Dreamland

Reader reviewed by Randi

I really loved this book. Not only did I relate to it but I so into it i cried. Aftr her sister takes off life kind of goes crazy for her. The abusive relationship this teenagr girl is stuck in and can't seem to brake free of is touching. The only time she can feel safe is during intercourse becaus anyother time he might just strike her for no apparent reason. She starts to drift away from her family and friends until he dosn't evn allow her to spend time with her friends because she has to be with him. I literally readt his book in 2 hours becaus i had to see what was going to happen next. It's a wonderful novel and a must read.

Reader reviewed by Tia

This was a very good book. I got sort of frusterated at Catlin the main character, but I really do like her!

Catlin's sister Cass is perfect and when Cass leaves, Catlin's mom takes over Catlins life. Can Catlin walk in Cass's footsteps? When Catlin meets Rodgerson everything changes. She loves him. But what happens when he hurts her?

Reader reviewed by tricia

caitlin wants to meet someone who isn't normal. she's tired of being in her runaway sisters shadows. Then she meets Rogerson, the perfect bad boy to put some spice in her life. Well be careful for what you look for!! Rogerson isn't what he's cracked up to be.

Reader reviewed by Amanda Marasco

Caitlin doesn't want to be safe. She doesn't want the "perfect, football playing" boyfriend. She wants someone different, someone like Rogerson. Rogerson has a sad background but that doesn't make him a bad guy right? WRONG. Rogerson is a very bad guy. Rogerson is bad from the moment he hits Caitlin for the first time.

This book was really touching. The subject of abuse is really hard to write about and i think Sarah Dessen grasps it well. The only thing that annoyed me was that NO ONE noticed the physical and mental changes in Caitlin. How likely is that?

You should buy this the next time you go to the book store!

Reader reviewed by Syl

I thought Dreamland portrayed the emotion and physical effects of abusive relationships very aptly. They are no joke. Like Caitlin, you find it hard to leave your abuser because you love them so much. Rogerson had problems at home with his dad. But that doesn't warrant the abuse he gives to Caitlin.
Today, more and more stories of relationships that turned fatal are appearing on the news. Just recently, in my town, a women was murdered by her ex-husband in front of her young child. It sickens me that someone takes advantage over another person just because they are weak. I urge you, that if you or anyone you know is involved in an abusive relation, to please get help before it's too late.

Reader reviewed by Katie

Once again, Sarah Dessen does it. Manages to find her way into the teenage mind. She portrays the struggles of a girl caught in her "perfect" sister's wake. I feel myself as I'm reading through her books thinking "Wow, I've felt this EXACT same way before."

Sarah Dessen is personally my favorite author. She always manages to relate you to her books, and draws the reader in. This book wasn't her best, because even though I'm a huge fan I struggled getting into it at first. But, my personal advice would be to stick it out, near the end is where you'll really love it. I read it in about 4 days, and the last 100 pages in about an hour. So, even though it wasn't her best, I would definitely say that it's worth the read, as are all her other books.

Reader reviewed by Hillary

Caitlin has always lived in her sister's shadow. But now her sister just ran away and now she's the center of her parents' attention. Then she meets Rogerson. He's interesting and so unlike any one else that Caitlin has ever know. She falls for him...completely. But then when things start to get bad she just can't leave him. How dangerous will this get? Will she ever leave him?

Dreamland was written by Sarah Dessen...aka the god of all good books about normal girls that I can totally connect with. She's amazing. And so is this book. It's my favorite one that she wrote. I love it. Sarah Dessen is definitely one of my favorite authors. She rocks...READ ALL HER BOOKS! You'll love yourself for doing it.

I totally could understand Caitlin and even though Rogerson was such an awful guy I was totally with her in the whole don't leave him thing. I guess I'm a bad reader (I'm endangering the characters!)...but I just thought he sounded so great except the bad-ness of what he did...ahh, now I feel bad. It feels so real, like it's about a real person that you know. Gosh, I love this book! I'm getting even more obsessed now! And...READ IT!

Reader reviewed by Jax

Sarah Dessen has a gift for getting into the teenage mind.

One of my favorite books, Dreamland, tells the story of a girl who is still finding herself, and through the help of a very strange and influential boy, ends up doing just that.

The book tells of a relationship that is not so uncommon in society today, one where the male is dominant and the female is often scared. One where many things, including drugs and sex and violence, occur. A definate eye opener for anyone who is in a relationship of this sort, to get out, and get out now. Deeply written to speak to even the happiest of people in a dark but rewarding way.

Reader reviewed by Kate

This is the first book I read by Sarah Dessen. Though I'm older now, I still don't regret reading it a younger age-- it truly and really opened my eyes to another side of the world.

In the book, Caitlin is abused by her boyfriend, Rogerson. She hides this fact from everyone, especially when her family is consumed with her older sister's running away. The first time I read this, I don't think I really grasped the concept of why Caitlin couldn't just leave her boyfriend and get help. Now, reading it again, I realize that it isn't so easy.

Though this book is much different from Sarah's others, it still has her beautiful, well-written style and flair. Sarah captures the teenage girl voice better than any author I have found. Each of her books has many lessons to be taken away-- but this book especially. From this I learned that people are not always what they seem, and promises are not always fulfilled. Caitlin's voice was one that gave me chills as I was reading, even after multiple reads. The suspense and guessing is flawless-- just enough to keep the reader wanting more. Though Caitlin's future is uncertain by the end of the story, she is a character that you will continue to wonder about and hope for. Her story is like so many others that it is hard to turn away without feeling compassion and sympathy. Becoming strong and knowing your limits are all connected, which Caitlin learns.

I loved this book. I would recommend it to anyone.

Reader reviewed by abscae

I absolutely love Sarah Dessen's work, but her later novels have become more about romance than about true self development and finding yourself. That's why, while reading this novel, when I was immersed in Dessen's powerful words, I truly smiled at every little discovery Caitlin came across, because in some way, I learned those lessons through the words as well. I felt emotion, so powerful it made me smile that smile that I reserve for special occasions; so powerful it made me wonder, feel, think, and let my heart wander.

This is a truly compelling novel. And it's a must read.