Lovely and cozy if not a little slowly paced.
An interesting story and a relatively quick read/ listen, looking forward to more in the series.
Great narrator

This book did catch my attention. I enjoyed the narrator for the audiobook. I felt like there could be so much more for this book. More details and descriptions to understand what is going on and how things came to be. I did like the concept just wished the author would have developed the story a little more.

After losing her job and getting a letter that is mostly unreadable from her estranged aunt, Hannah journeys to her formerly unknown family town to investigate. She receives a phone call from a detective investigating the disappearance of her aunt during a storm, but the vibes are weird, and Hannah doesn’t relay that she even received the letter. She sees the detective when she arrives and the suspicious feeling continues. With the help of the cat living in her aunt’s house, Hannah is able to decipher some of the letter! She learns that her aunt was being chased and hunted by Dream Hunters and can’t escape without Hannah’s help. Oh yeah, and cats can walk through pumpkins and time!

This book has some interesting lore it follows, but the pace is not for me. At 51% I haven’t felt much of a connection with the protagonist and have learned very little. For a more patient reader, I am sure it will be a fantastic read!

"The Dream Hunters" is a magical, enchanting tale perfect for those who enjoy exploring dream interpretation, spiritual mysteries, and stories that blur the lines between reality and fantasy. Megan Mary’s vivid storytelling combined with Pearl Hewitt’s brilliant narration makes this audiobook a must-listen, especially for anyone looking to get lost in an imaginative, Halloween-inspired adventure.

Based on the cover and the summary, I expected something a bit gritty. It was actually very cozy and sweet, I feel as though more interpersonal relationships between Hannah and either other people in town or a love interest would add great to the book. She spent so much of her time in her head or in her dreams and only very sporadically reached out tonher best friend back home, she was pretty isolated.

Thank you to Megan Mary, Inner Realms Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hmm. This book had elements I usually like---magic, a mystery, secret heritage, cute kitties, eerie setting---but somehow it didn't quite come together for me. Something was lost in execution. Or was never there to begin with. Both? Not sure.

For one thing, there's no romance. Gotta have me some romance.

Nothing <i>happened</i>. Great instigation---mysterious letter, notified of missing aunt, flight across the country to mysterious family farm, all very sus. But then nothing. Hannah mosies around thinking things are curious, exploring the house, exploring the town, wondering wtf is going on, learning about magic, talking to the adorbs old guy, talking to her friend, talking to cats and turtles, having dreams. She hears footsteps behind her once, but that's all it amounted to.

By the time the climax came around I was so tuned out I don't remember much of it. I just remember thinking it was rather cartoonish. The evil guys were just evil. One evil guy was all "ah-ha! I have the special object now! it's mine! muahahaha!" and I mentally cringed.

I think the aesthetic might have been kinda silly, which made it hard to take the story seriously. It was very Halloweeny, but not necessarily in a good way. Pumpkins were a big deal. The family pumpkin patch was a landmark. Pumpkins were portals into a dream world. Cats used pumpkins to time travel. Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins.

I'm sorry, but pumpkins do nothing for me. They're not cryptic, they're not sinister, they're not beautiful. They're just squat orange ders that taste good as a dessert with cream cheese icing. And they help dogs poop.

Also, dreams. Dreams are never exciting. The only time I remember dreams being exciting was in Inception, and that was entirely due to the big action set pieces and legit consequences, not the confusing lore. Too many bad books and movies have used dreams as storytelling crutches, cheap plot twists or gotchas. Omg she's naked in front of the whole school! Wait, just a dream. Omg everyone's dead and the aliens have invaded! Wait, just a dream. (Or vision, same diff.) They're worthless storytelling devices, because they aren't legitimate. They have no consequences. Often they're just thoughts that don't make sense. What's compelling about that? Sometimes they're used to motivate characters, sure, and that's fine, but flimsy.

So no romance, little action, time-traveling cats, pumpkins, dreams. Not one of those things pleases me.

Then there's the magic. It dives deep into ancient Celtic lore and paganism and the original meanings for all the Halloween-related things Christianity and capitalism have appropriated and neutered over the centuries. Interesting, but not when it's delivered to you like nonfiction via exposition. Great meaning is given to....some occurrence I can't remember the name of, something about the moon cycles. And that's where the magic lost my interest.

So yeah, it ended up being very much not to my taste, but it also wasn't a well-executed story.

“The Dream Haunters” by Megan Mary is about as close to a fall beach read as you can get. Imagine sitting on a blustery dune, the wind whipping the gray waves, a thermos of hot cider nearby… You get the picture. This is the book you will want to read or listen to while bundled beneath your woolen cloak.
Hannah Skye has lost most everything she ever valued: her parents, her cat, her grandmother, and her job. Out of nowhere, she receives a letter and a plane ticket from her estranged aunt. The same day, she learns her aunt has disappeared. Immediately enmeshed in the mystery, Hannah sets out to Maple Hollow and her family’s ancestral Skye Manor. Maple Hollow exists in a state of perpetual fall, with pumpkins growing and the leaves on the trees in shades of orange, yellow, and red. There, she must uncover the truth of what happened to her aunt as well as find her own truth.

