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Red Eye
Sleepless
Young, rich and good-looking, Izzy and her friends lead seemingly perfect lives. But exams are looming, and at a school like Clerkenwell, failure is not an option. Luckily, Tigs has a solution. A small pill that will make revision a breeze and help them get the results they need. Desperate to succeed, the group begin taking the study drug. It doesn’t take long before they realize there are far worse things than failing a few exams.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
63 people are currently reading
1835 people want to read
About the author
Lou Morgan
45 books94 followersLou Morgan is an award-nominated adult and YA author. Her first novel, Blood and Feathers – an adult urban fantasy – was published by Solaris Books in 2012 and the follow-up, Blood and Feathers: Rebellion, was released in the summer of 2013.
Her first YA novel, Sleepless, is published by Stripes / Little Tiger Press as part of their Red Eye horror series.
She has appeared at the Bath Children’s Literature Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and has been nominated for three British Fantasy Awards (Best Newcomer and twice for Best Fantasy Novel).
Her short stories have appeared in anthologies from Solaris Books, PS Publishing and Jurassic, amongst others. She has also written genre novel-related features for magazines including Future Publishing’s SFX and is a long- and shortlist reader for the Bath Novel Award.
Born in Wales and a graduate of University College London, she now lives in Bath with her family.
She is represented by Juliet Mushens at The Agency Group / UTA.
Her first YA novel, Sleepless, is published by Stripes / Little Tiger Press as part of their Red Eye horror series.
She has appeared at the Bath Children’s Literature Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and has been nominated for three British Fantasy Awards (Best Newcomer and twice for Best Fantasy Novel).
Her short stories have appeared in anthologies from Solaris Books, PS Publishing and Jurassic, amongst others. She has also written genre novel-related features for magazines including Future Publishing’s SFX and is a long- and shortlist reader for the Bath Novel Award.
Born in Wales and a graduate of University College London, she now lives in Bath with her family.
She is represented by Juliet Mushens at The Agency Group / UTA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
October 22, 2015
5 Words: Horror, study, murder, drugs, teens
I am so confused... That ending has just turned my mind to mush and I don't even.
I felt that this book started pretty slowly, but once it got going it was at full pelt with no intention of stopping.
I think what impacted my enjoyment the most was the characters. When it comes to drugs of any sort and the consequences, I am very unsympathetic. And part of me thought that these characters got what they deserved.
This book was definitely a little bit creepy, but it didn't get to me as much as it did to other readers. I think that was just because of the lack of connection I felt with the characters.
For some reason it made me want to pull an all nighter, to watch the sun set and then rise without closing my eyes.
I am so confused... That ending has just turned my mind to mush and I don't even.
I felt that this book started pretty slowly, but once it got going it was at full pelt with no intention of stopping.
I think what impacted my enjoyment the most was the characters. When it comes to drugs of any sort and the consequences, I am very unsympathetic. And part of me thought that these characters got what they deserved.
This book was definitely a little bit creepy, but it didn't get to me as much as it did to other readers. I think that was just because of the lack of connection I felt with the characters.
For some reason it made me want to pull an all nighter, to watch the sun set and then rise without closing my eyes.
January 9, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Little Tiger Group and NetGalley.)
This was a good thriller/horror story, but I have to admit to being a bit confused by the ending.
I did like some of the characters in this, and I felt quite sorry for poor Izzy. I understood that her and her friends only wanted to do well in their exams, but I did feel that the only one with any sense was Kara. Who gets given random drugs by a friend, with no labels or explanations as to what is in them, that have come from some random unapproved website, and says ‘what the hell? Down the hatch!’. I mean talk about asking for trouble! Have they no self-preservation skills? Do they not worry about what they’re taking? It could by cyanide for all they know!
The storyline in this was pretty good, and I liked the creepiness and the little twists we got. The book really did have its creepy moments, and I liked that as I’m a bit sick of scary stories not being scary. I also liked that the story was believable, realistic enough, and not the same old thing rehashed.
There was some romance, but just a touch, and it didn’t really interfere with the main storyline.
My main complaint with this book was the ending! I liked the rest of the book, but then the ending was a little bit odd, and left me with doubts as to what exactly was really happening! So annoying as I hate open endings! What am I supposed to take from that ending?
7 out of 10.
This was a good thriller/horror story, but I have to admit to being a bit confused by the ending.
I did like some of the characters in this, and I felt quite sorry for poor Izzy. I understood that her and her friends only wanted to do well in their exams, but I did feel that the only one with any sense was Kara. Who gets given random drugs by a friend, with no labels or explanations as to what is in them, that have come from some random unapproved website, and says ‘what the hell? Down the hatch!’. I mean talk about asking for trouble! Have they no self-preservation skills? Do they not worry about what they’re taking? It could by cyanide for all they know!
The storyline in this was pretty good, and I liked the creepiness and the little twists we got. The book really did have its creepy moments, and I liked that as I’m a bit sick of scary stories not being scary. I also liked that the story was believable, realistic enough, and not the same old thing rehashed.
There was some romance, but just a touch, and it didn’t really interfere with the main storyline.
My main complaint with this book was the ending! I liked the rest of the book, but then the ending was a little bit odd, and left me with doubts as to what exactly was really happening! So annoying as I hate open endings! What am I supposed to take from that ending?
7 out of 10.
December 28, 2016
Ugh. This really wasn't my cup of tea! I got very fed up with it! I simply could not get past the fact that none of these teenagers would go to a doctor or their parents, even though they were having horrific side effects that were killing them. I mean, for heaven's sake! Get in trouble for taking an untested drug, or DIE? I know which option I would choose!
The book is basically the main character seeing something scary and horrible, only for it to be a vision brought on by the drug's side effects. Highly repetitive! The book just goes round and round in circles for the longest time. If I know everything is just a vision, how am I supposed to be in suspense? NONE OF IT IS REAL!!!! It caps off with an ambiguous ending, just to add insult to injury!
One of the worst horror books I've read!
The book is basically the main character seeing something scary and horrible, only for it to be a vision brought on by the drug's side effects. Highly repetitive! The book just goes round and round in circles for the longest time. If I know everything is just a vision, how am I supposed to be in suspense? NONE OF IT IS REAL!!!! It caps off with an ambiguous ending, just to add insult to injury!
