Book One
Helena Flinn and the Secrets of the Night
The Helena Flinn Chronicles
★★★★★
4.45 / 5 — 71 ratings on Goodreads
What if your nightmares could escape into the real world?
When eleven-year-old Helena's sleepless nights turn dangerous, she discovers a hidden steampunk city beneath Vienna, where goblin engineers create human dreams. But something has gone wrong. A shadow is breaking through the system, turning dreams into living nightmares.
Helena joins a new sleep therapy group in Vienna, expecting little. Then a desperate goblin appears in her room, introduces himself, and leads her into a world she never imagined existed beneath the streets she grew up on. Something ancient is breaking through the dream system. Helena, it turns out, is the only one who can stop it.
If she fails, the nightmares won't stay in dreams. They'll destroy everything she loves.
"A wholly original work of middle grade fantasy fiction. The metaphorical conflicts of sleep and the timeless search for connection weave neatly in Sokolar's liminal prose, blurring the edges of reality with evocative language, clever world-building, and a captivating plot that readers of all ages will find enchanting."
The Independent Review of Books
"An enchanting blend of science, goblins, and dream magic that kids will love."
Matthew Olson-Roy, Writer & Teacher Librarian
"Full of intrigue and sure to delight young readers! A fascinating plot with relatable characters and themes of friendship and resilience."
Annalise Healey, Young Adult Author
"A magical and exciting adventure for middle-grade readers, enchanting, relatable, and brimming with imagination."
Lindsay DeRollo, Children's Book Author & Illustrator
"An enchanting adventure about dreams, friendship, and belonging, the kind of book that makes you fall in love with reading all over again."
Mike Kren, Director & Screenwriter
"This book is awesome! Gives me a Harry Potter vibe."
Mylene
"An adventure full of heart, imagination, and wonder."
Jordie
"Thrilling and suspenseful, but never too scary for its age group."
Hannah
"Weaves dream science into accessible fantasy. The Vienna setting works brilliantly."
Matthew
The Helena Flinn Chronicles will appeal to readers who enjoyed the mythology-infused adventure of Percy Jackson, the hidden creature sanctuaries of Fablehaven, and the magical society of Nevermoor. Like those series, it combines a relatable young protagonist with deep worldbuilding, but distinguishes itself through its Vienna setting, steampunk dream engineering, and a magic system grounded in science rather than prophecy.
Start the adventure.
Available in eBook, paperback, and hardcover.
