Reviews for:
The Weight of Dreams, An Ancient Saga of Myth and Magic

Author: Nicole Sorrell
Publication date: Oct, 27 2025
Reviews: 2
96% RV Score
In a time lost to memory, Etana is born with the Sight and a rare gift whispered through her bloodline: she can speak with elephants. When her father promises her in marriage to an older man, Etana chooses the unthinkable – she flees. Escaping the ritual that broke her sister, she slips into the wilderness under the watchful eyes of the Beastgod.

Alone but guided by ancestral spirits and a bond with a mysterious elephant, Etana journeys into the realm of myth. A powerful ruler summons her to tame a ferocious elephant meant for war. But to claim her future, she must master more than beasts – she must face enemies, survive betrayal, and confront a court that thrives on secrets and blood.

As kingdoms clash and gods murmur in dreams, Etana rises from fugitive to warrioress, from outcast to commander. In a world where loyalty is eternal and power demands sacrifice, who will she become when everything she loves is threatened?

Told through the rhythms of oral tradition and infused with magic, myth, and cultural memory, this is a luminous tale of spiritual resilience, feminine power, and the living bond between human and nature.

Readers of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, The Famished Road by Ben Okri, or Babylonia by Costanza Casati will be enchanted by the magical realism and lyricism of The Weight of Dreams. Because the past still speaks – and sometimes, it sings.
Overall ReaderVerified Score
96%

Review 01

ReaderVerified Score
95%
Reviewer: Lisa Perskie Rodriguez 04/12/2026
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LPReader
5 out of 5 stars, Powerful and captivating story
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2026
Format: Kindle
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My reader's verified review is 95%.

Written in a lyrical style with the weight of myth, this story captures the imagination through its rich cultural settings and profound insights into human nature. The bold, intrepid young heroine, Etana, possesses a fascinating bond with elephants and an instinctual ability to survive both the rigors of the wild and the schemes of dangerous enemies. The prose is beautiful, the narrative compelling; I found the rites of passage for the village's young women to be particularly moving and insightful.

Review 02

ReaderVerified Score
96%
Reviewer: John F. Noone 04/09/2026
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5 out of 5 stars: A Wonderful Coming of Age Journey in the Savana
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2026
Format: Kindle
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My ReaderVerified score is 96%. The Weight of Dreams: An Ancient Saga of Myth and Magic, by author Nicole Sorrell, is a poetically beautiful story of a young girl named Etana coming of age in the African Savana. Her journey from young adulthood to womanhood is full of difficult choices she alone must face.

I thoroughly enjoyed the intertwining of folklore, ancient customs, and the coming-of-age of the protagonist. Who, among other things, can converse with the animals of the Savana. Her convictions and self-awareness are the driving force of this novel.

I can't recommend this novel enough, a real joy to read. Bravo!

Reviewer: John Noone 04/25/2026
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Nicole, if you send me a picture of the spine of your book, I will add it to the stack of books on the landing page.
Additionally, you can send a portrait with a blurb about working with ReaderVerified, and I will add it to the other testimonials.

Reviewer: John Noone 04/21/2026
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Hi Nicole, this is where we can chat.

I think you would enjoy 'Arising.'

Reviewer: John Noone 04/12/2026
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Hi Nicole,

This is where we can chat. I really loved your novel, very inspiring.

John