Reviews

Dealing in Dreams by Lilliam Rivera

smartinez9's review against another edition

2.0

2.5

I understand that the whole premise was a critique on capitalism and the ways in which it keeps people futilely absorbed in their own advancement, okay? I get it. But no one here felt realistic or redeemable. Nalah’s abandonment of Nena felt jarringly out of character, as did Nena’s response. I get what this was trying to do, but I didn’t enjoy it.

Moreover, I think the “reverse-sexism/dangers of toxic feminism” argument was reductive and frankly absurd. It completely ignored the reality of sexual violence as the reason for why a twelve year old girl cannot fearlessly rule the streets, beating up adult men and sending them home for breaking curfew. This has never happened in human history, and I can’t see it happening soon just because women want equality. Wtf.

Also, the twelve year olds dancing suggestively with/ bathing with the papi chulos was just gross.

jpiasci1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

juanitamfm's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was an interesting book. The way it’s set up, it seems like there should be a sequel, but I haven’t seen anything out to indicate there will be. I really liked the characters in this story. The story revealed a little more the farther into the book you got, but I still feel like I still had a lot of questions when I was finished. But overall I really liked it and I hope a sequel does eventually happen.

lisathepoetlibrarian's review against another edition

3.0

A beautiful and imaginative rendering of letting go of the dreams we are sold to finding our own. It is about the painful and unique courage required to face our shadow side, to dare compassion, and to dream for something bigger than we have been allowed to dream. It is about community and learning how to see.

mellabella's review against another edition

4.0

I was torn on what to rate this book.
It was definitely interesting. Chief Rocka aka Nalah is the leader of the all girl crew La Mal Criadas.
She has her sights on her and her crew living in the towers (ruled over by a despot named Déesse) of their dystopian world.
As far as Nalah is concerned, she's an orphan. Her mother is dead. Her sister and father missing. They deserted her years ago. Her crew is her family.
All that's standing between her and her dream is a fight with the Deadly Venoms. Her and her crew are sure they can beat them. But Déesse's son approaches Nala about throwing the fight. It's what his mother (who Nalah idolizes) wants he says.
Now Nalah was never really straight with her crew. She also never asked questions the leader of a crew should ask. Like "Why?". It was tough to remember that she was a teenager.
What follows is a pilgrimage of eye opening discoveries.
There are a lot of themes. Classism, capitalism... This dystopian novel takes place in a world that is ruled by woman. Men are eye candy or workers. Not equals.
4 stars

sakeriver's review against another edition

I really enjoy seeing a Latinx take on dystopian YA, and the way the book flips gender roles is interesting. I also particularly liked how gender fluidity is presented. I think this works well as the first of a series but there aren't current plans for a sequel and as a standalone the ending was a bit too rushed and open-ended for my taste.

cojack's review against another edition

3.0

Better in concept than execution. Author makes some great points about violence and the ways in which some governments use it to control citizens. Nalah was a tiresome narrator, though. Got really tired of her stubbornness and refusal to see reality. The violence got old, too, even though it is a central theme to the story.
Read my full review on Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/dealing-in-dreams

colorfulleo92's review against another edition

3.0

I liked the themes in this book but it left me wanting more, either a bigger book or a book series to fully develop the world and characters. It's had a lot of potential but didn't really go anywhere, but overall it was well written and enjoyable to read.

brittrivera's review against another edition

4.0

I'm not a huge fan of Mad Max so honestly, going into Dealing in Dreams, which is described as "Outsiders Meets Mad Max" I was keeping my expectations low. I should not have been worried. This book quickly won me over with its complex world-building and sympathetic characters. I felt like I really understood this world, these people, and their struggles. While nothing that happens in the book is particularly Earth shattering, seeing the events through Cheif Rocka/Nalah's eyes helped provide more emotional context. Her journey, both physical and emotional, comes across as very realistic and it is interesting to see how she changes based on her experiences.

Spoiler

I feel like there is going to be a sequel coming, even though I kind of liked this ambiguous, slightly sad, but hopeful ending.

*Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing & NetGalley for the E-Arc copy of this novel.*

tiffany721's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 Really good girl gang in a dystopian type word. I’m assuming there’s going to be a book 2? At least I hope!! Because I’ll read it!!