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Title: Dreams and Shadows
Subtitle: The Aylosian Chronicles, Book 1
Author: Jeffrey Collyer
Narrator: Michael Troughton
Format: Unabridged
Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
Language: English
Release date: 03-09-17
Publisher: Aelurus Publishing
Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes
Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Publisher's Summary:
Michael is a young man in modern England, minding his own business in the local library. Life turns on its head, however, when he has a powerful dream, full of symbols and foreshadowing. After awakening the next morning, he is compelled to seek answers of his dream: a quest that soon draws him into the beautiful and magical land of Aylosia.
In an unfamiliar world with frightening creatures chasing him, threats against his life from all sides, and no way of knowing who he should trust; Michael must learn to face truths within himself in order to gain the power to save those he has grown to love.
With plot twists and turns, wisdom literature that will make you ponder, and a story that is both tragic and triumphant, Dreams and Shadows is a story that will linger in your mind long after you have finished listening. Dreams and Shadows is a story of magical powers and strange creatures; of love, betrayal, despair, and ultimately hope.
Members Reviews:
Slow but satisfying
In Dreams and Shadows, Jeffrey Collyer takes his main character, a young man named Michael, on a long, arduous journey, and us right along with him.
For years, Michael has lived with the feeling that he doesn't quite belong. Then, one day, he is transported to the land of Aylosia, a land fraught with dangers that seem to follow him wherever he goes. Caught in the middle of a centuries-old conflict between two tribes, Michael discovers not only that he is suspected of being more than he says he is - more, indeed, than even he knows, but that things in this land are not quite what they seem.
I won't lie to you - it took me a long time to get through this book. To call Michael's journey "epic" is an understatement, and we take every step of that journey with him. Unfortunately, when combined with the many instances of introspection, self-doubt and constant guilt, made the pace of the story very slow. I am happy to report, however, that the ending was very satisfying and entertaining, so I still give it my recommendation.
Solid, clean, and EPIC!
Dreams and Shadows begins by plunging you into a mysterious, revealing scene. If you are paying attention, you learn tons about Michael - his deepest fears, his past, his longing for a connection with his mother. As I continued to read, I really liked this guy! What's not to love? He's a book nerd who works in a library! I've already begun to connect with him when the serious things start to go down. At the end of chapter three, I was hooked, frantically turning pages while mentally coaxing myself to slow down and appreciate the beauty of this writing. I rarely use the word refreshing when it comes to a book, but it was! A perfect summer read. (Don't let that stop you from enjoying it during any other season.)
It took me a few pages to get in sync with Collyer's tone and cadence, but when it happened, I was sailing along quite enjoyably. I also struggled with keeping some of the characters separate in my mind. This is an issue I have just in my brain, so it isn't something that surprising to me. If you are like me though, you may find yourself flipping back a couple of times to remind yourself of who did or said what.
The beginning of each chapter features an excerpt from The Wisdom of Ashael - an ancient text created by the writer to facilitate the story.
