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The Witches' Sleep Trilogy #1
The Witches' Sleep
At only seventeen, Ella Barnes is shot and killed for an unknown reason. She is shocked when she wakes up in a different world, a world of witches. Ella has to learn to adapt to a new body, new life and new world, surrounded by new people. As Ella gets to know Raena, the world of the witches and its people, she realizes they aren’t the perfect creatures they believe themselves to be, and she’s not the type of person to stand around and twiddle her thumbs. Will Ella succeed in changing the mindset of the people? Or will she be doomed to die another cold and tragic death because of her rebellion?
428 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
14 people are currently reading
1052 people want to read
About the author
Kaitlyn Deann
9 books49 followersAs a writer, Kaitlyn hopes to keep a reader turning pages late into the night and give them something to think about long after they finish the last page. She loves her friends, family, and God. She lives in Texas with the people that matter most to her in the entire universe. Visit AuthorKaitlynDeann.com for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 3, 2012
[FOR MORE REVIEW, CHECK OUT : http://mnkbooklife.blogspot.com/]
[A PDF file was provided by the author for review purpose. Thanks Kaitlyn!]
The Witches' Sleep was the first witch-focused book I've ever read. And what to say, I like it so much! And when the author is the same age as me, it's so so amazing.
Honestly saying, witches never appeals much to me. With their power and all, I find their life lack of struggle and all, but Kaitlyn's witch totally blew it off. I found the writing a bit choppy at first, but it became better and flowed really well in the next chapter.
The Witches' Sleep first introduced us to our main character, Ella Barnes, as she was chased and hunted by a mysterious man. Unexpectedly, she was killed. And woke up in a whole different world as a whole different person. A world where dying and waking up again was pretty commonplace.
Ella's struggle against the change when she was suddenly a witch and a new person was well-written, rich with emotion and sounded very true, as well as the way she coped with it.
I found Ella's personality a bit inconsistent, sometimes calm and assuring, sometimes reckless and explosives. But I love it when she was able to stand up for the right thing. And there was Daedrian, our main hero. I personally think he didn't stand out much, but I do love his cleverness and when he use his authority in a smart way.
One character I found unique and stood out was Songs. She was emotional and-I personally think-a bit unstable. But that's what I found interesting about her. Sometimes she was irrational, fussing over small thing, and all that. But sometimes she was so broken I can't help but to sympathize with her.
The world Raena, where the story took place, was well-built too. It was unique, not too outlandish, not too common. And the Raena's culture, such as the coliseum, slavery, the eye color and power, and their weird naming (Thunder Clap, Sunlight Reflecting off the Moon, etc) got me totally intrigued as well.
One thing I'm not very fond of The Witches' Sleep was probably the inconsistencies I've found in some parts, such as FC and Freedom's Calling. It confused the reader if the author use two different word (Even if it's an abbreviation) to describe one thing.
Overall, The Witches' Sleep was truly a good debut novel, with an intriguing concepts and well-built world. For a fantasy-lover, and dystopian-lover as well, I totally recommend it!
[A PDF file was provided by the author for review purpose. Thanks Kaitlyn!]
The Witches' Sleep was the first witch-focused book I've ever read. And what to say, I like it so much! And when the author is the same age as me, it's so so amazing.
Honestly saying, witches never appeals much to me. With their power and all, I find their life lack of struggle and all, but Kaitlyn's witch totally blew it off. I found the writing a bit choppy at first, but it became better and flowed really well in the next chapter.
The Witches' Sleep first introduced us to our main character, Ella Barnes, as she was chased and hunted by a mysterious man. Unexpectedly, she was killed. And woke up in a whole different world as a whole different person. A world where dying and waking up again was pretty commonplace.
Ella's struggle against the change when she was suddenly a witch and a new person was well-written, rich with emotion and sounded very true, as well as the way she coped with it.
I found Ella's personality a bit inconsistent, sometimes calm and assuring, sometimes reckless and explosives. But I love it when she was able to stand up for the right thing. And there was Daedrian, our main hero. I personally think he didn't stand out much, but I do love his cleverness and when he use his authority in a smart way.
One character I found unique and stood out was Songs. She was emotional and-I personally think-a bit unstable. But that's what I found interesting about her. Sometimes she was irrational, fussing over small thing, and all that. But sometimes she was so broken I can't help but to sympathize with her.
The world Raena, where the story took place, was well-built too. It was unique, not too outlandish, not too common. And the Raena's culture, such as the coliseum, slavery, the eye color and power, and their weird naming (Thunder Clap, Sunlight Reflecting off the Moon, etc) got me totally intrigued as well.
One thing I'm not very fond of The Witches' Sleep was probably the inconsistencies I've found in some parts, such as FC and Freedom's Calling. It confused the reader if the author use two different word (Even if it's an abbreviation) to describe one thing.
Overall, The Witches' Sleep was truly a good debut novel, with an intriguing concepts and well-built world. For a fantasy-lover, and dystopian-lover as well, I totally recommend it!
September 12, 2012
Let me start by saying that YA is not my area of expertise. I have read very little that I have liked. And then I read this. The Witches’ Sleep by Kaitlyn Deann was a surprising jaunt into the genre for me.