One of the worst horror books I've read!
February 19, 2024
bardzo fajnie sie czytalo ale przez cala ksiazke nie do konca wiedzialam kto jest kim bo za duzo ich bylo XDD
January 15, 2015
Sleepless is Lou Morgan’s first YA novel. She published numerous short stories and her previous two novels,
Blood and Feathers
and
Blood and Feathers: Rebellion
were fantasy books published by Solaris. Having massively enjoyed those, I was curious to see what Morgan would do writing horror and horror aimed at a young adult audience at that. She wrote a freaking frightening book, that’s what she did. Sleepless is a seriously nerve-wracking roller coaster of a tale, with a serious And Then There Were None-vibe combined with some old-school horror movie feels and stirred with a spoonful of modern technology.
The story is told from the perspective of Izzy Whedon.The last to arrive at Clerkenwell and to join her band of friends, she’s a girl with a nebulous past, which she often references, but never quite reveals. I really loved Izzy as a character. What makes her extra interesting that Morgan positions her as an increasingly unreliable narrator; not just due to sleep deprivation and paranoia, but also due to her reluctance to reveal the reason she came to Clerkenwell. It adds an ever-increasing amount of tension to the narrative that made it hard to put the book down.
Izzy is part of a group of eight friends and while they are all individuals, some stand out more clearly than others. The one we see most of in addition to Izzy is her best friend – and maybe, possibly more – Grey. They live in the same building and have known each other ever since Izzy moved in the year before. I love their friendship, which is fun, has great banter, and has meaning both to Izzy as a character and to the plot. Noah is the brains of the outfit. None of these teens are slobs when it comes to smarts, but Noah beats them all. He’s the loveable know-it-all, which is a character type I have a real soft spot for. Kara, Mia, Dom, and Juliet are all a little less defined, but the last character, Tigs just stood out in stark relief. Tigs was a character I loved to hate. I absolutely disliked her within the first chapters and then thought “Well you know absentee parents, the kid can’t help her upbringing. She’s a wounded soul , etc.” trying to somehow explain why she is so unpleasant. But no, Tigs is just a spoiled, bratty, mean girl and revels in the fact.
There is one more important character in the narrative, though it is a place rather than a person. What I really liked about the setting is that the Barbican, the complex where Izzy and her friends live, becomes a character in its own right. This estate for the wealthy in the centre of London felt so surreal and isolated even if it was in the heart of the city. To me Barbican had always just been a tube stop, one I’d never yet gotten off at and Morgan really made the place come alive.
The plot of the book was fascinating. It is as much a murder mystery as it is a conspiracy thriller as it is a horror story. And in the end all of these elements take a backseat to staying awake and staying alive. Because sleep, who knew right? I mean, as a parent to two small children, one of whom is still a toddler, I do get the bone-tiredness of not having slept properly in weeks. However, that a lack of sleep could so seriously screw up your entire biological system, essentially short-circuiting your nervous system, was something I didn’t know. And apart from being completely terrifying, it also made me appreciate that we’re now at the point were broken nights are an anomaly rather than the rule.
The ending to Sleepless slayed me and left me a little shell-shocked. I thought it was a pretty gutsy ending for Morgan to pull off. In fact it was so captivating, I almost missed Emma’s school run, because I just HAD to finish the book before school and work. I loved Sleepless and the novel shows Morgan can really write anything she sets her mind to. Also, while Izzy is nothing like Morgan’s protagonist from Blood and Feathers, Morgan’s voice is quite consistent across both worlds. It reminded me how much I enjoy Morgan’s writing and now I want even more! Fingers crossed there’ll be a new book to look forward to in the foreseeable future.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
The story is told from the perspective of Izzy Whedon.The last to arrive at Clerkenwell and to join her band of friends, she’s a girl with a nebulous past, which she often references, but never quite reveals. I really loved Izzy as a character. What makes her extra interesting that Morgan positions her as an increasingly unreliable narrator; not just due to sleep deprivation and paranoia, but also due to her reluctance to reveal the reason she came to Clerkenwell. It adds an ever-increasing amount of tension to the narrative that made it hard to put the book down.
Izzy is part of a group of eight friends and while they are all individuals, some stand out more clearly than others. The one we see most of in addition to Izzy is her best friend – and maybe, possibly more – Grey. They live in the same building and have known each other ever since Izzy moved in the year before. I love their friendship, which is fun, has great banter, and has meaning both to Izzy as a character and to the plot. Noah is the brains of the outfit. None of these teens are slobs when it comes to smarts, but Noah beats them all. He’s the loveable know-it-all, which is a character type I have a real soft spot for. Kara, Mia, Dom, and Juliet are all a little less defined, but the last character, Tigs just stood out in stark relief. Tigs was a character I loved to hate. I absolutely disliked her within the first chapters and then thought “Well you know absentee parents, the kid can’t help her upbringing. She’s a wounded soul , etc.” trying to somehow explain why she is so unpleasant. But no, Tigs is just a spoiled, bratty, mean girl and revels in the fact.
There is one more important character in the narrative, though it is a place rather than a person. What I really liked about the setting is that the Barbican, the complex where Izzy and her friends live, becomes a character in its own right. This estate for the wealthy in the centre of London felt so surreal and isolated even if it was in the heart of the city. To me Barbican had always just been a tube stop, one I’d never yet gotten off at and Morgan really made the place come alive.
The plot of the book was fascinating. It is as much a murder mystery as it is a conspiracy thriller as it is a horror story. And in the end all of these elements take a backseat to staying awake and staying alive. Because sleep, who knew right? I mean, as a parent to two small children, one of whom is still a toddler, I do get the bone-tiredness of not having slept properly in weeks. However, that a lack of sleep could so seriously screw up your entire biological system, essentially short-circuiting your nervous system, was something I didn’t know. And apart from being completely terrifying, it also made me appreciate that we’re now at the point were broken nights are an anomaly rather than the rule.
