Author: Kelly Creagh
Release Date: August 31st
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.
Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.
As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.
His life depends on it.
This was quite a book. It's a long book, and starts out a bit slow, but once you really get into it it's impossible to put down. Edgar Allen Poe and his poems play a large role in this book, but you don't need to know anything about him before you read, it's all explained throughout. I'd read a few of Poe's poems before this, but I found him much more interesting now. The mystery surrounding his death is especially fascinating.
I really liked how long this book was because it let you get to know the characters, primarily Isobel. Isobel is one of those cheerleaders. You know the ones, the mean girl, dating the football star, airheaded, self absorbed type. Except she's not. I was very surprised by Isobel throughout this entire book and got to really like her. Varen is...well, at first glance a creepy goth guy. But he's so much more, and he and Isobel go together more than you would think. The romance in this book isn't flashy but very subtle, which makes it all the more intriguing.
This plot is very, very original. I've never read anything even close to resembling it. At all. It was so, so great to read about something that I've never read about. The whole book is very mysterious and sometimes even frustrating. It's not until the end that we really understand everything. And the ending is something else, I have no idea what I would do if there wasn't going to be a sequel.
One thing that I didn't like is that the end gets confusing, and even though the pacing is urgent a lot of time is spent on descriptions. All that I wanted was to keep going, to know what happens next, but I was hampered by all of the descriptions. I also felt that some things weren't explained as well as I would have liked. They may be explored more in the sequel though.
Basically I loved this book! It was very original, very addicting, and very romantic. Thank goodness there's a sequel, because after that ending I'm begging for it!
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
Originality: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Overall: 47/50 A
Cover Comments: I love it! The couple on the cover fit the descriptions of Varen and Isobel perfectly, and I love the way that she's looking at him and he's looking toward us. The words going across is perfect also, and the title is extremely fitting.
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