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A review by hannaws
Dreams Lie Beneath by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sometimes things must break before they can be made whole again, so that they can be forged into something stronger.
This book has a stunning cover, the naked cover is also stunning! And the story is as stunning as the cover. I also think I am way too tired to write this review but at the same time I'm thinking whatever, I am always tired anyway. So bear with me if this is a bizarre ramble of all things flying left and right.
Let's start with the characters. They were well written, all of them. So well that that they managed to deceive me. Yet I'm still not sure if they were "good" (I'm using that word now because my ramshackle brain can't come up with a better one) enough for me to truly care about them. That's a lie. If they made me cry, that means I do care, right?
Clementine irritates me a lot. But she also reminds me a lot about myself and my daughters so that might be the reason. She is very determined to get her revenge, maybe even too much. Although she does grow a lot!
Phelan, Imonie, mommy and daddy. Love them very much. They also do some stupid decisions but don't we all? Phelan drew my attention since the first time he makes an appearance and he continues to hold on to that until the last word of the book, even after that. I kind of don't want to say anything else because I'm afraid I might write down spoilers.
I love all the different relationships blooming throughout the story. But those do seem to be left very vague. Well, the focus in this book isn't the relationships after all. That doesn't mean I wouldn't wanted to have a little bit more of (searching for the word that just decided to become nonexistent in my mind) growth and development! I feel like those had so much potential.
Some of the characters' storylines fell a little flat too, unfortunately. Like they made an appearance and then were very rarely heard from until the end of the book. Suddenly they were brought up as important characters and yet they stayed very much in the background.
The plot in itself was good. I liked the pacing of it very much. Even though I am more of a fast pace lover, but this one was very nice! It didn't linger too long anywhere, which really helped keep the interest up. It is also somewhat intense. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Although I have to say that there are certain problems that arise after something happening, that seems to be a really important matter to keep in mind. Mirrors. (I don't think this really spoils anything.) Those were kind of forgotten completely at some points and then suddenly they were around again.
All in all I had a great time with this book! It was nicely paced, intense enough and emotional. I will admit I shed some tears for unexpected characters even! And you really don't want to put the book down and leave all the characters in a pickle.
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail