I picked this novel up because of the intriguing title. I’d never heard of the author and didn’t even read the blurb. And I lucked into a riveting and original fantasy story that immediately put this debut novelist on my “read more” list.

Nora Blake dreams of entering the prestigious and exclusive Dream Engineer training program. Dream Engineers have the world at their feet: they’re trained to use the incredibly expensive drugs which allow people to use magic and have access to as much of the drug as they want.

Nora’s father died because they couldn’t afford magic-enhanced medical treatment for him. So when Nora is mistakenly offered a ticket to the Lamour family’s Dream Gala, with its’ access to people who could guarantee her access to the program, she jumps at it.

But Nora finds herself caught up in a world she doesn’t expect – a world of celebrity, intrigue and betrayals. Soon her goal to win entry to the program is superseded by the goal of survival.

I really loved this. Clancey has built a vivid world, similar enough to ours that it’s easy to slip into, but with distinct and important differences. She integrates the world building into her story, and I was impressed by how quickly she immerses the reader in the first chapter.

More importantly, she gives us vivid and believable characters and a riveting plot. Sure, some of the story beats are pretty familiar, but there are enough surprises that it doesn’t feel predictable. Most readers won’t know exactly where it’s going or how it’s going to get there.

Nora will win the empathy of most readers very quickly. She’s a fully rounded person, and her goals, dreams, and fears are all very realistic. We feel that we might do exactly as she does when faced with difficult choices, while admiring some of her bravest choices.

Other characters are drawn strongly, although some are deliberately less immediately knowable and sympathetic than Nora. The whole cast felt like people you might actually meet.

This is nominally a young adult novel for the older end of the spectrum. I’m rather older than the target group and I found this not only immensely enjoyable, but the sort of novel that kept me reading longer than I’d intended. This is an engaging and involving story.

This is a great novel, readable and enjoyable, and with a bit of meat for you to think about. It’s original and interesting, with a vividly created fantasy world. Highly recommended for anyone over 14 years who enjoys urban fantasy stories with strong characters.

Sometimes you've got to kill a dream to escape a nightmare.

Nora is unlucky. While trying to fix her father's debts she was saddled with, a mysterious illness lands her brother in hospital. Nora thinks maybe her luck has changed when she wins a lottery to attend the magical Dream Gala with the heir to the Lamour fortune, Remy. But Nora never bought a lottery takes: and she is determined to find out who wants her at the gala.

This story was refreshing and unique - while Nora is finding out who wanted her at the gala, she stumbles upon a dangerous secret. It's full of twists and turns and jet setting adventure, and you never quite know who to trust or believe.

This a great read for those that love high society secrets, a bit of enemies to lovers and fake dating, and those that would kill to keep their secrets safe.

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for a review copy! All opinions are my own.

Didn't expect to enjoy this as I'm not ordinarily a fantasy fan, but I was hooked! Gripping storyline and amazing intrigue, and the magic systems were cool too!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for providing a digital copy to review*

I love stories that feel unique, and this one definitely qualifies. I would describe it as Gossip Girl meets fantasy, and includes backstabbing and the rich thinking they can do what they like.

The magic in this world is thanks to a drug that is owned by one family, making them basically untouchable. Every year, they host the Dream Gala (basically the MET Gala but with magic), and the average person can buy a ticket in hopes of attending. Our FMC, Nora, has not had the best luck, but somehow, without buying a ticket, she wins the spot.

While this book is YA, it didn’t feel like it at all, and I kind of forgot that the characters are basically teenagers. All the characters are complex, with every chapter making you constantly question who to trust. I really loved this aspect as it kept me engaged with the story.

It’s incredibly fast-paced with the characters constantly jetting off to different countries and uncovering more information. There is a bit of a love triangle, which I’m usually not a fan of. However, this one I liked and it had a somewhat satisfying outcome at the end of the book.

This book kept me hooked till the end and had so many twists I never saw coming, which was amazing.

⭐️ 4.2/5
🌶️ 0.5/5

Eighteen-year-old Nora Blake is drowning in debt when her brother falls mysteriously ill. A sudden stroke of luck lands her at the elite Dream Gala, where winning over heir Remy Lamour could secure her a place in the Lamours’ magical training program—and the money to save her brother. But Nora never entered the lottery to win entrance to the exclusive event. As she unravels the mystery of who got her there, she’s drawn into a world of wealth, power, and deadly secrets. When she stumbles upon a dangerous conspiracy, she must decide: stay silent or risk everything against a family that gets away with murder?

Tropes:
💎 The Inheritance Games x Caraval vibes
🩷 Fake dating
💎 Enemies to lovers
🩷 ANGST
💎 A family of magic-making billionaires who’d kill to keep their secrets safe
🩷 Magical spectacles in NYC, Paris & Sydney
💎 Found family
🩷 Bisexual chaos

MY THOUGHTS

WOW. Just WOW.

This book is like the most sublime blend of romance, mystery, science fiction and fantasy that I have read in a long time!

It is so full of twists and turns!! Right when you think you understand what’s going on, Emma turns everything you thought you knew onto its head. I found my jaw dropping regularly, or myself saying “OH MY GOD” to myself at least a few times—particularly in the last third of the book

Every single character is so loveable/ hateable in their own way, and also relatable, which made the plot twists that much more gripping and even heart-wrenching.

The banter was so hilarious (there is one character in particular I’m thinking of who gives off such playful Loko energy heheh) and the “not knowing who to trust” aspect—which you will definitely understand when you read this—really challenged the found family vibes that gradually developed throughout the story.

And the ending… GUYS, this book has a somewhat OPEN ENDING which frustrated me so much 😂😂 I have my own vision for how it should have turned out (which I think is vaguely hinted at in the last chapter) but I let you decide what you want for yourselves ;)

Overall, a spectacular experience!! I can’t wait to see what Emma Clancey writes next!! (Hopefully a sequel to this book OML 😂) Definitely recommend this book for YA book readers in particular!!

(I will be including this review with some graphics on my bookstagram, @for_ambrolia, over the next fortnight or so!)