The world-building in this book is incredible. It’s well thought out, has a sense of grandness, and is pictured so vividly. It was easy to get lost in what Ms. Deann has created. The characters are well developed, making it effortless to get into a love-hate relationship with them. Human faults are at play here with jealousies, prejudices, and the eternal question of “Where do I fit in?”. Aptly appropriate for the age group this is targeting. The book also touches on the empowerment of self and the willingness to fight for the rights of others. I found the political elements to be handled with a deft touch.
I found Sunlight to be typical of her age. She has her moments of deep insightfulness, yet is still fresh with her youthful flights of fancy. She has an inner strength that is quiet as she adapts to her new identity and life, but is able to come alive once she realizes more about the world she is now a part of. I founds Songs to be one of my lesser favorite characters, and I think that may be intentional of the part of Ms. Deann. She came across as immature, juvenile and petty, and there were moments where it was hard for me to reconcile this woman as a mother. Clap, on the other hand, was the penultimate father-figure from the beginning, and it isn’t until further in the book that the reader gets to see how deep that well of feeling goes. I had warm fuzzies. Kindness, I’ll admit, I waffled on. For a great deal of the book, he seemed weak and ineffectual and I had a hard time seeing what Sunlight found so wonderful about him. His character comes together in the end and grows a backbone, but it felt a little rushed.
Tuck and Sea-Anna were a delight and I eagerly absorbed every tidbit Ms. Deann threw my way regarding them. The whole concept regarding their species and others was fresh and inventive. The more I read, the more I liked. I am hoping this continues as a series, as I would like to see where else the author can take me.
There were a few quibbles. This book was long, and there were lots of moments for me where it felt even longer. Understandable due to the amount to exposition and information that was needed to get across to the reader, but this may be off-putting to some. Also, there were, for my taste, far too many descriptions of the opulence of clothing. In the beginning, it was used as a tool to differentiate the witch world from the human in terms of everyday life, but I felt as the book went on that it was a little tedious. A tighter edit is definitely needed. Once or twice I came across words that wouldn’t be picked up with spell check, but the context was obviously incorrect, and a beta reader or editor should have found those mistakes. Nothing that took away from the overall impact of the story, which I loved, but in the moment, those mistakes pull away the reader’s attention, and that can be jarring.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable and engaging read and it was a book that I can without a doubt recommend. That being said, I suggest you buy your copy of “The Witches’ Sleep” and introduce yourself to the fantastic world of Raena and the imaginative characters of Kaitlyn Deann.
Four out of five stars.
The world-building in this book is incredible. It’s well thought out, has a sense of grandness, and is pictured so vividly. It was easy to get lost in what Ms. Deann has created. The characters are well developed, making it effortless to get into a love-hate relationship with them. Human faults are at play here with jealousies, prejudices, and the eternal question of “Where do I fit in?”. Aptly appropriate for the age group this is targeting. The book also touches on the empowerment of self and the willingness to fight for the rights of others. I found the political elements to be handled with a deft touch.
I found Sunlight to be typical of her age. She has her moments of deep insightfulness, yet is still fresh with her youthful flights of fancy. She has an inner strength that is quiet as she adapts to her new identity and life, but is able to come alive once she realizes more about the world she is now a part of. I founds Songs to be one of my lesser favorite characters, and I think that may be intentional of the part of Ms. Deann. She came across as immature, juvenile and petty, and there were moments where it was hard for me to reconcile this woman as a mother. Clap, on the other hand, was the penultimate father-figure from the beginning, and it isn’t until further in the book that the reader gets to see how deep that well of feeling goes. I had warm fuzzies. Kindness, I’ll admit, I waffled on. For a great deal of the book, he seemed weak and ineffectual and I had a hard time seeing what Sunlight found so wonderful about him. His character comes together in the end and grows a backbone, but it felt a little rushed.
Tuck and Sea-Anna were a delight and I eagerly absorbed every tidbit Ms. Deann threw my way regarding them. The whole concept regarding their species and others was fresh and inventive. The more I read, the more I liked. I am hoping this continues as a series, as I would like to see where else the author can take me.
There were a few quibbles. This book was long, and there were lots of moments for me where it felt even longer. Understandable due to the amount to exposition and information that was needed to get across to the reader, but this may be off-putting to some. Also, there were, for my taste, far too many descriptions of the opulence of clothing. In the beginning, it was used as a tool to differentiate the witch world from the human in terms of everyday life, but I felt as the book went on that it was a little tedious. A tighter edit is definitely needed. Once or twice I came across words that wouldn’t be picked up with spell check, but the context was obviously incorrect, and a beta reader or editor should have found those mistakes. Nothing that took away from the overall impact of the story, which I loved, but in the moment, those mistakes pull away the reader’s attention, and that can be jarring.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable and engaging read and it was a book that I can without a doubt recommend. That being said, I suggest you buy your copy of “The Witches’ Sleep” and introduce yourself to the fantastic world of Raena and the imaginative characters of Kaitlyn Deann.
Four out of five stars.
August 27, 2012
Over all, I liked this story. It was well written and flowed very well, I read it in about two days of actual reading. (I started it one day, didn't read for a couple, and finished it today.) I'm big on good flow and pacing. Sometimes the focus on clothing and grooming made me drift, but it never lasted long enough to lose me.
