The Dream Haunters

4/5 Stars!

“The Dream Haunters” by Megan Mary is an autumnal magical mystery about Hannah Skye's journey to find her missing Aunt Jewelia. After getting a strange letter, Hannah heads to Maple Hollow. It turns out to be a magical island that is in autumn forever. There, she discovers her family's magic and learns to jump between dreams and our world to rescue her aunt by Halloween night.

Mary's prose makes you feel like you're right there, crunching through leaves and breathing in the crisp autumn air. The mix of fantasy, mystery, and coming-of-age threads weave together beautifully. Hannah's journey to discover her powers is compelling, and the side characters are also fun, especially the talking cat dream guide. The whole ‘dream haunter' concept is intriguing and keeps you invested. The book's pacing can be a bit off, with some parts feeling rushed. But, the story's charm and prose more than makes up for it.

If you're into cosy fantasy and spooky mysteries, this book is perfect for curling up with on an autumn day. It's great for young adults and anyone who wants a taste of fantasy without committing to a long series, or an overwhelming amount of mythology.

I listened to the audiobook version. I found the narrator to be very talented, and great with voices and expression. I feel she was a little bit of an odd choice. Her lovely soft voice can come across as older than the young main character, which drew me out of the story at times.

Thank you to Inner Realms Publishing and Net Galley for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.