Unfortunately I did not get on with this book. I did not engage with the writing style and found it very slow and I did not find I was enjoying the plot.

Reverie was a fantastic ride through memory and dreams. It took me a minute to actually like Kane, but I enjoyed how as he was figuring out what was going on, we got to grow and understand him too. The villain was unlike any I've ever encountered in a YA fantasy and I loved her! Also, I enjoyed how the romance was woven into the book, but wasn't a main focus and how at the end everyone didn't get paired off.

The writing wasn't my favorite and I found myself having to re-read things to really understand how the magic system worked. Also, I didn't feel like the stakes were high enough.

I'm actually very interested to see what the author writes next because I think that I will enjoy that one more.

REVERIE is an astonishingly creative and beautifully written YA fantasy read, featuring evil dreams, fabulous drag queens, and sweet friendships. I loved it far more than I thought I would and hope to one day get the chance to return to Kane's world.

This was way more than I expected. It has an amazing villain and well, I loved everything about it but it does have some of the classic cliches like people not communicating. I feel like that's the root of 99% of YA character problems, but then again, when I was a young adult, I probably wasn't good at conveying my feelings or thoughts.

Something Reverie had that a lot of YA books don't: character development. Often enough, side characters or even bigger character that aren't the MC, are not developed enough. I was so happy that there was at least some detail in a lot of characters. I can't wait until I can get a physical copy of the book and read it again!

I was so excited about the premise of this book, and with a tag line like “Inception meets The Magicians” I was like I NEED THIS NOW. I was pumped to receive an ARC from Netgalley. While I did overall enjoy this book, it ended up being more of a mixed bag for me.

I really loved the idea of the reveries! Definitely a very cool, imaginative idea. They were often vivid and beautifully described. On the flip side I thought there were some aspects of them I wish was a little more fleshed out as I felt like the concept of them was an idea that was brought to life only 85% conceived. I’m not quite sure if this was intended as a standalone book or part of a series where it is intended to expand on the idea more thoroughly in the future.

The characters are another element that I really liked in a lot of way but felt like something was missing. They were 100% fabulous but I also found myself struggling to connect with them. Like a beautiful painting that’s just a smidge too far away to fully appreciate. I loved the idea of them having powers too and how this ragtag team of wildly different people shared one important thing in common, being misunderstood and not really knowing where they fit in this world. I only wish that would have been expanded on more as the thing that brought them together. It felt like maybe the author was unsure on how to make that happen more organically and so it is just stated vaguely later that their powers were magically bestowed to them without them really understanding why or how. I think doing this another way could have helped connect me to them more. I wanted to see how they became a team, see the struggle to adjust to this wild thing happening to them and all around them, and see those connections and bonds being forged rather than just being told it was so because…magic.

All in all I think this is a unique imaginative story that is a lot of fun but missing a few pieces that would have really made it amazing.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for honest opinion. This is available in stores now.

What drew me to the book was the comparison to Inception, a mind-bending movie that I really liked, though the gorgeous cover definitely helped. I’m a big fan of twisty plots, so I had high hopes.


This book just didn’t do it for me. It felt too big, and at times I worried that the plot had gotten away from the author. I’m not sure that makes much sense, but it’s the impression I had. It’s difficult to become immersed in a book when you are unsure if the author can deliver on what he set out to do. It was actually mildly stressful.

The characters didn’t really stand out all that much to me. One of them actually shot rainbows, and I couldn’t stop thinking of Aoyama from My Hero Academia: he has a laser that shoots from his naval and for some reason that image kept popping into my mind as I read this. Poesy, the drag queen sorceress was my favorite by far. The other characters just didn’t interest me.

The concept was interesting, but felt a bit shaky on delivery. The descriptions were fantastic, however, and I consider the prose itself the strong point of this book. La Sala definitely knows how to turn a phrase.

I think this is one of those books that many people will love; it just didn’t butter my biscuit.

