Begins with a ride on a train.
But where it ends is on a precipice of horror – dangling
on the border between life and death.
It’s a moment when Kyle discovers that he’s not the only
one in his class who knows about fear.
Not the only one who has nightmares.
And now, as Death stalks the carriages, it’s a moment
when nightmares become real.
Nightmares of wars, and the world devastated by chemical
weapons. Of a body being slowly stolen,
bit by bit. Of monstrous actions and monstrous
creatures from old myths. Of jealousy,
obsession and a stalker outside your window.
Nightmares of everything imaginable.
What will it take for Kyle to finally face his greatest
fear?
I’m
choosing this because:
This is the
final Malorie Blackman book on Spencer the TBR pile (tell me, how relieved are
you to hear that?) So after this I’m officially concluding my part in Malorie
Blackman Month (which is hosted with Amy Bookworm)
for two reasons. 1. I’ve run out of books and 2. By the time I’ve finished this
it’ll be April. However I will be counting this one... because I can, and I’m
ahead post wise anyway. Anyway, I think the synopsis is what actually made me
buy it but Malorie’s name on the cover certainly helped.
Judging a
book by its cover:
The cover
is very simple, it’s eye-catching though. Those bright red train tracks really
stand out against the black and draw you to the book. I have to say that even
though it’s not the prettiest cover in the world, I do like it. It’s dark and
intriguing and definitely a cover that does its job. I need to know what
nightmares and horrors lie within.
Pricing the
(possible) awesomeness:
Okay, I got this as part of a 3 for £5
offer, because I hunt bargains (okay, The Works is more likely to get books I
actually like.) but you can buy this on Amazon for £5.24 in paperback or £4.74
on Kindle. Malorie’s books aren’t the best bargains are they?
This is my
favourite Malorie Blackman book of the month without a shadow of a doubt. While
I didn’t find it scary I did find myself getting drawn into the story and
losing hours of my life by just becoming enthralled by the stories. Each nightmare
has an individual voice to it but still feels like a part of the overall plan
of things, I have to say that I feel like a lot of those nightmares could
actually happen in our world. The premise is an interesting one, the ability to
hide from your own worst nightmares by jumping into those of others is
something I think I’d quite like to do. Knowing people’s deepest, darkest
secrets would help make people seem equal to me (we’re all scared of something!
The dark’s one of my worst fears. What about you?). The writing is some of
Malorie’s best in my opinion, the words flowed together painting beautiful
pictures of things no one wants to happen. Her writing is something that just
comes with talent and experience and I’m in awe of her.
Kyle – He’s
our main character and nightmare jumper. He’s an interesting character and is
difficult for me to pin down. I did like him but he was so filled with pain and
guilt but as I read his story I came to see why and I felt for him. I
understood. To be honest, if I was him I’d have played my cards in exactly the
same way. I felt like I wanted to stage an intervention for him, but he’s more
intelligent than most people in the world because he figures out what he needs
to do to feel better about himself and life in general. That’s something most
people don’t manage in more than a lifetime.
Rachel – Rachel’s
a bit special, in the sense that she’s not what she appears to be. That makes
it really hard for me to tell you about her without spoilers, but she’s the only
other main character. I always felt a bit weird about her. Something felt off
about her and I didn’t buy into what she was saying at first. She knew way too
much. I’m not sure if I’m making sense, I get what I mean though.
Favourite nightmare: Robby’s – Robby’s nightmare was a highlight,
it was a nice edge into dystopia and I think it’d make a fabulous novel. A lot
of the others felt like they were all they needed to be but this one has more
depth to it and a whole back story that I want to explore. I do feel like
having it in here undersells it. I want more. And just as a coincidence, Robby’s
nightmare is page 99!! So I’m going to use it as a sly way to promote this: My Page 99 Test of The Stuff of Nightmares.
Overall
this is a really good set of stories weave into a bigger story arc. I love the
idea and I love how Malorie presented it. The writing was amazing and the pace
was incredible. I think it’s a challenge to make short stories the right length
and Ms Blackman does it time and time again in this story. The way she’d snap
back to the present situation to build up tension and anticipation was a stroke
of genius as far as I’m concerned!
This is a really great story. I like it. A lot.
Now it got an extra .5 for being my favourite book of Malorie Blackman Month
but I feel that it’s one of those amazing stories where you don’t consider a
five. (My 5 star books include ‘The Book
Thief’ and this simply doesn’t come close.) I still highly recommend this
though!
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