The ending to Sleepless slayed me and left me a little shell-shocked. I thought it was a pretty gutsy ending for Morgan to pull off. In fact it was so captivating, I almost missed Emma’s school run, because I just HAD to finish the book before school and work. I loved Sleepless and the novel shows Morgan can really write anything she sets her mind to. Also, while Izzy is nothing like Morgan’s protagonist from Blood and Feathers, Morgan’s voice is quite consistent across both worlds. It reminded me how much I enjoy Morgan’s writing and now I want even more! Fingers crossed there’ll be a new book to look forward to in the foreseeable future.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
January 18, 2015
I enjoyed Sleepless but it was a bit slow paced to start with!
Sleepless is about Izzy and her group of friends. They are from rich families living near the Barbican Centre in London. They all attend the prestigious private school Clerkenwell. Like with many schools (says a student teacher…) exams are of utmost importance. Izzy and her friends are worrying about the upcoming exams, until Tigs gives everyone a solution- they could take this ‘study aid’ that she has found online which will help them focus for the exams. It seems like the perfect solution and everything is fine until after the exams… when Izzy and her friends start hearing and seeing strange things. Izzy and her friends soon wonder whether it would have been easier to fail their exams rather than go through the aftermath of the tablets…
Sleepless was slow to get into and I was worried that I might not like it, but it got better as the pace picked up. I’ve mentioned before that I’m not the biggest fan of horror, so if a book impresses me in the genre it really means something! I found this book to be incredibly intriguing and quite intense which was due to the atmospheric setting.
Sleepless is about Izzy and her group of friends. They are from rich families living near the Barbican Centre in London. They all attend the prestigious private school Clerkenwell. Like with many schools (says a student teacher…) exams are of utmost importance. Izzy and her friends are worrying about the upcoming exams, until Tigs gives everyone a solution- they could take this ‘study aid’ that she has found online which will help them focus for the exams. It seems like the perfect solution and everything is fine until after the exams… when Izzy and her friends start hearing and seeing strange things. Izzy and her friends soon wonder whether it would have been easier to fail their exams rather than go through the aftermath of the tablets…
Sleepless was slow to get into and I was worried that I might not like it, but it got better as the pace picked up. I’ve mentioned before that I’m not the biggest fan of horror, so if a book impresses me in the genre it really means something! I found this book to be incredibly intriguing and quite intense which was due to the atmospheric setting.
January 4, 2015
(I received a copy from Netgalley, In exchange for an honest review.)
Actual rating - 3.5
This was a decent read, but the ending wrecked it.
I felt quite sorry for some of the characters in this, but i didn't really like them. I didn't get how some of them could take the pills so easily when they had no idea what was in them.
There was a few creepy bits in this, which i enjoyed.
The ending to this was really weird and confusing. I have an idea on what might have happened, but i don't know if it's actially true. It just wrecked it for me though, as i can't stand open endings.
Overall, A decent creepy read, but was also quite confusing.
Actual rating - 3.5
This was a decent read, but the ending wrecked it.
I felt quite sorry for some of the characters in this, but i didn't really like them. I didn't get how some of them could take the pills so easily when they had no idea what was in them.
There was a few creepy bits in this, which i enjoyed.
The ending to this was really weird and confusing. I have an idea on what might have happened, but i don't know if it's actially true. It just wrecked it for me though, as i can't stand open endings.
Overall, A decent creepy read, but was also quite confusing.
May 28, 2020
Second read 2020: This stood up quite well to a reread but I'd probably adjust the rating down slightly to 4 stars. I think more could have been done with the story in some areas, but the ending is still suitably chilling.
First read 2016: Another good book from the Red Eye series. This one is not quite as engrossing as Frozen Charlotte but it is very enjoyable. The friction between the members of the group is nicely built up. Also, I like the 'slow descent into the unknown' pacing of the book and the ending is satisfyingly ambiguous, leaving you not quite sure what has been going on. Rating: 4.5 stars.
First read 2016: Another good book from the Red Eye series. This one is not quite as engrossing as Frozen Charlotte but it is very enjoyable. The friction between the members of the group is nicely built up. Also, I like the 'slow descent into the unknown' pacing of the book and the ending is satisfyingly ambiguous, leaving you not quite sure what has been going on. Rating: 4.5 stars.
July 4, 2019
Ooooo if this doesnt give you nightmares not much will...
January 14, 2015
Review originally posted at Books & Baby etc.
Sleepless is the second book I have read from the new Red Eye range by Stripes Publishing. The first was Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell which I really liked. When I saw Sleepless was available on NetGalley I couldn't help myself and requested it straight away. Unfortunately I have to say I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much. The writing is fine and I get what the author was trying to achieve with it but, for me, it doesn't quite hit the mark and in places it's a little jumbled.
It wasn't scary. At no point did I feel anything even close to fear and most of the big 'horror' scenes fell flat. I think there was too much 'telling' going on and not enough 'showing'. When I read a scary story I want to feel how terrified the characters are, and I just didn't get that with Sleepless.
It was really graphic sometimes and I just felt like it was a bit TOO much guts and gore for a book aimed at teenagers.
All the characters sucked. I really didn't care about any of them. At all.
I kind of felt like it didn't make a lot of sense in places and it was a bit confusing. The paranormal elements and the reality got a bit jumbled and I think things could have been made a bit clearer.
The ending was left wide open and I really wasn't sure what exactly we were supposed to think. I didn't like it and I think the last paragraph should be cut from the book because without it I thought the story was tied up nicely.
I can't really write a list of good points because I didn't feel like there were any stand-out things about it. Overall it's fine and I didn't particularly feel like it was a chore to read but I had high expectations from it and I was disappointed. I think that whereas Frozen Charlotte has elements that also appeal to adult readers, Sleepless is more likely to find its readership in the teenage market. I wouldn't recommend this to my friends but if I was buying books for a YA reader in this genre then I might pick it up.
Sleepless is the second book I have read from the new Red Eye range by Stripes Publishing. The first was Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell which I really liked. When I saw Sleepless was available on NetGalley I couldn't help myself and requested it straight away. Unfortunately I have to say I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much. The writing is fine and I get what the author was trying to achieve with it but, for me, it doesn't quite hit the mark and in places it's a little jumbled.