Ella, I liked over all. I found her incredibly naive, and that annoyed me a little, but is a perfectly legitimate trait. I just found it kind of frustrating. I also thought her power came to her, fully realized and understood, a little too quickly, but despite that and it's being rare, it was not over-played and over-powered. And she felt balanced.
I never wanted to throw my ereader across the room. (This is a bigger problem than you'd think, especially with teenage heroines, as anyone who reads this blog knows.)
My only other "complaint" is one of gender. This... feeling of conservatism in the characters. Their personalities all seem to adhere a lot to traditional almost 1950s gender role/stereotypes, at the mindset level and their roles outwardly. It's really subtle, but it prickled my unconventional mind.
Not that this is a flaw of the story. There are people like that, and if that's how the author wants it, more power to her. But it's a thing of mine and did somewhat impede my enjoyment of the story. Even when Ella was being strong, it always seemed she had to "fall back" on a male character, who she appreciated for tolerating her flaws, so to speak.
Don't get me wrong. I love men, and I love alpha men. But I also like my heroines to be a little more kick-ass. BUT... that's a personal preference thing.
I also found the witches' soul mates thing to be naturally very romantic, but also adhering to a conservative/tradition view of love. It works for a lot of people, but I've got a broader view than that. So while I'm not holding it against the book, it wasn't quite my cup of tea, so to speak.
Otherwise, I liked the world building. I would have liked more about the witches' powers earlier. (Like, why didn't Ella ask sooner about what they were?) But that was a small thing. Anyone who has read my Adelheid series knows that I am all about things like the elements Deann brings in towards the end of the story.
I think Clap was what really sold the story for me, though. He was my favorite. And I liked the ending. I think I'll probably be looking for the rest of the trilogy, to find out what happens, though I hope Ella comes into her own more and relies a little less on the men around her.
This is a solid 4 star story for me.
Ella, I liked over all. I found her incredibly naive, and that annoyed me a little, but is a perfectly legitimate trait. I just found it kind of frustrating. I also thought her power came to her, fully realized and understood, a little too quickly, but despite that and it's being rare, it was not over-played and over-powered. And she felt balanced.
I never wanted to throw my ereader across the room. (This is a bigger problem than you'd think, especially with teenage heroines, as anyone who reads this blog knows.)
My only other "complaint" is one of gender. This... feeling of conservatism in the characters. Their personalities all seem to adhere a lot to traditional almost 1950s gender role/stereotypes, at the mindset level and their roles outwardly. It's really subtle, but it prickled my unconventional mind.
Not that this is a flaw of the story. There are people like that, and if that's how the author wants it, more power to her. But it's a thing of mine and did somewhat impede my enjoyment of the story. Even when Ella was being strong, it always seemed she had to "fall back" on a male character, who she appreciated for tolerating her flaws, so to speak.
Don't get me wrong. I love men, and I love alpha men. But I also like my heroines to be a little more kick-ass. BUT... that's a personal preference thing.
I also found the witches' soul mates thing to be naturally very romantic, but also adhering to a conservative/tradition view of love. It works for a lot of people, but I've got a broader view than that. So while I'm not holding it against the book, it wasn't quite my cup of tea, so to speak.
Otherwise, I liked the world building. I would have liked more about the witches' powers earlier. (Like, why didn't Ella ask sooner about what they were?) But that was a small thing. Anyone who has read my Adelheid series knows that I am all about things like the elements Deann brings in towards the end of the story.
I think Clap was what really sold the story for me, though. He was my favorite. And I liked the ending. I think I'll probably be looking for the rest of the trilogy, to find out what happens, though I hope Ella comes into her own more and relies a little less on the men around her.
This is a solid 4 star story for me.
November 5, 2012
Blurb:
At only seventeen, Ella Barnes is shot and killed for an unknown reason. She is shocked when she wakes up in a different world, a world of witches. Ella has to learn to adapt to a new body, new life and new world, surrounded by new people. As Ella gets to know Raena, the world of the witches and its people, she realizes they aren’t the perfect creatures they believe themselves to be, and she’s not the type of person to stand around and twiddle her thumbs. Will Ella succeed in changing the mindset of the people? Or will she be doomed to die another cold and tragic death because of her rebellion?
Okay. At first I was a little confused because I didn't know if Ella had been a witch as a human... But that's just ol' crazy Nat for you... :D But as the action kept going, I started feeling like Ella (or Sunny) felt and I found myself jumping of joy or scared like hell in certain occasions.
As you keep knowing the characters and their intentions (thanks to Ella's gift) you get to like them. A lot. My favorites were Sea-Anna and Clap. Clap is an amazing Dad. Seriously. I bet he would do anything for Sunny. And Sea-Anna? She's like the little sister you want to have! Oops... I forgot Kindness and Sunny's relationship! It was real, it was believable, and totally loveable. Kindness was really a cool guy. <3 He and Sunny are absolutely compatible.
This book was amazing. It’s the kind of book where you just can’t leave till you finish it. It was completely understandable and easy to follow through the end.
