Dead Dreams by Emma Right
About the Book:
For readers 13 to 18.
Eighteen-year-old Brie O’Marahas so much going for her: a loving family in the sidelines, an heiressfor a roommate, and dreams that might just come true. Big dreams--ofgoing to acting school, finishing college and making a name for herself.She is about to be the envy of everyone she knew. What more could shehope for? Except her dreams are about to lead her down the road tonightmares. Nightmares that could turn into a deadly reality.
About the Author:
Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in thePacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and lookingafter their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and aLong-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. Whenshe doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to gettheirs in one. Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertisingagencies writing print and radio commercials and she has won severalawards, including the prestigious Clio for her ads.
My Review:
I am completely baffled by some of the negative reviews on this book.For the most part, people were upset that the book left you hanging, butthat's very common in books these days. Not only that, but I felt theauthor did a very good job at choosing a place for her ending. It'slike the second stage of the story, so it only makes sense that itshould be the next book in the series. That's what a series does--itcontinues where the previous book left off. These reviews make no senseto me. I loved the cliffhanger. Of course, there was the initial"Awe, man!" but that's okay, I've read many books that end like thatand while it's a bit frustrating that I can't get the rest of the storyright away, it helps build the anticipation for me when I finally do getthe next book. If you're like me in that regard, then you'll love thisstory. If not, steer clear. You have been warned!
I'm notusually into psychological thrillers because I'm not one of those peoplewho likes to be scared. That being said, the storyline of thisparticular book sounded so compelling that I just had to give it a try.I was not disappointed. The story was more suspenseful than scary,though I will admit that I had to release my grip on my throw a coupleof times during some of the more tense scenes. In addition to thesuspense, there's a ton of mystery (which is what I usually read). Theentire time I was reading I was trying to figure out if people werereally who they said they were and what other secrets people werehiding. My brain was spinning the entire time, and honestly, I have noidea what the second book will reveal, but I'm looking forward toreading it.
I think another thing that made me like this bookeven though I don't usually read books of this type was the fact thatthe language was clean. I didn't have to skim over words or scenes thatI find offensive. Instead, I was left to simply enjoy the story, whichI did immensely.
If there was one drawback to the book I wouldsay that there could have been a little more character development. Ilike to know the characters so well that I can almost guess what they'regoing to do or say next. I couldn't do this very well in this book.The characters were good, realistic and likable (or unlikable, dependingon the character), but I didn't feel there was enough information aboutthem to really know them inside and out. The basics are there, but I'dlike to see the author add a little more depth.
All in all, thiswas an excellent story that didn't take me long to read, which is goodsince I'm often pressed for time. It was clean, and the plot was bothmysterious and compelling. Whether you're a young adult or older, Ithink you'll love this book, as long as you're prepared to be left insuspense until the next book, which I definitely am!