It has a bittersweet ending but one that resonates the happiness and satisfaction of finally understanding oneself and being able to express it freely.

This was an odd choice for me. Not because there was anything wrong or repellent about this story but because I typically don’t read books that seem to be showing me a mirror. This is a well crafted and executed story with great writing, however the pacing feels too fast at times and it disconnects the reader from the story.

The story follows two individuals, with two different voices and yet, one similar predicament. Bassim is a shaman who hides his true self, in more than one way. He wants someone to hear him, understand him and tell him that he is alright just as he is. One day under these pent up emotions, he brings Alec, a boy from another world using his blood. Alec is a reserved and smart child who always follows the rules. Alec finds freedom with Bassim, while Bassim finds understanding. And yet, their love is separated worlds apart.

The first few chapters had me a little confused. We’re thrown into Bassim and Alec’s worlds without much warning or development and things are already confusing enough. Reading the summary would have been helpful but as the story unravels it starts to make sense. The depiction of one’s emotions, inner conflict, and gradual acceptance and understanding are the highlights of this story. It’s a perfect picture ending such that there isn’t any resistance or uphill battles with anyone other than oneself. But if one’s confident and accepting of themselves, then why care about a world that doesn’t. That’s their problem.

The romance was sweet but developed too quickly. Maybe it was instant love or maybe it was formed on the basis of feeling comfortable of oneself around each other. I don’t know for sure because I haven’t experienced it in life. And yet, it felt unnatural to me in this story. I could see how both Bassim and Alec are good friends but not romantic interests. Although I say this I enjoyed reading when they were together and worked together. It was a complicated feeling but I did cry at the end so maybe what I really wanted were more romantic scenes between the two.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It has a bittersweet ending but one that I believe is realistic and fair. It’s a story with good representation and although the pacing can be off and the magic is limited, there are a lot of emotions. Emotions that bring out the characters, their struggles and their story. This was a good read and one I recommend.

It was original. But not well executed? I feel kinda bad saying that. We can see there's a lot of work on this book. But the writing is not there. Feelings are told, not shown. There are a lot of repetition.
Also, the characters are supposed to be in their first half of twenties but they are like high schoolers.
I didn't like Story. But the story was interesting and maybe rewritten it'll be nice.

Imaging entering a new world when you fall asleep. A world where you are the person you see yourself as. A world where you find someone you really connect with. A world you would make yourself sleep extra just to spend more time in it.

I loved the concept of this book. I’ll admit, it threw me off some in the beginning because it switches POV and I got a bit confused for a bit. But once I got everything clear in my mind, this was a fun story, and I couldn’t wait to find out how everything would work out.

I’m glad I got to experience this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“But we’ve made something beautiful out of that mess. We rest our foreheads together, two fractured dreamers whose broken pieces form an exquisite mosaic.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I applaud the author for originality and creativity. Despite the rushed feeling I had at being thrust into the setting, once the story developed, I felt that it may have been intentional. Much like an isekai of dreams, Fractured Dreamer is a fast-paced immersion into a world where not much preamble of any kind of introduction is given to said characters. It just begins with sixteen-year-old Bassim, a shaman in training, whose world is upended when a mysterious illness-curse sweeps his village, ensnaring all the villagers' semblance in a shade of darkness. 😥 Alongside him, Lief, a forest spirit that resides within him, that serves as the signature Jiminy Cricket - a comparison that I actually know realize was also executed well, when comparing to the other perspective of the second character, Alec, someone struggling with their identity and whose very fractured state of mind - rift with pressure and tension - may very well be a catalyst for more than either of them realize. 🙏🏻

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Sounds intriguing. Well, it is that intrigue that definitely kept me turning the pages and... as much as I was not too fan of the characterization of certain supporting characters, I do like the creative take it took in focusing on identity and acceptance. The air of mystery revolving around said It is a fantastical approach that is a mix of dreams and reality - of Bassim and Alec trying to figure out their sense of belonging - to fill the void of loneliness of not finding someone who could understand their state of being. 'When you are not complete in yourself, nothing can fill that void.’ 😔 It is a unique idea because it involves tracing your roots and learning to let go of what is ultimately holding you down. I liked that connection and the buildup leading to that realization. There is a frenetic kind of energy that has Alec of the real world desperate to return to this fantastical area where he does feel at most like himself.

“Love required dedication; it required practice. All the need and desire, even the heartbreak, were the foundation he could build love upon.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ His connection with Bassim grows into one of someone who sees him for who he truly is. Their blood bond builds out of trust, loyalty, companionship and ultimately one of a deep-rooted connection that cannot be broken, despite the barriers existing between them. Alec's trust in Bassim developed into a friendship and then an attraction, each eager and so yearning for someone to accept them as they were. 'Was the love as real for you as it was for me?' 😢 They were each other's calming force and they were quite sweet together at times - even if hesitant and unsure of what future awaited them. It's a foreboding feeling to know that even expressing oneself as you wish to be seen can be cause for harm and hurt; and yet, to know that someone recognizes your gifts, your strengths, your inner self - it is a force to be reckoned with. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

“I’ve made my choice. I choose us. I won’t be scared of who we are.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The lack of world-building, explanation to Alec crossing over, Bassim's own paperthin family was definitely unfortunate. It did not hurt either that the switch from first person POV of Alec's to the third person POV of Bassim was hard - not to mention the change in diction and tone was also prevalent. But, I do respect the idea. I do respect how it is a journey of finding yourself that created this adventure - the idea of losing your identity is such a dangerous one - choosing to ignore what has always been. 'But we do the most harm by trying to be separate from each other. Let go.' 🥺 How the tension mounted, how things worsened in the dream realm, so much that Bassim knew he had to do whatever it took to save it - risk it all - was portrayed well. I especially applaud the final chapter, because it was something I had not seen done before; it was original and it connected the two parts in such a believable sense that deserves praise for it. Or maybe because it is my first time reading the author, so who knows? Maybe it has been done before. 😊

*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A heart-wrenching but ultimately uplifting book exploring gender identity, love, and self-acceptance. The plot is compelling, but it is really driven by the intense characterisation. Alec's dark sense of humour tickled me.