy tale, where the steamy bits were, for the most part, left out entirely.

I did enjoy the story quite a bit, but after the issues mentioned above, I'd rate it at around 3.5 stars.

Review excerpted from my blog post over at Pan/Cis LGBT2SQ+ Romance Reviews (https://pancis.wordpress.com/2019/11/14/he-dreams-magic-by-emme-c-taylor/)

Overall Rating: 3.0 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBT2SQ+ historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.



Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: Insta-attraction, but the slowest of slow burns.

Relationship dynamics: The Non-Magic Villager (H1) / The Magic Acrobat (H2)

Sexual content: None; kissing only.

Gender Identity: Cis (H1) / Cis (H2)

Sexual Identity: Gay (H1) / Bisexual (H2)

Triggers: Graphic violence; recounted gang rape (not of H1 or H2, not by H1 or H2); nonconsensual, malicious touching (of H2); recounted Child murder (by H2); recounted child abuse (of H1); genocide; loose ends without a promise of a series.

Acceptance Rating: 4 stars

Acceptance Rating Explanation: Nico’s family (by marriage) doesn’t seem as accepting of homosexual relationships as everyone else in the book (e.g. his brother-in-law warns them not to have sex in his house and sneers at idea of their being together)

Grammar/Editing: My ARC had a few typos, but nothing major.

Review: This is a quick paced novel set in a magic-imbued fantasy world with a polytheistic society. The world building is what I would consider “developed in the moment.” That is, the current surroundings of the main characters are always richly described, but it would not be possible to draw a map of the entire realm from the descriptions as-given.

The main characters of this story are Nico and Ren. I found their relationship to be problematic from a (non-sexual) consent standpoint: Nico continually tells Ren to go, or to leave him alone and Ren ignores him, following him around whether he wants to be or not. I also found Nico to be a difficult character to identify with because he is incredibly volatile and hyper-destructive. The novel also has an isolating “us against the world” vibe, in that all of the other characters in the novel are either villains (who are actually quite creepy and well-done) or victims of villains.

Overall, the story is fine for what it really is: a fantasy with romantic elements. I may have enjoyed it more had I known that going in.



Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book and I will start by saying it wasn't badly written, just a bit wordy for me. Descriptions seemed to be repeated constantly, with minor adjustments to the words used. For example, I found myself tire of the fire analogies at the beginning.

Nico, I found to be an interesting character. I would have liked to have known more of his history than we got, and perhaps more showing than telling.

Ren was, quite frankly, annoying. I couldn't understand his complete and utter infatuation to Nico, calling him perfect constantly and always commenting on how beautiful he was. Occasionally, fine, but not to the level he did. It made him seem like he was under a spell rather than experiencing true emotion.

The wolk were scary, I did fear for our characters when they were present, but they never actually hung around for long and the end felt rather quick and anticlimactic to me.

Over-all, I would have liked their relationship to progress a bit more naturally, at least from Ren's side, and for there to be more action than description. I didn't find myself itching to see what happened next. I give this book 2.5 stars out of 5, rounded up to 3.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Ren and Nico, they were such great characters. I really enjoyed the storyline and the unexpected connection between them. Theirs was a strange and magical world and I enjoyed going along with them on their journey to turn dreams into reality. I'm really hoping that there will be more books featuring these characters, all in all a very enjoyable read.

#HeDreamsMagic #NetGalley

Thank you for netgally for giving me the chance to read this beat book.

We meet Ren when he’s rowing across a lake to get to this Magical fire to visit this magical carnival. His village would warn anyone who tried to go see this world. Reb meets Nico who is part of the carnival when Nico almost runs into you Ren. With this chance encounter run becomes intrigued and Nico and wants to find out what Nico is like. Through learning about Nico Ren find out Nico is very powerful. Since Nico is powerful it makes him a target for the wolks. This creature sex life and magic out of humans this creature is very creepy.

I love the relationship between Renand Nico. The romance between them in this book was slow burning but it’s what it needed and nothing fast. I love it because it had me waiting till that long awaiting kiss. I loved this book and cannot wait to read more from this author.

I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. It was a super quick read for me. I finished it in an afternoon, but I genuinely enjoyed the writing style.

I loved the pacing through the story and it made it an easy read.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this title.

A great story of the journey of magic, friendship, and love. I felt the magic through every page and was excited at every turn.

