A review by lattelibrarian
Nightmare King by Daka Hermon

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.0

Somehow I have a knack for reading the second book in a series as though it's the first. That being said, you don't need to read the first--but I'm going to. Daka Hermon discusses themes of trauma and support in The Nightmare King, and it fits in great with books such as Tristan Strong if you're looking for realism or a shorter read.

Shane is still recovering from an accident that left him in a coma. After months of relying on his family and healing, he's ready to join his team on the basketball court--but it feels like nobody thinks he's healthy enough. He begins to spiral, wondering about his worth and identity if he can no longer play basketball. As these fears fester, he begins to have nightmares again and the lack of sleep begins to torment his personality as he struggles with maintaining his relationships. 

If you're an adult like me, you'll likely be able to tease apart the ways in which the horror genre is used as a device to discuss trauma and the road to healing. For a kid, it may not be as obvious.
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