Dreamer: A Novel of the Silent Empire [Mass Market Paperback]

Steven Harper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2001

THE DREAM
...is a plateau of mental existence where people are able to communicate by the power of their thoughts alone.

The Silent
These people-known as the Silent-find that the Dream is threatened by a powerful Silent capable of seizing control of other people's bodies against their will...and may be causing tremors within the Dream itself.

THE RISK
And if the "normals" learn of this, they will do anything to capture the Silent for use as a weapon - and the Dream itself may be shattered forever...

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-All sentient minds are connected to a place called The Dream, and without them it would cease to exist. Only a small percentage of genetically gifted beings, called the Silent, can consciously access it. Among the Silent is Kendi, a courageous and compassionate man of Aboriginal descent. Ominous storms have started to appear in The Dream, leaving dead or nearly dead Silents in their wake. At the same time, a brilliant new Silent mind has appeared, who Kendi must track down. The new mind turns out to be a remarkable teenager, Sejal, who has been living with his loving yet hardened mother in a ghetto. His family ultimately provides the key to calming the mysterious storms. Dreamer contains an underlying theme of severed ties longing for reconciliation and healing. Sejal's family is but one of a number of families ripped apart by governmental oppression. Kendi yearns to reconcile with his former beau, Ben. An army of lab-created Silents confined to a hellish existence scream out for the comfort of a mother's mind. However, there is an attitude of hope, and the characters come across as poignant without wallowing in self-pity. This exceptional first novel in a new series is a satisfying and complete work in itself. A diverse array of memorable characters and worlds makes this a book that YAs can relate to and enjoy.
Sheila Shoup, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Like other members of the monklike order of the Children of Irfan, Kendi Weaver dedicates his life to identifying and training telepathically gifted humans, known as the Silent, in order to protect them from the Empire of Human Unity. When he discovers the presence of a powerful Silent on the conquered planet Rust, Kendi risks his life and his freedom to find the young man whose gift may bring an end to a tyrannical empire. This series opener should appeal to lovers of far-future space opera and sf adventure.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: ROC (September 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451458435
• ISBN-13: 978-0451458438
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,318,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating and complex tale of Science Fiction, October 24, 2001

By 

Edward Alexander Gerster "miamibooks" (South Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dreamer: A Novel of the Silent Empire (Mass Market Paperback)

It is so rare that a book just grabs me and refuses to let go. I started "DREAMER" yesterday, and could not sleep until I finished it at 3 am! Steven Harper certainly knows how to tell an engaging tale and keep the reader's interest from start to finish.

Harper has created a new science fiction universe which shows incredible imagination and skill in world builing. His 'Silent Empire' is superb, both in it's concept and execution--a universe where Dreamers of numerous species communicate on a plane of existence entered by their thoughts. They can 'possess' the bodies of Silent slaves thousands of light years away, and are crucial in the running of the various galactic empires.

The plot revolves around two major points: a Silent being of great strength that has been recently sensed within the Dream, one who can possess the non-Silent as well; and there is also a great change taking place in the Dream, where the Silent are losing control, and a great storm of change is coming.

Told with great care and filled with fascinating characters, this is one of the best books I have read in a very long time.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Story, May 25, 2002

By 

Syderchaos (O'Neals Ca Usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreamer: A Novel of the Silent Empire (Mass Market Paperback)

I look for books by walking up and the isles until I find a book title that catches my interest. And so is the case with Dreamer: Silent Empire. What is it that caught my interest? The idea that humans can communicate over thousands of light-years of space through a interstellar gateway called the Dream. It is a place that only the Silent can walk. The Silent being a members of any race that have this ability, who at times are genetically engineered. So as it ends up the entire known galaxy is dependent upon this form of communication. Which causes problems for the Silent themselves. To be Silent on certain planets is to be a slave.
Enter the Children Of Irfan, an organization of Silent who free(if need be) and train the Silent in how to use their abilities. And they know something no one else does. There is a Silent out there who can posses Silent and Non-Silent against their will. A feet that should be impossible. All the clues as to this Silent's whereabouts bring them to a planet called Rust where a government, not to dissimilar to any third world country,enslaves any Silent for it own use. Can they find this Silent before any one else does? And when they do, what happens if this Silent proves to be to dangerous?
Over all a good read.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A real page turner, September 5, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dreamer: A Novel of the Silent Empire (Mass Market Paperback)

People can enter the Dream, a mental plane of existence where thoughts are communicated to others though their bodies might be light years apart. Only the Silent may actually enter the plane of the Dream, but they can also take over the mind and body of another Silent if that person is willing. On the planet Rust, a new phenomena surfaces when teenage Sejal has the ability to take over the mind and body of Silent and non-Silent alike, up to eight at a time.

Agents of the Children of Irfan look for Sejal because they know if knowledge of him reaches the other Silents or the public at large, the ancient history Salem witch trials on Earth will look like a picnic. When they manage to locate and get Sejal to leave Rust, human and other species that can enter the Dream State have already learned about this unique individual. All have a use for him but the only people willing to listen to Sejal's wishes are the children of Irfan and even they doubt he should be allowed to live.

DREAMER is a fresh, original story that will interest readers who want something different. The plot has so many twists and turns that nobody will be able to predict what happens next. Steven Harper has created a clever concept tightened by the issue of the needs of the majority vs. the rights of one (similar to killing or exploiting instead of isolating Typhoid Mary) and weaves an exciting tale around it. Let's hope Mr. Harper is not silent about the Silent in the near future.

Harriet Klausner