A Multitude of Dreams by Mara Rutherford

“She was cunning, and brave, and she was never going to hide who she was again.”

Rutherford creates a brilliantly dark story about how things are never as they seem. When a plague ravages the land people are forced to become something other as well, peasants can become gentleman, nobility can become gravediggers and a princess playing the part can become so much more. A Multitude of Dreams follows a kingdom plagued by the bloody mori roja, while a mad king who refuses to acknowledge it has been boarded up in his castle with his four daughters and his subjects for nearly four years. Only not everything is as it seems, to keep their father from falling farther into madness and despair the princesses covered the death of their sister by plague, stealing a jewish girl from a neighboring village to play the part. Seraphina who must hide who she is for fear of her life and prejudice becomes princess Imogen, she must live day to day with survivors guilt thinking everyone in her village is dead from the plague or massacre surrounded by the people who stole her life away and persecuted her people. Seraphina bides her time to escape knowing the clock is ticking and the food sources are dwindling, she must escape or starve. When Nico Mott, a grave digger who lost everything to the plague, is sent by his savior Lord Crane to investigate the castle and its inhabitants, he finds that he is there under false pretenses, and the man who he thought was the utmost gentleman is a monster, the blood sucking kind. Nico and Seraphina must find a way to work together to escape both the gilded cage of the castle and the reborn trying to drain them of life. Rutherford writes a stunning bloody reimagining of Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death with haunting twists and turns, jewish representation and gorgeous character growth. Seraphina is such a complex character who absolutely stole my heart away, she learns not to hide herself even after being forced to for so many years becoming her own hero.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for the eARC and a chance to read and review.

I have to be honest..this was not good. This started off really strong but the ending was messy and anticlimactic. The first half of this book was shrouded in mystery and suspense but once things started to be revealed it spiraled out of control and ended up falling flat. There were few things I really enjoyed but overall this WAS unique so I’ll give it that.

I really like Mara's writing style. I feel pleasantly confused at the start of the book as the layers of the story peel back like an onion. I love the slow reveal of different points that are slowly laid out. She manages to avoid the info-dumping that many fantasy authors fall into by slowly giving the reader an idea of what is going on. It makes it a lot more interesting to read this way. I feel smart when I finally clue into what is going on.

I appreciate the character development and the characterization of the people we follow. Both Nico and Seraphina are fun and intriguing characters but we also root for some of the bad guys like the king who were just trying to keep people safe. I also loved the Jewish representation. This was a big issue with the Black Death and Jewish communities being blamed for the plague and persecuted so I thought it was a cool way to show that sort of history and have representation in the book.

I wasn't a huge fan of the reveal later in the book about what the plague did to some people. It was borderline cliche. However, I did like all of the foreshadowing of this outcome and how it was depicted so I'm not really mad about it. It made it a little more interesting than people simply being looters and murderers for the sake of looting and murdering.

Overall, I enjoyed Mara's writing style and this was a really interesting book about a plague, politics and death. I definitely recommend it if that sounds like your sort of vibe. Be prepared to be a little confused in the beginning but enjoy every page of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Mara Rutherford for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Multitude of Dreams coming out August 29, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It was a little hard to get into this book. I enjoyed the two points of view, but the two main characters didn’t meet until halfway through the book. I think the dialogue was a little too juvenile for me. I didn’t really understand Nico’s motives and I didn’t care for his character. He thought she was an angel, but he wanted to hate her, but she was the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. It’s a little too much too soon. It just wasn’t for me. I think there could’ve been a little more time together for them to get to know each other. I thought the Jewish representation was good and I was hoping there was a little more backstory with that. I think a little more explanation of the fantasy world and the vampires would’ve been helpful to me.

***ARC received from Inkyard Press and NetGalley in exchange for honest review, opinions are all my own. Thank you!***

Everything about this book sounds so interesting, the plague, secrets and secret identities, nightmares two characters that find each other will have to face. Yet, for all the things this book tries to do it doesn’t manage to execute any of them fully, leaving everything feeling nothing deeper than surface level. While it is not a terrible book, it leaves too much potential behind.

