Reviews

Reverie by Ryan La Sala

izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition

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2.0

1/5

DNF

I wanted to like this book, the plot sounded so interesting. By the time I wasn’t even done by the first chapter I hd gotten confused.

2/5

I was enjoying the book at first but then it really took a turn for the weird which made it hard for me to follow and really get to know the characters.

rinorsomething's review against another edition

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5.0

Really beautiful prose, vivid imagery, well paced mystery, distinct and lovable characters. This book was clearly crafted with a lot of passion and imagination.

alex_watkins's review against another edition

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3.0

The concept is awesome, and the setting imaginative and well realized - but I just couldn't get over how annoying the protagonist was - even when making allowances for YA. Just constantly being dumb and doing the exact, obviously wrong thing - made this a frustrating read.

ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition

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4.0

The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz

**Thank you so much NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the oppurtunity to read and review REVERIE!**

I was so bummed when I had to miss the Friday of BookExpo because I had broken my ankle the previous morning leaving our hotel. I literally have the best co-bloggers because they surprised me by snagging a copy of Reverie that is one of my anticipated reads for 2020. Ryan La Sala a debut author, did not disappoint. This book was everything I hope for it to be and more. I don't know about everyone else but I am obsessed with the cover and I think it captures the vibes of Reverie relativity well. Side Note: Ursula would have this cover with a burning passion, why you may ask? Well you'll have to read to find out. But I hope Ursula isn't too disappointed in the cover.

I'm still trying to find the correct words to describe this book, because I don't think that the words I write down will even do it an ounce of justice. Reverie is unlike any book I have read before, and I have read a lot of books. Ryan La Sala’s debut fantasy is an #OwnVoices novel about Kane, a gay teen living in Connecticut who is trying to piece his life back together after loosing most of his memories. Only, Kane loosing his memories isn't simply amnesia as everyone thinks and there are darker things at play.

"Inception meets The Magicians, except with better wigs and a maniacal drag queen sorceress attempting to unravel the reality of Connecticut (yes, the state) and replace it with something…well something better than Connecticut."


What are Reveries you ask? Reveries are basically someone's dreams, nightmare or inner fantasy that becomes a reality that sucks in the people around it. Each Reverie has its own unique plot to follow and if you don't follow them they become extremely dangerous and unstable. There is a set of rules and they must be followed, at all costs. The only way to unravel a Reverie is by resolving the conflict. But what happens what the evil maniacal drag queen sorceress gets a hold of the Reveries? Well, lets just say it isn't pleasant.

I liked Kane from the start of the novel. Part of me felt bad for him. Kane explains early on in the book that he was outed at a young age and because of that he was always distant from his peers and other people his age. Has some memories start coming back and her begins to learn new things, he finds out that the people who were suppose to have his back: Ursula, Adeline and Elliot betrayed him by wiping his memories and all but setting him up to be found at the scene of his "accident." You can imagine how much that betrayal probably hurt. Kane and his friends are part of a group called The Others and they deal with Reveries. (But that is all I am going to tell you because I don't want to spoil the book for those who plan on reading!)

I want to take a moment to say that even though Posey is the villain in this novel I LOVED her character with all my heart. Posey is the villainous drag queen that we have heard all about. Sassy, eccentric and ruthless there was part of me that couldn't hate her even though I probably should have.

I loved every moment of this book and the intricate and creative worlds Ryan was able to create. As I said earlier, this book is everything I hoped for plus more and I super eager to see what Ryan has in store for his readers next. Reverie is a not to be missed novel of 2020 and Ryan is an author who should be on your radar.

kaitbex's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

0blitzhuman0's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

kateycakee's review against another edition

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4.0

Very cute queer novel with equal parts adventure and wholesomeness

drakoulis's review against another edition

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5.0

A fabulously gay fantasy book, an instant favorite !

Kane is dragged out of a river unconscious and when he wakes up, he has lost his memories. Mysterious people pop up in his life claiming they knew him before, that they were his friends and a dubious drag queen claims to be helping him clear his name.

Kane is confused and the more he founds out about who he used to be, the more confusing reality becomes.

Because reality can have multiple layers, dreams can be real, he finds out he has some very unusual powers, and is less and less sure who are his friends and who are his enemies.

Is the trio calling themselves The Others really who they say they are or did they somehow wipe his memory?
Is the drag queen Posey a benevolent benefactor or is she playing him?
And who is the insanely handsome mysterious boy who appears the moment Kane needs him the most and disappears just as fast?

My highlights :
Spoiler1) Kane's powers manifesting as rainbow blasts is fabulously amazing. Ryan La Sala doesn't hold back, he says gay power !
2) Helena's and Maxine's story is sad and sweet and realistic and I was happy they got their happy ever after !
3) Posey is a scary and powerful villain, radiating power their own way, and La Sala successfully shows the reader that power can have many forms.
4) DEAN !!! Usually the love interest is either hot and powerful or a cinamon roll. Well, Dean is both ! He needs a hug as much as he needs to be protected, but he's also a badass and a knight in a shining armour ! He and Kane have such chemistry, and they practically re-lived their love and got the finale they deserved this time !


Edit : The new paperback cover is AMAZING !

ggriffin14's review against another edition

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hopeful mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

millenialbookworm's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

4.0