This was a really interesting book. I loved the world that was created, the way that the gods exist and were very involved in the world was a different type of feel. The set up and personalities of each sect was very distinct, and it made you really feel the ire and interest that the characters go though. The characters were incredibly unique, and the growth and understanding that they are forced into was emotional and organic. There were a couple points in the story that really tugged on my heartstrings, but I won't spoil things here.

The plot had a bit of predictability to it overall, but I felt that the pacing was well done and there was good action and development throughout. The plans revealed themselves ever so slowly throughout the book, so at the end, you're filled with a desire to see what happens next (not a cliffhanger, per se, but definitely an edge).

The creation and description of the monsters in the jih forest were really intriguing to me, and they really burst with personality and color. I loved the way in which Elver loves and cares for each and every one, and is able to communicate with them. The cub that accompanies them is so adorable and endearing, just one of my favorite parts. I also found the god Tisk and his mage to be especially interesting. Overall, I enjoyed all the aspects of this book, it was a great read.

Thank you Netgalley, Wednesday Books and St Martin's Press for the early e-arc copy of the Sleepless.

Elver is the guardian of an enchanting and dangerous monster forrest. Her touch alone poison's anyone her skin comes into contact with after she is saved from facing death.
Artair is one of the Sleepless, when he falls asleep he is cursed with an evil spirit taking over his body.
This had one of the most unique love triangles I've read about, strictly due to the fact that only two physical bodies are involved. A true swoon worthy romance with compassion and connection.
Overall I really enjoyed this YA Fantasy, especially our mischief maker Cub!
Eagerly awaiting the sequel to find out where our favorite trio is up to next!

4 Stars

Anything Jen Williams writes goes straight to my shelf, so I preordered The Sleepless the moment it was announced. Even so, I worried a little. Was YA going to be the right fit? I shouldn't have worried. This book delivers a fresh, fast-paced fantasy with compelling characters and never feels bogged down by worldbuilding or exposition.

Set in a land where gods walk and monsters are real, the story follows multiple POVs and strikes a lighter tone. It leans more toward fantasy than romantasy. Still, there are hints of romance that I appreciated, and they add a unique dynamic to the trio at the heart of the story.

Elvar’s touch is poison, a literal curse that isolates her, while Altair shares his body with a dangerous spirit that awakens when he sleeps. The dynamic between these two, and Lucian, Altair’s eventual alter ego known as "the sleepless," is rich with tension, tenderness, and a growing sense of dread. I’m a sucker for stories that explore duality in human nature, and this taps into that beautifully, echoing the "two wolves" mythology in clever ways.

One of my favorite things is the role reversal. Elvar is the grumpy, reluctant heroine who wants to be left alone with her books. Altair is the sunshine boy before his transformation. His joyful energy stands in sharp contrast to Lucian's coldness, which chills every scene he's in.

While the YA tone felt aimed at a younger audience, and I might have preferred a darker take like The Winnowing Flame or Seven Dead Sisters, there's still so much to love here. The pantheon of twelve gods, the unsettling creatures, and the interpersonal struggles are handled with care and imagination.

The audiobook is well done, capturing the different voices and moods of the characters without overdramatising them.

This is the first in a duology, and I’m already impatient for the second half. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven fantasy with a mythic touch.

"Welcome home, poison child." The Sleepless by Jen Williams follows Elver, the poisonous monster girl, and Alistair, a boy possessed by an evil spirit who appears when he sleeps. Their paths entwine on a perilous journey to deliver a creature from the Jih forest to a mage holding Alistair's friends captive. Elver has history with the mage and a score to settle. Evading priests that want to destroy them and gods who treat them as pawns in a game, Elver and Alistair find kinship and more while discovering truths about their pasts and futures.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The world building is not too complex and the magic system has a unique take with some familiar elements that made it easy to understand. I found myself eager to read what happens next in each step of their journey. The romance is sweet and innocent, but has potential to get messy, so I am interested to see where Elver and Alistair find themselves in the next book. There were a couple of times where the writing used a term that felt out of place, some modern slang that didn't seem to fit, but overall the writing was easy to read and enjoy.

Never read a book from the author I own an adult fantasy from her but still haven’t got around to read it. I have to say I’m really really happy surprised on that one. I really enjoy her writing, just the right amount of details to comprehend the world building. And to make it better she occasionally makes comparisons to RL stuff which for a YA it’s brilliant, easy to picture. I particularly like the magic system with the meddling gods, it gave me a vibes of Master of death from Olivie Blake, and here we discussed as well interesting topics. In a world where we go to war for what we don’t understand or are scared of it was very important and well execute from the author. I also really liked Elver which I thought was a peculiar character and Artair brought a touch of innocence to balance the ‘dark’ topics in the book. Not everything is perfect I mean there is few chapters I don’t see why they are chapters and not included into an other one to make it a point but not an all chapter. The book is still YA we can feel it very often which is not a bad thing for me but it will be the cup of tea of everyone. I genuinely had a great time and can’t wait to see where the story will bring the three of them.