My conclusion: 5/5. Kaitlyn: I loved your book so bad! I want to know what's next already. <3
At only seventeen, Ella Barnes is shot and killed for an unknown reason. She is shocked when she wakes up in a different world, a world of witches. Ella has to learn to adapt to a new body, new life and new world, surrounded by new people. As Ella gets to know Raena, the world of the witches and its people, she realizes they aren’t the perfect creatures they believe themselves to be, and she’s not the type of person to stand around and twiddle her thumbs. Will Ella succeed in changing the mindset of the people? Or will she be doomed to die another cold and tragic death because of her rebellion?
Okay. At first I was a little confused because I didn't know if Ella had been a witch as a human... But that's just ol' crazy Nat for you... :D But as the action kept going, I started feeling like Ella (or Sunny) felt and I found myself jumping of joy or scared like hell in certain occasions.
As you keep knowing the characters and their intentions (thanks to Ella's gift) you get to like them. A lot. My favorites were Sea-Anna and Clap. Clap is an amazing Dad. Seriously. I bet he would do anything for Sunny. And Sea-Anna? She's like the little sister you want to have! Oops... I forgot Kindness and Sunny's relationship! It was real, it was believable, and totally loveable. Kindness was really a cool guy. <3 He and Sunny are absolutely compatible.
This book was amazing. It’s the kind of book where you just can’t leave till you finish it. It was completely understandable and easy to follow through the end.
My conclusion: 5/5. Kaitlyn: I loved your book so bad! I want to know what's next already. <3
August 16, 2012
This book had me by the end of the first paragraph. Ella is a witch but she does not find out until she is murdered and her soul returns to her real body. She wakes up to a world full of pride, vanity and unfairness. She decides if she has to live there that it's her job to fix things. That doesn't sit well with those who currently rule. This is a story about how sometimes not even a curse or death will keep soul-mates from continuing to find one another.It's about standing up for what you believe in even if no one is standing beside you. The worlds and their problems the author have created are intricate and very well thought out. I recommend this book for anyone who loves being lost in someone else's world.
December 26, 2013
This was a pretty good book. The story was good, and it was an enjoyable read. It was a little odd at first that they called themselves witches, but really didn't seem to be what you would traditionally think of as witches. It didn't have anything naughty in it that would make it unsuitable for a young teenager, but was well written enough to keep the attention of an adult. The only complaint I could have about it is Freedom's calling. A group that people are willing to die to be in, and kill to stop, yet all they seem to do is meet. Nothing much seems to happen at these meetings. As a group they didn't take any kind of action that would explain why they are such a risk. I do need to disclose that I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
February 5, 2013
I loved this. It was original, intriguing and completely captivating. I don't usually like first person stories, but this one caught me. And it's written by a seventeen year old. That's talent. And the first in a trilogy. I can't wait for parts two and three.
Ella Barnes is murdered, aged 17, with no idea why. To her surprise, she wakes up. And she's told that she's been in a Witches' sleep for years and that her real name is Sunlight. Sunlight must try to find her place in her lost family and challenge a society that goes against everything she's ever believed in. Completely unique.
Ella Barnes is murdered, aged 17, with no idea why. To her surprise, she wakes up. And she's told that she's been in a Witches' sleep for years and that her real name is Sunlight. Sunlight must try to find her place in her lost family and challenge a society that goes against everything she's ever believed in. Completely unique.
September 17, 2012
I enjoyed learning about the other planets that existed outside of Quan (earth) however I was disappointed with the lack of diversity among the witches. They were all redheaded, a little boring. The color of their eyes being the way to know that power they possessed was unique and I was fond of the Browns possessing a little of everything as I myself am a Brown. The plot was interesting and is what kept me reading and frankly I found the names to be a bit silly. While I feel like I would enjoy the next installment it will be on the lower end of my tbr list.
November 1, 2012
I loved reading this book! In fact, I read it in one sitting! Very well written, and creative. When you read about the characters you feel as if you are right there with them. The lack of bad language and sexuality is very refreshing for a teen novel. The characters are fun to read about, without being disgusting. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
August 28, 2012
I was extremely impressed! It was a well written book with such lovely character. The clothing descriptions really dazzled me! That was what stuck out to me the most. I kind of felt that the writer was a little afraid of letting relationships grow and blossom. Great book!
April 12, 2017
Though it throws a lot of exposition to the reader at times, it's engaging and hits all the right notes. Also, there's no actual 'magic' as it's more like X-Men powers.
Recommended 13+ for violence, romance, and slavery.
Recommended 13+ for violence, romance, and slavery.
September 23, 2012
This book was great. I wish it were a series because I have fallen in love with all the characters minus Wise and Angel.
August 28, 2012
Pretty good story from a new author... And considering the age of the author it is amazing!!! Keep up the good work. Looking forward to reading more from you!!
September 21, 2017
I really enjoyed this book.
I loved the story line and can't wait to see what happens next for everyone. I love that it ended in a happy way.
I loved the story line and can't wait to see what happens next for everyone. I love that it ended in a happy way.
November 20, 2018
A whole new life
When Ella dies at the age of seventeen, she wakes up to find herself in an entirely different life. She's a witch in a foreign world, an important political figure, and the future of the witches and the shifters may rest on her decisions.
Some problems with style and pacing, and there were a few odd inconsistencies with characterization, but overall I enjoyed it.
