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A review by teastarsandbooks
A Multitude of Dreams by Mara Rutherford
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
First and foremost, thank you Netgalley and Inkyard Press for allowing me advance access to the digital arc of this book!
A Multitude of Dreams was a journey I did not expect. And it was a thrilling Gothic journey I relished through clenched toes, fidgeting fingers, and bated breaths.
A plague has crippled the kingdom, leaving few alive in its wake. Princess Imogen is one of those who still lives, thanks to being sheltered in a boarded up castle. But as provisions begin to dwindle and the King’s madness deepens, unrest finds a hold. Nico Mott enters the picture, a young man who lost everything and everyone to the plague and now works as a servant to a local lord. As circumstances thrust the two together, webs of lies woven by them and those around them begin to unravel and alongside the truth, come unspeakable horrors.
I went into this story blind, with only the official blurb as my guide as to what and who the story is about. I never would have guessed vampires and post-apocalyptic world would arise. It. Was. Delicious.
Writing Style: The author has a talent at keeping what seems to be an ordinary tale, interesting and not so ordinary. There was an air about her words that lended to an atmosphere of a broken and haunted world. Of things not quite as they seem. It kept me going, devouring the book in two sittings. Her descriptions are beautiful, masterfully crafted to pull you deeper into the tale.
Plot: It was very, very well done. There is a part of my mind that recognized how slow going the story was, but the author was so masterful at dropping little tell-tale signs of things not being all they seem, that the slower pace didn’t bother me. It especially didn’t bother me as it began to ramp up - again, not at a hurtling pace, at a nice slow canter, leading me on until suddenly everything has gone upside down and I’m clutching my blankets and forcing myself not to start skimming the pages in desperation to find out what happens next. Excellently done. It’s very clear a lot of planning and forethought went into this story.
I can also see how real world experiences influenced the story. I understand from the author’s note at the end, that before the COVID 19 crisis, the author already had this book in the planning stages. Even still, the hardships we faced as an entire world, the hurt and pain and fear - it was written across the pages. In addition, the fact that she made the conscious choice to add Judaism to her fantasy world, I thought, was a beautiful outspoken choice - making the heroine a Jew who is feisty and self-confident, and gentle and kind. I personally loved it. Books are a form of art. And art is meant to send messages. This one from the author is condemning of anti-semitism and throws into light the fact that repeatedly through out human history, with plagues comes a vitriolic wave of anti-semitism. It was true in the Middle Ages, and it was true again the past several years.
I applauded you, Mara Rutherford.
Characters: We have our two main characters - Princess Imogen and Nico Mott. Imogen is a strong young lady, with thoughts of her own, stubborn, and family oriented. While yes, at times her choices land her in trouble, she doesn’t loose her spark. She still keeps trying and continues to rise above the low expectations society placed on her. As mentioned previously, the author made the choice to have Imogen come from a Jewish family and I believe she did justice to them, portraying one of there’s as a fierce and beautiful young lady with a loving heart and fierce determination.
Nico is caring, full of emotion - is human. With Nico, the author not-s0-subtly gives a hero who subverts toxic masculinity and is shown to be desirable, that men with a strong healthy connection to their emotions IS healthy. Both characters have a special place in my heart.
Alongside the main characters, we have a host of supporting characters, all who do a splendid job of complimenting their designated MC. Even the antagonists were a pleasure to read. And that’s always a sign of a good writer to me.
Enjoyment: Oh my lord, I loved this. More than I ever expected. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting and I loved every single second of this book. It was exhilarating. Well earned 5 stars.
A Multitude of Dreams was a journey I did not expect. And it was a thrilling Gothic journey I relished through clenched toes, fidgeting fingers, and bated breaths.
A plague has crippled the kingdom, leaving few alive in its wake. Princess Imogen is one of those who still lives, thanks to being sheltered in a boarded up castle. But as provisions begin to dwindle and the King’s madness deepens, unrest finds a hold. Nico Mott enters the picture, a young man who lost everything and everyone to the plague and now works as a servant to a local lord. As circumstances thrust the two together, webs of lies woven by them and those around them begin to unravel and alongside the truth, come unspeakable horrors.
I went into this story blind, with only the official blurb as my guide as to what and who the story is about. I never would have guessed vampires and post-apocalyptic world would arise. It. Was. Delicious.
Writing Style: The author has a talent at keeping what seems to be an ordinary tale, interesting and not so ordinary. There was an air about her words that lended to an atmosphere of a broken and haunted world. Of things not quite as they seem. It kept me going, devouring the book in two sittings. Her descriptions are beautiful, masterfully crafted to pull you deeper into the tale.
Plot: It was very, very well done. There is a part of my mind that recognized how slow going the story was, but the author was so masterful at dropping little tell-tale signs of things not being all they seem, that the slower pace didn’t bother me. It especially didn’t bother me as it began to ramp up - again, not at a hurtling pace, at a nice slow canter, leading me on until suddenly everything has gone upside down and I’m clutching my blankets and forcing myself not to start skimming the pages in desperation to find out what happens next. Excellently done. It’s very clear a lot of planning and forethought went into this story.
I can also see how real world experiences influenced the story. I understand from the author’s note at the end, that before the COVID 19 crisis, the author already had this book in the planning stages. Even still, the hardships we faced as an entire world, the hurt and pain and fear - it was written across the pages. In addition, the fact that she made the conscious choice to add Judaism to her fantasy world, I thought, was a beautiful outspoken choice - making the heroine a Jew who is feisty and self-confident, and gentle and kind. I personally loved it. Books are a form of art. And art is meant to send messages. This one from the author is condemning of anti-semitism and throws into light the fact that repeatedly through out human history, with plagues comes a vitriolic wave of anti-semitism. It was true in the Middle Ages, and it was true again the past several years.
I applauded you, Mara Rutherford.
Characters: We have our two main characters - Princess Imogen and Nico Mott. Imogen is a strong young lady, with thoughts of her own, stubborn, and family oriented. While yes, at times her choices land her in trouble, she doesn’t loose her spark. She still keeps trying and continues to rise above the low expectations society placed on her. As mentioned previously, the author made the choice to have Imogen come from a Jewish family and I believe she did justice to them, portraying one of there’s as a fierce and beautiful young lady with a loving heart and fierce determination.
Nico is caring, full of emotion - is human. With Nico, the author not-s0-subtly gives a hero who subverts toxic masculinity and is shown to be desirable, that men with a strong healthy connection to their emotions IS healthy. Both characters have a special place in my heart.
Alongside the main characters, we have a host of supporting characters, all who do a splendid job of complimenting their designated MC. Even the antagonists were a pleasure to read. And that’s always a sign of a good writer to me.
Enjoyment: Oh my lord, I loved this. More than I ever expected. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting and I loved every single second of this book. It was exhilarating. Well earned 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism