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Erica Robyn Reads

a horror book review blog

Recent Posts

Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond - book sitting on wooden flooring. Book cover of Black Out the Stars by Christopher Bond, cover illustrated by Todd Kiesling. The design showcases a dark, atmospheric pond and sky filled with swirling fog and scattered stars. The title is prominently displayed in bold, white, pink and purple lettering, contrasting against the deep purple and black hues of the background.

Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond | Book Review

Indie Bookstore Day 2025 | Book Event

A tablet lies on dry grass and surrounded by dandelions in a natural outdoor setting. The screen displays the cover of the book Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon. The cover features a colorful, fantastical illustration of a female figure with glowing eyes and curved horns, holding something mysterious in her hands. Stars and swirling cosmic elements fill the background, giving the cover a magical and otherworldly feel. The title text is in bold, colorful letters across the top and middle, with the author's name at the bottom.

Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon | Book Review

[Novella Review] Dreamland by Nick Clausen

September 20, 2019      Erica Robyn      22 Comments

Dreamland by Nick Clausen book photo

What if you could enter a world where everything is exactly as you want it to be? In Dreamland by Nick Clausen, we see just that.

But of course, our main character also learns that some things are too good to be true, and that he needs to be very careful about what he wishes for…

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.

Let’s dive in!

My Thoughts on Dreamland by Nick Clausen

Dreamland by Nick Clausen book cover

The story begins with this awesome first line:

Louie had always had lifelike dreams, but he’d never had a dream continuing over several nights, like chapters in a book – not until he visited Dreamland.

From there, we dive right in to learning what has been going on with Louie and Dreamland. And while the world Louie visits in his dreams seems wonderful and inviting at first, we soon learn that the trips to this world aren’t having the best influence over Louie. He’s talking back to his mother, he’s causing a rift between his mother and her boyfriend, he’s falling asleep at school… and terrifyingly, with each night he enters Dreamland, he comes out feeling like he has been there for longer and longer periods of time, and he isn’t actually resting.

Soon, Louie learns that he’s in well over his head in the dream-world. But can he get out by himself? Or will he have to rely on the help of a ghost to escape?

There was so much to love about this tale!

  • The plot was wonderfully executed.
  • The pacing was perfect.
  • The main character was realistic and interesting.
  • The family dynamics and relationships were wonderful.
  • The ghost element was very well done.
  • The suspense was exciting.
  • The “monsters” were super creepy! (I actually had a nightmare about them!)

This was one of those tales that really plays out like a film in your head while you are reading and I had so much fun experiencing it!

My Final Thoughts on Dreamland

While definitely on the lighter side of horror, this tale was still very creepy! It also really focused in on family and learning how to let go and move on from the past.

This is another novella that I would highly recommend to those looking for a quick, but impactful read that will stick with you! It is a perfect read for the fall season!


Snag a copy through Bookshop to help support local indie bookshops:

If you havenโ€™t read them yet, check out my reviews for some of Nick’s other works; They Come At Night, Human Flesh, Beast, A Taste for Blood, and Blind Date.

Thanks for reading!

Here are a few more recent posts you might like:

  • Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond | Book Review
  • Indie Bookstore Day 2025 | Book Event
  • Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon | Book Review

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Olivia Roach says

    September 21, 2019 at 3:26 am

    It sounds like you completely loved this one! And I am loving the cover. When the plot is so suspenseful and good, and the characters are complex too… you can’t go wrong ๐Ÿ˜€

    Olivia-S @ Olivia’s Catastrophe

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 21, 2019 at 3:38 pm

      <3

      Reply
  2. Esther @ BiteINtoBooks says

    September 22, 2019 at 10:24 am

    Thanks for this review! This definitely sounds like something I’d enjoy. I love the creepy cover btw!

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 28, 2019 at 4:50 pm

      If you give it a go, I’d love to see your review!! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. McKenzie Allyshia says

    September 22, 2019 at 11:39 am

    This sounds like a really interesting read! I love the idea of going between the real world and dreamland!

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 28, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      Right?! What a thought! This premise could be great for various genres of tales!!

      Reply
  4. Lindsi says

    September 22, 2019 at 4:44 pm

    I haven’t heard of this one, but I do love it when a book easily plays out in my head. It means the story flows and you’re able to lose yourself within the pages. Lovely review!

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ๐Ÿ’ฌ

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 28, 2019 at 4:53 pm

      Thank you! I highly recommend any of this authors work if you’re looking for a spooky read!

      Reply
  5. Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra says

    September 22, 2019 at 7:24 pm

    The lighter side of horror sounds like my kind of book since I’m a big chicken, lol. This book and author are new to me but your review definitely has me curious.

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 28, 2019 at 4:53 pm

      I’d love to see what you think if you give any of his work a read!!

      Reply
  6. Barb @ Booker T's Farm says

    September 23, 2019 at 9:36 am

    Sounds like a perfect read for this time of year!

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 28, 2019 at 4:54 pm

      For sure!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits) says

    September 24, 2019 at 5:26 am

    That’s an amazing cover design! Your review has got me intrigued to read Dreamland now. I’m a bit of a wuss when it comes to graphic horror so I think a lighter story like Dreamland would work for me

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 28, 2019 at 5:06 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜€ I hope you enjoy this one if you give it a go!!

      Reply
  8. Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says

    September 24, 2019 at 6:16 pm

    Something funny – when I opened your blog, I scrolled down and at a quick glance thought this novella was the same as the one in the next post down (look at them yourself quickly and see if it doesn’t throw you off too. LOL!).

    I’m not into horror much, so “light horror” is right up my alley. This is the type of Halloween read I can manage. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 28, 2019 at 5:00 pm

      Ha!! You’re totally right!! The covers are quite similar! If you give any of Nick Clausen’s books a read, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

      Reply
  9. Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books says

    September 24, 2019 at 8:04 pm

    I love a well-done ghost story! I enjoy horror but I don’t know that I have read a horror novella. This sounds really good.

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 28, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      I hope you love this one as much as I did if you give it a go!!

      Reply
  10. Laurie | Bark says

    September 26, 2019 at 3:02 pm

    This sounds amazing Erica! I love horror – all of it! And this is a new name for me. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      September 28, 2019 at 5:05 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜€ Enjoy!! I have been cruising thought a LOT of his work recently!!

      Reply

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Welcome to Erica Robyn Reads!

Erica Robyn of Erica Robyn Reads
Hello! Iโ€™m Erica, a Mainer living in New Hampshire who runs on hot tea, good books, and loud music. Join me as I seek out amazing horror tales and help support the indie horror community!
 

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