A review by alyssa_hollingsworth
The Dreamer Volume 2: The Kipp's Bay Affair by Lora Innes

5.0

Beatrice Whaley finds herself trapped in two lives. As a modern day teenager, she has school, boys and drama to juggle. But when she sleeps, she finds herself in the midst of the Revolutionary War. Alan Warren, her dream hero, joins a cast of historical figures throughout the Revolutionary War, while familiar characters from the first volume are joined by a few colorful additions. As both narratives unfold, one thing becomes clear: Bea's choice at the end of Volume 1 to live both her lives--2000's and 1776--is crippling her ability to function in either.

As a history nerd and college student, what first drew me to The Dreamer was the beautiful way it takes history and brings it to life. The historical cast feels real--sometimes even more real than Bea's modern-day companions. By making the world of 1776 colorful and gripping, Lora Innes propels her story forward with her characters. It's wonderful to see skirmishes and intrigue--but as the reader takes a short breath between battles, the real tension with the characters is brought to the front. Who is Milly Weaver, and how does Alexander Hamilton know Bea? What will become of Nathan Hale, so recently come to terms with Alan? How serious is Alan's cough--and will he recover?

Bea is still torn between her two romantic interests--Alan and the modern-day football star, Ben. But Innes keeps the reader torn with Bea by creating two characters who are almost equally lovable, though in very different ways. I say this as someone who definitely has a side, but who found herself grinning even when Bea was with the other fellow.

The Dreamer, Volume 2, continues to unfold the drama of the first volume in a new direction--one that will leave readers attached to the pages and eager for more. The art continues to improve, the characters grow deeper, and story more complex. I would highly recommend this graphic novel to any history nerd, adventure lover, or romantic.