It's been a while since I've read a book written in the first person present tense and I have to say it was a bit of an adjustment. But once I got over that (and it didn't take long), this book captured me. Choosing to write her book in this way means that the author put me right in the thick of things...experiencing the action in real time. Katriona (Kate) Wilde has been having recurring dreams for 6 years about a specific place and a specific man. These dreams are filled with love but also all manner of scary situations including death. No one except her sister thinks it's anything more than a dream. That is, until she, her sister and her best friend manage to pass through a portal and into the exact location of her dreams. 
 Encardia, the world created by the author, and the place that Kate finds herself in, has depth and color (although you may find this a strange analogy when you read the book). It's painted so vividly that I could easily imagine myself in this world and living amongst these people. The dangers felt real and the relationships were natural and easy to believe. Even in the face of the state of their world, the inhabitants of this land make rooting for them a foregone conclusion for the reader. 
 I loved the characters in this book. These are people I could surround myself with...well, most of them anyway! Kate, who was a rather naive character in the beginning of the story, turns out to be a true hero willing to put herself on the front lines and fight the evil that has taken over Encardia. And, even as she learns of all the lies and the information that has been kept from her, she maintains her strength and stays the course. Arland, the sexy man from Kate's dreams, is...well...just that! He's confident and gallant. He leads his people with strength and kindness, a kind warrior. Brad is Kate's best friend and he has a secret that affects the story greatly. My favorite secondary character was Flanna. She's Arland's cousin and becomes Kate's friend and confidante in this new world. She's funny and sassy...a great combination. 
 The story has everything. There's love, betrayal, friendship and evil at play. The task at hand, Kate's destiny, seems almost insurmountable yet because of the connection I felt with the characters, I was left believing anything is possible. And I love when a book does that to me. 
 Although there was one specific plot twist that felt a bit jarring for me and a slow down in pace in the middle of the book, the author's writing style and fantastic characters kept me turning the pages. The cliffhanger at the end promises more adventures to come and left me wanting more. Overall, this is a really good read. You can't pick it up until next week but I definitely recommend that you do!