Review: Nice weaving of fairytale faith and myth
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 27, 2011
Erin, dress-designer extraordinaire, lover of music and color, and quiet misfit, finds herself thrown out of home and college both in one day. Meanwhile strange whispers, light and dark, seem to reach from shadows and clouds, and an oddly unsettled world seems to veer sideways to magical. An ancient mirror in Erin's room, and a carved stone box she's never been able to open, lead Erin and her practical friend Gen on a scary chase to a wholly different place.Mark O'Bannon's Dream Crystal calls on all the senses to enjoy the beauty of the faerie, their clothing, music and food. In a land "saturated with inspiration and creativity" Erin, newly recreated as Aisling, sets herself to learning the wonders and history of magic. But there's a war going on, and sometimes it's hard to know which side is calling her--human, faerie or shadow.Magical swords, fierce duels, fashion shows, love, faith and fear combine in this teen novel where the heroines learn the values of passion and patience combined, the power of freedom, and the enduring need to dream. Scenes shift quickly and time passes like magic. Fairytale, faith and myth weave a fascinating spell. The result is pleasingly complex and complete in itself, but leaves the door happily open to a continuing Dream War series.Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.