The Dream is the first book in a tension-building trilogy, The Rahtrum Chronicles by R.K. McLay. A work of literary fiction, this young adult, fantasy, adventure story is unlike any before it. The Dream transports readers into the far north of the Yukon Territory (where the epic journey begins) and envelopes them in the vastness of nature. Once there, readers inhabit a harsh and natural world that is faithfully rendered, but also delicately infused with magic. A world that is populated by reimagined mythological creatures that feel every bit as real as the animal protagonists they travel and struggle beside.
The Rahtrum Chronicles tell the story of a peculiar young Caribou that is chosen by Rahtrum, the Binder, to set forth on a heroic journey to awaken the Cargoth (human beings) to their true place in nature and the World.
The beautiful and dangerous north unfurls as Bou follows an age-old migration route in search of the Breschuvine. Only after finding the Breschuvine does he learn the shocking reason he has been chosen by Rahtrum; and that for himself, his friends, and his enemies, the greatest of all journeys has only just begun.
R.K. McLay
has visited the Yukon Territory in both summer and winter. In order to write The Dream the author spent six winter months living in Dawson City where he travelled north of the Arctic Circle with a conservation officer to witness in person the migration of tens of thousands of Caribou. The author is last generation Metis (Ojibwe heritage). His forebears (on his father's side) left Drummond Island in Lake Huron after treaty surveys showed the island was in United States Territory. R.K. McLay lives with his wife in British Columbia on the west coast of Canada.
"Fans of David Clement-Davies and animal lovers in general will enjoy this anthropomorphic tale of a young Caribou chosen to do the impossible. There are fantasy elements (fairies and trolls) thrown in that really add to this story but the animals themselves are all the more worthwhile.
"The author did an amazing job at making these animals come to life. Instead of picturing cartoonish types of animals (perhaps wearing pants), I pictured real animals speaking in their own animal languages and doing things that real animals do. I'm pretty sure I learned a thing or two from reading this. I had just recently watched Frozen Planet and learned a few things about caribou but reading this took my knowledge of this animal much farther. I absolutely love when I can read an enjoyable work of fiction and get some tangible knowledge from it."
— lazydaylit.blogspot.ca
"The Dream is full of lovely descriptions of Northern landscapes and knowledgeable details of animal life. The migration of the caribou every year is an amazing happening, and the novel shows it from the caribou's perspective. Bou is a likeable character, and the relationships he develops with the other animals he meets along the way are enjoyable and heartfelt. . . Readers who enjoy animal stories and adventure stories set in the Arctic may want to give The Dream a try."
— CM Magazine
Finalist for the 2017 BC Book Prizes for the Sheila Egoff Children's Literature Prize
On the CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens list for 2017
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