For all the reluctance of this Addels, the plot succeeds in luring Treesong to Aloysius, and reveals a couple of his high stakes devious plans to gain control of the two most important political entities in the Oikumene, the IPCC [galactic police] and the Institute [galactic think tank and policy maker]. While at the hospital, Sam meets Eddie Tomlin, a woman who was once deeply in love with Henri until he cruelly hurt her. She's moved on with her life but Henri had named her the executor of his living will, so she now must confront her feelings for this man to whom she once gave her entire heart. Eddie isn't sure if she wants Henri to awaken or if she is ready to say goodbye once and for all.

George tells her story through three alternating points of view: 13-year-old Sam Valentiner, Henri’s biological son; Edwina (Eddie) Tomlin, Henri’s former lover; and Henri himself. An attractive young woman, Alice Wroke, seeks temporary employment processing contest entries. Gersen confirms she is working for Treesong. Eventually, all of the subjects are identified, except for one man who goes by a variety of names. Gersen tells Alice that the contest was intended to identify Treesong, and that the magazine wants to interview him.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.

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! With a gorgeous cover like that and with the tile of The Book of Stolen Dreams I had high expectations for this adventurous middle grade novel. Unfortunately those were not at all met.

The Book of Dreams completes my cycle of novels about mortality. I needed to write about fear and transience and to portray the points where life and death meet as a sort of fairy-tale place brimming with parallel realities, a transitional zone among all worlds, heaven, and earth. None of us knows if this zone really exists or if it is born of our thoughts and hopes and fears.” – Afterword I appreciated the concept of this book - ( especially the authors personal connection to this novel - with her own father’s death ), but I honestly wasn’t drawn to reading it until recently when my friend, verbally told me how much she loved it. 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. Kirth Gersen learns that his enemy Howard Alan Treesong, already "Lord of the Overmen" (i.e., head of the underworld across all of humanity's planets), nearly arranged to be appointed Chief of the Interworld Police Coordinating Commission, the sole interstellar police organization. Gersen ponders what Treesong could be working on that could top that. As Treesong was the last of five great criminals whom Gersen had set out to kill, Gersen tells Alice that he does not know what he will do now that he has been deserted by his enemies.