Jonathan: Prince of Dreams by Alesa Corrin

Alesa Corrin

Author

Jonathan: Prince of Dreams

Seventeen-year-old Jonathan He'klarr is your average teenage boy to the casual observer. But unlike the average teenager, he hides horrible burdens: his mother was killed when he was a toddler, his grief-stricken father became a drunk, and the school bully, Garrett, seems to be much more sadistic than anyone could have ever expected. Soon Jonathan finds himself at the center of mysterious happenings, and when a frying pan to the head sends him to a place he has only read about, a place made of all dreams past, present, and future, he is astonished to learn that he is a Griffin; capable of transforming into one at will. In fact, Jonathan is more than a Griffin—he is destined to rule and protect The Land of Dreams as next in a powerful line of Griffin-Kings. But accepting his role as King will prove a difficult task, as Jonathan must learn how to fly, how to wield a sword, how to defeat the nightmarish Rankers that are wreaking havoc on the world, and above all, how to believe in himself and his abilities.

Reviews

Corrin’s debut is an action-packed coming-of-age story. Reeling from his mother’s tragic death and his alcoholic father’s abuse, teenager Jonathan He’klarr tries to escape his demons on his high school’s football field, but his dizzying dreams are his only true escape. When an accident knocks him out, he is catapulted into the world of those dreams, where he discovers not only that he can transform into a griffin, but that he’s destined to become the next griffin king. Jonathan has a lot to learn and must do so quickly: Even as he’s plunged into the “Land of Dreams,” our real world is set upon by dark entities known as Rankers, creatures “born of nightmares and sinister thoughts” who manipulate humans to enact their darkest desires.

This rollicking fantasy moves at a swift pace, and readers will appreciate Jonathan’s believable bewilderment at his predicament and his sarcastic sense of humor (“‘Listen, Socrates,’ I snapped, ‘I would love to have some long, philosophical discussion with you about life and death and humanity and crap, but I’m kind of losing my mind right now, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to try and find a phone.’”) Likewise, his traumatic past gives the tale depth, especially when the Rankers try to use it against him; readers will cheer Jonathan on in hopes that he will overcome it.

Some odd extraneous elements (such as griffins riding surfboards) and a familiar quest plot may give pause to seasoned fans of the genre. However, Corrin more than makes up for some standard issue plotting with her varied cast of characters, some of which will leave a lasting mark. The Rankers in particular boast both portentous origins and otherworldly, evil powers. This intense and vivid fantasy will win the hearts of readers who crave mystical worlds, danger, and adventure.

Takeaway: This intense, character-rich fantasy finds a teen taking on a dream world to save our real one.

Great for fans of: Parris Sheets’s Warden’s Reign, Barbara Kloss’s Gaia’s Secret.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B+

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