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 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 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.

I recently had the opportunity to read and review Dreambound by Dan Frey, thanks to an ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Let me start by saying that this book was an absolute mind-bending journey - a delightful mind-bender, if you will. The story unfolds in multiple layers, creating a fascinating narrative within a narrative within yet another narrative.

What sets Dreambound apart from other books is its unique storytelling approach. The use of emails, journal entries, articles, and transcribed interviews between characters added depth and richness to the plot, making it a truly immersive experience. The heart of the story revolves around Byron, a father who, admittedly, wasn't as present in his 12-year-old daughter Liza's life as he could have been. He struggled to accept her interests and passions, which created a disconnect between them. When Liza goes missing in search of a magical place from her beloved books, "Fairy Tale," similar to the fandom of Harry Potter, Byron embarks on a gripping journey to find her. As a Californian myself, I appreciated the book's setting in Los Angeles, a city I'm somewhat familiar with. It added an extra layer of connection to the story.

The use of journal entries throughout the book was particularly captivating for me, as it has always sparked my curiosity in previous reads written similarly. Dan Frey masterfully crafts distinct voices for each character, making them easily identifiable and adding depth to the storytelling. While some characters may have felt a bit basic, it didn't detract from the overall experience. The well-developed story itself kept me hooked and eager to uncover what would happen next.

One of the trickiest aspects of reviewing a book is determining whether the ending is satisfying, and Dreambound definitely delivers in this regard. The conclusion ties up the narrative threads in a fulfilling way, leaving readers with a sense of closure and satisfaction.

In conclusion, Dreambound is a truly unique read that takes you on a mind-bending journey through its inventive storytelling. Dan Frey's skill in bringing characters to life and crafting an engrossing plot makes it a book worth recommending to others.


Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.✨
Enjoyment: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Plot:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.✨
Thought Provoking: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Ease of Reading: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
World Building: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Writing: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Ending: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.✨

A unique plot for sure but I was expecting something a little more and it always felt like the daughter would be rescued. I never was too worried about that.

Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dreambound is told through a series of journal entries, interviews, and emails, Byron spends the majority of Dreambound trying to find his daughter Liza, who is obsessed with a fantasy series. Byron is convinced the series holds some magical power, which he struggles to understand.

I loved the story being told through the various formats, and the book started off with a lot of potential. Byron’s desperate search and belief Liza is still alive after running away displays the level a parent will go to, and the emotional toll it had on him. I was all in on Dan Frey’s work to build the world in Dreambound and quite a few characters were really fleshed out nicely. On the down side, it was a bit of a stretch that Liza, being 12, was able to travel across the country on her own. And, somewhere near the end Dreambound fell short of sticking its landing and I couldn’t buy Byron’s time on the ‘other side’. At this point in the story is where Dan Frey lost me, as any constant reader knows, the conclusion is the hardest to nail down. It’s kind of ironic, because the author in Dreambound had trouble ending her own book, as does Dan Fey getting Dreambound wrapped up without rushing.

A delightful melding of mystery and urban fantasy. I would have liked to have seen more of the fantasy world of Fairy Land, but the main throughline of the father searching for his daughter, remains strong.

A clever and unique plot. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for a copy of this urban fantasy about the magic world all around us and the threats that could be contained inside.

Most of us have a fantasy world that we would like to live in. Narnia, the universe of Star Wars. Some people would even like to live in the Hunger Games World, or the Universe that the Gor books from the 70's and 80's take place, but I think that says a lot more about the person than a love of fantasy. As children we slept in sheets, played with toys and awaited every new bit of media with baited breath. As adults, copies of certain movies starting with VHS to Steelbox 4K strain shelves and wallets, with a lot of toys, and probably sheets with our favorite characters. Fantasy worlds make us feel safe, take us to a time that the world made sense, where life might be great, not as miserable as the world is today. And with this dying Earth, full of contagions, spiking temperatures, massacres in schools, malls, anywhere, maybe fantasy land is the safer place to be. And it looks like a lot of other young readers of a fantasy series are disappearing too. Dreamland by Dan Frey is an urban fantasy about the draw of fantasy lands, magic in the world, and what happens when that magic starts to replace reality, told in a very unique style.

