DREAMONITION
A BINNIE STORY
It all started with a dream...
The year is 1987, and eleven-year-old Binnie Burgess has been enjoying living with the Warrens, her foster family, and exploring her idyllic new hometown of Cherryton, Kent. Following the tragic deaths of her parents when she was just two years old, Binnie is finally settling into her life. But then one night she wakes from a dream that feels entirely too real, and she starts to question everything. What does it mean that she seems to travel through time in her sleep? Could it actually be possible that she has the ability to influence past events? When Binnie and her foster family take a day trip to Dover Castle, she has the shocking realisation that she was, in fact, the “young local girl” who warned British troops of the French armada’s invasion during the Napoleonic Wars. Amid train rides through the English countryside, brushes with Guy Fawkes and plots against the future King of England, visions of mysterious monuments, and astonishing revelations about Binnie’s past, Dreamonition builds to a crescendo: Binnie must decide who she can trust with her secrets, learn to understand her superpower, and journey sixty-one years into the future—before it’s too late.
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The book titled "‘Dreamonition’ by Thomas P. Howie is a delightful coming-of-age adventure with magical realism. Binnie’s journey from foster care to uncovering a mysterious dream’s truth is both engaging and heartwarming. This book is a captivating read for middle-grade and young adult audiences.
Elsa Davis
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Stephan J Myers
Let’s face it: being a teenager is basically like starring in your own low-budget, time-travel movie, minus the DeLorean. One moment, you’re living in the future, all hopes and dreams about becoming a rock star or an astronaut (or both, why not?), and the next, you’re hurled back into the sticky present where you’re just trying to survive that catastrophic English presentation and wondering why your socks never match.
Now, imagine actually time-traveling. I’m not talking about a Doctor Who-style adventure where everything is neatly fixed with a sonic screwdriver and a well-timed quip. I’m talking about teenage time travel. Where you’re hurtling through space and history, surrounded by medieval tunnels, strange conspiracies, and people in uniforms you vaguely remember from history class—while simultaneously battling that universal teenage experience: Who the heck am I?
That’s why I love time-travel stories for young adults. It’s the perfect metaphor for growing up. You’re living in a constant flux between the past (your last embarrassing moment at school), the present (which seems like a disaster zone), and the future (which, let’s be honest, you’re half-excited and half-terrified about). And there’s always that looming question: Am I in control of any of this? Answer: No, and it’s both terrifying and brilliant.
Time-travel books in the YA genre do a fantastic job of capturing this chaos, but they also throw in the kind of juicy escapism we all need. You don’t just have to deal with exams and curfews; you’re dodging historical catastrophes, racing against time, and meeting eccentric characters who challenge what you thought you knew about everything—especially yourself.
And let’s not forget the mystery. Oh, the glorious mystery! There’s always something epic at stake, whether it’s stopping an explosion in a dusty medieval tunnel or figuring out why you’ve been thrown into a world where nothing makes sense. But underneath it all, the real mystery is usually this: Who am I becoming? Because let’s face it, time-travel stories aren’t just about history—they’re about discovering what really matters when everything else falls apart.
It’s this messy, wonderful journey of growing up that makes these books so addictive. The main character isn’t just trying to save the world—they’re trying to figure out where they fit in it. They’re navigating those big questions we’ve all asked at one point: Am I brave enough? Am I good enough? And seriously, why does every adult in history think they know better than me?
What’s brilliant is how time travel cranks all of this up to eleven. The stakes are so high that our protagonist has to grow fast. There’s no time for hesitation when the world is on the verge of collapse (which, let’s be honest, is exactly how being a teenager feels half the time). Through navigating parallel worlds, ancient conspiracies, and even potential doom, the characters find themselves—and maybe, just maybe, they discover that they were brave all along.
So, here’s to time-travel YA fiction—where every page feels like a crash course in survival, both literally and emotionally. Whether they’re facing a ticking time bomb or a ticking school clock, these characters remind us of one fundamental truth: growing up is hard. But if you can survive a journey through time and space, you can survive almost anything. Even your teenage years!
Latest Reviews
The BookViral Review:
“Dreamonition: A Binnie Story” by Thomas P. Howie is a captivating young adult science fiction novel that interweaves themes of time travel, historical mystery, and personal discovery. The story follows Binnie, an 11-year-old girl who embarks on an extraordinary journey through dreams that take her to other places and times. These vivid dream sequences form the crux of Binnie’s adventures, blending the familiar with the fantastical.
