Book Review: Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith
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I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Published by Roaring Brook Press on October 6, 2015
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 394
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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(Last Updated On: June 11, 2022)A high-concept, fantastical espionage novel set in a world where dreams are the ultimate form of political intelligence.
Livia is a dreamstrider. She can inhabit a subject's body while they are sleeping and, for a short time, move around in their skin. She uses her talent to work as a spy for the Barstadt Empire. But her partner, Brandt, has lately become distant, and when Marez comes to join their team from a neighborhing kingdom, he offers Livia the option of a life she had never dared to imagine. Livia knows of no other dreamstriders who have survived the pull of Nightmare. So only she understands the stakes when a plot against the Empire emerges that threatens to consume both the dreaming world and the waking one with misery and rage.
A richly conceived world full of political intrigue and fantastical dream sequences, at its heart Dreamstrider is about a girl who is struggling to live up to the potential before her.
As soon as I heard about Dreamstrider, I knew that it would be a story I’d never forget, nor regret reading.
The story follows a girl named Livia, who used to be in the tunnels. However, after this man finds out she has a special gift, she becomes a spy for the Barstadt Empire, and doesn’t have to live in the tunnels anymore. Now, she works as a dreamstrider.
Basically, a dreamstrider can inhabit the bodies of others while they’re sleeping, which is pretty amazing. She uses this power to find out secret information, along with Brandt.
Livia was a pretty amazing character. I like how she was originally kind of a servant, so she knows what it’s like to work hard and become something more. I also liked her because of her strength, plus she had some pretty awesome powers too.
However, I’d be incredibly scared to do what she does! I’d be worried I wouldn’t make it back in time to my body if the person I was inhabiting started to wake up and realize what was going on. I also really liked Brandt as a character. I honestly liked him right from the start. As soon as Livia met him, I knew he’d be one of my favorites.
In addition, this story is a fantasy spy novel. I don’t read much fantasy and I honestly don’t think there are a lot of spy novels in YA, so this book is incredibly unique. The book was filled with a lot of espionage which I absolutely ate up.
I have to say that the whole idea of dreamstriding is pretty amazing and I definitely praise Lindsay Smith for coming up with the idea. I know I keep mentioning it, but it’s just one of the coolest things!
The idea alone is enough to make you want to read the book. I honestly suggest that you check this one out if you have the chance. In the meantime, I’m going to pick up Lindsay’s other books!