It wasn't scary. At no point did I feel anything even close to fear and most of the big 'horror' scenes fell flat. I think there was too much 'telling' going on and not enough 'showing'. When I read a scary story I want to feel how terrified the characters are, and I just didn't get that with Sleepless.
It was really graphic sometimes and I just felt like it was a bit TOO much guts and gore for a book aimed at teenagers.
All the characters sucked. I really didn't care about any of them. At all.
I kind of felt like it didn't make a lot of sense in places and it was a bit confusing. The paranormal elements and the reality got a bit jumbled and I think things could have been made a bit clearer.
The ending was left wide open and I really wasn't sure what exactly we were supposed to think. I didn't like it and I think the last paragraph should be cut from the book because without it I thought the story was tied up nicely.
I can't really write a list of good points because I didn't feel like there were any stand-out things about it. Overall it's fine and I didn't particularly feel like it was a chore to read but I had high expectations from it and I was disappointed. I think that whereas Frozen Charlotte has elements that also appeal to adult readers, Sleepless is more likely to find its readership in the teenage market. I wouldn't recommend this to my friends but if I was buying books for a YA reader in this genre then I might pick it up.
June 21, 2015
This book was awesome. Lightening fast and wonderfully tense. Loved the ending *giggles*
July 15, 2022
Pomysł fajny, ale mam wrażenie, że autorce zabrakło umiejętności, żeby to dobrze pociągnąć 💁
January 25, 2024
pojebane to było
August 24, 2020
3½ stars rounded up to 4
Summary
When exam time comes around, Izzy and her friends are really feeling the crushing pressure from both their parents and their school to do well. So when the group's leader, Tigs, suggests taking a new kind of focus pills to help them study, they quickly agree.
It isn't until after exams and 2 weeks of taking the drugs that things begin to go horribly wrong. Not only do the pills suddenly vanish from the site Tigs got them from, but the whole group begins experiencing unusual and terrifying side effects.
To make matters even worse, someone or something begins killing them off one by one.
Personal opinion
This is the 3rd Red Eye series book I have read and enjoyed.
I did have a couple of issues with this one though.
When it comes to teens doing drugs, I get that telling their parents, police or even doctors can get them into serious trouble. But when people start dying and your lifes on the line, there is no excuse not to tell an adult.
Also on that note, it seemed very odd that none of the teens parents were home or around, like at all while all of this was going on.
The ending left me feeling more confused than anything else. I like things to be wrapped up and explained. That was not done with this one.
Overall, it was an addictive read that kept me wanting to find out what happened next. It also did have some creepy parts mixed in.
Summary
When exam time comes around, Izzy and her friends are really feeling the crushing pressure from both their parents and their school to do well. So when the group's leader, Tigs, suggests taking a new kind of focus pills to help them study, they quickly agree.
It isn't until after exams and 2 weeks of taking the drugs that things begin to go horribly wrong. Not only do the pills suddenly vanish from the site Tigs got them from, but the whole group begins experiencing unusual and terrifying side effects.
To make matters even worse, someone or something begins killing them off one by one.
Personal opinion
This is the 3rd Red Eye series book I have read and enjoyed.
I did have a couple of issues with this one though.
When it comes to teens doing drugs, I get that telling their parents, police or even doctors can get them into serious trouble. But when people start dying and your lifes on the line, there is no excuse not to tell an adult.
Also on that note, it seemed very odd that none of the teens parents were home or around, like at all while all of this was going on.
The ending left me feeling more confused than anything else. I like things to be wrapped up and explained. That was not done with this one.
Overall, it was an addictive read that kept me wanting to find out what happened next. It also did have some creepy parts mixed in.
May 3, 2020
This was one hundred per cent a fun one. I'm still not sure what's going on with it but it was a fucking wild ride, and yeah--surprisingly gory. Like, I tried to read it on break and had to put it down because I was also eating at the same time and that shit wasn't going to fly. But no, definitely enjoyed it. Suspenseful; I always wanted to know what was happening, what was going to happen next--kept the pages turning. Good times were had by all, except by the characters in this book.
May 30, 2024
Damn, these books always end quite differently from what you’d expect! This was, once again, filled with twists and turns and bloody gore. I was on the tip of my seat the entire time.
However, the unrealistic-ness and detailed (yet confusing) descriptions of the surroundings sometimes took me out of it. It also started getting a little repetitive halfway through, but all in all an enjoyable read!
However, the unrealistic-ness and detailed (yet confusing) descriptions of the surroundings sometimes took me out of it. It also started getting a little repetitive halfway through, but all in all an enjoyable read!
September 27, 2022
bardzo mnie wciągnęła i ogólnie fabuła bardzo interesująca ale zakończenie mnie rozczarowało
October 1, 2025
read this at 11 and was convinced it was peak so i picked it up from the school library again :p it still holds up tbh ! the descriptions of the setting were really confusing though
October 18, 2015
https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/201...
My blog theme this month is spooky, scary, creepy stuff and nonsense, so in the lead up to Halloween, I've joined the #redeyereadalong on Goodreads. I’ve already acquainted you with Frozen Charlotte, and now from 5th October 2015 – 11th October 2015, I've read the second book in the #redeyereadalong, Sleepless by Lou Morgan, finishing a couple of days early!!
I finished this in super quick time, it was such a faced paced, exciting, adrenalin filled read. Highly entertaining.
What did I like about Sleepless?
Well first point I'd like to make is the excellent premise. A bunch of kids from a high achieving school, Clerkenwell, are about to sit their final exams and the pressure is well and truly on to get those perfect results, so they are tempted to take a little innocuous looking pill to make sure they get top marks. The drug looks harmless but smells foul, that's the first clue to the outcome. Clever use of this premise by Lou Morgan, she illustrates in vivid detail the nasty side of internet supplied drugs, in crazy, manic, horror fashion, and highlights the temptations that teenagers face in a modern world that is becoming more and more pressurised.