I felt like the story was trying to tackle three main plot points first being what happens when those shut away from the plague go through when they have to eventually open the gates. King Stuart locked away many of his people in a boarded up castle, letting the world die and live outside the gates but things have to change. Food is running out, servants are taking their changes outside the walls and the King’s hold on reality and the castle is slipping. This would have been an interesting story to follow, how those inside react to what happened outside the walls. To those left to fend for themselves when their King abandoned them yet while it is hinted at it never goes very far. While we follow the two leads in and outside the castle there is never much conflict between the two worlds but when its there it is really interesting.

The secondary plot line hints at the antisemitism that the Jewish communities face once the plague starts. This is rooted in historical fact, Jewish communities were quickly and easily blamed for anything that may have gone wrong and its not just historical, you can easily see it today. Yet, as with the other story line it never goes deeper than surface level. Most of the references to antisemitism are coming from Imogen real name Seraphina either her memories or just her thoughts. Other horrible things are just referenced briefly and happened off page leaving very little emotional impact on the story or the reader. Most of the people that know about who Imogen really is don’t seem to care that she is Jewish. The only real act of antisemitism on page that we as the reader witness is dulled when its explained that this character is just a hateful person to everyone. It makes it feel less antisemitic and more just mean. I wish that the story had explored this aspect more because when it does its really interesting but being trapped in the castle it can’t.

Finally there are the “vampire” which do not work at all in this book. Basically what happens when the plague changes someone and it just didn’t work for me which is a shame because I loved the concept. Just like the other two parts they aren’t exploring in any real depth so there is little buildup or them. When they do finally show up there doesn’t feel like much threat, no one is in any real danger and the people that aren’t don’t even have names. I think if this had been left out and the book focused on the prior two points it would have been a far more interesting story which I hate to say because it really was a great idea.

The book is told from two point of views, Seraphina and Nico, with Seraphina being the far more interesting of the two. She had far more depth as a character which I think is due to her being in the castle. More characters to interact with allows for more things for her to do while Nico’s story is just getting to the castle with little else. The secondary characters don’t really add much other than Henry, who I actually liked and wished we had gotten more of. The romance felt rushed and wasn’t well developed so it wasn’t much to cheer for.

I did like the writing, bringing the claustrophobic nature of the castle alive, the longing Seraphina has for the life that she left behind were so well done. There is just so much potential in this book and when its good it shines I just wish it hadn’t tried to do as much as it did.

🏰A Multitude of Dreams Review🏰

A Multitude of Dreams is my second book by Mara Rutherford. Once again, I was captured by the beautiful cover of this one. Princess Imogen has been sheltered in a boarded-up castle with the royal family and other inhabitants, staying safe from the plague that has been going through the kingdom. The King is rapidly descending into madness and Imogen has a secret that she must ensure is not revealed. As rations dwindle, the charade being kept up within the castle is crumbling. Nico had once lived a life of status but the plague took that from him and everyone he loved. He finds himself a home with the generous Lord Crane. Nico is sent out by Lord Crane to find more survivors. When he meets up with a princess desperate to break out, they both must navigate the web of lives they have been spinning.

This story was certainly an interesting one with many layers. Imogen and Nico were well developed and I enjoyed working through their journeys. The story is dual POV so you get a feel for both of them. Rutherford’s writing really shone in this one and kept me engaged. While the beginning was quite slow, the story shifted to a much faster pace towards the end of the story.

I don’t really want to say much more because I feel like this is one that you’re better off going into with less knowledge. I don’t know that it was necessarily a memorable story but it was an enjoyable one. If you’re looking for a story about surviving a plague full of secrets and suspicion with Jewish representation, you may want to consider picking this one up!

