The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, Volume One

I loved this book! I could not put it down; found myself staying up and reading to 2 am and finally closing the book because I couldn't see straight any longer and had to go to sleep. Go ahead and buy the two together as you will not want to wait for the 2nd book to arrive once you have finished the first. There is a lot of action (non-stop action) with good guys, bad guys, and good bad guys. The story is set in the Victorian era. It was enchanting to experience steam locomotives and dirigibles. Just an amazing story! I will be looking for more from Gordon Dahlquist.

Well, my title says it all. Or you can view some Hieronymus Bosch paintings, any one of which will tell you a lot about this atmospheric novel--a ravaging, breathtaking, original tale splendidly realized and thunderously paced (Vol. 2 is somewhat slower). Besides being a decidedly twisted pseudo-Victorian rework of the myths of Persephone, of the labyrinth and its Minotaur, and of the Fall, this novel also explores, via extended metaphor, the dangerous, sometimes all-consuming, symbiotic relation of (1) an author to his work and (2) a reader to same. The "heroes" are well fleshed (some down to the bones), quirky, and engaging; the villains are liberated in varying degrees from clichés. Names are always portents, and definitely so in this work. Don't enquire too closely about the "science" that moves the action in this work; remember, we're dealing with metaphor here, not SF. The first part, detailing the heroine's descent, by turbulent degrees, into the lurid depravity of Harshmort's (what a name!) world-within-a-world is disturbing but riveting, compelling the reader to travel with her from the moment she passes her "coin" (the railway ticket) to the modern Charon (a.k.a. the conductor). I will say no more, lest I give anything away from this cornucopia of sensation and incident.

I read the original, hardcover edition of this book. The story grabbed me and would not let go. Another reviewer wrote that they found the second half of the book (so Volume 2) to be slow and dull as the three characters race down countless hallways and up endless spiral staircases, but I disagree. The second part was even more thrilling than the first, as Svensen and Chang make their way to the mansion (a converted prison, hence the reason it's so large) to stop the cabal and save Miss Temple. Another reviewer wrote that this book is not for everyone, and I guess I would agree that it just depends on the reader, because to me the entire book (Volumes 1 & 2) was like getting injected with adrenaline and then going white water rafting, only on a river of volcanic lava. Or something like that! It was exciting!! Look, for full disclosure -- I am actually friends with Gordon Dahlquist. I go fencing with him on weekends (with swords! Here's him kicking my butt: [...]. So I'll cop to being slightly biased, but I DID really love The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, and found it very hard to put down.

It's a great steampunk adventure in a slightly parallel Victorian universe. The story rockets along and the protagonists are interesting, compelling, and sympathetic. I can't wait to get my hands on the next novels in the series.

I really enjoyed this novel and am eagerly awaiting the release of The Dark Volume. I read the hardback edition which is 760 pages long and contains both volumes one and two in the paperback editions. Understandably this seems to have caused a bit of confusion with some of the reviewers. Dahlquist's style is unconventional and the first dozen pages was a bit challenging but once I got into the story I found that I had difficulty putting it down. I can understand the negative reviews. This is not a book for everyone. First of all it is dark and erotic. Secondly it takes place in the 19th century in an unidentified location populated by characters with strange and exotic names :Comte d'Orkancz, Francis Xonck, and Contessa Lacquer-Sforza to name a few who come from countries like Macklenburg that do not exist. Thirdly the story revolves around The Process from which the title derives. Think erotic Victorian sci-fi fantasy!! It is filled with unusual and unforgettable characters caught in a real spider-web of a conspiracy. If you like a simple straight forward story, that is easily understood and offers a predictable plot line then stay away!! In some ways it is like an old-fashioned serial with the heros escaping the villains just when all hope is lost. The best comparison I can make is Anne Rice's vampire chronicles. This is Dahlquist's first novel and I am predicting he will write many more. I, for one, am looking forward to the ride!