this was a brilliant fast paced YA novel with some brilliant characters that I can't wait to see more of

I feel I should probably start by saying that I'm a big fan of this author, so there was no way I wasn't going to request The Sleepless when it popped up on Netgalley. Like her previous books, I really enjoyed it and the biggest annoyance was discovering (which I didn't know going into it) that it's book 1 of a duology. Grrr.

Anyway, our main character is Elver, who we first meet when the people of her village have decided to ritually sacrifice her - she is saved by the Queen of Serpents, one of the many gods, but is cursed as a result to the point where her touch becomes poisonous. Regarding herself as a monster, she spends her time protecting her fellow monsters and this is where her path crosses that of the other main character Artair. She discovers that he is the only person she can touch without killing (handy for a romance plot, tbh) but that he also has a curse of his own, as when he's asleep his body is taken over by the spirit Lucian. He's part of a religious group that believes those like him are evil, so he's been tied up at night to prevent Lucian's wicked ways from taking over.

The basic plot for this book is Elver dealing with human interactions for the first time in forever while trying to help Lucian figure out how he was cursed to become a spirit, as well as helping Artair deal with the concept that Lucian is not the evil he is scared of. There's a romantic plotline but it's not hit you over the head style, so some may find it a little too light for their liking. Anyway, overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing how everything gets resolved, but I probably won't re-read it (unlike other things this author has written).

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.

I really enjoyed reading this! Elver was a really compelling character and I really liked her growing bond with Artair (and Lucian). The book featured a cute animal companion and a really interesting love triangle between Elver, Artair, and Lucian, and I couldn’t put the book down! I can’t WAIT for more by this author!

The first YA fantasy book from Jen Williams kicks off with a girl who had been murdered in the service of a God and brought back to life by another God, and a boy who lives in a monastery and needs to be tied up at night lest the dark forces occupying his unconscious mind get free! As usual the writing is expansive and the world is imaginatively realised with many different rules than our own (our main femle character Elver is under the wing of the God of Monsters and her skin poisons any humans she comes into contact with for example) and characters who seem to hve a lot of ulterior motives, especially the side characters.

When the monastery Airtan lives in is raided and the other people living there either murdered or kidnapped, he is sent on a mission to steal a monster from the Jih Forest where they come from. Elver is a guardian of the forest so she sets about trying to stop him from taking the cub and they end up travelling together.

I'm very interested to see where the story goes in book two - there were a lot of things just coming to completion or just beginning at the end of this book and a lot of scope as to what could happen next. I would say that the romance storyline is very subtle which is by no means a bad thing and I hope it doesn't overtake the plot for the sequel!

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 really 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 overdramatizing 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.

“Shatter Me meets Princess Mononoke”
This was such a refreshing story; I love a story where the female main character is grumpy and the guy is the sunshine-y one (with the addition of a bad boy alternative personality?)
Elver is the guardian of the forest and all the creatures inside, poisonous to the touch for humans, and just generally wants to be left alone with her books when she has to rescue a baby creature from certain doom with Artair who is one of The Sleepless - a person with an evil spirit possessing his body who is called Lucian. But is he really evil?

They're caught up in a dramatic crossfire between gods and monsters, this dangerous quest is gripping and emotional.

This is a fantasy story that thrives on tension—between characters, curses, and the fragile line between trust and betrayal. Elver, a guardian with poisonous skin and a past touched by gods, is a striking lead. Her reluctant connection with Artair, a man cursed to share his body with the manipulative Lucian, brings instant stakes and slow-burning intrigue.

The dynamic between the trio is layered and unpredictable, with power plays, hidden motives, and uneasy alliances keeping the story moving. The forest setting and myth-infused world are beautifully rendered, creating a haunting backdrop for their journey.

Some pacing stumbles and slightly underexplored emotions hold it back from perfection, but the originality and atmosphere more than make up for it.

Final Verdict: A rich, character-driven dark fantasy with compelling twists and a touch of the tragic. A rewarding read for fans of morally complex magic and slow-burn tension.

This cover is absolutely beautiful but unfortunately, this book was a loss for me. The characters were underwhelming and the writing felt simple.Overall, I am entirely indifferent to this book and will probably forget it exists by tomorrow.

