I wasn’t sure about the start, it’s kind of in the style of ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ which is not my personal favourite, although liked by a lot of children, which to be fair, is the target market. However I did get more into the book as it went on and found myself speeding through it as I wanted to know what would happen next. The dual narration by Rachel and Robert, the main characters kept the suspense up as one was left on a cliff hanger whilst the other carried on with their part of the adventure. Whilst some aspects of the reign on Charles Malstain come across as ridiculous, they are not so far from the truth when considering real live dictators or groups found in a number of countries and wreaking havoc in their countries right now. Also the family feud and betrayal adds another topic for discussion. As such it would make an interesting set reading text in a school or a book club title.
The plot level is good for a middle school read, it has a bit of a feel good factor at the end and plenty of action and adventure to hold interest. I did like it and will be recommending it to schools for libraries or/and a set reading text.

Superbly written book which draws you in instantly!
This book is a magical adventure of two siblings whose main aim is to keep the book of stolen dreams safe and out of the wrong hands! They literally have the welfare of a country at stake!! The author takes you on a journey and is able to inspire the most vivid of images as you read! There is suspense, adventure, magic and much more amongst these pages!
Can Robert & Rachel keep the book from the awful Charles Malstain? There are many a twist and turn. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! Definitely a book that will stay with you and will be recommended and discussed for a very long time!

A fantastically crafted debut children's book. Warm, witty, and well-written. I couldn't put it down.

I'm not crying, I just have something in my eye...

When I started reading this wonderful, fast-paced, action-packed adventure, I was strapped in for magic, adventure, mystery-solving...But then we get to the last 20% off the book, and all these emotions started kicking in. By the time I reached the last chapter I was sobbing with a Kindle in my hands. I felt such powerful emotions reading about Robert and Rachel in the last chapter, it just overwhelmed me, which I didn't expect, but there you go. It happened, hence, why I loved this book so much. I don't think love is even a good word for it, I felt like it has gained a special, permanent spot in my heart.

There's a lot to say about this book but it won't give it justice. But let me share my highlights:

The mix of characters here provides such wonderful possibilities. From the evil tyrant president who hates children and has turned a country into a wasteland, from the brave, smart, adorable kids like Rachel and Robert on a mission to save their father and the whole country, to a whole heap of side-characters that either made me giggle, or want to hug the book.

Now the adventure itself is just so well done and wrapped up even better. There's nothing I can say that I didn't like. The pacing was perfect, I could easily keep up and it wasn't as predictable, which I was pleasantly surprised to learn. It felt like we were given a lot of clues, bits and pieces to put together along with our two main characters, and while it wasn't too complex, I had moments where I failed to piece the puzzles. That's absolutely not a bad thing at all. And when you actually finish the book, you get this sense of accomplishment and happiness that you were able to put these things together and come to a conclusion.

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!

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...

The overall atmosphere was fantastic, it was easy to imagine all the quirky clothing, from people having penguin hats to pointy noses that looked like beaks, to legs of dictators that looked like carrots. And then, of course, there is the aspect of a library and a book, and if you're a bookworm, which I believe most of you reading this are, how could you not be interested in a bookish, magical, adventure.

It's hilarious, it's heart-warming, it's fun, it's quick, it's everything it should have been.

The Book of Stolen Dreams is a beautifully written story about love, hope, danger and magic. The opening of the story is utterly captivating and the pace never really slows down as we are introduced to an array of brilliant characters.
The book is centred around the Klein family, particularly two children called Robert and Rachel. They live in a city called Krasnia, which falls into a nation of terror and shadow under the rule of the evil President Malstain. There are definite undertones and links here to dictatorships through real history, which would be useful for UKS2 classes studying World War Two etc.
Once Rachel is given a very special book on her birthday, everything changes for the two children. Through the rest of the book, they find themselves in foreign lands, in dangerous places with dangerous people and seeing magic first hand.

A fabulous adventure with moments of laughter, real sadness, hope and despair. I would highly recommend this book for children aged 10 and above.

An amazing fantasy adventure that seemed like a historical story based on the controlling dictatorships. An oppressive government with one hope - immortality. Can the children of the librarian stop him? Loved it!