This was a very quick listen. The narrator, Pearl Hewitt, did a lovely job giving life to the different characters, even a tiny talking cat. The mystery is engrossing, and the cast of supporting characters offers both solace and menace to our main character. It’s fairly light as far as gothic-style stories go, and a novice in the area of astrology and witchcraft will appreciate the explanations, though sometimes a smidge pedantic, that Hannah receives from those wiser around her. These lectures can draw the reader out of the action, but the loss is not too great.

I enjoyed this quick, fun listen and wish I had more of it to launch me into autumn and toward Halloween. I received this audiobook from NetGalley.

Narrated by Pearl Hewitt
Presented by Inner Realms Publishing

A cosy fantasy perfect for Halloween season.

This was a Listen Now on NetGalley and I needed something to listen to, so this ticked the box.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't cosy fantasy! The story follows Hannah, who heads to Maple Hollow after the mysterious disappearance of her Aunt Jewelia (and I'm glad I was listening, because the spelling of that name alone would have done me in - yikes!)

The atmosphere is perfectly Halloween-y, with dark and stormy nights, pumpkins and cats. Hannah is a likeable enough protagonist - very wholesome and sweet. She introduces herself to everyone in the town as she meets them, and quickly becomes a friend to several. Meanwhile, she sets about trying to learn more about the town's history, in order to solve the mystery of her Aunt's disappearance.

I liked the narrator, and her voice enhanced the vibe of the story. On paper, this would likely have disappointed through lack of excitement, but with this narrator it was like I got exactly what I was supposed to out of it. Low stakes and easy clues leading to a simple resolution.

Admittedly, the easy nature of the story meant I wasn't 100% tuned in, 100% of the time. I also had to listen at 2x speed so that I didn't doze off. Still, it was easy enough to follow and I didn't seem to miss much.

Overall, it was an easy listen that was a pleasant way to kill some time. I'd recommend it for fans of cosy mysteries - particularly those who like a sprinkling of fantasy and a dash of Halloween.

With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC

This was a cozy Halloween easy quick read! The concept of this book was awesome, and I loved the little gems that can be used for personal spiritual growth. However, I didn't like the execution. This book felt like an example of someone's journey instead of a book.

It lacked depth. I wanted to love the characters and felines, but we got almost zero backstory or emotional connection. I wish there was more world building besides a castle that you get to by ferry. I wish we got a better story of the hunters as well.

What we did get was a lot of repetition and extremely descriptive on the scenery and weird actions. I just wanted more with this book. This was a beginners guide to spiritual enlightenment, and I wanted to dive into a beautiful dream world with magic and huntes. This is perfect for a quick Halloween read!

"The Dream Haunters" by Megan Mary is an autumnal magical mystery about Hannah Skye's journey to find her missing Aunt Jewelia. After getting a strange letter, Hannah heads to Maple Hollow. It turns out to be a magical island that is in autumn forever. There, she discovers her family's magic and learns to jump between dreams and our world to rescue her aunt by Halloween night.

Mary's prose makes you feel like you're right there, crunching through leaves and breathing in the crisp autumn air. The mix of fantasy, mystery, and coming-of-age threads weave together beautifully. Hannah's journey to discover her powers is compelling, and the side characters are also fun, especially the talking cat dream guide. The whole 'dream haunter' concept is intriguing and keeps you invested. The book's pacing can be a bit off, with some parts feeling rushed. But, the story's charm and prose more than makes up for it.

If you're into cosy fantasy and spooky mysteries, this book is perfect for curling up with on an autumn day. It's great for young adults and anyone who wants a taste of fantasy without committing to a long series, or an overwhelming amount of mythology.

I listened to the audiobook version. I found the narrator to be very talented, and great with voices and expression. I feel she was a little bit of an odd choice. Her lovely soft voice can come across as older than the young main character, which drew me out of the story at times.

Thank you to Inner Realms Publishing and Net Galley for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Hannah, reminds me of the Charmed ones, however she at and adult age has been receiving mysterious and cryptic messages from her Aunt Jewelia, who recently disappeared under strange circumstances. As Hannah returns to her family’s manor, she starts to unravel the secrets surrounding her aunt’s disappearance, all while discovering hidden truths about herself and her family’s past. This story would particularly appeal to readers aged 12-18, as it blends the intrigue of a young person uncovering family mysteries with the personal growth and self-discovery typical of coming-of-age stories.

Narrated by Pearl Hewitt, the audiobook brings the haunting and atmospheric setting of Megan Mary’s Maple Hollow to life. The vivid descriptions of the autumn season, complete with pumpkin patches, apple cider, and the famous Halloween Festival, capture the cozy yet eerie ambiance. The narration immerses listeners into the crisp fall air and the warmth of a crackling fireplace, making it easy to feel part of Hannah’s spiritual journey, visions, and dream-like experiences.

Though the book is categorized as New Adult, it feels more suitable for a Young Adult audience. Hannah’s character, while heroic, comes across as somewhat naive, a common trait in younger protagonists. Her journey of exploring her magical ancestry and learning about her family’s powers provides engaging material for teens. However, the Dream Haunters, a mystical element within the story, are mentioned only briefly, and I wish they had been more developed.

