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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
4 Stars
“Even pioneers have guides”……
Dream Me is thought provoking story with a very interesting premise, by Kathryn Berla. It is a YA fantasy, with sci-fi elements and a teen romance.
Babe is seventeen years old and always seems to be trying to fit in where ever she goes, as her father is a golf pro and they move often. His latest job takes them to the Florida Panhandle, and Sugar Dunes. Her father is the golf pro at the country club and Babe gets a job working in the tennis shop. This move has gone pretty well and she has made a few friends- except she has started having very vivid dreams which bring blinding headaches when she wakes
Zat is a boy from the far distant future where people are no longer the same as we are, and their Earth is dying. People of this time no longer dream, but Zat does- he dreams of a pretty girl with fiery red hair and an Earth full of beauty and wonder. He utilizes dream technology to travel back in time and live in Babe’s dreams. They two really connect in her dreams, Babe gets to the point where she can’t wait to go to sleep and dream of him. But her headaches are quite terrible, Zat had no idea that he would cause her such pain. He can’t stand being the cause of her pain, so he begins to pull away. Can these two ever find a way to be together in the real world?
The story is beautifully written and is a quick, easy read. I loved the cover, but have seen the same picture used for another book…
This story is a standalone and the concept is quite original. I got the book entirely based on the cover and the blurb- but after reading it I am a little disappointed, because with such a wonderful premise to draw inspiration from, I thought that the story and the characters lacked the depth and complexity that would have taken this read to a whole new level. It could have been stellar, but I found it a little lacking. Don’t get me wrong, this story IS beautifully written and does deserve a read- but for me the story and characters just didn’t leap off the pages.
I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you Ms. Berla!
“Even pioneers have guides”……
Dream Me is thought provoking story with a very interesting premise, by Kathryn Berla. It is a YA fantasy, with sci-fi elements and a teen romance.
Babe is seventeen years old and always seems to be trying to fit in where ever she goes, as her father is a golf pro and they move often. His latest job takes them to the Florida Panhandle, and Sugar Dunes. Her father is the golf pro at the country club and Babe gets a job working in the tennis shop. This move has gone pretty well and she has made a few friends- except she has started having very vivid dreams which bring blinding headaches when she wakes
Zat is a boy from the far distant future where people are no longer the same as we are, and their Earth is dying. People of this time no longer dream, but Zat does- he dreams of a pretty girl with fiery red hair and an Earth full of beauty and wonder. He utilizes dream technology to travel back in time and live in Babe’s dreams. They two really connect in her dreams, Babe gets to the point where she can’t wait to go to sleep and dream of him. But her headaches are quite terrible, Zat had no idea that he would cause her such pain. He can’t stand being the cause of her pain, so he begins to pull away. Can these two ever find a way to be together in the real world?
The story is beautifully written and is a quick, easy read. I loved the cover, but have seen the same picture used for another book…
This story is a standalone and the concept is quite original. I got the book entirely based on the cover and the blurb- but after reading it I am a little disappointed, because with such a wonderful premise to draw inspiration from, I thought that the story and the characters lacked the depth and complexity that would have taken this read to a whole new level. It could have been stellar, but I found it a little lacking. Don’t get me wrong, this story IS beautifully written and does deserve a read- but for me the story and characters just didn’t leap off the pages.
I would definitely read more from this author.
Thank you Ms. Berla!
Dream Me by Kathryn Berla
5 Stars
I'll admit when I first started this book I was a bit concerned I would have a hard time with it, but just a few pages in I was hooked and couldn't put it down until I finished. This was my second book by this author and I loved the first one I read, I equally loved this one. This was unlike any story I have ever read and it definitely left me wanting more. I will be reading everything this author writes from this point forward.
This is about a 17 year old girl named Babe, named after the most famous female golfer. Her dad was a golf pro, causing her family to move around a lot. Babe had gotten used to this and it didn't bother her anymore. As her and her mother arrive in their new home in the panhandle of Florida she is faced with yet more changes in her life. Her first love is tennis so her dad gets her a job at the tennis portion of the country club he works for.
