Dream Phaze: Germination by Matt Watters explores a future of being able to engage in lucid dreams. Saxon Zynn has made a scientific breakthrough that allows users to enter a dream scenario of their choice for thirty-three minutes. At the end of the time limit, the user has the choice to follow the experience or try a different scenario. The story details dreams with a group of scientists testing out the platform. However, as with any new technology, there is always opposition. A religious group called Fundamental Purists, led by Jeremy Abernathy and his wife, Amanda Voss, criticize Zynn’s Dream Immersion Technology. A leak of information results in an early release and a scandal ensues. Zynn’s son and girlfriend disappear, making Zynn face the ultimatum of canceling the project or the death of his son.

Matt Watters creates a very detailed story of possibilities. The dream scenarios are realistic in the way they sound, and I found the thought of some enticing. What would I want to dream if I chose the option of being an active participant in my fantasy world? Including a family drama with an abduction and information leaks creates the possibility that Zynn’s lifelong work might fail. Likewise, including a radical religion attempting to derail the project also brings Amanda Voss’ past work with Zynn to light. I understand why Fundamental Purists support opposing the technology since she has first-hand knowledge of the work. The subplots of the book are fluid and easy to follow. The stories kept me asking if tampering with the human subconscious is something we should indulge in. Every person’s development makes this story come to life. Therefore, I recommend Dream Phaze: Germination to readers who enjoy a story with scientific possibilities that offer the positives and negatives of technology use in altering mental capability.

Agree! This is a 5-star novel in every sense of the word. Highly recommended.