A slow-burning romance between two misfits. I liked how Ren and Nico interacted, although the magician got into my nerves now and then. Both characters are well-developed, interesting and appealing, each of them with their good and bad sides. Great reading to spend the time.

This book had me hooked from beginning to end. The character development and pacing were on point. I wish there would have been a better understanding as to what Ren's powers were, so I am really hoping for a followup. I can't get enough of these two!

I really adored this dark, magical tale or Ren and Nico and how they fell in love while running from the monsters that wanted nothing more than to hurt Nico and steal his magic from him. I died over learning about all the cruelties Nico had endured and how he just wanted to escape. I loved how sweet and sunshiney Ren was and how he just wanted to help, how he never ran away, how he stayed with Nico through it all.

I loved how Ren could see Nico's magic when no one else could and the chapter at the end about how he might have given his magic to the boy who needed it more through their shared dreams when they were younger, how Ren might have always been looking out for Nico without even realizing it. I loved the two of them and how adorable and perfect they were together and I loved watching their journey and how they slowly began telling each other about their pasts.

Ren was a really incredible protagonist and I just loved how he always looked on the bright side of things and how he took comfort in other people and being there for others, how he just wanted someone to cuddle up with who wouldn't leave him (and it killed me that no one in his village had ever stayed before). I loved how much he wanted to help Nico, how despite seeing the danger and knowing he had no magic of his own to fight back with, he refused to leave, knowing that if he did, Nico would allow himself to be devoured.

I really loved this story. It was dark. It was tragic. It was beautiful. It was magical. It was romantic. It was everything and all the things and absolutely stunning.

This was a wonderful story and it had me hooked from the very moment Nico and Ren meet. They were always meant to be together. Saving each other. I loved the ending, even though I could totally read a sequel.

Sublime, magical, and mysterious! This fantasy novel by a new-to-me author was a win at 4 stars!!

What I liked: The descriptive and specific language immersed me in this magical world where humans, magicians, and monsters exist side by side. It was so easy to picture myself rowing across a lake of fire or in the middle of an arboreal carnaval.

I also liked the characters, Ren and Nico, who appeared to be polar opposites and who wanted vastly different things. Ren was an open book, making his attraction to magic and Nico abundantly clear. Nico, however, was puzzling with ever changing moods and wants. Why Nico is both flirty and cagey makes sense as the story progresses, but for both Ren and the reader Nico is a magnet.

I also liked the adventure aspect of the story once we moved away from the carnaval scene. It’s here where we learn more about Nico and begin to empathize with him. It is also during this trek that we begin to realize that there might be more to Ren than his size.

What I didn’t like: the monsters, while decidedly wicked and creepy reminded me too much of mo Ayers in a very popular wizard and witches series. I had a hard time not thinking of the dark cloaked creatures as anything but dementors.

I also had difficulty warming up to Nico because of his constant abrasive behavior towards Ren. Had I been Ren, I might have been done with Nico early on. Somehow, Ren’s attraction to Nico and his desire for adventure overcame the wounds inflicted by his barbed words.

Overall I very much enjoyed this book and need the next one NOW! This one does end with a big finale but it only sets us up for what comes next as Ren and Nico carry on in their quest to save humanity from the monsters.

My rec? If you love fantasy and adventure, this is your ticket!!

**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review **

This fun, fast-paced magical fantasy story "mostly" worked for me.

Ren was an outgoing, friendly guy from a local village, living an okay life, but he longed for excitement. To be out in the world, experiencing more than his current life had to offer.

So in spite of his little town's decree to avoid all forms of magic, Ren couldn't help but attend the magical carnival across the lake, which was where he met Nico.

But the wondrous carnival turned out to be all smoke and mirrors, nothing at all what it appeared to be on the surface. Full of unspeakable dangers, and an inescapable prison for Nico.

I loved Nico right from the start, but after being held captive and abused by a horde of monsters for over a decade, let's just say that he wasn't a shiny, happy soul. Who could be after all of that?