I really wanted to like “ Reverie” but sadly, it fell flat. I found myself wanting to put the book down and move on to something else, but I pressed on, even though it took longer than what I would have liked. It lacked cohesiveness and things were not really explained/ developed enough for me to get a complete understanding. The characters themselves were also underdeveloped and I just did not connect with them.

*I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

A surreal, deeply imaginative book – with a diverse cast and a strongly queer focus. Reverie explores inner and outer landscapes, as the tangible world is overtaken with dreams, daydreams, and nightmares.

The protagonist is a gay character, and it's incredibly refreshing to encounter a queer story in which a character's sexuality is not the primary focus of the plot. This is not a coming out story, or a romance, or a story of gay oppression (although all of these elements are woven into the tapestry) – it is a speculative paranormal fantasy with a gay hero.

I would have loved to see more whimsy in the reveries, before they devolved into the dark and dangerous.

The tone in the first half of this book is angry and confused as the protagonist feels lost and gaslit. For me this was a challenge to read, as it hits too close to home. I look for more escapism in my reading, and more bitter tones can leave a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't understand why the protagonist was as angry as he was at the people he was angry at; and I didn't understand why he chose to trust those he did.

There is a romantic C Plot, and I really loved this part of the story – and the love interest. I wish the first threads of it it had emerged earlier in the story.

In his author's note, La Sala says that his choice of a villain was a celebration of power and empowerment - I didn't make this connection in my reading, and I wish I had. Unfortunately, for me, the impact was almost the opposite.

This book is a slow starter, but by the end I was all in. It begins as something surreal, bitter, and confounding, and emerges in a beautiful, poetic place. For me as a reader, I would have loved to see more of the beauty, magic and poetry, especially early on.

I absolutely recommend this to folks looking for strange, speculative fiction, paranormal, or magical realism, and who want to see more queer rep in their genre fiction. For me, the starting tone wasn't what I hoped for, but it got there in the end <3

Reverie is a joyfully queer fantasy debut that includes: a teen protagonist with powers that shoot rainbow light from his hands, a drag queen enchantress villain, a complicated sibling relationship, a heartwarming love story between two elderly women, and a fantastic friend group with the ability to move in and out of magical dreamscapes. There is a lot to love here! The story is vivid, fresh, and inventive. For the most part I had a whole lot of fun with it, though readers should be prepared for some angsty/whiny teen boy, a la later Harry Potter. Which, to be fair, is probably an accurate portrayal of some teens who are still in the process of learning that the world doesn't revolve around them.

Kane Montgomery knows he was in an accident and probably blew up a building, but he can't remember what happened, and has gaps in his memories from the summer as well. But strange things start to happen and he encounters Reveries: dreams come to life, a fantasy spun from the heart and mind of a person. Except reveries can be dangerous, and most people aren't lucid while they are happening. There are lots of twists and turns, an arresting, richly described variety of reveries, humor, and a side of insightful social commentary.

The friend group in this book is wonderfully diverse and so smartly put together. It works to show how differences don't have to divide us and can instead be celebrated.

-Kane is white and very gay, in an obvious sort of way, but is the only out gay guy at his school.

-Adeline is a popular, pretty Black girl who does ballet and may turn out to be queer...

-Elliot is white, Jewish, straight, nerdy, and cares deeply about facts.

-Ursula is white, tall with a large body, straight, and has a Christian family.

I love how their differences in terms of faith, sexual orientation, gender and popularity are handled in such a positive way. It's also interesting to see how each of their powers come from their pain or trauma. The relationships are complicated and not always perfect, but there is a lot of love and willingness to sacrifice for each other. Like I said, Kane does get to be a bit winy and self-centered, with a growth arc I would have liked to start earlier.

The world is interesting and original, but difficult to explain in simple terms. Things sometimes felt a little chaotic, but my overall experience was a positive one and I look forward to seeing more from this author. I think with more polish and experience we are going to get some gems. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Happy (slightly belated) book birthday to Reverie!

I received an advanced copy of Reverie through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Kane Montgomery is in deep trouble, and he’s not sure why. After waking in a river with no memory of how he got there, he is interrogated by the police, who tell him that there has been either an accident or a crime, depending on Kane’s side of the story. Unfortunately even police pressure doesn’t seem to be able to help him remember, so Kane returns to the scene of his supposed crime. What he discovers there chases him straight back into the river again, as he encounters an unidentifiable monster concealed by shadow. Kane’s reality begins to slip further and further away from what could be considered normal, and soon a man claiming to be his new therapist informs him that there are greater powers at work, and they are not thrilled with Kane’s involvement. Kane will need to figure out what happened (along with who is chasing him and why) just to stay alive.

Ryan La Sala has written one of the most fantastical books of 2019 in Reverie! It has mystery, magic, and an ever shifting reality, that I found incredibly engaging! Kane is a narrator that I found myself rooting for from the start. Reverie also features a queer protagonist, which only increases my love for Kane and the story.

You can get your copy of Reverie now from Sourcebooks Fire!

My Recommendation-
I would recommend Reverie to folks looking for excellent LGBT representation in a fantasy novel. Reverie would be especially perfect for fans of Shaun David Hutchinson, because of its twisting of reality with realistic characters.

Overall, I was quite impressed with 'Reverie,' especially considering that this is Ryan La Sala's debut novel. I loved spending time with Kane and his friends, and I couldn't put this book down! 'Reverie' reminded me of the PS2 title 'Persona 4' with its blending of multiple genres, exploration of queer themes, and the parallels between reveries and the TV world, but I especially appreciated the clearer focus of queer subjectivity in 'Reverie.' The only things I would have liked to have seen more of are further exposition to help understand the rather complex world that La Sala has constructed and more development of the villain. Otherwise, I can't recommend this one enough and look forward to more from La Sala! Special thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was hoping that I was going to enjoy this a bit more, and feel that a second read through would help bump this up a star, but purely for the fact that I was mildly confused for most of the book, this is going to be a three for me. Now, don't get me wrong, I really liked a lot of things about this book. The characters were especially strong for me, from who they each were individually to how they were as they interacted with Reverie's cast. The story itself was imaginative and whimsical in really great ways, and the magic was quirky and fun. Again, I think a second read through will make this a four for me and I will be buying this for my collection!

I am sad to say that I did not vibe with this book at all. It was mainly the writing style that put me off, so I cannot give this book more than 3 stars, my personal enjoyment is even lower. I am also even less of a fan of an amnesia plotline than I originally thought. So do take this with a grain of salt.

There are many things that did not work for me, which sadly overpower the things I did like.
As I said earlier, I couldn't connect to the writing style. I had very little emotional connections to any of the characters, I struggled to keep everything straight. It just didn't work for me.

I also found Kane to be not a great protagonist. His amnesia was more bothersome in my opinion, he makes so many rash decisions, and somehow he is always correct. Furthermore, I did not believe he had any prior relationships to any of the Others because it read like there was nothing there. And since the relationship to his sisters also suffered, which does make sense, isolates him from everyone which makes it more difficult, especially since her role is not a minor one. Again, a personal opinion, but I was not invested in his romantic relationship.

Throughout all of this, I kept thinking "this would be a great TV show!" And I think you can see that both in the inspiration and in the writing. The descriptions of Kane's rainbow-coloured powers, all of Posey's fancy outfits, the differently themes reveries - I found it harder to imagine because I think it would have been easier if it was animated.

The concept and execution of the reveries was really good and I would have loved to see even more of them.

I know this is December, the year is almost at an end, but let me tell you, I think this may be one of the best books of 2020. Firstly, this is the LGBTQ rep in this was outstanding, it was a diverse and wonderful read and I would gift this to every single teen I know who likes to read, hands down, no matter their genre preference because this book defies genres. It is magical realism but it's also the story of teenagers trying to work together and all the while we have Kane trying to figure out who he is. There's intrigue, drama, love, diversity, magic, and the power of what the subconscious can do. I'm totally for this book, I loved it.