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.
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.
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.
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.
Along the way we meet a host of characters - at both ends of the spectrum. Malstain is a shadowy villain, orchestrating terrible deeds for his own selfish reasons. Opposing him are a motley crew, and not all are guaranteed to do the right thing when asked.
From the outset this was a book that delighted. Due for release in September 2021 I can’t wait to see the buzz it generates, and I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read it early.

The only existence siblings, Rachel and Robert, have ever known has been a dreary one under the rule of Charles Malstain. Their parents remember a different time, however. Perhaps that was why their father did something reckless that got him taken away from them. Perhaps that was why their mother, on her deathbed, told them to fight for justice and their happiness. It becomes hard to remember what happiness even is though when you are far from your home and your family, and feel helpless against the tyrant ruining your country.

This might just be one of the best middle grade, adventure, fantasy stories that I have ever read! Rachel was the primary protagonist and she revealed the harsh rule all lived under. I loved exploring the politics and geography of the world, with her as the reader's guide. She was plucky and feisty and brave but also unashamed to feel vulnerable, afraid, and helpless. She worked through these latter feelings and became the perfect eyes in which to view this world through.

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 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.

This is an amazing book that is probably one of the best I have read this year. There are elements that feel as if it could be set in Germany or Russia in the 1930s, because of the oppression by a truly evil dictator, yet we have the element of magic that is brought to the story by the written dreams that are found in the book. of dreams. This is definitely a book that can be read more that once and it leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Truly a five star read.

This book tells the story of Robert and Rachel Klein, who have been given a mysterious book by their father before his capture.
On a mission to uncover the truth and save Brava from the evil President, they must find out more about the Book of Stolen Dreams.
The action began almost straight away and I did feel it seemed a bit rushed in places, but equally I was eager to keep reading and find out what would happen.
An enjoyable adventure.

There are not many books I’ve read that contain a story as beautiful as The Book of Stolen Dreams. I was utterly mesmerised by the writing of David Farr - captivated from the first word to the last. I was bewitched, enthralled and every synonym in between.

Contained within the pages of The Book of Stolen Dreams is something truly special. A tale of hope, of fighting against the odds, of love and loss. It’s so much more than an adventure story, more than fantasy: it is a work of art in word form.

To put simply: I adored this book. I loved the premise, the characters, the narration style. It was unpredictable, fast-paced and utterly unique. I cannot recommend it highly enough - it made my heart sing and I will remember it long after the last page has been closed.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC; I will be first in the queue to buy a copy of this breath-taking book upon its publication and eagerly await more sublime offerings from the undeniable talent that is David Farr.

I really enjoyed this book from a debut author that I will be looking out for in the future. This is a book set in a more dystopian world which is ruled by a dictator that is very oppressive and has extreme rules which limits society. It is the story of 2 children, Rachel and Robert, and at the beginning, they help their father steal a book from the library. This act lands their father in jail. Their mother then dies, leaving the children as orphans.

However, that is not the end of the 2 children's problems - Malstain, the ruler of the country - wants this book and will do ANYTHING to get it. This book is The Book of Stolen Dreams and the holder of the book has an immense power. The children do whatever it takes to keep the book from Malstain and his henchmen and they go on a trip to keep the book safe. Along the way, they meet many different people who all help them in their quest.

This was a wonderful, quick paced book that had me gripped from the first page. I will definitely be recommending this book to my class next academic year.

The Book of Stolen Dreams is a great adventure story with a hint of magic. It kept me on my toes; as each new character was introduced I would question whether they were good or bad, whether they would betray the main characters, Rachel and Robert, or if they would actually help them along in their quest to stop the book from being used by Charles Malstain.
From the start, you can be pulled into the story as the scene is set by speaking directly to the reader, this is then picked up again towards the end of the book, which I felt was a lovely touch to make you feel you could be one of the inhabitants of Krasnia or maybe even friends with one of the many believable characters. There was a lovely quirkiness to many of the characters which I felt helped make them seem more real and I would love to see them cropping up in more books David Farr writes.
If you like stories with adventure, magic and some amusing moments, if you are ready to take a step into the frightening world that Charles Malstain currently controls and if you want to find out how a penguin makes an appearance in this story, then this is the book for you!

