Review: Dream Magic
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 16, 2013
Dream Magic is the seventh and final book in the Haven Series (although in Appendix B for Trev, the author mentions a book eight and book nine. This may have been his original plan before he consolidated Books 1,2,3 together and Books 4,5,6 as well at a lower overall price and forgot to edit this oversight).  Overall, Dream Magic was an interesting story with some new characters introduced and some former minor characters playing major roles. The author brought closure to the Haven Series which was a good thing. However, how the ending actually came to be (specifically how one of the main characters new exactly what to do to facilitate the ending is beyond me).  There were examples of that in this book and others that didn't seem realistic to me, but its fantasy so go with it.Without writing a long diatribe, I think my main complaint of each book in the series (which I have begun to notice in Mr. Larson's other series Hyborean Dragons) is that there isn't a central character/protagonist that I really truly cared about. Somebody who I could get behind. Brand in the first book and maybe Trev to some extent in this book were exceptions to the rule. It's hard to explain, but for me, if I can't relate to a character by putting myself in their shoes or feeling some connection or compassion for them, then I find it very difficult to fully invest myself into the story. I don't think it is the author's fault in this series, as each jewel of power has a negative side effect to anyone that holds them. Regardless, the fact is the main protagonist and all the supporting characters who held a jewel of power were not really likable people. I think it really was that simple for me. There was not one person I could really or even want to really relate to.  As a jewel bearer, everyone had an irritable, annoying or negative quality to them that after seven books in the series, wore on me. Again, as the author  designed, but annoying nonetheless. There were some supporting characters that were likable, but their roles were minor overall and therefore their impact on me was minor.Overall, editing was better in this book than in the others and the story was entertaining. Now that the series as a whole is more affordable than before (do to the recent consolidations), I would recommend giving the series a try.JeffIndieproofreader@gmail.com