dreamhunter

Judge A Book By Its Cover

Book Reviews and Synopses

Elizabeth Knox

Dreamhunter

Knox, Elizabeth. Dreamhunter. Square Fish. New York, N.Y. 2005.

Elizabeth Knox’s fiction story, Dreamhunter, is by far the most impressive piece of literature she’s written. Dreamhunter’s colorful descriptions capture the essence of what Knox stands for as a writer. Knox wants to bring you in to experience her inner visions and imagination. Her well fabricated stories are sure to make Dreamhunter an addictive read!

Dreamhunter is about a young woman who goes by the name of Astrid. She is able to climb into people’s dreams and alter them. She can collect dreams, and sell them in bottles for others to experience. In other words, she is a dream-hunter. In that age, many dream-hunters were the cause of their community’s problems and because she grew up in a family with this kind of power, she was looked upon by society with disapproval. Nevertheless, her grandfather taught her how to use her powers at a very young age. She began training by testing her powers on her father. She almost gave up a number of times, but in the end stuck with it and surpassed all expectations her grandpa had of her.

When Astrid learned about how her society frowned upon dream-hunters, she was at a delicate young age. Ever since learning about dream-hunters, she was curious about the things they did. She would often ask her parents about other dream-hunters, but would receive a curt reply, without much information. Many kids and teachers she met during school would ignore her, or would be uncouth towards her. She disregarded it during her childhood, telling herself it was because they were jealous of her “special-ness.” She later learned of the acts of vandalism and burglary that dream-hunters in her city typically engaged in, and vowed to never become one of them.

When Astrid reached the age of twenty-three, she traveled all over. She earned an honest living, and used it to open up booths where people could get their dreams bottled to experience many times over, or share them with someone else. One day she got a telegram telling of her parents capture. Astrid is thrown into a fit of panic. She immediately closed shop and flew back to her home town. Little did she know, a mysterious figure had been watching her every move, until finally approaching her. The figure gave her a choice: use her powers to oppose and throw down the government, or never see her parents again.

With Dreamhunter’s intensity and tough decisions, Knox leaves you on the edge of your seat.

Elizabeth knows how to stir up reader’s emotions, and does it well; the fleshed out characters and plot twist don’t hurt, either!

4 out of 5 stars.

Contributed by J. Rodriguez

Oct. 18, 2012