*I received a free copy of Dream Magic from Selfpublished via Author. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Dream Magic by Michelle Mankin Series: Magic #2
Published by Selfpublished on 7 June 2016
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 600
Format: eARC
Source: Author
The dreamscape is a place of magic and mystery and meaning. In that nocturnal realm, ideas, images, sensations and emotions drift on the currents of the unconscious mind.
Morpheus the Dream Falcon is most at home in that domain. By night, the one of a kind winged immortal soars on those winds, observing and sometimes even entering the slumbering thoughts of another. By day, he is a highly sought after mercenary feared by his immortal kin for both his unmatched ferocity and his wicked obsidian talons. None of his prey escapes him.
Cecilia Ramirez y Aguilera is the one he truly wants. But the striking oracle of the Court of the Light Immortals is closed to the handsome outlaw, even in her dreams. Broken by unimaginable losses, the seer is but a slave, subject to the whims of a master who is mad and without mercy.
Drawn together by fate, their impossible passion ignites. But will that be enough given the dangerous secrets each keeps from the other? Or will mistrust and the desire for revenge threaten to unravel the powerful magic that binds them?
Dream Magic is the stunning second instalment in Mankin’s Magic series. The paranormal world the story unfolds in is complex, with characters that are multi-faceted and enticing.
I loved Strange Magic, and I’m happy to say that Dream Magic is even better! The world was expanded, and all the characters showed other facets of themselves than they did in the first book. With the intricacies of both the universe and the mythology, Mankin managed to bring her characters to the next level, while keeping me on the edge of my seat for the duration of the story at the same time. I loved that the first part of the book included several new to me characters, while those I had already met and fallen for showed up in different instances.
The mythology including gods and their offspring, the dark and the light, the good and the bad – all are themes that have been explored before, however, Dream Magic brought a unique spin to it all. Forbidden love is one of the themes that is very present, and the way some of those hidden passions unfolded lead my poor heart to break! Cecelia was a very strong character, and she truly had to be! Billy and Morpheus had their work cut out for them, and they truly gave their quest their all. The character growth for all three was tremendous, and helped move the story forward seamlessly.
Without spoiling anything at all, I can say that you will be taken on a world-wide journey, and that some of the places you will visit thanks to Dream Magic are not exactly a part of our world. There is, for example, a godly realm above the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the scenery is as beautiful as some of the gods have ugly hearts. Power struggles and diplomacy play a big role as well, and all of this truly made the story both suspenseful, beautiful, romantic and exciting.
Written mostly in first person perspective from either Cecelia’s or Morpheus’ point of view most of the time; but other characters get their say as well, the past tense and the switch to third person and dialogues at certain times made the pace perfect, and I can’t wait to read more in this series. The ending here killed me – not a cliffhanger per say, but something happened that really made me wish I could get more straight away…
If we had been born into a different time, my sister and I would have been honored, like the oracles of old who predicted the future in a time when immortals had walked openly upon the earth and had been worshipped by men as gods.
Gargoyles had claws. Honed and polished to razor sharp points. I bore the evidence all over my body.
I rocketed through great room after great room in the cavernous outer reaches of the Desolate Lands dodging thin and thick stalactites, then banking hard to evade a party of Appolyon’s spies once I entered the vast open space of the Great Plain.
I was a soldier of fortune. She was a seer and a slave.
The outlaw and the oracle.
Impossible.
Yet the magic had chosen us for each other.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
The world building sounds fantastic. I’m not familiar with this series. Thanks, Lexxie!
The world building is awesome, Sophia Rose, and the mythology is really well done, too.
Glad you enjoyed this read 🙂
It was amazing, Leona!
I’m so, so happy that you enjoyed Dream Magic every bit as much as I did, Lexxie. I love how Mankin used mythology and made it relevant to current times. And I adored getting to know Ceci and Millie…and the whole cast of new characters as well as seeing how Mankin meshed their story into Billy and Thyme’s. So good!
Have a terrific Tuesday, wifey! **BIG HUGS** <3
It was so well done, Brandee! And you’re right she did include mythology in a way that made it relevant to our time.
Have a terrific Tuesday yourself 🙂 *BIG HUGS* <3
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
I bought the first one a few weeks ago. 🙂
Oh you’re in for a treat, Stormi!! <3
Oh it’s so great when a sequel is better like that because I confess that I’m quite curious there! Plus who doesn’t love to have a mythology touch?
I know, right! The mythology is really well done, Melliane, because it is about stuff we know, but with a very different perspective, which makes it even more interesting 😀
Sounds like she really nailed the world building! 🙂 YEAH!
Yes, she really did, Felicia!!
Sounds such an interesting and thrilling story! I’m adding it to my list.
It’s really well done, I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
Girl, you read a lot and you seem to be picking up all of the GOOD books too. I love me some mythology so I am so happy to know this is included, although I haven’t read too many books which include forbidden love. Oh, and I really like the sound of the paranormal qualities too. Eee, I should pick up book one soon!
I know! I’ve been on a roll with great reads lately, and I’m very happy about that. Book one is on sale, I think it’s only $0.99 this week, Olivia 😉
Twitter: talksupeblog
This made me sad and feel like I want to be out for blood! I love her myth too, it’s familiar and unique at the same time
Yes, there was definitely a lot of emotions invested here. You’re right, too, the mythology is familiar and unique at the same time 🙂
Love those strong sequels! This series sounds awesome and is new to me so thanks for putting it on my radar!
It’s really good, I hope you’ll be able to pick it up, and that you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
Twitter: Mollykatie112
I loved this book as well. My review won’t post until the 14th though.Great review!
I’m happy you loved Dream Magic, too, Lorna! I look forward to reading your review 🙂
Twitter: kbaby81
I love a story that has great world building and is character driven. Glad you enjoyed this sequel!
Thanks, Lekeisha! It was really good. And I’m already impatient for the next installment, too!