This book was fine. I found myself going up and down on whether I found it intriguing or just exhausting. The concept is cool, but ultimately I think the style it was written in wasn't to my taste. Certain times I couldn't put it down, while others I just raced through wanting to be done as quickly as possible - mainly near the end, because I just wanted to finish it. Which is a bit unfortunate, because the end should be exciting and draw you in and make you not want to look away. I found it to be the opposite. As far as characters go, I think the author did a good job at making them all different and not too similar to one another. That being said, I didn't find that we dove deeper than a surface level into what makes them who they are. I found myself nearing the end of the book and not feeling any closer or even any sympathy for anyone. I felt no more emotion towards them than I did at the beginning. The book was mediocre in my mind, but I did finish it! Which says quite a lot, honestly. It could be the right cup of tea for other people, but just wasn't for me.

Imagine a cross between Inception, Dr Strange and your favorite YA novel and you'll have Reverie 💫

I don't really have words for this book... I just finished it and waited a few hours hoping I could put thoughts to words but it's not happening properly 🤦 I'm still kind of mind blown (ALL IN A GOOD WAY) and this is a truly a breathtaking debut from Ryan La Sala ❤

The book is super twisty! While I'd say the overarching genre is urban fantasy it definitely has a strong mystery/thriller edge to it 💪 it will keep you guessing page after page and slowly piecing things together all throughout the book and thankfully concluding with everything revealed and nicely wrapped up in a satisfying ending 👌

I really enjoyed how realistic and raw all the characters were and how well we get to know them as the story progresses. The author is the master of showing not telling and using fantastic storytelling and characterisation to push the plot forward and still leave so much mystery hanging but not seeming cliche in the slightest 😊

The whole premise of the book is unique and fun and there are some lovely LGBTIQ relationships represented as well as some really wholesome platonic relationships ❤ I am also in love with a certain drag queen Poesy who is the embodiment of power and probably my favorite character from the book 😍

The plot revolves around Kane who has lost his memory after a horrific accident and only knows he was found half dead and ever since things seem a little bit off. Over time, people reveal themselves to be his friends and as darker forces lurk in the shadows Kane has to figure out who is actually on his side and who may have hidden agendas that could threaten the very fabric of reality itself.

Kane Montgomery got himself into an accident and is being held accountable for arson and possible death of an old woman. He is currently being questioned by the authorities, but the thing is, he can't remember what and how everything happened. There are a lot of things that just don't seem to fit. Was he being framed or did he really commit these crimes? He feels terribly lost and finds no one to turn to - not even his dear sister.

Then out of the blue, a drag queen-slash-witch, Dr. Poesy, appears. He suddenly feels hopeful because finally, there is someone who seems to understand his situation. He also learns about "The Others" - a group who knows the truth about what really happened to him. Reverie by Ryan La Sala is a thrilling YA book about made-up realities that will both comfort and haunt you.

This book is such a good package. There is mystery, there's humor, and then there's romance too. The best part about the romance was that it showed love in all forms. There's a boy loving another boy, a girl loving another girl, a boy loving a girl, and a brother loving his sister. The book is feminist and LGBT-friendly. I loved the fact that as soon as it was clear in the book that Poesy identifies herself as female, all the pronouns changed from 'he' to 'she' and 'him'/'his' to 'her'. There is so much power and respect in a way you address a person based on his/her choice, even when society might find it unacceptable.

I would also like to commend the author for writing a wonderful debut novel and for the fresh concept this novel has introduced. There were some parts that got me confused and that's the reason why I'm giving this a 4 instead of a 5. Trigger warnings include memory loss, bullying, guilt, and graphic injuries.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an incredible tour de force that is truly unlike anything else I've ever read before. There's definite parallels to be drawn between this story and "Inception," and the surreal, precarious nature of this ever-shifting world also brings "The Raven Cycle" to mind, but it is wholly its own.

