Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Review: Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien

Title: Vault of Dreamers
Author: Caragh M. O'Brien
Series: Book One in the Series
Published By: Roaring Book Press (September 16, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy/Thriller
My Rating: 4 Stars

Book Description:
From the author of the Birthmarked trilogy comes a fast-paced, psychologically thrilling novel about what happens when your dreams are not your own.

The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success:  every moment of the students' lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students' schedule includes twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first year student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras in the school. What's worse is, she starts to notice that the edges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding—and what it truly means to dream there.







I am always on the look out for something different and interesting and most of all fun. A book that keeps me guessing and wondering and eagerly turning the pages. O'Brien delivered on all aspects and even went further and made me think, really think about the what ifs.

I don't honestly even know where to begin to describe how unusual, imaginative, and thrilling this book was to read. It kept me on my toes and so eager for more. At the same time I had to stop and think about each passage I read, each new clue or hint of something wrong, that came into the picture. Never quite sure exactly what horrors the school was undertaking. 

To say it messed with my mind a little might be an understatement but I loved ever freaking minute of it. 

The concept behind the horrors of the unimaginable, the whole design of the school. The poverty of the world that was Rosie's and of course the whole outrageous plot and mystery behind it all, it was just captivating.

My only real hiccup with the whole book was the ending. How in the world could it have ended that way? That couldn't COULDN'T have been it. That couldn't have been how it all came together and ended. Please tell me that wasn't how it all came together and ended because it wasn't good enough. I don't except it and I want more dang it! There better be more.

So here I am, waiting patiently for that book two that I just know is out there, in the works, waiting for us all to be able to pick it up and read it. Right Ms. O'Brien? Right? There is a book two right?

(And yes since having read this, I now know there is a book two planned so whew! I will definitely be eagerly awaiting it's release.)





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

33 comments:

  1. Oh it's always so interesting to have something different like that, I love a unique story. And now you made me curious about the end lol.

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  2. Ugh! I hate when the endings make you feel that way. Glad you enjoyed it so much regardless! Great review! :)

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  3. I really appreciated this one for how unusual it was too Ali. I like asking questions and trying to figure things out, and this one definitely piqued my curiosity the whole way through. I agree with you on that end though - WHAT? I have no idea what happened ;-)

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  4. Wow Kindlemom what a great review. I'm glad you may get some answers in book two :)
    xo

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  5. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I know it has been a hit and miss amongst almost everyone I follow on Goodreads. I haven't had a remarkable reading experience with this author, so I'm keeping my expectations on the low. :)

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    1. I think if you do that then you will go into this just fine. ;)

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  6. I talked to Jenny about this and she mentioned that I probably wouldn't like it as much as she did. I'm conflicted. I love that it has unique ideas but then again, that ending scares me and excited me at the same time. I'm glad you liked it, overall though Ali! :)

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    1. It is a different type of read and probably not for everyone.

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  7. Yea, the ending was nuts. I knew there was going to be a book two so it made me super anxious to find out what is going to happen. For the life of me I couldnt confidently guess what was going on. I kept going back and forth! Super interesting read though :)

    Great review!

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  8. I love books that are off the beaten path and keep me on my toes-I'll have to keep any eye out for this one :)

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  9. The ending frustrated me and confused me a little. But I enjoyed this one pretty well, at least up until then!

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  10. Ohh, the worldbuilding sounds brilliant, and the tension built to absolute perfection! The endint would probably ruin it for me, though, since I'm so very tired of reading unfinished stories. I'll probably just wait for the next one to come out.

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    1. I don't blame you for waiting, the ending was crazy.

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  11. I like the sound of the creativity and the world building but not the ending. I have this scheduled in November and I am most curious.

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    1. I can't wait to see what you think of it Heidi!

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  12. Well now you have me curious about the school and world, but nervous about the ending..LOL

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  13. It's great that your risk taking paid off! I myself read my first historical romance in DECADES and oh lord how I've missed it!

    Yay for diverse reads and stepping out of our reading comfort zones

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  14. I didn't want to read this one at first...but you made me change my mind!! ;)

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  15. I almost didn't add it to my TBR pile until the very end of your review when I realized you found out there is another one! It sounds fantastic. That was such an awesome review.

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    1. So glad I put that in there then and I am so happy you want to give this a try as well Becca.

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  16. Oh my gosh that ending! It was intense to the max - I can't believe we left Rosie off there. I'm so happy there's going to be another book and I can't wait to read it!

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    1. I really am too Lauren, I think I would have rated this lower if there wouldn't have been another book in the works! :P

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  17. Endings like that kind of make me want to pull my hair out. Hopefully it won't be long until the next book is available. Great review as always :)

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