I love me a good standalone YA Fantasy. The premise is unique which I enjoyed the most about this book. I think it'd be scary taking up the position of warden of nightmares but at the same time it'd be interesting to see what nightmares plague others.

Clementine's father is the warden of her small town and over the years she's been trained to take his place. When two strangers come into town to challenge her father she does all she can to help him win. When she fails and they are forced out of their home, Clem seeks to find a way to gain access to her old house to learn what the new warden is really up to.

This book has adventure, romance, and betrayal. I enjoyed it and I think that most people who enjoy YA fantasy will not be disappointed in this one. The audio was well done and I definitely recommend it.

i enjoyed this audiobook, it was fun to listen to the story in a different way. The narrator was well done and I enjoyed going through this.

Despite the slow start, I ended up enjoying the last two thirds of this book.
I wish Ross elaborated more on the magic system and explained a little more about how it worked, but otherwise it was a fun system.
If you liked Sorcery of Thorns, then you'll enjoy this book... or alternatively, if you did NOT enjoy Sorcery of Thorns then skip this book for now!

4.5 rounded up
Fast paced story with unique plot twists. Had to keep reading to see where it was going. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook book

Thank you NetGalley, author Rebecca Ross, and HarperCollins Publishers for giving me a free audio arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
The narrator did a great job reading this story. The narrator had a very neutral accent which made the story easy to follow.
What I appreciated most about this book is how well the characters were developed! Each character had their own journey, secrets, and place within this world. The premise and the world building were very interesting. I liked the concept of battling nightmares for the residents within the communities. The enemies-to-friends-to-lovers was well done between Clementine and Phelen. It was slow and layer, which added another element of mystery around their working relationship. The author paced this story well. There was a great balance of action, information of the world and magic systems, and romance! I found myself completely immersed in this story and the outcome of how all the plot line would wrap up. This book is defiantly worth the read especially for those who love fantasy! I can't wait for another new release by this author!

Setting this aside for now for reasons that are probably entirely me-not-the-book. I've listened to about half an our of it, and I'm just helplessly confused. I honestly couldn't explain anything that happened. Granted I don't have a lot of brain cells to spare these days so I may try again because it's an interesting concept and I'm a sucker for a beautiful cover.

I was intrigued by this one for 2/3 of it, but then so much happened in part 3 that was hard to keep track of & I lost of excitement. I loved the concept of fighting dreams and the overall premise. The love story didn’t do much for me & one of the most intriguing main characters from the beginning of the book is sort of forgotten by the end…we never learn what happened to him.

This fantasy novel follows some tropes, but overall, it works well: enemies to lovers, hero's journey, and two=faced family members. Clem is one of my new favorite heroines. She's spunky, selfless, caring and daring. She willingly gives up something she loves to be able to go undercover to bring down those who usurped her father's position as warden. She works on her plan, but winds up changing directions when things take a twist. She takes a position with Phelan and things get more complicated than just her feelings for her sworn nemesis.
The kingdom is cursed. Nightmares come to life and walk the streets once every new moon. Wardens (magic wielders) stand in the streets and help protect everyone from the nightmares. Clem is a warden. Her father was a warden. Her mother is a magician. Her uncle is uber cursed... and seven people are unmasked to kick start their quest to break the curse once and for all.
I loved the duality that lies beneath each character. None of the characters live in a binary world: none are truly good or truly evil. This story lives in the grey. The complicated allegiances and betrayals made this one a fascinating read.
If you're looking for curses, nightmares, knights, trolls and magic, this is it.

I received the audiobook version of Dreams Lie Beneath and to be honest the synthetic voice used for the story just isn’t it. It made it difficult to focus on the story. But not even a robotic voice could ruin this story. Dreams Lie Beneath is amazing and storytelling at its best. The idea was so creative and the story doesn’t disappoint. Each character is fleshed out and practically comes to life. This isn’t even my preferred genre but after this story it might have to be. This author knows how to create a well thought out story with deep mysteries and twists that leave you on the edge of her seat. If any book deserves to be a movie it’s this one. I’d be first in line. I urge everyone to pick up this story. I most definitely will when it is released in November. Five stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC! It was a pleasure!

