Until They Sleep: a novel

by Nadia Staikos

Frona is convinced she’s the most sinful person in her Greek mountain village. When her parents arrange her marriage with a distant stranger, she is determined to suppress her impulses and become a dutiful wife and mother. But things don't go as planned: A furious fetus, a friend’s secret wish, a man finding new life in an empty well, a lecherous priest, an unorthodox wandering daughter, invading soldiers, and a wayward ghost attempting reparations all erode the stories Frona has been telling herself about what it means to be a good person. A darkly comedic fairy tale with a magical feminist bent, Until They Sleep confronts the horrors of a world that tries to narrowly define womanhood and sexuality.

250 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Serena R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might even be a 4.5 for me…this book occupies such a unique spot in my library that it’s hard not to bump up. The book is strange and quirky with a magical bend that made me pause and re-read passages at the wacky turns. But it was also contemplative and captivating. The plot, while a bit slow at the start, is incredibly thoughtful in ways that make you look back at the end and realize the extent which the author crafted this detailed story and world. Not really a spoiler, but the meaning behind the title is revealed in the last few pages and made me appreciate the book in a whole new way. The cast is colourful and compelling (I’m also a sucker for a lifetime story arc) and feed into the quirkiness of this book, keeping you hooked and thinking “what could possible happen next?”

[Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's rare for me to enjoy a book the more I read it, but that was definitely the case with this book. At the beginning I was feeling doubtful, but I almost cried a little at the end. Women are taught that to desire is sinful, and it pollutes our bodies and our souls. The patriarchy enforces this, but many of us are guilty of enforcing it ourselves in the privacy of our own minds. The author writes about Frona, Ligia, and Galena moving through their joy and sorrow as family in such a poignant way. A surprise hit for sure!

[Claire Zervas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! Such a beautiful story with nostalgic Greek rural elements that inevitably leave you in tears every few pages. I can’t wait to read more books by Nadia Staikos.

[Stephanie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a relatively quick, unique read. It had flavours of One Hundred Years of Solitude to it on a much smaller scale. I was very interested in all of the characters and while there were aspects I wasn’t as big of a fan of, it was overall a well-paced and engaging read.

[Sean McArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! I couldn't put it down.

[Nina Antonakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous……just fabulous!!

[Enid Wray]

DNF

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Staikos's prose is so rich and illuminating. This is very quickly absorbing into the feminist canon for me.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until They Sleep is absolutely spectacular! Nadia Staikos’ storytelling is haunting, healing, and hilarious all at once. A must read!!!