I wanted to love this one so badly but unfortunately it fell really flat for me. It was hard for me to get into and I just didn’t really ever want to pick it up. Finishing it was difficult but I can see why others loved it

The Sleepless is a dark, imaginative fantasy that weaves together forbidden magic, haunting curses, and a love triangle unlike any other. Elver, a poison-skinned guardian of a monstrous forest, is a fierce and complex heroine whose fate collides with Artair—an immortal warrior possessed by a malevolent spirit. Their uneasy alliance crackles with tension, especially as Lucian, the manipulative second soul within Artair, brings danger and temptation in equal measure. The book stands out with its lush world-building, morally gray characters, and a storyline driven by secrets, betrayal, and the looming threat of godly forces. A compelling read for fans of twisted romance, high-stakes fantasy, and emotionally charged character dynamics.

This is the story of Elver, a young lady who was thrown off the cliff of her hometown back when she was 12 years old by a Goddess. After she fell and died, The Serpent Queen picked her up and gave her a second chance at life by injecting poisoned blood into her veins and turning her into a jih. As a result, she acquired special power and an aversion to human beings. Elver went on with her life living in a forest surrounded by her new monstrous friends.

Altair is a monk living in isolation among the Sleepless (being a Sleepless himself). At night, prior to falling asleep, he locks himself up in a cell for the arrival of the evil spirit who takes over his body as soon as he drifts.

The plotting of the gods and goddesses of this world will lead to Elver and Altair crossing paths. I enjoyed their journey and that threesome relationship so much. The character development was complex and felt more adult than YA, with nuances and layers, which I loved. I remember all characters being perfectly imperfect and those are the characters that I am getting attached to. The stakes were high, and the magical world was great and not a carbon copy of other famous books.

This book is part of a duology, and I look forward to reading book number two, especially after the shocking cliffhanger I did not see coming!

Last but not least, I love the cover and sprayed edges of the hardcover. As usual, Wednesday Books does not disappoint!

Real rating: 4.25 stars

I really struggled getting invested in this one. I liked the idea of an unconventional approach to a love triangle. I found that I was constantly wanting more and that the page length was a detriment. I do think the writing was good and I’d be interested to check out more by this author! I would have loved more character development because I think that would have helped me be more interested in the general storyline.

Again, this didn’t work for me, but I have high hopes for the author’s future works!

I was genuinely impressed by the uniqueness of its story and worldbuilding. The setting felt fresh, and the concept stood out from other fantasy novels I've read so far. Both main characters overcome personal & circumstantial challenges and the new experiences show somewhat of a character growth, which made their journeys compelling to follow. I found myself feeling sympathetic toward several characters kept me invested throughout.
This is definitely a book I’d recommend to fantasy readers looking for something original and engaging. I’m already looking forward to the next installment in the series

The Sleepless by Jen Williams blends fantasy, horror, and mystery in a world haunted by ancient gods and dark bargains. With a morally grey demon living in a boy’s head and a plot full of secrets and tension, it’s a gripping read that keeps you guessing. Perfect for fans of clever, character-driven dark fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Post-Read
Man by day, evil spirit by night? Yeah okay, I devoured that.
The last sentence alone… someone hold me. 😩😩
Overall Thoughts
This book had me hooked once I got past the halfway point, and then I couldn’t stop. It’s YA romantasy with such a cool premise: monsters, gods, curses, and a love triangle where the love interests literally share a body?? I was so here for the chaos. Elver’s character arc was grumpy girl goals, and her connection with the magical creatures (especially the cub 🦊) melted me. Also, I know I’m supposed to root for Artair, but Lucian?? I’m firmly on team mysterious spirit boy with a tragic past. 😮‍💨
Things I loved:
✨ The worldbuilding — there are 12 gods, all with their own chaotic vibes (still laughing at one being named John Barleycorn, like okay sir).
✨ The magic system — really unique and felt so tied to the characters and lore.
✨ The theme of “what makes someone monstrous” — handled so well.
✨ The cub. Literally stole the whole book.
What didn’t hit as hard:
Some parts dragged a little, especially early on, and I wish the characters had a bit more banter or sharper dialogue. Also, Elver’s personality felt inconsistent at times, which made it hard to fully connect with her. But once the emotions kicked in? I was in shambles.
Vibes:
🌒 Godkiller x One Dark Window
🌲 Dark forest energy
🧪 Magic, monsters, betrayal
📚 YA that still hits hard emotionally
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.75 if we’re being exact)
Would recommend if you like:
love triangles
Grumpy girl x sunshine boy x morally gray chaos demon
Fantasy that questions who the real monsters are
Characters overcoming challenges
Evil curses

Pub Date: Sept 30, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Jen Williams, and St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed the creatures and the different aspects of the magic systems. While this was solidly a YA fantasy, I feel like any adult could enjoy it. The world-building is excellent and I liked the gradual reveal of the Sleepless persona. The adventure moved along at a good pace and the main characters felt well-fleshed out.