#IFAHolidayChallenge
When Ella dies at the age of seventeen, she wakes up to find herself in an entirely different life. She's a witch in a foreign world, an important political figure, and the future of the witches and the shifters may rest on her decisions.
Some problems with style and pacing, and there were a few odd inconsistencies with characterization, but overall I enjoyed it.
#IFAHolidayChallenge
August 24, 2017
I mean, the idea of it sounds pretty good, but I just can't stand the names and a few other things.
Want to read
November 25, 2021🎁 Books 1 & 2 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (11/25/2021)! 🎁
January 1, 2022
Good book. Interesting information about the world of witches and were-people and their interactions in their world.
June 15, 2016
What I thought:
So I have an (awesome!) writing group on GR, and one of the main people who run it (I’m a mod! Yay!) is Miss Kaitlyn Deann. One of the other mods (for you non-Goodreads people, that’s who(s[?]) runs a group. Anyways. Yes. But, one of the other mods loves The Witches’ Sleep, and it kinda got me wanting to read it. Then. And then. Kaitlyn had a giveaway on her blog for two or three of this book IN PAPERBACK (yes!!!!!) (though I don’t remember why….), and I actually won!! Yep!
So, of course, I just had to read it! And, I mean, look at that cover! It’s my favorite shade of red!
Now, this is a paranormal book – which was part of the reason why I was hesitant to read it – but it actually wasn’t bad in that sense! I really didn’t feel like I was reading a paranormal! Like, it’s a world of witches (guys and girls are apparently called that, there), who are basically humans, just perfect in looks and for each of the different eye colors – except brown – you have a “power” like persuasion or strength and you live super duper long.
And in this book, there was a lot of Ella trying to free slaves, which was awesome! Because all the were-creatures need saved!!! And it was cool to read about all of the slaves trying to free themselves, and how all of them and Ella were faced with resistance.
Writing/Plot:
I really enjoyed Kaitlyn’s writing! Since this was her debut novel, I wasn’t sure, but I was pleasantly surprised! For the most part, things flowed pretty well along the whole book (minus a few parts)!
The plot was mostly Ella confused and trying to get her bearings in a strange new world, and pick up where she left off (her memory was basically wiped) and freeing the world – Raena – of slaves. It was pretty cool!
Characters:
I liked Ella, I really did. I mean, she did have her times where I was so annoyed at her and wanted to slap her straight, but, that’s normal, isn’t it????
Daedrian. Well…. So, at first I didn’t like him because that was ALL ELLA EVER THOUGHT/TALKED/EVERYTHING about! And, honestly, that annoyed me. But after meeting him (spoilers???), I was kinda off and on with him, WHICH I FELT REALLY BAD ABOUT. AHHH. AH. Ah. Ahem.
Then, of course, you have Sea-Anna and Tuck. Both of them are were-tigers (basically werewolves, just, tigers). So, I kept thinking that Tuck was in his forties and that Sea-Anna was maybe in her lower teens (you’ll see why I thought that for both of them if you read the book), and kept having to get myself straight. But I loved both of them.:)
And you have Clap and Songs. Welllllll…… Clap was pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. But Songs … she was trying. She really was. But, maybe a little too hard? Which gets you kind of annoyed at her. But she’s still pretty cool. (Though, that’s how she’s suppose to be. So, yeah.)
Problems:
As I said, I have a sorta like-hate relationship with Daedrian. Sometimes the writing didn’t flow perfectly. Stuff like that.
Other/Summary:
So I was very pleasantly surprised with this book, and I’m very excited to try and get the next book at some point to (obviously) read!
There were some things that I didn’t like/felt uncomfortable, but overall, it was great!!
For romance-wise: Yes, guys, there is some stuff. Basically just kissing and hugging. Actually, yeah, that’s all there is.
And violence. Well, this isn’t a violent book, but there was some. Like there was a fight to the death, so there were a lot of nicks and bruises then, and also people being rescued from/burned by a fire, and lastly, there was an arrow through the neck that was described enough that it made me feel a little queasy (‘specially since I wasn’t expecting it).
And there is slavery, so you have that.
Yep, there you go!
And if your unsure about reading this because it’s a paranormal, don’t be! Let me put your mind at ease: it’s not witch-y/paranormal-y at all! So if you don’t like the genre (like me. Mostly.), then you’d still be fine!
I’d definitely recommend this to teenagers! Maybe like fourteen/fifteen and up?
So I have an (awesome!) writing group on GR, and one of the main people who run it (I’m a mod! Yay!) is Miss Kaitlyn Deann. One of the other mods (for you non-Goodreads people, that’s who(s[?]) runs a group. Anyways. Yes. But, one of the other mods loves The Witches’ Sleep, and it kinda got me wanting to read it. Then. And then. Kaitlyn had a giveaway on her blog for two or three of this book IN PAPERBACK (yes!!!!!) (though I don’t remember why….), and I actually won!! Yep!
So, of course, I just had to read it! And, I mean, look at that cover! It’s my favorite shade of red!