I received this book via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was such a beautifully written book and I loved it! The magic concept surrounding dreams and nightmares was a new one to me in literature . So many books have similar magical systems so a new one was a delight to read. Phelan gave me “ phantom of the opera vibes” I love a good enemies to friends story too. There were many twists and plot turns I wasn’t expecting and it made the book really fun and exciting to read. I highly recommend it!

A dark fairy tale with hidden secrets & turn. The slow burn romance is chief’s kiss. Ross does it again. I loved the concept of dreams coming to life!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early audiobook for my honest review*

Wow! This was breathtakingly written and so lyrical and beautiful. Right from the beginning the book grabs you in and keeps you intertwined. A perfect fantasy about dreams and the nightmares that sweep us away.

Our main character Clementine lives in a land where a cursed mountain that contains nightmares needs magicians that help keep them at bay. Two magicians come to her land and take away her fathers wardenship in a challenge that leaves her wanting revenge. So she sets out to find a way to get it back.

I loved the concept and plot and the adventure Clementine goes on. The romance was a slow burn that worked with the story. I also loved the magic behind things. Like the book of nightmares and the different pen ink used for what type it is.

All I all, I loved this book and the whole execution!

For over a century, Azenor has been under a curse that makes nightmares come to life on the new moon. Each town must hire a warden to learn their nightmares and fight them. Clem has been working alongside her father learning the trade and preparing to take over at the proper time. On one new moon, two brothers come in and challenge her father to take over the warden ship. When her family loses and must leave their home, Clem is left bitter and destitute at her loss. She encounters one of the brothers, Phelen and decides to seek her revenge on him and his family. Clem must determine how much she is willing to sacrifice to make Phelen suffer the way she has. As she pursues this path, she becomes entangled in deceit and intrigue that will lead her to question who to believe!

This was an interesting story and I enjoyed it! I loved the layers of mystery that unfolded with a sweet love story. I will be interested in other things by this author! Thanks NetGalley and Harper Audio books who let me have an early audio version so I could provide my honest feedback!

This was my first time listening to a synthetic voice audiobook. I usually love audiobooks, but this wasn’t a good experience as it really distracted me from the book and it confused on which character was speaking as the voice didn’t vary at all.
Now, on to the book: it was soo magical! A literal dream, wink wink. I loved how the heroine is witty and smart. And she grows as well through out in the book. I adored the ending. I hope it is a series! I would love to revisit this world again!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC to review!

Just for me, the biggest downfall of this book was listening to the audio. This was my first experience with a synthetic voice and it was just really hard to focus- so much so that I couldn't even finish listening to the book. I really enjoyed what I heard so far! The writing is very atmospheric and I absolutely love the premise of this book. The relationships between characters were so complex and that really added to the story. I absolutely plan on picking up a physical copy when this book comes out, or even the audiobook with a real narrator. For now, however, I sadly have to put this to the side.

This evocative gaslamp fantasy reads like Howl's Moving Castle if Sophie and the Witch of the Waste were one and the same. The heroine, Clementine Madigan, aids her father as a dream warden, battling nightmares come to life each new moon, until a pair of young magicians appear and turn her world on its head. Clementine is fierce and unyielding in the face of adversity, willing to give up a part of herself as a means to restore the life she knew and to take her vengeance against those who have wronged her. As the players of a hundred year old curse begin to emerge, she will have to face the consequences of her sacrifice. Secrets and longing are woven into the fabric of a lushly detailed world that I didn't want to leave.

Magic, disguises, legends, drama, and so much more! This is a whimsical book that takes you on Clementine's journey through fighting the nightmares of others. Are the legends true about those who do not dream? Who is hiding who they really are?

I listened to this book as an audio book and really liked it. I think that there is a good balance of fantasy description and character development. The end of the book had me wanting to know what Clementine's next adventures will be.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this audio book for my honest review.

Rebecca Ross has become an auto-buy author in my household at this point. Ever since I read The Queen’s Rising, I have fallen in love with Rebecca’s ability to weave a story. The way she carefully crafts a world so intricate and lush is breathtaking. Dreams Lie Beneath is just another example of how Rebecca creates worlds you want to live in.