If I was writing this purely from the quality of Jen's writing it would be 5 star! Beautiful writing, amazing descriptions.
However, there was something missing for me within the characters that left them all feeling a little flat and pointless to the world in some cases. I liked the idea of Gods and Monsters being able to hang and be around each other, but it was just very surface level for those relationships, there was nothing really deep about the character development that would make me want to read more

I really wanted to get into this book, but something about it just wasn't for me right now. I don't think the different POVs worked for me in this case. The writing quality was high for sure.

This is my first book by Jen Williams and I will definitely be checking out her other works.

The idea of this was great and started off strong. A little over halfway the pacing started to lag a little for me. Then we are hit with the ending. It was a bit abrupt for me and I don’t normally care for stories that end in such a way, but I’m interested enough to continue the next book.

There were times I felt myself wishing this was classified as adult instead of YA so that Lucien could be more “evil” the way the blurb makes it sound like he’s going to be, but that could just be me and my love of a dark romance talking haha

Okay, I'm a HUGE Jen Williams fangirl and I'm not even trying to hide it! When The Sleepless showed up, I knew I would love it—because hello, it's Jen Williams!

Let me just put this out there right away: I am Team Lucian ALL. THE. WAY. Not even sorry about it!

So this book throws us into this crazy world where gods and monsters are just hanging out like it's no big deal...

We've got Elver, this badass who guards a monster-filled forest that would give most people nightmares. After a god saved her life, her skin turned deadly toxic! Then Artair strolls in on his "special" mission and faces off with Elver in full scary-mode. But wait! Her poisonous touch does absolutely nothing to him! Weird, right? That's because Artair isn't your regular human guy. He's one of the Sleepless, basically sharing his body with an evil spirit (worst time-share ever, right?).

When Artair conks out, Lucian takes the wheel and he's got his own sneaky plans for Elver. But don't count our girl out—she's playing her own game and has plenty of secrets tucked away. The three of them are stuck in this wild mess of gods, monsters, and magic that's way over their heads. And trust me, it's only a matter of time before everything goes boom!

I totally loved how this story hits the ground running from page one! The world-building with those 12 different gods? *Chef's kiss* Kept me turning pages! Jen absolutely crushes it again with those quirky characters, adorable animal buddies, and creatures so bizarre you'll do a double-take. And Elver chatting with forest critters? SO. FREAKING. COOL!

The romance had me grinning like an idiot—it's sweet but with just enough spicy triangle drama to have me practically foaming at the mouth for the sequel. And seriously, this love triangle is next-level crazy since both guys SHARE ONE BODY!

If you pick up The Sleepless (which you totally should!), get ready for:

• Epic Fantasy vibes without the boring parts
• Gods & Monsters galore
• Forced Proximity that'll make you squeal
• Slow Burn Romance that's worth the wait
• Magical Creatures everywhere
• The most unique Love Triangle ever!

Let me start by saying that is a YA book and indeed it feels very YA. It was also my first book by Jen Williams and now I'm even more excited to jump into her adult works!

The overall premise of the book focuses on a good old fashioned quest, with an unconventional love triangle (I'll say no more, but it's sweet and cute and I think if it was an adult book, it could get very very hot..... 🥵😉). I really enjoyed Williams' writing although it did feel a little simple and I had to remind myself at times that this is a YA story after all. The world building, although not too complex, felt immersive enough with beautiful and vivid descriptions and I thought it was just a perfect amount for a YA book.

I didn't feel entirely invested but this was most likely purely due to the fact that the characters were so young and I couldn't see myself "in their shoes". Elver is a force to be reckoned with and I'm curious to see how her character develops further on. While reading it, although it was enjoyable, I wasn't sure if I wasn't going to continue with the series..... until the very last sentence... WHAT?!? 👀 I actually had to read it twice!! 😂 Now I need to know what happens next!!! What a twist!!!🫣

The Sleepless will be published on 22nd May. Thank you MacMillan Children's Books for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Williams is such an inventive and prolific writer and her craft shines through in this. The Sleepless is her first YA and introduces us to Elver, Lucian and Artair. More importantly, we met the cutest cub, so adorable!!

Elver is a young, grumpy protagonist who hates humans - which is understandable given her history with them. Saved by a god, Elver spends her day caring for the creatures of the forest and ensuring that the humans don't encroach.

Artair lives in a monastery, unable to leave, he is one of the Sleepless. Lucian is a delight; an evil spirit within Artair.

