Book: Dreamland by Olivie Blake
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 2.5/5
I want to preface this review by highlighting the audio production: the voice acting was spectacular. The full cast did a phenomenal job bringing distinct characters to life across the book’s interconnected, multi-threaded storylines.
Unfortunately, as my second Olivie Blake read, Dreamland was ultimately a miss for me. The narrative felt overly complex for the story it was trying to tell. Filled with love letters to Hollywood and old-school stardom, alongside sections structured like stage plays, it leaned heavily into an artistic, whimsical style that ultimately read as chaotic and messy.
The romantic subplot also fell flat. While Jude himself was an intriguing character, I never found myself genuinely invested in their relationship. Not every mystery or horror-leaning story needs central characters falling for each other, and this dynamic felt somewhat forced.
Dreamland certainly wasn't all bad, though. The protagonist, Anya, was a highlight. Her perspective on the world and the way she navigates social situations by masking and stepping into different characters was fascinating. I also loved the inclusion of her Philippine heritage. Coming from a Hispanic background, so much of her family dynamic resonated with me; particularly the intricate layering of deep-rooted Christian faith alongside traditional superstition, something deeply familiar within Mexican culture as well.
Ultimately, the execution felt too disjointed for my taste, though I do wonder if reading a physical copy rather than listening to the audio might have made the shifting narrative styles easier to follow.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.