Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this ebook. This book was so delightful to read. Perfect for middle grade readers. One of my favorite aspects of the book was the magic alongside modern day amenities like smart phones. I will definitely be adding this to my school library!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

This was such a lovely book! While still being funny, it was also such a well-developed story with characters you cannot help but love! It’s perfect for all ages!

I think the reason I didn't love this as much is because of my own expectations versus what the book actually is. I love middle grade novels, and I think this book is written well and will be enjoyed by many people. It just wasn't what I expected, even though I love the basic concept and idea. I expected the story to be more ghibli-esque and take place in a more fantasy setting or land with developed magic. But it takes place in the contemporary US where there isn't really much magic. I did think that the nightmare sequences were creepy and that kids who like books like Coraline will like this one too. I also like that Maren's hair is green and pink, which is also reflected in the cover illustration which is beautiful.

(Also, if you are going to use a language that is not your native language (in this instance, with Henri the French-speaking bird), please have a native speaker look over it. There are several instances of the French being wrong.)

Again, this one surprisingly and unfortunately wasn't for me but it's still written nicely and I know will have an audience in the target demographic. Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

About three weeks ago, Maren's older sister, Hallie was involved in a car accident that left her in a coma. Maren has high hopes that she will wake up soon, but her doctors seem to think it is time to move her to a long-term care facility. To help out her parents, Maren has been working at her grandmother Lishta's Typewriters and Dreams shop, a store that specializes in handmade dreams and nightmares. Maren's grandmother has one rule for her shop, dreams are not to be given without a person's consent, and she is very firm in expelling anyone from the shop if they break her rule. But when Maren has difficulty in finding the "perfect" birthday present for Hallie, she decides that a flying dream might just do the trick, and maybe it will even help Hallie to recover. However, just as Maren slips her sister the dream, she is caught by one of her grandmother's costumers, a Ms. Malo, who begins to bully and blackmail her into stealing nightmares from the shop in exchange for her silence. At first, Maren keeps up her end of the bargain, but Ms. Malo, also known as Obscura Gray, begins to demand more and more nightmares from Maren. Suspecting that Obscura has nefarious plans for the nightmares, Maren must find a way to deal with her once and for all.

The Nightmare Thief is a sweet story and feels magical to me in the same way that A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd does. There's a postal delivery service that magically delivers a letter the same day, a grocery where the rosebush sprouts new roses each day and edible fireworks. The city of Rockpool Bay is very unique and has a homey small town feel to it. Then there's Maren and her grandmother's shop where they create these dreams that sound lovely. Just listen to this description, "powdered midsummer raindrops, the softest edges of goose-down feathers, a scratching of fresh nutmeg, and a tiny snip from the lining of a brand-new pencil box." I so enjoyed Maren and her desire to have her sister recover from her coma. The way she describes all the things that she misses about her and the fun times that they shared together before her accident. Henri, the French speaking parrot was entertaining, and my favorite character had to be Ms. Malo/Obscurra, who I couldn't help picturing as Cruella de Vil. Delightfully evil. Her backstory was very interesting, and I hope to learn more about her in the sequel, The Dream Spies, which released on January 11th. **A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for the review copy.**

I enjoyed this magical realism book more than I expected. While the overall tone of the book was pretty dark (sister in a coma after tragic car accident, medically experimenting on people, and a devilish villain), the book does work for my 6th graders and could work for my more sensitive older kiddos. I'm intrigued for the second in the duology to come out so I can see where the story goes and what my students think of this oddly dark yet younger feeling fantasy.

Creepy and fantastical, a fun, modern fairytale. I loved the worldbuilding, the cozy town with secrets, the wonderfully camp antagonist, and messy, well-meaning Maren and her journey to protect her family. Such a fun read!

This middle grade story this was surprisingly scary at its climax. Will definitely give some middle grade horror buffs excitement. I'd put in the category of as scary as the Lockwood and Co series. Although The Nightmare Thief is not nearly as good, frankly. That said it's a solid read that will thrill a lot of younger kids. I'd be sure the child looking to read it is interested in being a bit scared. I know children that both love to be scared and those that absolutely hate it. One child I know absolutely adores being frightened (we're pretty sure) isn't a future serial killers (he likes animals and is nice to other kids) LOL.
This is a perfect one to borrow from the library. The type of book that isn't likely to have huge lasting effect on a child; but certainly a good gap read for any voracious young reader; or adult too afraid to read real horror but wanting some thrills and chills! For those old (like me) this is a bit scarier than the Goosebumps of the 80s/90s.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

I had a wonderful time with this book! From the blurb, I wasn't expecting it to be a contemporary fantasy, which isn't usually my favourite thing, but the magic is woven so well into our world that I didn't end up minding. I loved the concept of the dream shop, and the way that dreams are made - so clever. Maren is a likeable, believable heroine, and her family feels very true to life. And I loved the way the plot unfolded - it was exciting, and pitched with just the right amount of scares for a middle grade audience. It's a hugely entertaining adventure, and I can't wait to read the second book in the duology.