The Dream Haunters is a fast-paced, coming-of-age mystery, perfect for teens who enjoy Halloween-themed stories with a cozy, magical twist. Ideal for readers who love the blend of mystery, magic, and self-discovery, this audiobook delivers a perfect autumn read.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio arc of the dream haunter it’s a fantasy witchcraft story cosy I fully enjoyed listening to it quick and fast paced listen kept me going while I was working and traveling to work :) 4 stars

I felt this story was really fun. Interesting mix of Fantasy and Mystery and with the focus on dreams, it was a breath of fresh air to read. Something that’s not overly done in today’s abundance of fantasy novels.

Only thing I would have liked to see was more of the dream haunters themselves. I felt that part of the story was the weakest and being the titular people of the book, I feel the deserved more time, backstory and details. They felt a bit rushed in their descriptions, with most the focus being on our FMC finding her true self and unraveling the mystery of the book.

Hannah has been receiving cryptic messages from her Aunt Jewelia who has gone missing. As she returns to her family manor, she begins to uncover the mysteries behind her disappearance while revealing elements of herself in the process.

Pearl Hewitt, the narrator, does an amazing job at bringing forth the atmospheric elements of Megan Mary’s Maple Hollow to life. It’s incredibly vivid in autumnal elements with pumpkin patches, a famous Halloween Festival, apple cider and much more. That’s what gripped me. It was almost as if I felt the crisp air and warmth of the crackling fireplace as I listened. One can feel being wrapped in the spiritual journey, visions, and dreams Hannah experiences.

This is advertised as New Adult but it definitely fits more under the Young Adult genre. Not only with the coming of age element but Hannah is extremely naive. She is a female heroine but she felt a bit lackluster to me. I did like Hannah’s journey of exploring her deep magical ancestry. The Dream Haunters themselves were vey brief and I wish we had more time with them.

“The Dream Haunters” is the perfect fast paced coming-of-age halloween/autumn read for cozy mystery lovers.

Thank you NetGalley. Megan Mary & Inner Realms Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 ⭐️
A magical book written in a magical way. Definitely a cozy read for which season. I liked the writing and being written I third pov made it feel more magical and mystical.

“The Dream Haunters” is a mysterious and cozy fantasy novel by Megan Mary, who builds a magical world where navigating the thin veil between dreams and reality helps unlock the secrets of the past.
We meet Hannah, a girl who is a bit down on her luck and seems lost in her life until she receives a cryptic letter from her estranged aunt Jewelia. She finds out that her aunt has gone missing and is filled with a sense of purpose once again to help locate her, while hoping to fill in the blanks about the woman she was never able to know. She travels to the town of Maple Hollow, an island that is home to an eternal autumn, where she will discover who she was always meant to be.
Hannah’s journey is one of growth and self-discovery. On the road to unlocking the mysteries behind her aunt’s disappearance, she starts to discover all the magic of the island and her heritage. Behind it all, she must look deep into her dreams, knowing that they hold the key to the answers she seeks. The veil between Hannah’s dreams and reality gets thinner as the story progresses, and her battle between good and evil will rely on what she can unlock while she slumbers. Not only suspenseful, this novel is equally charming. Maple Hollow is home to the famous Halloween Festival, and Hannah arrives just in time for her favorite holiday. We are immersed in crunchy leaves, mystical pumpkin patches, enchanting feline friends, and a crisp autumn wind on the island. Megan Mary’s writing is engaging and descriptive, bringing every scene to life.
I enjoyed this story on audiobook, and the narrator does a beautiful job of bringing it to life. Every character has a personality, and she brings something special to the suspenseful moments in the story.
I found “The Dream Haunters” to be a perfect book to read during the autumn months. It was exciting and easy to get enveloped in the story. While it’s suggested for the New Adult group, I think that Young Adults would benefit from this coming-of-age story as well. It is a lightly supernatural world, perfect for anyone looking to get an introduction to a fantasy book. The shorter length and chapters make it a quick read, and with the added bonus of whimsical talking cats, this cozy fantasy mystery has something for everyone. So grab your pumpkin spice latte and a warm blanket, and get ready to travel to Maple Hollow!

This is an easy listen fantasy audiobook. Quite short, but a pleasant listen. If you like cats, Halloween and dreams then this is for you. The author seems certain that this is for female readers. I can’t say that is true. Thank you to Inner Realms Publishing and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

The Dream Haunters is a quick read you can curl up on the couch with as you follow Hannah’s magical journey. I enjoyed that this book was set in the fall, and the author’s imagery is beautiful. I truly felt like I was there with Hannah taking in the fresh autumn air! I listened to the audiobook version. The narration was slow for my liking, so I had to speed it up quite a bit. The writing is good, and I like the concept of the book. I just would have like a bit more content, especially towards the end of the book. Everything seemed to happen very fast in the last third of the book. Thank you to NetGalley and Inner Realms Publishing for providing me with this ARC of The Dream Haunters in exchange for an honest review.