Thank you to @netgalley & @inkyardpress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. A Multitude of Dreams is out on August 29th!

⭐3.5/5 stars⭐

I’ve enjoyed Rutherford’s previous few books so I was super excited to read this one! It’s inspired by the Red Mask by Poe and was such a mysterious and enthralling read!

I loved our two leads and really enjoyed the dual perspectives! A gravedigger and a princess are definitely very intriguing people to follow throughout the story. The complexity of both characters keeps you on your toes and it’s super fun to try to follow all the deceit and drama!

I especially loved how Judaism was included in the story and Jewish representation, as the author has wanted to include this aspect of her identity for awhile now! I think it’s awesome that she found a way that she liked to be able to dive into that part of her and it was really fascinating reading her thought process in the acknowledgments! She explained that Jewish folks have been blamed for plagues historically and wanted to have that history in her book, which is so cool. She mentioned not many people might know that fact, and I for one definitely didn’t and am glad to know it now.

This book is set in a fictional kingdom, mostly within a castle, and I loved the descriptions of everything. The author truly captures the feeling of isolating from a plague and the cabin fever that comes with being trapped inside.

The story is a YA supernatural fantasy and while there is a bit of romance near the end, it is definitely not the priority. There are also some mystery elements that I enjoyed and I found it fun trying to figure out what was really happening in the first half of the book!

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and sped through the second half in one sitting! I definitely recommend and cannot wait to see what Rutherford has coming next!

This YA Dystopian/Fantasy was fabulous, and perfect for fans of The Maze Runner!

“Their choices were almost comically horrific: don’t eat, or be eaten.”

I’ve been hunting for awhile for a great new YA dystopian novel that doesn’t feel like a recycle or mish mash of the plots from the 2000-2010 renaissance of this genre, and I’m so happy to have finally found one in A Multitude of Dreams. This book had a similar feel to The Maze Runner in terms of its elements of violent horror, but it takes place in a medieval fantasy setting and has more fairytale and romantic elements. The main characters are also older than a typical YA (the youngest is 17 ½ who presents herself as part of the plot as being 20, and most are grown adults 20 yrs+), so it was refreshing that there weren't the same "coming of age" plotlines that typically thread through a YA narrative.

I loved the premise of the novel, as it is so relatable after living through the COVID pandemic and all of the lockdowns, masking, social isolationism, and depression, fears and anxieties that came with it. Everyone reacted to and experienced the pandemic differently, and this is also true for the characters in the novel who faced and survived a deadly plague. Setting is one of the essential elements of a great novel for me, and the atmosphere developed by the author in this book was so vivid that I could practically hear and smell the environment from the descriptions on the page.

I loved Seraphina (and her name!) and Nico, and I loved how Henry was developed to be a well-rounded character instead of serving as a one-dimensional jealous alpha-male in Seraphina’s climactic last stand to choose life and freedom. I thought that the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and love were poignant, tender, true to the plot and characters, and didn’t feel preachy. The anti-Semitism aspect of the story is timely and circumspect given the sorry state of real-world current affairs.

I loved the characters so much, I would love a sequel. I would love to find out how Seraphina, Nico, and the other survivors rebuild their kingdom and their lives, and how their relationships deepen. I want Nico to find the “cure” so that all of the reborns are able to regain their mortality and resume aging normally. I want to read about how Henry, Dalia, and Colin find HEAs too!

A Multitude of Dreams is a captivating fantasy with a slow-burning romance, intriguing masquerading characters, and dangerous castle intrigue. From the very first page to the last, this timely tale had me completely enthralled. The author skillfully weaves together a complex plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. The romance between the two main characters develops at a smooth, steady pace, building slowly over time and adding depth to the story. The masquerading characters add an element of mystery and intrigue, keeping me guessing until the very end.

Unfortunately this book didn’t work for me. I ended up DNFing at about 60%. I absolutely loved The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford, so this was actually one of my most anticipated reads of the year. The concept was very interesting, and it had such potential. But after 60% I wasn’t invested in the story, and I didn’t care about the characters. It’s not badly written at all. It just wasn’t for me.

