When people dream, they are transformed into their worst fear, and the world has been decimated by these Nightmares. When Ness was a child, her sister became a giant spider and killed their father and several others. Since then, Ness has had an irrational phobia of Nightmares. Her method of coping: running and hiding like a coward. She has taken refuge at the Friends of the Restful Soul, a group that claims to help society by offering counseling and other charitable services. But after surviving several assassination attempts, Ness begins to unravel sinister plots within the organization.

The setting is like an interesting blend of dystopian future mixed with alternative history. There’s just enough reality baked into the world-building to make all of the fantastical elements feel real. Nightmares come to life is such a fascinating concept.

Cy, a Nightmare, is an alluring, mysterious enigma that changes Ness’s perspectives from black-and-white thinking to a more nuanced perspective of the world around her. I adored seeing the relationship blossom, and I enjoyed following Ness’s journey in learning to thrive in the world. Ness and Cy are an unlikely duo, who both know what it is like just to struggle to survive another day. And it is this that ultimately brings them together.

My one and only point of contention with this book is that Ness’s inner monologues become repetitive at times. I wanted a little more depth into her personality and motivations, other than her simply being a coward, which is overwhelmingly stated.

Priya, Ness’s best friend, is an absolute badass and I loved her fearlessness, fierce protectiveness, and slaying power. In her part of the story, we see how differing views of society can create complex family dynamics, where Priya and her sister both want to make the world a better place but disagree on the method of doing so.

There are so many plots unraveling simultaneously and I never knew what to expect. The surprises just kept coming. This book is emotional, darkly compelling, and a fun, action-packed adventure.

My favorite part of this story is the depth in which it explores themes relevant to the human condition. It explores the differences in how people cope with grief and trauma, how they perceive the world around them, and how the past can affect our decisions. The awareness that we can be a part of something but never truly feel like we belong is something many of us can relate to. This story also reminds us that we should never be quick to judge, as we never really know the full extent of what is going on inside a person.

I loved this book and I highly recommend it - cannot wait for the sequel!

I really enjoyed this! It was different and a bit chaotic, but very enjoyable. Ness is a relatable character, and she developed a lot throughout the story. The only part I did not enjoy was the reveal about 75% into the book. Without spoiling anything, I will just say that it didn't make much sense to me, and honestly seemed unnecessary and dramatic. Otherwise, I loved it! I had a hard time putting it down, and I will be anticipating a sequel!

This book is incredible! I hadn't heard of it but as soon as I saw it on NetGalley I knew that this was going to be something. The magic is incredibly and it is equal parts spooky and full of adventure.

I really enjoyed this book! It's brutal and visceral and captures that atmosphere in such an interesting and engaging way that I read most of this book in one sitting. Newham is unabashed in its monstrosity as a rotten society overrun with Nightmares. The culture of corruption in Newham is described in a blunt way that's almost humorous, which I appreciated against the some of the darker themes.
Ness is an unapologetic coward and is the kind of super flawed protagonist that I adore reading about. She lives and works in an organization that may or may not be a cult just for the free room and board. She jumps out of windows and climbs curtains to get away from the slightest hint of a monster. She's focused on survival in a savage city and I adore her.
The story introduces many mysteries and questions about Ness, her past, the monstrous Nightmares, and Newham itself. We see Ness struggle against threats coming from every direction while fighting her own inner demons, and her character growth is a highlight throughout the book.
Overall, I'm super excited to see where Rebecca takes the series because I have so many questions!

love love love love! i love Rebecca Schaefer’s work SO much! I am so excited for this to be released

Rebecca Schaffer uniquely dark style and stories may not be for everyone, but it most certainly is for me. The world is gritty and fun, and the main character is one of the more unique and realistic heroines I've seen in young adult literature.

I Gotham meets Strange the Dreamer? Sign me up!

It's a bit quirky and a bit chaotic but I adored it. I love that the plot kept me on the edge of my seat and normally the main character I would find annoying, but she has her reasons and I felt for her.