Item: Screamcatcher: Web World ~~
Rating: 4.5
Author: Gina

The Screamcatcher Series by Christy J. Breedlove is a young-adult fantasy series set in the Badlands of South Dakota. Seventeen-year-old Jory is haunted by the death of her parents in a horrific accident. In order to stop her nightmares, she is given an ancient dreamcatcher from her grandfather’s Native American memorabilia shop. When she and a trio of friends are pulled into the dreamcatcher world, they must battle their way to the center of light to return to their world. This is the storyline from book one, and book two is a continuation of their adventures after surviving their first trip into the web world.

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The Screamcatcher Series by Christy J. Breedlove | Review | Author Q&A

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The Screamcatcher Series by Christy J. Breedlove | Review | Author Q&A

Screamcatcher: Web World ~~ by Christy J. Breedlove
Published by Melange Books on 04/23/2019
Pages: 218

When seventeen-year-old Jory Pike cannot shake the hellish nightmares of her parent’s deaths, she turns to an old family heirloom, a dream catcher. Even though she’s half-blood Chippewa, Jory thinks old Indian lore is so yesterday, but she’s willing to give it a try. However, the dream catcher has had its fill of nightmares from an ancient and violent past.

After a sleepover party, and during one of Jory’s most horrific dream episodes, the dream catcher implodes, sucking Jory and her three friends into its world of trapped nightmares. They’re in an alternate universe—locked inside of an insane web world. How can they find the center of the web, where all good things are allowed to pass?

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Dream Chasers ~~ by Christy J. Breedlove
Series: Screamcatcher: #2
Published by Melange Books on 03/24/2020
Genres: Fiction, Action, Fantasy, Suspense, Young Adult
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 240

Seventeen-year-old Jory Pike knows a thing or two about Indian lore from her half-blood Chippewa ancestry. She can trap, hunt, and fish with the best of them. She has a team of three other teens friends called The Badlands Paranormal Society. Instead of bagging groceries or playing on I-pods, they think they can excel at banishing evil spirits. They hope to cleanse houses and earn fat paychecks for their services.

Dream catchers aren't just the chic hoops tourists buy at novelty shops--they work. And sometimes they clog up with nightmares until they collapse under their own evil weight, imploding and sending the dreamer into an alternate world. Jory uses her worst nightmare to enter the dream catcher world. She's pulled her teammates in deliberately. Everything goes right on schedule, but they've bitten off more than they can chew. Now Jory and her friends are there, trapped between the people who have confessed their sins to the Great Spirit and are seeking a way out, and the monsters and evil spirits, which are happy to keep them trapped in the web world forever.

They were once considered Seekers in the dream world. Now they've become vigilantes and call themselves Pathfinders. Is it spiritual enlightenment they are after, or have they now become fatally reckless?

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Screamcatcher: Web World Shop on Amazon Screamcatcher: Dream Chaser...Shop on Amazon

Also available on Barnes & Noble and The Book Depository

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My thoughts on the Screamcatcher Series by Christy J. Breedlove

Screamcatcher: Web World by Christy J. Breedlove is a fabulous YA fantasy novel. The concept is unique, especially since dreamcatchers are popular now.

I enjoyed learning the native terminology and thought processes behind the dreamcatchers. I had never given much thought to where the nightmares went after they were trapped. It makes complete sense that if you believe it works, you have to wonder about the after-effects.

The main characters range in age from 16 to 20. This YA novel seems to be age-appropriate in language and thought-processes. That said, I found it to be quite enjoyable for an “older” reader. I did think the occasional curse word did not really add to or take away from the story.

It was a very fast-paced story making it a quick read. There were a few storylines that remain open. The next book in the series may provide the answers.

Overall, Screamcatcher: Web World is an entertaining story that I think readers of YA fiction, folk-lore, action, and adventure books will love.

