The doll who has done everything—from astronaut to zoologist—is about to take on her most dangerous mission yet: finding her own fate.
In a move that has the "BookTok" community and Barbie fans buzzing, Mattel Inc. has officially announced its first-ever original young adult novel, Barbie: Dreamscape. And they’ve tapped a heavy hitter to pen it: New York Times bestselling author Alex Aster.
If you’ve been following the meteoric rise of the "romantasy" genre, you know Aster’s name. As the voice behind the hit series Lightlark, she’s the perfect choice to bring a high-stakes, magical edge to the iconic blonde's universe.
Out of the Box, Into the Unknown
Forget the Malibu beach house—at least for a moment. Dreamscape is a standalone coming-of-age story that introduces us to a Barbie we’ve never seen. Here are the quick facts on the upcoming release:
Title: Barbie: Dreamscape
Author: Alex Aster
Release Date: July 28
The Setting: The enchanted world of Heartland
The Plot: What Happens When Barbie is "Fateless"?
The story kicks off at the graduation ceremony of the prestigious Swancrest Academy. While most students receive their life's destiny with a bow on top, Barbie is declared "Fateless." For a girl who has always had her future perfectly mapped out, this is a crisis of identity. To earn her place in Heartland, she must trek across "treacherous, magical lands" to find the mysterious beings who control destiny. Along the way, she’ll uncover buried truths that threaten to shatter everything she thought she knew about her world.
"To forge her own path, Barbie must step out of the box... and into the unknown." — Mattel Press Release
Why Alex Aster?
For Aster, this project is more than just a high-profile collaboration; it’s a full-circle moment.
"I spent countless hours making up stories starring each of my dolls," Aster shared. "I still remember the excitement of opening a new box... marveling at each accessory." That genuine love for the brand is exactly what Mattel was looking for. Ryan Ferguson, global head of publishing at Mattel, noted that Aster’s affinity for Barbie makes this a "natural pairing" for today’s YA readers.
Is This Linked to the Movie?
In short: No. Mattel has confirmed that Barbie: Dreamscape is a completely original venture. It is not a sequel or tie-in to the 2023 blockbuster movie, and there are currently no plans for a screen adaptation. This is a literary pivot designed to showcase Barbie as a hero in the high-fantasy space.
More Than Just a Toy
This announcement comes on the heels of Mattel’s continued push for diversity and depth within their brands, including the recent launch of an autistic Barbie doll. Dreamscape aims to tackle heavy themes like desire, fate, and self-discovery, proving that Barbie’s story is still evolving—even after 65 years.
Get ready to dive into the unexpected. Pre-order your copy now!
The undated image released by Mattel Press shows author Alex Aster. (Jodi Reamer/Mattel Press via AP)
