Garrett Calcaterra’s Dreamwielder is a gripping fantasy novel that combines elements of magic, political intrigue, and coming-of-age storytelling into a richly imaginative and fast-paced adventure. As the first book in the Dreamwielder Chronicles, it introduces readers to a world where the power of dreams can shape reality, and where a young girl’s journey might determine the fate of an entire kingdom.

The story centers on Makarria, a young girl who discovers she possesses the rare and powerful ability of dreamwielding—an ancient magic that allows her to alter reality through her dreams. In a world where the practice of magic has been outlawed by the authoritarian Voric government, Makarria’s abilities make her both a target and a potential savior.

As she comes to grips with her powers, Makarria is forced to flee her home and embark on a dangerous journey. Along the way, she encounters allies and enemies, including the enigmatic rebel leader Caile and the ruthless warlord, Thane Verek. Makarria’s struggle is not just against external forces but also within herself, as she learns to control her powers and accept her role in a much larger conflict. The stakes are high, with the fate of the entire empire resting on her shoulders.

Dreamwielder explores themes of power, responsibility, and the battle between freedom and tyranny. Makarria’s journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment, as she learns to navigate the complexities of her abilities and the expectations placed upon her. The novel delves into the consequences of power—both magical and political—and how it can corrupt or liberate, depending on how it is wielded.

The theme of dreams as a metaphor for potential and possibility is central to the story. Calcaterra uses the concept of dreamwielding to explore the idea that our inner worlds—our hopes, fears, and aspirations—can shape the reality around us. This theme resonates with the broader narrative of resistance against oppression, as Makarria’s struggle mirrors that of those who fight for freedom and change.

Garrett Calcaterra’s writing is vivid and cinematic, with detailed world-building that brings the fantastical setting to life. The landscapes, from the desolate deserts to the opulent cities, are richly described, providing a strong sense of place that enhances the epic nature of the story. The action sequences are particularly well-crafted, with a sense of urgency and intensity that keeps the reader engaged.

The novel’s pacing is brisk, with a balance between action, character development, and world-building. Calcaterra introduces a variety of characters and plot threads, but he manages to keep the narrative cohesive and focused on Makarria’s journey. While the story is complex, it remains accessible, making it an enjoyable read for both young adults and adult fantasy fans.

Makarria is a compelling protagonist, her evolution from a frightened girl to a powerful dreamwielder is central to the story’s appeal. Her struggles with self-doubt, fear, and the weight of her responsibilities are portrayed with depth and authenticity, making her a character that readers can empathize with. Her relationships with other characters, particularly Caile and her mentor, Orien, add emotional richness to the narrative.

The supporting cast is diverse and well-developed, each with their own motivations and backstories. Caile, the brooding rebel leader, provides a complex foil to Makarria, while Thane Verek serves as a formidable antagonist whose presence looms large over the story. These characters, along with others, contribute to a rich tapestry of alliances, betrayals, and personal growth.

Dreamwielder is an enthralling start to what promises to be an exciting fantasy series. Garrett Calcaterra has crafted a world filled with magic, danger, and intrigue, populated by characters that are both relatable and inspiring. The novel’s blend of action, emotion, and thought-provoking themes makes it a standout in the fantasy genre.

For readers who enjoy tales of young heroes coming into their power and fighting against overwhelming odds, Dreamwielder offers a satisfying and imaginative journey. With its engaging plot, strong character development, and vivid world-building, this novel is sure to captivate fans of epic fantasy and leave them eager for the next installment in the Dreamwielder Chronicles.

Dreamwielder is a YA fantasy about a young teen girl who can turn dreams into reality. Unfortunately, all magic is forbidden by the cruel emperor, and she is in danger of her life if anyone but her family finds out. Meanwhile, royal siblings begin trying to overthrow the emperor with the help of secret sorcerers.

Dreamwielder was an engaging YA fantasy novel. I enjoyed the creative plot and setting. There were some unexpected plot twists, and I enjoyed the plot as a whole. Some of the technology seemed a bit steampunk, which was fun as well.

There were four main characters — the dreamwielder girl, her grandfather, an 18-year-old princess, and the princess’s brother. They each had unique personalities, and I enjoyed reading about them. I think that they could have had a little more character development, though.

My biggest concern about the novel is the content level for the age group. The characters and the reading level seem to be written for younger teens. The main character especially seemed so innocent and young — she was only about 13, after all. Although there were 3 other, older POV characters. However, there was quite a bit of violence for a young teen age group, such as someone burning a ship full of people locked in their cabins, serious threats of torture and of “bedding” an 18-year-old unwilling girl as many times as it takes to get her with child, war violence, and more. It was a bit much for a young age group.

I enjoyed the book as a whole and found it refreshing and creative. I would recommend it, though with the content concerns included with the recommendation.

I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own, and I was not obligated to provide a positive review.

A very interesting and epic journey with a princess who possesses the power to turn dreams into a reality in which she discovers that she's a dreamwielder. The princess and prince sibling kinship was cool to see both be at the helm of the story, and then add a villain antagonist to shake things up. It was hard to connect with the characters and it felt like the storytelling was more telling and less showing.