On the whole the characters are pretty well crafted, but I would say that my two favourites are without a doubt Izzy, and Grey. When these two team up later in the book, the story really starts to buzz with energy. The beginning of the book builds up the story line slowly introducing the reader to this close knit group of friends. It gives you a view of the different personalities of the characters, not all of which came across as that appealing! Tigs, the instigator tempting the others to take the pills seems pretty brattish, and not particularly likeable. But often it is the characters that seem friendly and approachable that turn out to be not so nice. Lou Morgan explores this concept well by bringing the worst aspects of the different personalities to the forefront in vivid detail after they have foolishly gulped down these study drugs. Result: Chaos, Fear, Dread, Mania, Sleep Deprivation, Hallucinations.
The book's title Sleepless is a bit of a hint to one of the possible aspects of the drug. But it does not tell the reader the full story, even though sleeping is crucially important to the story line, believe me when I say there is so much more to come. What price will these youngsters have to pay to get those results? The reality is shocking beyond the mere word Sleepless. Can you imagine what it would be like to suffer the most dreadful spate of insomnia, then add horrendous hallucinations, murderous intent and then you might be halfway there! I've suffered from difficulties sleeping from time to time so this really struck a chord with me, as I know just how wretched this can be. Then add into the horror scenario mix this foul smelling and foul behaving drug.
The story tackles friendships well, and looks below the surface of relationships to question how much do friends know about each other? Even in sibling relationships in which closeness is paramount, (the twin brother and sister, Mia and Dom,) startling truths are revealed. Just how well do we really know those we love? Again, I felt Sleepless handled this topic so well. The effects of the drug are far reaching, turning friends against each other. So faced with that kind of scenario who do you dare to trust?
The ending is great, but I had to read it twice to really understand what the author was trying to say!! Perhaps it was a bit ambiguous on first reading. So read the ending and the build up to the conclusion more than once to savour its startling implications!!
Warning: Sleepless is shocking in parts, one particular scene really turned my stomach, so this is not for younger readers, or those who don't like reading anything too gruesome.
My rating:
4 stars.
My blog theme this month is spooky, scary, creepy stuff and nonsense, so in the lead up to Halloween, I've joined the #redeyereadalong on Goodreads. I’ve already acquainted you with Frozen Charlotte, and now from 5th October 2015 – 11th October 2015, I've read the second book in the #redeyereadalong, Sleepless by Lou Morgan, finishing a couple of days early!!
I finished this in super quick time, it was such a faced paced, exciting, adrenalin filled read. Highly entertaining.
What did I like about Sleepless?
Well first point I'd like to make is the excellent premise. A bunch of kids from a high achieving school, Clerkenwell, are about to sit their final exams and the pressure is well and truly on to get those perfect results, so they are tempted to take a little innocuous looking pill to make sure they get top marks. The drug looks harmless but smells foul, that's the first clue to the outcome. Clever use of this premise by Lou Morgan, she illustrates in vivid detail the nasty side of internet supplied drugs, in crazy, manic, horror fashion, and highlights the temptations that teenagers face in a modern world that is becoming more and more pressurised.
On the whole the characters are pretty well crafted, but I would say that my two favourites are without a doubt Izzy, and Grey. When these two team up later in the book, the story really starts to buzz with energy. The beginning of the book builds up the story line slowly introducing the reader to this close knit group of friends. It gives you a view of the different personalities of the characters, not all of which came across as that appealing! Tigs, the instigator tempting the others to take the pills seems pretty brattish, and not particularly likeable. But often it is the characters that seem friendly and approachable that turn out to be not so nice. Lou Morgan explores this concept well by bringing the worst aspects of the different personalities to the forefront in vivid detail after they have foolishly gulped down these study drugs. Result: Chaos, Fear, Dread, Mania, Sleep Deprivation, Hallucinations.
The book's title Sleepless is a bit of a hint to one of the possible aspects of the drug. But it does not tell the reader the full story, even though sleeping is crucially important to the story line, believe me when I say there is so much more to come. What price will these youngsters have to pay to get those results? The reality is shocking beyond the mere word Sleepless. Can you imagine what it would be like to suffer the most dreadful spate of insomnia, then add horrendous hallucinations, murderous intent and then you might be halfway there! I've suffered from difficulties sleeping from time to time so this really struck a chord with me, as I know just how wretched this can be. Then add into the horror scenario mix this foul smelling and foul behaving drug.
The story tackles friendships well, and looks below the surface of relationships to question how much do friends know about each other? Even in sibling relationships in which closeness is paramount, (the twin brother and sister, Mia and Dom,) startling truths are revealed. Just how well do we really know those we love? Again, I felt Sleepless handled this topic so well. The effects of the drug are far reaching, turning friends against each other. So faced with that kind of scenario who do you dare to trust?
The ending is great, but I had to read it twice to really understand what the author was trying to say!! Perhaps it was a bit ambiguous on first reading. So read the ending and the build up to the conclusion more than once to savour its startling implications!!
Warning: Sleepless is shocking in parts, one particular scene really turned my stomach, so this is not for younger readers, or those who don't like reading anything too gruesome.
My rating:
4 stars.
January 12, 2015
Originally reviewed for Bookaholic Confessions
The pupils at highly prestigious school, Clerkenwell, are staring to fear their up-and-coming exams. They know that failure is not an option, which is why Izzy’s friend and fellow pupil Tigs decides to get hold of some FokusPro pills to help her and her friends out. It’s all completely above board; the pills are just ‘a bunch of vitamins’ which will help improve their concentration and memory.
The pills do their job and Izzy and her friends survive the rigorous bout of exams and are free to enjoy the whole summer that stretches ahead of them. Or at least they would enjoy the summer if any of them could get a good night’s sleep…
However, a peaceful nights rest soon turns into the least of their worries, when one by one, Izzy and her friends start losing the plot. Are they being watched? Who’s that hiding in the shadows? Is someone after them? More and more weird things start to happen to the group of friends and before they know it, what started as a simple study-aid has now turned into a fight for survival…
After enjoying Frozen Charlotte (the other Red Eye book to be published by Stripes Publishing this January) I had really high hopes for Sleepless too. It sounded completely different to Frozen Charlotte and more of a psychologically creepy story…and it certainly lived up to all of my expectations and THEN SOME!