Now, this is a paranormal book – which was part of the reason why I was hesitant to read it – but it actually wasn’t bad in that sense! I really didn’t feel like I was reading a paranormal! Like, it’s a world of witches (guys and girls are apparently called that, there), who are basically humans, just perfect in looks and for each of the different eye colors – except brown – you have a “power” like persuasion or strength and you live super duper long.
And in this book, there was a lot of Ella trying to free slaves, which was awesome! Because all the were-creatures need saved!!! And it was cool to read about all of the slaves trying to free themselves, and how all of them and Ella were faced with resistance.
Writing/Plot:
I really enjoyed Kaitlyn’s writing! Since this was her debut novel, I wasn’t sure, but I was pleasantly surprised! For the most part, things flowed pretty well along the whole book (minus a few parts)!
The plot was mostly Ella confused and trying to get her bearings in a strange new world, and pick up where she left off (her memory was basically wiped) and freeing the world – Raena – of slaves. It was pretty cool!
Characters:
I liked Ella, I really did. I mean, she did have her times where I was so annoyed at her and wanted to slap her straight, but, that’s normal, isn’t it????
Daedrian. Well…. So, at first I didn’t like him because that was ALL ELLA EVER THOUGHT/TALKED/EVERYTHING about! And, honestly, that annoyed me. But after meeting him (spoilers???), I was kinda off and on with him, WHICH I FELT REALLY BAD ABOUT. AHHH. AH. Ah. Ahem.
Then, of course, you have Sea-Anna and Tuck. Both of them are were-tigers (basically werewolves, just, tigers). So, I kept thinking that Tuck was in his forties and that Sea-Anna was maybe in her lower teens (you’ll see why I thought that for both of them if you read the book), and kept having to get myself straight. But I loved both of them.:)
And you have Clap and Songs. Welllllll…… Clap was pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. But Songs … she was trying. She really was. But, maybe a little too hard? Which gets you kind of annoyed at her. But she’s still pretty cool. (Though, that’s how she’s suppose to be. So, yeah.)
Problems:
As I said, I have a sorta like-hate relationship with Daedrian. Sometimes the writing didn’t flow perfectly. Stuff like that.
Other/Summary:
So I was very pleasantly surprised with this book, and I’m very excited to try and get the next book at some point to (obviously) read!
There were some things that I didn’t like/felt uncomfortable, but overall, it was great!!
For romance-wise: Yes, guys, there is some stuff. Basically just kissing and hugging. Actually, yeah, that’s all there is.
And violence. Well, this isn’t a violent book, but there was some. Like there was a fight to the death, so there were a lot of nicks and bruises then, and also people being rescued from/burned by a fire, and lastly, there was an arrow through the neck that was described enough that it made me feel a little queasy (‘specially since I wasn’t expecting it).
And there is slavery, so you have that.
Yep, there you go!
And if your unsure about reading this because it’s a paranormal, don’t be! Let me put your mind at ease: it’s not witch-y/paranormal-y at all! So if you don’t like the genre (like me. Mostly.), then you’d still be fine!
I’d definitely recommend this to teenagers! Maybe like fourteen/fifteen and up?
May 11, 2013
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again—dystopia and I have a bad history. Suzanne Collins broke my heart and I haven’t been especially drawn to any dystopias since forcing myself to read about Katniss. That being said, this is nothing like any of those or really anything I’ve read in a long time. It was centered much more around mercy, forgiveness, and justice than other titles in my literary diet have been lately and it was refreshing. In fact, the messages Ms. Deann conveys greatly remind me of those in Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Quintet, which is one of my favorite series of all time and is the only one I have ever read twice. (Even if I have a much less pacifist view than either author promotes, I can appreciate non-violence.)
The plot:
This story was inspired by the theme from the DiCaprio thriller, Inception—“When we die, we wake up.” It was a new and fascinating storyline and I found it to be original with sweet romance, a shot of mystery, and an adequate dose of suspense. It moved along very quickly for being 400+ pages, not lagging yet not quite reaching the pace intensity of a thriller or adventure novel. I really had no idea how it would end, but thought the conclusion was satisfying and gratifying. There is this one part where the main character talks about the American Civil War and I kind of got mad because it WAS NOT about slavery, but that’s a history lesson for another time.
The characters:
This story is told in first person present tense from the perspective of Ella Barnes/Sunlight Reflecting Off The Moon (Sunlight). I thought she was a relatable, engaging MC and it was made easy to relate to her as she tried to adjust to her new life, new planet, new family, and even new body.
Kindness is Sunlight’s soulmate and intended and their romance was adorable, sweet, and yet you could see that they had a strong and fireproof love that would get them through the tough times. Kindness was an astute diplomat and unwavering activist and I thought their determination in their fight against slavery was admirable.
My favorite characters were Tuck and Sea-Anna. Tuck was such a sensible and caring persona and he made me think of a cuddly little tiger cub that you just want to hug like a teddy bear. Both he and Kindess really reminded me of Maggie Streitvfer’s Sam Roth and I think he’s just one of the sweetest love interests ever.
Sea-Anna was timid, small, and easily frightened, but she was stronger than she thought and had a good heart and I wanted to put her some place safe and keep her away from all the villains who didn’t seem to care that she and the others had feelings, hearts, dreams, and fears. Together they made the cutest couple ever and I found it impossible not to smile when they were being sweet. Tuck and Sea-Anna are the MC’s for the second book, World of the Beasts, and I’m excited because I just adore them!