Ren didn't realize any of what was happening for a lot of the story, so I enjoyed having Nico's history unfold as they went, along with Ren's subtle flirting and Nico's often-snarky rebuffs.

The story line was great, and the world building was pretty good; however, to say this story was "descriptive" would be a massive understatement. Like saying water is a little wet. Sooooooo so descriptive.

I'm probably exaggerating a bit, but it *felt* like there were at least 20 pages describing the texture of grass alone. It's GRASS. I get it. But nope, let's continue describing page after page. Of grass.

So yeah, I think the story could've done with a lot less description, yet still had the same impact, without making me want to skim for actual dialogue.

The action was pretty constant, as the pair fled from the monsters, only to be found again and again, so the pacing was pretty spot on -- aside from being so wordy with descriptions of every tiny thing in the book.

The carnival at the beginning felt exciting, but my favorite part of the story was toward the end, when they visited Vellen, Nico's childhood home.

There, we quickly discovered that Davvon, Martin & the Magicians were all a bunch of BETRAYING ASSHOLES, so I don't feel even a little guilty in saying that I was thrilled to see them get their comeuppance. They more than deserved everything that they got.

I do have to admit that after fleeing the castle in Vellen, The Big Showdown between Nico and the massive crowd of monsters felt a bit anti-climactic and seemed too easily overcome for such a world-conquering threat.

I was also slightly disappointed that the "What exactly are you?" question was never fully answered in relation to the abilities that Ren showed. It seemed like Ren's abilities were going to make an actual *difference* when fighting the monsters, but I'm still not quite sure if they did or didn't, since more specific details weren't revealed. Even by the end of the story. Color me a bit confused.

When all was said and done, Nico's story was heartbreaking, but the angst was fairly manageable. As for steam, this was your typical fantasy tale, where the steamy bits were, for the most part, left out entirely.

I did enjoy the story quite a bit, but after the issues mentioned above, I'd rate it at around 3.5 stars.

Review excerpted from my blog post over at Pan/Cis LGBT2SQ+ Romance Reviews (https://pancis.wordpress.com/2019/11/14/he-dreams-magic-by-emme-c-taylor/)

Overall Rating: 3.0 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library LGBT2SQ+ historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.



Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: Insta-attraction, but the slowest of slow burns.

Relationship dynamics: The Non-Magic Villager (H1) / The Magic Acrobat (H2)

Sexual content: None; kissing only.

Gender Identity: Cis (H1) / Cis (H2)

Sexual Identity: Gay (H1) / Bisexual (H2)

Triggers: Graphic violence; recounted gang rape (not of H1 or H2, not by H1 or H2); nonconsensual, malicious touching (of H2); recounted Child murder (by H2); recounted child abuse (of H1); genocide; loose ends without a promise of a series.

Acceptance Rating: 4 stars

Acceptance Rating Explanation: Nico’s family (by marriage) doesn’t seem as accepting of homosexual relationships as everyone else in the book (e.g. his brother-in-law warns them not to have sex in his house and sneers at idea of their being together)

Grammar/Editing: My ARC had a few typos, but nothing major.

Review: This is a quick paced novel set in a magic-imbued fantasy world with a polytheistic society. The world building is what I would consider “developed in the moment.” That is, the current surroundings of the main characters are always richly described, but it would not be possible to draw a map of the entire realm from the descriptions as-given.

The main characters of this story are Nico and Ren. I found their relationship to be problematic from a (non-sexual) consent standpoint: Nico continually tells Ren to go, or to leave him alone and Ren ignores him, following him around whether he wants to be or not. I also found Nico to be a difficult character to identify with because he is incredibly volatile and hyper-destructive. The novel also has an isolating “us against the world” vibe, in that all of the other characters in the novel are either villains (who are actually quite creepy and well-done) or victims of villains.

Overall, the story is fine for what it really is: a fantasy with romantic elements. I may have enjoyed it more had I known that going in.



Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book and I will start by saying it wasn't badly written, just a bit wordy for me. Descriptions seemed to be repeated constantly, with minor adjustments to the words used. For example, I found myself tire of the fire analogies at the beginning.

Nico, I found to be an interesting character. I would have liked to have known more of his history than we got, and perhaps more showing than telling.

Ren was, quite frankly, annoying. I couldn't understand his complete and utter infatuation to Nico, calling him perfect constantly and always commenting on how beautiful he was. Occasionally, fine, but not to the level he did. It made him seem like he was under a spell rather than experiencing true emotion.

The wolk were scary, I did fear for our characters when they were present, but they never actually hung around for long and the end felt rather quick and anticlimactic to me.

Over-all, I would have liked their relationship to progress a bit more naturally, at least from Ren's side, and for there to be more action than description. I didn't find myself itching to see what happened next. I give this book 2.5 stars out of 5, rounded up to 3.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Ren and Nico, they were such great characters. I really enjoyed the storyline and the unexpected connection between them. Theirs was a strange and magical world and I enjoyed going along with them on their journey to turn dreams into reality. I'm really hoping that there will be more books featuring these characters, all in all a very enjoyable read.

#HeDreamsMagic #NetGalley

I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. It was a super quick read for me. I finished it in an afternoon, but I genuinely enjoyed the writing style.

I loved the pacing through the story and it made it an easy read.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this title.

A great story of the journey of magic, friendship, and love. I felt the magic through every page and was excited at every turn.

When Ren's dreams and Nico's cruel world collide, none of them are ready for the course that will change their lives. He Dreams Magic is a runaway from monsters but also a runaway for freedom, for adventure, and for a better future.

I've been drawn to the book from the start, where a very poetic atmosphere set place and lure us into a dangerous, magic, and also romantic, story. The chemistry of Nico and Ren is unique and captivating. From their first exchange, I knew I would love them both.

Ren has a shining personnality; his assurance, his cocky grin, and his kindness, open a real door for the shy, bruised, and shattered Nico. When the young man start opening himself, as a reader you start feeling for him and for them both and there's no turning back.

This is not an ordinary love-story. This is a story of trust, bond, freedom and altruism. Ren and Nico are a pleasure to meet, to follow through their escapade. I felt so much for them. He Dreams Magic offered me a story like no other, the sort of story that bewitched me from the first line. I would recommend this book a million times if I could!

This book always kept me guessing. I was never sure what was going to happen next or really what had happened before until near the very end. That is not a bad thing, though! It was a whirlwind experience but that's how it should be. My one complaint would be the big finale was over just a little too fast. I get it, I just wish it had been drawn out a little bit more or maybe there was a bit more detail. Just to add some tension. All in all a beautiful read, though.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my very first e-ARC book, I was so excited to receive it! I really wasn't sure what to expect going in, but let me start off by saying I absolutely LOVED it. It starts off slap bang in the middle of the action without any backstory (which I never usually like) and the prose had a very dream-like quality to it, which made me unsure too, but by the end of Chapter 1 I was hooked. It was unlike any other book of this genre that I've read, with a really unique story line. I will try to not give away any spoilers :)

So...He Dreams Magic is an adventure fantasy set in an alternate world, a world full of magic, magicians and monsters. It follows Ren and Nico, who are literally thrown together, as they try to escape the horrors of the Wolk (really nasty monsters in human form) and save the world and each other (in a nutshell!) The character development is fabulous - gotta love a slow burn romance (and this is as slow as they come) and the world building is great too - it left me wanting more though. I really hope that Emme has only just started to show us what this world holds.

Whilst not exactly a cliffhanger ending, there needs to be LOTS more to come. Please.

There are some triggers (captivity, abuse, graphic violence and off-page rape) so do take care, but it didn't detract from the story for me.

Highly recommended, especially if you are after something different.

