“Close your eyes tightly—tightly— and keep them closed . . .”

From a Victorian Ireland of magic, poetry and rebellion, Ida Jameson, an amateur occultist, reaches out for power, but captures Laura Armstrong, a modern-day graphic artist instead. Now, for the man or demon she loves, each woman must span a bridge through Hell and across history . . . or destroy it.

Anchored in fact on both sides of history, Laura and Ida, modern rationalist and fin de siècle occultist, are linked from the moment Ida channels Laura into the body of celebrated beauty and Irish freedom-fighter Maud Gonne. When Laura falls—from an ocean and a hundred years away—passionately, Victorianly in love with the young poet W. B. Yeats, their love affair entwines with Irish history and weaves through Yeats’s poetry until Ida discovers something she wants more than magic in the subterranean spaces in between.

With her Irish past threatening her orderly present and the man she loves in it, Laura and Yeats—the practical materialist and the poet magus—must find a way to make love last over time, in changing bodies, through modern damnation, and into the mythic past to link their pilgrim souls . . . or lose them forever.

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My Rating: ★★★★
Book Details:
Title: In Dreams begin
Author: Skyler White

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Published: November 2010

ISBN #: 978-0425236956

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My Review:
In Dreams Begin is a tale that moves back and forth in time from present day to Victorian Ireland. It is about the lives of three women whose lives are intertwinded,  Laura, Ida, and Maud. Ida Jameson, an occultist accidently channeled present- day Laura through friend and medium Maud.

At first, Laura believed that the visits to the past were nothing more than dreams, as they only happened when she slept. So, while her new husband, Amit was physically in bed with her...her mind travelled through time and inhabited the body of Maud in the past. While on her dream trip, she met W. B. Yeats. The attraction was instant and thus began a star cross love affair. She began to question what was real and what wasn't. Did she love the man in her bed, or the man in her dreams? As a reader, I couldn't help but wonder...was it infidelity to have a relationship ...even if it was metaphysical? Did I judge Laura for it?

After being refused entrance into a theosophical society, her love for Maud, and her control of Laura, Ida's obsession consumed her and she inadvertantly opened the channel for something darker. I think Ida was an interesting character. In some ways, I sympathized with her fustration and kinda liked her for it. Just when she thought her goals were about to be accomplished, they somehow failed to be acheived.. I can relate to that kind of fustration. I think anyone can. Yet, other times... I couldn't stand her. I didn't like her piting herself and abusing her friendships. I think her choices made her ugly and in some sense evil.

The men of this tale added an interesting element. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Yeats. All the sacrifices he made for his love. I don't think I could be that generous or that patient. I don't know how I felt about Amit. At first, I felt sorry for him, but towards the end...I just didn't know. Some things I didn't like...and yet, for a moment, I thought he redeemed himself. In truth, I think his situation with Ida confused me. From the moment, she revealed herself to him, to the end of the story...it made me think, but it was more of a "What the hell was that all about?"

Overall, the author created a thought provoking and compelling tale that blends historical fact, the magic of mythology and folklore, and the power of love, faith, and dreams. Skyler White's artistic writing style flows off the pages and embeds into the mind and hearts of its reader. The story taunts them with those linger thoughts and questions.  Is there really such thing as soul mates. Can a soul be possess? Does love cross all boundries? etc... Like the previous book, and Falling fly, this book is a thinker.

Cover Art:
I like the fact that the cover is simplistic, yet thematic. It has a very historical and gothic look to it, with just enough modern day appeal. I like the earth colors...almost like it adds an agelike quality to the image. Once again the title is unigue...has a poetic feel to it.

Disclosure: I received this book courtesy of Skyler White for an honest review.