6.5/10, didn't feel like a compelling enough fantasy story. ( )

Após ter completado sua tarefa com o garoto Radiante, Riley desfruta merecidas férias ao lado de Buttercup e Bodhi. Quando um cão infernal atravessa seu caminho, a menina decide ir atrás dele - apesar da relutância de seu professor. Durante a busca, ela encontra uma jovem fantasma chamada Rebecca.

likes: continuing story but not the same old story the first two told (soul-catching).
dislikes: characters are more caricatures at times (specifically Balthazar),
readalikes: Riley Bloom series, Ghostopolis, Skinjacker Trilogy, The Lying Game Series, The Everafter ( )

There is no doubt about how well written the Riley Bloom series is! That is the main thing I loved since the first book. Unfortunately this series has a track record (in my opinion) of being a little boring. In terms of creativity, Dreamland exceeded the previous books and I was really happy about that!

Riley Bloom is stuck at 12-years-old and she wants nothing more than to accomplish something great in hopes of "growing up" and finally turning 13. With her continued rule-defying attitude, she sets off on yet another adventure, this time weaving dreams for those still alive. Again, she bites off more than she can chew and this time she's all alone in getting herself out of trouble.

Riley is still very childish in this book, although there are hints that she's ready to "grow up". She needed to realize there's some things she can't change and to allow herself mature and go with the flow. She's still very funny and keeps that spontaneous nature that is loveable about her.

The dreamweaving concept was so unique, I just adored it! It was a fun way to put it and I think younger readers will get absorbed into the staging and filming and crew members. Noel knows how to write in such vivid detail, that its really a Dreamland, ha! :P

Overall, much better than the first book and along the same lines as book two. The adventure is not as constant in this book, but the reader's attention is easily grabbed by other creative and fun happenings. Definitely a book I would recommend to younger readers and/or to anyone looking for a quick read.

For those who like: Fantasy, middle grade, cute storylines, the afterlife
Source: Publisher - thank you! ( )

Riley's adventures in the Here & Now continue. In this third installment, Riley is suffering the repercussions of having helped restless souls into crossing over without the Council's permission (see Shimmer). The Council has spoken and the verdict was harsher than expected. They've decided that Riley needs time to "grow" and the best way to accomplish that is for her to take a break from soul catching. With no friends aside from Bodhi and Buttercup, Riley feels alone and lost. Luckily she learns about dreamweaving and finds herself on her next adventure... this time, trying to make contact with her sister, Ever.

The thought of being 12... forever, is a hard one to come to grips with, and Riley is having a hard time dealing with it. She wants to turn 13, to finally be a teenager, and when she learns that that is a possibility for her, she wants nothing more than to "grow"... but turning 13 is harder than it seems, especially since she's dead.

Riley is the still the carefree and brave young woman we have all come to know and love. While she still acts like her 12 year old self - throwing trantrums and not giving much thought to consequences beyond the moment, she is finally coming into herself. I loved seeing how she matured as well as the many life lessons she learned throughout the story.

I thought this was a great installment to the series. Not my favorite in the series but a good one nonetheless. ( )