The Lost Dreamer

I am a bit conflicted with this book. I think that it is cool that is based off Mesoamerican lore and I really liked Saya's parts which seemed to flow really nicely and I was always interested in what she was up to and how she traveled in the Dream and learned the truth about herself. That part was nice and smooth and easy to get through. I like her version of the Dream better with all the spirits. I wanted more of that. However, I kept having to take breaks when I got to Indira's parts which to me at least, were confusing and I just didn't really care as much. I think the biggest part of that was that there was so much info dumping about the dreamers, the fire warriors and all the parts of the city and all the different people. The Ilkan were cool though, and the Litex. Not really a fan of the twist at the end either. There was so much build up about the lost dreamer and then it kinda fell flat, at least to me. I am glad that there was a bit of an ending, though there is definitely enough unanswered questions for that next book. I don't think I will be reading it though.

The Lost Dreamer is the first book in a new YA fantasy series that is based on the mythology and culture of Mesoamerica. The story is told through the points of view of two young women, Indir and Saya, both born with the spiritual gift of being able to enter the Dream. Indir lives in the Temple of Night in the structured city of Alcanzeh, surrounded by her family of Dreamers. She has been trained and supported in the use of her gift. A dangerous new leader forces her to leave her family, comfort zone and city. Saya has led a nomadic, tense, uncertain life, untrained and used for her gift. Her life also changes and moves toward an unknown destination. The writing is vibrant, beautiful and immersive. The world building is lush, spiritual, multi-layered and fascinating. The novel is filled with interesting, diverse characters and peoples. Themes are coming-of-age, tradition, womens' power, patriarchal oppression and change. I really loved this unique fantasy story and setting and how the characters' lives intersect. It would have helped to have a character index and a map detailing this beautiful world. I'm looking forward to the sequel.

The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta is a lovely, diverse YA fantasy inspired by ancient Mesoamerica. The story revolves around two girls: Indir and Saya. Indir is a Dreamer who can foretell the future from her dreams, but her dreams can be confusing. Saya is a seer, which I guess is someone who can do the same things as a Dreamer, but has never been formally trained. With the threat of violence hanging over them, these two girls will have to use their magical powers to save themselves and those they love. Here is an enchanting excerpt from Chapter 1, which is from Indir's point of view: "The wail of a far-off conch shell woke me from my already broken sleep. I wanted to wail in response, in grief, in terror. Dogs began barking on the outskirts of the city. Unfamiliar drum rhythms pounded in the distance, echoing off the stone walls of our temple. I rose, blood rushing through my body as I swung from my hammock. An answering conch blew thrice from our own warriors. Three cries for peace. Delu and Zeri stirred. I knew they were in Dreaming, their bodies struggling to pull them back. I kissed them each softly, Singing a small waking Song, my voice breaking. Delu, two years older than me, opened her eyes first. Zeri, the youngest of us, began her languid waking stretch, but her eyes flew open as she realized what was happening. I reached to her, pulling her small body up from her hammock and into an embrace. Delu joined us. The conch horns were louder, the drums a steady beat, closer, closer, closer. The three of us held each other in silence. For all we’d prepared, we weren’t ready." Overall, The Lost Dreamer is a decent YA fantasy that hits all of the plot points that a fantasy should. One highlight of this book is the Mesoamerican-inspired setting. I love supporting diverse authors, and it's very unique to see a book featuring indigenous characters. One of my favorite fantasy series, the Obsidian and Blood series by Aliette de Bodard, is also inspired by ancient Mesoamerica, and it's a beautiful and engrossing setting. Unfortunately, I took off two stars, because I just didn't feel connected to either of the two main characters or to the plot. The book is told from two alternating first-person POV's, which is a personal pet peeve of mine, because I had trouble keeping the two perspectives apart. I'm sure many readers won't mind that though. If you're intrigued by the excerpt or if you're a fan of YA fantasy in general, I recommend that you check out this book, which is available now.