Step into a Korean Dreamworld: Graci Kim's Dreamslinger reviewed
Dreamslinger (Book 1) by Graci Kim (Penguin)
At thirteen, Aria Loveridge discovers she is a dreamslinger – a rare genetic ability that transports her into a magical dream realm while she sleeps. These powerful dreams build intense emotional energy that must be safely released upon waking. If not, she risks harming people around her – without meaning to.
But dreamslingers are feared. Ever since the catastrophic Great Outburst, where the Royal League of Dreamslingers killed thousands – including Aria’s mother – they’ve been seen as dangerous and unstable. So when the League opens their Annual Royal Slinger Trials to any teen with the genetic gift, fourteen-year-old Aria signs up. She’s desperate to redeem her family’s name after a very public outburst – and determined to infiltrate the League from within and take them down for good.
The trials begin even before she reaches the Kingdom of Royal Hanguk, a dazzling magical world near Seoul. Here, everything is unfamiliar: the dream-bound companions known as dreampanions, enchanted meals that match your mood, the luxury of a personal maid – and something she never expected—real friends.
But as Aria delves deeper into the League and its traditions, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about dreamslingers, her mother’s death, and the true enemy.
Dreamslinger is a fast-paced fantasy about friendship, identity, and the tension between power and control. Aria’s journey from emotional restraint to self-acceptance and empowerment will resonate with teens navigating their own sense of belonging. She’s a relatable protagonist: brave, conflicted, and evolving – both in power and purpose.
With its thrilling twists, vibrant cast, and layered world-building, Dreamslinger will keep readers eagerly turning pages. Fans of magical trials and elite academies will enjoy the echoes of Hogwarts, but this story brings a unique Korean twist with cultural depth and fresh mythology.
Who will want to read Dreamslinger? Although the cover suggests a younger audience (ages 8–12), the 295-page length and emotional complexity make it best suited for ages 10–13. Just right for readers who love fantasy adventures, magic schools, and stories steeped in Korean folklore.
About the Author:
Graci Kim is a former New Zealand diplomat, cooking show host, and entrepreneur who now writes magical, mythology-inspired fiction for young readers. Her first novel, The Last Fallen Star (from the Gifted Clans trilogy, Rick Riordan Presents), became a US bestseller and was selected as a Best Book of 2021 by Indigo and Amazon. The series has been optioned by the Disney Channel for a live-action television adaptation.
ISBN: 978-1-77695-343-1
RRP $24.99 (paperback)
Reviewed by Maria Gill
