This book was so good! Mara Rutherford never disappoints! Some of my favorite tropes rolled into one. It has the castle setting with dystopia and secrets all in one.

I started this at midnight and literally had to force myself to stop reading about halfway through because it was 1 AM and I was creeped out. I started reading again as soon as I woke up and I couldn't put it down! Fast-paced and unpredictable, and I loved the 5 main characters. I think this was amazing as a standalone, but I would definitely love to learn more about the backgrounds of the other characters.

"Women like me always get what they want." I SCREAMED !!!

I was captivated from the first page and found myself unable to put this book down. The mystery slowly unraveled itself and soon as I thought I knew what was going on another element was added that made me second guess myself. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it

Overall, this turned out to be a fine read for me. I loved the concept of this book but I found the execution to be just okay. While I did like following the main character, I wished for a lot more from this. I feel like the world, the 'fresh horror' and the romance could have used more development to truly make this special. I think this author has some really interesting ideas but needed more room to expand out with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

“A Multitude of Dreams” is a perfectly acceptable, adequate, and unobjectionable addition to the YA fantasy genre. Seraphina is a lookalike posing as a dead princess trapped inside a castle by a paranoid king who believes she is his daughter; Nico is former nobility and an aspiring physician beholden to the slimy Lord Crane. The setting is post-apocalyptic plague, and isolated pockets of people lack information about the others.
I don’t really have much to say about this book, because the book doesn’t have very much to say. The characters are fine, the setting is fine, it’s all fine. This book didn’t really stand out to me, but hopefully others will enjoy it more.

If you like gothic fantasy this is the book for you. A fantasy novel about plagues and vampires, A Multitude of Dreams’s greatest strength is its atmosphere. Rutherford’s prose is dark and luscious and makes you feel deeply immersed in the story. I also love stories with a large web of secrets and webs, and this definitely has it. There were a few moments where it was started to feel more convoluted and it took me out of the story a bit, but I was quickly able to get back in it. The characters of Nico and Imogen were fine and I enjoyed following them, but they didn’t leave a lingering impact. I will say despite its flaws the atmosphere and prose were gorgeous and if you like a dark, gothic fantasy you should definitely pick this up.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

Title: A Multitude of Dreams
Author: Mara Rutherford
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Publishing Date: Aug 29, 2023
Pages: 384
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Rating: ☆☆☆

I was very intrigued by the synopsis and premise of this book. I loved the gothic vampire vibe and it could definitely attract a certain type of reader… but that reader is not me, unfortunately.
I was bored for just about the whole book, and it was way too slow paced for me. The world building just wasn’t there for me and didn’t interest me like I hoped it would. The ending was also very rushed and didn’t satisfy me after pushing through the entire book.
That being said, I didn’t hate it! I think that it’s just my own personal opinions and style that hindered my thoughts and overall feelings towards the story. I can definitely see an audience for this story and readers really enjoying it.
If you like light, slow, casual, YA books featuring vampires and a dark gothic undertone, then for sure give it a try! It’s also a relatively short book (384 pages) so you don’t have to be completely invested and would make a great buffer book between epic fantasies.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for sending this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Special thanks to NetGalley, authors, and the publisher for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts. I thought that this started out strong. But it kinda got a little convoluted. I really wanted to like this book, but the world building was a little hard for me to get on board with. Still with that issue the book did kinda of get back on its feet. I did end this book really enjoying it. 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

*spoilers*

I really wanted to like this book. It had all the right pieces they just were not put together the right way for me. I got about 40% in and by that point I was apathetic to all the characters and was not intrigued by the "mystery" of the book. Nico and Imogen hadn't even met by that point and I was unconvinced...also the "vampiric" element...not good?

but please don't let my apathy deter you - try it for yourself.

Book Review
A Multitude of Dreams
Mara Rutherford
Publishing: August 29, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the author for my digital copy! All opinions are my own.

#qotd : Do you have a favorite creepy book or story? OR tell me something fun you did this weekend

Synopsis: "Princess Imogen of Goslind has lived a sheltered life for three years at the boarded-up castle—she and the rest of its inhabitants safe from the bloody mori roja plague that’s ravaged the kingdom. But Princess Imogen has a secret, and as King Stuart descends further into madness, it’s at great risk of being revealed. Rations dwindle each day, and unhappy murmurings threaten to crack the facade of the years-long charade being played within the castle walls.
Nico Mott once enjoyed a comfortable life of status, but the plague took everyone and everything from him. If not for the generosity of a nearby lord, Nico may not have survived the mori roja’s aftermath. But does owing Lord Crane his life mean he owes him his silence?
When Lord Crane sends Nico to search for more plague survivors in the castle, Nico collides with a princess who wants to break out. They will each have to navigate the web of lies they’ve woven if they’re going to survive the nightmares ahead."

This book was a gloriously Gothic delight! As this is a bit of a retelling of Masque of the Red Death by Poe, I had to read it. I love Poe and was so very curious. Mara's version was splendid and I couldn't get enough. The writing, the story, the characters. I fell in love. It reminded me a little bit of Gallant by V.E. Schwab but in a time of catastrophe, secrets, and madness.
I highly recommend you mark August 29th on your calendar so you can go and pick up this book! You won't regret it if you love the strange and gothic, or just excellent storytelling.

As an aside, I loved this book so much I went and bought her other book Poison Season. I need the others. New auto buy author!

#reviews #bookreviews #netgalley #mararutherford #amultitudeofdreams #Gothic #edgarallanpoe #retelling #masqueofthereddeath #spooky #secrets #madness #gorgeouscover #newfavoriteauthor #savethedate #Sunday #sundayfunday

I am a fan of Mara Rutherford's books and fortunately, A Multitude of Dreams did not disappoint. The chapters alternated between Princess Imogen who has been locked away with the other royals in the castle for years and Nico, a grave digger who survived the plague and was taken in by the illusive and magnanimous Lord Crane. The second half was filled with more action and suspense than the first half which was filled with character introductions and Nico making his way to the castle. The only negative was that the ending was wrapped up quickly with some questions not having been answered. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

When the plague claimed the princess Imogen, her sisters went out and found a replacement to keep their father the king sane. For four years, Seraphina has been sequestered in the castle, pretending to be someone else, living a life of privilege while knowing her family and anyone outside the castle is dead or dying of plague or starving. Nick was taken in by Lord Crane, who only wanted servants immune to the plague. But there's something wrong with Lord Crane. When Crane sends Nick on a mission to infiltrate the castle and find any survivors, Nick meets Seraphina... and though neither knows the other's real name, they discover a connection - and know they must escape.

A plague story inspired by Poe's "Masque of the Red Death" is right up my alley, and I loved all the twists this story took. While I would have also loved more allusions to Poe's story, there were a lot of interesting elements that made this story unique. Seraphina being Jewish was one of them, with the historically accurate blame for plagues. The assumed identities, the scheming sister, the mad king, the <spoiler>vampires</spoiler> - maybe for some it would be too much going on, but I liked that all the threads were woven through and made for twists that were unexpected. Plague stories sure hit differently after 2020, yet this had enough fantasy that it didn't hit too hard.

Book Name: A Multitude of Dreams
Author: Mara Rutherford

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the ARC of A Multitude of Dreams

Stars: 5
Spice : 2

Standalone
Fast Paced
Plot Centric
Dual POV
High Fantasy with sprinkles of our reality
Similar to A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass

- Topics
- Identity when everything is stripped away
- Secretes and Truth
- Freedom
- Plague
- Survivors Guilt
- Antisemitism
- Tropes
- Vampires
- Girl Makes First Move
- Good Guy/Shy guy
- Secret Identities
- Thoughts.
- Such FUN
- Love the FMC and MMC dynamic
- Gothic Vibes
- Plague Covid Parralles
- Isolation Quarantining and Compassion/Empathy Tension
- Young Adult (enjoyable for older readers too)
POE RETELLING!!!!!!!!

A plague! Vampires? Secret identities!

A Multitude of Dreams was a Gothic slow burn of haunted woods, crumbling mansions, and creatures of the night…

I enjoyed the dual point-of-view and at times enjoyed Nico’s more so than Seraphina’s.

I love Poe’s works so I was happy to read a book based on his “Masque of the Red Death.” Plague narratives in general intrigue me. I like to analyze the survival tactics and become familiar with the human instinct to survive and protect others.

I respect the author's choice of putting her culture and religious identity into a fantasy world. It fit quite well and is a good reminder of atrocities committed against specific groups.

My only critique is that there was altogether too much vomiting and blushing. The author could tone that aspect back a tad.

It's no secret that I LOVE Edgar Allan Poe. When I heard this novel was written, i couldn't wait to get my hands on it! When news of a plague striking reaches a super wealthy king, he sweeps up his royal court, his daughters and many servants into his castle keep. He boards up all the windows and doors to keep the plague at bay. And after three years, his favorite daughter is having her a milestone birthday... so he decides to have an elaborate fete. What could go wrong? Sound familiar? It should! For better or worse, here's where the similarities to Poe's story end. I absolutely loved the twist on the classic though! I don't want to give too much away, but this may be my favorite Poe retelling ever.
What I loved most: the scathing social commentary, the addition of politics between Jews and gentiles (well researched for historical accuracy, and the addition of vampires to a classic.
I feel like my middle and HS students will love this novel!

I have loved everything Mara Rutherford has written and this is no exception. I loved Seraphina, Nico and Jocelyn. The worldbuilding was excellent. Even though it was a small area I really felt like I was in the story. The tiny bit of romance was like a breath of fresh air. The only thing that would have made it better is if I had read it in the fall/winter.

