The Dream Hunters is set in India – but in an India where dream magic is real and dream workers live inside the Citadel which has been closed off from the outside world for some years. Dream Hunters are accompanied by magical creatures who go outside and find dream threads from the dreams of sleepers.
The Citadel closed to the outside world when Mimi Minou’s parents were accused of attempting to poison King Ganipal of Ratnagar with nightmares. Since then, dealings between Ratnagar and the Citadel have ceased. Mimi has been raised by her Aunt Moyna – who has taken over the Citadel’s most important role in The Library of Forgotten Dreams from Mimi’s father. As far as Mimi is aware, all is well, although she wishes Aunt Moyna would be kinder to her friend Rafi, who came to the Citadel as an orphan from the outside world.
A series of clues leads Moyna and Rafi to discover that not only does Aunt Moyna intend for nightmares to be produced and traded with the outside world, but that she is willing to sell them to people who would turn them to nefarious actions. People such as Ratnagar’s son and heir who intends to poison his father with this dark magic. Mimi also discovers that her parents were framed by Aunt Moyna. She and Rafi must race to Ratnagar to alert the king to this plot, save his life, and free her parents.
This reminded me of The Rainbow Opera duology which also has a fantasy version of a real country, dream hunters, and explores the harms that can be done when dream magic is turned to bad uses. It was nice to see a similar concept with different stakes and villainous plans. It was also nice to see a middle grade equivalent.
I love the world of the library and the way in which the dream magic system works. It was so tangibly imagined with birds used as dream creatures and magic hooks used to weave threads together into dreams. The idea of dreams being filed away in a library, and of someone wanting to dismantle this centre of knowledge for the sake of profit, is wonderful because it explores themes of the value of knowledge over financial gain.
Mimi and Rafi are a fantastic pair – mischievous, caring and each with skills that help the other. There is a strong cast of minor characters too which makes the world feel more real still.
A magical world and strong story that will hook in young readers and encourage them to think about the different shades of their dreams.
- Dream Hunters by Nazima Pathan is available now from Simon and Schuster books. RRP. £7.99 (Copy of book received as part of a promotional blog tour)