She has started having dreams of a guy, his name is Zat, it's dreams she can't explain because they are dreams that continue nightly, like they are real life but then not at the same time. Zat is a human from a distant future that has chosen to go back to earth as it used to be instead of choosing to follow his family into new adventures, and the only way he can exist is through Babe’s dreams. Babe meets new friends in her new town and actually loves her new job, until one of the rich members of the country club makes her uncomfortable, which leaves her with a decision that could affect her family's future in their new home. When she decides to trust her new best friend with her dreams and the issues at work her friend becomes her comfort. Her dreams are causing her to be more and more tired each morning and the more intense her dreams the more her head hurts in the morning. Zat will do anything to ease the pain he is causing Babe, even if it means leaving her dreams forever, they have fallen in love in her dreams, this she carries with her in her waking life. What happens when Zat chooses to be completely honest with Babe and shows her his true self?
Babe has a blog which she uses as an online diary for anyone to read. I loved this and I loved the comments left on her blog. This was an amazing story well thought out and described. I loved the friendships that were formed and the truth that was revealed in these friendships. I would love to read more about all of these characters in the future, but if I don't, my imagination of where they all end up will be enough for me :)
5 Stars
I'll admit when I first started this book I was a bit concerned I would have a hard time with it, but just a few pages in I was hooked and couldn't put it down until I finished. This was my second book by this author and I loved the first one I read, I equally loved this one. This was unlike any story I have ever read and it definitely left me wanting more. I will be reading everything this author writes from this point forward.
This is about a 17 year old girl named Babe, named after the most famous female golfer. Her dad was a golf pro, causing her family to move around a lot. Babe had gotten used to this and it didn't bother her anymore. As her and her mother arrive in their new home in the panhandle of Florida she is faced with yet more changes in her life. Her first love is tennis so her dad gets her a job at the tennis portion of the country club he works for.
She has started having dreams of a guy, his name is Zat, it's dreams she can't explain because they are dreams that continue nightly, like they are real life but then not at the same time. Zat is a human from a distant future that has chosen to go back to earth as it used to be instead of choosing to follow his family into new adventures, and the only way he can exist is through Babe’s dreams. Babe meets new friends in her new town and actually loves her new job, until one of the rich members of the country club makes her uncomfortable, which leaves her with a decision that could affect her family's future in their new home. When she decides to trust her new best friend with her dreams and the issues at work her friend becomes her comfort. Her dreams are causing her to be more and more tired each morning and the more intense her dreams the more her head hurts in the morning. Zat will do anything to ease the pain he is causing Babe, even if it means leaving her dreams forever, they have fallen in love in her dreams, this she carries with her in her waking life. What happens when Zat chooses to be completely honest with Babe and shows her his true self?
Babe has a blog which she uses as an online diary for anyone to read. I loved this and I loved the comments left on her blog. This was an amazing story well thought out and described. I loved the friendships that were formed and the truth that was revealed in these friendships. I would love to read more about all of these characters in the future, but if I don't, my imagination of where they all end up will be enough for me :)
Received from Netgalley.
OMG, this book is so amazing. It is just perfection. So amazingly written. After finishing I had a bit of trouble gathering my thoughts. It is just one of those stories that stick, change you, move you.
The book tells story of Babe and Zat. Babe just moved to Florida with her father, golf pro. Because of the nature of his job, they've been moving a lot. She work for the summer in the tennis shop. A lot happens. She meets people, forms friendships, even has to deal with harassment. She also writes blog about what is going on in her life. You get to know her really well. Her story is intertwined with Zat's. He is from he future, resident of dying Earth, trying to find place to live. It is like contemporary story ft. hard hit sci-fi. Just amazing.
Their stories come together in beautiful way, that moved me and made me cry. I almost stopped reading, like 20 pages before the end, because I wasn't sure if it will be the good or the bad ending. Also the book made me cry a lot. The ending was the most beautiful thing ever.
Happy reading!
Es una muy buena premisa muy mal desarrollada. Odio esa sensación de "el autor se cansó de escribir". Tantos puntos quedan sin cerrarse como la historia de LeGrand, la identidad de Dream me y de Earl...
Me alegra el ¿final feliz? de Babe y Zat pero no que no me expliquen cómo llegamos a ese final feliz. Había realmente errores serios en el plot, por ejemplo: si Zat sabía antes que Babe que ella iba a terminar en ese lugar por qué no sabía que iba a ser de ellos, por qué le dolía la cabeza a Babe después de soñar con Zat.
