The Dream Slayer by Jill Cooper - Review tour and Giveaway

This review is done in conjunction with the author's tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The author 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, so leave your thoughts here and you're entered! If you want more chances to win, visit the rest of her tour stops here.

The Dream Slayer by Jill Cooper
Paranormal YA
312 pages
4 Stars

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.

My Review:

I was so intrigued by the concept of this book, I couldn't wait to read it.  I'm so glad I did!  It was interesting and, though I was a bit confused at first at the switches between the two Natalies, it didn't take long to get to know how they sounded and could tell them apart easily. 

I don't even know how to describe this plot (the blurb above does a great job), but I will say that it was never boring.  I was fascinated by how the two worlds began to intersect and how the different characters from each were the same, but different.

The author's writing skills are exceptional, and her descriptions are clear and three dimensional.  I could see all the characters, the settings and more.  I really felt as though I was right there with Natalie, especially when the action picked up. 

She created a love triangle (if there are two Natalies, does that make it a love square?) of sorts with Tristan and Damian, but honestly I found Damian's interest a little odd.  Tristan, though, is a sweetheart and clearly the right one for at least one of the Natalies.

Action packed, with a cast of well-rounded characters, The Dream Slayer is a young adult book I can happily recommend for teens of all ages.  The violence is there, of course, but not overly graphic (except, perhaps, one place at the end during an almost demon buffet) and the romance is sweet.  I am looking forward to the sequel -- maybe the Natalies will meet?

Now, read an excerpt:

“That’s my friend you’re talking about,” Michelle cried, red-faced, and punched Tristan in the arm.

“I’m sorry.” Tristan was sincere, grasping at Michelle’s fists. “I’m sorry.”

Michelle sobbed, her face contorted. She didn’t pull her hands away, but instead leaned against his chest and cried.

Tristan patted her back gently. Mortal enemies most of the time, Tristan wrapped his arms around her and just let her cry.

“Did she speak to you? What did she say?” Charles asked urgently. His tone compelled Natalie to speak, and despite herself, she did.

“That I won,” Natalie whispered. It sounded creepy. Her voice made her own hairs stand up on the back of her neck.

“You won? Do you know what she meant by that?”

“No.”

“We should move,” Charles said. “You’re sitting in… you need to get up, please. We need to get a handle on this situation.”

Natalie shook her head. She couldn’t. She stared at the blood embedded in Sarah’s matted hairline. Something glistened along her scalp, and Natalie reached through the hair despite Charles’ protests.

It was a shard of glass.

Like someone had pushed her out of a window.

Or maybe, Natalie thought, something made her jump.

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:

http://www.jillacooper.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jillybug
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jill-Cooper/319251368110396