Rachel Klein, in disguise and fleeing her home on an airship, carries a secret: a coded message in her shoe that she intends to tell no-one about. She is befriended by Josef Centurion, an odd little man with a violin case and a penguin on his head, but recent events and a life spent in the totalitarian state of Krasnia have taught Rachel to trust no-one.
A long flashback tells the story of what has led Rachel on this journey to find her brother and the secret of the Book of Stolen Dreams, and establishes the contrasting characters of the siblings, one with a sense of direction so strong it is like an internal compass, the other an imaginative dreamer like her father and a keen sense of right and wrong instilled by her mother.
The Book of Stolen Dreams is sought both by its creators, to preserve the secret it contains and protect their country, and the dictator who rules Krasnia, who wishes to use the secret to his own ends and perpetuate his despotic control. The brutality of life in a dictatorship is evident when the children are pursued by the president’s chief torturer, political prisoners are kept in unknown locations and the children of dissenters are sent to regimented orphanages. Against this backdrop of fear and mistrust, a magical book is the focus of a gripping adventure story, where themes of loyalty, love and redemption are played out. I loved it – I was riveted from the very first page and just had to keep reading.

Set in a fictional modern day world, this story features Emperors, The president killed the emperor seize power. Hating children, he banned them from all fun child-centred activities, transforming these areas into adult only areas.
An ancient book, containing 50 dreams, holds the secret of resurrecting the dead, and bringing them back to life. Charles Malstain has a plan to resurrect himself, have eternal life and rule over Krasnia using this book of stolen dreams.
An excellent story for 8-13 year olds, including dilemmas of good v evil, fairness, and truth.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review

a basic MG fantasy which circulates around wholesome friendships being formed around the girl's journey to reunite with her brother. keep in mind that i am way outside the target audience for this book and because i've read quite a lot of high fantasy where every minute detail of world building and magic systems are thought upon, i found myself questioning some instances where magic was used. overall, it was a good book. i can't wait to see what the author has next!

This is the debut novel by David Farr who is far better known for his work on TV series such as The Night Manager but what a debut! This is a great story with engaging characters and an evil villain who has to be got rid of. What more could any 10+ reader want? The book pulled me in immediately with the author talking directly to the reader and inviting them right into the story.
Rachel and her brother Robert are left alone when their father is imprisoned but they have to protect the Book of Stolen Dreams as this is needed by the evil dictator Charles Malstain as it will cure him and let his despotic rule continue for ever. They meet various characters during their adventures and it is hard for them (and the reader) to know who they can trust.
I loved this book. The world building is amazing and the characters really came alive for me. I can’t wait to see what the author writes next.

A very enjoyable read. From the first page there is mystery and intrigue- what has happened to Rachel Klein, who is boarding an airship alone, and who is the mysterious Josef who appears to be helping her, but is he actually tricking her? These mysteries are gradually revealed as the author takes us back in the timeline and we see the story unfold. It’s a tale of bravery against an evil government, of the bonds of family, of good vs evil, and a mysterious book that everyone seems to want, but only one can possess. It’s a race against time to save a family, to triumph over adversity and to unravel a tangled mystery. What is the “Book of Stolen Dreams” and why does everyone seem to want it?

I’ve never thought of myself as as a gambler, but it strikes me that every time I read a writer’s debut, I am taking the chance that whatever it was that led me to read that book might have deceived me, and that I won’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The majority of the time, I am rewarded with a book that brings me that great thrill that I am looking for, occasionally I wonder why I bothered, but every so often there is a title that goes beyond my expectations and hooks me in to the point where I don’t want to put it down and my thoughts constantly return to it when I am otherwise occupied.

So it was with this new read – one described as perfect for fans of Philip Pullman, which is an awful lot for any writer to live up to – let alone someone writing for children for the first time. Within the first few pages, it was clear that this was going to be an amazing adventure – one packed with mystery, excitement and just a hint of magic, and one that left me unable to pick anything else up once I had finished because I needed time to process what I had read and let it linger in my mind before I moved on to something new – such was its hold over me. With its beautifully drawn characters and tense storyline, this is certain to be one of the books of 2021, and is one that I cannot wait to read again.

