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A Sleep So Dark
Haunted…
After watching her mother die in a car accident, sixteen year-old Tandy McIntyre is plagued by violent dreams. Terrified to sleep and losing her grip on reality, she agrees to attend an experimental group retreat with Dr. Robert Gillman, an expert in lucid dreaming.
Trapped…
In the bitter cold of a Colorado winter, Tandy follows Dr. Gillman and his enigmatic son Cade as they lead a group of troubled teens into the wilderness. There, Dr. Gillman claims he will teach them to control their unconscious minds and master their dreams. But when the dreaming and the waking collide, will Tandy ever be safe again?
Don’t Fall Asleep…
After watching her mother die in a car accident, sixteen year-old Tandy McIntyre is plagued by violent dreams. Terrified to sleep and losing her grip on reality, she agrees to attend an experimental group retreat with Dr. Robert Gillman, an expert in lucid dreaming.
Trapped…
In the bitter cold of a Colorado winter, Tandy follows Dr. Gillman and his enigmatic son Cade as they lead a group of troubled teens into the wilderness. There, Dr. Gillman claims he will teach them to control their unconscious minds and master their dreams. But when the dreaming and the waking collide, will Tandy ever be safe again?
Don’t Fall Asleep…
- GenresYoung Adult
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2013
141 people want to read
About the author
Inara Scott
24 books676 followersI wrote my first book when I was in high school--a romance called "A Wild and Stormy Passion," which featured swordplay, kidnapping, a pirate heroine, and lots of naughty bits (that came entirely from my adolescent imagination!). Since then, I've written young adult novels and adult romances of the category, contemporary, and fantasy varieties. My books are romantic and sensual. I like strong women and strong men and the sparks that fly when they get together.
I am a dabbler and an emotional sponge. I can't read scary books or anything with an unhappy ending. I reserve the right to enjoy country music, puppies, true love, and happily ever after.
If you're perusing my Goodreads shelves, you should know I only review books I want to share the word about. If you ask me, life's too short to read something you don't enjoy.
I am a dabbler and an emotional sponge. I can't read scary books or anything with an unhappy ending. I reserve the right to enjoy country music, puppies, true love, and happily ever after.
If you're perusing my Goodreads shelves, you should know I only review books I want to share the word about. If you ask me, life's too short to read something you don't enjoy.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 28, 2013
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for my stop on the blog tour at Donnie Darko Girl.
The synopsis for A Sleep So Dark was so utterly intriguing to me that I knew I had to read this. And what better time of year than close to Halloween? The entire premise just sounded so deliciously creepy to me that I couldn't resist. I love discussing dreams and the conscious/unconscious - as an undergrad studying for my degree in Psychology, I didn't put a lot of stock into Freudian theories but do think there's a lot we don't know about the unconscious part of our mind.
I dream almost every night, even if it seems the dream only lasted for a few minutes. Some people I know claim they don't dream, or if they do, then they almost never remember what they dreamed about. On the other hand, I remember most of the time - if not right when I wake up, then later in the day when something else triggers my memory. I find it so interesting that people can have such widely varying experiences while sleeping, something that we all do, or at least try to do.
The promise that Dr. Gillman makes when he says he can teach the group of teens how to control their dreams and the lines between waking and sleeping blurring really drew me to this book. I started freaking out in a Nightmare on Elm Street kind of way just thinking about the blurring of those lines. What's real and not real is or at least can be tenuous at best. When I'm dreaming, I rarely know in the dream that I'm not awake, which can get really scary when I'm having a horrific nightmare. With all of the horror movies, TV shows, and of course books I consume on a weekly basis, having nightmares is no surprise to me. Kind of comes with the territory. But it's still not fun while you're having the nightmare!
To begin with, Dr. Gillman is creepy to the point where I wouldn't want to be in the same house with him, let alone the same room. You just know deep down that something is very wrong with him. On top of that, the teens, including Dr. Gillman's son Cade, are isolated with him in a snowstorm at a remote lodge. They're in the middle of nowhere. A creepy doctor, a group of teens, an isolated location...the perfect setup for a heart stopping, nerve wracking, fingernail biting kind of reading experience.
There's a lot of tension between Dr. Gillman and Cade - it's obvious Cade knows his father is up to something, but it's a mystery as to exactly what Dr. Gillman is going to do and what he wants from it. That's one of the things that scared me the most. I read this in the middle of the night and jumped at the slightest noise. The tension was ratcheted up to a level I wasn't sure my heart or my nerves could take! Just be warned - if you chose to read this in the middle of the night like I did, you may find yourself staring up at the ceiling with your heart pounding out of your chest nowhere close to sleep.
Along with the mystery, tension, and creep factor, there's even romance. I don't know how Inara Scott managed to blend all of these elements together so beautifully, but she did a fantastic job. I found myself rooting for Cade and Tandy from the beginning. I really loved the characters in A Sleep So Dark. Each character in the group had his or her own distinct voice and personality. They were there for the same reason just with different circumstances. The characters were intriguing, the plot thickened, and I had to know what was going to happen next.
A Sleep So Dark has a beautifully haunting title and is a well thought out and written thriller that will keep you hooked until the very end.
The synopsis for A Sleep So Dark was so utterly intriguing to me that I knew I had to read this. And what better time of year than close to Halloween? The entire premise just sounded so deliciously creepy to me that I couldn't resist. I love discussing dreams and the conscious/unconscious - as an undergrad studying for my degree in Psychology, I didn't put a lot of stock into Freudian theories but do think there's a lot we don't know about the unconscious part of our mind.
