As the kingdom is ravaged by a bloody plague, Princess Imogen shelters for years in a boarded-up castle along with the King who is going mad and the secrets she is keeping. Rations are running out for them and the rest of the castle inhabitants. Nico survived the plague with help from Lord Crane and has come to the castle to search for other survivors at Crane’s request. When Nico and Imogen meet, they find themselves in a tangle of lies, both desperate to survive.
A MULTITUDE OF DREAMS was an interesting fantasy book based on Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death.” I’m not familiar with this work by Poe so I wouldn’t have known this book was a retelling without reading the author’s note. It has left me interested in seeking out the original piece to read and compare.
I loved the premise and how fantasy was mixed with historical aspects and Jewish representation, particularly the exploration of antisemitism during plagues. The pacing was extremely slow for a long time before finally picking up speed toward the end. The ending felt a bit rushed like it was only tying up the immediate plot point and left me with questions about what was happening/would happen with other things. There is some romance included which felt awkward at times. If it hadn’t been included at all, I don’t think it would have been missed. Despite these few things that weren’t ideal, my interest was held throughout and I liked the book overall.
I enjoyed A MULTITUDE OF DREAMS and would recommend it to fans of YA fantasy.
Thank you to Inkyard Press for the gifted copy.
A MULTITUDE OF DREAMS was an interesting fantasy book based on Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death.” I’m not familiar with this work by Poe so I wouldn’t have known this book was a retelling without reading the author’s note. It has left me interested in seeking out the original piece to read and compare.
I loved the premise and how fantasy was mixed with historical aspects and Jewish representation, particularly the exploration of antisemitism during plagues. The pacing was extremely slow for a long time before finally picking up speed toward the end. The ending felt a bit rushed like it was only tying up the immediate plot point and left me with questions about what was happening/would happen with other things. There is some romance included which felt awkward at times. If it hadn’t been included at all, I don’t think it would have been missed. Despite these few things that weren’t ideal, my interest was held throughout and I liked the book overall.
I enjoyed A MULTITUDE OF DREAMS and would recommend it to fans of YA fantasy.
Thank you to Inkyard Press for the gifted copy.