Review: Dream a Little Dream (Silber #1) by Kerstin Gier

Oh how I miss reading Kerstin Gier's novels!

Title: Dream a Little Dream (Silber #1) by Kerstin Gier, Anthea Bell (Translation)
Release Date: April 14th 2015
Published by: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Source: Publisher (Thanks Ruth!)
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary:

Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yep, Liv’s dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially this one where she’s in a graveyard at night, watching four boys perform dark magic rituals.

The really weird thing is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They’re classmates from her new school in London, the school where’s she’s starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again). But they seem to know things about her in real life that they couldn’t possibly know, which is mystifying. Then again, Liv could never resist a good mystery. . . .

Everything started because of smelly cheese imported from Switzerland. I know it sounds amusing and funny, but it did. And then Liv's dreams of settling in a nice place with her family was exchanged for staying in London which comes with a surprise addition to their family and then suddenly she was getting involved in something that sounds too good to be true.

One of the reasons why I love reading Kersin Gier's novels is because she always writes with female protagonists who are witty, comical and Liv is no exception. I like the thoughts that always swirl inside her head, from her thoughts about her new step siblings, her school uniform or boys in general. I like the way she panics and how endearing she can be while doing so, how she can't stay away from secrets and not resist the potential of an adventure because she's naturally inquisitive. Awkward, funny, persistent when needed and with a skeptical but speculative mind.

As cliche as it may sound, being surrounded by hot boys, I like that Liv still keeps a sensible head (most of the time) around them, and that the author has done away with the usual love triangles and instead comfortably assigned different roles to the three who aren't the object of Liv's very confusing but otherwise adorable feelings. Grayson wonderfully fits the role of being an older brother, that genuine concern he has as a step brother to Liv despite the initial awkwardness made me like him a lot. Jasper, who was the embodiment of the typical things you expect from a Ken (doll), good looking, confident and very caught up with girls, he lends an interesting side to the four boys for being the poster boy for good looking guys who doesn't care for anything else other than girls. Arthur, who was quiet and mysterious, dangerously beautiful, curious and serious with something dark in him. And Henry, who has his own secrets to keep. He grew on me, with that thirst to explore things that can't be explained, not to mention being observant and patient with Liv. Take your pick, readers, because each boy has something in them that you'll learn to like while reading!

Reading Dream A Little Dream was quite an experience in itself because I too am convinced that the very thing the conflict of the story is based on simply just doesn't exist. Is it real? Is everything made up? A bunch of coincidences? Nothing is certain, speculations are everywhere, but with Liv's curiosity, she was able to explore not just the dreams, but successfully bond with people, make friends, settle into a new life and have friends. It's not just about the dreams, but each character's story moves along with the main plot. What's fascinating is even if the story revolves around this make believe conflict, you read on because Kerstin Gier injected just the right amount of suspense and thrill, clues and scenes that you can't resist seeing the story through to the end. Lizard doorknobs, a door with three locks, doors which won't open unless you answer a statue's question, cotton candy worlds, cemeteries recreated from a memory, scenes from the past, fears imagined. I love how imaginative the world is in Dream A Little Dream, how fascinating a dream world can be, what one can do, what one can find out, how it can be used, what power dreams can hold.

If you've read Kerstin's other novels, then you're familiar with how she paces and times everything, holds out the answers up to the very end of the story, and then the plot twist comes out of nowhere, leaving you craving for more, so you have to be on your toes all the time. What an enjoyable new novel from Kerstin! With a protagonist you will love, mixing it up with puberty and the thought of growing up, high school gossip and cliques and supernatural elements with a dash of romance, comedy and suspense makes up for an interesting story in Dream A Little Dream. A strong start for what is shaping up to be another incredible, fun series from Kerstin Gier! A word to the wise, the ending will make you feel agony with the thought of waiting for the sequel. Talk about a cliff hanger!

Favorite quote:
It's in dreams more than anywhere else that you get to know people best - along with all their weaknesses and their secrets.

Content (plot, story flow, character):

I am majorly curious over Henry's life. There are things in this book that makes me want to know more about the whole thing. And besides, he's as adorable as Liv is!

Shining: Worthy of a Goddess' Love!

Book Cover:
You should see the finished copies, gorgeous, shiny and just utterly beautiful!