I've only read two of Mara Rutherford's book so far, but it's safe to say she's only getting better and better with every new one she puts out. I enjoyed this one even more than The Poison Season!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
A Multitude of Dreams is an intriguing Gothic fantasy, perfect for the upcoming spooky season. Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and the Black Death, it also delves into Jewish history and the anti-Semitism they were targeted with during that time period, with them used as scapegoats to blame for the plague. Mara Rutherford weaves the historical inspirations into this Gothic-inspired world, interweaving vampires and zombies into the narrative. There’s also the atmospheric Gothic castle, isolated from the plague, and it’s so fascinating to delve into.
Rutherford manages the tonal shift well, and it also translates into a structural shift into something more suspenseful and tense than her prior work. It’s a page-turner with barely a dull moment.
Seraphina is a compelling protagonist who lives within the confines of the castle, a princess who is not quite what she seems, including hiding her Jewish identity. She’s desperate to escape, and I rooted for her as she plotted her escape.
Nico is an intriguing love interest, being a gravedigger who exists outside the nobility who’s trying to do the right thing. He has a great arc, going from someone who does as he’s told to going out of his way to proactively working to protect others.
This was an enjoyable read, and while I don’t know that readers of her previous work will all enjoy it, I recommend it to anyone looking for Gothic-inspired YA fantasy.

An odd tale that I’m not quite sure stands up amongst the source material.

“A Multitude of Dreams” brings nightmares to the surface as Seraphina smiles and nods her way through the palace fearful someone will discover her secret especially since the palace has been locked down since the plague hit. Elsewhere Nico digs graves and serves Lord Crane but soon both worlds collide as the sickness and its consequences converge on those within the palace walls leaving a trail of blood in its wake.

An interesting take on Masque of the Red Death and one that could have been fantastic if it leaned into the creepiness of the tale and the harsh lesson left with the reader that no one escapes death but alas we skipped past that all together.

The characters were fine if not a bit boring as they stood stoically in the background of their own story with the best pieces, in my opinion at least, being that of the sisters altogether to the point that I thought this was a retelling of the dancing princesses for a majority of my read. I was interested in the deception and wondered what the fallout would be once revealed but it didn’t seem to matter as that aspect of Seraphina’s life and upbringing didn’t add to or assist in her role in the overall plot.

The addition of the creatures (intentionally vague here) was an interesting choice and again one I might have been able to get behind if it was used in a way to further show that greed and consumption while others suffered but they left it to the tune of a singular villain and very little was said about those who locked the gates to begin with.

An interesting idea that would have benefitted from an extra read through of the short story to hammer out the point but still an okay enough tease into spooky season.

*special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing a arc in exchange for a fair and honest review*

The Mori Roja, which plagued the world, left countless deaths and a forever changed world in its wake. The beginning of the book had me captivated with the alternating POVs from the main characters, Seraphina, in the closed up castle, and Nico, the grave digger of a far off manor.


*somewhat spoilers ahead*


I absolutely loved the build up in the beginning of the book, but feel as though it fell short. The action wasn’t what I hoped once we learned that vampires were in play. The love story also felt somewhat forced between the characters. Both of these elements were still written well, it is just more YA than my tastes are.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to any YA fantasy reader.

This book has a great premise and a lot of potential that ultimately wasn't fully utilized. A retelling of one of Edgar Allen Poe's work, this book features an interesting concept: a plague has ravaged the country, forcing the nobility to take refuge in the castle. After living in isolation for years, they have no idea what's happening in the outside world, but with supplies running low they'll soon have to find out. The main character is a girl who's pretending to be a princess, though her character wasn't very interesting. As things progress, the story becomes more bogged down with a lot of stuff that doesn't seem to mean much or add anything to the plot. The plot itself is slow to unravel and the pacing is not great, making the middle of the book bloated and hard to get through. The end was fine, but not as satisfying. I was expecting more suspense and horror from this book, and was disappointed that I didn't really get any of that.

This story is basically Edgar Allan Poe’s Masque of the Red Death with vampires. I thought the premise was really interesting, and I loved that it was based on The Masque of the Red Death. The different colored rooms, the clock in the black room, the ever-present fear of death and the plague, and so many other little elements paid homage to the original short story, but the author put a unique and twisted spin on it.

I also liked the Gothic elements and Rutherford’s writing style, which is so vivid and captivating. It pulls you right into the story. The author also did a fabulous job of creating an eerie, ominous, and dangerous tone throughout the story. It kept the tension high. However, I wish there was a bit more world-building. It doesn’t go into a lot of detail about the religious prejudice and persecution, the pre-plague world, and even the current world they live in, and I would have liked more context.

Seraphina and Nico were compelling protagonists with interesting (and dangerous) journeys. . I enjoyed their ARCs and how their separate stories eventually merged. That’s when the story really started picking up. However, I was a bit surprised that both characters, and some others, didn’t pick up on what was going on sooner. It feels like they stuck their heads in the sand for a long time, which is not what I expected from either character.

The love triangle, which generally isn’t a trope I seek out, felt a bit forced, though it was pretty obvious who was going to end up together. That being said, I liked the story so much more once Nico and Seraphina met, especially considering how one-dimensional the other character is. Nico and Seraphina had a lovely connection, and I wanted more of that! I also wish some of the other secondary characters were less one-dimensional. I wanted to know more about Seraphina’s sisters, some of the people with them, Nico’s best friend, and even the antagonists.

Overall, this was an ok read for me with some interesting elements and a few parts that left me wanting more. Thanks to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

MY REVIEW | Don’t get me wrong, I loved this story. Mara Rutherford has a powerful way of writing that is really atmospheric and I absolutely love how you feel immersed in the world she creates. If you like gothic vibes and Edgar Allan Poe, this is a perfect story for you. It was really interesting to see the impact of this plague on the people, how it influenced them, and I liked the integration of Jewish representation into this one.

For some reason, though, the love story felt a little forced to me. The characters were cute together but it just felt like: meh we are stuck in this together so let’s love each other. So it wasn't the butterflies type of love story, it was more of a second plan thing and I’m a sucker for good romances, (I need my romance!) so I felt a little let down. I enjoyed the softer and shy side of Nico it was easy to like him. It was such a contrast with how he was able to behead people haha.

The story was good, but a little slow to my taste. I finished this book feeling like not much had happened, mainly cause the big reveals always came so long after you kind of guessed them. So I was always waiting for the characters to catch up if it makes sense.

That being said, I still think this book is worth the read. I read it rather quickly and I was always happy to get back to it. Just for the atmosphere itself, it was really enjoyable and I feel like it is the perfect read for Spooky season!

Thanks to the publisher and the author for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was a fan of The Poison Season so I was very interested in reading this one! A beautiful gothic setting which doubles as an Edgar Allen Poe reimagining. I love a gothic romance with Jewish representation as well! I love Mara Rutherford’s way of expressing things. It’s a quiet and delicate fantasy aspect with sinister and dark undertones. This and The Poison Season were very well written and engaging and I am excited for her next book!

A devastating plague, a boarded-up castle with a mad king, an imposter princess (who was also a Jew among Gentiles), living undead (vampires in essence), nobility brought low and common laborers risen up by circumstances, secrets, lies, schemes, betrayal, loss, grief, misunderstandings, prejudice, false assumptions, science, faith, hopes, dreams, love -- what more could you ask for?

I admit I judge books by their cover (don't judge me), but the cover is why I requested this book on Netgalley. It's awesome. So many twists and turns with the page turning plot. Fascinating and compelling. Lots of darkness and even zombies! Loved it.