At its heart, this story takes people who exist between worlds and who navigate multiple realities and makes their journeys literal, putting them at the forefront. It's about the deeply-held fantasies that dwell in our hearts, of worlds that we can control and ultimately belong in, and what the consequences would be if those fantasies became real fixtures in the world. As the narration puts it:
"It wasn't about finding a world that would tolerate him. It was about imagining a world that loved him back."

The reveries at the center of this narrative are about power, about agency, about exploring the multitudes of the imagination, and the strength it takes not just to imagine or create a world, but to *change* it.

To say I'm floored by "Reverie" is an understatement. I am changed by it.

I thought this book was SO GOOD. It is one of those books I wanted solely because of the cover and I’ll admit that my only complaint is the plot did manage to be kind of confusing at times, but I still found the story overall to be entertaining, enlightening, full of heart, and full of plot twists that I did not expect. It was a book that was a page turner for me, with me hungrily devouring the story until the very end.

SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY
All Kane Montgomery knows for certain is that the police found him half-dead in the river. He can't remember anything since an accident robbed him of his memories a few weeks ago. And the world feels different—reality itself seems different. So when three of his classmates claim to be his friends and the only people who can tell him what's truly going on, he doesn't know what to believe or who he can trust. But as he and the others are dragged into unimaginable worlds that materialize out of nowhere—the gym warps into a subterranean temple, a historical home nearby blooms into a Victorian romance rife with scandal and sorcery—Kane realizes that nothing in his life is an accident, and only he can stop their world from unraveling.

The concept of daydreams becoming akin to parallel dimensions that suck people in as supporting characters against their will was done well in my opinion, and I found the Others to be very interesting characters. I grew attached to them all rather quickly, and while I often did wonder - like Kane - if they were to be trusted or feared, it was hard not to fall in love with these nerdy, super-hero-esque characters. I especially loved Elliot’s constant corrections and Ursula’s love for baking and cooking.

This book also has A LOT of LGBTQ+ representation, with many main characters and villains being queer, gay or lesbian and I LOVED that about this book. It is nice to see yourself and other complex and diverse characters represented well and at the forefront of a story. I highly recommend you pick up this book!!!!

‘The act of crushing a dream can’t be minimised. At best, it’s mean. At worst, it’s murder.’

I need to stop getting sucked into book hype vortexes. I keep expecting too much and winding up disappointed, unsure if the let down is real or a result of the height of the pedestal I placed the book upon before I read the first sentence.

“Reveries are what happens when a person’s imagined world becomes real. They’re like miniature realities, with their own plots and rules and perils.”

I absolutely adored the concept of ‘Reverie’ and I love the design of the cover. I liked a lot of the sequences in the book, even though they felt disjointed at times, and thought the individual reveries I visited were very imaginative. So, what went wrong?

My main problem with this book was its characters. I never connected with any of them and, because of that, I wasn’t emotionally invested in what happened to them. I wanted to laugh with them, cry with them and be concerned for them, but I walked alongside them numb.

“You’re more powerful than you know.”

I would have loved to have loved or hated various characters but in all honesty there are still two characters that remain interchangeable to me. I know both of their names but throughout the book, unless I was reading a description of one of them, I couldn’t remember which one they were.

Every reverie has a plot. If you don’t follow the rules of the reverie, you risk triggering a plot twist, and plot twists can be pretty deadly for people trapped inside reveries.”

There were so many elements I loved: a drag queen sorceress with her teacup, a character that has a much loved copy of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’, pain transformed into power, subtitles appearing in a reverie whenever another language is spoken, and creations like a “gigantic nightmare horse-spider”. It should have all come together for me but it didn’t and I’m gutted.

I’ve seen some glowing reviews of this book and I’m having major book envy; I wish I’d experienced the book the way they did. I’d encourage you to read some 5 star reviews. I hope you love it as much as they did.

Content warnings include mention of bullying and suicidal ideation.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to read this book.