There's a sweet love triangle, kinda a triangle. We have quirky animals and an interesting magic system. Not to mention 12 gods and their.... Cults? Now technically the animals and the main characters are 'monsters'. But what makes a monster: is it the way you look or the way you act?

The world building is fully fleshed out, the characters well rounded and there are some brilliant supporting characters! Did I mention the cub? Such a sweetie.

Due out later this month in the UK.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the advance reader copy.

I had seen a few ads for this book on social media and seeing it available I wanted to see if it was something I would be interested in.
Unfortunately I found the writing stilted and slow paced.

The FMC has an interesting backstory as does the MMC - I won’t go into details as it may be a spoiler.
However they weren’t able to keep me hooked and I had to DNF at 40%.

I hadn't read any of Jen Williams previous books, but I saw this book description and just NEEDED to read it - and I'm so glad I did! I adored the way the world was written, and have immediately added Jen's other works to my TBR! I found the world super interesting especially with the different gods and how they interact in the world. The descriptions were beautifully immersive, without being overwhelming.

I really love a book that questions what it means to be a monster. This book makes you question who the real monsters might be. We get to consider this throughout the story, with our three main characters - Elver, Artair and Lucien. This book has a smaller cast of characters and it really helps with exploring each characters motivation and backstory.

Elver was a fantastic FMC, her background makes her understandably guarded - protecting her from the pain caused by humans. After meeting Artair, the knot person immune to her poison, she begins to let down her walls and allow herself to think of what her life would be like with companionship. This leads to a tonne of internal conflict that had me entirely hooked and invested in her story.

I also loved seeing Artair and Lucien's story too as they both struggle with the powerlessness of their situation. I found it entirely fascinated by their story and it's development - especially seeing Artair slowly realise that what he had been told about Lucien was a lie. The slow burn romance was swoon-worthy, and I cannot wait to see more in future books. I HAVE to shout out the little keltraxia cub who is one of my FAVOURITE animal companions ever. A wonderful and hilarious edition to the story. I can't wait for people to read this book and discuss!! Available on May 22nd 2025.

2.75-3 stars ೃ⁀➷ Elver is Maleficent... nobody can convince me otherwise.

What to expect!
🐍 3rd person POV
🐍 Maleficent style mystical forest
🐍 A love triangle
🐍 Grumpy X Sunshine
🐍 A Quest
🐍 An animal accomplice


The Sleepless follows a girl named Elver, who was saved from the brink of death by the serpent god after being forcefully sacrificed. Now reincarnated, she is a Jih creature of the forest with poison running through her veins instead of blood, which makes her touch lethal. (Juliette Ferrars who?!). One day, a creature of the forest is stolen, and Elver has been sent to save it, but when she confronts this thief, Artair, she realises that he's not simply an evil thief but trying to save the only people he's ever known from the person who killed her seven years ago. All is not what it seems, because Artair is part Jih too, because he's one of The Sleepless- when he shuts his eyes another person overtakes his body, someone with a more sinister motivation than the innocent and kind Artair. Together, all three of them must work together to bring this cub home and defeat the evil forces threatening Artair and maybe something more...


Initial thoughts and reactions~
The first few chapters were EXCELLENT- I thought this would be a really cool unique world (which in a way, retrospectively it is but it was explored in a boring way). But after introductions it just got boring and the challenges faced along the way got a little bit juvenile because surely there are BETTER ones that can also assist in creating a more detailed world/society. At the end it was okay, then the last line of the chapter before the epilogue got me 🤯.

The Plot~

It held promise until it just took a route I generally didn't like. Then I lost interest sort of. Personally, the quest was dragged out in a boring, unneeded way instead of making it complicated in a good way.

My main issues were: the lack of world-building and destroying character depth for the sake of plot when it was just created. When it comes to the world building, it's weird because I understand parts but all of the Gods stuff is so new to me with how it all works and I kind of understand that, however there was no/little world building outside of the Gods stuff- like how the society functioned or how the gods tied into the society. In all, it lacked depth. Secondly, the characters were phenomenal at first... but then as soon as the plot got introduced, I feel like we lost a bit of the characterisation because both Elver and Artair IMO, (mainly Elver) were doing things that suited the plot more instead of it actually matching their characters. Also, the swearing was a bit random at times, I'm not sure.