This was a strange one! In a good way. The story kept me on my toes as did the romance which at no point felt simple. The story did feel incomplete though, I am hoping for a follow up because a lot of the world-building in the book had these big set ups which were never really explained. Any time there is a world with magic, I also expect some exposition about the way magic works in that world. So though I understood how these characters related to magic themselves I didn't get a great sense of how they were placed in relation to the world itself. Why is Nico so powerful, what is Ren's power? How did this world come to be? These are questions that remained with me as I finished the book. I would recommend the book on the basis of characterisation and the romance itself which was sweet and took its time.

It is hard for me to explain this one, because it has been a complex reading that let so many doubts on me... doubts that I not necessary want to solve. Like, that ending. That kind of epilogue that works as a prologue. That last chapter and all the kind of rushed information that came in the perfect moment for me to cry and cry and cry. And cry, a bit more.

In this story, we follow the path of Ren, a guy who dreams with magic, that all he wants to do is to go to the magical carnival at the other side of his village lake just to see magicians, and the power and beauty magic has in it. A dreamer, in whom the desire of attraction and conection with people is as needed as breathing. A dreamer, that, once he steps in front of the carnival, will find the most ideal fantasy in front of him. This one, called Nico, is our other character: the magician of brighr red hair that for sure hides something more than a simple "I am not interested."

Through their meeting, we will get to see one of the few things that made me feel uneasy in this book, that it's the insistence of Ren on flirting with someone that is not really in the mood of flirting, despide of his interest on who is flirting with him. A maybe-too-much-insisted attitude that makes the reader wonder if it is harassment or if Nico, on the other side, is playing with now yes and now no answers to a confused Ren.

Everything will change when Ren will see himself getting what he so much desired that night: make out with the most beautiful human he has ever seen, whom also is a magnificent magician that, on the other side, is driving him a bit mad with the coming and going attitude. Everything will change, in a way he clearly didn't expect. When the doubts of Nico will show up as something clearly far away from the intimacy he thought they both were looking for. When the wolks, those monsters he thought weren't more than legends, will appear right at their back to do more than killing Nico.

Whom is not a simple magician and, for sure, hasn't been following his flirting game as much as Ren thought.

The story could end up there, with Ren running away from a fight he wasn't interested in to. With Nico facing his problems on his own, because, what do they owe each other? Nothing... But Ren won't run away. Ren will feel that he can't let a dying Nico behind... and his decision will make his steps to be linked to whichever Nico would want to take.

It is a complex fantasy, in which magic is never what it seems. A worldbuilding in which we get to become water, snow, and pieces of hearts broken over and over again (mine, mostly). It's been a while since a character like Nico didn't get to me like he did. That a plot, a relationship deveolpement, didn't catch me as much as it did.

I'm not gonna like, it is an instalove. The story happens in...what, two days? But its the kind of instalove that is allowed. The one in which both characters go through that much that makes you think "damn, I would fall too." Because, well, didn't I fell for them? For sure I did. I would kill for Nico, and I would kill for Ren. And, ugh, this slow burn in such a short pace k i l l e d m e.

I'm not saying it was perfect. It for sure, if you read my updates you can remember, was a bit repetitive at some points. All based in that Ren's insistence on getting closer to someone he liked. To someone he, mysteriously, felt so attracted to. Nico saying "you don't understand anything" about why is he running away and Ren saying "I know, I'm sorry... but, what if...?" so we get to start all over again for a few chapters.

I don't think it is a relationship that works for everything, but it did for me. That insistence of Ren could turn someone off of the reading, and I completely get it, because it would have for me if it wasn't because of that end.

(please, don't think I'm justifying harassment. I don't think we go through that kind of situation, even if at the beginning you could think so. Ren never does anything Nico doesn't want to, and he always stops when Nico sasys so. But... yes, for some it may be unconfortable to read, maybe? I don't know. I just say that, at the very end, there is a reason why Ren has, not acted like that, but felt like that. An explanation to their connection, that at any point Nico denied. It's more of a "I want to too, Ren, but this can't be." Not a "I'm not interested, please stop, Ren." Okay? I hope I have explained).

I loved the plot. The fantasy, the world created, and for sure the characters. Their development in such a short time. The weakness they could show, and the strenght also. How much they needed of each other, and how much they were willing to give.

And, no big spoiler but, that scene at almost the end with those caresses... I swear I started crying there and didn't stop till the very end.

I can't rate it with less than five stars on Good Reads, even if deep inside I can't give it the perfect rating because of those doubtful moments I spent at the beginning wonder if i Ren was going way too far towards Nico.

Also, I may add something that is quite important: the beginning felt rushed, I would have liked one more chapter of two explaining what was happening with Ren, and why his desire and needs towards that carnival... which also felt empty once they left it. Is a side of the worldbuilding I would have enjoyed a bit more if the author would have dedicated maybe just one more chapter. And, also, same with the end. Maybe another chapter before that epilogue/prologue/end so everything would have been completely perfect.

