2.5
When I read the synopsis, it caught my attention, so I decided to give this graphic novel a chance. I knew it was about teenagers, but that wasn’t really a problem since we’ve all been there. However, this time I didn’t quite understand them, especially Amber. Honestly, in several moments it felt like some things about her weren’t fully explained or that we didn’t get enough background; everything felt a bit rushed.

Amber is described as “a headstrong goofball with a temper,” and while you can infer some extra details of her personality, it wasn’t entirely clear to me why she behaves the way she does. On the other hand, I really liked Nico, his character felt much more... and well-developed.

That said, the story did have some cool moments visually. Some panels were filled with wonderful colors, especially one horizontal panel where they’re in a forest, observing the flora and the horizon, and they link their pinky fingers, so cute! :)))

Overall, the story has potential, but I wish certain characters, especially Amber, were more developed so it would be easier to connect with them.

Dreamover is a little different than a lot of other middle grade/young adult graphic novels. While still keeping adolescent friendship at it's heart, Dreamover is that weird place between being a kid and becoming a teenager. That's when everyone's paths start to diverge no matter how close you are. Where imagination and silly children stories becomes more faraway and dreamlike. I loved the watercolor(ish) artwork. It adds to the vibes. The story has a TON of potential. It would be best as a series spread across multiple volumes to give the story and characters room to continue growing.

Dreamover was a very clever way to show the issues that can arise when a couple begins to isolate themselves from their friends and the impact that has on a community. Definitely helpful for young adults and teens, it shows the ways that we can come back to our friends even when we've isolated ourselves.

The art in this was gorgeous, but the story just wasn't compelling enough for me. I think a younger audience would enjoy this, as it's not a super "deep" book.

This was quite sweet. A story about friendship and love and how to maneuver adolescence. I felt like it was great. And the artwork was lovely!

This was a fun graphic novel that doesn't do much beyond that - it explores first love and friendships, but on a surface level. The art style was fitting, but I felt like the story could have gone deeper.

As usual, I missed this before the archiving. But I only noticed when the book came through the library circ-desk! So I checked it out. Definitely a bit too young for my tastes. But would probably be enjoyable for a middle-grade or teen reader.

I expected more dreaming but it was really only one big dream. Cute overall. Just not my type.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

**Review of *Dreamover* by Dani Diaz**

*Dreamover* by Dani Diaz is a heartfelt and whimsical debut YA graphic novel that explores the complexities of first love, friendship, and the struggles of navigating adolescence. This charming and relatable story takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster as two best friends, Amber and Nico, find themselves not only growing up but also realizing the depth of their feelings for each other.

Amber, a feisty, fun-loving girl with a bit of a temper, and Nico, a shy, self-conscious emo boy, have been inseparable since childhood. Their friendship is deep and comfortable, but as they enter high school, things take a shift. Amber’s long-hidden feelings for Nico finally come to light in a sweet, vulnerable confession, and to her surprise, Nico feels the same. What follows is a blissful, magical summer of first love. Diaz’s portrayal of this budding romance is tender and full of heart, capturing the excitement, butterflies, and sense of wonder that come with discovering love for the first time.

However, as Amber and Nico return to school, their love story begins to take a toll on their other relationships. High school brings with it pressures of bullies, homework, and the weight of growing up. Amber and Nico retreat into each other, pulling away from their friends and their former lives, which creates a sense of isolation. Diaz skillfully explores the tension between the joys of first love and the challenges of maintaining a sense of balance with the world around them. This internal conflict is well-rendered, showcasing the growing pains that come with adolescence.

The magical twist in *Dreamover* occurs when Amber, feeling overwhelmed, wishes she could escape from it all. After falling asleep playing video games with Nico, she finds herself in a dream-like reality, and the world of the dream becomes a place where Amber and Nico can explore the boundaries of their relationship without the pressures of reality. This fantastical element adds a layer of magic to the story, allowing for an exploration of their feelings in a surreal, yet poignant way.

The art style in *Dreamover* is vibrant and engaging, with an expressive, animated aesthetic that mirrors the emotional highs and lows of the story. Diaz’s illustrations are rich in detail, using color and line work to capture the dreamlike quality of Amber’s world and the deeper emotions that lie beneath the surface of her and Nico's relationship. The visual storytelling elevates the emotional core of the novel, making Amber and Nico’s journey both relatable and visually captivating.

