I am thrilled to be a part of the Blue is for Nightmares book tour! Check out the full book tour schedule here.
Summary:
Content Warning: Stalker, Murder
I know your secret…
Stacey’s junior year at boarding school isn’t easy. She’s not the most popular girl at school, or the smartest, or the prettiest. She’s got a crush on her best friend’s boyfriend, and an even darker secret that threatens to ruin her friendships for good. And now she’s having nightmares again.
Not just any nightmares – these dreams are too real to ignore like she did three years ago. The last time she ignored them, a little girl died. This time they’re about Drea, her best friend who’s become the target of one seriously psycho stalker. It started with weird e-mails and freaky phone calls.
Now someone’s leaving Drea white lilies – the same death lilies that have been showing up in Stacey’s dreams. Everybody thinks it’s just a twisted game . . . until another girl at school is brutally murdered. There are no witnesses. Worst of all, no one has a perfect alibi. With everyone as a potential suspect, Stacey turns to the one secret weapon she can trust – the folk magic taught to her by her grandmother.
Will Stacey’s magic be strong enough to expose the true killer, or will the killer make her darkest nightmares come true?
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My Thoughts:
Blue is for Nightmares is book one in the Blue is for Nightmares series. I simply adore this series! If you like magic, folklore, high school drama, and mysteries this is the book for you. And once you fall in love, there is a whole series to explore.
Stacey’s nightmares are getting out of control, not only has she developed a bed-wetting problem but she is starting to suspect her best friend and roommate, Drea, may be in danger. Drea does not have any redeeming characteristics, regardless Stacey fights to keep their friendship and Drea alive. I found myself rooting for the stalker at some points because I grew to dislike Drea more and more. Stolarz really nailed the high school drama, which made the relationships of the characters feel realistic.
My favorite element of Blue is for Nightmares is the use of spells. I have read many books that feature some degree of magic, but Stolarz approached the use in a way that feels homey. In the first few pages, Stacey works a spell into a candle in hopes of peaceful dreams. There is not a complex magic system, everything is straightforward with a reasonable rationale. Magic is not a one-shot solution to Stacey’s problems, but instead a way to aid her in solving her problems and the mystery at hand.
The spells and overall practice of witchcraft in Blue is for Nightmares reads in a realistic and believable way. In the spell book edition, readers get a peek into Stolarz writing process which is touched on in an author interview in the back of the book, as well as a spells section. Stolarz explains that she spent a great deal of time researching Wicca, Witchcraft, and home remedies to develop the way Stacey uses Witchcraft. I think this is a shining point of the novel, outside of the clever plot.
Should you read Blue is for Nightmares?
Absolutely! Blue is for Nightmares is the perfect book and series to wind down from the spooky season.
About the Author
Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.
Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz’s titles have been named on various awards list.
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