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The NeverSleep
In March of 2029, the world faces imminent collapse and catastrophic environmental upheaval. The leaders of the United States have issued a warning that everyone must take a government-issued NeverSleep pill, meant to control intense vertigo, mental distress, and common sicknesses, to survive the world-wide climate crisis catalyzed by an anti-government faction that is trying to melt the polar ice caps.
Jill has hopped from job to job for years expressing malcontent. Having lost her parents as a child, she is looking to settle down and curate a family. Mary thinks Jill just needs some motivation. Jill and Mary were partnered almost a decade ago, broke up, and have started to slowly rekindle their relationship. But the world is changing.
The climate has changed.
Jill and Mary attempt to recouple and explore the NeverSleep, a side effect of the issued NeverSleep pill. The NeverSleep is a lucid dream space where a person can actively rebuild our world to be actualized in the future. Jill and Mary fight to survive in their relationship, carve out their place in the NeverSleep, but all of it could fall apart if the government and the world dissolves before them.
Jill has hopped from job to job for years expressing malcontent. Having lost her parents as a child, she is looking to settle down and curate a family. Mary thinks Jill just needs some motivation. Jill and Mary were partnered almost a decade ago, broke up, and have started to slowly rekindle their relationship. But the world is changing.
The climate has changed.
Jill and Mary attempt to recouple and explore the NeverSleep, a side effect of the issued NeverSleep pill. The NeverSleep is a lucid dream space where a person can actively rebuild our world to be actualized in the future. Jill and Mary fight to survive in their relationship, carve out their place in the NeverSleep, but all of it could fall apart if the government and the world dissolves before them.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Smyth
7 books15 followersS.E. Smyth is a multi-genre author writing multi-faceted sapphic characters, often with mental health issues, however they fit into a plot. By exploring the intersections of identity, she finds imaginable goodness in the questionably bad.
While known for her masterful cat belly rubs, she can also often be seen taking brisk walks. She travels when the air is right looking for antique stores, records, bike trails, and the perfect beach. S.E. rises unnecessarily early and usually falls asleep by 9 p.m.
You can find her on most social media sites as @se_smyth and also at https://sesmythauthor.com
While known for her masterful cat belly rubs, she can also often be seen taking brisk walks. She travels when the air is right looking for antique stores, records, bike trails, and the perfect beach. S.E. rises unnecessarily early and usually falls asleep by 9 p.m.
You can find her on most social media sites as @se_smyth and also at https://sesmythauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 6, 2025
Very thought provoking!
Jill and Mary are trying to get back to a relationship they had before, but much has changed, including the world around them. Their story leads them on an adventure, navigating new dangers and strange scenarios of the NeverSleep, a side effect of a government-issued medication that is designed to help those that took it navigate the downfall of the world as they knew it.
This story was so intriguing. From the very first chapter I was hooked, curious about everything being shared about the NeverSleep, and then also Jill and Mary. Jill had been through so much loss already, and the NeverSleep seemed to promise more if she couldn’t motivate herself to join Mary on the adventure to find their place in NeverSleep before they became lost to the nothingness of the world they’d known. It was eerily depicting something that could very much one day be reality, and so that came with all that change would in those circumstances. I was on a real adventure of emotions, from worry, to apprehension, acceptance of a distorted reality, and wonder at what this made possible.
Everything was so exciting, even if it felt scary at times and came with a real sense of adventure and exploration. There were a few additional characters along the way that helped steer Jill into the right paths. It was magic and brilliantly imaginative, which really helped me get caught up in imagining the world as Jill and Mary were experiencing it, until they figured out what the NeverSleep really was and the power they had to get everything they’d ever wanted there if they just believed and embraced what they were being guided to.
An emotional adventure that I really enjoyed and got me thinking about how I’d react in Jill and Mary’s situation. Really hope other’s enjoy this story as much as I did.
Jill and Mary are trying to get back to a relationship they had before, but much has changed, including the world around them. Their story leads them on an adventure, navigating new dangers and strange scenarios of the NeverSleep, a side effect of a government-issued medication that is designed to help those that took it navigate the downfall of the world as they knew it.
