The Dream Runners

April 25, 2022
Thakrar (Star Daughter) draws upon Hindu mythology in this richly detailed standalone fantasy. Abducted from the mortal world at age 10, Tanvi is spirited away to the kingdom of Nagalok to serve its dream-eating, serpentine inhabitants, called naga. Along with other captive mortals, Tanvi, now 17, emerges from Nagalok’s subterranean realm under cover of night to harvest dreams from sleeping humans. She delivers them to naga dream broker Lord Nayan and his mortal apprentice, 18-year-old Venkat, whose wares fetch a high price—to live, dreamless naga must consume nocturnal visions, and the heightened emotions within them. As a dream runner, Tanvi’s memories of her previous life are erased, until a harvest gone awry recalls disturbing images of her past. Struggling with her memories and reeling from the realization that fellow dream runners have vanished, Tanvi seeks out Venkat, her only mortal confidante. As secrets of the realm unfurl, the duo, both of whom have brown skin and implied Indian heritage, must wake up to the developing nightmare as war brews beyond Nagalok’s borders. Though the pacing’s lack of urgency lowers the stakes, multifaceted characters, a splash of romance, and complex, intriguing worldbuilding deliver an engaging fantasy read. Ages 13–up. Agent: Beth Phelan, Gallt and Zacker Literary.

May 1, 2022
Ever since the serpentine nagas fled Prithvi, the human world, to escape from the eaglelike garudas, they've used stolen dreams to satisfy their craving for mortal experiences. Seventeen-year-old Tanvi, who is Indian American, was only a child when she was spirited away to Nagalok, a world influenced by Hindu mythology. In exchange for forgetting her most painful memories, she became a dream runner. Each night, she travels to Prithvi to harvest dreams that are sold to naga nobility. The promise of a wish-granting boon, earned according to the quality of the dreams, ensures that Tanvi and her fellow runners remain adequately motivated. Presiding over them is Venkat, a human boy with a rare dreamsmithing ability, who is the adopted son of the naga court historian. Though his role only requires him to assess dreams and parcel out boons, Venkat can't help feeling concern for the runners, who all eventually suffer burnout. When Tanvi begins behaving oddly, Venkat worries that she has also reached her limit. But the truth is worse: Tanvi is dreaming during her sleep, something no runner should be able to do. The central mystery unfolds in careful layers amid evocative descriptions of Nagalok's wonders. As the darkness beneath the opulence reveals itself and the threat of garuda invasion intensifies, Venkat and Tanvi must choose between comforting illusions and unpleasant truths in order to save themselves and those they love. A lush fantasy. (Fantasy. 13-18)

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