I dream almost every night, even if it seems the dream only lasted for a few minutes. Some people I know claim they don't dream, or if they do, then they almost never remember what they dreamed about. On the other hand, I remember most of the time - if not right when I wake up, then later in the day when something else triggers my memory. I find it so interesting that people can have such widely varying experiences while sleeping, something that we all do, or at least try to do.
The promise that Dr. Gillman makes when he says he can teach the group of teens how to control their dreams and the lines between waking and sleeping blurring really drew me to this book. I started freaking out in a Nightmare on Elm Street kind of way just thinking about the blurring of those lines. What's real and not real is or at least can be tenuous at best. When I'm dreaming, I rarely know in the dream that I'm not awake, which can get really scary when I'm having a horrific nightmare. With all of the horror movies, TV shows, and of course books I consume on a weekly basis, having nightmares is no surprise to me. Kind of comes with the territory. But it's still not fun while you're having the nightmare!
To begin with, Dr. Gillman is creepy to the point where I wouldn't want to be in the same house with him, let alone the same room. You just know deep down that something is very wrong with him. On top of that, the teens, including Dr. Gillman's son Cade, are isolated with him in a snowstorm at a remote lodge. They're in the middle of nowhere. A creepy doctor, a group of teens, an isolated location...the perfect setup for a heart stopping, nerve wracking, fingernail biting kind of reading experience.
There's a lot of tension between Dr. Gillman and Cade - it's obvious Cade knows his father is up to something, but it's a mystery as to exactly what Dr. Gillman is going to do and what he wants from it. That's one of the things that scared me the most. I read this in the middle of the night and jumped at the slightest noise. The tension was ratcheted up to a level I wasn't sure my heart or my nerves could take! Just be warned - if you chose to read this in the middle of the night like I did, you may find yourself staring up at the ceiling with your heart pounding out of your chest nowhere close to sleep.
Along with the mystery, tension, and creep factor, there's even romance. I don't know how Inara Scott managed to blend all of these elements together so beautifully, but she did a fantastic job. I found myself rooting for Cade and Tandy from the beginning. I really loved the characters in A Sleep So Dark. Each character in the group had his or her own distinct voice and personality. They were there for the same reason just with different circumstances. The characters were intriguing, the plot thickened, and I had to know what was going to happen next.
A Sleep So Dark has a beautifully haunting title and is a well thought out and written thriller that will keep you hooked until the very end.
December 14, 2013
For more reviews visit: http://livinginabookworld.blogspot.gr
The story
Five teenagers with sleep disorder take part in a five day therapy program with Dr.Gillman who claims that he can help them master their dreams so that they can finally have a good night's sleep. And the perfect story for Halloween begins...
The characters
Tandy McIntyre is a sixteen year old girl who hasn't slept for more than a few hours before waking up and screaming like her life depended on it since her mother died in a car accident.What causes her nightmares is the fact that she was in that car as well.She managed to get out but her mother was trapped and there was no way she could get her out before the car caught on fire and exploded.In her dreams,she relives that moment but her mother turns into something dark and evil and doesn't let Tandy go until she dies with her.Her last hope for a normal life is to spend five days along with four other teenagers with the same problem in one of Dr.Gillman's houses where he will help them face their darkest fears and control their dreams.
Dr.Gillman is creepy.He doesn't treat his wife and son with respect and everyone in the group feels uncomfortable being in the same room with him.He has secrets of his own but before the this therapy group program has even started on their first night in the house Dr.Gillman is found dead.Someone straggled him,no one broke in the house so that makes everyone a suspect.Later the group finds out that he worked for a big pharmaceutical company called Abba-Eli who developed Sominum,a drug that could help people with sleep disorder to control their dreams.But three years ago they fired and the research was terminated.But the group finds a list with Dr.Gillman's patients who took Sominum two years ago.
Dr.Gillman's son,Cade,will also be with them.He helped his father install cameras in every bedroom in the house and there is a monitor for every camera in the basement.Dr.Gillman told him is a precaution because the last time something unexpected happened with his previous group that he won't explain.Cade doesn't have the best relationship a father could have with his son.He also has a special gift or someone could describe it as a curse.He can invade in other people's dreams and control them or help the person who dreams to control them.He can accomplish that when he's asleep but when Tandy had a nightmare and he touched her in order to wake her up,he got into her dream.What he say terrified him.The woman who Tandy thinks is her mother,is something different.Something dark,evil and dangerous and it will take Tandy with her when it will be done playing and torturing her.
Verdict
Inara Scott did it again!The story is beautifully written and the plot has a lot of surprises and twists. This is a horror/thriller Young Adult story but she still managed to make it a romantic one as well.Cade and Tandy's connection is intense - literally and metaphorically -.Read it on Halloween with your lights off...You'll love it!
4.5 stars!!!
The story
Five teenagers with sleep disorder take part in a five day therapy program with Dr.Gillman who claims that he can help them master their dreams so that they can finally have a good night's sleep. And the perfect story for Halloween begins...
The characters
Tandy McIntyre is a sixteen year old girl who hasn't slept for more than a few hours before waking up and screaming like her life depended on it since her mother died in a car accident.What causes her nightmares is the fact that she was in that car as well.She managed to get out but her mother was trapped and there was no way she could get her out before the car caught on fire and exploded.In her dreams,she relives that moment but her mother turns into something dark and evil and doesn't let Tandy go until she dies with her.Her last hope for a normal life is to spend five days along with four other teenagers with the same problem in one of Dr.Gillman's houses where he will help them face their darkest fears and control their dreams.