This story was so intriguing. From the very first chapter I was hooked, curious about everything being shared about the NeverSleep, and then also Jill and Mary. Jill had been through so much loss already, and the NeverSleep seemed to promise more if she couldn’t motivate herself to join Mary on the adventure to find their place in NeverSleep before they became lost to the nothingness of the world they’d known. It was eerily depicting something that could very much one day be reality, and so that came with all that change would in those circumstances. I was on a real adventure of emotions, from worry, to apprehension, acceptance of a distorted reality, and wonder at what this made possible.
Everything was so exciting, even if it felt scary at times and came with a real sense of adventure and exploration. There were a few additional characters along the way that helped steer Jill into the right paths. It was magic and brilliantly imaginative, which really helped me get caught up in imagining the world as Jill and Mary were experiencing it, until they figured out what the NeverSleep really was and the power they had to get everything they’d ever wanted there if they just believed and embraced what they were being guided to.
An emotional adventure that I really enjoyed and got me thinking about how I’d react in Jill and Mary’s situation. Really hope other’s enjoy this story as much as I did.
February 1, 2025
A masterclass in mind-bending magnificence,”
‘The NeverSleep’ takes us a vivid exploration into the world of possibility. S.E Smyth provides us with a masterclass in mind-bending magnificence. The very notion of a post-apocalyptic 2029, where the US government mandates a “NeverSleep” pill to counter the effects of the global climate crisis, completely fascinated me. I was captivated by the idea that in this dreamlike realm, the characters can live and rebuild.
To avoid ruining this exceptional plot, let me summarise some of the many highlights. The author’s skill in creating striking settings captivated me from page one. The story opens with Jill ignoring the insistent hammering at her front door. A man confirms the death of Dillian, her lover, with whom she was madly in love despite their brief relationship. To help Jill deal with her depression following Dillan’s death, her ex-partner, Mary, returns.
Despite conflicting reports and uncertainty about waking up, they take the pill. The author’s ability to create a visceral experience made me feel completely immersed in the world. Now a deity in the realm of NeverSleep, Dillian informs Jill of her special abilities and pivotal role in shifting the Earth’s gravity to keep NeverSleep from reviving.
Time shifting tenderness had me gripped. The medication’s side effects were unimaginable; the characters suffered with altered thoughts, paranoia, and behavioural changes. The author vividly portrayed internal and external chaos, paranoia, and discourse of a post-apocalyptic world. I was pulled into the characters’ complex pasts and presents, their hopes and anxieties, and the terrifying unknown of parallel dimensions where sleep is impossible. At the same time, I could feel the love that Jill and Mary had for each other.
An engrossing, memorising read! It’s an easy five star review from me.
‘The NeverSleep’ takes us a vivid exploration into the world of possibility. S.E Smyth provides us with a masterclass in mind-bending magnificence. The very notion of a post-apocalyptic 2029, where the US government mandates a “NeverSleep” pill to counter the effects of the global climate crisis, completely fascinated me. I was captivated by the idea that in this dreamlike realm, the characters can live and rebuild.
To avoid ruining this exceptional plot, let me summarise some of the many highlights. The author’s skill in creating striking settings captivated me from page one. The story opens with Jill ignoring the insistent hammering at her front door. A man confirms the death of Dillian, her lover, with whom she was madly in love despite their brief relationship. To help Jill deal with her depression following Dillan’s death, her ex-partner, Mary, returns.
Despite conflicting reports and uncertainty about waking up, they take the pill. The author’s ability to create a visceral experience made me feel completely immersed in the world. Now a deity in the realm of NeverSleep, Dillian informs Jill of her special abilities and pivotal role in shifting the Earth’s gravity to keep NeverSleep from reviving.
Time shifting tenderness had me gripped. The medication’s side effects were unimaginable; the characters suffered with altered thoughts, paranoia, and behavioural changes. The author vividly portrayed internal and external chaos, paranoia, and discourse of a post-apocalyptic world. I was pulled into the characters’ complex pasts and presents, their hopes and anxieties, and the terrifying unknown of parallel dimensions where sleep is impossible. At the same time, I could feel the love that Jill and Mary had for each other.