Liza Kidd left a note in her favorite book on the last day that anyone saw her. Placed inside Fairy Tale Book One: The Wishing Well was a note to her parents about how she was going away that while she might have seemed fine, under the surface she had problems. This was the last anyone saw of Liza in Boston, and except for a cell phone activation in Los Angeles, there is no sign of what happened. Liza's mother is in denial, or maybe acceptance to what has happened, but her father, Byron Kidd is not. As an investigative reporter he is used to looking, tracking down the slimmest clues, digging until the truth comes out. Slowly stories are coming out about other missing children, but Byron can't get anyone interested, not the cops nor his fellow reporters or editors. A interview with the reclusive writer of the series brings him to Los Angeles, where he starts to find evidence that something is happening, something magical and dark is coming through. And soon it might be too late for his daughter.

A good story told in epistolary format, which really helps the story. There is a little bit of a learning curve as the story unfolds, but it is not long before the pages are flying past and the story really takes shape. The way it is laid out the articles, the interviews and some emails, give the story a feeling of distance, but the journal entries and notes really kick the narrative forward, as the pain and fear that Kidd is feeling, and trying to hide with others becomes more real when he writes to himself. Frey does a good job keeping things moving, dropping clues, notes and ideas in text and not losing track of the story even as the plot gets bigger with a lot of fresh ideas. The writing reflects the characters well, people who are tired of dealing with Byron, emails from his wife about her therapist flesh out the story and keep things very real. A really good story, and far more than I expected.

Recommended for Neil Gaiman fans, the story has a lot of touches that readers of Gaiman will enjoy. Also anyone who likes fantasy stories, but want something new. This is definitely a new idea with very good writing. I'm excited to see what Frey will come up with next.

Epistolary format is a bold choice, but when done well, it can be great — and this book is an example of it done justice. Told through a series of emails, texts, and journal entries, this is a spellbinding story of a man who delves into another universe in a desperate search for his lost daughter. There are some meta elements as the plot focuses on stories, asking us to question the role of stories in our society and what stories we tell ourselves. The cast is full of sympathetic, distinct, and quirky characters and the author nailed pacing and balance of action. I don’t typically have a lot of emotions about books, but I really rooted for these characters and found myself thinking about the book awhile after reading it, and that’s how I knew it was a five-star read. This is truly a heartwarming ode to stories and human creativity.

UPDATED JULY REVIEW
Okay, so I tried to read this one in April and originally didn't like it because of the non-traditional narrative style. That original review is at the bottom of this if you are curious. For some reason I picked it up again in July, and have been captivated by the story despite the non-traditional narrative format. It's strange and cryptic and piecing together the story is still work, but it's work that I'm not minding because it feels like I am pursuing the mystery with Byron. So if you, like me typically, struggle with unusual narrative stylings, I would encourage you to give this one a second try because the story is fantastic and ultimately well worth the effort.

ORIGINAL APRIL REVIEW
Once again, I have been drawn in by a Dan Frey blurb only to be reminded yet again that his non traditional narrative style does not work well for me.. This book is told through a variety of formats, from interviews to emails to book chapters to notes. I don't want to piece together my stories in fits and starts - to me this is work not entertainment. I prefer to consume my stories in a more straightforward manner. If you enjoy a non-traditional narrative, the concept here is fabulous and cool - unfortunately it doesn't work as a format for me...

This was a lot of fun! I liked the "found footage" feel we got through the emails, journal entries, and Interviews. It definitely gets pretty weird as it goes on, and I think I would have liked some more exploring of some things (<spoiler>Like how LA and The Hidden World were melding together</spoiler>), but it's got a solid emotional heart and it makes the magic system so broad and soft (Dreams and Belief) that it's easy to keep it consistent. I saw someone say this was like a Fairy <i>Stranger Things</i> and while there are enough differences, that's a pretty solid comparison and a little unavoidable, but I think this book adds some interesting levels with the Harry Potter-Esque fandom and LA setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to the writer for all the hard work!

This was one of the best books I've read this year. Not only was it one of the best it was one of the more intriguing ones. It's not like a regular book. It was written in texts, emails, newspaper clippings and interviews and just in such a creative way.

