"Dream by the Shadows": A Gothic Fantasy That Haunts Long After
- Kim Bartosch
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Before I dive into my review, I want to say a huge thank you to Toppling Stacks Tours, the publisher, and author Logan Karlie for the opportunity to read an advance copy of "Dream by the Shadows" as part of this blog tour! I'm currently still reading the book, but I wanted to share some of my thoughts so far, along with insights from other readers who’ve already devoured this darkly magical story.
What I’m Loving So Far...
From the very beginning, Dream by the Shadows pulls you into a world where dreams are dangerous and darkness doesn’t just lurk—it reigns. It’s beautifully gothic, with a slow-burn romantic thread and an eerie atmosphere that feels like a living, breathing nightmare.
The main character, Esmer Havenfall, is instantly captivating. I’ve loved watching her navigate loss, rejection, and inner darkness—all while being exiled to a monster-infested castle and forced to ally with the very villain who destroyed her world. Her emotional depth and moral complexity make her a standout heroine.
One of the most intriguing elements is the way demonic possession works through dreams. If a person is overtaken in sleep, they lose all sense of self and become a sort of zombie-like puppet. It’s terrifying and completely original—definitely one of the more creative dream-based magic systems I’ve come across.
What’s Working (and What Other Readers Are Loving)
Readers have been calling this book beautifully twisted, comparing it to One Dark Window, Belladonna, and even Beauty and the Beast with a horror-fantasy twist—and I totally see why. Here are some of the standout strengths other reviewers are talking about (and I agree with most of them):
🌒 Atmosphere & Prose: The writing is lyrical, immersive, and heavy with gothic tension. It’s easy to get swept up in the dreamlike quality of the narrative.
💀 Dream World Concept: The dream realm and the soul-stealing curse are brilliantly crafted. It’s haunting, imaginative, and chillingly effective.
❤️🔥 Romance: The slow-burn, morally grey romance between Esmer and the Shadow Bringer builds gradually and is rooted in emotional tension and reluctant trust.
💔 Emotional Stakes: From family loss to personal betrayal, Esmer’s journey is charged with pain, longing, and a desperate hope that redemption is still possible.
A Few Things That Could Be Sharper
While I’ve really enjoyed the book so far, and most reviewers agree it’s a strong debut, there are a couple of things that have held it back just a little from being a full 5-star read:
🧭 World-Building Clarity: The setting itself feels a bit undefined. I found myself wondering if this was a medieval-inspired world, a dystopian realm, or something else entirely. The lore is rich, but the broader world could use more grounding.
🌀 Pacing & Transitions: A few scenes—especially between the real world and dreamscape—can feel a little muddled or disorienting. It's not always clear where or when things are happening, which makes immersion slightly more difficult in spots.
🕰️ Slow Start: Several readers (and I agree) noted that the book takes its time to really pick up. The last third apparently flies by, so I’m looking forward to reaching that high-stakes payoff soon!
Final Thoughts
Even though I’m still finishing Dream by the Shadows, it’s already shaping up to be a standout in the gothic YA fantasy space. It’s packed with emotional turmoil, a cursed kingdom, and dream-fueled horrors that blur the line between nightmare and reality. The prose is immersive, the romance is dark and delicious, and the themes of inner darkness and redemption are beautifully explored.
For fans of morally grey love interests, hauntingly lyrical writing, and fantasy worlds where even your sleep isn’t safe, this book is definitely one to check out. I’m giving it 4.5 stars so far, and I can’t wait to see how it ends!
About the book:
Title: Dream by the Shadows
Author: Logan Karlie
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publishing date: August 12, 2025
Synopsis:
For fans of One Dark Window and Belladonna comes a darkly beautiful Gothic fantasy about a soul-stealing dream curse, a villain who fights for redemption, and a romance carved from the darkest of shadows.
In the Kingdom of Noctis, dreams are deadly and darkness reigns.
For nineteen-year-old Esmer Havenfall, life is nothing but a series of loss and misfortune at the hands of the wicked Shadow Bringer, a cruel creature who haunts dreams and corrupts souls:
1) Her sister is dead.
2) Her future is bleak and without prospects.
3) Her village is tormented by demons that prey on dreams — and so is she.
To make matters worse, Esmer is unexpectedly accused of betraying her kingdom and promptly banished to the Shadow Bringer’s monster-infested castle. While there, Esmer must face both her inner darkness and the villain she hates to ensure her own survival. Even more vexing is the fact that his powers speak to something within her — and she can wield them, too.
But as her initial hatred for the Shadow Bringer melts into something more passionate, drawing her closer to truths she never thought possible, Esmer realizes they might be the only ones left who stand a chance at conquering the evil plaguing their kingdom.
Unfortunately, time is running out — even as they traverse a precarious dreamscape and outwit the demons that haunt it, rushing to unravel a centuries-old curse, more dreamers are falling prey to corruption and dying.
If they succeed, Esmer and the Shadow Bringer will rewrite history and forge a new future for their kingdom. But if they fail, they’ll be lost to the Dream Realm forever.
Be careful what you dream of . . .
Meet the author:
Logan Karlie is an author of surreal and imaginative young adult fantasy books with gothic themes.
Logan grew up in a rural Midwest town in the United States. She studied literature and creative writing at the University of Arkansas, where she completed an MA in English Literature.
Logan loves writing stories for the upper-YA / adult crossover space, and she enjoys books brimming with gothic themes, atmospheric worlds, and characters who fight to overcome the darkness that haunts them.
She currently lives in Illinois with her family, where she taught high school English, and when she’s not writing, she’s likely perusing antique stores, playing fantasy video games, or watching the Phantom of the Opera for the hundredth time.
She invites you to visit her online @authorlogankarlie (Instagram) and @authorlogankarlie (TikTok).