An engrossing, memorising read! It’s an easy five star review from me.
January 28, 2025
The NeverSleep is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of loss, resilience, and the slow unraveling of the world as we know it. Poetic and surreal, The NeverSleep is both a romance and a new take on the apocalyptic novel. As political unrest and environmental destruction claim the world, the government issues a drug that everyone must take to protect them from the effects of imminent environmental collapse. A side effect of the drug pulls people into a dreamworld where they are able to build the world they hope for. In this strange situation, two women, Jill and Mary, attempt a love affair, searching for some sweetness in a bitter world.
The writing is immersive and atmospheric, with rich, sensory details that draw the reader into a world of flickering moonlight, oppressive heat, and the constant shadow of an impending end. Even more striking, The NeverSleep is a profound psychological exploration. Jill and Mary’s struggles are portrayed with a rawness that feels both intimate and universal.
Fans of post-apocalyptic stories will love The NeverSleep, but a taste for apocalypse is not required to enjoy this character-driven story. A deep dive into the human psyche and a vivid, unexpected portrait of a world on the edge, The NeverSleep is a must-read. It’s a thought-provoking and deeply moving novel that will stay with you for a long time.
The writing is immersive and atmospheric, with rich, sensory details that draw the reader into a world of flickering moonlight, oppressive heat, and the constant shadow of an impending end. Even more striking, The NeverSleep is a profound psychological exploration. Jill and Mary’s struggles are portrayed with a rawness that feels both intimate and universal.
Fans of post-apocalyptic stories will love The NeverSleep, but a taste for apocalypse is not required to enjoy this character-driven story. A deep dive into the human psyche and a vivid, unexpected portrait of a world on the edge, The NeverSleep is a must-read. It’s a thought-provoking and deeply moving novel that will stay with you for a long time.
February 2, 2025
The NeverSleep is a thought-provoking exploration of love, survival, and the fragility of the human condition set against the backdrop of a world on the brink of collapse. With environmental destruction and political unrest spiraling out of control, the novel expertly weaves together personal and global crises, creating a gripping narrative that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.
The novel’s strength lies in its vivid, imaginative depiction of the NeverSleep realm, which serves as both a metaphor for escape and a battleground for personal reinvention.
This is a deeply immersive, multifaceted novel that delivers on both intellectual and emotional levels. It’s a testament to the resilience of love and the human spirit, even when faced with the end of the world as we know it. If you enjoy speculative fiction with a strong emotional core, this book will leave you thinking long after the last page.
The novel’s strength lies in its vivid, imaginative depiction of the NeverSleep realm, which serves as both a metaphor for escape and a battleground for personal reinvention.
This is a deeply immersive, multifaceted novel that delivers on both intellectual and emotional levels. It’s a testament to the resilience of love and the human spirit, even when faced with the end of the world as we know it. If you enjoy speculative fiction with a strong emotional core, this book will leave you thinking long after the last page.
April 20, 2025
The NeverSleep is a wild ride. At the heart of global catastrophe and destruction of humanity is the NeverSleep realm—a vivid, surreal dreamscape that’s part escape hatch, part personal warzone. It's a place where identities shift, realities blur, and reinvention is just a heartbeat away.
Both epic and intimate, The NeverSleep balances global catastrophe with deeply personal stakes, blending speculative fiction with emotional depth in a way that hits hard and lingers long after you’ve turned the final page. If you love stories that make you feel and think, this one's for you.
Both epic and intimate, The NeverSleep balances global catastrophe with deeply personal stakes, blending speculative fiction with emotional depth in a way that hits hard and lingers long after you’ve turned the final page. If you love stories that make you feel and think, this one's for you.
February 7, 2025
Amazingly intricate and creative story, SE introduces us to a dreamlike state of NeverSleep and takes us on an apocalyptic journey. After the bumpy love affair as they know it ends, travel along with Jill and Mary on their journey as they seek what comes next. This story raises issues of political unrest, division, and environmental destruction and the hope and drive those remaining have to rebuild something better!
May 21, 2025
Great read
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews