The sleepless is a new to me author and series. The cover is beyond beautiful! I did enjoy this book about God's and monsters. It was a really good thriller/fantasy.

I picked this up because the premise really intrigued me and I love the concept of the Sleepless (cursed to share their bodies with an evil spirit! the love interest has an alter ego that comes out at night! and is another love interest!) But sadly this didn’t do it for me. I was pretty hooked for the first twenty percent (the early chapters describing how the Sleepless are sequestered and can’t rest to avoid accidentally falling asleep had me excited for things to come) but despite some interesting world-building I found it hard to stay engaged as the plot never quite gains momentum. Elver, Artair, and Lucian are interesting conceptually, but on page are all flat characters and there is a stiltedness to the dialogue that makes conversations a chore. The stolen cub has the most personality and is a scene stealer. I do think this book will find an audience with readers looking for a more fantasy forward YA read, but should not be marketed as romantic fantasy or with such an emphasis on the love triangle because the chemistry is lacking. DNF @ 50%

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for a copy of the eARC.

Pretty unique and interesting read. I enjoyed it well enough. Would be interested in reading more from this author!

The Sleepless is a really well done YA story.
It's true to the YA rating and I would have loved this when I was a teen.
The plot in intriguing, the magic gods systems are unique, and the characters are true to their ages.
It's a wholesome, clean read, with no spice, but a real feeling of being 17 and new to romance.

I enjoyed the interesting stories of the characters and learning of the world, and creatures. Who doesn't love a cheeky monster sidekick!
I definitely will follow up with the next book as I really do want to see what happens with the two MMC's.

When Elver is murdered, a snake goddess takes notice and brings her back with the ability to kill with a touch. Artair and Lucian are two souls bound to the same body, each taking over from the other when he falls asleep. Together they end up on a quest to defeat the woman who killed Elver, who slaughtered Artair's monastery of Sleepless, and Lucian... well, that's one mystery that I'm not going to spoiler! These were great, well-developed characters, a fascinating world, and a complex plot with a satisfying resolution. Overall a solid read.

3.5 stars. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the eARC opportunity. Some spoilers below!! This was a quick and enjoyable read. The story starts right in the action with Elver’s backstory. So we're immediately thrown into the high stakes present in this book. However, it took me until Elver and Artair started their shared journey to really get into the story. I really enjoyed the descriptive writing of the author - it made it very easy to picture and immerse in. The magic system, the settings, the gods and the relationships between them were very interesting. I enjoyed that the problems MCs ran into were not drawn out, they were resolved quickly to keep the story moving. As Elver, Artair and Lucien were on their journey I was interested to find out the mystery of Lucien’s past and the lore behind the Sleepless. The side characters Fleet and Sunay also brought a levity to the story I enjoyed. I didn't love the romance, it wasn't very convincing on either side of the triangle. Elver hadn’t been fully honest with Artair and she wasn’t super nice to Lucien after Artair was upset with her (also there are some other complications between them). It was nice to see the growth of all three characters’ growth throughout the story and I am interested to see what happens to them next.

Tried a chapter, was not into the writing.
If you don't like snakes, the first chapter is full of them...
Also not a fan of body swapping, Lucian and Artair share a body. I got the ick from the first scene that happened in.
DNF 4%
arc provided by Netgalley

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Good god this was a wild ride.

It took me a bit to get into this story but man once I grasped on, I was very much interested. The world building in this was really, really well done. The use of the Twelve Gods isn’t something I’ve seen before and I loved how there were so many different kinds.

Elver was a little annoying as a character at first but I grew to appreciate her harsh exterior. Her interactions with both Artist and Lucian were so fun. I honestly wish we had gotten more interactions with her and Lucian. Don’t get me wrong, Artair was great but he was a bit naive for my tastes. I see him more as friend to Elver and Lucian as the love interest but idk I could be swayed!!

The way this love triangle works is so wacky. I love it. But also can’t they just be a throuple? 😂

Speaking of Lucian, he was my favorite character. He was so wonderfully complex and I wanted more chapters in his POV! Hopefully we get more in book two. Also Fleet was SO DAMN CUTE 😭 I’m a sucker for an animal companion.

The little twist at the end was also not expected. I need to reread the prologue cause whaaat.

My main complaint is I felt like there weren’t enough descriptions. I had a hard time picturing certain moments. Especially at the end during one very important scene.

But overall, this was good! I truly have 0 idea where we go from here but I’m excited to find out!

4 stars!

Old Gods and monsters born of sacrifice journey through this tale of exploration and self discovery.

“The Sleepless” begins with death, when chosen, Elver crosses paths with a powerful mage and winds up reborn as a protector of the forest but when a stranger trespasses stealing a magical cub she finds there’s a much bigger world than the safety of trees around her but the looming threat of the mage who doomed her to this fate still lingers.