Thank you to Garrett Calcaterra and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions. This book was an absolute page turner. I loved the plot and the magic of the land and people. The whole world sounded beautiful

A completely new, creative world of fantasy that grabs ahold of you and doesn't let go. The way that magic works in the world is reminiscent of the additive and subtractive magic in Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. There were a few places that seemed a bit complex for a YA novel, but if you have a reader who reads above their age group it would be a great fit. All in all, I felt it was a good fantasy book for fans of YA books. It had a much different, darker feel than your standard YA fantasy book but that isn't a bad thing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Diversion Publishing, and Garrett Calaterra for allowing me the opportunity to read this book and provide my honest views to others.

DNF. This one didn't hold my attention; the writing was clunky and stilted, making it difficult to want to continue reading. May just not be my cup of tea.

A lost princess, self-fulfilling prophecy's and magic - Dreamweilder is definitely a book that captures your intrigue from the first few chapters and is able to maintain it throughout. When Emperor Guderian issued the decree to eliminate everyone with magical abilities after hearing a prophecy of his demise at the hand of a sorceress, he unknowingly signed his own death at the hands of the most unlikely assassin. However, the true focus of this novel is the coming of power story of young Makarria. When we are first introduced to her she appears to be a sheltered naive young girl, but when she accidentally uses her magic to save her grandfather's life, this simple loving act turns into a catalyst that not only turns her world upside down - but the literal world as well.

I received this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There are so many great things about Dreamwielder and yet I am only giving it 3 stars (maybe this is like 3.25 stars). The characters, plot, world building and magical system are wonderful. They could easily come from any high-end fantasy book. Author Garrett Calcaterra of Dreamwielder (the first book in the Dreamwielder Chronicles) is clearly talented. Right up until you need him to describe a building or scene; or show you what is happening….

Give me more cowbell!
Really good fantasy books require some intricate descriptions. I’m not talking about 10+ pages about rocks (ugh Emyn Muil) but there has to be some sort of substance to the descriptions. If I’m in a throne room numerous times which is enthralling to the characters then I’d like to be able to see it in my head. Instead it was as if it was a generic “Lightbringer” throne room.
Here’s an example of a lack luster description: ”…the ceiling of the throne room was vaulted, and there was a high balcony lining the rear and side walls, but apart from that it was similar in size and layout to the throne room in Castle Pyrthin.”
That’s it? I want sooo much more; what are the colours, what’s on the tapestries, what does the throne look like, how big is it, are there windows, is it intimidating, etc. I started (by the halfway point of the novel) rewording the sentences to have descriptions in them that incorporated more of the plot, what characters were seeing and descriptions. Even a phrase like (forgive my bad writing) “Not unlike Castle Pyrthin the vaulted ceilings, held up by stone columns, gave the room the impression of being larger than it was. As Caile walked towards the throne he realized that the man on the small, but ornate, gold throne didn’t fit in with the elegant royal purple tapestries which depicting epic fights and sorcerers of great power flinging their blue balls of magic in battle. The Emperor instead appeared…” Yes I made up those details, because in my head that’s what I started to do when given no descriptions of the settings. I just wanted so much more! Simply put, I wanted someone like Robin Hobb, Brandan Sanderson or Elizabeth Haydon to have written this story because it could be a rich, intriguing and intricate fantasy story. Instead Calcattera gives us a glimpse into what could be an intricate, intriguing and impressive fantasy world and then lets us down with mediocre descriptions and not enough showing.

Yes I really mean it, give me more!
Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Mel, are you saying you wanted this book to be longer?” Yes!! There’s a first time for everything (lol). I wanted to be immersed in this world where we swap characters points of view and split up only to reunite characters later on. It’s an absolute tragedy to me that there is sooo much good stuff here and yet the core base of what makes a book readable and immersive is missing.
The characters, plot and world are more than good enough that I will read the next book in the series; but I suspect I will be re-writing it with descriptions in my head as well.

Genre
I know this is listed as a young adult book, and yes it’s suitable for a young adult. But I think it’s mis-categorized. This is really an epic high fantasy book that just needs a good fantasy treatment added to it. What I mean is that I want it to feel grander than it does right now. Again, I just think there’s so much more Dreamwielder could be. I’d hate to see Calcaterra stay at this level of writing because I think he can be so much more than he is. That’s not to say YA books aren’t good (I personally love them); it’s only to say that Dreamwielder feels bigger and I want a lot more out of it so an epic fantasy treatment feels like the way to go here.

In Conclusion
I’m a broken record by now because all I can say is give me more! Calcaterra should re-write this with a more adult audience in mind, add-in descriptions to flesh out this world, and overall step up the writing to a more show and less tell approach. If this was to happen I honestly believe there is a promising future for not only Dreamwielder but Calcaterra himself.
If I could afford to I’d hire him a big-time editor and copy-editor from TOR or Orbit to work with Calcaterra and make this the grand story it deserves. In the meantime I’ll be moderately content with what I have and keep hoping that a larger publishing house sees what I do in this wonderfully set-up series.

