Farr is a master storyteller as evidenced by his phenomenally successful screenwriting and directing for the stage. This is evident in the confidence with which he controls all the elements in this complex, engrossing fantasy thriller – his first novel for a child audience.

Do you have any more books planned for children, or are you now returning to directing and screenwriting?The Book of Stolen Dreams is David Farr's debut novel and is a story he has always wanted to write, and has always wanted to write for children. It's lovely to see a book, and a library, at the heart of the story - but why did you decide to focus the events on books, and reading? Her brother, Robert, was also provided with chapters set from his perspective. This was necessary as they remained apart for much of the book but his actions were still important ones. He was initially involved in more scheming and so I enjoyed learning about the plans for Malstain's demise from him. The two main characters, Rachel and Robert, each have important parts to play in the hunt for the secret of the book, but it is Rachel who really steals the show. With a big heart and courage to match, she has a strong sense of justice and the importance to fight for what is right, even when the cost may seem to be too great to bear.

From the west? A charming area. Full of the best-dressed women.” He studied her. “And yet I sense in you a different spirit.” Robert and Rachel are the two main characters who happen to be siblings. Their father, Felix, is a librarian who takes them on Rachel's birthday to the library in the quest of an adventure and to find a forbidden book, the book of stolen dreams. They get the precious book but Felix gets arrested by the brutal President Charles Malstains' soldiers and put into prison. The book withholds some secrets that Charles Malstain is after. Now it's up to Robert and Rachel to find the secret of the book and return it to it's rightful owners. But in the process of doing so, they make many friends but enemies too who are also after the book.

This is a superbly written book that I highly recommend for children who are not put off by a little darkness in the stories they read.

This gave me all the vibes of Inkheart, and Northern Lights, while reminding me that these days, it's quite unusual for characters to die in middle grade books. Seeing characters killed off and tortured added to the stakes of this adventure story, I just found the middle quite slow.But, my dear—why do you look so sad? Is it the poor quality of the hot chocolate? No, I see now. Your parents aren’t here with you. You are alone. Where are they?” Brief synopsis: Siblings Rachel and Robert Klein will stop at nothing to protect their world and all they hold dear from the tyrannical rule of Charles Malstain, and the secret to that might just be in a very special book 📕 Rachel and her brother Robert are interesting characters and young readers will really root for them. Also, despite the dark subject, the writing isn't too heavy/serious. Rachel isn’t sure why the secret she’s keeping is so important but she knows it holds the key to freeing Brava from its cruel, tyrannical dictator and the only way she’ll ever get to see her father again. So that was the personal inspiration for Robert and Rachel Klein and their journey away from the land of Krasnia.