The Gods of Dream: An Epic Fantasy

Written by Daniel Arenson, "The Gods of Dream" is an epic fantasy with an exquisite and surreal feel. The author has a talent for description, and it's easy to .
Table of contents

That, in and of itself, demonstrates that the world of Dream is evenhanded. Because of this, Nightmare is actually a weight that tips the scales toward darkness. Not to mention that Dream exists seemingly of its own accord, while Nightmare needs a motor. The creative inventions of the world aside, the emotional threads are spectacularly done as well, in fact more so. Cade and Tasha really feel like damaged souls. In every way it makes sense that these two were the ones chosen to save Dream, because they needed to be saved just as much.

They needed to rediscover beauty even in the face of ugliness and evil. And I think that might be the main point: Tasha, herself, embodies this. She is small in soul and scope at the start of the novel. For she is afraid of everything, her fear and sorrow have made her as insignificant as a creature that makes its home in shredded bits of discarded paper. In this case, that discarded paper is her life, both former and present.

All of this is sad yet beautiful to read, and I have to admit that on more than one occasion I found myself getting teary — especially at the beginning and end of the book. The middle is where the action is, and it is wonderful, but let me tell you…the emotions that run through these opening and closing segments are just about perfect. So why, one might ask, did it not receive a perfect score? Yeah, I have to be a little bit critical. First of all, author Arenson has a habit of repeating things, important points that need to be remembered such as the reminders that Cade and Tasha have to save Dream…or else.

Now, I get that, but I thought it was done just a tad too much. The second is the character of Phobetor, the ruler of Nightmare. In fact, there are only two scenes that actually have both characters in them. On a whole, The Gods of Dream is a very impressive, nearly impeccable work of art. It teaches a lesson about pain and what it takes to withstand it. It shows how important life is, how important love is, how important family is, be them blood or otherwise. It takes you on its journey of imagination and leaves you both panting and sighing at the fantastically bittersweet, yet hopeful, ending.

And I have a sneaking suspicion The Gods of Dream is going to end up being one of the best books I read in It gets the highest recommendation from me that a single book could possibly ever get. May 02, Jason rated it it was ok Shelves: It is a bit on the dark side but is very light on violence and fear. I am a fan of Arenson and have really enjoyed his Moth series. This one is simply too straight forward and toned down for my liking. The main character siblings are not all that likable even though they have a very interesting history, as well as present situation.

I breezed through much of this book and retained very little. I thought about stopping half way through but pushed on. This one is meh Jan 11, Alexia Pemberton10 rated it it was ok. The novel Gods of Dream was not the best book I had ever read. Gods of Dream by Daniel Arenson is about two twin teens that get called to a place called Dream.

They are called because they have to save the land from their neighbor, none other than Nightmare, as a book normally goes. The characters in the book were not so clear. I had many difficulties trying to picture what the kids actually looked like.

Other than Cades hands, they had scars on them from a tragic accident that was never reve The novel Gods of Dream was not the best book I had ever read. Other than Cades hands, they had scars on them from a tragic accident that was never revealed. Tasha also acted strangely from this terrible accident but we never really find out why. As the kids were trying to find their way to Nightmare they would run into someone that would give them a gift that would help with the oncoming war. But soon after receiving the gift a minion of Phobetor, lord of Nightmare, would show up and the gift was destroyed.

Pretty much you could tell what was going to happen next through most of the book. I really would not suggest this book to anyone. It seemed like it had a lot of potential it just needed more detail. It was great as a fantasy and new worlds but it still needs more work.

The Gods of Dream

Jul 19, Rau rated it did not like it Shelves: To start with, I think there is a limit on how many times you can use the expression "dappled with light", and Daniel here has surpassed it many times. About the songs I can only say this: To be honest, these did neither. I will try to finish it because I don't like to leave books unfinished, but I'm really thinking to let this one be the first. I can't go forward. The story, up to this point, looks more like a gymkhana tan anything else - go there, get that, now keep going, now fight whoever, pass this place, fight a bigger guy, etcetera.

Feb 13, Geoffrey rated it really liked it Shelves: The cadence is right so it flows like a fairy tale even when it delves into some very harsh subjects. It's dark, it's entertaining and very well constructed.

Navigation menu

Dec 14, Bill rated it it was amazing. This is a story of a boy and a mouse, Cade and his twin sister Tasha, in an epic journey to save Earth by traveling across Dream in into the heart of Nightmare. I loved the incredible landscapes and inhabitants of the Dream and Nightmare worlds; the author wrote just enough to let my imagination run wild. Feb 23, Rachel Hyland rated it it was amazing. Cade and Tasha are twins. As children, their world collapsed when a bombing in an unnamed but evidently dangerous country killed their parents, and both still bear the scars: Cade, on his hands; Tasha, on her psyche.

Happily, they have an escape from their workaday world that most PTSD sufferers are denied. They have been given access to the magical quasi-land of Dream, the r Cade and Tasha are twins. They have been given access to the magical quasi-land of Dream, the realm from whence all good dreams come.

With a talking bird as their guide, they assume the guises of Talon and Sunflower, Lords of Dream, and spend their nights ensconced in a shared happy place where nothing can hurt them but the threat of waking up. But then, oh no! The neighboring land of Nightmare invades Dream, helmed by its wicked king, the strangely attractive Phobetor, and it is up to Cade and, since she insists upon it, Tasha to save their slowly dying haven from the ravening darkness that would result in the destruction of Dream, leaving all people on Earth to only ever have nightmares for the rest of time.

The wondrous, captivating and often startlingly original surprise lies in exactly how they do that. This is such a glorious story, I cannot even tell you. There are larger themes to the book, themes of self-determination and sacrifice and faith and loyalty, optimism and redemption and courage and love -- but above all of that it is just a really great quest adventure that, yes, is a little bit Never Ending Story , but brings in enough unique fantasy lore and additional plot fodder ie.

One odd thing about the book, though, is that its protagonists are 22 years old. There are some in my case, many books that are intended for children and or young adults, but can be enjoyed at any age. The Gods of Dream feels like it should have been a YA book, but one that we alleged proper grown-ups would also have loved. But as a YA, with teenaged protagonists and some of the attendant angst over trivia that is practically a prerequisite in such things, The Gods of Dream could easily have been a sensation.

Nevertheless, I have to highly recommend this book as an exceedingly worthwhile way to spend some quality time with your Kindle. You'll probably never feel as grateful for the existence of e-books as you will when you read this one. It is an epic journey through an unknowable land, a smart allegory about life and death and everything in between, and a truly beautiful piece of work with emotional depth, tremendous heart and a more than occasional thrill of discovery. Oh, and for an independently published e-book, one has to wonder at the simply gorgeous cover image with which it has been blessed.

This is just terrific work, all around. This review first appeared in Geek Speak Magazine. Do you speak geek? Oct 28, Agatha Raine rated it really liked it Shelves: The Dream World is under attack by nightmares.

Top 10 Epic Fantasies

Its forests wither and its lakes turn to poison. Horrific monsters prowl in the shadows, and the Gods turn to demons. Darkness falls and hopes crumble as people on earth toss and scream in the night. Two humans, Cade and Tasha, twins whose nightmares are real, will take a stand. They'll leave earth and enter the dreamworlds, where they'll march against the nightmares.

The descriptions in Gods of Dream are vivid, enough to spark the imagination withou The Dream World is under attack by nightmares. The descriptions in Gods of Dream are vivid, enough to spark the imagination without weighting the story with extensive details. The main characters are well characterized in the beginning, establishing differences in their overall attitudes and variants of depression. Within a chapter or two, I cared enough about them to see what happens next.

The author also does a good job introducing important elements in tidbits rather than large information dumps. The gradual climb in tension was fairly evenly paced, leaving you on the edge of your seat by the end. On the other paw, the author doesn't make much use of the contraction, but that's a style issue I got used to. The fast-forward style of the first chapter gave the world and back-story a cardboard cutout feel, no deeper than the word-paint used to put it up.

Throughout the story, the main characters also feel two dimensional, their characteristics fading until they're generic hero and heroin cutouts until the end, where they shine. In much of the story, the secondary characters ended up with stronger characterization. The author's style regarding battles and confrontations is to state what happened without going into detail and then move on, with a few exceptions. To me, this is a case of telling, not showing. They even gloss over problems that would've made the conflict more beleivable if the characters had addressed them.

There's also the occasional timing issue, where events are happening very quickly, but the characters have time to stop and talk or cradle their fallen comrade while being chased. I picked this book up on a whimsy, based solely on the cover art and basic description.

Once I made that choice and lowered my expectations a bit, it became a very enjoyable read, a relaxing distraction from the daily grind. The more I read, the deeper the story became, and the more texture and meaning filled the world. I enjoyed the book and the characters, and look forward to reading more of his work. This is a book I would pick up and read again. Aug 03, Juli Rahel rated it really liked it. This book was sent to me by Daniel to review and I really enjoyed it. It's a fantasy novel that will definitely warm your heart. It is centered around two young adults, Tasha and Cade.

Cade has survived a terrible accident that scarred him and killed their parents. This has turned Tasha into an emotional wreck, trying to commit suicide multiple times. There is only one place they can be happy, and that is: Dream is a beautiful place where our dreams are made.

It has its own pantheon group This book was sent to me by Daniel to review and I really enjoyed it. It has its own pantheon group of Gods and has a lot of different landscapes, some of which you are bound to have seen in one of your dreams as a reader. In my case that was The Crystal Caves. But there is a problem, called Phobetor, Lord of Nightmare.

He has planned to take over Dream and turn it into a Nightmare. Everywhere he goes he is followed by monsters and horrors unimaginable. Cade is "recruited" by Windwhisper to challenge Phobetor and Tasha secretly joins him in the form of a mouse. I really enjoyed reading this book because it reminded me of the fantasy books I used to read, like the Neverending Story.

Throughout the book I kept on seeing hidden references to this book, especially when the Silkworms were introduced. Arenson has created a very rich world with a solid "religion". He has clearly put thought into how such a group of Gods should be structured, taking notes, I think, of the Greek Gods and how they are interlinked. I really liked the way he combined good and evil within these, making the "bad guys" spring from the good. The pegacats Starlight and Harmony were an adorable addition to the Gods. They really brought light to certain scenes.

What Arenson did really well was describing his character Tasha. In the beginning she is depressed and can't deal with normal life. In the book she is a constant companion to Cade, who does the biggest part of the travelling because Tasha is now a mouse. As a reader you can feel her character grow and mature and in the end you really have a bond with her. Another character that goes through a strong character development is Moonlight, the Princess of the Begemmed City. In the beginning, although nice, she is a bit spoiled girl and easily scared. In the end, after having fought and almost died, she is strong and clearly a woman.

Overall, Arenson has a significant talent for story writing and knows how to guide a reader through a story and keep them interested. Maybe he had a little bit too many ideas for this book, making it seem rushed in some bits, yet all of this is only positive. It is better to have maybe too many good ideas instead of only two that are boring. Apr 14, Grace Krispy rated it really liked it.


  • IT Jobs!
  • Die Kunst der Führung: Verhalten entwickeln, Führungspotenzial erweitern (German Edition).
  • 5 Comments.
  • The Gods of Dream by Daniel Arenson.

Written by Daniel Arenson, "The Gods of Dream" is an epic fantasy with an exquisite and surreal feel. The author has a talent for description, and it's easy to picture the worlds of Dream and Nightmare. They're everything you thought they may be, and maybe even more. The storyline has a bit of a Biblical feel, a feeling which is heightened as the two sides draw closer to the battle that will determine the future of both realms, as well as the future of all humans. Each realm has a variety of dif Written by Daniel Arenson, "The Gods of Dream" is an epic fantasy with an exquisite and surreal feel.

