The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: Maybe The Dream Knows What Is Real by Steve Grogan

Author: Steve Grogan
Release Date: 24th June 2018
Genre: Horror, short story, dark
Series: 
Edition: E-book
Pages: 61
Publisher: Self-Published
Blurb:
He was lost, directionless, unable to find his identity.
He thought he found it in her, which was good because he was teetering on the edge of madness.
She had no way of knowing her actions would push him over the edge.

This is a story about the dangers of depending on others to give you a sense of self-worth, taken to the extreme. It is a graphic, dark story not meant for the faint of heart. The graphic content makes up only 15% of the prose, but it is some of the most harrowing writing ever committed to page.

Steve Grogan has published several collections of poetry and short stories. This is his first story of extended length to be published.

REVIEW

★★+1/2

Maybe The Dream Knows What Is Real by Steve Grogan is a unique little book which is sure to make you squirm in your seat no matter how big your appetite for dark violence is. This book is a quick read which will make you feel unsettle and uncomfortable with a story and a character as unique as the book’s name.

I liked the book, even though I felt a bit queasy while reading it, but I would have enjoyed it more had the main character been developed a tad more. The story was okay but the characterization compromised the plot because it was a character-driven story which needed a very strong lead. Still, I won’t write it off only based on characterization because it was a short story and not a full-length novel.

If you have a stomach for violence and if you are okay being uncomfortable then go ahead and give this book a read.

You can also read this review on Goodreads and Amazon

I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
September 2019
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: Throwing Shade (Magic After Midlife Book 1) by Deborah Wilde

    Book Details: Author: Deborah WildeRelease Date: 15 March 2021Series: Magic After Midlife (Book 1 of 7)Genre: Women’s Fantasy, Paranormal Urban Fantasy, Humour, Jewish FolkloreFormat: E-book Pages: 342 pagesPublisher: Te Da Media Inc.Blurb:Middle-aged. Divorced. Hormonally imbalanced. Then she got…

  • Book Review: The Keyholder: A Novel of Byzantine Constantinopleby S. Kallistos

    Book Details: Author: S. Kallistos Release Date: 21 March 2026Series: Genre: Historical FictionFormat: E-book Pages: 122 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:Constantinople, 843 AD. The Iconoclasm is over. The icons have been restored, the Empress Theodora rules as regent, and the empire breathes…

  • Book Spotlight: Constants by E.B. Miller

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring E.B. Miller for their latest release, Constants. Book: ConstantsAuthor: E.B. MillerPublication Date: 5 July 2026Publisher: Evil Eye PublishingPages: 286Genre: Literary Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Real-Time Multiverse MysteryAvailable in:…

  • Book Review: The Vegetarian by Han Kang

    Book Details: Author: Han KangRelease Date: 5th November 2015Series: Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Horror, PhilosophicalFormat: E-book Pages: 192 pagesPublisher: Portobello BooksBlurb:WINNER OF THE 2024 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE ‘A strange, painfully tender exploration…

  • Book Spotlight: The Awakening — Book 1 of The Sleeping King Trilogy by John Hempstock

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring John Hempstock for their latest release, The Awakening — Book 1 of The Sleeping King Trilogy. Book: The Awakening — Book 1 of The Sleeping King Trilogy by John HempstockAuthor: John HempstockPublication Date: 2026Publisher: John HempstockPages:…