This is an Middle Grade, and this is the First book in the Nightmare Thief series. I have to say this was a very fun book to read. It had twist and turns, and the book had very developed characters. I loved all the characters. I loved reading this book so much. The ideas in this book was so good. I feel this is a great middle grade book, but I think adults will love it too. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Sourcebooks Young Readers) or author (Nicole Lesperance) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Such a fun adventure! Loved the characters and setting and can't wait to read more from this author.

I was delighted to read an arc of The Nightmare Thief set in the magical coastal town of Rockpool Bay. Magical is not an adjective when applied to Rockpool Bay. It is a fact. Many of the people in town possess magic—like the kind that makes bubbles sing and roses grow even in the winter. Maren works in her grandmother’s shop—a shop where you can buy dreams and if, you have a good enough reason, maybe a nightmare to give you thrills.
But Maren’s family has just had a tremendous blow. Her sister is in a coma as a result of an accident. Who wouldn’t try to do all she could to bring her sister back to real life even if it involves a little forbidden magic? In a story in which the town is a character, Maren has been abandoned by her best friend, a deliciously wicked villain holds a life-long grudge and a French speaking parrot who curses fluently could be either Maren’s undoing or her savior, Maren sets off a cascading series of events that in the end threaten everything she loves. I loved it. Highly recommend.

In this debut novel, Maren Partridge works in her family’s dream shop. They sell dreams with just a touch of magic. The flying one is her favorite. The shop’s only rule is that you can’t give a dream without someone’s consent. Maren knows if she just gave her sister a little push, however, it might help her wake up from her coma. When she risks a small, harmless dream, she’s caught by someone who has sinister plans and wants nightmares to aid her nefarious deeds. Maren will have to be brave enough to admit to her mistakes and risk working in the shop, and perhaps much more to defeat the evil woman and her plans.

This book was adorable. A middle grade aventure full of magic, rekindled friendship, and the power of family. It took me a while to get through, just because I’d pick it up when I needed something in between heavier works, but it was a great companion for a lunch break during stressful work days. It’s out now, and I recommend for kids and adults who need a little magic in their lives.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids for the digital advance reading copy of this book.

This book was a little slow at the beginning and because of that I would not highly recommend this book to a reluctant reader. However, I would highly recommend this book to an avid reader that enjoys a great story. Even if that story takes a little time to build up to the excitement.

I love the concept of people within the town having "little magic" and the way that the magic manifests itself within each person is so unique. I also love the fact that Maren keeps secrets from her family and the consequences of the secrets. It is a great lesson for kids to learn, even through a fictional character.

What an interesting book for children. Maren's big sister Hailie is her hero. Through a tragic accident, Hailie is comatose and unmoving in her hospital bed. Maren visits her daily and is desperate to help cure her sister. Her weary parents are encouraged to look for a long term care facility for Hailie, and Maren is convinced Hailie will never get well if that happens.

One day in her grandmother's dream shop, Maren has an idea; she will give her sister a dream to help shake her from her sleep. The only problem? It is against her grandmother's steadfast rules to give a person a dream without their consent. Maren decides to do so anyway; she is convinced it is the only solution. At the same time, a stranger comes into the dream shop demanding nightmares, and strange things begin to happen in the town. The woman knows the truth of what Maren has done and makes demands upon her that scare her almost as much as losing her sister forever.

It's a dark, twisty story about making choices in life and living up to the consequences. This is unlike any story I have read before. It is set in a realistic modern day with just a twist of magical fantasy to give it a little shake.

The Nightmare Thief is the first book in a planned duology from Nicole Lesperance. The book starts out with sweet, gentle tones but morphs into a forceful read with horror elements that may be too intense for some of younger readers. Vivid nightmares and real dangers make this one of the more hair-raising adventures I’ve come across for middle readers.

At the heart of The Nightmare Thief is Maren, a likeable character who starts out fairly unremarkable but builds into a memorable lead. The book would not be what it is without the supporting cast of Maren’s grandmother, friend Amos and a French-speaking parrot. But it’s the dark Ms. Malo who really amps up the creep factor.