The characters// Lucian & Artair

I feel like I was misled. Lucian is NOT evil. He may have done evil acts, but he was barely given a chance to be evil in this book because of how he was often tied up. In fact even when he did do things I wouldn't even call them evil at all. Purely a naughty child. Who's also got a fuck ton of charm, let me tell ya. Artair was honestly a GEM- he was THE kindest soul ever, and oh so innocent and naive, which honestly could have been used more to add humour to the plot because his generosity also was tainted by a lot of naivete.

The characters// Elver
Icon, queen, just gorgeous. Her backstory is so sad, and I completely understand her avoidance of the human world. She honestly has my heart. While she's not the best crafted character, I can still resonate with her thoughts and choices and approach to the world. Her relationship with the Serpent is so deep and nuanced in my opinion(and lowkey one of the saving graces of this book).

The characters// Mother Maura | The villain
I feel like the author attempted to give her depth to make us understand her villain origin story, but for me it didn't work. Don't get me wrong, I feel sympathy for her but I also DGAF but she hurt my girl Elver!! I liked the epilogue at the end though and I feel like I'm starting to like her as now her motives have more depth.

The characters// The cub
Honestly, a cutie, and lowkey Andarna wannabe!! Nobody can beat my baby Andarna from Fourth Wing, but it's okay, this cutie cub tried (and failed), but he was still very cute. Annoying-ish at times, but nevertheless cute.

Overall... it was fun at first, but then it got boring in the middle. What made it manageable was when Lucian came to the surface, he was so interesting, and I wish the author wasn't so careful with his character and let him embody that 'evil' mentioned in the blurb! The ending conflict was good and had definitely made me curious as to what's in store for the next book! Assuming there is one because I thought this was a standalone, oops.

2.75-3 stars

I enjoyed the idea behind this book and thought it something more original and interesting. We meet our MMC who is one of the sleepless, whose bodies are inhabited by another when they are asleep. After he is sent on a mission to rescue his friends he crosses paths with our FMC and together they make a deal to find a way for them both to get what they want.
Although I enjoyed the ideas behind this book the writing felt a little too YA for what I like. I would have liked more world building and details, maybe some more backstory, as it all felt a little too brief for what I like. I also didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would normally like to.
However, it was a nice easy read with a refreshingly new idea I haven’t read before and so I’d give it 3 stars.


Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sleepless by Jen Williams is a book that I’m aware wasn’t really written with me in mind, and unfortunately, I think that’s part of why it didn’t quite resonate. While I can see that this story would appeal to certain readers, it didn’t fully engage me as I had hoped.

The plot itself was fine—there’s an intriguing premise but ultimately, it didn’t captivate me. I found myself getting bored at times as the story progressed, the first 50 pages were easily the best.

As for the characters, I found them to be rather bland. I struggled to connect with them, and they felt somewhat one-dimensional in places. I was hoping for more depth and development, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite come through.

One concept that I thought had a lot of potential was the idea of two people sharing a body as the love interest. It was a fascinating idea and could have brought a lot of complexity to the relationship dynamics, but unfortunately, I found it poorly executed. Instead of adding layers to the romance, it felt flat, and I couldn’t fully invest in the connection between the characters.

However, there were a few aspects I did enjoy. The Jih creatures stood out to me as an interesting part of the world, and I found their inclusion to be a refreshing change of pace. I also appreciated that Elver was unapologetically herself, embracing her nature without hesitation. It gave her character a certain strength that I could get behind.

Overall, while The Sleepless has its moments and I’m sure it will find its audience, it just wasn’t a book that worked for me.

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book.

DNF’d at 52%. Despite me not enjoying it I do believe this book will be popular. It did have parts that I enjoyed, the first fifty-ish pages of the book was interesting. I enjoyed it being dual pov and learning about each of their worlds and how they grew and survived.

Artair was my favourite of the two main characters, a boy by day and an evil spirit by night. I was invested in not only his chapters but also Lucian’s.

Elver was for me a peculiar character, who had a rough childhood where she was sacrificied and then survived without human contact in a forrest. Which would make anybody a little strange but her wording and how she acted most of the time just had me cringing.

The best part of this book had to be the stolen cub, who was sassy, smart and i can picture incredibly adorbale.

The closer I got to the 50% mark I knew that this would end up being a dnf. I’m very grateful for the free copy to review and I wish that I liked it more than I did.
For me it was the writing style and the story that did not make sense and the closer we got to the middle just felt like it was being filled to bulk the book.