When the good women over at Parent Bloggers asked me to review a copy of The Dark Dreamweaver by Nick Ruth, my biggest concern was which child got to read it first. After reading the synopsis, I could tell this would be a popular book in my house.
Eleven-year-old David is suffering from nightmares. Over and over again, he dreams about a strange, bear-like man with black eyes. He's not the only one; an epidemic of nightmares seems to have infected the Earth. David takes matters into his own hands and embarks on an adventure to Remin, a land powered by dreams. Aided by a caterpillar wizard, a jellyfish-man, two wise-cracking water serpents, and several other unusual characters, he sets out to find and confront the evil wizard who is causing the nightmares. The challenges that he encounters will require all of his intelligence, his courage, and most of all, his imagination.
So I did what most women in my position would do, and I made the girls flip a coin. My ten year-old won the contest, and she disappeared with the book. "So?" I asked, after maybe a week of the book taking residence on her bedside table. "How is it?"
"Oh. I'm done. And I haven't had any bad dreams yet, so I know it was good."
This is high praise, coming from the girl who has only loved one other book with a male protagonist, which may or may not rhyme with Marry Wotter.
"Well, where is it? I want to read it now."
"Maddie has it. I think she took it to camp."
I can honestly say, this doesn't happen much in our house during the busy summer months. I had read the first two chapters to Chloe, before she told me I was reading too slowly and she wanted to know what would happen next a lot quicker than I could deliver. That says it all. Nick Ruth weaves a fast-paced unique fantasy storyline with a style that doesn't talk down to its audience. I was just as entertained as Chloe, and yet she followed along and wanted more. More than mom could deliver. Even better? This is only the first in a series known as The Remin Chronicles. Just like many of our favorite fantasy genre books, we know there is more in store for us to read.
The book is still circulating the younger set of my household, and I couldn't tell you how it ends if you asked. By the time I get it back, I imagine it will be dog-eared and worn, which is about the highest praise for a book you can get in our house.
For more information on The Dark Dreamweaver please check out the website. If you want to know what other kids are saying, Parent Bloggers has what you need. If you want to borrow our copy? Get in line.