This book will appeal to fans of dystopia, fantasy, and maybe even sweet, clean paranormal romance. It certainly appealed to me and I look forward to the next in this series!
The plot:
This story was inspired by the theme from the DiCaprio thriller, Inception—“When we die, we wake up.” It was a new and fascinating storyline and I found it to be original with sweet romance, a shot of mystery, and an adequate dose of suspense. It moved along very quickly for being 400+ pages, not lagging yet not quite reaching the pace intensity of a thriller or adventure novel. I really had no idea how it would end, but thought the conclusion was satisfying and gratifying. There is this one part where the main character talks about the American Civil War and I kind of got mad because it WAS NOT about slavery, but that’s a history lesson for another time.
The characters:
This story is told in first person present tense from the perspective of Ella Barnes/Sunlight Reflecting Off The Moon (Sunlight). I thought she was a relatable, engaging MC and it was made easy to relate to her as she tried to adjust to her new life, new planet, new family, and even new body.
Kindness is Sunlight’s soulmate and intended and their romance was adorable, sweet, and yet you could see that they had a strong and fireproof love that would get them through the tough times. Kindness was an astute diplomat and unwavering activist and I thought their determination in their fight against slavery was admirable.
My favorite characters were Tuck and Sea-Anna. Tuck was such a sensible and caring persona and he made me think of a cuddly little tiger cub that you just want to hug like a teddy bear. Both he and Kindess really reminded me of Maggie Streitvfer’s Sam Roth and I think he’s just one of the sweetest love interests ever.
Sea-Anna was timid, small, and easily frightened, but she was stronger than she thought and had a good heart and I wanted to put her some place safe and keep her away from all the villains who didn’t seem to care that she and the others had feelings, hearts, dreams, and fears. Together they made the cutest couple ever and I found it impossible not to smile when they were being sweet. Tuck and Sea-Anna are the MC’s for the second book, World of the Beasts, and I’m excited because I just adore them!
This book will appeal to fans of dystopia, fantasy, and maybe even sweet, clean paranormal romance. It certainly appealed to me and I look forward to the next in this series!
February 6, 2013
"Our human experiences are what makes us who we are."
When I first heard about this book, I was impressed that the author was just 17. Now that I've finished reading this, I'm impressed with what she's written. When I read the synopsis, I expected the normal thing with books about witches—having powers, being feared and being condemned. But this one is different from all that. Here, we're given a whole new world to explore where every person's a witch and "they were the most lovely and prosperous of all creatures in the whole universe."
At first, I was wary about this world separate from the Earth or Quan, as what the people from Raena call it. I thought it would be weird. 'Other' world are usually meant for aliens and others but not for witches. But the author did a great job in establishing Raena. It was not to different but not too common. Some things would always be there to remind the readers that this is a different world.
I really found Ella's reaction to this change believable. Her naivety paired with her I-really-don't-care-what-you-think attitude seems perfect for her. Although, I was in the middle of agreeing and disagreeing with the soul mate thing at first when Ella was sulking and was depressed over her boy friend. I really thought it was stupid to say that she finds him more important than her human parents, but after few things were explained and reveal I started to accept it. They can never love anyone like how they love their soul mate.
Among all characters, I loved and admired Thunder Clap the most. He was very loving and understand father but not the smothering type. Just someone who's willing to give up everything in a blink of an eye for his family. I know it's not uncommon to have such character but the way Deann wrote him was moving. If I'm not mistaken, she might have his father as an inspiration to this based on some of her random tweets about him.
The Witches' Sleep has a very good pacing and story flow with consistency, interesting characters that were well-developed. Deann is a very promising author and I am looking forward to the second book and to her future books as well.
*More reviews at Charlie, Coffee and a Good Book*
February 14, 2017
This is an interesting concept. It allows the reader to explore a completely different world and the idea that we might be in a dream instead of living our real life. Some witches in this novel go through a period of coma where they leave their body and go to Earth where they live as humans. I liked the themes and I liked that the main character left someone she is in love with behind as well as her new family. She feels imprisoned in a new body in a new world and that concept hints at some deep fears we have as children to be abandoned or be taken away from what's familiar. As such, the story is appropriate for teens and will help them explore several ideas safely. As a reader, I found the story slow and had problems getting pulled in, but it has nothing to do with the novel and everything to do with me. Also, the novel is in the present tense, which might get some getting used to. I would recommend this novel to readers who like slow developing themes. They will enjoy it. Thank you to the author for letting me read this book.
October 26, 2016
The witches sleep is a book that has a delightful sense of simplicity in it's style, and the heroine maintains an innocence that was refreshing. After a girl dies she wakes to what appears to be every girls dreamland - beautiful gowns, a lovely house, strength and agility that are beyond anything she thought possible, and parents who adore her.
This new world is far from heaven. Though good in many ways, it is full of its own struggles and flaws. Sunny experiences the shock that every person experiences when faced with an entirely foreign culture. When morality, society, and even currency are nothing like the world you've grown up in, your options are limited. You accept the society, fight against it, or withdraw from it. Sunny is a fighter, and I believe that's what makes her a character you choose to like.
