THIS is the book I thought I was getting when I picked up the other Olivia Kidney book. It's shorter and much better written. I was able to understand much more clearly what the author was trying to get at. I liked the illustrations. Character introductions and interactions were sufficiently well-done. The book's title content doesn't show up until the seventy percent mark in the ebook I read, and trreats its subject matter incredibly lightly and pure twee. It's sugar spun candy in terms of vocabulary, description and content. I expected that, though, as this is for children who are not yet in middle school. I mean, Olivia and her friends are in their tweens but the writing level is much younger than that. This book could have been far darker with totally different character motives and plot and setting, but with the same "kids learn to die in their dreams." The possibility of that is what got me interested in the first place. The book, though, never pretends to be anything than what it is. When I finished it, I felt content and okay, unlike when I finally finished the freaking other book I read in the series. The interesting book I was waiting for had still not come in. Sigh. ( )

There are some truly delightful moments in this book, usually when Olivia has encounters with the highly eccentric adults she tends to meet, most of whom seem to have stepped out of Roald Dahl novels. The humor is Dahl-like. But the overall story isn't as successful as those moments. The parts are better than the whole.
Olivia can see and communicate with ghosts. In this volume, she gets lured into an "Exit Academy" which trains people who are about to die, how to die, while they are still alive and dreaming. It's confusing, and doesn't hold up well to theological or philosophical scrutiny, which I suppose the reader isn't really intended to give it anyway. ( )

Not sure why I'm reading all three of these. I guess because they're so creative - not quite anything else I've read. They certainly don't condescend to children, but rather have appeal to readers of all ages. Lots of ideas and relatively rich characters and humor and thoughtfulness all compactly presented. A little creepy for my personal preference, but certainly nothing most kids age 9 and up can't handle. Also, I might personally might rather give it 3.5 stars, but since the option is 3 or 4 and it's certainly better than a 3, well, it gets a 4. Ok. ( )

Olivia Kidney is a character who stays with you. Olivia and her relationship with her deceased brother weave throughout the book. Besides fantasy, there is also a mystery involving noises in the night and what exactly is going on with the owner. The mystery's resolution leaves Olivia and her father in a more stable position as well as wide open for sequels. There are fun and poignant subplots and settings. The brownstone she and her not-so-handy handyman father have just moved into is flooded and one must navigate the first floor in a boat. A couple of characters from the first book make welcomed reappearances. This book, with its humor combined with serious topics, works in a very unique way. ( )