Customer Reviews

DreamQuest

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

General impressions of the novel:

I loved reading this book- I hated any reason I had to put it down. Marvelous adventure! Bill Pottle has created a wonderful new world for this novel. I'm glad to see that there will be more stories in this series. One book just isn't enough!

Specifics:

"DreamQuest" is a very good name for this novel. There is a certain dream-like quality that flows through the entire book. As if it were a vision being imparted rather than a tale being told. I can't put my finger on exactly how this is achieved, but it is a wonderful effect that adds to the reader's enjoyment.

I thought the characters were quite well written. They were complex and realistic even as the story started, and they changed and grew as the adventure continued. Very nice work. The reader will soon come to care about these characters as if they were old friends. A clear image of each character arose in my mind from within the story, woven together from many scattered segments of descriptive text. A much more subtle effect than the use of large chunks of exposition. After only a few pages, I could see the story unfold before my mind's eye as if were a play or movie. Very vivid writing, highly enjoyable, brought each character to life as I turned the pages.

If the book has a flaw, it would have to be that the characters occasionally slip into a phrase or two of modern-sounding expressions. My reading always came to a full stop whenever I reached one of these few instances. I could never decide if Bill wrote them in purposly or if they just slipped in by accident. In either case, they slowed my reading down and interrupted the flow of the story.

Dan Hollifield, Senior Editor, Aphelion Webzine

DreamQuest will fascinate children new to the fantasy genre. Its style is easy to follow for anyone not yet in high school and its wit will grab a chuckle or an amused smile even from older readers. Pottle treats his characters with the kind of mirth and mayhem that makes his writing comic as well as dark.

The only caveat is that the large amount of characters and different viewpoints can grow confusing at times.

Having committed myself to writing this review, it would be a shame if I had to tell you that it was a horrible piece of writing and it was a horrid waste of my time. I might choose to lie instead and tell you that it was an "interesting book" or that I liked the parts that had words. But to tell such a lie would not let me sleep at night. Fortunately, I can say that DreamQuest is a wonderful novel that I finished promptly after I bought it and then proceeded to lend it to a friend the next day.
Pottle has weaved together a story with an endearing protagonist, a sense of adventure, a loyal sidekick/best friend, touching and amusing romances, entertaining pranks, and magic. The reader will follow Tarthur as he goes on a journey from town prankster to young hero. Along the way, Tarthur and Derlin encounter mermen, elves, dragons, ninjas, loyal friends, and deadly enemies.
Dreamquest carefully constructes the world of Daranor. Like most fantasy novels, it contains magic, elves, and dragons, but Pottle has taken the familiar and added a unique twist to it. Included are: a ShapeShifter that can split himself into a ninja and a dragon, the legend of the Eternal Vale, and a pretty pickpocket that is the head of the Thieves Guild.
The plots are intricately woven and, even the minor characters in DreamQuest are well developed. Pottle introduces each new character with such personality so that I found myself reading about Warren (a pawn of the Death Lord) and Addyean (farmer/Royal Spy) as if they were old friends.
Dreamquest tells the story so vividly that I have no trouble imagining certain scenes like a comic book. Scenes are painted so vividly that they are easily imagined and comical parts made me chuckle. Thank you, Bill Pottle for writing an engaging tale! (Now, I can go to sleep.)

DreamQuest is a story about Tharthur and Derlin's exciting journey to the land of Daranor to save their world from evil. Along the way, they learn about the meaning of love and friendship, the reality of vulnerability and fears, and the power of perseverance. Tharthur's dream and the journey that follows it is one that we all, in a sense, seek after. That is, the desire to conquer evil, to fall in love, to be the hero, and to make friends with unlikely people is alive in all of us.

Readers will enjoy the writer's style throughout the story as he combines humor and suspense that makes every flip of the page exciting. The book takes the readers far away to a mystical land, yet cleverly includes everyday dilemmas that we all face (the boys' encounter with the beautiful ladies is a wonderful example!). I thoroughly enjoyed reading DreamQuest and I highly recommend it to anyone who lives to see their greatest dreams come true!

Sure everyone has heard about Harry Potter, Lord of the rings and all these big franchised books but there is one book that even though may not be big on the industry is still one of the most exciting and breath taking books I have ever read and the best thing is that there is going to be a sequel. That book is called Dream Quest.
Dream Quest is an exciting story that deals with friendship,battle,magic and my all time favorite, the rivalry between good and evil. The story begins with a mystical dream of a boy who uses some unspeakable power to destroy the death lord. From that little synopsis of only the first page or so of the book you are probably wondering many things about what is going to happen and that is just one of the many reasons that makes this book such a great adventure for this boy and for the soon to be reader, you!
I would recommend this book for ages 11 to 111. This book is long enough to get you in to the story and really get to love the characters but not too long that it will make you bored. I have given this book a 5 over 5 and I really mean it. This book is funny and quick paced while at the same time epic and adventurous. So if you fell like going on an adventure to last a life time read Dream Quest by Bill Pottle.

If you like Tolkein, Barron, Brooks or McCaffery, then you'll enjoy
DreamQuest. It has adventure, magic, friendship, romance and tragedy.
It
kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for the next book,
DreamQuest2: ProphecyQuest. I give this book four stars.

Prairie Middle School 8th Grader

Dream quest, is soo good it takes ur breath away there are no words to describe it!! It is some thing that your whole family can enjoy! All of our minds dream it, but only Bill Pottle is brave enough to write it down!! Its a journy that takes you far far away lost in thought!!

Dreanquest is a fine epic full of colorful characters, drama suspense and action. The fate of the world hinge on the courage of two young men after a mysterious dream sets them on their destined paths. Will they succumb to the evil that wishes to control the forgotten powers of centuries past, and enslave the magical races of Daranor? Or will Tarther and Derlin rise above unconquerable odds and unite the Kingdoms in a final attempt to rid the world of evil?

A fluid and witty style set Tarthur and Derlin up on an enchanted ride to greatness. Though they hardly lack in confidence they will need all the support they can get. Elves, merfolk, wizards and the Creator himself have recognized the importance of their quest and make the ultimate sacrifice to insure that Daranor doesn't fall into the shadows.

A must read! Dreamquest has everything a fantasy lover needs!

The book Dream Quest easily earns five out of five stars. Its plot is rich with unique characters, glorious and terrible places, and magic, the foundation of fantasy. Though the descriptions are always so realistic that they practically draw you in, you never find yourself reading the third page of a description of a building. This book is an appealing read to both obsessive fantasy readers, and those who can't tell a dragon from a lizard. This is because Dream Quest combines both well known fantasy components (Elves, Goblins, Wizards, etc.) and its own concepts (four elemental powers and the land of Daranor). In other words, I would highly recommend this book for any who dares brave the dangers the Death Lord, the evil of Marhyn, and the magic of the land of Daranor.

This novel tells the story of a boy's coming of age. Like most adolescents, he struggles with adults, friends, girls, and his place in the world. However, unlike most people his age, Tarthur is faced with the charge of defeating the Death Lord and obliterating evil in the world. Although it is highly unlikely most people will be faced with the exact challenges presented in this book, Pottle's characters transcend their particular dilemnas and speak to a larger audience. Whether a struggling adolescent yourself of someone more advanced in life, Dreamquest provides a way to share your life journey and situations with those of Tarthur and Derlin.