Clementine is a tenacious main character. She’s clever, strong-willed, and will do anything to protect her family. Her father is the warden of a small town, and she is his apprentice. They’re tasked with protecting the townsfolk from their nightmares which can become real on a new moon and attack the town. As a prevention, if they’re able to afford it, people purchase tonics which prevent them from dreaming. I loved the magic system and the use of dreams throughout this story. The magic is so seamlessly woven into the lore of this world, and I couldn’t get enough everytime a story was being told within the book. It was just layers and layers of backstory that I loved.

I received an advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

Amazing!! This book felt like opening the pages of your favorite fairytale. There is a taste of familiarity, of nostalgia, and you just know you will be coming back to this story again even after you have turned the last page.

In one night, Clementine Madigan's life suffers an upheaval due to two brothers who galavant into her father's house and challenge him to a duel. And so, Clem thinks she has the right to revenge her family's honor and home. Little does she know how her quest will pale in comparison to the tales of treachery, vengeance, and greed she will uncover.

This is my first book by Rebecca Ross and it will not be the last! I felt like I was getting to know her as an author through this story. The worldbuilding, the characters' development, and even how each part set came together beautifully. Clementine is a heroine you can't help but cheer for. She's fierce and passionate, not really measuring consequences. And the story develops, you see that her big heart is what drives her, intensifying the wrestle between stone and flesh within her.

I reviewed both the audiobook and print copies of this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Quill Tree Books for gifting me an ARC of these items in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: A curse plagues the realm of Azenor—during each new moon, magic flows from the nearby mountain and brings nightmares to life. Only magicians, who serve as territory wardens, stand between people and their worst dreams. Clementine Madigan is ready to take over as the warden of her small town, but when two magicians challenge her, she is unwittingly drawn into a century-old conflict. She seeks revenge, but as she secretly gets closer to Phelan, one of the handsome young magicians, secrets begin to rise. Clementine must unite with her rival to fight the realm’s curse, which seems to be haunting her every turn.

My Review: I don't give a lot of 5-star ratings - but this book was everything I hoped it would be. It's going into my top 5 books read in 2021 list, and is one I will likely pick up in print when it's available. It's a book that I wish I had in my library as a teenager because it is full of so many great characters and moments that stick with the reader far into the future (which I feel is the mark of a great read). So yes, 5/5 stars for this one!

First off, the world the author has created is one I want to step into. The idea that dreams can come to life and haunt the streets and inhabitants, kept only at bay by the diligence of the town wardens was a perfect introduction into the magical world the characters inhabit. Ross creates a beautifully seamless marriage of a story that feels both contemporary and like a retelling (in a very good way) of a fairy tale you've heard before. The back story of why nightmares come to life on the night of the new moon, and the integration of things like the Wraiths card game into the story drew me in and kept me immersed in this lushly told story.

Clementine Madigan is a girl I'd like to be. Smart, a little bit hasty sometimes, strong-willed and tenacious, she's got all the things in a heroine you want to cheer for. I loved that she wasn't either so perfect that she became unbelievable nor so broken that it was hard to find a redeeming quality to her. She is, in fact, a well-rounded person, complete with flaws and questionable decisions, but who ultimately follows her heart (and that is not as easy as it sounds since there's a plot twist involving sacrifice and giving away part of her heart she must find again). The supporting characters in the book are all strongly developed individuals, perhaps with the exception of her mother, although this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book at all. There is a YA-level romance with an enemies to friends with a bit more, and it was fun to watch this one develop.

The world of magic Ross has created fits seamlessly into this story, along with some excellent sword-play and adventure. The integration of little details of magic into Clementine's world and how she channels her own magical skills were some of my favorite passages in the book. Beautifully written prose, exciting suspensful moments when the nightmares come to life, a backstory that would make a fantastic read by itself, and relatable characters all made this one a fantastic read. Although this is a standalone, I'd happily revisit this world that Ross has created (and plan to pick up her other books based on the quality of the writing in this one).

(As a side note, MAJOR points for the Annie Stegg artwork on the cover. She's one of my favorite artists and this beautiful piece really captures the feel of the story.)

LOVED IT!!