Dr.Gillman is creepy.He doesn't treat his wife and son with respect and everyone in the group feels uncomfortable being in the same room with him.He has secrets of his own but before the this therapy group program has even started on their first night in the house Dr.Gillman is found dead.Someone straggled him,no one broke in the house so that makes everyone a suspect.Later the group finds out that he worked for a big pharmaceutical company called Abba-Eli who developed Sominum,a drug that could help people with sleep disorder to control their dreams.But three years ago they fired and the research was terminated.But the group finds a list with Dr.Gillman's patients who took Sominum two years ago.
Dr.Gillman's son,Cade,will also be with them.He helped his father install cameras in every bedroom in the house and there is a monitor for every camera in the basement.Dr.Gillman told him is a precaution because the last time something unexpected happened with his previous group that he won't explain.Cade doesn't have the best relationship a father could have with his son.He also has a special gift or someone could describe it as a curse.He can invade in other people's dreams and control them or help the person who dreams to control them.He can accomplish that when he's asleep but when Tandy had a nightmare and he touched her in order to wake her up,he got into her dream.What he say terrified him.The woman who Tandy thinks is her mother,is something different.Something dark,evil and dangerous and it will take Tandy with her when it will be done playing and torturing her.
Verdict
Inara Scott did it again!The story is beautifully written and the plot has a lot of surprises and twists. This is a horror/thriller Young Adult story but she still managed to make it a romantic one as well.Cade and Tandy's connection is intense - literally and metaphorically -.Read it on Halloween with your lights off...You'll love it!
4.5 stars!!!
November 18, 2014
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
A Sleep So Dark was not what I was expecting. I was looking for more of a horror feel with waking dreams and craziness, but that is not what I really got. These teens go to this sleep camp to help them with their nightmares. The camp is lead by creepy Dr. Gillman and his son Cade, whom Tandy has an instant crush on. The two of them seem to like each other, but Cade is very standoffish and tries to stay away.
The book starts off with everyone meeting up then going by horseback out to a secluded cabin. Along the way it starts to snow and by the time they get to the cabin everyone is cold and cranky. Everyone also is like we are all going to die!!! because of the snow which I found odd. Sure there is a lot of snow, but you have a heated cabin and food and everything so...it was just an odd reaction. Sure being cranky cause of the cold and snow I can see, but the end of the world this is the worst thing to ever happen ever kind of rantings just didn't make sense to me. Very strange.
So then the first night the doctor tries to get Tandy to take some drugs, which she is very against, then everyone goes to sleep to try and face their nightmares and learn to lucid dream so they can control them. Well things quickly deteriorate and I was surprised how fast people started being killed off and stuff. I kept waiting for the is this real or is this a dream stuff to come in, but it never really did. I mean they checked their watch, saw it worked correctly or not, then knew if they were dreaming or not. Stuff like that. So it wan't really an issue of are we awake of not.
Cade and Tandy draw closer and share more waking and dreaming. Cade has some secret dream powers and there are some things in Tandy's dream that need to be dealt with. Then more people get hurt or sick and things just keep getting worse kind of. I wish it would have been a bit more intense, and when I found out what was happening, who was doing it and why, and how the doctor was involved based on what he was really doing, I admit I was disappointed. I was just like oh, okay...I mean sure there are people who would probably do something like this if they could, but it was a bit over the top in this story. Just...I didn't really like it. So then I was just eh on the whole thing. Really maybe it is the whole dreams to reality thing just...I don't know. It was not my favorite idea. The whole evil thing in your dreams, but when it was explained how it go there it was just too much for me. I didn't like the explanation so... It was an alright read, but it never really grabbed me and the suspenseful parts weren't that suspenseful for me.
A Sleep So Dark was not what I was expecting. I was looking for more of a horror feel with waking dreams and craziness, but that is not what I really got. These teens go to this sleep camp to help them with their nightmares. The camp is lead by creepy Dr. Gillman and his son Cade, whom Tandy has an instant crush on. The two of them seem to like each other, but Cade is very standoffish and tries to stay away.
The book starts off with everyone meeting up then going by horseback out to a secluded cabin. Along the way it starts to snow and by the time they get to the cabin everyone is cold and cranky. Everyone also is like we are all going to die!!! because of the snow which I found odd. Sure there is a lot of snow, but you have a heated cabin and food and everything so...it was just an odd reaction. Sure being cranky cause of the cold and snow I can see, but the end of the world this is the worst thing to ever happen ever kind of rantings just didn't make sense to me. Very strange.
So then the first night the doctor tries to get Tandy to take some drugs, which she is very against, then everyone goes to sleep to try and face their nightmares and learn to lucid dream so they can control them. Well things quickly deteriorate and I was surprised how fast people started being killed off and stuff. I kept waiting for the is this real or is this a dream stuff to come in, but it never really did. I mean they checked their watch, saw it worked correctly or not, then knew if they were dreaming or not. Stuff like that. So it wan't really an issue of are we awake of not.
Cade and Tandy draw closer and share more waking and dreaming. Cade has some secret dream powers and there are some things in Tandy's dream that need to be dealt with. Then more people get hurt or sick and things just keep getting worse kind of. I wish it would have been a bit more intense, and when I found out what was happening, who was doing it and why, and how the doctor was involved based on what he was really doing, I admit I was disappointed. I was just like oh, okay...I mean sure there are people who would probably do something like this if they could, but it was a bit over the top in this story. Just...I didn't really like it. So then I was just eh on the whole thing. Really maybe it is the whole dreams to reality thing just...I don't know. It was not my favorite idea. The whole evil thing in your dreams, but when it was explained how it go there it was just too much for me. I didn't like the explanation so... It was an alright read, but it never really grabbed me and the suspenseful parts weren't that suspenseful for me.