I enjoyed going through the journey with the father. You feel such emotions. From anger, fear, triumph, sadness and so much. The exploration and detail that go 8nto this book is phenomenal and it's certainly a book I will read again.

The journey you go through with the journalist as he does everything he can to find his daughter is heartbreaking and you go through everything he does. Is he going insane? Is everything that happens true? Is the Hidden World real? That's for you to find out as you read this book.

Magic is real and very much explored in this book in a unique way. As are the spoken word of fairytales. Words have power and with them can come consequences. I very much implore you to believe and see into hidden world that is Dreambound

Thanks for the opportunity to review "Dreambound"!. My review will appear on episode 22 of my podcast which drops on Monday, August 21. I will also post my review on Goodreads and my website at this time.

Review:
I’m going to admit, I almost gave up on this one early on. The book is not a narrative but made up of various types of documents like emails, notes, transcripts of conversations, police reports, Reddit posts and web articles. I had a really difficult time settling into it, but I’m glad I stuck with it because I ended up really enjoying the story.

How many times have we, as readers, found ourselves completely obsessed with a book series? I have several. When I was a kid, I crawled into my grandmother’s wardrobe and fell asleep while I waited for the back to open up to Narnia. In high school, I fantasized about moving to Sweet Valley so I could be friends with Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield at Sweet Valley High and who didn’t want to get a letter from Hogwarts?

In this book, 12-year-old Liza Kidd disappears one night, leaving only a note telling her parents that she’s left their home in Boston and gone to find The Hidden World - the setting in a very popular book series and one that Liza is obsessed with. Her investigative reporter father Byron is desperate to find her. After six months, her mother is doing her best to move on and accept that Liza isn’t coming back, but Byron is certain she’s still out there. When he learns her cellphone pinged somewhere in Los Angeles, he packs a bag and takes off across the country to find his daughter.

Byron’s initial thought is that Liza fell prey to some sort of human trafficking crew, but the further he immerses himself in the lore of The Hidden World, the more he reluctantly realizes that this fantasy world of faeries and magical creatures might just be real - and more dangerous than he could have thought. And could the author of the books be behind it all?

The story is wildly inventive. Once I got about 75 pages in, I was invested in the story and the style of the book started to grow on me. Would I have preferred a more narrative approach? Absolutely, but in the end, this style, while annoying in the beginning, ended up working.

I will say that I had several questions and doubts toward the end, and when I would find what appeared to be a continuity issue, the author quickly corrected it. I tend to over-analyze and find plot holes and consistency issues very easily, but the author did a great job of threading things together and making it make sense - even for an overly critical reader such as myself.

One thing that I did find somewhat annoying were the redacted bits when the character of Byron was journaling about what was happening. He often thinks that something fantastical is at play, but then crosses these thoughts out to keep himself grounded in reality. Style-wise, I get why the author added these bits, but I got annoyed with them because they felt almost like road bumps that would temporarily take me out of the story. The further Byron goes, though, the fewer redactions there are as he begins to accept that maybe something magical is at play.

If the premise of this one interests you, I would definitely recommend checking it out. It reads as a blend of crime and fantasy - something I’ve not read before. If you get frustrated, stick with it. Once you get used to the way it is written, you’ll be in for a fun ride.

Dreambound is an epistolary fiction centered on a journalist’s search for his missing daughter. Told through a series of journal entries, interviews, and emails, Byron takes the reader on his efforts to find Liza, a young girl obsessed with a published fantasy series and fandom. Convinced that the series itself has held some magical sway over his daughter, Byron finds himself immersed in a fantasy world beyond his wildest dreams.

While I love the author’s style of writing, this book started off with a lot of potential and for me, sort of fell apart at the end. I loved the father’s desperate search and belief she was still alive after running away and furthermore loved his discovery of her favorite fandom and the depths fans go to honor their favorite books/characters. However, things got really weird near the end and I had a difficult time suspending disbelief. I also had trouble with his daughter’s age being only 12 and being able to traverse the country on her own. I have a 12 year old. He can barely tie his shoes.

Overall, a fun fantasy read that could potentially translate better onscreen as a tv series where it wouldn’t be rushed. Fandom lovers will be able to easily relate and anyone who likes epistolary fantasy/fiction will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Dan Frey for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book on so many levels. It’s about a parents love that will be eternal, fairytales and magic. It reminds us to not give up and always keep young at heart and mind. I will say this has been the best book I have read this year. There was mystery and intrigue while also the magical element. I will highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cool premise with an intriguing story and unique format.

