Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Books Set in/Take Place During X
I’m choosing books set in the dream realm for today’s topic. The distinction for me with “dream realm” is that they are not portals to an alternate world, but rather a place where you can only go with your mind, ie. your body does not follow.
Having said that, I haven’t read some of the books below (and some I read a while ago and might have forgotten details) so I can’t be 100% sure if they fit the criteria. I’ve added them here based on their book descriptions, what others have said about them, and other non-spoilery info. If you’ve read them and you think I’m wrong, feel free to let me know!
Top Ten Books Set in the Dream Realm
- The Mask of Mirrors by M.A. Carrick – This series has one of the best world-building and magical lore. Most of it relates to card divination but it also includes navigating the spiritual realm. It needs a reread!
- The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo – This is one of my favorite books that I’ve talked a lot about. A big part of the story has the FMC’s body sick and unconscious and her spirit spending a lot of time in the underworld.
- Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan – A recent favorite, but interesting enough, it also has the FMC sick and I’m assuming in a coma, while her consciousness is in another world.
- Super Powered by Drew Hayes – This is a series featuring super powered young adults. One of them has the ability to go into people’s dreams and influence them that way. I loved the series, it was so much fun!
- Doctor Sleep by Stephen King – The sequel to The Shining, it follows a now-adult Dan. Dan and another one of the MCs, Abra, communicate through dreams. One of my favorites from the King.
- The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin – I have heard much about this book but haven’t read it. It’s a scifi story where the MC’s dreams can affect reality. Definitely adding to my TBR.
- Dreamfall by Amy Plum – This is a thriller/horror where the MCs participate in some kind of sleep study and end up stuck in the dream together. It sounds so good!
- Dreamology by Lucy Keating – This is a romance where the two MCs dream about each other all the time, but one day they meet and realize the other person is real! I’m intrigued!
- Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente – I’ve only read one book by the author but loved it. This one is about a world that you can only access through dreams, but you have to sleep with someone who’s already been there.
- Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor – Dreams choose the dreamer in this book. I had this on my TBR but forgot all about it. Now it’s back on my radar!
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
I didn’t realize there were so many books that take place in a dream world! I have herd of a few of these though so now I’m reminded I need to read about these agin. 🙂
I hope you do! Some of these are really good!
C read Strange the Dreamer and Long Live Evil is on my TBR somewhere.
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2025/07/22/top-ten-tuesday-books-set-in-a-small-town/
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Long Live Evil! I hope you do too!
It’s been sooo long since I read Palimpsest, but now I’m suddenly curious what I’d think of it now. 🤔 It’s the one which mentions a children’s book, The Girl Who Circumnavigated the World in a Ship of Her Own Making that Valente actually later wrote and which I love, after all!
That sounds interesting! I’ve only read one of her books and I thought it was so trippy and weird and I loved it!
I haven’t read any of these, nor do I think I’ve read any books set within the realm of dreams. It’s an interesting concept.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/visit-toronto-ten-books-set-in-the-greater-toronto-area/
Yes, I do love the idea.
What a wonderful theme. I have been on the fence about Mask of Mirrors, but if it involves the Dreaming, I am all for it.
It’s one of my recent favorites! I hope you enjoy it too!
You have chosen a unique setting indeed! Thank you!
Thank you!!
Wow, this is such a creative idea! Strange the Dreamer has been on my list for ages now, but I’ll have to check out Dreamology. It sounds amazing!
Sadly, I wasn’t as creative and decided to do a previous prompt instead of this week’s. If you’d like to visit, here’s my TTT: https://thebooklorefairyreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/21/top-ten-tuesday-most-anticipated-books-releasing-in-the-second-half-of-2025/
It does! I’m looking forward to reading it too!
Ooo great topic!!
Thank you!
Ooh wow, I love how unique and creative this topic is! 😍 I loved Strange the Dreamer but still need to finish the duology, but I also have Dreamology and Mask of Mirrors on my TBR. I didn’t realise Mask of Mirrors was set in a dream world (I also completely forgot the synopsis, lol) but that does make me more excited to read it! Great post 🙂
Mask of Mirrors is only partially set in the dream world, I hope I don’t misrepresent it, but it’s great and I hope you love it as much as I do!
I really should read The Ghost Bride sometime.
I hope you do and that you enjoy it!
These all sound like great reads. I’ll have to check them out. Good list!
My TTT
Thank you!
This is a very clever twist on the topic! I’m going to have to check these books out.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
Thank you! I love yours too!
oh a dream realm is a fun twist! My TTT
Thank you!
Intriguing topic for today!
Thank you!
Dream Realm is such a wonderful idea! I did books set in Michigan lol https://bibliophilebree.blogspot.com/2025/07/top-ten-tuesday-set-in-michigan.html
Thank you! I really like your list too!
I’ve only read The Ghost Bride from your list this week, but I really want to get to the Superpowerds series one of these days. Great pick for the theme!
The Super Powered are just pure fun! I love them!
Great location choice. These are all new to me. Happy reading!
Thank you!