The Vault of Dreamers

Vault of Dreamers Series # 1

By: Caragh M. O'Brien

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success: every moment of the students' lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students' schedule includes twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first-year student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras in the school. What's worse is, she starts to notice that the ridges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding - and what it truly means to dream there.

©2014 Caragh M. O’Brien (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The plot is fast paced at the beginning and end." ( School Library Journal)

Clever

This was clever, well written, and compelling. I'm very interested to see where things go in the next book. I didn't anticipate it being a YA book when I started it, but I think it plays well to audiences of every age.

Interesting and then meh

I wanted to like it more but the ending was just too ridiculous. In the end I was just reading to finish

Good concept

Very interesting concept, I think the plot needed more development and it would have been more believable if it were set in college rather than highschool.

A must listen

Very good story, a little long winded and lots of background but the last 30 minutes are amazing.

Amazingly chilling

For some reason I am very interested in plots about living in a virtual world and reality TV. This book takes you inside p reality show and you get a little romance. Be aware,towards the end it is in my opinion not for those under 14. The ending made me buy the second book at once. Nearing the end of that one I am thrilled the last book will be out this month. The plot is as unique as “The program” and “Everlife”. Unlike those where book one rocked, while the next sucked. This book is amazing and book too equally awesome.

For high schoolers?

this was recommended to me by a 30 something but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I were in high school.

Lot of talking heads

Something that almost immediately made me want to put this book down in the sheer amount of talking heads. there is nothing but "he said" "I said" "he said" I said" over and over and its very boring when the characters are just sitting in class. It also takes away all the suspense of someone being backed into a corner and they whip out ""You're a monster!" I said." It really took me out of the book and I struggled to get back into the moment.

The main character is really old and young at the same time. She does and conceives things that I would have never been able to at 16 years old because of her maturity BUT jumps to conclusions like a 10 year old and then is confused when others get upset with her or when things dont go the way she expected.

I wont spoil the end but overall, I did like the book and at the end of the day, I did buy the 2nd of the series. I like the creativity that went into story in regards to how long we as the reader are kept in suspense as to whether or not we have a reliable narrator. The author did a good job of making my question my own opinion of what was happening via the main characters evidence or lack there of.

Interesting premise best suited for YA readers

This is a story about a young girl, "Rosie" who attends a private boarding school for the arts. As a fun twist, the students are filmed and their time at the school is a popular 'reality' show. Apparently, there will be "winners" at the end of their tenure at school.

The students are given sleeping pills at night to make sure that they get enough sleep to fuel their creativity. She decides not to take her pill and discovers some disturbing activities going on in the night. The rest of the book is about her journey to find out what is happening.

I love this genre. This book has so much promise and the prose is beautifully written: BUT, it is told in first person, from Rosie's perspective. She supposedly came from an lower socioeconomic class, her parents home is a "boxcar". Her Mom and Dad are un-educated and hold dead end jobs. Her Step Dad hits her when he is frustrated. Rosie's vocabulary was way out of context with that background. She uses terms like "we worked together companionably' " Where did Boxcar Girl get that high dollar vocabulary? I don't buy it. Then when she addresses her Mom she slips into blue collar mode calling her "Ma".

Her "art" is filmmaking at which she seems to have no talent whatsoever. Compared to the other students, I don't buy her getting into this program, especially as a scholarship student. Boxcar Girl should stand out from the other Forge students in vocab, dress, culture etc. But she seems to fit in fine. She says that this opportunity is her best chance for her future. She wants to stay with the program, but she can't stay in bed at night. If it is so creepy then leave. Or at least have the consideration to clue your friends in as they may be in danger.

As the story progresses, she makes choices that put her in danger, eventually she does not have a lick of sense.

The end was tied together sloppily. Are they going to kick her out or not? Why have the meeting with the Board of Trustees if the Dean wants her to stay. Is it a sham? Is it real? What about the voice in her head? What is up with that. Make us believe it, give us more details. I wanted something richer, something more.
At last, I did get a hint of what I was looking for in the last few lines. If you are still listening at that point the "twist" at the very end was awesome. I wish the rest of the book was that gripping. Maybe I am to old for YA.