Ashlynn's DreamsBy Julie C. Gilbert
|216 pages| June 25th 2010 | iUniverse |
Before she was kidnapped, Jillian Marie Antel Blairington was just an average bright, brave, headstrong child. She was excited for life in a new house with her Momma and new Daddy. Afterward, she's all that ... and so much more. Held in a scientific facility, Jillian discovers her past-a family she never knew and a power she doesn't understand. With her ability now activated, she can enter and even shape a person's dreams. Jillian's been kidnapped, and her Gift has been triggered, so she can locate and save Benjamin Connelly, a brother she never even knew she had. She'd better master this strange ability quickly, though, because her life isn't the only one at stake. Her babysitter, Danielle Matheson, is being held as a hostage to ensure Jillian's full cooperation. Slowly, Jillian begins to learn more about her captor and the other genetically altered children held at the facility. Join Jillian as she tries to survive the training being forced upon her, find her unknown brother, escape with Danielle, and work her way back to a normal life once more.
The first in the Devya's children series brings you into a mysterious story you don't quite expect. Jillian's kidnapping kicks off a whole new journey of self-discovery and unexpected powers. Her 'Gift' as it were in the book is quite unique. While avoiding spoilers I will say that it is not something I have come across often in my reading.
I have said this time and time again, that when a book has multiple POV's that switch within a story it can be difficult for me to follow. That was sometimes the case in this story, but it was well written and the plot well constructed so overall I managed to find my way again.
It is definitely more suited to a middle-grade reader than a young-adult. The protagonist is 12 and I would probably recommend the same age range for this story, someone who is a pre-teen. It reads like something you would have found in your Scholastic school book order back in elementary, or at your school book fair. While is it a somewhat frightening theme of kidnapping with light violence, I still believe it would be an interesting read for this group.
Overall I enjoyed the book, however, because it is more of a middle-grade read I probably wouldn't go out and buy myself the book, but it's definitely something I would pick up for a gift for someone in the age range I mentioned.
Thank you to the author for a free review copy of this book.
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