Anyway, I recomed this to those who are up for a not-perfect book (because I think a lot of people could have issues with it, when it comes to explanations, pace, etc) and for charismatic characters taking part of a painful, intense, and scary romance.

I found this story to be original and thought provoking. The characters and the world were just mesmerizing and spellbinding. I truly remarkable read that fills your head with dreams and possibilities. A really great fore into a magical world. A perfect LGBTQ fantasy literature to sink into.

When Ren's dreams and Nico's cruel world collide, none of them are ready for the course that will change their lives. He Dreams Magic is a runaway from monsters but also a runaway for freedom, for adventure, and for a better future.

I've been drawn to the book from the start, where a very poetic atmosphere set place and lure us into a dangerous, magic, and also romantic, story. The chemistry of Nico and Ren is unique and captivating. From their first exchange, I knew I would love them both.

Ren has a shining personnality; his assurance, his cocky grin, and his kindness, open a real door for the shy, bruised, and shattered Nico. When the young man start opening himself, as a reader you start feeling for him and for them both and there's no turning back.

This is not an ordinary love-story. This is a story of trust, bond, freedom and altruism. Ren and Nico are a pleasure to meet, to follow through their escapade. I felt so much for them. He Dreams Magic offered me a story like no other, the sort of story that bewitched me from the first line. I would recommend this book a million times if I could!

This book always kept me guessing. I was never sure what was going to happen next or really what had happened before until near the very end. That is not a bad thing, though! It was a whirlwind experience but that's how it should be. My one complaint would be the big finale was over just a little too fast. I get it, I just wish it had been drawn out a little bit more or maybe there was a bit more detail. Just to add some tension. All in all a beautiful read, though.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my very first e-ARC book, I was so excited to receive it! I really wasn't sure what to expect going in, but let me start off by saying I absolutely LOVED it. It starts off slap bang in the middle of the action without any backstory (which I never usually like) and the prose had a very dream-like quality to it, which made me unsure too, but by the end of Chapter 1 I was hooked. It was unlike any other book of this genre that I've read, with a really unique story line. I will try to not give away any spoilers :)

So...He Dreams Magic is an adventure fantasy set in an alternate world, a world full of magic, magicians and monsters. It follows Ren and Nico, who are literally thrown together, as they try to escape the horrors of the Wolk (really nasty monsters in human form) and save the world and each other (in a nutshell!) The character development is fabulous - gotta love a slow burn romance (and this is as slow as they come) and the world building is great too - it left me wanting more though. I really hope that Emme has only just started to show us what this world holds.

Whilst not exactly a cliffhanger ending, there needs to be LOTS more to come. Please.

There are some triggers (captivity, abuse, graphic violence and off-page rape) so do take care, but it didn't detract from the story for me.

Highly recommended, especially if you are after something different.

#HeDreamsMagic #NetGalley

This book was fantastic! I love when I find books that are completely original! Taylor has created a wonderful world in He Dreams Of Magic. The novel begins with Ren heading out to a carnival as he tries to seek out the magical joy in his dreams. He does find excitement in the way of a Magical flyer who collides with him on the carnival grounds. What begins as physical attraction is soon a dangerous situation that Ren wasn't prepared for. Nico... the flyer is full of magic. He's a rare individual... and he's walled off.. almost unreachable. For some reason though, Ren is drawn to the man and persuades him to spend some time with him.

Soon... Ren becomes all too aware that there is more to Nico than what he appears. Nico's magic is very powerful... and it makes him a target for a nasty set of creatures. The Wolk are terrifying! Most creatures in books don't really bother me, but Taylor's writing left me ready to hide under my bed! I mean, I don't even want to entertain the idea of creatures that can live by sucking the life, magic, and soul out of humans and draining them to death. It's a horrifying thought! Kudos to the author for making me keep one eye open while last night while I was trying to fall asleep.

The relationship between Ren and Nico is really well written. While there is an "instant attraction" on Ren's part...Nico is resistant and hiding behind walls he has created for his own protection. The two men have some remarkable discussions even while Nico remains determined to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. I can't really explain how the author did this so well...but Nico and Ren stay true to each of their characters. even when the perspective switched to Nico's in the book... I still felt as though I was discovering things about Nico at the same time as Ren did.

This is a wonderful story. I feel as though this story is more than just a "fantasy" novel. It is a GREAT fantasy novel but it's also about home... and family... belonging and what happens if any of those things are taken away from someone.

Thank you Emme C. Taylor! I look forward to anything else you may write!!