Dealing in Dreams
The Outsiders meets Mad Max: Fury Road in this fast-paced dystopian novel about sisterhood and the cruel choices people are forced to make in order to survive.
At night, Las Mal Criadas own these streets.
Sixteen-year-old Nalah leads the fiercest all-girl crew in Mega City. That role brings with it violent throwdowns and access to the hottest boydega clubs, but Nalah quickly grows weary of her questionable lifestyle. Her dream is to get off the streets and make a home in the exclusive Mega Towers, in which only a chosen few get to live. To make it to the Mega Towers, Nalah must prove her loyalty to the city’s benevolent founder and cross the border in a search of the mysterious gang the Ashé Ryders. Led by a reluctant guide, Nalah battles crews and her own doubts but the closer she gets to her goal the more she loses sight of everything–and everyone–she cares about.
Nalah must choose whether or not she’s willing to do the unspeakable to get what she wants. Can she discover that home is not where you live but whom you chose to protect before she loses the family she’s created for good?
Reviews
“The characters are allowed to fully embody the violent ideals of Mega City without artificial moralizing—the blurred line between hero and villain verges on nonexistent. Instead, readers are left with a more ambiguous—and ambitious—tale that will have them questioning what kinds of people they’d be if freed from society’s mores.”
“Rivera posits whether a society can really thrive when any one group dominates another, especially through violence and deception. A novel exploration of societal roles, gender, and equality through the eyes of a captivating lead. Recommended for all young adult collections.”
“Rivera showcases multiple intricate character arcs and details several societies through impressive worldbuilding; young readers drawn to complex action novels that challenge conventions will find this read rewarding.”
“DEALING IN DREAMS is a ferocious young adult novel about the violence done to us and the violence we do to others. It takes the all-too-real premise of a fascist leader donning the guise of democracy while presiding over a population too scared to leave but too angry to stay, then stitches it onto a story of an adolescence torn between painful truths and willful ignorance.”
“The narration will keep listeners enthralled as Rivera’s fast-paced story recounts the adventures of young women warriors who fight for a cause bigger than themselves.”
“Rivera weaves a story of self-discovery, blood relations and chosen families, substance addiction, and race into her sci-fi tale, including details from Afro and Indigenous Caribbean culture and history, show- ing resistance and survival—and blasting it to the future. A dystopian mixtape of boldness, sisterhood, and questioning the status quo, channeling the ethos of the novel and film The Warriors and the comic mini-series Curb Stomp, this book leaves readers wanting more of Nalah and Las Mal Criadas. sujei lugo.”The Horn Book Review
“…discord between ideals and ethics puts readers in a position to empathize.”The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“As brutal as it is beautiful, DEALING IN DREAMS pulls no punches, launching us on a wild, relentless ride through the cutthroat streets of this brilliantly-realized dystopian world, where hard choices can tear even the closest allies apart and danger lurks around every corner.”Daniel José Older, author of the New York Times bestselling series, Shadowshaper Cypher
“DEALING IN DREAMS is yet another smart, rich, fulfilling read from Lilliam Rivera, who has, through her last two books, solidified herself as one of today’s boldest YA writers.”Shea Serrano, #1 New York Times bestselling author of BASKETBALL (AND OTHER THINGS) and THE RAP YEAR BOOK
“In Dealing in Dreams, girls run the crews, boys soothe at boydegas, and anything can happen at any time. Lilliam Rivera’s novel about struggle, courage and family crackles with energy and fresh imagination, with characters you’re rooting for so much that you can’t stop reading.”Tananarive Due, American Book Award winner
“Lilliam Rivera has really stepped her game up. All the voice and verve that made The Education of Margot Sanchez such an unforgettable debut are on full display here, but now she’s added an incredible science fiction future that can stand proudly beside Scott Westerfeld at his best.”Sam J Miller, award-winning author of The Art of Starving
“ESPECTACULAR. I read this riveting revolutionary tale in a day because I could not pull away from the adventures of the legendary luchadoras Latinas, Las Mal Criadas. Chief Rocka is a powerhouse, the worldbuilding is sensational, and the themes are resoundingly relevant.”Romina Garber, author of the New York Times Best-Selling Zodiac Quartet