Review coming on the date of publication.

I truly forgot what this book was about between requesting the ARC and actually reading it, so I went in blind. The unique, quasi-epistolary style caught my attention immediately - it was either going to be really good or really bad. It was really good. This book is part crime thriller, part magical realism, part YA fantasy. It is simultaneously a cautionary tale about the dangers of fantasy for children (and adults) who blur the lines between fantasy and reality, yet also a reminder for adults to engage their children in healthy fantasies whenever they can and be interested in the things their children love.
This book draws in all the facets that go into the creation and maintaining of a fantasy series fandom and all the pieces are woven together so beautifully. The combination of emails, articles, interviews and journals is a risky writing style, but really paid off in my opinion. I had zero expectations for this book and it blew me away! Likely a book I'll read again and recommend over and over.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was excited to start this novel, as this was my first Dan Frey story.
I will start by saying that I chose this book because it was listed as an audiobook format when I applied for an ARC. I received the written e-book. I primarily listen to audiobooks with the 3-hour commute I make to work. I did notice Net Galley has a “Read Aloud” option, so I used this feature to take in this story. I don’t think this feature is what was meant to be the audiobook version of this story. That being said, the different formats presented throughout the book (transcripts, emails, journal entries, and snippets from Tobin’s stories, etc.) was redundant to listen to in audio form because it would announce the person’s written name before reading the quote. I would recommend the professional audiobook recording for this book not include reading the two characters’ names before each quote, as that got mechanical.
For edits- I noticed on page 271 in the paragraph that it starts with “After several minutes….” It says catch my BEATH. I believe it should read Catch my BREATH.
A beautifully written, mashed-up love child featuring themes from Stranger Things, The Neverending Story, Labrinth, Finding Nemo, and Taken…Just to name a few!
How often have you dreamed of being immersed in the book you’re reading? We’ve all been there, actually LOST in a great story. What would happen if this actually happened in real life? And what length would you go to if this happened to your 12-year-old daughter?
This novel follows the ever-evolving journey of Byron. He’s just a regular old dad who discovers his teenage daughter, Liza, is missing. Liza is the quiet type, tends to keep to herself, and has a love for literature that’s well beyond her years. Byron believes Liza is somewhere in the Hidden World, the setting from one of Liza’s favorite fantasy book series. Byron is forced to view Liza through a new lens as he learns more about his daughter’s eccentricities and hobbies. Never mind the disapproving backlash from his dissenting ex-spouse, who believes Byron is not facing the reality that their daughter is gone for good. With the world thinking Byron has officially lost his marbles, he embarks alone on a fantastical journey to an alternative parallel universe within LA and the surrounding area to bring his daughter home. Along the way, Byron also tries to connect the cases of other children who have vanished after reading the same book series. Byron has a hunch that everything may not be as it seems with famous author Annabelle Tobin, who wrote the popular children’s series that Liza loves so much. Annabelle has recently become a recluse after the rise in popularity of her YA book series that involves a fantastical world that Liza may have stumbled into. Byron works to unearth Tobin’s secrets in a last-ditch effort to save his daughter.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced fantasy/thriller story. It was precisely the type of story that I loved to get lost in. I will be recommending this book to those that follow me on my social media accounts. I look forward to reading more from this author soon.

An urban fantasy story with a unique format. The story is told through emails and letters. It is an interesting read. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC.

Dreambound by Dan Frey is a great book! very entertaining and interesting story. great writing as well!

This story weaves magical realism with grief and loss, and will hit home with anyone who has ever lost someone and was willing to go to the deepest depths to return them home. Set in LA, Byron tries to locate his 12 year old daughter who gas gone missing, as she was in search of the fantasy world of some of her favorite books. The structure of this book is very unique, combining things like narration, emails, and social media. Byron then learns he needs to re-frame his way of thinking if he wants her back. The plot was very unique and the structure and manner it was presented was done well.

I received this title from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Ray in exchange for an honest review.

www.cordeliaofthepeninsula.com (June 29, 2023)