Synopsis
A stunning YA fantasy inspired by ancient Mesoamerica, this gripping debut introduces us to a lineage of seers defiantly resisting the shifting patriarchal state that would see them destroyed—perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir.
Indir is a Dreamer, descended from a long line of seers; able to see beyond reality, she carries the rare gift of Dreaming truth. But when the beloved king dies, his son has no respect for this time-honored tradition. King Alcan wants an opportunity to bring the Dreamers to a permanent end—an opportunity Indir will give him if he discovers the two secrets she is struggling to keep. As violent change shakes Indir’s world to its core, she is forced to make an impossible choice: fight for her home or fight to survive.
Saya is a seer, but not a Dreamer—she has never been formally trained. Her mother exploits her daughter’s gift, passing it off as her own as they travel from village to village, never staying in one place too long. Almost as if they’re running from something. Almost as if they’re being hunted. When Saya loses the necklace she’s worn since birth, she discovers that seeing isn’t her only gift—and begins to suspect that everything she knows about her life has been a carefully-constructed lie. As she comes to distrust the only family she’s ever known, Saya will do what she’s never done before, go where she’s never been, and risk it all in the search of answers.
With a detailed, supernaturally-charged setting and topical themes of patriarchal power and female strength, Lizz Huerta’s The Lost Dreamer brings an ancient world to life, mirroring the challenges of our modern one.
The Good
I. The setting/world is what got me in the first place.
II. The dream world is not only unique but interesting it was my favorite part of the story.
The Bad
I. Characters
A. They were one dimensional.
It is really unfortunate because this story had so many good dynamics and characters (on surface).
B. There are too many characters which is especially a problem since they were not being fleshed out.
C. The romance had zero chemistry.
II. Plot driven
A. Things just happen to obviously push plot forward.
B. Info dumping ahoy- like character will come up give the main characters what they need to move the story forward.
C. I think because the plot was moving very fast (but at same time without depth) it got in the way of many things organically happening.
III. Obviously hoards information so that they can reveal it later.
Thoughts
I. Are we doing things as a way to create a sequel/series? It can feel like stories be dragging so as to bleed into another book or create a series.
II. Debut author.
I wonder if many of the problems are in result of the author being a debut author.
III. It has more emotional and touchy women characters than you find in many fantasies which is not a bad thing.
Touchy = hugging, comforting each other, laying on each other (platonically), basically physical touch
Emotional= crying. being sad, acknowledging the sad moments
IV. Is the type of fantasy this wants /needs to be (I assume) conflicting with what is popular in ya?
V. I do not feel it really challenges topical themes of patriarchal power and female strength neither does it have a lineage of seers defiantly resisting the shifting patriarchal state. Although, I get the sense that the emotion, physical touch, and what was put to the relationships between the women could be argued to be doing this (at least in a small way).
I received this from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group through bookishfirst
(synopsis and cover are from bookishfirst)
themollyweather 