"...As children, I must have somehow entered into a one-sided competition with her, because she's always treated everything as a duel between us. She took a special sort of pleasure in being chosen as line leader or teacher's helper and, later on, rubbing it in whenever she scored higher on tests or projects. I thought she might warm up to me once she and Callie were placed together in the dorms, but in true Paige fashion, she's remained stubbornly dedicated to her mission of winning this imagined contest, treating me frostily at best, wickedly at worst.
Bottom line: she sucks."
Barbie first captured my heart when I was about six years old and she has held a piece of it ever since. There's just something about her. As girls we carry her with us on our adventures, confide our secrets to her, cry into her golden hair and treat her like a best friend. Then suddenly, all at once, we drop her without ceremony as we reach for our very first flavoured lip-gloss, no longer content to play with the beauty standard, now we want to be the beauty standard.
However, many feminine women would agree that there is always that hint of pink-glitter-sparkle lodged in our hearts that is the Barbie magic. It shimmers through ours lives in subtle and not-so-subtle ways: in our choice of hobbies, clothes, shoes, home décor and, perhaps most importantly, in our sense of possibility. Every now and then, Barbie makes a comeback and puts in a personal appearance, taking up time and space in our adult lives once more. Think back to the Barbie movie of 2023 which sent women all over the world into a pink frenzy! The truth is, if you were ever a Barbie girl, then you're probably still a Barbie girl deep down. Maybe in secret, possibly in full bubble-gum pink for the whole world to see, but in your heart of hearts you remain a committed Barbie enthusiast.
If you can relate to any of this then the new Barbie Dreamscape YA novel is something you're likely to be interested in. Most Barbie books tend to be picture books aimed at young girls, which is understandable, but there is also a slew of new Barbie books coming out that are aimed at an older audience, such as the collaborations with fashion illustrator, Megan Hess, for instance.
Barbie Dreamscape is one such book, being a full length fantasy adventure told in the first person entirely from Barbie's point of view. Although it is technically a YA book, it is so beautifully written that it will appeal to all age groups, especially those who enjoy reading cosy fantasy or who love pink-witch vibes.
The novel opens with a typical day in Barbie's life, one that is simply perfect in every way, from the rose-coloured enchanted birds that bring her morning tea, to the magical wardrobe that holds a pink outfit for every occasion. But of course, things can't stay perfect forever, not even for Barbie, and when she is pronounced Fateless, with no career path or destiny to follow, she decides to go in search of one for herself, and so her marvellous magical adventure begins.
The thing I loved most about this novel is the world-building. It is so richly descriptive and the author really takes the time to create a stunning pink world that draws the reader in. The land itself is heart-shaped and surrounded by fuzzy pink mists of protection, or as it says in the book, "The town itself is perfect: Light pink rivers run between pastel-hued homes and shops stacked high along the canals. A pink mist of magic...hugs our heart-shaped land's edges and keeps us safe from all the dangers beyond..." Doesn't that sound so beautiful? I want to move there immediately!
As Barbie embarks on her quest for her true destiny she travels through different lands, meeting various characters and magical creatures along the way. Bartholomew, the winged Pegasus horse is my personal favourite, but they are all a delight to read about. In this novel there are flying boats, masquerade balls, enchanted pink armour and a heart-hilted sword. It is filled to the brim with magic and whimsy, betrayal and bravery, dreams and nightmares, self-discovery, adversity, destiny and ultimately, redemption.
It's such a wonderful book, with all the Barbie magic that you would expect from Mattel and Penguin combined. I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading this novel in the garden over the weekend. Don't let the fact that it's a Barbie book put you off. Yes, it's technically YA. Yes, it's aimed at youngsters, with morale boosting passages incorporated into the adventure, but at it's core it is a fantasy that drips in pink perfection!
If you liked Uncharmed, Rewitched or Disenchanted by Lucy Jane Wood, then you will probably enjoy Barbie Dreamscape too. I really hope that this is the first in a series of stand alone Barbie novels because I will buy them all! I had such a great time with this book and I recommend it to anyone who is into pretty-witchy vibes and pink sparkly enchantment.
And never allow anyone to diminish your right to as much PINK as you want in your life! It's the colour of self-love after all, so surround yourself with it whenever you can, and shine your rosy glow out into the world for those who need it most.
Rose-tinted Blessings,
Marie x
AD: This novel was published on 20th August 2026 by Penguin and is out now in paperback, digital and audio formats.
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