Each realm has a variety of different regions, and those in Nightmare almost felt like Dante's circles of hell. Each of the areas in Nightmare presents a different type of horror to be experienced, just as each area in Dream provides a special type of pleasure. The author has crafted his characters nicely, and the gods of each realm are distinct and fascinating. The hierarchy of the gods in Dream mirrors those found in Nightmare. The relationship between the various gods is somewhat reminiscent of the relationship between the Devil and his minions, and God and his angels.

While I loved those two worlds and the characterization of each world, I wanted to understand a bit more the relationship between these realms and Earth. The story started out somewhat slow for me. It took me some time to really get a feel for what was going on and where we were going. As I read on, my interest grew and I became much more entranced by, and committed to, the story. Taking such ethereal creations as dreams and nightmares and transforming them into actual physical places to be experienced and explored puts a new and exciting spin on something we only experience while we sleep.

Although the story did drag for me at times, as we battled with all the lesser gods of Nightmare and walked for days and weeks and months, it was worth the read. The story itself didn't totally "wow" me, but the creativity of concepts and the beautifully flowing writing left me thinking about the ideas long after I'd finished reading. I wasn't completely captivated by the plot, but I was entranced by the worlds the author created. The gorgeous cover of the book really captures the feel of the story.

I suspect I'll be thinking about the imagery and concepts woven into this story long after I've forgotten about Cade and Tasha and the details of their quest. To describe it in one word: This story, from start to end, keeps your attention. From the plot to story to characters, there is not one thing about it that doesn't draw you in and keep you there. The language used in the book is nothing short of completely captivating, and [dare I say] lyrical - though I vowed to never use such a word for words in all of my reviews.

I can't help it, there's no other way to describe it. As a matter of fact, I've never seen the English language used so e To describe it in one word: As a matter of fact, I've never seen the English language used so eloquently in a long, long time. It was amazing, to say the least. I couldn't get enough of the characters in this one. They're so formal yet exciting, which I never really thought I could say together. Usually formal characters are a total snooze, but it worked well with this book. Our main characters in this story [twins, Cade and Tasha] come from a sad story and feel damaged in the beginning.

However, they prove their worth in gold throughout the novel. Even though they don't feel like they're fit to save Dream in the beginning, they come through valiantly with courage, strength and so much more. The other characters fit their parts perfectly in this book, but I think I was more amazed with the settings. The differences between the real world, Dream and Nightmare are vast. Typically with different settings, there are always many similarities and a few minor details that are changed. It's the total opposite with The Gods of Dream.

Each is unique and you never get confused where the characters may be throughout the story. I can't say enough good things about this story. From beginning to end, it has you on an emotional roller coaster that never seems to let up - especially the opening and closing chapters.

The ending was a little predictable for me, BUT it wasn't even about the ending because I was still too caught up in all of the adventure throughout the book getting to that point. The writing is impeccable and a complete work of art. If you love Tolkien, you'll definitely want to give The Gods of Dream a try. I don't normally compare authors, but I have to make an exception in this case because it is THAT good! Aug 12, Emily rated it it was amazing. If I had to pick one word to describe Gods of Dream, it would definitely be lush.

While fans of epic fantasy will find many well-loved and familiar threads here, it's the word usage and the description of the setting and characters that set this book apart. The story is familiar enough- a beautiful and beloved land is in danger of being overrun and ruined by a dark and evil land, and an unlikely choice of hero is chosen for a great quest.

In this case, our unlikely hero and heroine a If I had to pick one word to describe Gods of Dream, it would definitely be lush. In this case, our unlikely hero and heroine are a set of human twins named Tasha and Cade, and they receive help along the way from a series of ever more interesting allies.

The story uses the dichotomy of Dream and Nightmare to illustrate the difference between the good side and the bad side, and the King of Nightmare, Phobetor, is one seriously creepy dude with a seriously grand chip on his shoulder. His ultimate goal is to rule both Dream and Nightmare, even though such a thing is inherently impossible; it's up to Tasha and Cade to keep him from succeeding. By far my favorite part of this story was the word usage. Everything is described so beautifully and so lushly that I can picture each scene perfectly in my mind. There were lots of times that I stopped reading and just took a second to fully absorb the impact of the words arranged in that order.

