Synosis
Twelve-year-old James Rhyder is being hunted by people from a hidden world he never knew existed. Unlike most people his age, James doesn’t dream at night of becoming a hero. Rather, his dreams are filled with shadowy figures and cryptic warnings about the end of the world.
As these strange dreams begin to make James question if he’s going crazy like his mother, a quirky girl named Rheyna Anwen whisks him away into an unseen world where psychics, druids, and magic are real.
At first the enchanted cabins and unusual summer camp where new psions, known as psychics to the outside world, are trained feels unbelievable, like one of his mystifying dreams. However, James soon discovers a secret about himself which threatens to turn this new life into a nightmare: his dreams are a dangerous and illegal talent known as dreamwalking. When a mysterious man in blue -who’d been stalking James all summer- kidnaps one of his cabinmates, his strange dreams may be the only way he can save his comrade.
Now, James must learn to trust his new friends, control his illegal psion talent, and put aside his insecurities. If he can’t, much more could be at stake than just one missing camper.
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Review
While fantasy is not a normal genre for me, this story about a teen boy finding his place in this world was entertaining. The author does a great job of world-building, introducing us to other mythical beings and letting us wonder, “What if.”
James has some special abilities he isn’t even aware of until he is brought into a special summer camp to learn more about these abilities. There are those who want to see him succeed and others who want to harness his abilities for themselves. Each character in the book is unique and brings something different to the table. This creates a well-rounded novel for the reader.
I really love how James spends a lot of time in the library. He is my hero! His passion for books helps him find his path in life…or at least a path to start down. Perhaps with a little nudging from the friendly older librarian.
The camp is unique, which shouldn’t be surprising since it has magical abilities too. The cabin for all of the newbies is a wonder and the stories it could tell from past and future campers.
There is something about Rheyna that is endearing. Perhaps because she befriends James. I think that they are both looking for something and find it in their friendship.
It would be easy to give away plot spoilers, so I won’t. Just know that this could easily start a series with their adventures or the adventures of those who come to the camp. Only time will tell if the author has more in store for us.
We give this book 4 paws up.
About the Author
David Brooks is the author of over 100 middle-grade and young adult fantasy novels, only two of which have been written and released. That is to say, he is an author with an entire notebook bursting with ideas, and never enough time to get everything written. James Rhyder and the Cave of Dreams was his debut novel.
