Dreamcatcher by Angela Grey is an inspirational fantasy novel that lifts the gossamer veil between a dismal reality and the intrinsic spirituality of dreams. For the main character, Dash, the dreamcatcher provides an escape from her hideous life of oppression and fear. But as she steps into the dreamworld of Baumwelt, she faces a mirror image of herself, with her trauma, loneliness, and fears waiting to be conquered. Her quest in a world where beauty is threatened by ugliness is a delicate tightrope of healing and empowerment through the confrontation with Dash’s worst nightmares. Dreamcatcher is a positive, uplifting novel about human emotional growth and resilience, skilfully blending the healing balm of precious Native truths with real-world calamity.

Angela Grey’s Indigenous heritage provided an incredible backdrop of culture and spirituality. I loved the intuitive depictions of the Dakota Sioux traditions and their gentle coexistence with the natural world. There’s an intentional jarring between that image and Dash’s tumultuous, suburban home life, which drew me into the narrative and made my fear for her real and immediate. The theme is redemption, but at a cost. Angela displays raw honesty in the premise that nothing will ever be the same again. I love how the author has characterized the children in the story. They are sweet, genuine, and utterly guileless in the face of the wickedness that shrouds them both in the real world and in Baumwelt. There’s so much wisdom hidden just beneath the surface, which resonated with me. This story is for anyone who walks the tenuous line of diversity. I noted so many quotes relating to the perceptive descriptions, which are framed like a tapestry. It’s hard to pick just one. But the one that most sums up the novel for me is when Cheske says, “It’s a balance. A law of the realm. This world protects itself. Everything has a cost.”

Dreamcatcher by Angela Ellen Grey follows twelve-year-old Dash (Ivy Danielle Ash), a biracial girl who struggles with her mixed heritage while battling the trauma of a home life marked by abuse. Her mother is distant, and her stepfather is abusive. Dash finds refuge in her dreams and escapes through her bedroom window until a dreamcatcher made by her grandmother plunges her into a fantasy world called Baumwelt. Here, she encounters memorable characters like Cheske and Winona, and faces dark forces that threaten her safety and the safety of her friends. The narrative intertwines Dash’s struggles in the waking world, where she confronts the pain of being invisible, with her mystical adventures in Baumwelt.

Dreamcatcher is a deftly plotted and skillfully narrated story with genuinely flawed characters. Readers instantly sympathize with Dash and want to see what becomes of her. Dash’s journey is an exploration of loss and the search for belonging. Her grandmother, a nurturing figure, symbolizes ancestral strength and the importance of cultural heritage. On the other hand, characters like Cheske and Winona —caretakers of the woods — are guides who help Dash navigate Baumwelt. Their friendship is heartwarming and the perfect escape from the brutal waking world. The setting is beautifully drawn, from Dash’s rundown urban environment to the enchanting but dangerous world of Baumwelt. It is rich in imagery and symbolism. Angela Ellen Grey has crafted a fascinating YA fantasy with an adorable heroine and infused the writing with pathos. The focused scenes, the excellent prose, and the finely drawn setting caught my attention as I read this gripping tale. It is a pure delight.

Dreamcatcher by Angela Ellen Grey is a well-written YA fantasy that follows Dash, a biracial girl caught between her real-world struggles and a mysterious, magical realm called Baumwelt. When Dash touches her grandmother’s sacred dreamcatcher, she is pulled into a shimmering world where time folds, memories speak, and ancient magic stirs. She learns she is a descendant of Ashina, a legendary dreamwarden, and that her unique powers—empathy, telepathy, and dream-sight—make her both a key and a target in the realm’s unraveling balance. As Baumwelt's borders weaken and shadowy entities threaten to spill into the real world, Dash must face her fears, accept her true identity, and make impossible sacrifices to restore the seal of the dragon’s prison and protect her loved ones. The story culminates in a tense, emotional confrontation in the dragon’s lair. Dash must choose between severing her bond with Ashina to seal Baumwelt’s wounds or risking its destruction.

When I turned the last page, it felt like I had been in dreamland. Dreamcatcher is so beautifully crafted that it transports readers. The world-building is impeccable, immersing readers in the different facets of Baumwelt with mystical regions like Willow Valley, Whispering Oaks, and the Dark Outer Lands, each filled with secrets, spirits, and dangerous creatures. Angela Ellen Grey makes the characters believable, cleverly exploring Dash’s trauma and weaving mythical elements into the plot. Characters like Jules, Luke, Cheske, and Winona are like mirrors, reflecting courage, love, and truth. The nuanced setting pulls readers deeper into the story with gorgeous writing, unforgettable characters, and elements of fantasy.

Dreamcatcher by Angela Ellen Grey follows twelve-year-old Ivy Danielle Ash, aka Dash, who finds herself whisked off to a magical realm called Baumwelt. There she meets a disabled little pug, a blind cat, and two strange kids who claim to help lost strangers find their way. In this strange place, there are many secrets, and even more rules. Dash must not only navigate the hardships of being biracial but also the magical intricacies of Baumwelt without becoming trapped. Baumwelt is not a typical escape; rather, it’s a place where Dash is invited to transform through courage, friendship, and self-discovery. Grey has created a fantastical and unique world that displays the complex nature of growing up with a culturally diverse background.

Dreamcatcher by Angela Ellen Grey takes place in a magical land where strange wanderers are drawn through dream portals. And it is through this world and the experiences it provides that Dash can grow and develop her own sense of self. Characters like Winona and Cheske also enrich the journey with their layered personalities. Dreamcatcher truly is a unique fantasy that serves as a mirror, a guide, and a space to reimagine what healing and growth can look like. I think this book will resonate with readers both young and old, as it touches on really complex themes. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to any fans of fantasy. I think this book would also do really well with teenage readers who are still finding themselves.