From the start, Howie skillfully crafts Binnie’s world with emotional depth, especially around her upbringing. Binnie is a foster child living with the warm-hearted Warren family after the loss of her parents. While this creates a touching background to the story, the real magic begins when Binnie’s dreams pull her into historical settings, where she encounters mysteries, danger, and sometimes comedic characters, like the bumbling man who struggles with barrels in one of the dream sequences.
The novel excels in balancing tension with light-hearted moments, and the scenes within Binnie’s dreams are detailed, atmospheric, and often eerie. These dream settings, like a medieval tunnel or the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, give the narrative a cinematic quality, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and emotions of Binnie’s dreamscapes. Howie uses these dream sequences not just as plot devices, but as metaphors for Binnie’s inner growth and her attempt to make sense of her past and future.
One of the novel’s strengths is its portrayal of Binnie’s character. She is both brave and vulnerable, her resourcefulness and empathy making her an endearing protagonist. Howie captures the essence of a child caught between grief, hope, and adventure, as she navigates both her waking life and her dreams with equal determination.
The pacing of the novel is well-measured, especially in how the dream sequences build toward a greater mystery. The tension escalates as Binnie encounters historical conspiracies, potential explosions, and threats that she must warn others about. Howie keeps readers engaged by blending suspenseful elements of time travel and historical intrigue with heartfelt moments from Binnie’s present life. These elements elevate the novel beyond a simple time-travel adventure, offering layers of emotional complexity for readers to unpack.
While the dream sequences are vivid, the transitions between dreams and waking life could be more fleshed out to provide a greater sense of cohesion. Yet, this ambiguity also adds to the mystical quality of Binnie’s dreams, making the story feel like a magical, open-ended journey.
In conclusion, “Dreamonition” is a touching, imaginative, and well-paced novel that successfully blends historical fiction with time travel and emotional depth. Thomas P. Howie’s storytelling will appeal to young adult readers who enjoy mystery, adventure, and a dash of the surreal. Binnie’s adventures are not just about exploring other times but are also a journey into the self, as she learns to balance the weight of her past with the possibilities of her future.
Dreamonition" by Thomas P. Howie is a charming coming-of-age adventure story interwoven with elements of magical realism. The novel introduces readers to Binnie, an 11-year-old girl who has been navigating life in foster care since her parents tragically died in a car accident when she was very young. Currently staying with her newest foster family, the Warrens, Binnie hopes this placement will lead to a permanent adoption, allowing her to finally find a place to call home.
The story takes off when Binnie experiences a vivid dream that feels more like a genuine, tangible experience rather than a mere figment of her imagination. In this dream, she finds herself in a mysterious underground tunnel, seemingly transported to a different era. There, she encounters a strange man ferrying barrels in a boat and quickly realizes he is planning to blow up a large building nearby. Desperate to prevent the disaster, Binnie attempts to warn the authorities, but her story is met with disbelief. This gripping dream sequence immediately hooks the reader with its atmosphere of suspense, mystery, and danger.
Upon waking, Binnie is left grappling with the question of whether her bizarre experience was just a dream or something more profound. Her growing relationship with the Warren family, along with her budding friendship with a boy named Tommy and his parents, brings hope and optimism to her situation. Howie does an excellent job of creating well-rounded, believable characters, and the family dynamics portrayed in the story feel authentic and relatable.
There are no grammatical errors in the book's editing, ensuring a seamless reading experience. As the story unfolds, Binnie becomes more determined to solve the mystery of her peculiar dream. She uncovers clues suggesting that her experience might indeed have been real and somehow connected to the town's history. Howie skillfully blends elements of realism with subtle hints of the supernatural, creating a narrative that is both compelling and thought-provoking. Young readers will eagerly follow the twists and turns as Binnie gets closer to uncovering the truth. There were no flaws in my reading experience, and there are no negative aspects of the book that I disagreed with or didn't like.
Overall, "Dreamonition" is a thoroughly enjoyable read that balances adventure, family themes, and an engaging mystery. Howie's polished writing style vividly brings the story's world to life. With its endearing protagonist and fast-paced plot, this book will appeal to a wide audience of middle-grade and young adult readers. Fans of historical fiction and tales with elements of magical realism will find much to enjoy in "Dreamonition". The story leaves readers eager to discover where Binnie's journey might lead next. I would rate it 5 out of 5.
Tejas Koli