Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1)

Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1)
Blue is for Nightmares - Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1
Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz
ISBN-13: 9780738703916
ISBN-10: 0738703915
Publication Date: 11/1/2003
Pages: 283
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 147

4 stars, based on 147 ratings
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

17 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 287 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
In some ways this book reminds me of Nancy Drew (the young sleuth trying to solve a mystery), but Stacey is definitely not Nancy. I really liked the added element of witchcraft and the boarding school setting (which starts to make it sound like Harry Potter, but it is nothing like that). Stacey is a great character and I'm glad that there are more books about her.
reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
THis book is the scariest book I have ever read. It is amazingly good. It will leave you wondering about you and your nightmares for days. It all starts out with a stalker, until someone is almost killed!
ophelia99 avatar reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is the first book in the Blue is for Nightmares series; so far there are 4 books in this series. This book was kind of a cross between a mystery and a teen horror flick with a paranormal bent to it. It was a suspenseful and creepy novel that was hard to put down and had a number of surprising twists to it that left me unable to stop reading.

The book is written from the viewpoint of Stacey Brown. Stacey is a practicing Wiccan who has the ability to see the future. Exactly what Stacey's powers are and the consistency of her powers is kind of a mystery, even to her. She starts having nightmares about her best friend Drea being killed by someone. Last time Stacey had nightmares like this someone died. Stacey lives at a boarding school and as such there is a lot of teen angst going on; people are worried about homework and boyfriends more than anything. When Drea starts receiving strange messages from her supposed killer; Drea and Stacey don't know who to trust anymore.

This was kind of your typical teen read, it was well-written and easy to read. Stolarz does an exceptional job of building the mystery and suspense throughout the story. I found myself suspecting a number of different characters of being the stalker but couldn't figure out which one it was until the end. This story was nicely tied up at the end; you wouldn't need to read the rest of the books in the series to enjoy this one.

I had a couple small complaints. The first is that the Wiccan rituals (magic) that Stacey performs are detailed with excruciating detail. I imagine this took a lot of time to research on Stolarz's part. Initially these details are very interesting, but as the story continues I feel that the amount of page space that is lent to detailing these rituals starts to take away from the story. Many times I found myself skimming through these details because they just didn't pertain to the story that much. I also found Stacey's friends easy acceptance of all of the strange things Stacey does to be a little odd, but maybe not that out of place for a young teenage girl.

The second small complaint is a personal issue I have, the story was just a bit too creepy for me. I am not really all that into scary stories, I get nightmares from them. This definitely isn't the creepiest story I've read but it is up there in creepiness...so if you have problems with scary horror stories I would skip this one. This book is definitely more teen horror than it is a paranormal mystery.
reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
THIS IS A GREAT BOOK! It reads like a great movie, taking the reader through many twist and turns. You will not know till the end who the stalker is -at least I didnt! I can't wait to read all the books in the series.
reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Read it in a day and a half. Left me wanting more (in a good way!). I can't wait to read the next book in the series!!!
reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 39 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I expected a lot more from this book than what I got. It was kind of a yawn, to be honest. Stacey was irritating, the story was supposed to be "scary" but just felt rather pointless and dull as I was reading it. Overall, very disappointing.
A better alternative to this book is Wake by Lisa McMann. Also young adult, with a supernatural aspect, but with superior writing, characters, and plot.
cknecht23 avatar reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ok, at first this book was kinda slow & I couldn't get into it... But then I figured I already started it so I minus well finish it! So after a little time is sucked me in & I found myself up till almost 5 in the morning finishing it... I really do love this book! It is a page turner & kept me sitting on the edge of my seat/bed... lol

I love how Laurie Faria Stolarz goes into really good detail through the whole book & how it is suspencful at times or almost most of the time... This is a book that will keep you wanting more & keep you guessing & wondering how the outcome will turn out... I liked it so much after the slow beginning that I can't wait to read the rest... I recommend reading this!
sparkle101 avatar reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was REALLY good. It has romance, suspense, and horror. It kept me hooked until the last page.
wiltinglilly avatar reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book and was so excited to discover it was a series! A perfect portrayal of modern day witches without all the fantastical nonsense. This book was so engrossing, read to from front to back in a matter of a few days. Would definitely recommend the whole series
teaspa05 avatar reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
this is a great start for a series. this book keeps you turning page after page. The story is about Stacey and her magical abilities and how they help her save one of her friends. GREAT READ....
macn avatar reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
I'm not a teenager anymore and I still thought this series of books were really good. I like to read fictional witchcraft and this book does a nice job of showing what Wicca really is. There is suspense, drama, misunderstandings and scary situations all rolled into one book. Very good read and the others in the series are even better.
madnessnmore avatar reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on
This is the beginning of a wonderful series. It really gives Wicca a new light. There are no super powers or flashy fireworks. Just a girl who use practical spells and home remedies to help figure out what her nightmares mean in order to save someone she loves.
reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Ok, so I read this book a really long time ago, but i still remember how unbelievably good it was. Stacey is a great protagonist, and this author really keeps you guessing at who the bad guy is. I don't recall all the important details, but i know there was some witchcraft (the not lame kind) on Stacey's part. It was really cool how she practiced it, and the book gives a back round story on how she got into it. Keep in mind this is a horror/mystery book, I'm not talking Stephen King horror, but it still left me biting my nails in the end! If you're being hesitant on whether to get this book or not, I would definitely order it, you won't be disappointed.

And hey, if you are, there are many other people out there who will just give you back your credit to get their hands on Blue is for Nightmares.
reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 58 more book reviews
Amazingly good!
nelliebly1025 avatar reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 141 more book reviews
Review by http://bibliophile-bestiary.blogspot.com

I really enjoyed the magical aspect of this book. I liked how Stacey was very much into doing the rituals to help her and her friends and not abusing it.

The story was a bit creepy at times when you tried to figure out what was going on and "whodunit" but nothing gross or gory. I enjoyed the characters most of the time, but Amber was obnoxious and not necessary in the book at all. Drea's behavior you can understand under the circumstances. I liked Chad's character though.

I think there are points where the author could of gone into more detail or explained a little more about the history, but it is easy to follow along with if not.

MILD SPOILER:

Something that I didn't understand why was in the book about a teenager was her wetting the bed. Really? Do you REALLY have to have that? Couldn't it be something else that happened to her? I just think that anyone reading this book would be completely turned off by that idea. I almost was because it goes into much detail about her wetting the bed and what happens and all. I could have done without it and would have probably rated it higher if that wasn't a part of it.

I have the next two books on my shelf, but because of the disappointments from this book it will probably be a little bit before I read them. 3 out of 5 stars.
reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 22 more book reviews
It was sort of a yawn when it came to all of Stacey's spells. I guess someone who is into Wicca would like it. An okay read, not good enough to keep.
carriec226 avatar reviewed Blue is for Nightmares (Blue is for Nightmares, Bk 1) on + 30 more book reviews
good book.