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Screamcatcher: Dream Chasers by Christy J. Breedlove is book two in the series. It picks up shortly after the end of book one so there is no loss of rhythm or flow to the story. The intrepid group of friends has banded together to form The Badlands Paranormal Society. The story jumps right back into the action and leaves the reader holding on for dear life. The excitement, drama, mystery, and mishaps are nonstop.

I thought the world-building in book one was exceptional, but the author has outdone herself on this one. You will feel like you are living each heart-pounding, breath-stealing moment in book two.

The character development is well-done. Each of the main characters shows growth and maturity, yet still, stay within their respective age ranges. The romance between each couple continues to progress appropriately.

Humor finds it’s way into the story, in the same manner, I loved in Web World. Every detail of the book is so realistic, right down to the cleaning of slimy goo from their hair. The author definitely makes you live this story. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

As you would expect, I am recommending every lover of fantasy, mythology, and just darn-good fiction to read this series. Start with Web World, continue with Dream Chasers, and pray book three is out by the time you finish. You will want to keep reading this wonderful series from Christy J. Breedlove!

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The Screamcatcher Series by Christy J. Breedlove | Review | Author Q&A

About Christy J. Breedlove

I'm Chris Stevenson, using the pen name Christy J. Breedlove for my YA fiction. I hail from Sylvania, Alabama. My early writing accomplishments were multiple hits within a few years. In my first year of writing back in 1987, I wrote three SF short stories that were accepted by major slick magazines, which qualified me for the Science Fiction Writers of America, and at the same time, achieved a Finalist award in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. This recognition garnered me a top gun SF agent at the time, Richard Curtis Associates. My first novel went to John Badham (Director) and the producers, the Cohen Brothers. It was an extreme honor to be considered. The writer who beat me out of contention for a feature movie (as well as the book) was Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. My book was called Dinothon.

A year after that, I published two best-selling non-fiction books and landed on radio, TV, in every library in the U.S., and hundreds of newspapers. This was at a time when small and mid-sized press paid nice advances and had unlimited distribution.

I have been trying to catch that lightning in a bottle ever since. My YA dystopian novel, The Girl They Sold to the Moon, won the grand prize in a publisher's YA novel writing contest, went to a small auction, and got tagged for a film option. My latest release, Screamcatcher: Web World, just currently won Best YA title of 2019. I have 12 titles appearing on Amazon. I guess I should stick to Young Adult, which I do love BTW

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I asked Author Christy Breedlove what his motto for being a writer was. He answered:

A Writer is…
A humble, receptive student and negotiator
But the heart that beats within his/her breast
Is a determined savage
Unfamiliar with surrender

Please welcome this savvy science fiction author.

My name is Chris Harold Stevenson and I’m 67 years young. I go by the pen name Christy J. Breedlove for my YA books and stories. Yes, I changed gender entirely. That’s another story. I have two books in the Screamcatcher series out right now, Web World, book 1, and Dream Chasers, book 2.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I considered myself a writer when I published the two shorts in Amazing Stories magazine. I actually considered myself an author after my first non-fiction book was published and hit the media. It seems I had to have legitimate credits in order to claim such status.

Can you share a little about your current book with us?

I can give you the basic summary, or the extended blurb:

When seventeen-year-old Jory Pike cannot shake the hellish nightmares of her parent’s deaths, she turns to an old family heirloom, a dream catcher. Even though she’s half-blood Chippewa, Jory thinks old Native American lore is so yesterday, but she’s willing to give it a try. However, the dream catcher has had its fill of nightmares from an ancient and violent past. After a sleepover party, and during one of Jory’s most horrific dream episodes, the dream catcher implodes, sucking Jory and her three friends into its own world of trapped nightmares. They’re in an alternate universe—locked inside of an insane web world filled with murders, beasts, and thieves. How can they find the center of the web where all good things are allowed to pass? Where is the light of salvation? Are they in hell?

What inspired you to write this book?