4 - this was so unexpected! A great fantasy standalone, I just think the last 100 pages could have been condensed as we kept going back and forth.

I did really love how the author brought back in everything she had referred to earlier in the story, it felt very well planned.

I don't want to say too much because the suspense at the beginning was really fantastic - I would definitely pick this up!

The global pandemic was no joke, but at least we didn’t have to contend with vampires.

I’m not familiar with the original Poe which inspired this story, but I was still immediately drawn in by both Princess Imogen and Nico, a royal confined in stifling quarantine and a scrappy gentleman’s son turned grave digger in the service of a lord whose house has been one of the only bastions against the outfall of the plague. Most of the book revolves around secrets and intrigue, culminating in non-stop spooky action near the finale. I did want a little more from the clock and raven motifs, it felt like they were mostly there for the aesthetic. But there's still plenty of moments oozing with sinister yet majestic intentions and details which I absolutely loved.

As in her other books, the author effortlessly eases into a whole new pseudo historical fantasy world. The one thing that kept taking me out was the inclusion of the Jews, who are, as in history, used as scapegoats for misfortune. While the author’s note explains the personal importance of not simply using an analogous persecuted group, the terminology felt pretty jarring, in the context of a fantasy world. Not my preference, but I respect the decision.

*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very dark but intriguing read. Geared for YA so it read a bit childish to me at times but still interesting!

Book: A Multitude of Dreams
Author: Mara Rutherford
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Inkyard Press, for sending me an ARC. I feel like Mara is one of those authors who slips under the radar. She writes fairytale retellings and books that have a fairytale feeling. Her writing can pull you in and make you not want to leave. This fairytale world is one that usually has something wrong going on, but still creates this spell that makes it impossible to leave.

In this one, we are in a land that has been locked down due to a plague. Those who didn’t manage to shelter in place are dead. The land is dead as those who have survived have killed all of the animals and eaten all of the plants. The plague is now supposed to be over, but people are still afraid to venture outside of their walls. The king is one such person. Everyone who lives in the castle has not set foot outside in four years. The windows were boarded up and they haven’t even had sunlight during this time. They are alive though. As rumours about the plague being overreach them, everyone gets a little restless. Seraphina is an imposter. She is pretending to be the king’s dead daughter and she wants out. Nico is outside of the walls. He has lost everything in the plague. He once lived a comfortable life and is now a servant for Lord Crane. When rumours of people living in the castle reach Lord Crane, Nico is sent to investigate. While he does find people alive and well in the castle, he quickly discovers that whatever is lurking is far more dangerous than any plague.

Mara does an amazing job at capturing the fear of the unknown when it comes to a new illness. Groups are blamed. In this case, as it was in historical times, Jews are blamed. People hate the Jews, even if they have never met one. There is also food storage, people fearing those who are different from there, and overall fear. Lives have been forever changed. Even when the world appears to be returning to normal, people are still afraid. There is also the case of the very top and very wealthy have been sealed away to live what seems like a life of luxury while everyone is left to suffer. They all get to escape the plague and the horrors that linger out there, while everyone has to worry about the next hour. They have balls, food, and social activities, while the rest of the kingdom does not. However, as the book, goes on, we do see that this is not the case for everything.

I thought that Nico and Seraphina were great leads. They were on opposite ends, but yet the same. Both of them are living a life that isn’t there. Seraphina is from the Jewish quarter and is hated because of that. Yet, because she happened to look like the dead princess, she is plucked from the quarter by the other princesses to play a role. Why? Because no one wanted to tell the king that his favourite daughter is dead. The king suffers from serving mental illness. She has no idea what has happened to her family. She doesn’t even know if they are alive. Nico had a comfortable life and was training to be a daughter. His entire family was killed by the plague. He was forced into the country and was nearly dead when Crane found him. He now works as a servant for Crane, but he is alive. They both have taken on this role of neither one being who they truly are. While this is a fantasy, it is also about being yourself and finding yourself in the darkest of times. This is something that we all need in the post-COVID-19 world. Even though we were in lockdown and may have had to change our lives, we can still get back to who we were. If we want a different path, that’s okay.

My only complaint about the characters was they didn’t act their age. Mara does explain this by saying that they were young when the plague happened. I guess that does make sense. They didn’t have a chance to interact with peers and grow. Therefore, it does make sense that they were a little immature. Although Nico has been out in the world, so he doesn’t make sense. It could be because of how much his life changed. I don’t know. It is YA, so maybe I just need to let it go.

Trigger warning time. I normally don’t list them, but I do think that since this is about a plague and lockdown people may need a thing or two. If lockdown and a worldwide pandemic are triggers for you, don’t pick this up. It goes into detail about the mass destruction and death that a pandemic can and will cause.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. I am excited to see what Mara puts out next.

This book comes out on August 29, 2023.

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