Somnus' Palace

Book One of The Sleepwalker Cycle

Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
331 Pages
Reviewed on 03/30/2025
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Somnus’ Palace is the first book in The Sleepwalker Cycle series by C.V. Vobh. It is a spellbinding urban fantasy that offers an imaginative journey through dreams and the subconscious as Proto awakens in a surreal world governed by Somnus, the Lord of Dreams. Having a history of sleepwalking, Proto struggles with the reality of being pulled into the dream realm, where he and others navigate dreamers’ innermost battles and fears. Amidst mystical landscapes and entertaining banter, he is on a thrilling quest where he must learn to interact with and guide dreamers, balancing self-discovery with the pressures of helping others. What can go wrong in this delicate mission, and does Proto have what it takes to make things right for the dreamers?

The central conflict arises from Proto's struggle to adapt to this extraordinary realm while fulfilling his role as a dream visitor. He confronts the burden of responsibility and the unexpected consequences of meddling in other people's dreams. His relationship with Astrid, a no-nonsense guide, evolves from skepticism to meaningful connection, allowing both characters to develop and grow as they navigate their roles in this strange world. The setting is a captivating mix of ethereal dreamscapes and hints of reality, creating an enchanting atmosphere that challenges the boundaries between dreams and consciousness. Somnus’ Palace transports readers into a well-imagined and stunningly drawn world. C.V. Vobh offers nuanced characters, and I loved how Proto learns the importance of empathy and understanding. The banter is engaging, and the dialogues sparkle on every page. The humor highlights the farcical elements of the tale while the strong plot points invite readers into a thoughtful exploration of the dream world and human consciousness.

Richard Prause

Somnus' Palace by C.V. Vobh centers around Proto, a man who awakes in a hallway with knobless doors. Gradually, he finds himself inside a pub named Somnus’ Palace. Somnus, the Lord of Dreams, informs Proto that as a newbie in this enchanting world, he (Proto) has been assigned the role of a provisional visitor. As such, Proto can visit a person's dreams, aid them with their existing issues, and steer their dreams toward a positive ending. Under the guidance of Astrid, his mentor, Proto slowly gets the hang of his glamorous new gig. He even bonds with his co-workers while learning more about them and their enthralling world. Suddenly, they observe a frightening indication of an impending doom in the dreams they visit. Could this warning symbolize the end of their lives at Somnus’ Palace or something more elusive?

Somnus' Palace offers a world brimming with creativity, intrigue, humor, and a touch of romance. Proto's experiences as a provisional visitor are full of fascinating encounters and unimaginable dreamscapes. C.V. Vobh crafts the most breathtaking and evocative dream sequences ever covered in fantasy. Every profound dream Proto visits (and the dreamer attached to that dream) is exceptionally different. Some dreams touch on themes like inner insecurities, while others border on hidden goals and wishes. Each character that Proto engages with adds vitality to the storyline and helps contribute to Proto's character evolution in one way or another. The author's writing is both vivid and immersive, urging readers to surrender themselves to this compelling tale from start to finish. This novel is best suited for readers who enjoy books with impressive dreamscapes and intriguing world-building.

Makeda Cummings

Somnus' Palace by C.V. Vobh is about Proto, the protagonist, who wakes up in a bizarre dream dimension. He has vague recollections of his prior life but doesn't have a clue where he is or how he got there. Proto wanders into a bar, Somnus’ Palace, and speaks to the proprietor, Somnus, who happens to be the Lord of Dreams. Through a series of exchanges, he learns that he's in a dream realm, and his duty as a new visitor is to survey the dreams of people struggling with internal dilemmas and guide them in the right direction. Each captivating dreamscape represents the subconscious layout of the dreamer's psyche. With the help of his instructor and potential love interest, Astrid, Proto begins to acclimatize to his role and environment. But, without warning, chaos strikes! Ominous events begin to occur in the dream world, signaling more pressing challenges still to come.

Somnus' Palace by C.V. Vobh is a thought-provoking portrayal of the dream world and what goes on behind the curtains of our minds. It is a creative journey filled with mirth, the search for purpose, inspiration, and love. Vobh is an expert at world-building. Proto's dreamscape trek is both indescribable and remarkable. This book is the ideal stimulant to help jumpstart your imaginative side. The dream scenarios themselves are an eclectic brew of comical events, outer space battles, a rousing visit into medieval times, a fight against fierce barbarians, and other clever scenes that succeed in plunging you deep into Proto's exhilarating encounters. Profound themes like identity and self-exploration are neatly woven into the storyline. I highly recommend this book to persons who enjoy inventive storytelling about our dreams and subconscious states.