November 3, 2013
Where, OH, where do I begin?? This book had me on the edge of my seat! I couldn't swipe my finger fast enough! A Sleep So Dark begins with Tandy, who has suffered from violent nightmares since the horrible car accident that took her mother's life. Tandy had been in the car and survived. Ever since that night, the accident has haunted her. Closing her eyes at night becomes a bitter punishment of guilty and anxiety that holds Tandy captive. Finally giving in to her father's pleas, Tandy is sent to Dr. Gillman, in hopes that his sleep study/treatment plan will help rid Tandy of her awful nightmares and insomnia.
Enter Cade. A cowboy who is only looking to get away from his father Dr. Gillman. All Cade has to do, is help his father with his patients, a bunch of rowdy sleep deprived teenagers, and the money he needs for college and leaving behind their small sleep community, is his. Cade is desperate to get out, enough to help hide camera's in the rooms that the patients will be occupying during their week stay at their remote cabin deep in the woods of their Colorado town. Cade just has to hold on for a few more months, hold on to his secrets and his father's and he'll home free. But then he meets Tandy. A beautiful, young, vibrant girl who has come seeking help from his father. Right away Cade is drawn to Tandy, and as hard as he tries to avoid it, he finds himself seeking her out, even in his dreams.
Horrible things are happening to Tandy and the other patients, things that aren't of the norm. When Cade finds himself right in the middle of Tandy's nightmare, Cade realizes there are more to both him and Tandy that neither one of them ever understood. When a bitter murder occurs within the first night of their stay at the cabin, Tandy, Cade and the band of misfit teens will have come together to help solve, just who the murder is and why their dreams are some how linked. The nightmares are coming. And they won't stop until they have what they came after.
As always, I refuse to give spoilers. Boo, I know. But if you want to know, just read the book! :) I guarantee you won't be able to put it down. I couldn't. I'm still thinking about it, weeks later! It had everything a sink-your-teeth-into-got-to-know-what happens-next- book. I couldn't sleep without finishing it. I was up until the wee hours of the morning, and even after I finished, I walked around with such a book hangover. Cade & Tandy have amazing chemistry, the mystery of the killer, the list of suspects, the questions! It was like a very intense game of Clue that just kept getting juicier and juicier by the minute! This is a must read!!!!
Enter Cade. A cowboy who is only looking to get away from his father Dr. Gillman. All Cade has to do, is help his father with his patients, a bunch of rowdy sleep deprived teenagers, and the money he needs for college and leaving behind their small sleep community, is his. Cade is desperate to get out, enough to help hide camera's in the rooms that the patients will be occupying during their week stay at their remote cabin deep in the woods of their Colorado town. Cade just has to hold on for a few more months, hold on to his secrets and his father's and he'll home free. But then he meets Tandy. A beautiful, young, vibrant girl who has come seeking help from his father. Right away Cade is drawn to Tandy, and as hard as he tries to avoid it, he finds himself seeking her out, even in his dreams.
Horrible things are happening to Tandy and the other patients, things that aren't of the norm. When Cade finds himself right in the middle of Tandy's nightmare, Cade realizes there are more to both him and Tandy that neither one of them ever understood. When a bitter murder occurs within the first night of their stay at the cabin, Tandy, Cade and the band of misfit teens will have come together to help solve, just who the murder is and why their dreams are some how linked. The nightmares are coming. And they won't stop until they have what they came after.
As always, I refuse to give spoilers. Boo, I know. But if you want to know, just read the book! :) I guarantee you won't be able to put it down. I couldn't. I'm still thinking about it, weeks later! It had everything a sink-your-teeth-into-got-to-know-what happens-next- book. I couldn't sleep without finishing it. I was up until the wee hours of the morning, and even after I finished, I walked around with such a book hangover. Cade & Tandy have amazing chemistry, the mystery of the killer, the list of suspects, the questions! It was like a very intense game of Clue that just kept getting juicier and juicier by the minute! This is a must read!!!!
October 1, 2013
Since the accident in which her mother died, Tandy suffers nightmares every night. Its gotten so bad that she tries everything not to fall asleep. As a last resort her father signs her up for an experimental sleep retreat where a doctor will monitor a group of teenagers for a week in a remote cabin. Four other teens are signed up, Bodie, Julian. Ione and Katelyn. Dr Gillman, along with his son Cade, takes them to the cabin to start treatment. Unfortunately things don't go as planned and someone ends up dead. The rest are trapped in the cabin because of a freak snow storm. Will any survive and what happens when the dreaming world and the real world collide!!
I went into A Sleep So Dark not knowing anything at all about it. There wasn't a blurb nor had I heard of it before. I've previously read other works by Inara Scott and really enjoyed it, so I jumped at the chance to read this. Well I loved it!!
I really liked Tandy. She tries her best to deal with the nightmares but they are getting so bad that she has no other choice but to go to the retreat even though the idea of staying in a remote cabin scares her. Its her last chance to save and fix herself. She finds herself attracted to Cade but he is very stand offish with her and I loved seeing their friendship progress. It wasn't a case of instant relationship, she had to work to get Cade to open up.
I loved Bodie straight away. He is the kind of friend that puts everyone at ease. He was awesome. He is snarky but has a vulnerable side and I was so sad when I read why he has nightmares and also when I read what happened to him!!
The story itself hooked me. The idea of the dream world being real was something I've never read before. I loved the word building and the atmosphere the author created with her words. It was definitely weird but wonderful.
The only thing that bothered me about the book the only other story we heard was Bodies. We didn't get to see why the rest were having nightmares. Also Cade story wasn't tied up so I'm hoping there's another book coming out!!
Overall I loved A Sleep So Dark. If you want a book that's shrouded in mystery, that's chock full of chills, thrills and suspense, then this book is for you. Its the perfect read for Halloween! Id highly recommend!!