The Sleepless introduces a really interesting magic system/mythology centered around Twelve Gods and their mages. Elver, sacrificed to one god and is rescued and remade by another, must work together with Artair a monk whose body is overtaken by an evil spirit when he sleeps, to thwart the mage that sacrificed her as a child.

I really wanted more between Elver and both Artair and Lucian. I'm definitely more of a Lucian girlie as an archetype but I was left wanting more from her relationship with either of them. I think this book may just have struggled from being a first book and needing to introduce so much worldbuilding- as the last 20% or so really picks up and is much more interesting- or it really needed to be longer than its 330-some pages so that it actually had enough time to spend on everything.

That said, I loved Fleet, Sunay, and Tisk, and the ending was interesting enough that I am curious to see where the next book goes. I think it's definitely worth a read if you're more interested in the mythology and worldbuilding than the romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC- all thoughts my own!

Sleepless by Jen Williams is a fantasy about monsters, humans, and gods and how they relate to each other. If you like love triangles, this one is the ultimate. Artair is a monk who has been sequestered to the top of a mountain. He is locked up at night so the “Sleepless” who dwells in his body and appears only when Artair sleeps, does not cause pain and death and destruction. There are other monks there who have the same issue, another life in their body.

Elver was a girl who had no parents and one day a young man appeared at the orphanage and chose Elver to do a great deed for her people. At the time, there were many snakes infesting the water surrounding their homes. It was quite an infestation, so Elver went with him and was sacrificed to the water. She was thrown in and landed on serpents who could have consumed her but a god appeared and gave her poison blood, so if the serpents ate her, they would die. Her life would never be the same, even though her life did not necessarily have great hope for her future. She hated humans with a vengeance, she could burn them and even kill by just touching their skin.

When Elver and Artair’s lives intersect, they find themselves going on a journey to achieve the same goal. Eventually, the drama is elevated and the Sleepless within Artair becomes known to Elver. The story only escalates from there.

There are a lot of characters to learn, but you will be glad you took the time to learn them. I will be reading the second installment for sure.

3.25

this was so fun!!! I always love books with magical adventures and this one was one of the most fun I've read!!! THE ROMANCE AHHHH!!! the story was so easy to read but was so interesting, I want flipping the pages like my life depended on it!!! the characters were fun and so intricately connected... literally. the idea of the character sharing a body was one I've never read of and it was so cool, albeit a little confusing. he falls asleep, other guy wakes up. so interesting,

This first book of The Sleepless series is a gripping and imaginative science fiction novel that plunges readers into a fascinating future where humanity grapples with a unique and unsettling phenomenon. The story is a masterful blend of mystery, high-stakes adventure, and profound questions about what it means to be human in a rapidly changing world. WIlliams excels at crafting a richly detailed setting that feels both futuristic and unsettingly familiar. The concept behind "the Sleepless" is incredibly creative and forms the backbone of a compelling plot that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets, making their journey through this complex world engaging and unpredictable. The narrative is fast-paced, full of twists, and maintains a stong sense of urgency. This book is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy thought-provoking sci-fi iwth a strong mystery element and plenty of thrilling action.

The Sleepless is a perfect blend of monsters and gods and those caught in the crossfire . At its heart is a twisted love triangle that adds tension and emotional depth, making the story even more haunting. Amazing world building and adventure this book is impossible to put down

The premise for this book was soooooo good!. A poisonous heroine, a man cursed to share his body with an evil spirit, gods and monsters walking the earth — it sounded like everything I crave in dark fantasy. And while there were definitely elements I loved, overall this one fell a bit short for me.

The romance was also super well done — surprisingly tender in places, with real tension and chemistry that felt earned rather than forced. So huge kudos to Jen Williams for nailing that dynamic. Where it lost me was in the predictability. The plot hit all the familiar beats I expected it to, without any real surprises along the way. For a book built on such a strong, unusual concept, it played things a little too safe. I was also hoping for a more unique, layered magic system — one of my favorite parts of any fantasy story — but here it felt a bit complacent, like we were scratching the surface of something that could’ve been so much deeper.

This was an easy, enjoyable read with endearing characters and a romance worth rooting for. But if you’re a reader who craves unpredictable twists or intricately built magic systems, you might find yourself wanting more. Solid, but not spellbinding.

This story was so unique!

Elver guards the dangerous monster forest, cursed with poisonous skin. When she meets Artair, a man who is somehow immune to her touch, everything starts to unravel. But Artair isn’t fully human, and Elver has secrets of her own.

This was such a fast paced, emotional rollercoaster. A love triangle between a girl, a cursed man, and the spirit who shares his body?! Such a cool idea!

The twists were timed perfectly. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the author surprised me again.

I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to St Martin and NetGalley for the ARC!