Just the dogged determination to come up with something that has never been written before. I had one reviewer tell me that, “Like Jo Rowling owns the Wizardinger World, you own the Dream Catcher World. You better do something with this.” I confess that the flattery was overblown, but it sure made me feel good that I’d hit on something very different.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I’m a fruit salad of other known writer’s influences. Oh, like what I consider stylists: Poul Anderson, Virgin Planet, Peter Benchley, The Island and Jaws, Joseph Wambaugh, The Onion Field and Black Marble, Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park, Alan Dean Foster, Icerigger trilogy, and some Stephen King. Anne Rice impresses with just about anything she has written. I think it’s the humor and irony that attracts me the most–and it’s all character-related

How did you come up with the title of this book?

After I had the idea/premise for the book, having researched similar works, if any, I found that I had something very unique. It dawned on me to name the book Screamcatcher since it was a play on words and it sounded impactful. Again, I researched that word and only found that it was used in a short story about a kid having a tooth extraction. I knew then that I was home free. I was continuously complimented by all of the publishers and editors who saw the title. It’s the first book in the series, and I have sub-titles for the other two as well, which are sold and just about ready for editing.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I’m not very heavy-handed when it comes to delivering messages in my books. I want to avoid any preaching at all costs. I do include the basic/standard survival, loyalty, courage, and persistence themes in my young characters, as well as emotional growth and cooperation. Also, I did hide, or rather include, a very deep and subtle message in the story that I think most will gloss over or not recognize altogether. And that is my belief that sometimes the nice guy finishes first and gets the gal. I wanted something that swerved away from the controlling, domineering alpha male that is so often seen in other works of YA and romance. I wanted a slow burn sweet romance that was touching. Quite a few reviewers recognized this message and I got kudos for it. That was a RELIEF.

Are experiences in this book based on someone you know or events in your own life?

The main character Jorlene (Jory) is named after my sister. Although she does not resemble the FMC physically, she does so in an emotional sense. Her boyfriend, Choice Daniels, is named after my great-nephew. All of my books contain the names of my extended family members. And there are parts of them that show through in the personalities of the fictional characters.

What authors have most influenced your life? What about them do you find inspiring?

Other than those stylists mentioned above, I had direct contact with members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Alan Dean Foster, Richard Curtis, Robert Bloch, Bob Heinlein, Clive Barker, and others. From their Youtube instruction videos and articles, JK Rowling, Anne Rice, and Stephen King have inspired me tremendously with their no-nonsense attitude about hammering those keys in spite of depression, lack of motivation, or pure laziness.

If you had to choose, is there a writer would you consider a mentor? Why?

That honor would go to Poul Anderson who wrote back to me habitually and gave me guidance in the industry when I needed it the most. He took out his valuable time to befriend me and answer so many questions. Can you tell I’m a dinosaur yet?

Who designed the cover of your book? Why did you select this illustrator?

Carlone Andrus of Melange Books, Fire & Ice YA division rendered the cover after reading the book. I had a different idea in mind, but she absolutely nailed it. The compliments have never stopped coming. Most of the plot is revealed on the cover but you would have to search very hard to put it all together.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Watch your spending on ads–they can be grossly ineffective. Use social media and generously interact with fellow writers and readers. Don’t abuse FB and Twitter solely for the purpose of “Buy My Book.” Join writing groups and learn from the pros. Ask politely for reviews–don’t pressure, harass or intimidate. Be creative. Target your genre readers. Offer incentives and freebies. Craft a newsletter and send it out bi-monthly. Don’t take critiques as personal attacks–learn from honest opinions. Don’t despair. Never give up. Revenge query. I run a writer’s advocate blog and I pull no punches.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

If you think that you’ve had it tough, I recommend you watch Magic Beyond Words, the life story of Joanne Kathleen Rowling. Books just don’t happen. They are nurtured and raised from infancy, just like a budding writer is. This business might quit you, but you cannot quit the business. Stay active and attentively writing.