The Lost Dreamer

By Lizz Huerta

Book Overview

A lush, immersive debut fantasy about a group of women whose way of life is threatened by a new king; a fierce celebration of community, sisterhood, and finding our power.

Indir is a Dreamer, descended from a long line of seers; able to see beyond reality, she carries the rare gift of Dreaming truth. But when the beloved king dies, his son has no respect for this time-honored tradition. King Alcan wants an opportunity to bring the Dreamers to a permanent end--an opportunity Indir will give him if he discovers the two secrets she is struggling to keep. As violent change shakes Indir's world to its core, she is forced to make an impossible choice: fight for her home or fight to survive.

Saya is a seer, but not a Dreamer--she has never been formally trained. Her mother exploits her daughter's gift, passing it off as her own as they travel from village to village, never staying in one place too long. Almost as if they're running from something. Almost as if they're being hunted. When Saya loses the necklace she's worn since birth, she discovers that seeing isn't her only gift--and begins to suspect that everything she knows about her life has been a carefully-constructed lie. As she comes to distrust the only family she's ever known, Saya will do what she's never done before, go where she's never been, and risk it all in the search of answers.

With a detailed, supernaturally-charged setting and topical themes of patriarchal power and female strength, Lizz Huerta's The Lost Dreamer brings an ancient world to life, mirroring the challenges of our modern one.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250898013
• ISBN13: 9781250898012
• Release Date: March 2023
• Publisher: Square Fish
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.4" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 14 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 9 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Love the cover

Title: The Lost Dreamer Author: Lizz Huerta Read/Listened: May 30th- May 31st 2022 This book is about two characters The first being Indir who is a dreamer of truth descended from a long line of seers. In it after King Alcan dies she has to choose to fight for her home or fight to survive. The Lost Dreamer is also about the character Saya who is a seer and a "traveller" meaning she doesn't stay in one place for long. Saya's mother likes to pretend that her daughters gift is her own. When she looses her necklace she's worn since birth she discovers that she had more unknown gifts. This books synopsis is interesting and I love the color palette on the cover it's gorgeous. But, this book has a slow start. I only decided to keep going and give the book a chance because I bought the audiobook. I love how the characters in this story value strength and power which is very important in life. I liked it enough to finish listening to it but I didn't really enjoy it much. The story just couldn't catch my attention enough personally. I might possibly relisten to it in the future while cleaning though. Do I reccomend this book? Possibly depends on the person.

Cool but missing something

I am a bit conflicted with this book. I think that it is cool that is based off Mesoamerican lore and I really liked Saya's parts which seemed to flow really nicely and I was always interested in what she was up to and how she traveled in the Dream and learned the truth about herself. That part was nice and smooth and easy to get through. I like her version of the Dream better with all the spirits. I wanted more of that. However, I kept having to take breaks when I got to Indira's parts which to me at least, were confusing and I just didn't really care as much. I think the biggest part of that was that there was so much info dumping about the dreamers, the fire warriors and all the parts of the city and all the different people. The Ilkan were cool though, and the Litex. Not really a fan of the twist at the end either. There was so much build up about the lost dreamer and then it kinda fell flat, at least to me. I am glad that there was a bit of an ending, though there is definitely enough unanswered questions for that next book. I don't think I will be reading it though.

Unique Mesoamerican fantasy with fascinating world-building

The Lost Dreamer is the first book in a new YA fantasy series that is based on the mythology and culture of Mesoamerica. The story is told through the points of view of two young women, Indir and Saya, both born with the spiritual gift of being able to enter the Dream. Indir lives in the Temple of Night in the structured city of Alcanzeh, surrounded by her family of Dreamers. She has been trained and supported in the use of her gift. A dangerous new leader forces her to leave her family, comfort zone and city. Saya has led a nomadic, tense, uncertain life, untrained and used for her gift. Her life also changes and moves toward an unknown destination. The writing is vibrant, beautiful and immersive. The world building is lush, spiritual, multi-layered and fascinating. The novel is filled with interesting, diverse characters and peoples. Themes are coming-of-age, tradition, womens' power, patriarchal oppression and change. I really loved this unique fantasy story and setting and how the characters' lives intersect. It would have helped to have a character index and a map detailing this beautiful world. I'm looking forward to the sequel.