I couldn’t put Sleepless down. At first I wasn’t sure that I’d find it all that scary; after all the things that were happening to Izzy and her friends aren’t real – and you know that. They’re all side effects from the FokusPro. When the hallucinations first begin you can almost believe that there is someone watching them in the bushes, but things spiral out of control so quickly and it makes for a very exciting, tense and exhilarating ride. However, when some seriously grizzly things start happening to everyone who took the pills, it’s almost as if they’ve all turned on one another.
Lou Morgan’s writing is something very special. The way that she builds tension is brilliant and had me on the edge of my seat more than once or twice. I love Young Adult, but Horror is a genre I’ve not really read much of. I always assume that I’ll have difficulty believing what I’m reading but this most certainly is not the case with this novel. Lou Morgan brought all of Izzy’s hallucinations to life (that nurse!) and I could picture the Barbican where Izzy lived perfectly (and it creeped me out no end.) I am sat here shuddering just thinking about it.
Sleepless follows the storyline of your perfect teen horror movie. A bunch of rich kids decide to cheat their way through their exams by taking some pills which nobody really knows anything about, they don’t have a proper label and came off the internet (this is the point where you scream at the TV!) They might get through their exams, but can they get through the summer afterwards?
I felt almost as tired and wrung out as Izzy towards the end of the novel – it was that tense! I was so scared for her and hoping desperately she’d survive, but there are moments when it doesn’t look good.
I really liked Izzy and the dynamics of her friendship group. There are quite a few characters within the group which I was worried I may struggle to keep up with, but things turned out alright on that level as all of the characters are quite distinct. There’s queen bee Tigs, twins Mia and Dom, super brainy Noah, cool and handsome Grey, Juliet, Kara and of course, Izzy.
Lou Morgan strikes the balance between a realistic yet completely horrifying tale that will make you squirm, shudder and not be able to stop reading until you’ve read the very last word. You literally will be Sleepless during AND after reading this tense, gripping novel…
The pupils at highly prestigious school, Clerkenwell, are staring to fear their up-and-coming exams. They know that failure is not an option, which is why Izzy’s friend and fellow pupil Tigs decides to get hold of some FokusPro pills to help her and her friends out. It’s all completely above board; the pills are just ‘a bunch of vitamins’ which will help improve their concentration and memory.
The pills do their job and Izzy and her friends survive the rigorous bout of exams and are free to enjoy the whole summer that stretches ahead of them. Or at least they would enjoy the summer if any of them could get a good night’s sleep…
However, a peaceful nights rest soon turns into the least of their worries, when one by one, Izzy and her friends start losing the plot. Are they being watched? Who’s that hiding in the shadows? Is someone after them? More and more weird things start to happen to the group of friends and before they know it, what started as a simple study-aid has now turned into a fight for survival…
After enjoying Frozen Charlotte (the other Red Eye book to be published by Stripes Publishing this January) I had really high hopes for Sleepless too. It sounded completely different to Frozen Charlotte and more of a psychologically creepy story…and it certainly lived up to all of my expectations and THEN SOME!
I couldn’t put Sleepless down. At first I wasn’t sure that I’d find it all that scary; after all the things that were happening to Izzy and her friends aren’t real – and you know that. They’re all side effects from the FokusPro. When the hallucinations first begin you can almost believe that there is someone watching them in the bushes, but things spiral out of control so quickly and it makes for a very exciting, tense and exhilarating ride. However, when some seriously grizzly things start happening to everyone who took the pills, it’s almost as if they’ve all turned on one another.
Lou Morgan’s writing is something very special. The way that she builds tension is brilliant and had me on the edge of my seat more than once or twice. I love Young Adult, but Horror is a genre I’ve not really read much of. I always assume that I’ll have difficulty believing what I’m reading but this most certainly is not the case with this novel. Lou Morgan brought all of Izzy’s hallucinations to life (that nurse!) and I could picture the Barbican where Izzy lived perfectly (and it creeped me out no end.) I am sat here shuddering just thinking about it.
Sleepless follows the storyline of your perfect teen horror movie. A bunch of rich kids decide to cheat their way through their exams by taking some pills which nobody really knows anything about, they don’t have a proper label and came off the internet (this is the point where you scream at the TV!) They might get through their exams, but can they get through the summer afterwards?
I felt almost as tired and wrung out as Izzy towards the end of the novel – it was that tense! I was so scared for her and hoping desperately she’d survive, but there are moments when it doesn’t look good.
I really liked Izzy and the dynamics of her friendship group. There are quite a few characters within the group which I was worried I may struggle to keep up with, but things turned out alright on that level as all of the characters are quite distinct. There’s queen bee Tigs, twins Mia and Dom, super brainy Noah, cool and handsome Grey, Juliet, Kara and of course, Izzy.
Lou Morgan strikes the balance between a realistic yet completely horrifying tale that will make you squirm, shudder and not be able to stop reading until you’ve read the very last word. You literally will be Sleepless during AND after reading this tense, gripping novel…
December 12, 2014
3.5 stars Some quite creepy and tense situations!
Full review:
First up, I read Sleepless by Lou Morgan. This is a story about Izzy and her group of friends. They're all rich and pretty and they all live in or near the Barbican Centre and attend this swank private school, Clerkenwell. At Clerkenwell, exams matter. They're super important and in fact, failure is not an option.
So when Tigs gives everyone a seemingly perfect solution to their problem, Izzy and her friends all jump at the chance. Tigs has found these special pills which enhance memory and really allows for more concentration and focus during revisions and exams. And everything seems to be going so well until after the exams when creepy things start happening and Izzy and her friends start seeing and hearing things and start to question: what actually were in those pills? And the realisation that they all come to? There are worse things to happen to them besides failing an exam.
While I thought that Sleepless was a little slow to get into and I never fully connected to the majority of the central cast of characters, I also found this book to have some really creepy and tense situations and I found myself a little uncomfortable reading this book alone and in the dark. I loved that this book is set in London, specifically at the Barbican Centre where I've been quite a few times. Having a familiar setting made things more real in my head and I loved the addition of other scary places: a hospital, a building site, a meat market. Even the Barbican with its confusing stairwells and passageways was a brilliant setting choice for this story.