The author’s adept prose creates an ominous undertone felt throughout The Nightmare Thief. And yet, Lesperance balances that with just enough light to give the reader a break. The Nightmare Thief starts out a little slow, but gives readers a strong enough hook that most will stick with it. I suggest it for more mature middle readers, ages 10 and up.

This book is a fantastic adventure full of terror, consequence and what really matters - family. Maren is worried about her older sister who is in a coma after a car accident. She shows no signs of waking up and the family is bereft in their grief. She is desperate for her to wake up as the strain on her parents growing and every day is more evident. Maren works everyday with her Grandma in her Dream Shop and becomes so desperate for Hallie to wake up that she smuggles a dream for her sister. Except this is extremely forbidden and dreams that are given are only to be used on you and you alone.

Maren risks the expulsion of working in the Dream Shop to do this - is this not what all stories are made of? A great risk, a great love, a great betrayal? Yet Maren has been seen by someone with a nasty taste for revenge that knows no bounds. Will Maren have the strength to stand up to them?

I loved this book and it really ropes you in to this magically town and the different magics that each person weaves is fascinating and beautiful. Highly recommend for children and adults.

This was a very fun an adventurous read. The magic was just right in the story with the writing. It was really good book for about middle grade children. I cannot wait for book 2 to come as this is the first book in a duology.
Thank you to netgalley and Sourcebooks kids for the ARC for an honest review.

Marin and her family are dream makers, it’s the type of magic they have. In this world there are a variety of different types of magic. You can have your choice of good dreams or nightmares and there are rules as you are not to give someone a dream without their permission.

The dreams remind me of little dissolvable papers and you put under your tongue before bed. They can make all types of dreams and Marin loves it but lately she has other things on her mind. Her sister is in a coma and all she can think about is trying to do something to help her.

This woman comes into their shop and she wants to buy ten nightmares but Marin’s gran-gran will only sell her three at a time with a reminder that she isn’t to give them to someone else. Marin doesn’t understand why she can’t give her sister a dream, she thinks it might help her, but it’s against the rules. Though while her gran-gran is helping the lady she slips a couple dreams in her pocket.

At the hospital Marin is visiting her sister and finds out that her parents are getting ready to find a different place for her sister because she isn’t getting better and there are long term care places for coma patients. While there she runs into that one lady who wanted the nightmares who is really creepy.

When Marin thinks nobody is looking she gives her sister a dream and that sets the trouble for Marin as someone was looking. Someone who wants lots of nightmares! The lady starts blackmailing Marin into getting her nightmares or she will tell her grandmother what she did.

There is are a few things going on in this story and I won’t say any more because I don’t want to accidentally spoil something but I will say it takes a little building up in the beginning to get to the more interesting parts of the story. Instead of facing the consequences of what she done she tries to take on the bad lady all on her own.

I liked Marin, she was flawed but a good character, she cared about her family a lot. Wanting to help her sister came from the heart though she did the wrong thing by breaking the magic rule and knew she shouldn’t do it.

So I am going to admit that in the beginning I wasn’t sure if I was going to finish this one or not. I thought it to slow paced for my taste, but I wasn’t at the giving up mark I set for myself so I kept going and after about 40% it got more interesting and I was more invested in what was happening though I think I kept yelling at the MC to just tell her grandmother! 🙂

Overall, I liked it and I am curious enough to see where it goes in the future as it is a series.

*A big thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

The Nightmare Thief is a middle-grade book which manages to balance the sweet magical setting with some darker and scarier themes really well. We follow Maren, and the book starts off about three weeks after she and her older sister Hallie got into an accident. Unfortunately, ever since this accident Hallie has been in a coma which has drastically derailed both Maren's personal and family life. As a distraction Maren focusses on working with her grandmother in her dream shop, where they sell dreams and occasionally also some nightmares.

The whimsical and magical feel of this town Maren lives in is lovely, and I really enjoyed it. I also liked how the villain in the story shows that not everything is as sweet as sugar as it may seem. Maren has lost her former best friend since he is now hanging out with someone who has bullied her, which was obviously very sad so I was glad to see them slowly rekindling their friendship.
Overall there were a lot of lovely themes in this book and an exciting plotline going on, I just personally wished it had been a little longer and spent a bit more time on the ending, since that did feel a little rushed to me.

If you're looking for a middle-grade novel with some great themes and magical vibes, this book releases today and I'd recommend you to check it out!