This is an action packed epic fantasy novel! Makarria is born into a world where magic and dreaming are forbidden. But she can't help it that she dreams anymore than she can help that what she dreams comes true. She is a dreamwielder. She tries to hide her magic but when forced to choose between her secret or her family she chooses family. From now on she has exposed herself and has a target on her back. While being hunted by a ferocious villain she becomes friends with Taera, a princess with magic of her own. Their friendship ignites the journey of a lifetime...

I really enjoyed this novel and was able to finish it on one reading. I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out!

Book given by Negalley and publisher for a fair and honest review!

I'm a huge fantasy nerd so I was so excited to read this book and, fortunately, it was a really great read for me! It was fairly easy to become immersed in this world and I loved the magic of it all. The characters were great and the plot was easy to follow. A super easy and fun read!

Dreamwielder is the first book in the Dreamwielder Chronicles by Garrett Calcaterra. The author brings us into a world where dreaming can get you killed.

Makarria is a farm girl living in a world ruled by Emperor Thedric Guderian a man who wishes to remove magic from the world. He believes that technology is the future and will stop at nothing to make his image of the world happen. Makarria life is no longer simple when she has to hide from the Emperor men who look for her as she is a Dreamwielder. Dreamwielder is the most powerful of all sorcerer, and the Emperor can not allow her to live as Dreamwielder have the power to create anything they dream. Makarria journey is intertwined with Princess Taera, her headstrong brother, Prince Caile. This three maybe the only hope that the Five Kingdoms have to stop Emperor Thedric dictatorship.

I enjoyed the author different take on sorcery, as I have never read another character with powers like a Dreamwielder, their abilities only restricted by their own imagination. Although I wouldn't want people to see what I was dreaming .

One of my favorite character evolutions is Princess Taera, for me once she accepted who she truly was, was when she started to come into her own.

I hope to see more of an evolution with Makarria in the next book, she has the most to come deal with but I felt with the smallest change in her character. This maybe more of an age thing as she is the youngest of the protagonists.

I am glad that this story was wrapped in this book, and I wasn't left on a cliff hanger. The story ended resolved this story arch but left the story open for the next book.  It does make me wonder what will happen for our trio in Souldrifter.

I give this book 3.8

This book sounded good, but it did not turn out that way. There was very little character development. It was very hard to relate to the characters because I really felt no connection to them. Their overly formal language also came across as stilted and not natural--they sounded like automatons or something. I ended up just skimming the end and will not be reading the other books in the series.

Loved this book I liked reading about the different kinds of sorcerers and their powers imagine being able to make your dreams real! I liked the cover but mostly the uniqueness of the story and plotline. I think it's a great fantasy book to get addicted to I certainly finished it quick and it's an easy read I definitely recommend this book.

Imagine having the ability to manipulate the world through your dreams. Well, in this story, our young protagonist unwittingly sets into motion events that will change her world, as well as everyone else's. I am looking forward to the continuation of this series.

Fun but dragged on at times. The writing made things iffy.

This is classic sword and sorcery type fantasy with a slight twist in the shape of a machine-steampunk angle. A very east read and very enjoyable wuth ab endearing main character and an antagonist who was readonably well developed. The dream side of the magic system wasn't unusual but I did think the way it was handled was original. Good clean fun and good escapism with sone real underlying grittiness.

There were SO MANY characters in this story oh my. It took me such a long time to get into this book because of it, but that's okay, I can deal with that - Six of Crows was the same. When the characters started intertwining their stories it got better for a while, but still I think there were too many characters (including characters that weren't important to the plot at all... maybe this is just building up to the sequel? Which for me, shouldn't be the purpose of the first novel).

There were some great plot twists in this story that would have been a lot more gripping if the pace was better, some parts of the story really needed to be dragged out and they weren't - again, maybe we'll get more backstories in a sequel?

Ugh, some parts were truly TERRIBLE - it was almost as if they were written by somebody else, or added at the last minute. We had "This is our world - the world of men!" & turning powerful women into naked slaves... yep, not a high point in writing or class. If you want to show the evil of one regime, this was just a hastily-put way to do it.

All in all, this was an okay book that seemed like a lot was missing. The plot is very intriguing and - dare I say it - "unique" in a lot of ways, so perhaps as a whole series, it will come together.

// Thank you to NetGalley & the Publisher for providing me a copy with this in exchange for an honest review //

Book one of the Dreamwielder Chronicles. I fell in love with this book from page one. The world building is incredible, and each new detail made me feel like I was there. Makarria is an instantly lovable character, and her adventures are fascinating. The blend of the personal narratives gives all sides of the story, and kept me hooked until the very last page. A must read for fans of fantasy, adventure, and suspense. I give it 5/5 stars since I was unable to put it down until I finished.

Honestly, for this one, the cover was what drew me in. It’s beautiful. I might not have given this book a chance otherwise.

I was a bit worried about reading this because I’ve been struggling to get into books recently. I really kind of enjoyed it though! The world was very well written. The story was interesting. The characters likeable.

This book didn’t take me that long to read though. So I recommend it if you’re wanting a quick read. I do plan to read the sequel/s when I have a chance though!

I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Absolutely awful and I for once in my life as an arc reviewer did not finish this book at 92% complete.