Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Dreamscape: Saving Alex




**Synopsis**

Sixteen-year-old Alexis Stone is used to getting away from life’s frustration with Dreamscape, a video game she’s loved since childhood. As her family prepares to move, a sleepy night of gaming pulls her into the world like never before. Trapped in Dreamscape’s realm, Alex is about to learn that being a hero has consequences… and this time, the stakes are deadly. Will helping the rebellion cost her everything she knows and loves? Or will she betray them to save her own life?









So today is the day that I review this amazing book! This was the first blog tour that I have ever participated in and I am beyond pumped to be a part of this experience. I am also thrilled that my first blog tour is dealing with a book that I really enjoyed. Since starting college I have read maybe three books... in the three months! I have been in a huge reading slump and have abandoned many books or it has taken me almost a month to finish. This book drew me in right off the bat and I finished it in two days. Every chance I got, in between classes and studying, I found myself going back to this book. I stayed up way too late in order to finish it and went to class the next day a little tired.  I thought this book was quite original and very fast paced. I would probably recommend it to people who enjoy gaming in general or enjoyed reading Ready Player One by Earnest Cline. This review will contain spoilers so if you are interested in reading the book just know that I loved it and go read it yourself before reading this review.

When I started this book I was a bit skeptical because I am not a gamer and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it as much as someone who liked video-games would. However, I found the video-game aspects very accessible and I really liked how they were incorporated into Alex's adventure, I liked how the fireworks that went off at the end of every level, were represented by the rebellion celebrating the queen. I also like how the little coin chests the character collects throughout the game, were actually rebellion money hidden to use for supplies. I thought both  of these elements of the game were translated well into the real life fantasy world that Alex was sucked into. One translation that I didn't quite get was the theme song of the game. When Alex was first sucked it it seemed like the music was always playing, with no source of origin. After that it wasn't mentioned except when birds sang the same melody. I just didn't understand how the song came into play and I wish there had been a more definitive representation of the song in the world.

Besides this one minor flaw I really did love the adaptation of the game into the world. The characters were also very interesting. I immediately loved Arrow and his sarcastic banter with Alex. I enjoyed their relationship and was rooting for Alex to just give in the entire book. When Melody was first introduced, I instantly became defensive for Alex until I found out that Melody was Arrow's cousin. I loved how affectionate and adorable Alex and Arrow's relationship became after Alex finally gave in. That being said, I was completely crushed when there wasn't another way for Alex to get back into the Dreamscape realm. It was kind of hinted at in the beginning that the luminescence powder was what brought her to Dreamscape. I was hoping that in the end she would be able to take some powder back with her so she could return to help rebuild the realm and visit Arrow. I'm not sure if this book is written to have a sequel, but I think it should because I am dying for Alex to be reunited with Arrow. They were so cheesy and adorable and I couldn't stop reading this story and I just don't want it to be over!

One last thing that I wish could have been touched on in the end was Pipes and Deakon. I enjoyed their characters when they were first introduced and I was hoping to find out if they survived after helping Alex. Also, after finding out about Melody and Pipes I wanted them to be reunited and have a chance together after the king was killed. Despite those few hiccups in the plot, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I wish there was a sequel because I would buy it today so I could start reading it tomorrow.

As a final note, I would like to thank YaReads BlogTours for including me in this wonderful event and Kirstin Pulioff for sending me a beautiful copy of her book.

MY RATING: ****

**Purchase Links**
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dreamscape-Saving-Alex-Kirstin-Pulioff-ebook/dp/B00W0MRM8E