Title: City of Nightmares
Author: Rebecca Schaeffer
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Pages: 384
Release Date: 23 February 2023
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Hello fellow book lovers, today I'm sharing my review for City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer-a gloriously dystopian and utterly addictive YA fantasy, where your nightmares can transform you into literal monsters.
Synopsis
Ever since her sister became a man-eating spider and slaughtered her way through town, nineteen-year-old Ness has been terrified—terrified of some other Nightmare murdering her, and terrified of ending up like her sister. Because in Newham, the city that never sleeps and the only other home Ness has known, dreaming means waking up as your worst fear.
Whether that means becoming a Nightmare that is only monstrous in appearance but is otherwise able to live a semi-normal existence, to transforming into a twisted, unrecognizable creature that terrorizes the citizens of Newham, no one is safe. Ness will do anything to avoid becoming another victim, even if that means lying low among the Friends of the Restful Soul, a seedy organization that may or may not be a cult.
But being a member of the Friends of the Restful Soul has a price. In order to prove herself, Ness cons her way into what’s supposed to be a simple job for the organization—only for it to blow up in her face. Literally. Tangled up in the aftermath of an explosive assassination, Ness and the only other survivor—a Nightmare boy who Ness suspects is planning to eat her—must find their way back to Newham and uncover the sinister truth behind the attack.
Review
I absolutely loved every second of this—it’s pacey, plot twisty and fabulously dramatic in all the best ways!
The world-building was really good and leans into the dark and gritty, 1920s-style comic book aesthetic that paired well with all the morally ambiguous characters we encounter. Most of whom had some rather big personalities, or eccentric quirks that made them really memorable (like keeping a pterodactyl to kidnap or eat your enemies.) Their questionable actions also kept me on my toes, though it’s probably the first time my tendency to suspect everyone has actually paid off.
I did like Ness, though she is a complex and utterly flawed character still coming to terms with her PTSD-like childhood trauma. She can be selfish, cruel, and a little unlikable at first but I did find her really relatable—particularly in terms of her fear. I mean, if I lived in a city that’s nearly destroyed by dragons, dinosaurs or giant carnivorous creatures on a weekly basis, I’d be terrified too!
But what made her such an interesting character was that she’s entirely aware of those flaws, and is both honest and unapologetic about it. And it didn’t take long for me to warm to her (and root for her) inspite of it.
The simmering undercurrent of tension that permeates the entire plot also really amps up the mystery aspect, as Ness attempts—with her only friend Priya and fellow boat survivor Cy, to find out what really caused the explosion. I also really enjoyed that old school, crime noir-style dynamic that we see between Ness and both Priya and Cy.
As a nightmare whose own fear turned him into a vampire, Cy was definitely a character I enjoyed getting to know. Unlike the romanticised versions, Cy is pretty much the complete antithesis of what vampires are expected to be—and even argues against the widespread media coverage that glorifies them. Even bringing up some very valid (and thought provoking) points on the ethics of consent within the vampire mythos-such biting/ feeding without consent (or mind controlling them) and then wiping the memories being no different than date rape.
Schaeffer also explores some pretty important issues such as kidnapping, human trafficking, and fraud, bribery and corruption in both government and law enforcement. Issues that, despite the absurdity and fantastical elements of the plot are sadly but unsurprisingly rather relevant in the world’s current social climate.
Overall, a deliciously thrilling and utterly entertaining read that lovers of morally grey characters,Gotham or stories of pure unadulterated chaos are gonna love!
Also, a huge thank you to Kate Keehan over at Hodder for the wonderful physical arc.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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