THIS QUOTE THOUGH. *Chef’s kiss*
This book is the epitome of finding “the man of your dreams” (pun intended).
Briefing
Blackstar Guardians…Warriors chosen for their inherent protectiveness and deeply held honor, they are men and women who willingly fight darkness to safeguard those they love…A woman looking for clues to the past…
Aisley Montclair was on a mission to save her father from a baffling illness. Her journey took her to the east, into a land far different than anything she’d ever known, where she found an enemy, questions about who she really was…and the man who had haunted every night of her life. She had never believed the man in her dreams was actually real and yet…there he was. Handsome and charming, he was an enigma determined to claim her as his. And a man more than he seems…Cadrian Ethanael had waited eons for his Seraphin–the woman who held a piece of his soul within her own. He knew her for what she was the moment he started seeing her within his dreams and when she stumbled through his gates and into his arms, knew that he would do anything to keep her there. Leader of a band of warriors who had spent eternities protecting the world from evil, he never hesitated in giving his aid to safeguard her from harm and help find the answers she desperately needed. Answers that will change everything for her…
A light paranormal romance with humor, heart, and a swirl of magic.
First Impression 4/5
A Dream of Magic started with instant intrigue and questions I wanted to see answered. I will say the pace was a bit too fast for me in the beginning, especially where romance is concerned. However, that was the premise of the story, so it was expected. This book’s introduction to its world in the first couple of chapters was confusing but imaginative and original. There were many modern references (culinary schooling, cars, etc.), but the world itself seemed to be a more modern-day fantasy kingdom. A Dream of Magic was on the contemporary fantasy spectrum with a mix of urban elements that refer to certain “earthly” qualities. The romance was introduced early on, somewhat slow progressing, but evident in the pull between the characters. The quick movement of events definitely propelled the plot along.
Character Development 4/5
I enjoyed these characters immensely, as well as the value placed on family and relationships. Their love for each other was beautiful and heartfelt. I loved seeing the two love interests finally meet and develop a more personal relationship after only knowing each other in their dreams. It was a sweet twist on a soul-mate-type love that I think the author executed wonderfully.
World-Building 3.5/5
The world of A Dream of Magic is remarkably detailed and unique, starting immediately with the characters having powers and abilities that reminded me of Fae or superheroes and traveling to worlds they thought to only exist in bedtime stories. The world was vastly different and made for adventurous reading. However, the constant information dumps made it challenging to follow and fully dive into the settings. Further fantasy-like elements were introduced later on in the book as well, such as dragons and unique gadgets. They seemed a little out of place, but otherwise provided more depth to the theme of the book.
Writing Style 4/5
The readability was easygoing, and I found myself binging this book without much effort. Concerning the style, A Dream of Magic was well written, but I wasn’t a big fan of the POV choice (though this affected my reading minimally). It started in first person, through Aisley’s eyes, but as the story went on, it became more omniscient, with multiple characters’ thoughts in a string of paragraphs instead of broken up. I’m all for multiple POVs, but I struggle to fully dive into the character arcs when they clash together instead of sectioned off in their own chapter. Despite this, I enjoyed reading A Dream of Magic and couldn’t put it down. The style appeared to be exactly what the story needed. The plot kept me reading, though I wish there was more action. The majority of the book contains a multitude of historical backstories and how the world came to be as Aisley was slowly introduced to a world of magic. Thankfully, this information was almost as intriguing as an actionable scenario, but I think the book would benefit from additional fight scenes and conflicts.
Emotions 3/5
The only emotion I took from this book was our two main characters’ intense, romantic connection. Chosen to be together, Aisley and Cadrian’s unbreakable bond is portrayed through clean romance and a series of moments that leave you smiling in delight. I found myself laughing on many occasions, too, with the clever banter and humorous interactions.
Cleanliness 5/5
A Dream of Magic was explicit-free, filled with strong family dynamics, sweet, soul-mate romance, and a lack of brutality. Near the end, the romance became more heated, but nothing was explicitly described, just implied. As for violence, I suppose there was some concerning the Guardians and how they’re constantly protecting the innocent from evil, but it was very vague.
Conclusion 3.5/5
This book ended in a heartwarming way as the couple sealed their love for one another in a forever bond. I was slightly disappointed that the conflict never really picked up, and the villain was only briefly mentioned instead of shown. A Dream of Magic ended in a very anticlimactic way (even voiced by Aisley herself), and I was hoping there’d be more action and thrill to conclude the looming doom over Aisley and her family.
The last couple of chapters confirmed that the main plot of A Dream of Magic was the love story between Aisley and Cadrian, which was endearing and unique. However, it felt like something was missing. Even so, I enjoyed the last few chapters despite the lack of action as the couple made their relationship official, and the epilogue was too sweet not to adore!
Final Rating: 4/5 Stars
Recommended Age Group: 13+
Genres: fantasy, romance, magic
!Trigger Warnings!
Mild romance and implications
Thank you so much, J. Megan Smith, for reaching out and sharing your book with me! It brings me so much joy to find other readers and writers who look for the same stories and adventures I do.
“For behold, He who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is His thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth–the Lord, the God of hosts, is His name!” Amos 4:13 ESV
Julia Rose Books 