An interesting story that plays well with mythology of the older gods and the fanaticism of these who worship the new. Elver has nothing but loyalty to those who gave her a new life but I along the way questions if she’s truly living as she is exposed to grander things and the opportunity to help other trapped or cursed souls like her own.

I really enjoyed the scenes with Elver and Artair, who brings with him his own secrets and the mystery of what exactly The Sleepless are. His struggle of identity is both literal and figurative as he too sees a world bigger than the cell he knows and while he is still tethered to his secret he finds that the stories he has been fed may be bigger lies than the ones he tells himself about his stowaway. I would be interested to see how the relationships pan out here as there are moments of romance but I find myself liking the more doomed option.

A curious read with a world and magic system that I hope will expanded upon in a sequel.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

This story gave me The God Killer meets Paladin's Grace vibes. The story felt new and unique while still leaning into fantasy elements that I enjoy. That being said, it was honestly kind of slow paced--the writing style felt sluggish and I had a hard time staying invested. However, the times I was, I was all in. The pace did pick up during the last 20% or so and I had a hard time putting it down. I did keep seeing things about a love triangle and I don't know if it just wasn't super developed or if it's because it's YA, it just really didn't seem as prominent as it was made out to be.

All in all, I give this 3.75 / 5 stars and I do want to see where the story is headed next.... especially if Sunay is a part of it.

Is the love triangle in the room with us?

Overall, The Sleepless was a pretty interesting read, and I am intrigued enough to continue the series, but for there to be a mention of a love triangle the romance was surprisingly lacking.

I liked this book well enough, the plot kept me interested and I was looking forward to see what would come next. I think most people would find this YA enjoyable, some parts were a bit meh and I wasn't too into Lucian and I'm hoping his character will evolve more once book 2 comes. I wouldn't say this is a romance because of how little of it there is so if you're hoping for that then this may not be the book for you despite the marketing. It is an interesting set up for a love triangle as the story continues with the next book. Elver's character was one that had layers of anger and trauma but her care for those she looked after was clear and I liked that about her overall. I'm curious to how this will continue

When I finished The Sleepless, I had to sit with my feelings about it for a while.

On the one hand, the writing and world building are great. The gods are petty and have made the main characters pawns in their conflict. The MMC has one body, but two distinct persons occupy it, and that while one sleeps the other wakes. The FMC has been rendered poisonous to the touch to everyone but the MMC(s). It is a wonderful premise, and does not disappoint as the story unfolds.

However, there are some times when the moral choices, particularly those of the MMCs 'alter ego', Lucian, feel too amoral. Specifically, what he did in the past to a herd of horses. Although this book is the first of a series, so there is the possibility there will be further character development for Lucian, as it stands at the end of the book, there doesn't seem to be much concern for the depth of the cruelty. Perhaps I am overly sensitive as a horse owner and equestrian, but it certainly left me feeling less attached to the characters overall. I love a 'bad guy' redemption arc, but this felt more like a "sweep it under the rug" situation..

Really great magic system and slight cozy vibes. I’ve read previous Jen Williams books and this is right on par with her other works as far as prose and writing style. This is a Ya duology that I think a lot of people will enjoy. Jen Williams always has a lot of good magical creatures in her books and this did not disappoint. The romance was slow burn and very cute. Can’t wait for book two!

I did enjoy the beginning of this book but it kinda of spiraled after the first 1/4. At first it was action packed and exciting and unique but then when the two main characters get involved it just devolves into a plot spiral and really lost its magic. It wasn’t exciting anymore and I couldn’t get past the 1/2 point.

I think the author should pick one side and stick with it, having romantic worlds makes it confusing and is too much info.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

⚠️TW’s ⚠️

- Mild language

-Violence

- Child abuse, Trafficking, Murder

✨I made you and I brought you here to be the guardian of my forest, poison child. If something is taken from here, I expect you to retrieve it, do you understand? ✨

✨Truly the world is a strange place✨

✨Wake up child, you've misplaced your sweetheart. ✨

✨So. What are you? Because you're not human✨

📖

In a world where touching someone can kill, trust is the most dangerous choice of all...

Elver guards the borders of a cursed forest, her body a weapon—her very skin laced with poison by the will of a god. Isolated and feared, she lives to keep monsters at bay. But when Artair, a strange and unshakably calm man, crosses her path, something impossible happens he survives her touch.

Artair is one of the Sleepless—cursed souls who never dream and must share their bodies with ancient spirits. His other half, Lucian, is manipulative, seductive, and hungry for power. And Elver may be just the key to what he desires.

As the three are drawn into a web of dark gods, buried magic, and growing chaos, alliances form and unravel. Because in this world, everyone carries secrets—and not all of them sleep.