What makes *Dreamover* stand out is its ability to capture the complexities of growing up and falling in love. It’s a story about the awkwardness and joy of discovering your feelings, the struggles of balancing love with friendship, and the desire to escape the overwhelming reality of life. Diaz’s writing and artwork combine seamlessly to create a narrative that is both tender and magical, offering readers a beautiful, emotional experience.

Overall, *Dreamover* is a delightful, heartfelt graphic novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever fallen in love for the first time or struggled to find balance during those formative high school years. The dreamlike elements add a unique twist to the familiar coming-of-age story, making it a must-read for fans of YA romance and graphic novels alike.

I really wanted to like this one and I still think it has tons of potential, but it was maybe too rushed to be published.

Firstly, the cover is gorgeous. So it was a bit of shock when I opened the book and the art inside did not match. I don't know how to say this without sounding mean or hurting anyone's feelings, but it was very amateurish, there is a lot of room for improvement. Sometimes the colouring was very fun and fitting the mood - especially in the dream scenes.

The story is rather simple - first love, friendship, surviving school, but even when it comes to the themes and the stories there was room for more.

I think this graphic novel has a nice idea, but it's just a sketch.

This is a beautiful graphic novel about first love. Amber and Nico are close friends and have been since they were children. Just before high school they become a couple and fall into an all consuming relationship which excludes their friends. When they both fall into the same dream it helps them negotiate all the challenges of young love and friendship.

I think the story is a lovely one and very thoughtful. This is a YA book but can be enjoyed by adults as well. The characters are beautifully diverse in so many ways and in a world where diversity is a battleground this story embraces the normality of diversity, because yes, we are all different. The personalities of the characters brings the story warmth and reality.

The best part of this story is of course the artwork which is colourful and engaging.

A beautiful story with beautiful artwork and an enjoyable read.

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review

This was an interesting look at relationships and friendships amongst teens. I really liked the art and the way the story played out. I think this could be a really good read for younger people due to the powerful message about the importance of not burying your entire self in your relationship.

I wanted to love this one, but it just wasn't doing it for me. I had to DNF this one, unfortunately

Weird but in a good way love the concept of dreams in general as they seem to unlock a deeper part of our subconscious. Would definitely recommend this book.

best friends were being secretly in love with each other for months because they didn't want to break their group-of-5 dynamics. but that finally changed when they had a class outing where they snuck out together, spent all day just the two of them, and had a confession.

what they feared turned into reality, their group dynamics was changed and eventually they became distant with their other close friends. then they had a sleepover, and somehow when they were asleep they entered some kind of conscious dreamland together that allowed them to go to any places, do anything unimaginable together.

this is mainly about navigating relationship and friendship, less plot and more vibes. it was okay, i love the subtle details peppered throughout the illustrations.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this one, it wasn’t really grabbing my attention and maybe that’s just because I’m not the target audience? Either way I do appreciate NetGalley and the publishers for giving me this arc in exchange for my honest review.

A great graphic novel about middle scho/high school romance.

The story develops beautifully throughout the panels and has an amazing nostalgic flair.

Two best friends since elementary decide to start dating the summer before high school, getting lost in each other’s company and forgetting about their other friends. They fall asleep, get stuck in a joint video game dream and cross many different obstacles and terrains as what seems to me a metaphor for the huge emotions of first love and adolescence in general. I thought it was well done and the art was beautiful.

Firstly thank you to the publishers for my early access in exchange for a review.
I’ve reviewed a few of this authors books and this is definitely one of their strongest .
Thought provoking and well written

It is a middle-grade graphic novel about Amber and Nico's exploration of their love. However, things become complicated, and it starts to affect their friendship with Drew, Stella, and Grace.

This is a sweet graphic novel about love and friendship. I love the artwork.

This was such a sweet middle-grade graphic novel about 2 friends exploring first love and learning to navigate shifting friendships. I enjoyed the connection between the main characters and seeing how they made mistakes and worked through them and past them. I liked the mix between the real world and a dream world.
The art style wasn't my favorite personally, but it seemed to fit for the story really well.

As a 35 year old, married mother, I am definitely not the target audience for this book. While I still really enjoy reading middle-grade fiction, this didn't seem to translate into something I could fully relate to and enjoy. I liked the story, but I had to work to view it from the perspective that I might've had when I was a young teen.