I went into A Sleep So Dark not knowing anything at all about it. There wasn't a blurb nor had I heard of it before. I've previously read other works by Inara Scott and really enjoyed it, so I jumped at the chance to read this. Well I loved it!!
I really liked Tandy. She tries her best to deal with the nightmares but they are getting so bad that she has no other choice but to go to the retreat even though the idea of staying in a remote cabin scares her. Its her last chance to save and fix herself. She finds herself attracted to Cade but he is very stand offish with her and I loved seeing their friendship progress. It wasn't a case of instant relationship, she had to work to get Cade to open up.
I loved Bodie straight away. He is the kind of friend that puts everyone at ease. He was awesome. He is snarky but has a vulnerable side and I was so sad when I read why he has nightmares and also when I read what happened to him!!
The story itself hooked me. The idea of the dream world being real was something I've never read before. I loved the word building and the atmosphere the author created with her words. It was definitely weird but wonderful.
The only thing that bothered me about the book the only other story we heard was Bodies. We didn't get to see why the rest were having nightmares. Also Cade story wasn't tied up so I'm hoping there's another book coming out!!
Overall I loved A Sleep So Dark. If you want a book that's shrouded in mystery, that's chock full of chills, thrills and suspense, then this book is for you. Its the perfect read for Halloween! Id highly recommend!!
October 30, 2013
Tandy suffers from terrifying nightmares; she’s had them ever since the accident that killed her mother. The nightmares are so bad that Tandy does everything she can to stay awake.
Tandy’s father becomes more and more concerned for Tandy’s well being and sanity, so he enrols her in an experimental sleep retreat in a remote cabin in the Colorado Wilderness.
There are 4 other sleep troubled teens enlisted too; Bodie, Julian, Ione and Katelyn. The retreat is run by Dr Robert Gillman; who claims he can teach the group to control their unconscious minds and their dreams; and his son Cade; who has also had problems with sleeping.
Things don’t quiet go as the Dr had planned as someone ends up dead! The remaining group are stuck in the cabin as the weather has taken a turn for the worst and a snow storm has hit.
Just what will happen now that the real world and the dream world have collided?
I received this book free as part of the Inara Scott’s A Sleep So Dark Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book by Inara Scott that I have read; when I read the blurb for the book I couldn’t wait to join the tour! I wasn’t disappointed, I loved this book.
I’ve never come across a book that considers the dream world as being able to become real, so I found this book refreshing and original. I love the way that the atmosphere for the two worlds have been created using her words.
Tandy has a really good character. Although the thought of being in a remote cabin scares her, Tandy knows that her dad is terrified at the thought of losing her. So reluctantly she agrees to go. Tandy knows that this could be her last chance to save herself.
I also found Cade an interesting character too. He tries to keep his distance from the group. However Cade feels a pull to Tandy, he tries even harder to keep his distance but eventually he gives in. Cade and Tandy gradually get closer, and Cade knows that he must help Tandy face her dreams or risk losing her for good.
This book is full of mystery, suspense and chills. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I would definitely recommend reading A Sleep So Dark.
Tandy’s father becomes more and more concerned for Tandy’s well being and sanity, so he enrols her in an experimental sleep retreat in a remote cabin in the Colorado Wilderness.
There are 4 other sleep troubled teens enlisted too; Bodie, Julian, Ione and Katelyn. The retreat is run by Dr Robert Gillman; who claims he can teach the group to control their unconscious minds and their dreams; and his son Cade; who has also had problems with sleeping.
Things don’t quiet go as the Dr had planned as someone ends up dead! The remaining group are stuck in the cabin as the weather has taken a turn for the worst and a snow storm has hit.
Just what will happen now that the real world and the dream world have collided?
I received this book free as part of the Inara Scott’s A Sleep So Dark Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book by Inara Scott that I have read; when I read the blurb for the book I couldn’t wait to join the tour! I wasn’t disappointed, I loved this book.
I’ve never come across a book that considers the dream world as being able to become real, so I found this book refreshing and original. I love the way that the atmosphere for the two worlds have been created using her words.
Tandy has a really good character. Although the thought of being in a remote cabin scares her, Tandy knows that her dad is terrified at the thought of losing her. So reluctantly she agrees to go. Tandy knows that this could be her last chance to save herself.
I also found Cade an interesting character too. He tries to keep his distance from the group. However Cade feels a pull to Tandy, he tries even harder to keep his distance but eventually he gives in. Cade and Tandy gradually get closer, and Cade knows that he must help Tandy face her dreams or risk losing her for good.
This book is full of mystery, suspense and chills. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I would definitely recommend reading A Sleep So Dark.
October 29, 2013
*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
A Sleep so Dark is a YA romantic suspense with some paranormal elements. I was definitely pulled in from the start by the blurb. I've always been somewhat fascinated by dreams. In the first few pages I developed an intense dislike for Dr. Gillman. He's a real piece of work. Overall this novel was quite suspenseful making it a quick read. Though it started a bit slow, halfway through it was very difficult to put down.
Main character Tandy was involved in a horrific accident that robbed her of her mother. Since then she has been plagued by nightmares so terrifying that she tries to avoid sleeping all together. As the story progressed and more was revealed about the accident and Tandy's relationship with her mother, it made my heart ache.
Romantic interest Cade is caught between a rock and a hard place. He knows his father is up to something shady, but he feels trapped and unable to do anything about it. It seemed like Cade wanted to believe his father's platitudes even though he knew in his heart they were lies. Cade has been hiding secrets from his father about his dream experiences. It was impossible to hold Cade's initial silence against him. He's simply too sweet and adorable. I don't blame Tandy one bit for falling for him.
