A mesmerizing blend of whimsy, introspection, and vivid imagination…
A teen stumbles into a hidden world of dreams in Beetle’s gripping opener to the Jonny Napper series. On the eve of his sixteenth birthday, Jonny Napper uncovers the Dreamworld, a shadowy realm shaped by memories and emotions, and discovers that he shares his grandmother Margaret’s dangerous gift for crafting dreams. When his mother vanishes, Jonny turns to the Dreamworld for answers, only to unearth a buried family secret that shatters everything he thought he knew. Jonny is a relatable protagonist as he navigates the familiar pressures of school, sports, and family. Grandma Margaret steals the show with her sharp wit, while the faceless Count Hannibal and the charismatic Sophia add intrigue and warmth. The Dreamworld itself is a vivid realm of mythical creatures, enchanted forests, and fog-threaded dream cells. Beetle’s world-building effortlessly merges the science of melatonin-fueled dreams with the mechanics of dream creation, pulling readers into its mysterious depths. Themes of resilience, curiosity, and the blurred line between dreams and reality lend the narrative both depth and tension. Younger readers will relish the humor and fantasy, while older audiences will be drawn to the philosophical layers and complex character arcs.
A fantastic start to a promising series.
Pub date October 22, 2024
Staten House
ISBN 9798895874318
Pages 222
Price $11.00 Paperback
