The Book of Stolen Dreams (The Stolen Dreams Adventures): 1

Product Information

I was really happy to turn the final page and discover that there is a sequel planned however, with a brand new mystery to resolve. How can Rachel and Robert make sense of the book’s history and meaning, and then hide it from the most powerful man in the land? It’s a fantastic independent book seller that will actually be responsive and select appropriate books for you. He is desperate to get his hands on the Book of Stolen Dreams so that he can avoid death and continue to rule Krasnia.

In this book we get to meet Rachel and Robert who are siblings and have had much loss and hardship in their young lives.In particular, I think this boon would suit readers who have enjoyed Sophie Anderson and Katherine Rundell. And then those characters that brought others back and now someone else wants to live forever and oh no that can't happen.

But when she meets Josef Centurion, who seems to want to help, she’s careful not to tell him her real name, why she’s looking for her brother and, most especially, what is hidden in her sock. The Book of Stolen Dreams offers a tense and thrilling adventure, but one in which Farr allows the youngest characters to win the day - providing a hope-filled reminder that good can triumph over tyranny in a million small, everyday ways.

However Felix Klein’s job at the library, despite its reduced hours, seems to afford him a key,that leads to the Rare Books’ room. There was just the right amount of choice to suit everyone without being overwhelming and I received comments from parents and staff about the quality of books offered compared to previous sales which have always been based around current crazes and well known celebrity authors.

It felt like we were given a lot of clues, bits and pieces to put together along with our two main characters, and while it wasn't too complex, I had moments where I failed to piece the puzzles. There is some technology, such as cars and airships, yet the only phones available are ones that connect to the wall, music comes from violins and pianos and messages are sent via letter or written in books.The depiction of a regime that outlaws books and keeps children locked up at home while using a draconian police force to bug telephones, read private letters and spy on its citizens, gives readers a taste of how it might feel to live under an oppressive government. It’s only a short time later, that Felix is arrested and the children are left in sole charge of the book, their home and family destroyed. I started my career directing theatre, and ran three theatres in the UK, including The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith in London. All books have a certain magic, but the Book of Stolen Dreams is like no other - this book has the power to grant eternal life.

It seems that from the moment Rachel and Robert sight this book, that their father steals from its case, life implodes.It has echoes of Katherine Rundell: a cast of strong and interesting characters, with a touch of playful humour to lighten the darker themes at the centre of the story. She teaches us all that it's OK to be afraid, helpless and vulnerable within this book and that it's not anything to be ashamed of.