Shattered Dreams by Ellie James - Book Review

Title ~ Shattered Dreams
Series ~ Midnight Dragonfly #1
Author ~ Ellie James
Release Date ~ December 6, 2011
Publisher ~ St. Martin’s Griffin
Source ~ St. Martin’s Griffin

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.

Trinity arrives on her aunt's doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she's seen.

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica's disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She is kind-of dating Jessica's ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.

REVIEW

Trinity has disturbing nightmares filled with blood and death. To make matters even worse, Trinity’s horrific nightmares come true. Imagine having an awful nightmare, only to wake up KNOWING that it will come true. Terrifying with a capital T! Trinity wants to, needs to, understand why she has these powerful dreams. There is a desperate feeling as Trinity longs for an explanation and possibly a way to control her power.

The mystery of Jessica’s disappearance is nicely played out. There are clues, some more obvious than others, and it does all make sense in the end. Along the way though, I found myself confused and wondering who and what to believe. Lies! Lies! Lies! Just when I started to trust a certain theory, something would happen to throw me off that trail. It’s that great kind of confusion that authors hope to stir up in their readers.

A New Orleans setting makes the entire story crawl with spooky. Graveyards, rundown houses, dark alleys, a psychic district, and unusual locals add to the overall dark feeling. I love how New Orleans melds elements of the present and the past to give the plot depth. Nothing happens in a vacuum.

Shattered Dreams brings it with an interesting premise, a fantastic mystery, and a scary setting. You can get all Nancy Drew with Trinity as she solves this confusingly creepy case. I love this book!