#HeDreamsMagic #NetGalley

This book was fantastic! I love when I find books that are completely original! Taylor has created a wonderful world in He Dreams Of Magic. The novel begins with Ren heading out to a carnival as he tries to seek out the magical joy in his dreams. He does find excitement in the way of a Magical flyer who collides with him on the carnival grounds. What begins as physical attraction is soon a dangerous situation that Ren wasn't prepared for. Nico... the flyer is full of magic. He's a rare individual... and he's walled off.. almost unreachable. For some reason though, Ren is drawn to the man and persuades him to spend some time with him.

Soon... Ren becomes all too aware that there is more to Nico than what he appears. Nico's magic is very powerful... and it makes him a target for a nasty set of creatures. The Wolk are terrifying! Most creatures in books don't really bother me, but Taylor's writing left me ready to hide under my bed! I mean, I don't even want to entertain the idea of creatures that can live by sucking the life, magic, and soul out of humans and draining them to death. It's a horrifying thought! Kudos to the author for making me keep one eye open while last night while I was trying to fall asleep.

The relationship between Ren and Nico is really well written. While there is an "instant attraction" on Ren's part...Nico is resistant and hiding behind walls he has created for his own protection. The two men have some remarkable discussions even while Nico remains determined to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. I can't really explain how the author did this so well...but Nico and Ren stay true to each of their characters. even when the perspective switched to Nico's in the book... I still felt as though I was discovering things about Nico at the same time as Ren did.

This is a wonderful story. I feel as though this story is more than just a "fantasy" novel. It is a GREAT fantasy novel but it's also about home... and family... belonging and what happens if any of those things are taken away from someone.

Thank you Emme C. Taylor! I look forward to anything else you may write!!

A big thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book!

What was that ending! Is there going to be a second book because I need more Ren and Nico (Rico?)! Okay so the Book starts with Ren attending a carnival; there he meets the aero acrobat Nico who happens to be the most powerful magician. (At first sight Ren falls for Nico’s fiery hair and feisty personality, but Nico is not the type to be easily fooled by charms)

Nico hates being touched because when someone touches him he can read their thoughts (which he says are mostly about sex)
Fate is a cruel thing never telling you what it has planned for you until it’s too late.
Nico is running from his monsters. Ren is looking for magic and adventure.

Their paths collide (Nico literally falls on Ren) and they go on this journey together where in the end they discover that they’ve known each other since childhood (through each others dream; complicated I know!).

“He’d had these dreams so often, for so long. Being amid the gold felt like coming home.”

The romance is the slowest slow-burn in the history and the whole time I was crossing my fingers and waiting for them to kiss. And when it happened, I just screeched.
I fell in love with this book! It wasn’t what I was expecting at all! And I’m so glad, that I had a chance to read it and to write this review and share my thoughts with you guys.

Trigger warnings: rape, violence, abuse, etc.

I adored this, when I put it down because I had no choice I just found myself wanting to dive right in again. It’s an addictive book, you won’t want to stop at all. It’s so wonderful, well written, great characterisation, such well done chemistry/romance, full of action, you’ll find yourself holding your breath at times, the tension is built perfectly and it’s just a fabulous read. Highly recommended to everyone, if you aren’t a fan of well written m/m romance, why not , jump in on this book and come see what an amazing world you are missing

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I loved this book! It was beautifully character driven, set in a magical world which I felt was described just enough to encompass the imagination. There was a real atmosphere to this story which truly captured me. I know I really love a book when I find myself thinking about it (being distracted by it) throughout my work day, and this one was on my mind almost constantly for the entire time I was reading it. I found myself thoroughly invested in the story and characters.

I’m going to miss Ren and Nico! I want (NEED) more! Their relationship was developed so beautifully and organically with such a satisfying slow burn. This book was a perfect read for me, I can’t wait to read more from this author (hurry up, hurry UP)!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

An interesting and sweet romantic fantasy, well written and engrossing.
I appreciated the style of writing, the entertaining plot, and the well written cast of characters.
I liked the world building but I'd have liked some more details.
It's a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

When i first started reading this, I was expecting a run of the mill M/M romance. What I actually got was a very sweet and quite different story . Highly recommended.