Jessica Barbosa

Somnus Palace is the first book in the Sleepwalker Cycle Series by C.V. Vobh. Twenty-seven-year-old Proto found himself in Somnus's “private establishment,” also known officially as Somnus’s Palace. Who was Somnus? It turned out that Somnus was the Lord of Dreams and watched over people’s dreams. He and the dream visitors visit dreams and try to guide people in the right direction through their dreams. The world was their workshop, a billion little worlds of a billion dreamers' dreams. Proto, on the other hand, was an anomaly. He had roved so far along the borders of the dream realm and somehow ended up in a place that was not quite dreaming. Proto was recruited to try his hand at dream visiting. Join him as he traverses the thin line between dreams and reality, learning about different people and, in a way, learning more about himself.

This book sparked my imagination and took me on an unforgettable journey. It was like a rollercoaster through the dreamscape, and with dreams as the main setting for Proto’s narrative, anything was possible. C.V. Vobh’s writing captivated me with a plot that balanced fast-paced scenes with moments of introspection and a character whose flaws made him real and relatable. I found myself growing along with him as he faced stellar conflicts and chivalric battles in his journey. I admired Proto’s determination as he traveled across unknown territory, and despite the surrealness of everything, he managed to learn from his mistakes and carve out a path and place for himself. I enjoyed the stories Proto picked up along the way when he visited various dreams, as this added to the thrill and depth of the narrative. The exciting plot and well-rounded characters made it hard to put the book down. Overall, Somnus Palace has opened my mind to a whole new world, and I can’t wait to take the next ride. Outstanding work.

Keith Mbuya

Twenty-seven-year-old Proto had struggled with sleepwalking for most of his youth. But he had never experienced anything like what he was about to encounter. After falling asleep on the couch while holding a controller, Proto wakes up in a strange, misty, dreamlike realm called Somnus’ Palace. Proto soon learns that Somnus, also known as the Lord of Dreams, hosts people called visitors at the palace, whose job is to keep the world safe by entering other people’s dreams and influencing them positively. Now a rookie at the palace, Proto is reluctantly paired with a seasoned visitor for the tasks ahead. As they navigate different dreamscapes, Proto must learn to face the challenges awaiting him. But is he up to it? Find out in C. V. Vobh’s Somnus’ Palace: Book One of the Sleepwalker Cycle.

The author whisked me away from reality and dropped me into a world of brilliant imagination with an intriguing plot. Paying great attention to detail, Vobh breathed life into the scenes with evocative depictions, bringing them to full color on the pages. It felt like I was next to the cast in every scene, closely watching the events unfold. Maintaining a thin line between reality and imagination, Vobh thrust me into a realm of dreams, control, darkness, choices, suspense, humor, and more. I found the sharp, lively, and witty conversations captivating. The sentiment accompanying the storyline allowed me to experience the cast’s emotions. The juxtaposition of their complex traits strengthened the story’s grip on reality, making it easy to connect with them. C. V. Vobh’s Somnus’ Palace is an enthralling read for lovers of young adult fantasy and adventure.

Christian Sia

In Somnus’ Palace, the first book of The Sleepwalker Cycle by C.V. Vobh, protagonist Proto finds himself in a surreal dreamscape after sleepwalking into Somnus’ whimsical establishment. As he struggles with his difficult grasp on reality, he encounters fantastical characters who traverse the realms of dreams. With a blend of humor and intense situations, Proto, aided by Somnus and a sharp-witted, silvery-blue-haired dream guide named Astrid, learns to find his way through various dream realms. The narrative follows Proto’s adventures as he tries to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by the Lord of Dreams: to visit people's dreams and guide them to the right outcome. What can go wrong? A lot goes wrong, and a lot goes well, and what is most intriguing is the person that Proto becomes and the connections he forges.

C.V. Vobh infuses the narrative with witty banter, especially between Astrid and Proto, and creates humorous scenes. The quirkiness in character development is one of the strengths of this narrative, and the author makes readers feel as though they are walking into Proto’s dreamworld. Readers will enjoy the shared familiarity of dreamland and relate to people's emotions in their dreams. Conflict is superbly handled with characters on a critical mission in a world where much can go wrong. Following Proto as he evolves through the uncertainty and the urgency of his mission is interesting. It is about fear, dreams, and consequences, especially shown in Proto's feelings of inadequacy. Somnus’ Palace is a setting that contrasts with the ordinary world, full of vibrant colors and eccentric characters. This otherworldly locale compels Proto to confront aspects of himself he wishes to avoid. Whimsical, hilarious, and utterly satisfying, Somnus’ Palace offers unusual entertainment in a cleverly imagined story that is brilliantly executed.