I tweeted this line while I was reading the book, and it's still one of my favorites: Folks who have read Tolkien and other leaders of the epic fantasy world will definitely see a lot of familiar elements here, but I don't think that's a bad thing. The Gods of Dream is a good example of how someone can so lovingly express devotion to an existing work or style while still creating something new and different.

I definitely think the writing style is more accessible here than in other fantasy works. While there's plenty of fantasy language, by which I mean words and character names that are totally made up, the names are easy to figure out and the flow of the story isn't interrupted. Jul 07, Nathaniel Matychuk rated it really liked it. So far, I am pleasantly surprised. Could get 5 stars from me. Getting a real Neverending Story vibe.

It is hidden in Ashfall, the seat of Rukh, the Black Khan, whose court is ruled by intrigue and conspiracy. The Companions of Hira must somehow reunite, break through Talisman lines, and infiltrate Ashfall. A master of treachery himself, the Black Khan joins forces with these powerful women to manipulate them for his own ends. But as Ashfall comes under siege, he is forced to make a deadly calculation… one that could cause irrevocable damage to the Companions and their fight for freedom.

After becoming The Armored Saint , Heloise stands tall against overwhelming odds—crippling injuries, religious tyrants—and continues her journey from obscurity to greatness with the help of alchemically-empowered armor and an unbreakable spirit. No longer just a shell-shocked girl, she is now a figure of revolution whose cause grows ever stronger.

But the time for hiding underground is over. Heloise must face the tyrannical Order and win freedom for her people. In the sequel to the acclaimed Beasts Made of Night , Taj has escaped Kos, but Queen Karima will go to any means necessary—including using the most deadly magic—to track him down.

Taj is headed west, but the consequences of leaving Kos behind confront him at every turn. Taj must return, but first he needs a plan. As Taj comes to terms with his new magic, he realizes there are two very different groups of tastahlik—one using their powers for good, the other for more selfish ends.

Goodreads Authors/Readers - Fantasy: The Gods of Dream, an epic fantasy novel (showing of 5)

Aliya is struggling with her own unique capabilities. Cameron, author of The Traitor Son Cycle, presents a new epic fantasy trilogy: Aranthur is a promising young mage. His talents compel him to attend University to develop his abilities further. But the world is not safe for a mage, and after a confrontation leaves him no choice but to display his skill with a blade, Aranthur is instructed to train under a renowned Master of Swords. And while studying under the Master, Aranthur is conscripted to the City Militia.

To protect his friends, Arnathur will be forced to decide if he can truly follow the Master of Swords into a life of violence and cold-hearted commitment to the blade. Aelin has risked everything to save her people—but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day….

With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction.

Steven Erikson

Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation—and a better world. And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen—before she is lost to him forever. As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever.

Her world was shattered by the Empire of Masks. For the power to shatter the Masquerade, She betrayed everyone she loved. Hunted by a mutinous admiral, haunted by the wound which has split her mind in two, Baru leads her dearest foes on an expedition for the secret of immortality. For the first time, this volume collects the entire Long Price Quartet: Abraham, co-author of the Expanse series, presents a world of ancient empires and immortal magics, in which one man stands at the crossroads of history. The aggressively expansionist Galt empire has already conquered lands across a huge continent.

But magic and treacherous politics have brought a bitter harvest of violence and sorrow. Otah Machi, caught between ancient wonders and a modern empire, has survived more than most men endure in two lifetimes. He is the culmination of a complex inheritance, and his own existence is the fulcrum around which the wheels of epic history rotate through achingly poignant cycles of life and death, love and betrayal. Now, when the world seems utterly lost, all depends on Otah, and the lost loves and found family he has desperately hoped to protect from the tragedy that beckons.

If they can summon the courage and power to forgive and resist darkness, all their hopes could be salvaged—along with their world. The Circle—a thousand miles of perilous forests and warring clans. No one has ever tamed such treacherous territory before, but ex-soldier Teyr Amondsen, veteran of a hundred battles, is determined to try.