Some of the characters in this story did suffer from being underdeveloped, but as it is only the first in the series, those problems were solved in the next book, World of the Beasts. The story-line itself progressed well and without redundant obstacles, the dialogue was interesting, and the book is appropriate and tasteful in it's descriptions. Overall I have read this book many times, as have my sisters. It is a debut novel, and that is clear when you read it. Unlike many debuts, I found that it's simplicity allowed you to enjoy the story more and worry less about the style.
Standing alone this story is a pleasant read; connected to its series it gains a sense of clarity that makes it of even greater worth.
This new world is far from heaven. Though good in many ways, it is full of its own struggles and flaws. Sunny experiences the shock that every person experiences when faced with an entirely foreign culture. When morality, society, and even currency are nothing like the world you've grown up in, your options are limited. You accept the society, fight against it, or withdraw from it. Sunny is a fighter, and I believe that's what makes her a character you choose to like.
Some of the characters in this story did suffer from being underdeveloped, but as it is only the first in the series, those problems were solved in the next book, World of the Beasts. The story-line itself progressed well and without redundant obstacles, the dialogue was interesting, and the book is appropriate and tasteful in it's descriptions. Overall I have read this book many times, as have my sisters. It is a debut novel, and that is clear when you read it. Unlike many debuts, I found that it's simplicity allowed you to enjoy the story more and worry less about the style.
Standing alone this story is a pleasant read; connected to its series it gains a sense of clarity that makes it of even greater worth.
February 14, 2017
A good book.definitely stands out.engaging
January 21, 2014
I first heard of the author Kaitlyn Deann from Twitter. When I saw that she was releasing her first book, I was more than enthusiastic to read it because of how mysterious the title sounded and how unique and creative the cover of the book looked. After I read the first page, I completely lost sense of time because I was so into the book. I literally felt like I was transformed into the world of The Witches' Sleep. There are no pictures in the book but you can definitely see the settings that are being described in the book and also feel what the characters are going through. It seems like every character has a reason for being involved in the story. There are no background characters. Every character has a purpose to serve within the story. I believe that Kaitlyn Deann did a phenomenal job in creating this world filled with interesting characters, interesting settings and a unique story line. I believe that she has a big career ahead of her within the field of creating many best sellers.
January 2, 2014
This book has a lot of promise. The concept is very original and definitely interesting, especially all of the different species and their abilities. My main gripe is the sophomoric first person narrative. Sometimes First Person works and sometimes it doesn't, this book was borderline "not working". I found out that the author is rather young before I read the book. I hope hope her age wasn't a prejudicing factor but I can not ignore it especially since the tone of the book was "off" to me. I am interested in how the characters and the worlds will progress so I will definitely check out the next book but sadly it will not be at the top of my To Be Read pile.
December 4, 2013
The Witches Sleep is unlike any story you’ve ever read and the witches are unparalleled to any witch story I’ve ever heard of. From the start, Kaitlyn Deann has you on your toes as the main character is hunted. I would never expect her to wake up on another planet. If you’re looking for a story that is unique this is definitely the book for you. A story about soul mates, freedom, and fighting for what you believe in. The names of the witches may throw you off a bit, but I grew to love them as I read on and I love the world Kaitlyn Deann has created. I’m looking beyond excited for the next book!
July 12, 2013
"Love me or hate me. Take me or leave me. Help me or hurt me."
This story is just amazing! I'm always looking for new series to read and I've found a great one here! Characters are well developed and there's a constant rhythm. As soon as I started reading, the story held me captive and I finished reading it in three days –and that was only because I had to do some other things in those days. If not, I would have read it faster –yes, now you can see why I am recommending this to you. The story is really great!!!
This story is just amazing! I'm always looking for new series to read and I've found a great one here! Characters are well developed and there's a constant rhythm. As soon as I started reading, the story held me captive and I finished reading it in three days –and that was only because I had to do some other things in those days. If not, I would have read it faster –yes, now you can see why I am recommending this to you. The story is really great!!!
August 6, 2014
Witches sleep
Witches sleep
unusual concept where humans and animals that are sharpshooter interact. Humans are witches, both female and males. All witch will go into a hibernation type sleep once in their life as their souls to to Earth and they live a human life before returning back to their own world. The concepts and the relationships between the main characters of Kindness and Sunny are good to read as of the parents due to being able to see differences among people. This is a great imaginative stories for young adults.
Witches sleep
unusual concept where humans and animals that are sharpshooter interact. Humans are witches, both female and males. All witch will go into a hibernation type sleep once in their life as their souls to to Earth and they live a human life before returning back to their own world. The concepts and the relationships between the main characters of Kindness and Sunny are good to read as of the parents due to being able to see differences among people. This is a great imaginative stories for young adults.
January 22, 2015
This book had me surprised from the beginning! Definitely not your average witch plotline. I found myself very quickly absorbed in the book and ended up reading well into the night, I haven't read a book that kept me that interested for a while! I felt extremely sorry for the main character in the beginning of the story but very quickly came to appreciate her and the changes she could make to her new world. Also enjoyed the concept of the 'perfect world' that the witches felt they had that in fact turned out to be 'not so perfect'! Looking forward to the next in the series.
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