I didn’t read the summary of what this book is about, so going into it, I thought it was going to be something of a paranormal nature. Surprisingly, it wasn’t what I expected at all, but at the end of the day it was such an unexpectedly beautiful and heartwarming story, I wasn’t sad at all about it not being anything paranormal. “Dream Smashers” tells an uplifting story of a teen having to deal with a drug-addict mother and life in a neighborhood where drugs are rife. The author doesn’t cut any corners in bringing this gritty, harsh and shocking reality to life, and spares the reader no sugarcoating in describing Autumn’s mother, Jacinda, in every horrid little detail of what years of drug abuse has done to her physically and mentally. Even the secondary characters each have a story to tell, and none of them live a perfect life. The story has a rather morbid feel to it, and the actions and dialogue of the characters sometimes took my breath away with the author’s no-holds-barred approach in keeping it as realistic as possible. “Dream Smashers” can easily be slotted into the Christian fiction category, but constant use of the f-bomb in the dialogue of some characters will be sure to step on some toes. There’s a definite and deliberate message to this story, one that is sure to inspire, and at the same time warn teens to the dangers of drug use and how it can ruin one’s life.All in all this was a fantastic read. I finished it in less than two days and will definitely read more of this author’s books. Great job! This is my first negative review and I feel terrible to give it. But the author did ask readers to review at the end of the book and don't feel right not being honest.I didn't like the dialogue, it wasn't realistic. The story was preachy. The lack of sexual tension was pathetic, they were 17, or at least one of them was. When Autumn and Evan kiss and Rainy laughs like she's 7, I wanted to hurl, because she's a stoner who hooks up with older guys that are murderers and probably rapists.I knew more about drug and alcohol addiction when I was 10, and not from personal experience, it's just common knowledge these days. And where did the mum get the money from? Meth and all her other vices aren't cheap. Once she prostituted herself out for a hit, but what's with the friend who gives it to her for free all the time? Completely unrealistic.I agree with what another reviewer wrote, I really wanted to like this story, but mostly I just couldn't wait for it to be over.
What do You think about Dream Smashers (2011)?
This was one weird book. A whole lot of cussing mixed in with mega Christian overtones.
—britny
I wanted to like this...but I couldn't even finish it...
—debonkz
