Dreams can come true.So can nightmares.
In his dreams, Louie begins visiting an alternate reality where he meets his father, who died when Louie was still a baby. At first, it seems like a wonderful opportunity for Louie to finally get to know his dad. But things aren’t exactly what they seem, and great horrors loom very close by.
The place Louie enters in his sleep—called Dreamland—is only a … sleep—called Dreamland—is only a small part of the dreamworld. All around it lies The Outskirts. That’s where nightmares come from. And the creatures who live there are constantly on the lookout for new prey. Someone they can lure in and catch. Someone they can keep as their prisoner for all eternity.
Will Louie lose himself forever in dreams? Or will he manage to wake up in time?
More than just a creepy ghost story, Dreamland is a tale about fear, loss and getting lost from reality. For fans of Coraline and A Monster Calls.
“Really awesome, well thought out and creepy.”
★★★★★ Sabrina’s Book Blog
“a brilliant book which I enjoyed and is well worth reading”
★★★★★ Black Books Blog
“I was glad that I got the opportunity to read this book by a brilliant author”
★★★★★ Shalini’s Book Reviews
“Dreamland is merely a small part of the dreamworld,” his dad said. “All around us is this. I call it the outskirts. That’s where nightmares come from.”
Louie stared out into the wasteland and felt a growing discomfort.
“Something lives out there,” his dad went on, his eyes searching the horizon. “Once in a while they come close enough to the border to be glimpsed. And if you listen carefully, you can hear their voices.”
Louie held his breath and listened. The silence on this side of the edge was deep and calm, only interrupted by bird song now and then. On the other side a cold wind howled.
“Do you hear them?” his dad asked.
“I only hear the wind.” But as he said it, he realized the wind was the voices. It was a chanting choir of faint fragments; whispering, giggling, alluring.
“… hi, Louuuuie …”
“… how sweet he is …”
“… come out here …”
“… we’ve been waiting for you …”
“… visit us, Louuuuie …”
They kept saying his name. The sound made him shiver. The voices seemed to rise and fall with the wind, but at the same time it seemed like they came from inside his head. There was something drawing, almost hypnotic about them. Louie wanted to step closer, just so he could hear them a little more clearly …
“Louie?”
Dad’s voice pulled him back, and he looked up.
“Don’t listen anymore. If you listen for too long, you end up taking the bait. The reason I show you this is so that you can understand where the voice you heard is coming from. It’s the creatures out there who have been trying to reach you through your dreams.”
Louie stared out into the darkness and tried to see the creatures. He thought he saw a group of glowing, wavy figures in the dark. They stood side by side, twisting in a hypnotic dance. He stepped a little closer to his dad. “What do they want with me?”
“They want to drown you in bad dreams until your mind breaks down. They will try to lure you anyway they can. They will lie and tell you anything to make you follow them. And if you do …” Dad caught Louie’s eyes. “There’s no way back if they catch you …”
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Louie couldn’t remember his father, he was only one when he died. But lately, when he falls asleep, he’s been visiting a place called Dreamland, and in Dreamland, he gets to meet his father. Over time, as his father gets to know Louie, Louie learns what his father was like as a man, husband, and father. He’s coming to treasure his time with his dad but his time in Dreamland is not without repercussions.
He’s always tired when he wakes up, he’s spending more and more time in Dreamland, and his relationship with his mother is suffering. These days he’s having trouble staying awake. Perhaps there is more to Dreamland than Louie realizes, something sinister.
So this was an interesting story that took a dark twist. While I didn’t trust Louie’s father at first, it wasn’t until later on in the book when some of what his father was saying came across as anything other than fatherly advice. Louie’s behavior took a dangerous turn as he was sneaking out, lying, and interfering with his mother’s relationship. Dreamland was an easy read, it was well-written with good characters, and it carries a good element of horror to an otherwise innocent story. Very well done.
He had not seen his father since he was a baby and so when he goes to dreamland while sleeping. He meets his father and they try to connect. Dreamland may not be so wonderful. What is really going on? Will it become a nightmare? Will he be able to wake up and leave Dreamland behind for good? Dreams may never seem the same again after reading
***I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy***
I loved this book. It was different from what I usually read but it has me from page one to the end. It’s is gripping, heartwarming and suspenseful. Dreamland is like an alternate universe whether it is good or bad, you will need to read to find out. You follow Louie who is just a kid go into Dreamland. He meets someone in Dreamland and for a back visit a lot. In the meantime he notices that his behavior has been changing. Louie’s emotions are all over the place and as you read you can’t but cry. I thought my heart was going to break for Louie. I was scared for him and sad as I continued to read. He is such a strong and smart kid who just captures your heart. I was so glad to read this book. This is definitely a 5 star book.
So so
What if you could enter a world where everything is exactly as you want it to be? In Dreamland by Nick Clausen, we see just that.
But of course, our main character also learns that some things are too good to be true, and that he needs to be very careful about what he wishes for…
While definitely on the lighter side of horror, this tale was still very creepy! It also really focused in on family and learning how to let go and move on from the past.
This is another novella that I would highly recommend to those looking for a quick, but impactful read that will stick with you! It is a perfect read for the fall season!