Una pena porque la idea es muy buena
Me alegra el ¿final feliz? de Babe y Zat pero no que no me expliquen cómo llegamos a ese final feliz. Había realmente errores serios en el plot, por ejemplo: si Zat sabía antes que Babe que ella iba a terminar en ese lugar por qué no sabía que iba a ser de ellos, por qué le dolía la cabeza a Babe después de soñar con Zat.
Una pena porque la idea es muy buena
Good premise and concept but was really lacking with regards to worldbuilding and character development. I would've loved to have seen more. However, the narrative structure was spot on and the writing was beautiful.
Full review here - http://www.amysbookishlife.co.uk/2017/08/review-dream-me-by-kathryn-berla.html
Full review here - http://www.amysbookishlife.co.uk/2017/08/review-dream-me-by-kathryn-berla.html
Complete review available: Dream Me
Babe thinks dreaming's addictive? Try this book. Honestly, a really great read. It was a little bit sci-fi, a little bit fantasy, a little bit contemporary YA, and a whole lot of fun. The blog entries backed up by the dual perspective kept things interesting and moving, whilst all the characters were a lovable, relatable bunch. Sure, it felt towards the end as if a couple of Zat scenes were missing before he made his decision about - let's say stuff - but it all tied together very nicely at the end. I'm glad I read it.
N.B. An ARC of this book was recieved from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Babe thinks dreaming's addictive? Try this book. Honestly, a really great read. It was a little bit sci-fi, a little bit fantasy, a little bit contemporary YA, and a whole lot of fun. The blog entries backed up by the dual perspective kept things interesting and moving, whilst all the characters were a lovable, relatable bunch. Sure, it felt towards the end as if a couple of Zat scenes were missing before he made his decision about - let's say stuff - but it all tied together very nicely at the end. I'm glad I read it.
N.B. An ARC of this book was recieved from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Dream Me's synopsis had my eyes captivated the moment I laid upon on it. Kathryn Berla takes interesting twists and turns in this story using Zat, a dreamer from future Earth, and Babe, a tennis pro's daughter on present day Earth. It's an intriguing subject and a quick read. There's also a modern blend of Babe's blog, giving you an interesting look into the emotional thoughts and dreams of Babe.
But, I have a million and one questions that Dream Me didn't answer. What attacked Zat at the beginning of the book? There's literally not much to go on from the book. I was curious about the world Zat lived in and it was over in a couple chapters. I missed the description of the future Earth. How did he pick Babe out of everyone in the past world? How did he know she had red, curly hair? I was waiting for the connection and it fell flat. What exactly was a dreamer? I have my own thoughts, but the author never defines what a dreamer meant for Zat. I wanted more description and was left with a lot of fuzzy lines. I had to make a lot of that up in my mind, which is fine, but Dream Me is such a unique story, I would have loved to see what else Kathryn Berla could have come up with. I'd be interested in a second book, if it answered some questions.
I appreciate being able to receive the advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion. I look forward to reading more stories from Berla.
But, I have a million and one questions that Dream Me didn't answer. What attacked Zat at the beginning of the book? There's literally not much to go on from the book. I was curious about the world Zat lived in and it was over in a couple chapters. I missed the description of the future Earth. How did he pick Babe out of everyone in the past world? How did he know she had red, curly hair? I was waiting for the connection and it fell flat. What exactly was a dreamer? I have my own thoughts, but the author never defines what a dreamer meant for Zat. I wanted more description and was left with a lot of fuzzy lines. I had to make a lot of that up in my mind, which is fine, but Dream Me is such a unique story, I would have loved to see what else Kathryn Berla could have come up with. I'd be interested in a second book, if it answered some questions.
I appreciate being able to receive the advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion. I look forward to reading more stories from Berla.
The thing that drew me to this book was it's interesting and intriguing blurb and thought why not but I was surprisingly disappointed by how weak the plot was in the general context of the novel. Let me just say that some people may like this kind of plot but for me, it opened in a confusing manner where you have no idea what is going on. The main characters were good but the dual perspectives were not explained or even hinted at making the two points of view seem like completely separate stories. The thing that bothered me the most though, was the huge info dump right at the end of the novel when the novel should have been concluding. So in the final pages we get all the information we should have been given at the beginning and laced throughout, then the story ends leaving us the readers even more confused and dazed than when we started the novel. While normally I would have given this book only one star I gave it a second purely on the fact it had tons of potential that the author just didn't act on.
