{Review} "The Waking Dream" by Jennifer Ford

Title:  The Waking Dream
Author: Jennifer Ford
Publisher:  Outskirts Press
Publication Date:  March 14, 2011
Genre:  Fantasy
Format:  Kindle 503 KB  |  Paperback 464 pages

Buy this book on Amazon:  Kindle Edition  |  Paperback
Author's Website:    http://jenniferfordauthor.com/

Synopsis from Amazon: 

Cut off from the outside world by a hostile desert full of savage secrets, the city of Illamar must fend for itself. Late one night, Dante Montero, Commander and Ruler of Illamar, is confronted on his own streets by a mysterious woman bearing an ominous message from a dangerous man known only as Rasheim. 

Dante and his close friend Kerran, Captain of the Guard, rush to discover the identity of Rasheim and the nature of the threat posed against their city. The closer they get to the truth, the more their worlds begin to fall apart. Both men will have to rely heavily on their friendship as they struggle to comprehend the events happening around them, their past, and even the truth about themselves. 

They must move quickly and choose wisely, for time is running out as Dante and Kerran discover a secret plot is already underway to destroy their city and kill every last person alive. It seems the answers they so desperately need can only be found in a sequence of dreams, but in a world where nothing is as it seems, even their dreams could turn out to be deadly.

Diving in...

I really enjoyed this book.  It took me a bit to get into it because it's so different, but by about the 3rd chapter I couldn't put it down.  I was driving my husband crazy picking it up to read every time he left the room.  That's what happens when I start reading something on the weekend.  Normally I do most of my reading during the week at night when he is working.

Anyway, back to the book...this book is hard to describe, but I think that's what drew me in.  I don't really have a point of reference for it other than to say it most definitely fits into the fantasy category.  I would liken it to Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series or maybe the Game of Thrones series if I had to compare it to anything.  I am speaking in terms of world building really, it's one of those books that you don't know when or where it takes place, it's completely made up and that's what made me love it so much.  I get a distinct Eastern vibe from it, but that's just my take.  There are times it seems very modern with the description of the Station, but it's lacking most modern conveniences.  

I loved the characters, especially Kerran, but really all the characters are really well written.  As the story unfolds and you get to know them better you realize just how complex the story really is.  It's all really well thought out and it unfolds just perfectly. Each of the 3 main characters end up being key components in a prophecy/battle that will bring the cities of Illamar and Rheamyre back to their original glory.  While this book wraps up this major part of the story nicely, it's left wide open at the end.  I know that Jennifer Ford is working on a sequel and I, for one, can't wait to read it!

This story has a little of everything in it, mystery, magic, intrigue, love, friendship, fighting, etc...  This is a really well written and well edited story.  It's complex and filled with beautiful description.  I especially enjoyed the dream sequences.  If you like a good fantasy read you will probably enjoy this book!

There are no content concerns in this one, there are some pretty intense fighting scenes, but that's about it.

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book, courtesy of the author, in exchange for my honest review.