This book is so beautifully written I can almost forget that it's built around some of my least favorite tropes (historical romances featuring modern women, magic is a thing that only exists in the past, etc. etc.). ( )

On the one hand, this book has some really hot sex, an interesting concept, and characters I mostly liked and enjoyed spending time with. On the other hand... it was a lot of time. The pacing is the book's downfall, I think - it's just slow as molasses.

I will say that this is a stronger book overall than the author's first novel, and I like the direction she's going. It would only take a little more tightening to give this one a solid four stars, and I'll definitely check out whatever she's got up next. ( )

Gosh, where to start with this book. Victorian London and Ireland? Check. Occult practices? Check. Poetic historical figures? Check. Gorgeously written sensuality? Check. Happiness spread across my face from this amazing book? Double Check.

I’m not the world’s biggest fan of narratives that tell two stories—one from modern day and one from the past—in the same book. In my opinion, it’s not something every writer can pull off. However, Skyler weaves the strands of past and present so deftly in this novel that it creates a stunning tapestry of love, magic, poetry, sacrifice and damnation that left me feeling breathless. Not once was I confused at whose storyline I was reading, never did I forget what had happened in a previous storyline when another was picked up. The timelines were handled impeccably. Let me just say this: I loved And Falling, Fly but I really loved In Dreams Begin.

I’m blown away from the amount of research that went into this book. I mean, just how often does one read a fiction book with a bibliography at the end? And even though a lot of things are cited in the novel, never does it feel like you are reading a history book. Instead, you feel like a proverbial fly-on-the-wall, witnessing a piece of history that may have went on behind closed doors. I’ve always admired Yeats poetry and other works, but I cannot wait to dive into the other facets of his life now.

The only disappointment I have is that I was expecting more steampunk. The cover is gorgeous (Craig White, you are a god). We have a lovely lady in Victorian garb with the trademark goggles on which is misleading. No goggles to be found in the story itself. And the only device I thought might possibly be steampunk, is the homunculus device used to converse with the dead. *pout*

Still, that didn’t dampen my enjoyment of this book and I’m left feeling hungry for more of the Harrowing universe. Rating: 5/5

http://www.read-all-over.net/fiction/darkfantasy/review-giveaway-in-dreams-begin... ( )

In Dreams Begin is such interesting for me, in concept and execution. Though I think there are a lot of people out there that are like "W B who?" and who would hate a storyline that bounces back and forth between past and present (and between different characters bodies), these things really attracted me to it. I'm not going to lie, I like me some poetry, Yeats included. And I also am a fan of stories that strive to recreate or even rewrite the life of a real person, not in a biographical way, but as a work of fictitious art. It fascinates me. I also like stories that shift back and forth, so long as I don't feel like it's a cheap device used to build suspense and keep me on edge in an otherwise laaame story (I'm talking to you, Dan Brown). Skyler White does it well. When the story shifts -- even frustratingly in the middle of something -- it feels natural and real, not gimmicky. I liked both worlds that were created, and I like who Laura is in both.

The romance, too, worked for me. Things come quick, and you know I'm normally not a fan of that, but in this, again, it felt right. It worked for the story and the fantastical aspects of it. All of this -- the time-shifting, the body-switching, the revolutionary ideals, all of it work together in this grand way to create a sense of destiny, in which case the romance between Laura and Yeats doesn't seem at all far-fetched: it seems fated. I feel a little differently about Ida, the little nutjob, and her 'romance' but the fact is, I liked her, too, and it worked on its own level. And there was sexytime. Boy, was there sexytime. Occasionally in crypts, but who's counting?

I talked a bit in my review for White's debut and Falling, Fly about her poetic style. There, it didn't always do the story justice, but here it almost always works very nicely. There are times when it's a little overwrought or confusing, but for the most part, White has a knack for phrasing something just so. Things will be going along as normal and then she'll describe something in a certain way, or say such and such of the characters, and it just kind of stops you in your tracks. You can see it. As strange a turn of phrase as it may be, you absolutely know what she means, and your understanding of the situation is expanded. The woman can write a metaphor.

I do have similar warnings as I did in and Falling, Fly, though. This book is not for everybody. Because of the time- and body-switching, it probably could get very confusing for some people, and it definitely takes it out of the 'light read' category; you do have to pay attention. Also, the poetic prose will turn some off and confuse others, without a doubt. And of course, there is AFF's steamy test*. But all in all, I think In Dreams Begin is an improvement over AFF. White has found her niche and created something pretty compelling here. And she made me want to read about the real lives of Maud and Yeats. And that's saying something. ( )

Where do I start with how enjoyable this book was? Really, where do I start? There was so much that I really enjoyed about it that it's hard to pick one thing to hone in one first of all.

Let's start with the plot. In Dreams Begin weaves together two stories: the first of Laura, a modern-day newlywed graphic artist; and the second of Maud Gonne, W. B. Yeats, and Ida Jameson, figures from Victorian-era Ireland, fighting in their own ways for various kinds of freedom. Through her growing obsession with mysticism and the occult, Ida channels the spirit of Laura through time and into Maud, where Laura almost immediately falls "ass-over-elbows in love" with Will Yeats, and him with her. Laura struggles to come to grips with her incredibly realistic "Victorian dreams", as well as her love for another man. Ida's power-hungry personality drives the plot forward more and more as she searches for ways to gain all that she ever wanted in life, while Will and Laura must reach their conclusions about a love that transcends time.

If it sounds a little cheesy at first, just give it 50 pages. The writing style is beautifully poetic, stunningly erotic in places, and above all else paints a vivid picture of two very different times, each other them wonderful in their own way. The little details that White threw in, such as references to the semi-obscure erotic Victorian magazine, The Pearl, thrilled the history buff in me, and did wonders for making everything come alive.

This book is more than a troubled love story, or a cookie-cutter paranormal romance. ("Cookie-cutter" is probably the last term I would use to describe this book, actually.) White's characters talk at length and in depth about difficult subjects: religion, spirituality, love, the nature of humanity, good and evil. Far more than just a fluff read, this is the sort of book I would recommend to those who enjoy a good intellectual paranormal romance, the sort that are few and far between.

If this book suffered anywhere, in my opinion, it was in the sex scenes. That's not to say they weren't sexy, or were inappropriate, but my goodness, was the word "cock" ever thrown about! I know, I know, it can be hard to find good euphemisms for the penis without turning in the direction of purple prose, but at times, it seemed that the word was overused.

But when that's my only complaint, and I admit it's entirely a subjective one, that isn't much of a deterrent.

If you're a fan of good intelligent paranormal novels, you should definitely check this one out. You'll close it after the last page wishing that the story had never ended.

And maybe it never really did. ( )