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: Family Matters (The Island Expats #3) by Deb McEwan

    Book Details: Author: Deb McEwanRelease Date: 7th August 2021Genre: Cozy MysterySeries: The Island Expats (Book #3)Format: E-book Pages: 112 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:A troubled daughter. A heinous crime. A vengeful woman.When Matt’s daughter, Kayleigh takes a job in Souvia to escape her abusive ex, she’s…

  • Book Review: The Tribunals by David Spivak

    Book Details: Author: David SpivakRelease Date: 28th April 2021Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Young AdultSeries: Format: E-book Pages: 222 pagesPublisher: New Degree PressBlurb:“Justice is about all of us.” New Boston was born out of a series of nuclear wars after the devastating results of climate change…

  • Book Review: Bondu and Beyond (The Island Expats #2) by Deb McEwan

    Book Details: Author: Deb McEwanRelease Date: 28th May 2021Genre: Cozy MysterySeries: The Island Expats (Book #2)Format: E-book Pages: 132 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:A new life. A shocking discovery. A missing woman.When Jenny the rescue dog finds more than she bargained for in the Souvian countryside…

  • Book Review: New Beginnings (The Island Expats #1) by Deb McEwan

    Book Details: Author: Deb McEwanRelease Date: 29th May 2021Genre: Cozy MysterySeries: The Island Expats (Book #1)Format: E-book Pages: 114 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:A chance meeting. A Mediterranean island. A dead body. When damaged ex-detective Matt Elliott stops to help a stranger in the drizzly English weather…

  • ARC Review: Cenotaphs by Rich Marcello

    Book Details: Author: Rich MarcelloRelease Date: 26th July 2021Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Slice-Of-Life, Literary Fiction, RomanceSeries:Format: E-book Pages: 200 pagesPublisher: Moonshine Cove PublishingBlurb:AFTER A CHANCE MEETING, AN OLD MAN AND A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN CHART AN UNCONVENTIONAL PATH FORWARD.When Ben Sanna, a contemplative retiree with…