Rating: 
Summary: Dark and Sensual
Review: A very dark and sensual novel, about two people dealing with their inner demons. It's not quite a horror novel, but it's way darker than your average fantasy. Well-written and entertaining. Worth the cover price.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating!
Review: An excellent book for anyone willing to look at the darksides of ourselves we don't like to admit to.
Rating:
Summary: A Horror Novel with Brains
Review: Finally, a scary novel that doesn't rely on monsters and haunted houses. The psychological twists and turns as the hero's dreams overlap with reality are beautifully and suspensefully rendered. The characters are believable, and the dream worlds, which are often drawn from mythological sources, are nightmarishly described. Rarely have I been this impressed by a first novel.
Rating:
Summary: A Horror Novel with Brains
Review: Finally, a scary novel that doesn't rely on monsters and haunted houses. The psychological twists and turns as the hero's dreams overlap with reality are beautifully and suspensefully rendered. The characters are believable, and the dream worlds, which are often drawn from mythological sources, are nightmarishly described. Rarely have I been this impressed by a first novel.
Rating:
Summary: Winner of the WordWeaving Award for Excellence
Review: For years Zac has visited the Other Place, visiting medieval fortresses, Avalon, Sherwood Forrest and anywhere else his imagination takes him. Normally he snaps right out of what he calls "Hamlet Dreams" when he hears the sound of an alarm, an ambulance passing, or when he feels a light touch. Since he started dating Cecile, Zac has not visited the Other Place as frequently. When he does visit, Zac finds it increasingly difficult to rouse from the dreams; it is as if something holds him there. For six months Zac and Cecile have dated. While they have come close to consummating their relationship, Cecile always withdraws before they can. Nightmares of a vicious attack prevent Cecile from relaxing enough to make love with Zac, regardless of how tenderly he holds her. Her roommate suggests their mutual virginity may be part of the problem, but Cecile does not agree. Moreover, someone knows of their difficulties, turning their challenges into an opportunity to release evil into the world. On the first day of a new semester of teaching, Cecile discovers a mysterious note that states: "I have not forgotten you." She reads a hint of hidden menace into the words, fearful her stepfather has returned to stalk her in retribution for his jailing. Eventually, she discovers Zac slumbering so deeply that she cannot wake him; summoning aid, she helps to hospitalize him. But the doctors are baffled and eventually label Zac's case psychiatric. Cecile does not suspect that the force holding Zac captive is not of this world and brings incredible danger to them both. Author Jennifer Barlow creates a surreal landscape of deceptive danger and lurking menace in HAMLET DREAMS. Both Zac and Cecile love each other deeply but are young and naïve, making them easy to prey to the malevolent forces that seek to manipulate them with their own fears. As Zac travels the labyrinth of his own psyche, he must confront the dark fantasies and hidden desires that even he has never acknowledged. Traversing a landscape constructed of fear and impossibility, Barlow leads the reader through a stunning tale of delicious malevolence and dangerous desire. No reader will want to miss this unusual and compelling novel. HAMLET DREAMS earns the WordWeaving Award for Excellence.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent dark fantasy!
Review: Have you ever been afraid of your own depths, of your past, of what you might be capable of in extremis? So are Barlow's characters. What a harrowing motif, to be almost as afraid of yourself as you are of the bad guys... I love books that don't readily fit into well defined classifications, and this psychologically sophisticated page-turner gracefully walks the line between dark fantasy and fantasy. An original concept, lucid prose, great pacing, a fine stylist. I hope to read more from Barlow soon.
Rating:
Summary: scary well-written surrealistic horror tale
Review: In North Carolina, Zac knows he is the poster boy for the stereotypical boring nerd. However, when he dreams of "The Other Place", he fantasizes that he is Hamlet, frequent visitant to Avalon, Lilliput, and Sherwood Forest among other locales. In his reverie realm, Zac as Hamlet is the master of all he perceives. Recently Zac has changed since he fell in love with Cecile. He no longer seeks escape from the mundane or the ugly. He no longer needs The Other Place as Cecile now provides him with solace. However, Carcajou, the real ruler of The Other Place, refuses to free Zac and even tries to come to North Caroline through his host's dreams. Carcajou even forces Zac into sleep whenever he desires to do so. Zac, as he has recently done many times before, turns to his beloved Cecile for help, but though she loves him, she has her own demons to contend with. HAMLET'S DREAMS is an exciting tale that can be interpreted on two distinct levels as either a taut fantasy thriller or a deep psychological drama. Either way, the impressive vividly written story line takes the reader on a journey to another plane controlled by an outside force or perhaps the realm of the hero's subconscious controlled by his mind. The lead couple is weak individuals unable to stand up for their values including their love yet battle they must. Zac and Cecile's lack of courage even when danger confronts them as both need encouraging external catalysts to act. This adds depth to a scary surrealistic story line that leaves readers metaphysically pondering whether the demon is inside or outside man? Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: scary well-written surrealistic horror tale
Review: In North Carolina, Zac knows he is the poster boy for the stereotypical boring nerd. However, when he dreams of "The Other Place", he fantasizes that he is Hamlet, frequent visitant to Avalon, Lilliput, and Sherwood Forest among other locales. In his reverie realm, Zac as Hamlet is the master of all he perceives. Recently Zac has changed since he fell in love with Cecile. He no longer seeks escape from the mundane or the ugly. He no longer needs The Other Place as Cecile now provides him with solace. However, Carcajou, the real ruler of The Other Place, refuses to free Zac and even tries to come to North Caroline through his host's dreams. Carcajou even forces Zac into sleep whenever he desires to do so. Zac, as he has recently done many times before, turns to his beloved Cecile for help, but though she loves him, she has her own demons to contend with. HAMLET'S DREAMS is an exciting tale that can be interpreted on two distinct levels as either a taut fantasy thriller or a deep psychological drama. Either way, the impressive vividly written story line takes the reader on a journey to another plane controlled by an outside force or perhaps the realm of the hero's subconscious controlled by his mind. The lead couple is weak individuals unable to stand up for their values including their love yet battle they must. Zac and Cecile's lack of courage even when danger confronts them as both need encouraging external catalysts to act. This adds depth to a scary surrealistic story line that leaves readers metaphysically pondering whether the demon is inside or outside man? Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Fine first novel
Review: Interesting, real-life characters. Fantastic dream sequences. Hamlet Dreams blends real life and fantasy to make a rich tapestry. The story moves along at a good clip, and the ending is strong and surprising. I hope to see more novels by Jennifer Barlow in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Trapped in a dream
Review: Jennifer Barlow has captured the essence of a great science fiction novel; realistic characters, plausible events and a story that resists being put down. Once you start this book, it engulfs you and carries you along with the characters and you become part of the story. Zak and Cecile could be your neighbors or friends from work who are just normal folks. However, Zak has developed an ability to go to "the Other Place" as a means of relaxation. When his dream place starts taking over his life and that of his girlfriend, Cecile, things get weird. Cecile gets drawn into something that she doesn't understand and has no control over. Her life changes dramatically from a quiet, unassuming young lady to a passionate, sexually awakened woman. Zak, on the other hand, has to learn to fight for his life and that of his girlfriend. This book contains all the twists and turns of a potential classic sci-fi thriller. It has a hero, a damsel in distress, love, sex, violence, a touch of mythology and the fight between good versus evil. It is a real page-turner that once started, plan on staying late to finish it. This book has the earmarks of movie by Spielberg or Lucas.
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