Phew. I plowed this book over a snow storm day, and even though it is midnight with sleepy meds already consumed, I had to burn off the depressive state in which this books leaves a reader. Having read Buff's Sunborn earlier this year, I was more than happy to fulfill his request to read Bad Dreams, which he sent via snail mail. That is where the happy train ends. This book is depressing. That doesn't mean you shouldn't read it - just be aware before you pick it up. I was immediately hooked when über-depressed John Clarke decides a bullet will release him from his Hell on Earth. Unfortunately, he is just a kid and doesn't realize the entire world will open up soon enough if he can just get through high school, but I digress. Instead he took the bullet train to Hell where he finds himself in the mailroom. Yes, that sounds bad, but it gets worse. He is promoted to Wrath; his job - to visit sinners in their dreams and provide them nightmares in the spirit of corrective action. Some take and some don't. And so a series of one-off characters and unique nightmares fill the pages for a bit. At first, I was afraid this book would end up being a collection of weird dreams with revolving characters. It did feel like it for a bit, but it passes and gets on track to the guts of the story and never lets up. His biggest nightmare challenge happens to be a man whom beats his son while his daughter stays in her room. No, she does care for her brother, but when daddy the drunk comes home, she checks out. It is a terrible cycle with no clear resolution. John does what he can and tortures the bastard in nightmares hoping to put an end to the abuse. What isn't on John's job duties - caring for the daughter, Danielle. After all he was a loner teen before he bit the bullet and after time in Hell - forgetting memories, feeling empty and such, he clings to her as she does in return, while he provides non-nightmare scenes for them to hang and share. This book has a very appropriate ending. It may also make you wonder about a few things, which is why I'm up at the moment...and hopefully not rambling too much. I've heard people say Guardian Angels may be the filthy, smelly bum in disguise and one act of kindness can change your life forever. Perhaps the same holds true for those fighting for a purpose or redemption. IF a book can keep you up or make you feel something - then it is successful. And this is where I leave you, dear reader, spoiler-free and tee'd up to take a swing if you so choose. YA , pretty clean language with some solid violence.
4 of 5 Stars - ARC provided.
From the Publisher:
We all have nightmares, but not all of us have to live them. Johnathon Clarke did. His bullies beat him. They humiliated him. They stole his life. So at the age of 17 he took it away with a bullet from a gun. In Hell John finds himself working out his existence in the mailroom, until he's given the promotion he died for—he becomes the forger of nightmares, the giver of bad dreams.
With his new position, John makes his assignments feel the fear he’s felt his entire existence. He does this until he’s assigned a young girl named Danielle. Danielle’s not much younger than John was, and the circumstances surrounding why she’s been assigned are troubling.
They’re troubling because he disagrees. Now John must decide between continuing this life of torture and scares, or using this dark gift for something else, something that could help this girl who needs him.
