Nightmare Academy

September 3, 2007
In Lorey's debut, 13-year-old Charlie has nightmares, during which terrible things happen in the real world. The teen, it turns out, has the ability to open portals to the Netherworld, through which vicious monsters can travel. When a beast attacks Charlie's family, they are rescued by a cowboy named Rex and a team of "Nethermancers." Charlie is whisked away to the Nightmare Academy, where he learns to control his powerful skill. However, he accidentally releases a powerful monster called Barakkas, who kidnaps Charlie's parents, and Charlie and his friends must attempt a rescue. Lorey deftly blends the comic with the suspenseful, and has created a solid premise, as well as a compelling hero in Charlie. (Nearly friendless growing up, Charlie's exceptional talents set him apart at the Academy as well: "He'd spent his entire life feeling like an outcast, but now that he was in a place full of kids just like him, the last thing he wanted was to hear how different he was.") A fast-paced and exciting read for kids in search of a comedic fantasy fix. Ages 10-up.

December 1, 2007
Gr 3-6-A powerful boy who doesn't understand his strength, Charlie Benjamin is whisked off to a school where he learns that he is not alone in his ability to summon evil creatures in his nightmares, leaving them vulnerable to attack, but is stronger than most with that gift. At the academy, an awkward, overconfident boy and a charming, bookish girl become his sidekicks in battles with powerful monsters from the Netherworld. Four full-page, intricate black-and-white pencil drawings illustrate the tensest action in the novel, adding some spooky charm. The endpapers are illustrated in a similar style and provide a visual of the five rings of the Netherworld. "Nightmare" is somewhat predictable, and its similarities to the early stories in a certain young wizard's tale are not subtle, although the type of magic and the setting are different. While the cover and summary may draw in reluctant readers, they might not be as easily sucked in by the lackluster writing, two-dimensional characters, or predictable action."Sharon Senser McKellar, Oakland Public Library, CA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2008
In Lorey's debut, 13-year-old Charlie has nightmares, during which terrible things happen in the real world. The teen, it turns out, has the ability to open portals to the Netherworld, through which vicious monsters can travel. When a beast attacks Charlie's family, they are rescued by a cowboy named Rex and a team of "Nethermancers." Charlie is whisked away to the Nightmare Academy, where he learns to control his powerful skill. However, he accidentally releases a powerful monster called Barakkas, who kidnaps Charlie's parents, and Charlie and his friends must attempt a rescue. Lorey deftly blends the comic with the suspenseful, and has created a solid premise, as well as a compelling hero in Charlie. (Nearly friendless growing up, Charlie's exceptional talents set him apart at the Academy as well: "He'd spent his entire life feeling like an outcast, but now that he was in a place full of kids just like him, the last thing he wanted was to hear how different he was.") A fast-paced and exciting read for kids in search of a comedic fantasy fix. Ages 10-up.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.