The plot is engaging and interesting. It picks up to an intense frenzy about halfway through that pulls the reader along with the character's desperate attempt to uncover the truth. I enjoyed the dialogue, it read so naturally. The dreamscapes were graphic; it was so easy to picture the images haunting these teens. I wish the author had spent a bit more time on the dream research with Dr. Gillman. What was in the novel was fascinating and I would've liked a few more chapters that focused on it.
I highly recommend A Sleep so Dark to everyone high school and up that enjoys engaging romantic suspense. There are some rather gruesome dream images and a bit of coarse language, so the faint of heart should beware.
A Sleep so Dark is a YA romantic suspense with some paranormal elements. I was definitely pulled in from the start by the blurb. I've always been somewhat fascinated by dreams. In the first few pages I developed an intense dislike for Dr. Gillman. He's a real piece of work. Overall this novel was quite suspenseful making it a quick read. Though it started a bit slow, halfway through it was very difficult to put down.
Main character Tandy was involved in a horrific accident that robbed her of her mother. Since then she has been plagued by nightmares so terrifying that she tries to avoid sleeping all together. As the story progressed and more was revealed about the accident and Tandy's relationship with her mother, it made my heart ache.
Romantic interest Cade is caught between a rock and a hard place. He knows his father is up to something shady, but he feels trapped and unable to do anything about it. It seemed like Cade wanted to believe his father's platitudes even though he knew in his heart they were lies. Cade has been hiding secrets from his father about his dream experiences. It was impossible to hold Cade's initial silence against him. He's simply too sweet and adorable. I don't blame Tandy one bit for falling for him.
The plot is engaging and interesting. It picks up to an intense frenzy about halfway through that pulls the reader along with the character's desperate attempt to uncover the truth. I enjoyed the dialogue, it read so naturally. The dreamscapes were graphic; it was so easy to picture the images haunting these teens. I wish the author had spent a bit more time on the dream research with Dr. Gillman. What was in the novel was fascinating and I would've liked a few more chapters that focused on it.
I highly recommend A Sleep so Dark to everyone high school and up that enjoys engaging romantic suspense. There are some rather gruesome dream images and a bit of coarse language, so the faint of heart should beware.
August 9, 2016
This is a grim masterpiece that embraces the macabre, the paranormal and real life, which terrified me to no end!
This story starts out with circumstances similar to what you might hear about on morning shows, talk shows, or documentaries. The desperate act of choosing a teen “camp” to help them overcome frightening afflictions is one that our society deals with regularly. The author’s illness of choice is a rather unique form of torture, though, with a ghostly bonus. The real world we live in is blended with a daunting, unnatural force in this novel, creating a chilling story that flows like the speed of sound.
Tandy and Cade are the main characters in this novel, but the other four teens play a significant part as well. Bodie’s a charismatic football player, Katelyn’s a quiet but sweet ballerina, and the last two, Ione and Julian, are basically what I imagine Stephen King and Mary Shelley would be like if they could get together. All of them are extremely intelligent and talented young people that had bright futures until the nightmares started. Dr. Gillman freaked me out from the start, but the beauty of this book is that nothing is what it seems.
The author’s knowledge about teen behavior, lucid dreaming, psychology, and even horses made this novel such an outstanding read, I was scared to put it down. The bonds forged in the face of unexpected adversities were believable and the dialogue made the characters seem real. The background of each person was in-depth and valuable to the story line. I was thrilled that the depiction of Gunnison, Colorado was extremely accurate down to the average temperature!
Bizarre secrets, murder, an enduring romance, and even a piece of Navajo folklore surface in this dark thriller that I highly recommend for the scare junkies.
This story starts out with circumstances similar to what you might hear about on morning shows, talk shows, or documentaries. The desperate act of choosing a teen “camp” to help them overcome frightening afflictions is one that our society deals with regularly. The author’s illness of choice is a rather unique form of torture, though, with a ghostly bonus. The real world we live in is blended with a daunting, unnatural force in this novel, creating a chilling story that flows like the speed of sound.
Tandy and Cade are the main characters in this novel, but the other four teens play a significant part as well. Bodie’s a charismatic football player, Katelyn’s a quiet but sweet ballerina, and the last two, Ione and Julian, are basically what I imagine Stephen King and Mary Shelley would be like if they could get together. All of them are extremely intelligent and talented young people that had bright futures until the nightmares started. Dr. Gillman freaked me out from the start, but the beauty of this book is that nothing is what it seems.
The author’s knowledge about teen behavior, lucid dreaming, psychology, and even horses made this novel such an outstanding read, I was scared to put it down. The bonds forged in the face of unexpected adversities were believable and the dialogue made the characters seem real. The background of each person was in-depth and valuable to the story line. I was thrilled that the depiction of Gunnison, Colorado was extremely accurate down to the average temperature!
Bizarre secrets, murder, an enduring romance, and even a piece of Navajo folklore surface in this dark thriller that I highly recommend for the scare junkies.
October 23, 2013
***** I received an ARC of this book for an honest review *****
Holy cow I don't even know how to write a review for this book wow I am speechless. first this is the first book that I read from this author and I love it.
When I started to read this book I was not EXPECTING to read what I read, it just made me think twice about my dreams or my nightmares, it made me see a whole different world, I love the characters they where very well developed, the story just kept playing with your mind, I really did not know when it was a dream or when they ware awake, it made you keep guessing who was the good guys or who was the bad guys, it got to the point where they all kept doubting against each other, and who to trust.
I really enjoy reading this book, this story had me seating on the edged of my seat this story has murder, mayhem, and a twist on of supernatural, and I love every single minute of it I couldn't put the book down and end up reading it in one day.
