BOOK REVIEW: THE DREAM SLAYER by Jill Cooper

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jill will be awarding an Amazon $50 GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a second prize of an EBook Copy of Glistening Haven,a Dystopian Novel to another randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Please click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In the young adult teen series Dream Slayer, Natalie Johnson has always dreamed she’s someone else; calm, beautiful, in control. A chosen warrior with a maniacal arch nemesis and a dreamy boyfriend, the type that can make your knees melt and your heart quiver.

Real life is much different. She’s tormented by a bully and endures the sharp tongue of her father, but finds solace in her dreams.

When her bully ends up dead, de ja vu from a dream hits her hard as everything around her begins to fall apart. Whatever killed Sarah in her dreams is now in reality, hunting her from the shadows. And it wants her dead.

Somehow as the lines between reality and nightmare blur, Natalie must discover hidden strength to pull her friends and family back from the brink of madness.

What happens when your dreams start to come true? Especially your dreams about being a demon slayer. That's what happens to Natalie Johnson in this first installment of the Dream Slayer series.

The story starts out with echoes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Natalie saves the day from a demon and a run-away bus. Unfortunately, in the "real" world, another Natalie Johnson is being bullied at school. There's a juxtaposition between the two Natalies that they are not aware of, but that the author reveals early in the book. Natalie Johnson the chubby and bullied (both at home and at school) has always had detailed dreams--and in her dreams she's beautiful, powerful--oh, and a demon slayer. What Natalie doesn't know, though, is that even when she's not dreaming, the characters of her dreams are living their own life.

What's a girl to do when there starts to be slippage between her real life and her dream life? That's the premise for the series.

The series seems inspired by the television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: there's Natalie (Buffy), Mr. Buckle (her Watcher), her best friend Tristan (Zander), and a cheerleader nemesis (Cordelia). But, Jill takes the inspiration and makes it into something uniquely her own.

What chubby, bullied girl doesn't dream of being someone different--someone powerful and in charge of her own life? In this series, it comes true for Natalie. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it will be interesting to see the next installment of the series to see how the author is going to handle two story lines that intersect when Natalie in this life is becoming more like the Natalie in the dream world.

Although this book could be dark, part of its charm is that there are many moments of lightness--especially in the dialogue:

Morach’s eyes grew even more afraid. Natalie gripped the hilt in both hands on final approach. “It’s just us now, Morach. Maybe you should say a little prayer.”

“I don’t understand. It was all so well thought out. Why exactly won’t you die?” Morach backed up farther as the tip of her sword pushed into his neck. He trembled. “You wouldn’t kill an unarmed demon, would you?”

“I think I’ve proved I would. Six times or so.”

“Let’s cut a deal. Listen, I have a very extensive DVD collection. I’m sure we can work something out.”

“I don’t make deals. Do I look like a lawyer to you? I don’t think so. I’ve been waiting a long time for this, and I plan on enjoying it.”

I am glad this is available as a print copy--I'm going to get it for the library. I think it will be a good addition.

About the Author:

Jill Cooper loves tea more than coffee and is obsessed over finding that perfect recipe.She was born in 1977 and shared a room with her sister for 18 years. Early on she had dreams of writing romances and mysteries. It was something she did when most kids were trying out for softball or out riding bikes.

She's always loved dark mysteries, but also enjoys a great comedy so she tries to include both these things in everything she writes, one way or another.

She lives in Danvers, MA with two cats, a toddler, a husband, and a 1964 yellow taxi. Her life is chaotic, but fun. She can be contacted at www.JillACooper.com.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jillybug
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