The Dancer and the Dream Thief

By: Rowenna Miller

A dancer finds herself at the center of a bootlegging scheme run by elfin creatures in this sweeping Prohibition-era historical fantasy from the author of The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill.

Working as a dancer in the Palace Ballroom, Evelyn Pulaski has become familiar with the idea of selling dreams. For a dime a dance she plays into a cheap fantasy of romance before returning to the independent life she’s made for herself. When a group of elfin bootleggers start to hang around the Palace, Evelyn and her friends grow wary. Several dancehall girls have disappeared, and the bootleggers are the prime suspects.

Raife is also in the business of selling dreams. One of the bootleggers at the Palace, he is part of an operation stealing dreams from humans and selling them in the elfinlands. Raife takes a shine to Evelyn, suspecting her to be a rare, vivid dreamer. As he investigates further, Rafe tells himself his interest is purely professional, but there is something entrancing about Evelyn.

When her best friend disappears, Evelyn forges an uneasy alliance with Raife to find her. But their rescue mission sets off a chain of events that endangers them both and reveals to Evelyn that her dreams hold more power than she could ever imagine.

Critic reviews

"A unique, magical fantasy world that manages to be both terrifying and tender. I loved it!" —Louisa Morgan, author of The Faerie Morgana

Praise for Rowenna Miller

"Imaginative and sparkling and full of heart, The Palace of Illusions is the kind of book you want to crawl inside and make a home." ―Devin Madson, author of Between Dragons and Their Wrath

"Miller’s atmospheric writing creates a richly detailed historical fantasy that lets readers see The Nutcracker in a unique way." ―Library Journal

“Beautifully observed, steeped in folklore and rich with historical detail, The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill weaves a warm-hearted yet fierce fairy tale around the bonds of sisterhood and the choices facing women in a changing world. A true delight.” ―H. G. Parry, author of the Shadow Histories series

"Miller seamlessly blends historical fiction and fantasy to create this enchanting tale of two sisters. The book is awash in period details as well as a vivid fantasy world, but Miller never loses sight of the sisters’ relationship that sits at the heart of the story. Readers will be charmed by this tale of sisterhood, female strength, and the fae." ―Booklist

"It's impossible to resist the allure of this charming book. Its focus on the small, everyday things that can be made easier with a little luck and a little fairy grace really creates a lived-in world where you can smell the apple blossoms in the orchard and hear the rattle of wagon wheels on dirt roads." ―NPR

"Atmospheric ... a thoughtful meditation on sisterhood and priorities." ―Publishers Weekly