Mercune’s Dream by C.V. Vobh is the second book in The Sleepwalker Cycle series, and follows Proto, a 27-year-old who awakens from what he believes to be a months-long dream adventure in Somnus’ Palace, only to discover that his experiences may have been more real than he could have imagined. As he struggles with the loss of his dream companions and the delightful dream life he led, Proto attempts to reconnect with the mundane world: he flirts awkwardly with a Starbucks barista named Red, runs into his high school ex, Black, and tries to rekindle old friendships. Meanwhile, each night, he is drawn back into a recurring dream—Mercune’s dream—where he is tasked by the Queen of Heaven, Qlua-Sahng, to discover a path that will avert the destruction of the world. Each iteration of Mercune’s dream allows Proto to test different choices, hoping to find the one that saves both Mercune and humanity. Can he save the future and stop the end of the world in a thousand years?

C.V. Vobh’s book is so well-written that I felt as though I were part of the dream. When a character is as superbly rendered as Proto is, one feels that character intimately. That was my experience with Proto. At the end of the book, it felt like I was in a dream of my own. If you want a story that offers the perfect escape from the doldrums of daily life, then read this book. The prose is descriptive and punctuated with sparkling dialogue. Characterization is unique, and you’ll love the company of the anxious, indecisive Proto, haunted by regrets but longing for connection and meaning. His interactions, both in the waking world and the dream realm, are laced with self-deprecating humor and longing. Supporting characters—Red, the sharp-witted barista; Black, the enigmatic ex-girlfriend; and Mercune, the gifted dreamer—are rendered with sophistication. The creativity in the setting fascinated me, shifting between the dreamworld and the real world. The surreal, mutable landscapes of dreams and the mundane, warmly observed details of suburbia and coffee shops had me thinking about the intersection between dreams and reality, the point where life truly happens. Mercune’s Dream is a treat I will revisit.

Proto wakes up after experiencing the greatest adventure of his life. For Proto, living life like a dream made it seem real to him, but his amazing adventure to Somnus’ Palace seemed to be nothing more than a figment of his imagination, an amazing dream cooked up by his unconscious mind. Or so he thought. His actions in the dream realm have consequences, and although he performed the role of a guide excellently, some mistakes could be easily overlooked. Unfortunately, in his case, this one mistake could cause his world’s future to cease to exist. Join Proto’s next adventure in Mercune’s Dream by C.V. Vobh, where he must save the world and undo the mistakes of his past actions before time runs out.

Present, past, and future overlap in the second book of the Sleepwalker Cycle: Mercune’s Dream by C.V. Vobh. After a vivid dream, Proto moves forward with newfound assurance, the result of hard-won growth and a perspective reshaped by his experiences within Somnus' palace. Surprisingly, a visit from the Queen of Heaven tells him that his adventures are not over, and the world’s future depends on what he chooses to do when he revisits Mercune’s Dream. The plot touches on how a person’s action, no matter how small, can ripple through time and have unexpected consequences. This book took me on a richly layered journey where the boundaries between dreams and reality dissolved, weaving a masterful plot full of depth and intrigue. Each character was vividly imagined and unmistakably distinct, anchoring the narrative with authenticity. It made the book so hard to put down! Reading this book was a dreamlike experience that challenged how I see the world, leaving me with a deeply rewarding new perspective and a renewed appreciation for the Sleepwalker Cycle series.

When Proto awakens in his room, his game controller in hand, the realization that he is in the real world leaves him disconcerted. He cannot shake off the feeling that everything that happened at Somnus’ Palace, a dream realm he had just visited, was more than a dream. He not only feels a lingering connection to the bonds he had formed, but he also has a red stone from the realm. As he broods, he encounters Flua-Sahng, a deity from the realm, also called The Queen of Heaven. She reveals to him that while he may have saved the world, its future still hangs in the balance. To evade its looming fate, he must go into the dream of a young seer called Mercune and alter its outcome. With little time and no room for failure, can Proto pull off this latest mission? Find out in C. V. Vobh’s Mercune’s Dream: The SleepWalker Cycle Book Two.

If you are looking for an epic fantasy blended with adventure and drama, C. V. Vobh’s Mercune’s Dream is a worthy pick. Once again, Vobh weaves an enthralling plot featuring the protagonist, Proto, whose latest quest is intertwined with higher stakes and a larger mystery. The storyline unfolds through prose that balances evocative depictions with lively, character-driven dialogue, all the while maintaining a fine line between the ordinary and the universe of make-believe. The conversations are edged with whimsical, playful banter, heavy pop culture references, accompanied by witty, introspective commentary that gives the story a contemporary touch and highlights its wry humor. This also gave me insight into the cast’s conflicts, emotions, and complex traits, allowing me to connect with them. The suspense hooked me and kept me turning page after page. I highly recommend reading the previous installment to fully appreciate this read.

In C.V. Vobh's Mercune's Dream, Proto wakes up from his sleep under the impression that everything he experienced in Somnus’ Palace was "just a dream." However, strange clues—like a red rock on his person—suggest otherwise. Proto tries to readjust to his regular life. He goes to Starbucks, chats with acquaintances, and even bumps into an old flame from his past. Even so, memories from his time in the dream world continue to intrude on his thoughts. Mystical beings like Flua-Sahng (the Queen of Heaven) inform him that his encounters in Somnus’ Palace weren't simply a dream. In reality, Proto has a crucial mission ahead of him. He needs to help Mercune, a seer, whose fate is entwined with saving the world. To accomplish this feat, Proto must relive different dream versions of certain events and alter their endings to discover which test leads to the best outcome. Is he up for this extraordinary task?

Mercune’s Dream is the second novel in C.V. Vobh's The Sleepwalker Cycle fantasy series. It grabs you right from the get-go and immerses you in Proto's reality, which is fraught with both fantasy and realistic struggles. His quest revolves around love, duty, and how his choices shape his future and the reality that unfolds. Every dream scene is vivid and intriguing. You can almost feel Proto’s intense and conflicted emotions. The different choices he made in the dream loop filled me with endless anticipation as I wondered what would happen when he altered even the most minuscule event in his attempt to help Mercune. The characters are well-developed and compelling. Proto's persona is a brilliant mix of thoughtful and flawed. The secondary cast adds warmth and nuance to his journey. Each character stays with you long after you finish this engaging story. Highly recommended.