I rarely struggle to write a book review. Books I love or hate, I will happily share my opinions all about this. But Of Withering Dreams did what I thought was impossible: it amazed me into silence. There have been multiple times I have been staring at a blank screen trying to figure out how to put into words how absolutely brilliant Rowyn Adelaide is. And while I am convinced this book won't do the book justice, it won't stop me from trying.
Every year, Seryn, her family, and everyone within Midst Fall must complete the Dormancy - a magically induced six-month sleep that is supposed to help save resources in their dying world. However, any time they awake from the Dormancy, they have no memories and no dreams. So when she goes to sleep, Seryn does not expect to wake up in a literal dream world. It turns out, that during the six months they are asleep, their astral bodies go to their version of the afterlife - only to have their memories of their time spent there wiped when they go back home. It's supposed to be a paradise, and many treat it as such. However, the longer Seryn is there, the stranger it gets, and it becomes clear nothing is what it seems.
Now the hardest thing about writing this review is my favorite part of it is the Act 3 plot twist I absolutely will not reveal. A single scene, not only answered all of the questions I had reading the book but confirmed I was not crazy for noticing some inconsistencies within the narration of the book. And even that feels like telling you too much. It was amazing how what felt like first-time mistakes turned into something much more interesting and darker, creating what I feel is an entirely new literary device that Rowyn Adelaide is the only expert in.
In addition to a brilliant plot, the worldbuilding was the perfect mix of dream and nightmare. The emphasis on moonstones as what the castle was made out of made it so easy to imagine what it would be like, especially as their shiny iridescent quality is so unique it brings a very specific image to mind. However, the dark aspects of the world also fit in so well.
The mythology of the world was heavily inspired by Greek mythology, but I appreciated the twist that Rowyn Adelaide took with it, so it wasn't a retelling of any of the myths. It gave me a sense of familiarity, especially as I have studied those myths intensely, while also giving me more questions about who they were and how they fit into the world. I have a few theories, and I'm positive one of the Ancients already showed up, but not in the way most people would assume.
Overall, this is a brilliant dark fantasy debut I cannot help but recommend to everyone. The cliffhanger wraps up the arc of the first story well while giving the reader something to look forward to. And I cannot wait to see how the story continues within the next book, as I have a whole notebook's worth of questions that need answering.
Also, just a warning: there are giant spider monsters. So if you're not a spider person, don't say I didn't tell you.
Of Withering Dreams is available for preorder through Amazon and will release on March 20, 2025