Dream by the Shadows by Logan Karlie
Following the stunning response to the self-published launch of Logan Karlie’s debut fantasy novel, Christy Ottaviano Books (Little Brown Books for Young Readers) delivers Karlie’s Dream by the Shadows in an all-new, deluxe edition. Packed with delicious banter, clever magic and plenty of twists and turns, Dream by the Shadows is set to become your next gothic fantasy obsession.
In the Kingdom of Noctis, deadly Corruption is spreading in dreams. Warned against the scheming of the Shadow Bringer, the evil figure lurking in the darkness of the Dream Realm waiting to corrupt dreamers and steal their very souls, the people of Noctis must take an elixir each night before falling asleep to keep the shadows at bay. Esmer Havenfall’s family is responsible for the distribution of elixir in her village, and as the darkness creeps ever closer, a deadly chain of events beginning with her sister’s fall to Corruption is set in motion, resulting in Esmer coming face to face with the Shadow Bringer himself.
Morality in the Gray
Amid the howling demons in the Dream Realm, Esmer finds herself both repulsed by and drawn to the Shadow Bringer as she realizes that perhaps the stories she’s been told all her life are not as true as she was led to believe. What are these welcoming shadows that respond to her—that call to her? Is the Shadow Bringer truly as bad as they say? Still, desperate to prove her goodness and her worthiness to walk in the light, Esmer finds herself with the means to bring the Shadow Bringer down once and for all, if she can just get some of her newly gained knowledge to the Light Bringer, the bastion of her world. And yet—the more she learns, the less she trusts the Light Bringer and his Light Legion. Who is the true enemy? If Esmer succumbs to the shadows, will that mean she truly is the monster she fears she has become? And can she deny her growing attraction to the fascinating prince of darkness before it’s too late?
Family Ties and Fractures
Dream by the Shadows pulls no punches. Karlie dives right in with an exploration of grief, of loss, of family dynamics and familial relationships between both parents and children, and between siblings. Esmer is haunted by her sister’s death and her feelings of responsibility for what happened. Even as her very world is shifting on its axis, she cannot shake the overwhelming guilt that permeates her soul, following her in each and every decision that she makes. This is a book that explores those feelings of guilt, of grief, of dealing with one’s trauma and how it impacts so many parts of your life long after the actual traumatic experience has occurred. Karlie has crafted a fascinating tale that allows readers to see a character who is relatable in her emotional turmoil, all the while giving Esmer the tools to unpack that trauma and to learn how to move above and beyond it the best that she can. It’s an incredibly cathartic read, in this sense, as we experience that journey alongside Esmer.
A Gothic Tapestry
Despite being explored on a wonderfully fantastic scale with shadow magic and gothic fantasy abounding, the core of Dream by the Shadows remains that incredibly human, emotionally charged examination of how past trauma informs your present—and what can be done to recognize that in order to grow toward a better future. Karlie does all this with vivid detail and exquisite care, delivering a story that is not only entertaining and exciting, but layered and powerful.
A World of Light and Shadow
Dream by the Shadows delivers all that within the framework of a beautiful dream world, set against the contrast of the darkness of the waking world. From mysterious beings of immense power that walk the Dream Realm and influence the sleeping minds of mortals, to the Shadow Bringer’s crumbling castle overrun with demons, Karlie has composed a lush world that is the perfect home to the action, emotion and magic within these pages.
If you love a book with a fierce female protagonist, intricate worldbuilding and magic, a moving emotional journey and delightful enemies-to-lovers banter, then Dream by the Shadows is for you!
AboutLogan Karlie:
Logan Karlie grew up in a rural Midwest town in the United States. She studied literature and creative writing at the University of Arkansas, where she completed an MA in English Literature. Logan loves writing stories for the upper-YA / adult crossover space, and she enjoys books brimming with gothic themes, atmospheric worlds, and characters who fight to overcome the darkness that haunts them. She currently lives in Illinois with her family where she taught high school English, and when she’s not writing she’s likely perusing antique stores, playing fantasy video games, or watching The Phantom of the Opera for the hundredth time. She invites you to visit her online @authorlogankarlie (Instagram) and @myluciddreaming (TikTok).
