The Dreamsnatcher - Book Review

The Dreamsnatcher - Book Review

Abi Elphinstone

MG Fantasy

(Dreamsnatcher book #1)

UK Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s UK

Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Molly Pecksniff wakes one night in the middle of the forest, lured there by a recurring nightmare - the one with the drums and the rattles and the masks. The Dreamsnatcher is waiting. He has already taken her dreams and now he wants her life.

Because Moll os more important than she knows… The Oracle Bones foretold that she and Gryff, a wildcat that has always been by her side, are the only ones who can fight back against the Dreamsnatcher’s dark magic. Suddenly everything is at stake, and Moll is drawn into a world full of secrets, magic and adventure.

Review:

I really enjoyed this book. A fantastical middle-grade read, The Dreamsnatcher takes the reader deep into an enchanted world. With magic, riddles and a family of quirky gypsies, it was impossible to put this book down. A truly fantastic debut by the amazing Abi Elphinstone!

The story follows twelve-year-old Moll Pecksniff and her wildcat, Gryff, as they try stop an evil witch doctor from stealing the old magic of the forest. But as more and more witch doctors appear, the dark forces grow stronger… and thanks to an ancient prophecy that states Moll and Gryff are the only ones capable of stopping this evil, they are now the witch doctors main targets… 

I was really drawn in by the world building of this book. The atmosphere of the gypsy camp, the creepiness of the witch doctors lair, both really captured my imagination. It was virtually impossible to put this book down. Each chapter was short, action packed and full of intrigue and mayhem. A truly delicious read. 

Moll is a spunky, tough talking heroine. She hides her doubts behind a witty facade and I couldn't help but like her immediately. In this story we see her bravery, loyalty and determination to protect all that she loves. I can’t wait to meet her again in the second book.

The other characters are all a motley, mismatched cast of strange and interesting people. Earthworm tamers, fortune tellers, joint-dislocating men… lets just say Moll’s gyspy family certainly won’t bore you. I also like how you see just enough of each character to develop compassion for them which made the show-down at the end all the more dramatic.

But the Evil Doers… wow. Skull made a truly fantastic villain. His description, his personality and the dismal eeriness of his lair, everything was written so well. The creatures he created, the whole idea of the dreamsnatch (manipulating people as they sleep), not to mention  the cryptic riddles and prophecies surrounding him… Skull not only kept Moll on her toes, but he kept the plot moving forward too. He and the other witch doctors really added spice to the story.

All in all this is a gripping, fast paced read that would be loved by anyone in search of a good adventure, with a bit of fantasy and magic thrown in. 5 stars!