The Last Dreamwalker by Rita Woods

Book Description

In the wake of her mother’s passing, Layla Hurley unexpectedly reconnects with her mother’s sisters, women she hasn’t been allowed to speak to, or of, in years.

Her aunts reveal to Layla that a Gullah-Geechee island off the shore of South Carolina now belongs to her. As Layla digs deeper into her mother’s past and the mysterious island’s history, she discovers that the terrifying nightmares that have plagued her throughout her life and tainted her relationship with her mother and all of her family, is actually a power passed down through generations of her Gullah ancestors. She is a Dreamwalker, able to inhabit the dreams of others―and to manipulate them.

As Layla uncovers increasingly dark secrets about her family’s past, she finds herself thrust into the center of a potentially deadly, decades-old feud fought in the dark corridor of dreams.

Review

The Last Dreamwalker by Rita Woods is a captivating fusion of low fantasy and historical fiction. It explores family legacies and the mysterious power of dreams. The story centers on Layla Hurley, who, after the death of her estranged mother, unexpectedly inherits an island off the South Carolina coast. She also learns she has inherited a supernatural talent, passed down through generations of her Gullah-Geechee ancestors, which allows Layla to walk through the dreams of others.

I loved watching the progression of Layla’s journey throughout the narrative. Although she starts the novel feeling utterly alone as an orphan, she meets and learns about her extended family and their close ties to her ancestors. Layla’s journey from being isolated to finding herself surrounded by family is both poignant and empowering.

Another aspect of The Last Dreamwalker that resonated with me was the complicated relationship between Layla and her mother. It’s portrayed with such depth and nuance that anyone who has grown up with a difficult mother will probably find it relatable. Since last week’s review of A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher also featured a complicated mother-daughter relationship, it may be a theme I’m subconsciously reaching for right now.

Like Layla, before I read The Last Dreamwalker, I knew little about the Gullah-Geechee culture. However, Woods uses cultural details to enrich the narrative, setting, and how Layla’s extended family relates to each other. This allows us to learn about the culture along with Layla. One way Woods accomplishes this is by alternating the novel between Layla’s present-day journey and the historical perspective of Gemma, a dreamwalker from the post-Civil War era. This dual timeline enriches the narrative, emphasizing how past traumas and hidden secrets continue to shape the present.

Give Me More

Now, while the idea of dreamwalking is super intriguing, I found the explanation of the magic system too soft. The story left me wanting details.

While I understood Layla didn’t know how her power worked, as she grew her confidence and capability, I would have enjoyed a deeper explanation. Although we got to see accomplished dreamwalkers using their powers, it felt like there were some missing pieces that could have enriched the story.

And let me tell you, the way a malicious dreamwalker could use this power?

Terrifying.

The way Woods conflates dreamwalking, night terrors, and mental illness thrilled me. It made me wonder if we’ve mistaken people with unexplained or uncontrolled magic as having a mental illness.

Overall, I found The Last Dreamwalker a captivating exploration of heritage, power, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters​​​. The book’s rich atmosphere and well-drawn characters are wonderful. It might not be for readers who crave fast-paced reads or hard magic systems. For the rest of us, The Last Dreamwalker is a thought-provoking look at heritage, power, and the intricate bonds that connect generations​​​.

Content Warning

Alcoholism, Death of a Parent, Drowning, Fire, Mental Illness, Self-harm, Slavery, Suicide, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Clint McKoy on Unsplash