The story is about Tandy McIntyre, Tandy is sixteen years old she is having trouble sleeping, she is having nightmares or let me just say that she is being hunted, everything started after she witness the death of her mother, Tandy started to fell on her school and on everything around all cause she was to afraid to fall sleep, she tried everything to stay awake in to her father gave her a choice, that's when she decide it to go to a experimental group retreat with Dr. Robert Gillman who is an expert in lucid dreaming and OH WHAT WAS THAT FOR.
I really did enjoy this book I want to say AUTHOR INARA SCOTT THANK YOU for introducing me to this amazing world of your book and this awesome characters, hope that when you read this book that you get to enjoy it to the fullest and fall in love with it just like I did.
Holy cow I don't even know how to write a review for this book wow I am speechless. first this is the first book that I read from this author and I love it.
When I started to read this book I was not EXPECTING to read what I read, it just made me think twice about my dreams or my nightmares, it made me see a whole different world, I love the characters they where very well developed, the story just kept playing with your mind, I really did not know when it was a dream or when they ware awake, it made you keep guessing who was the good guys or who was the bad guys, it got to the point where they all kept doubting against each other, and who to trust.
I really enjoy reading this book, this story had me seating on the edged of my seat this story has murder, mayhem, and a twist on of supernatural, and I love every single minute of it I couldn't put the book down and end up reading it in one day.
The story is about Tandy McIntyre, Tandy is sixteen years old she is having trouble sleeping, she is having nightmares or let me just say that she is being hunted, everything started after she witness the death of her mother, Tandy started to fell on her school and on everything around all cause she was to afraid to fall sleep, she tried everything to stay awake in to her father gave her a choice, that's when she decide it to go to a experimental group retreat with Dr. Robert Gillman who is an expert in lucid dreaming and OH WHAT WAS THAT FOR.
I really did enjoy this book I want to say AUTHOR INARA SCOTT THANK YOU for introducing me to this amazing world of your book and this awesome characters, hope that when you read this book that you get to enjoy it to the fullest and fall in love with it just like I did.
October 29, 2013
One of the things that I enjoyed about this book was its story about teenagers headed to an isolated retreat to help treat their sleep disorders. Each of them suffer from terrifying nightmares and Dr. Gillman believes that he can help them conquer their dreams with his new treatment program. Tandy McIntyre suffers from horrible nightmares after witnessing the death of her mother from a car crash. Each night, she replays this event over and over again to the point where she is avoiding sleep at all costs. When she meets Cade Gillman, she finds that his very presence calms her and she can finally sleep without being plagued by these awful dreams. Cade wants to get close to her but is afraid to because he has own secrets that he can’t afford to let the others know about. He can walk into the dreams of others and he has witnessed things that he can’t tell the others. This secret is now coming to life and is about to follow them into their waking hours.
A Sleep So Dark was a great mystery that was very creepy, edgy and full of surprises. It reminded me a lot of the old movie Dreamscape and I liked how Cade could walk into any dream that he wanted to and help control what he saw. I also liked Tandy and Cade together because when everything seemed to be falling apart around them, they always seemed to keep a clear head. My only complaint would be that the pacing of the book was a little slow in parts but I loved the story and will definitely have me paying more attention to my dreams from now on.
Received a copy of this as part of a blog tour for an honest review.
A Sleep So Dark was a great mystery that was very creepy, edgy and full of surprises. It reminded me a lot of the old movie Dreamscape and I liked how Cade could walk into any dream that he wanted to and help control what he saw. I also liked Tandy and Cade together because when everything seemed to be falling apart around them, they always seemed to keep a clear head. My only complaint would be that the pacing of the book was a little slow in parts but I loved the story and will definitely have me paying more attention to my dreams from now on.
Received a copy of this as part of a blog tour for an honest review.
April 1, 2024
I really liked the premise of the book. It had a lot of potential. The concept of lucid dreaming and taking control of your dreams to stop recurring nightmares really intrigued me. I also liked the paranormal element of one of the characters hopping through other characters’ dreams.
But, A Sleep So Dark fell flat for me in a few key areas. First, I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. Sure, Tandy and I had something in common, the recent loss of our mom. But, that’s the only thing we had in common. I also felt like her relationship with Cade, Dr. Gillman’s son, was forced. It didn’t seem natural with both of their personalities being as distant as they were. And, it put a new meaning on insta-love for me. The only thing the relationship had going for it was that there was no love triangle.
Second, I’m not a fan of cowboys, country music, ranches, or the rustic outdoors and that was the setting for the story.
Finally, the book could’ve used a lot more editing. To Inara Scott’s credit, she did pull the novel from Amazon when she realized it needed more editing. But, if this hadn’t been indie-published, this would’ve never happened.
Even though certain aspects of the story fell flat and disappointed me, I’ll admit I was interested in knowing how the story ended, how everything resolved itself, especially with the recurring nightmares and the bit of mystery. And, the ending for those things was very satisfying.
But, A Sleep So Dark fell flat for me in a few key areas. First, I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. Sure, Tandy and I had something in common, the recent loss of our mom. But, that’s the only thing we had in common. I also felt like her relationship with Cade, Dr. Gillman’s son, was forced. It didn’t seem natural with both of their personalities being as distant as they were. And, it put a new meaning on insta-love for me. The only thing the relationship had going for it was that there was no love triangle.
Second, I’m not a fan of cowboys, country music, ranches, or the rustic outdoors and that was the setting for the story.
Finally, the book could’ve used a lot more editing. To Inara Scott’s credit, she did pull the novel from Amazon when she realized it needed more editing. But, if this hadn’t been indie-published, this would’ve never happened.
