The children escape, but have to watch their father beaten by Malstain’s forces. They are subject to intimidation in their home as those under Malstain search desperately for the Book that the children vow to protect, though they don’t really know why. The magic that was uncovered proved fascinating. I loved its slow introduction in the book and loved learning how it impacted the lives of these children. David Farr integrated it seamlessly into the story and I was engaged in all the different aspects that combined to make this a fascinating and fast-paced story. 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. My favourite thing about this book was the narrator's voice. The writing has a lyrical quality to it which adds to the fantastical nature of the world and makes some very simple statements beautifully poignant. Parts of the story are told in a dry, satirical way, which helps to lighten the mood as sometimes this tale can get quite dark! Oh, my dear Isabella! But it’s an all-too-common story these days. Did he put up a fight? No? It was probably wise of him. You don’t mess with Charles Malstain’s state police. In the days of the Emperor, if soldiers came to arrest you, they offered a polite smile, a bunch of flowers, or a box of chocolate hearts. But these days the police have neither reason nor manners. And there are no chocolate hearts.”

The story is in part inspired by Farr’s family history, based on his Great Aunt and Uncle’s escape from Nazi Germany - but reimagined in a fantasy dictatorship. This is a story that values bravery, the magic of books and the influence of individuals who follow the right course even when the world around them feels oppressive. The Book of Stolen Dreams offers a tense and thrilling adventure, but one in which Farr allows the youngest characters to win the day - providing a hope-filled reminder that good can triumph over tyranny in a million small, everyday ways. The adventure is well thought out, set within a dark and oppressive land ruled by a dark dictator who hates children. There are parallels to be drawn with chapters in history as well as certain events in today’s world, painting a grim picture of life under highly restrictive rules and regulations. With almost every kind of fun being outlawed and teaching undertaken under very tight guidelines, Rachel and Robert still manage to be a beacon of light and hope throughout. Despite following both characters, it is clear that the book is setting Rachel up to be the star. I feel having a limited third person point of view would have worked better. I think getting completely swept up in Rachel throughout the story and discovering what happened to her brother instead of knowing what is going on before her would have jammed up the suspense and engagement. Na última página, descobrimos que haverá um segundo livro, o que me agradou imenso, pois adorei a Rachel e o Robert. The Book of Stolen Dreams is a powerful story that puts the heroes in danger almost constantly, yet still delivers a highly emotional and satisfying ending.Esta história é inspirada na família do escritor, nomeadamente uma tia-avó e tio-avô, que conseguiram fugir nos Nazis, na Alemanha. Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.

Sure signs that the creative wells are running dry at last, the Captain’s ninth, overstuffed outing both recycles a villain (see Book 4) and offers trendy anti-bullying wish fulfillment. Although it's not outright said, the names and places in this story gave me strong Russian vibes, so I presume it's set somewhere around there, but placing a date is a little harder. It's a fantasy world, that could be our own. Rachel shivered and took the rather grubby piece of old rug that he had unwrapped from around the violin case. 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. Rachel wiped her eyes and said she would. She looked out across the darkness. It was endless and unknowable.

Table of Contents

My dear, listen to me very carefully. Your brother will find you—or you will find him. I promise you.” The Book of Stolen Dreams centres around the plight of two siblings, Rachel and Robert. All books have a certain magic, but the Book of Stolen Dreams is like no other - this book has the power to grant eternal life. Rachel and Robert live in an oppressed city, ruled by an evil dictator, who is unquestionably the best-named baddy that I’ve encountered in a long time - Charles Malstain. Charles Malstain is terminally ill. His reign of terror is coming to an end. And - like all narcissistic bad guys - death is not an option for Mr Malstain. He is desperate to get his hands on the Book of Stolen Dreams so that he can avoid death and continue to rule Krasnia. However, Rachel, Robert and their father, Felix, have different plans. They sneak into the library and steal the book. Unfortunately for Rachel and Robert, their father is captured and imprisoned, leaving them as sole protectors of the book. We don’t know why this has happened, but Farr immediately sets up a tense and unsettling atmosphere. We are introduced to our protagonists, Robert and Rachel Klein, when they accompany their father to the lending library where he works. This journey is done at night, and nobody is told about it so we know it is dangerous. All we know is that it has something to do with The Book of Stolen Dreams that Felix Klein steals - rumours are that it is scheduled to be destroyed - and charges his children with protecting until they can hand it over to a man called Solomon.

For teacher friends, this book would serve as a great stimulus to inspire writing. I would plan sequences of lessons around the following writing genres: As we follow Rachel and Robert in their task, they are placed in extreme peril. They suffer in the way that only young children in stories can. The odds are against them. They are pitched into a battle they might not win…but their determination to do the right thing and their bravery makes for a gripping story. Excuse me. I couldn’t help noticing you are alone. Please, my dear girl, you have no reason to fear.” The book itself is about family and friends, trust and love, bravery... it will, at least for the time you are reading this book, make you step out of your adult state-of-mind and make you wonder if you still have that moral compass that they talk about... This tense and exciting fantasy thriller is complex and magical with some great characters – both heroic and evil.Sí, sÍ, SÍ. AL FIN UN LIBRO DE 5 ESTRELLAS ESTE AÑO. He tardado y me ha costado pero aquí está. Quiero darles las gracias a Robert y Rachel Klein por ser unos protagonistas increíbles. La historia es alucinante y te digo yo que todo lo que contiene la trama con muertes, torturas y movidas políticas no puede ser un libro para niños. The magical side of the book doesn't dominate and it doesn't overwhelm and confuse, which I was delighted about. We get to read the dreams that comprise this book, and these are wonderful little segment, not too long, but just right, and I wish the ARC had illustrations. I can't even imagine how gorgeous the physical copy will be! Ahhh, I wish I had one right now! When things are tough, you want those around you to be people you can trust. In the world we encounter at the start of this wondrous story, that is not necessarily the case. Under the rule of Charles Malstain life is dreary, and anyone who does not do as he requests is made to disappear. This is a time of dark secrets, where family are suspicious of each other and where things are about to get worse. The plot and the characters worked brilliantly. The main aim of the plot was clear and easy to follow and it was made wonderfully intriguing by the misunderstandings, near-misses and scheming from different characters. The underlying commentaries on kindness, family, love and death kept the story interesting and gave me plenty to think about after I'd read it.