Book Review: Dream Boy by Mary Crockett and Madelyn Rosenberg

Dream Boy
Author: Mary Crockett and Madelyn Rosenberg
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: July 1, 2014
Review Source: Sourcebooks Fire | Netgalley

Annabelle Manning feels like she’s doing time at her high school in Chilton, Virginia. She has her friends at her lunchtime table of nobodies. What she doesn’t have are possibilities. Or a date for Homecoming. Things get more interesting at night, when she spends time with the boy of her dreams. But the blue-eyed boy with the fairytale smile is just that—a dream. Until the Friday afternoon he walks into her chemistry class.

One of friends suspects he’s an alien. Another is pretty sure it’s all one big case of deja vu. While Annabelle doesn’t know what to think, she’s willing to believe that the charming Martin Zirkle may just be her dream come true. But as Annabelle discovers the truth behind dreams—where they come from and what they mean—she is forced to face a dark reality she had not expected. More than just Martin has arrived in Chilton. As Annabelle learns, if dreams can come true, so can nightmares.

How cool would it be if one of your best dreams came true? How scary would it be if one of your nightmares came true? Dream Boy takes us into a world where just that is possible.

Annabelle could not possibly live in a more ordinary, uninteresting town. Chilton, Virginia- where nothing exciting ever happens. At least she's got her dreams and dream boy to keep her interested at night. Then one day *poof* he shows up at her school. She's sure it's just her mind playing tricks until he confirms it. Martin, Annabelle's hot dream boy, is real. His blue eyes are real. His kiss is real. His way of telling Annabelle she's "perfect" is real. But, if dreams can come true what's to stop a nightmare from coming true also?

The entire idea behind dreams coming to life in this book is so genius! I just, personally, wish it would have be executed a little better. I thing the characters and their problems should have been developed more deeply. Especially the villain. I understand that it was in Annabelle's point of view and we can't entirely see the villain's thoughts and WHY exactly certain things played out the way they did, but I would have liked more story behind it.

As far as characters go, let's focus on the star of the show- Martin. Martin never sat well with me. The entire book I was just waiting for him to turn rogue. I'm still not sure if that had to do with the writing or the fact that he literally was too perfect. But, then again he is the Dream Boy and I suppose dreams are perfect.

I will say that during and after reading the book I definitely viewed my own dreams and nightmares differently. I actually might start a dream journal! I really do hope there will be a sequel. I will definitely pick it up only to dive more deeply into this fantasy about dreams coming to life.