I was delighted to receive an ARC for this book. If you like whimsical fantasy with a sweet sibling relationship, then this book is perfect for you.
Maren lives in a magical coastal town where she works in her grandmother's dream shop, helping her to make wonderful dreams. But some customers have a penchant for nightmares, and will go to great lengths to secure them, even if it means destroying Maren's family and the peaceful town.I absolutely loved the relationships in this book. We learn so much about her comatose sister, Hallie, through Maren's eyes, and there are some truly heart-wrenching moments, though lined with a dash of hope. There is just such a great bond between Maren and her grandmother; it's the kind of love, respect and friendship between older and younger generations that I wish were present in more MG books. With the addition of a ridiculously talented villain, and a parrot that can teach you some creative French insults, this book was a joy to read. I highly recommend it!

The Nightmare Thief is a delightful read full of whimsical and dark magic. I loved learning about the different magical talents that made up the town, including the main character, Maren, and her family's dream magic. Nicole Lesperance seamlessly weaves magic and real family tragedy together into a story full of hope, friendship, and love. Even with magic, Maren felt like a real kid who struggles to fix her mistakes. Middle schoolers will identify with the themes of shifting family dynamics and changing childhood friendships, all while enjoying the mystery of the nightmares plaguing the town.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I highly recommend it!

This is a wonderfully whimsical, magical, sweet, and a sprinkle of spooky middle grade read. Maren's relationship with her grandma and her sister are just a couple of highlights, and the author's way with descriptions really makes the quirky, magical town Maren lives in come to life. Obscura is truly a villain to be feared and the way the imaginative dream magic interweaves with the plot creates a very satisfying conclusion.