Even though certain aspects of the story fell flat and disappointed me, I’ll admit I was interested in knowing how the story ended, how everything resolved itself, especially with the recurring nightmares and the bit of mystery. And, the ending for those things was very satisfying.
October 1, 2013
Holy cow, the next time you have insomnia because of night terrors and you are faced with the option of inpatient treatment versus attending a week long retreat in the snowy mountains for treatment with a new breakthrough in dream therapy, trust me, go for the inpatient treatment. A Sleep So Dark is a scary nightmare of a story with murder, mayhem, and a unique element of the supernatural that had me grinning with glee at each little blip in the journey. There is an element of insta-attraction, but this adds to the story and did not leave me with that much of an eye-roll feeling. The world building and characters were well done and very believable. The writing is clean and well executed. The premise could be seen as a bit predictable; however, the unique interwoven supernatural twist definitely causes it to stand out as its own tale. This is definitely a good read for a cold night by the fire with a cup of cocoa, as well as when feeling a need for a little thrill, or any time you just want a suspenseful fun read. I received and ARC copy of this book from the author with a request for my honest review without any compensation whatsoever, other than the joy of reading a new book.
November 20, 2013
This was a fantastic read! It pulled me in immediately and was plenty mysterious. I knew some serious stuff was going to go down, but that's about it. I had no idea what could happen and the twists and turns caught me unawares.
The paranormal aspect was pretty unique, and while dreaming themes have been done before, this was different from anything else I've read.
The secondary characters were fleshed out just enough to be able to imagine them, but without them taking over the story. The main characters were great and I could relate and connect with them. Even though the romance was fast, I found it believable due to the situation and was on board with it.
The only thing that I didn't love was that the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for me. I liked how it played out, but I would have liked to see some stuff that it skipped over. Still, it's a minor complaint.
It was a fast and unpredictable ride that I highly recommend!
The paranormal aspect was pretty unique, and while dreaming themes have been done before, this was different from anything else I've read.
The secondary characters were fleshed out just enough to be able to imagine them, but without them taking over the story. The main characters were great and I could relate and connect with them. Even though the romance was fast, I found it believable due to the situation and was on board with it.
The only thing that I didn't love was that the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for me. I liked how it played out, but I would have liked to see some stuff that it skipped over. Still, it's a minor complaint.
It was a fast and unpredictable ride that I highly recommend!
March 6, 2014
Wow! I don't normally read scary stories because I have an overactive imagination and end up having nightmares and yes I am 50 so I should be over that right, but NO! Anyway, despite this being a rather scary book I loved it!!! This was a very interesting story about dreams and very scary ones that end up affecting people's lives so that they don't want to sleep because of them. I hate nightmares myself so it was interesting to see these teens trying to conquer their bad dreams and trying to figure out when they were dreaming and when they were awake. It was interesting to find out who the bad guy(thing) really was and how they were able to defeat it. I was afraid there was going to be more deaths than there were and I loved the romance in it. Such sweet kissing....... If you like to be a little scared and are interested in scary dreams, I recommend this book to you, and like Inara wrote in my book; Enjoy! And leave the lights on....
October 26, 2013
Such a fun read with all the ingredients my 14 year-old and I both enjoy: mystery, suspense, a dose of the paranormal, and of course - romance! If you have ever had nightmares so bad that you didn't want to go to sleep (and who hasn't!) you will relate to Tandy and her terrifying situation. The characters are very believable and the dialogue flows easily, making you feel like you are there in the blizzard with the group, wondering just who you can trust! My daughter was on the edge of her bed because there was no way she was going to sleep until she found out how it all turned out! A serious page turner - set aside a weekend for this one! Parents: unless your reader is particularly sensitive, I think this is appropriate for ages 12+.
November 4, 2013
What a dark bone chilling thriller! I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. This story was fast paced leaving all sorts of things to the imagination and I loved ever last minute of it! The characters seemed to be lifted right off of the pages and in my mind were as real as you and me. I felt a connection to them all in one form or another and it was heart wrenching at times to see them struggle with their own inner demons. A Sleep So Dark is one book that I can honestly say gave my heart a startle every now and again. I'm not one to give away spoilers and I'm not about to start here I will tell you that if you are looking for a good thriller type story then you should go check this one out you may be surprised at what you discover.
June 28, 2014
I adore Inara Scott's writing style and when I heard that she wrote another YA book I was literally jumping for joy. A Sleep so Dark was amazing. Inara definitely took this book to a whole new level by making the evil villain or I guess evil spirit appear in dreams. This sounds ironic to me seeing that I read this book at two and three in the morning and then went back to sleep after words. That's okay though, no nightmares for me, thankfully. As always I relished every word. I'm always a happy girl after reading one of Inara' s books. If your reading this review I highly recommend reading this or one of her other books.
November 2, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this haunting book. In some ways, it reminded me of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie and The Shining by Stephen King. The characters were a bit one dimensional and stereotypical, but the plot was fantastic. I have to admit, I had the basic plot figured out a couple chapters into it, I just wasn't sure how it was going to play out. That being said, I would recommend this book for some quick rainy or snowy day reading. I would definitely read a sequel.
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November 12, 2013Super creepy book. I read this in October and it made Halloween that much more unnerving. Loved the characters and the idea behind the book. I often found myself reading and being grateful that I was warm and safe in my own house, unlike these poor "patients." *shivers* Inara Scott, you are a master at suspense!
August 8, 2014
Full review to come!
February 19, 2014
This is the second book I've read by this author and I loved it!
It made me analyze my own dreams and nightmares!!!
It made me analyze my own dreams and nightmares!!!
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