*2.5 Stars*
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Babe is always moving. The story starts when she’s 17 and is moving to Florida. Her father is a pro golfer and got a job in a country club. She also works there in the Tennis shop.
Everything is going ok despite being far from her boyfriend until she starts having vivid dreams that leaves her with terrible headaches.
The writing style was ok, but the plot was super messy. It was like the two storylines had no relation to each other even though they concerned the same character. There was the dream plot and the reality plot…
We had no depth in the dream world… We only knew about it from her blog updates and it was always brushed over. We didn’t get to see how they fell for each other, how they connected and it made me not care. At all. I was mostly bored through it all and the only storyline I was interested in was resolved in a way that infuriated me…...
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Babe is always moving. The story starts when she’s 17 and is moving to Florida. Her father is a pro golfer and got a job in a country club. She also works there in the Tennis shop.
Everything is going ok despite being far from her boyfriend until she starts having vivid dreams that leaves her with terrible headaches.
The writing style was ok, but the plot was super messy. It was like the two storylines had no relation to each other even though they concerned the same character. There was the dream plot and the reality plot…
We had no depth in the dream world… We only knew about it from her blog updates and it was always brushed over. We didn’t get to see how they fell for each other, how they connected and it made me not care. At all. I was mostly bored through it all and the only storyline I was interested in was resolved in a way that infuriated me…...
Note: I received a free e-copy of the book via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review
Characters:
Babe was a strong-willed and determined character with whom I had an instant connection. I liked reading from her perspective and her journal-like blog (even the comments). However, Zat was a problem for me. I never really connected with him (also, the name annoyed me). Babe's ex-boyfriend also felt unnecessary. The supporting cast was well fleshed out and I loved their personality and their quirks. The friendships formed were the best part of the book for me, as I didn't quite enjoy the romance.
Plot and Setting:
This is where the book let me down a bit. It's a mix of sci-fi and contemporary and I felt it was trying to pack too many layers in. Although the sci-fi angle was an interesting twist, there were a lot of unanswered questions. I also felt that the ending was rushed and I didn't get as much closure as I'd have liked to about the secondary characters. The plot was predictable, but I appreciated it because I wasn't in a mood to read anything twisty or complex when I picked up this book.
Writing Style:
I loved the writing style in this book - it is laid back, clear and thought-provoking. The different narrators were distinguishable and that is another reason I felt the writing was well-done. I liked how themes such as the divide between dreams and reality, the future of mankind and Earth were explored in this book. Reading about the future in this truly shattered my heart into a million pieces because it felt so hopeless. Kudos to the author for writing so powerfully.
Conclusion:
The writing style and the secondary characters made this book a pleasurable read. However, I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd have liked to mainly because the sci-fi part felt unnecessary. Despite that, I want to read other books by the author because I see a lot of potential and hope that her other books impress me more.
Characters:
Babe was a strong-willed and determined character with whom I had an instant connection. I liked reading from her perspective and her journal-like blog (even the comments). However, Zat was a problem for me. I never really connected with him (also, the name annoyed me). Babe's ex-boyfriend also felt unnecessary. The supporting cast was well fleshed out and I loved their personality and their quirks. The friendships formed were the best part of the book for me, as I didn't quite enjoy the romance.
Plot and Setting:
This is where the book let me down a bit. It's a mix of sci-fi and contemporary and I felt it was trying to pack too many layers in. Although the sci-fi angle was an interesting twist, there were a lot of unanswered questions. I also felt that the ending was rushed and I didn't get as much closure as I'd have liked to about the secondary characters. The plot was predictable, but I appreciated it because I wasn't in a mood to read anything twisty or complex when I picked up this book.
Writing Style:
I loved the writing style in this book - it is laid back, clear and thought-provoking. The different narrators were distinguishable and that is another reason I felt the writing was well-done. I liked how themes such as the divide between dreams and reality, the future of mankind and Earth were explored in this book. Reading about the future in this truly shattered my heart into a million pieces because it felt so hopeless. Kudos to the author for writing so powerfully.
Conclusion:
The writing style and the secondary characters made this book a pleasurable read. However, I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd have liked to mainly because the sci-fi part felt unnecessary. Despite that, I want to read other books by the author because I see a lot of potential and hope that her other books impress me more.