With a merchant caravan protected by a crew of skilled mercenaries, Amondsen embarks on a dangerous mission to forge a road across the untamed wilderness that was once her home. But a warlord rises in the wilds of the Circle, uniting its clans and terrorising its people. The Amrithi are outcasts; nomads descended of desert spirits, they are coveted and persecuted throughout the Empire for the power in their blood. Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an exiled Amrithi mother she can barely remember, but whose face and magic she has inherited. With all the fire and fury fans have come to expect from A Song of Ice and Fire author Martin , this is the first volume of the definitive two-part history of the Targaryens in Westeros.

Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen—the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria—took up residence on Dragonstone. What really happened during the Dance of the Dragons? Why was it so deadly to visit Valyria after the Doom? What was it like in Westeros when dragons ruled the skies? These are but a few of the questions answered in this essential chronicle, as related by a learned maester of the Citadel and featuring more than eighty all-new black-and-white illustrations by artist Doug Wheatley.

An infestation that ate magic—and anything else it came into contact with. Enemies and allies were equally filling. Only an elite team of non-magical humans, known as sweepers, can defuse and dispose of infestations before they spread. Most die before they finish training. Laura, a new team member, has stayed alive longer than most. City of Broken Magic is also part of FearlessWomen! Read an excerpt here. Daniel and Seth must vanquish ancient ghosts to claim the powers of their birthrights even as Cat MacDonnell fights to retain her husband against a kingdom that would rather see Callum wed to Chryslantha Godwynn.

Their fellowship broken, Seth, Catherine, Callum, and Daniel must deftly navigate the dangers of Aandor or face oblivion at the hands of their enemies, as the Aandor trilogy comes to an end. Once a landless second son, Durand has sold his sword to both vicious and noble men and been party to appalling acts of murder as well as self-sacrificing heroism. The land is at the mercy of a paranoid king who has become unfit to rule. As rebellion sparks in a conquered duchy, the final bond holding back the Banished break, unleashing their nightmarish evil on the innocents of the kingdom.

In his final battle against the Banished—and the final installment of the Tales of Durand—Durand comes face to face with the whispering darkness responsible for it all—the king in cobwebs. Because before she met Nancy, Lundy was a very serious young girl, who walked through a door when she was eight, and walked back when her quest was finished. Child of a Mad God introduced readers to two orphans: But though they start the series working toward opposite ends in the shadow of the mountain of Fierach Speur, their fates become bound after Aoleyn makes a life-altering choice.

After the events of the first book, the winds of change are blowing upon Fireach Speur. Little do they realize, war is coming to the mountain. Far to the west, a fallen empire stirs. One that sees a solar eclipse as a call to war. Their empire once dominated the known world and they want it back. Kihrin is a bastard orphan who grew up on storybook tales of long-lost princes and grand quests.

He also discovers that the storybooks have lied about a lot of other things too: Read an excerpt from The Ruin of Kings! The assassins of Ghadid serve a higher power, dispensing justice in the shadows. Or so Amastan has been taught. Until, unexpectedly, Amastan finds the body of a very important drum chief. Until, impossibly, fellow assassins are being killed off. Until, inevitably, Amastan is ordered to solve these murders. Even worse, the jaan of the murdered start roaming the dusty streets of Ghadid, restless spirits seeking any body to possess.

Aremoria has too long existed without magic. Ancient curses have found their voices again in hauntings and mysterious murders, nameless wizards are returning home, and the stars have only a single prophecy to give: Hal was once a knight sworn to protect her future queen Banna. Yet, after a rebellion led by her own mother, she now holds the position as queen of Aremoria. Guilt and bloody memories plague her. Isarna, known as Lady Hotspur for her temper and warcraft, has never been more lost. Unlike her former lover Hal, Hotspur never expected their love to have a happy ending as female heirs to powerful families.

Banna has fled to Innis Lear to lick her wounds, heal her heart, and plot revenge against those who would usurp her crown.