The Real Dreamwalker presents: El Niño by Ashlyn Jacobs

The Real Dreamwalker presents: El Niño

Ashlyn Jacobs

Independently published (2025)

979-8281565202

Reviewed by Jordan Waterwash for Reader Views (10/2025)

https://readerviews.com/reviews/the-real-dreamwalker-presents-el-nino-jacobs/

5/5

While reading The Real Dreamwalker presents: El Niño by Ashlyn Jacobs, I often found myself looking over my shoulder for the man known as the Dreamwalker. Characterized by his association with wolf spiders, his blanket, and his scent, the Dreamwalker haunts a small town in Tucson, Arizona (called Somewhere), using his powers to capture and kill unsuspecting kids and teenagers. Each chapter acts as a vignette in which these children and teens perish as they attempt to obtain prizes promised by the devilish Dreamwalker.

Driven by a need to fulfill the dreams of his victims, the Dreamwalker gives people what they ask for but often in nightmarish ways. For example, a group of young boys were playing basketball together. They got on the topic of going pro when they got older, claiming they would one day become rich and famous for playing D1 basketball. The Dreamwalker, hearing their dreams, speaks through their nearby speaker to tell them they can have all the money they need if they crossed the field to him. Then, the field transformed into a bog of cranberries. They had to wade through the berries to the other side where a trove of treasure awaited them; however, too much noise would trigger the arrival of a giant wolf spider, hungry for its next meal. None of the boys made it out with the promised treasure.

Each chapter covered a different group of kids, or a singular child, who encountered the Dreamwalker. All the people described felt unique and whole, which made the reading experience engaging and interesting. At some points, the kids talked a little too much like adults (using vocabulary kids don’t normally use), but it didn’t distract from their characterization for the most part. The tension built nicely, and I did feel genuinely spooked by the Dreamwalker. The imagery connected with him throughout was haunting and added to the overall atmosphere.

It’s also clear the author took time with the presentation of the book. Included in my physical copy was a key taped to the back, presumably representing some of the imagery in the book. The edges also appeared hand stamped to give it a sprayed appearance, which makes the whole thing very pretty to look at. I do wish it did not have perfumed pages; I found it overpowering while reading. If you are sensitive to smells, I recommend getting a digital copy.

Overall, this book was a great read before Halloween. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, the general vibe of the Dreamwalker, and the fact that the stories were presented as vignettes. This is a great story for those who like folk horror set in a more modern age.