In terms of horror, I was pleasantly surprised by where the story went. Some of these teenagers do die and in horrific ways. But the build-up to the gruesome scenes was quite chilling in parts as well as the characters start to question their own grasp on reality and I always love to see a group of characters turn on each other as their trust and camaraderie are shaken by rather shocking events.
I quite liked this story. It did need a tighter edit, particularly in the first quarter of the book, but overall an interesting idea that certainly gave me the creeps!
Full review:
First up, I read Sleepless by Lou Morgan. This is a story about Izzy and her group of friends. They're all rich and pretty and they all live in or near the Barbican Centre and attend this swank private school, Clerkenwell. At Clerkenwell, exams matter. They're super important and in fact, failure is not an option.
So when Tigs gives everyone a seemingly perfect solution to their problem, Izzy and her friends all jump at the chance. Tigs has found these special pills which enhance memory and really allows for more concentration and focus during revisions and exams. And everything seems to be going so well until after the exams when creepy things start happening and Izzy and her friends start seeing and hearing things and start to question: what actually were in those pills? And the realisation that they all come to? There are worse things to happen to them besides failing an exam.
While I thought that Sleepless was a little slow to get into and I never fully connected to the majority of the central cast of characters, I also found this book to have some really creepy and tense situations and I found myself a little uncomfortable reading this book alone and in the dark. I loved that this book is set in London, specifically at the Barbican Centre where I've been quite a few times. Having a familiar setting made things more real in my head and I loved the addition of other scary places: a hospital, a building site, a meat market. Even the Barbican with its confusing stairwells and passageways was a brilliant setting choice for this story.
In terms of horror, I was pleasantly surprised by where the story went. Some of these teenagers do die and in horrific ways. But the build-up to the gruesome scenes was quite chilling in parts as well as the characters start to question their own grasp on reality and I always love to see a group of characters turn on each other as their trust and camaraderie are shaken by rather shocking events.
I quite liked this story. It did need a tighter edit, particularly in the first quarter of the book, but overall an interesting idea that certainly gave me the creeps!
March 18, 2025
I first read this book in Year 10 / 11, and at the time I remember thinking it was so engaging, unique etc so I rated it 4 stars... BUT I decided to reread it because I was in the mood for something fast-paced that wouldn't take much effort to read.
There was a mixture of things I liked and things I didn't, but most importantly I didn't feel any special connection with the book or characters, so I had to decrease my rating to 3 stars.
Some of the things I liked were:
1. the idea of the novel -- it was so interesting to see a horror/ thriller that could actually happen in real life, especially with the whole exams / peer pressure aspect. Lots of books in this genre end up being very similar and this book stood out because it felt so original.
2. the ending! I know lots of people are unsatisfied with it but I love open endings because they leave so much more to the imagination.
3. of course the whole madness side will always intrigue me so I enjoyed that.
There were also some negative things -- at the beginning, the pacing was slow, there were no incredible quotes to highlight, and because of the fact that it's a plot-heavy short book, most of the characters were under-developed and I didn't connect with them.
Ultimately I don't have any strong feelings either way and I think my apathy towards it is why I could only give it 3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
There was a mixture of things I liked and things I didn't, but most importantly I didn't feel any special connection with the book or characters, so I had to decrease my rating to 3 stars.
Some of the things I liked were:
1. the idea of the novel -- it was so interesting to see a horror/ thriller that could actually happen in real life, especially with the whole exams / peer pressure aspect. Lots of books in this genre end up being very similar and this book stood out because it felt so original.
2. the ending! I know lots of people are unsatisfied with it but I love open endings because they leave so much more to the imagination.
3. of course the whole madness side will always intrigue me so I enjoyed that.
There were also some negative things -- at the beginning, the pacing was slow, there were no incredible quotes to highlight, and because of the fact that it's a plot-heavy short book, most of the characters were under-developed and I didn't connect with them.
Ultimately I don't have any strong feelings either way and I think my apathy towards it is why I could only give it 3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
March 19, 2019
Actual rating: 1 star
This is the worst horror book I `ve ever read with the characters being very bland. It was honestly your average horror story with the characters making stupid decisions (eg taking a random pill found online to pass their test and then deciding it would be better to suffer on their own rather than tell anyone about the risks of sounding crazy) and a lot of gore mixed up in it as well as a plot twist to make a cheesy story. There was only one girl who actually made good decisions and well to not reveal any spoilers, she ended up getting involved in a very big mess with the rest of her idiotic friends (sorry Kara you'll always be in my heart). The plot itself was quite messy as it appears the writer was trying to add more scare factor to it than tell a story. Even there it failed so it was just a big gory mess.
If you are looking for a great horror book I wouldn`t pick this up as its a waste of time when there are other horror books in the RED EYE series that are actually worth picking up.
This is the worst horror book I `ve ever read with the characters being very bland. It was honestly your average horror story with the characters making stupid decisions (eg taking a random pill found online to pass their test and then deciding it would be better to suffer on their own rather than tell anyone about the risks of sounding crazy) and a lot of gore mixed up in it as well as a plot twist to make a cheesy story. There was only one girl who actually made good decisions and well to not reveal any spoilers, she ended up getting involved in a very big mess with the rest of her idiotic friends (sorry Kara you'll always be in my heart). The plot itself was quite messy as it appears the writer was trying to add more scare factor to it than tell a story. Even there it failed so it was just a big gory mess.
If you are looking for a great horror book I wouldn`t pick this up as its a waste of time when there are other horror books in the RED EYE series that are actually worth picking up.
April 21, 2019
Before I start; this is my personal opinion and I can guarantee others will have opposing ones.
Concept for this book is great. Execution? Not so great.
I felt like all the characters including the main character were very 2D. There was no fleshing out and very little to no backstory on them. This meant I did not fall in love with any of the characters and didn't harbour any emotions further on.
As I said the concept and idea were good, it's the primary reason I read to the end of this book. I wanted to know what happened and how, then when I arrived at the end I wished I had stopped reading part way through. It had the feeling of a writer that had hit a word count and needed to finish the story in a sentence or two.
I think this book could have been great if another 100 maybe 200 pages were added to expand on some of the characters and bring the end to a satisfactory close.
Concept for this book is great. Execution? Not so great.
