Customer Reviews

Yesterday's Dreams

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though this story has all of the stock characters we are used to seeing in a good fantasy book--Good elves, evil sorcerers, bad pawns, good-but-unsuspecting heros--there are some really neat twists to the standard conceptions. The author takes what everyone "knows" about elves and magic and puts a slant on it that really caught me by surprise and made me think. (I won't give specifics because I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't read it.)

The imagery throughout the book is absolutely fantastic, involving all of the senses. The story itself is a well-rounded combination of inner-though, entertaining dialogue, and action. The use of memories to add dimension to the characters and to move the plot along works very well. And I have to say that the character Beag Scath, a sprite, was just too much. I loved every scene he was a part of and I think he added a lot, even though he was more a side character. The same goes for Pixie, the main character's cat, I actually laughed out loud at some parts.

I recommend this book to everyone I know and meet. It is hard to find a fresh approach to the same old fantasy figures, but I think Yesterday's Dreams does an excellent job of it. I really hope there is a sequel because the story just cries out for it.

Yesterday's Dreams is a modern-day novel spiced with Celtic ancestry and lore, as a young woman with a gift for the violin and an inherited, pivotal power must confront the legacy of her family's ancient past, in order to renew hope for the future. A powerful, poignant tale of discovering the truth within and reaching out to embrace one's identity, Yesterday's Dreams is author Danielle Ackley-McPhail's debut novel and documents her as a writer of talent, imagination, and superb storytelling ability.

Ms McPhail has written a fascinating and magical story. I enjoyed every moment of it, and it was very hard to put down. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel to this story. I am sure everyone who reads this book will feel the same.

Irish Fantasy stories frequently bring-out the beauty and majesty of Old Ireland. These stories often amuse the reader and leave them with a sense of longing for the "old days." Nowhere is this sense of majic more prevelant than in an echantingly fresh story, Yesterday's Dreams, written by Danielle McPhail. In this story the grace and wisdom of Irish lore lives again, but in a switch from your traditional Irish story, this story also holds the reader in a suspense driven action adventure.

This book is a real page turner. From the moment I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. The characters are new and refreshing, yet McPhail makes them come to life in a unique and special way.

I thoroughly enjoyed Yesterday's Dreams. I can't wait for the next installment from McPhail. If you are a fan of fantasy or adventure books, you will enjoy this book too!

Yesterday's Dreams
By: Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Vivisphere Publishing
ISBN: 1-58776-112-2

Danielle Ackley-McPhail brings the richness of Irish legend, the myth and magic of Eire to the streets of New York in her first fantasy novel, Yesterday's Dreams. Danielle has used in depth research into the legends of Carman, an Athenian goddess and her three sons. The Tuatha de Danaan stepped in to stop the terror and destruction that Carman and her sons were wreaking on the mortals of early Ireland. They chain Carman and force her to watch as her sons are destroyed. But.....Oclas (evil) the third son has not been totally destroyed, and has set his minion Lucien Blank lose on the unsuspecting humans.

Cliodna of the Tuatha de Danaan-the fairy folk of Ireland also known as the Sidhe-runs the quaint antique shop Yesterday's Dreams, as Maggie. She collects and protects items that have a "bit 'o' the magic." And she waits, for those of her line have sworn to aid and protect the clan O'Keefe.

Kara's father's illness and treatments have driven Kara to pawn her legacy from her grandfather, Quicksilver, her violin. And give up her dream of attending Juilliard. While looking around Yesterday's Dreams, Kara is shocked to see a picture she later discovers is of her grandfather dancing with a woman who looks exactly like the young woman running the shop. It doesn't help knowing that Maggie's ancestor might have known her grandfather. Kara feels as if her soul is being torn from her, and pours forth all her pain and sorrow when she plays a final tune on her precious instrument before leaving it in Maggie's hands.

Maggie knows Quicksilver is more than just a violin. There is power here, as there is in Kara, and she knows she must protect them both from the evil that stalks them from the moment Kara and Quicksilver enter her shop. Maggie knows she must gather her forces for a desperate battle against evil. For it now walks the streets of modern New York in the form of Lucien Blank, and he wants what he senses behind the walls of Yesterday's Dreams, and he wants the power he senses in Kara.
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Danielle Ackley-McPhail turns fantasy to plausible reality in Yesterday's Dreams. The characters in this story are so charming and alive they spring from the story to haunt and taunt like a soft Irish mist long after the final page is read. I found Yesterday's Dreams a delightful page turning adventure into imagination, and certainly look forward to reading more works by this author.

Charlene Austin

...would an adventure like this take place! Danielle Ackley-McPhail's debut work is an accomplishment on so many levels as it gives readers of fantasy something beyond the typical tale of elves rising up against an evil that threatens the delicate balance of the world. YESTERDAY'S DREAMS and Danielle's writing style is like a warm blanket you wrap yourself in to keep off the chill -- comforting, deep, and welcoming. She takes a realistic setting and then depicts realistic reactions to the extraordinary introduced in modern day Manhattan. Well done, Danielle. Well done!

I thought that this book was fantastic. It hooked me right away, from the start! Danielle has done a fantastic job weaving Irish mythology into this modernized tale about good and evil.

She would do anything for her beloved ailing father so Kara O'Keefe knows she must sacrifice the only asset she owns her beloved violin given to her by her grandfather years ago, but medical bills for cancer treatment must be paid. Knowing and doing are not the same as Kara delays the inevitable wandering the city until she finds YESTERDAY'S DREAMS and meets Maggie McCormick, a Sidhe who realizes what Quicksilver the violin truly is: a magical piece of the owner's soul.

Lucien the collector sees an opportunity to add Quicksilver and Kara to his booty. He will do whatever it takes to possess both. As Kara struggles with the existence of the Sidhe and magical objects, she joins forces with Maggie, her first mentor since her grandfather died, to battle the evil Lucien.

YESTERDAY'S DREAMS takes the typical fantasy theme of good vs. evil, but places it in modern times with modern day dilemmas as opposed to the usual medieval fare. The setting and Kara's disbelief make for a fabulously fresh tale that hooks the audience from the moment Lucien sees his prey. The prime characters appear real enabling the audience to believe that the magic is real in the music. Though changing narration perspective can become jolting at times, readers will appreciate Danielle Ackley-McPhail's wonderful novel.

Harriet Klausner

I just got done reading Yesterday's Dreams.... what a fantastic book! Not only are the characters wonderfully drawn but the celtic folklore within the story is fantastic. Can't wait for the next installation!

Yesterday's Dreams - 5 paws

Kara O'Keefe's heart is breaking, but love and duty are more important than possessions, and so she takes her beloved violin to pawn to help pay her father's medical bills. When she arrives at "Yesterday's Dreams", Kara becomes the recipient of several severe shocks - one of which is that the fairy tales told by her beloved grandfather were true - the Sidhe really DO exist - and Kara and her violin are more important than any of them could have foreseen.

So begins this fantasy story by first-time author Danielle Ackley-McPhail, and it is a delightful, mesmerizing entry. I was enthralled by the characters and swept into the story. This coming-of-age tale is a wonderful foray into the world of elves and magic that you really don't want to miss!