Our story opens in the dictatorship of Krasnia – a land ruled by the cruel President Charles Malstain whose harsh laws have led to children being banned from playing in public and only being allowed out for education and exercise. Siblings Rachel and older brother Robert are used to their lives being controlled in this way and making the best of things at home under the guidance of their parents. On the day of Rachel’s birthday, however, her father Felix promises her an adventure after school and she and Robert are stunned when Felix sneaks them into the North Brava Public Lending Library where he works. Here, the three of them steal the oldest and most beautiful book – The Book of Stolen Dreams – from the Rare Books Room.

Felix explains the theft to his children as essential to the book’s preservation, as he has been told that it will be destroyed soon on the orders of the President but as they go to leave it is clear that their presence in the library has not gone unnoticed. After ensuring that Rachel and Robert escape with the book, Felix is captured and imprisoned and the siblings manage to hide it at home safely without telling their sick mother that they have it. It soon becomes clear that there are others who are aware of its existence though, and who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the precious book, which is said to hold the secret to immortality.

But the book’s final page is missing and the two children soon find themselves searching for it to prevent it falling into the hands of those who would abuse its power. Separated by circumstances beyond their control, Rachel and Robert must draw on strengths they didn’t know they had and solve the mysteries they encounter, while trying to evade capture and working out just who they can trust in as they come to understand the full power of the book. Will they find the last page before anyone else does, and can they keep hold of the Book of Dreams? Or will the book and its last page both fall into the hands of those who would use it to grant themselves eternal life?

Immortality has always fascinated humankind, from the gods of ancient civilisations, through the search for the philosopher’s stone to modern-day cryogenics, but while there are those who undoubtedly think that they would love to live forever, there are many who recognise that it is open to abuse and very probably not a good idea. When Rachel and Robert find out the powers that the book has, they are both forced to grow up very quickly and to follow the moral code that their parents have installed in them, while trying to appraise the consciences of those around them who may or may not be on their side. As I read through the book, there were so many moments when I had my heart in my mouth as the plot twisted and turned, and threatened to derail the children’s mission despite their best efforts.

As book siblings go, Rachel and Robert really stood out to me as a brother and sister who deeply love one another and who are prepared to go to the ends of the earth for one another. Before they are separated, they consider the situation in which they find themselves and formulate a plan which they both know will not only lead them into terrible danger, but might also cause them never to see one another again if it fails. Once that plan is put into action, they are both focussed solely on what they have to do to make it succeed and their courage and ingenuity shine out of the book, as they battle to do what they know they must for the future of not only themselves and their father, but also their country and those who live there.

This is a book that will have a broad appeal to confident readers in Year 4 upwards and is one that I am already thinking would make a fabulous read-aloud to my new Year 5 class. Packed with excitement from the start, this thrilling adventure is one which will have readers on the edge of their seats and one which would make a fabulous family film with its fast pace and just-one-more-chapter appeal. With an as-yet untitled second book set in the same world to come at some point in the future, I for one will be keeping an eye open for more from the author and I’m sure I will not be alone.

Enormous thanks go to publisher Usborne and to Net Galley for my advance read ahead of publication of the hardback on September 30th – perfectly timed to make a wonderful Christmas present to younger readers, or to yourself. 5 out of 5 stars.

This debut novel from David Farr for readers aged 10+ is a fantastic adventure telling the story of Rachel and a Robert Klein who battle to protect and finding the missing page of a book that can provide its owner with immortality. The children live in a country that is ruled by a tyrant called Charles Mainstain who is slowly dying but determined to find the book so he can live longer and continue his despotic rule. This a fast paced adventure with two feisty likeable lead characters and an array of colourful supporting characters who battle to beat the evil Mainstain and his regime. There was even the sense that the book was an analogy directed towards some of the world’s dictatorial leads and oppression of today. The Book of Stolen Dreams will capture the imagination of readers who enjoy an exciting read with some nail biting moments. Highly recommended for upper Ks 2 readers .