I felt like all the characters including the main character were very 2D. There was no fleshing out and very little to no backstory on them. This meant I did not fall in love with any of the characters and didn't harbour any emotions further on.
As I said the concept and idea were good, it's the primary reason I read to the end of this book. I wanted to know what happened and how, then when I arrived at the end I wished I had stopped reading part way through. It had the feeling of a writer that had hit a word count and needed to finish the story in a sentence or two.
I think this book could have been great if another 100 maybe 200 pages were added to expand on some of the characters and bring the end to a satisfactory close.
March 16, 2019
maybe it's 3.5 stars because it took me a while to really get into the story, it was a bit slow at first. I really enjoy it even if it wasn't great and I liked the ending although I'm a bit confused haha
February 5, 2017
This is more a 3.5 stars but heading more towards the four than the three. It could have been so, so great. The last page was my favourite out of the whole book. Such a shame!
July 22, 2024
3 ⭐️ || ughm… well… that was… shocking?
November 7, 2018
The real horror story here is the desperation kids feel when it comes to passing exams. This story could happen. Hell, it probably has happened.
Seven kids take a study drug. They still have to study - this isn't a way to get out of doing the work - but they take everything in better as a result. There's an atmosphere of peer pressure in the room in that first scene, when Tigs gives out the pills. After that, the story becomes a psychological horror with a fair bit of gore and a heavy dose of what you are in the dark. I spent most of the book rooting for Izzy to go and talk to Grey. I figured that, being good friends, they could get through it together. Thinking back over his actions and decisions, maybe I was wrong, though I'm still not surely what precisely was off about him. Not in the way I am about Mia, Izzy, and Tigs.
This is a plot-heavy book and the characters don't really grow or change, but each of them has just enough traits and motivations to keep them memorable. I felt sorry for most of them. How do you expect people to make good decisions when under so much pressure? Personally, I think exam culture is to blame for a lot of things both in and out of the story. The writing is gloriously atmospheric, the imagery is brilliant, and the tension will keep you reading.
I docked a star for the confusing ending (no idea what happened there), but other than that this was a great reason to get even further behind on NaNo.
Seven kids take a study drug. They still have to study - this isn't a way to get out of doing the work - but they take everything in better as a result. There's an atmosphere of peer pressure in the room in that first scene, when Tigs gives out the pills. After that, the story becomes a psychological horror with a fair bit of gore and a heavy dose of what you are in the dark. I spent most of the book rooting for Izzy to go and talk to Grey. I figured that, being good friends, they could get through it together. Thinking back over his actions and decisions, maybe I was wrong, though I'm still not surely what precisely was off about him. Not in the way I am about Mia, Izzy, and Tigs.
This is a plot-heavy book and the characters don't really grow or change, but each of them has just enough traits and motivations to keep them memorable. I felt sorry for most of them. How do you expect people to make good decisions when under so much pressure? Personally, I think exam culture is to blame for a lot of things both in and out of the story. The writing is gloriously atmospheric, the imagery is brilliant, and the tension will keep you reading.
I docked a star for the confusing ending (no idea what happened there), but other than that this was a great reason to get even further behind on NaNo.
March 5, 2020
This was another quick read but 100 pages in I was seriously considering dnf'n it, but I persevered and I'm glad I did cos it was such a thrill ride!
Basically I had to learn to get used to the writing style, which on my first read I found to be very basic and juvenile. I know this is a YA book but the style was much more middle grade so I found it funny that the cover states it's not for younger readers but obviously I agree with that statement for different reasons.
I haven't read a more exciting thriller in a long time. The horror was very striking and happened often, so it shows some imagination was used to create new scares throughout the book. It's incredibly fast paced and full of action on every page, never a dull moment. I've been generous with my stars for these reasons. I couldn't put it down.
However there were times where it felt like a classic teen slasher movie and it's frustrating to read the lack of reality which opens plot holes and for the characters to stop doing stupid shit. Also, all the characters seemed to have the same personality and are dumped on you all at once with nothing to tell them apart.
You may not think it from this review but I do encourage you to read it if you're a thrill seeker!!
Basically I had to learn to get used to the writing style, which on my first read I found to be very basic and juvenile. I know this is a YA book but the style was much more middle grade so I found it funny that the cover states it's not for younger readers but obviously I agree with that statement for different reasons.
I haven't read a more exciting thriller in a long time. The horror was very striking and happened often, so it shows some imagination was used to create new scares throughout the book. It's incredibly fast paced and full of action on every page, never a dull moment. I've been generous with my stars for these reasons. I couldn't put it down.
However there were times where it felt like a classic teen slasher movie and it's frustrating to read the lack of reality which opens plot holes and for the characters to stop doing stupid shit. Also, all the characters seemed to have the same personality and are dumped on you all at once with nothing to tell them apart.
You may not think it from this review but I do encourage you to read it if you're a thrill seeker!!
July 29, 2020
This has been my least favourite of the Red Eye horror series so far.
I read it quickly as all of these books are easy enough to sink your teeth into and don't faf on too long with fleshed out character development. They generally have quite 2D characters but a lot of action - perfect for the horror genre.
But anyway, no this one just didn't do it for me. It's about a group of wealthy students who take a drug they've found on the Internet, purported to aid concentration. When they find they can no longer sleep properly and they're becoming ill, they do a bit of research and discover that the drug is going to send them into an irreversible psychosis unless they can 'fix' their brains wiring by staying awake 48 hours. However this is all easier said than done as they're all seeing things that aren't there, turning on each other and eventually killing each other. It was just a bit... Yawny.
I read it quickly as all of these books are easy enough to sink your teeth into and don't faf on too long with fleshed out character development. They generally have quite 2D characters but a lot of action - perfect for the horror genre.
But anyway, no this one just didn't do it for me. It's about a group of wealthy students who take a drug they've found on the Internet, purported to aid concentration. When they find they can no longer sleep properly and they're becoming ill, they do a bit of research and discover that the drug is going to send them into an irreversible psychosis unless they can 'fix' their brains wiring by staying awake 48 hours. However this is all easier said than done as they're all seeing things that aren't there, turning on each other and eventually killing each other. It was just a bit... Yawny.
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