💭My thoughts:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Excuse me—BOOK TWO?! Immediately, please. I am unwell.

I just finished The Sleepless and I need someone—anyone—to explain how I’m supposed to function after that epilogue. Like, hello?? Jen Williams really dropped that final page like a mic and walked off stage. Ma’am, I have questions. I have feelings. I need answers (and book two).

Now. Let’s talk about what this book did to my soul. The worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss. We’ve got monster-infested forests, divine curses, and ancient magic so thick you could bottle it and sell it on Etsy as “emotional damage in a jar.” It’s rich, atmospheric, and just the right amount of "what the heck is happening, I love it." AND THEN—the love triangle... but make it one body, two souls. I'm sorry, Shakespeare could NEVER. Enter Lucian: dark-haired, scarred, broody, chaotic. You already know I was feral. Don’t even try to tell me he’s evil. He’s not. He’s✨ emotionally unavailable and misunderstood ✨ and honestly, that’s my kryptonite. Lucian, I love you.

Now, why did I dock a star? Because occasionally, the plot decided to take a scenic detour through “Wait, what are we doing again?” town. Plus, I needed more from Lucian’s POV. I want to be inside that man’s brain in book two, and I don’t care how cursed it is—I will risk it all.

Final thoughts: If you like morally gray characters, gorgeous prose, and vibes that feel like Jujutsu Kaisen, and a dark fairytale had a beautiful, cursed baby—you need this book. I was devouring every page like it was the last slice of cake on earth.

Jen Williams, please don’t make me beg. I’ll do it. Book two. Now.

God Bless everyone 🙏

My quest, loving heart ate this arc right up. The writing is descriptive, and I was immersed in the world and story immediately.

A really interesting premise. Between our Monster Girl, whose touch is poisonous, and a Sleepless who houses a malevolent spirit that controls their body in unconsciousness, I was invested.

I think the author does a great job balancing plot and character development. I would have liked to see more out the romance, mainly because this seems to be marketed as a YA romantasy. I found the relationship development between Eliver and Artair, and Elver and Lucian more of draw to towards friendship/kinship over romantic. There were a few great tension moments but not enough for me to think of this as a romantasy story. That said, this is book 1 in a duology, so I imagine we will get more tension, yearning, and exploration of those feelings in book 2.

Solid YA Fantasy with a unique premise, monsters, and some tricky gods. I had a great time and will definitely pick up the next book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It was cute enough and the writing was well done! I wasn’t terribly invested in the characters, but the plot was unique and I loved the concept of it. I just don’t think I’m the target audience.

That said, overall, it was an enjoyable read. I do wish there was a little more character development between the characters and maybe more tension, especially at the beginning.

But the cub was cute and Sunay was so sweet, I loved her! Definitely my favorite character.

Thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for the arc!

Jen Williams has crafted something bold here. The kind of book that doesn’t rush but never drags. Every chapter builds, tightens, deepens. The prose is sharp without being showy, the pacing deliberate in a way that feels confident. You get the sense that this author knows exactly where she’s going.

At its core, this is a story about impossible connections, dangerous bargains, and what it means to be haunted—by gods, by power, by yourself. The characters feel lived-in and layered, their dynamics tense and unpredictable in the best way. There’s romance, yes, but also something stranger and more compelling threading through the pages.

The world-building here deserves a mention. It’s textured without overwhelming, just enough to make you feel like you’ve stepped into someplace real. And while there are familiar elements. monsters, magic, curses, it’s all reimagined in ways that feel fresh.

By the end, you won’t be ready to leave. You’ll want more, even if you’re not sure what more looks like. That’s the mark of something special.

Highly recommended for readers who like their fantasy with a little teeth, a little heart, and a whole lot of atmosphere. Looking forward to the next one!

An engaging read with interesting characters and lovely world-building, the Sleepless follows Elver, a child sacrificed to one god and saved - transformed - by another, as she leaves her forest to rescue a jih spirit cub that has been stolen by Artair, a Sleepless who seeks to barter the lives of his fellow novices with that of the cub’s after they were stolen by Mother Maura, a blood-soaked mage dedicated to the Bloody Claw, the same woman responsible for sacrificing Elver.

The plot-lines are beautifully woven and the character dynamics are entertaining, with the almost love-triangle dynamic of Elver/Artair/Lucian being particularly interesting. I’m intrigued to see how the author resolves it as the series continues. There are excellent twists, and the backstory reveals are well-developed and well-placed. The tension and pacing were good, though the book started a bit slow for me. That could have been a “me” problem though, because once I picked the book back up after a week or so break I powered through the remaining two thirds in one sitting.

Definitely recommend, looking forward to getting a nice hardcopy for the shelf