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Somnium
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26Impossible chances rarely come for free…
33-year-old Arcadia Kismet is completely fine on her own. She has to be. A life without roots leaves little room for anything else. Still, despite her acceptance of a life on the outskirts, she can’t deny the brutal ache of wanting to be fully seen. So when a new friend extends an unexpected invitation to Somnium, there is no way she can say no.
Intoxicating. Hypnotic. Life-changing.
Whispered rumors are all that is known about the rite, its details kept guarded as tightly as the identities of the Priests who conduct it.
In a single evening, Cadi is drawn in by electrifying promises of purpose and dreams made real, stepping deeper into the world of The Order than she ever intended.
Until she finds her path entwined with Elias Masterson, a bartender whose ties to the sect run deeper than she ever imagined, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew.
Elias is a man haunted by his past, determined to dismantle the faith that nearly broke him. But his plans fracture when a brutal act drives Cadi further into his orbit. He knows he can’t walk away, but loving her could cost her everything.
And when the truth about The Order’s god begins to unravel, Cadi and Elias are plunged into a fight far more personal than either anticipated. The stronger their bond, the greater their threat.
And the god they defy does not share power.
33-year-old Arcadia Kismet is completely fine on her own. She has to be. A life without roots leaves little room for anything else. Still, despite her acceptance of a life on the outskirts, she can’t deny the brutal ache of wanting to be fully seen. So when a new friend extends an unexpected invitation to Somnium, there is no way she can say no.
Intoxicating. Hypnotic. Life-changing.
Whispered rumors are all that is known about the rite, its details kept guarded as tightly as the identities of the Priests who conduct it.
In a single evening, Cadi is drawn in by electrifying promises of purpose and dreams made real, stepping deeper into the world of The Order than she ever intended.
Until she finds her path entwined with Elias Masterson, a bartender whose ties to the sect run deeper than she ever imagined, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew.
Elias is a man haunted by his past, determined to dismantle the faith that nearly broke him. But his plans fracture when a brutal act drives Cadi further into his orbit. He knows he can’t walk away, but loving her could cost her everything.
And when the truth about The Order’s god begins to unravel, Cadi and Elias are plunged into a fight far more personal than either anticipated. The stronger their bond, the greater their threat.
And the god they defy does not share power.
484 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Look, I had absolutely no idea what to expect from a Sleep Token-inspired romantasy except that it sounded like a dream come true, but Eden Apelbaum completely surprised me in all the best ways with Somnium. To me, this exciting blend of urban high fantasy, mythology, mystery, and romance kind of felt like Crescent City meets Dark Olympus meets Ali Hazelwood, while also somehow being completely unlike anything I've ever read, and I love it for that.
From the moment I met my girl Arcadia 'Cadi' Kismet, I just knew I was going to enjoy following her journey. She's a 33-year-old human living in a world where gods from every pantheon and myths from every culture have stepped into reality, and her quiet little life on the outskirts gets completely derailed after she's invited to Somnium, a mysterious rite conducted by The Order that promises purpose, belonging, and dreams made real. Before long, her path starts to entwine with the enigmatic Elias Masterson, a bartender and traitor to The Order, and when the truth about the Order's god begins to unravel, Cadi and Elias find themselves caught up in something far bigger and far more personal than either of them expected.
Now, technically Somnium delivers exactly what this premise promises, but I do have to say that the execution was very different from what I expected. For pretty much the entire first half, this almost felt like a slice of life romantic fantasy in terms of its pacing and plotting as we simply follow Cadi getting familiar with The Order, settling into this strange new part of her life, and later slowly bonding with Elias. If you’re looking for instant action, this may not be the book for you, but I personally could not stop turning the pages because I loved all the Sleep Token aesthetics and easter eggs, and I just had the best time exploring this modern yet deeply fantastical world through the eyes of these characters.
To me, Cadi was just such a refreshing and enjoyable romantasy FMC, not just because she is not the brash, naive youngster that you typically see in this genre, but also because she’s actually lived some life and is carrying a lot of emotional baggage that I loved unpacking alongside her. Seeing how difficult it was for her to let people in was painful in all the best ways, which made it all the more rewarding to watch Elias and Sera (who is my favourite character and I would absolutely date her, just fyi) slowly become people she felt safe enough to be vulnerable around. And then Elias surprised me just as much by continuously proving himself to be a true walking green flag instead of the emotionally unavailable menace that romantasy keeps insisting is attractive, and I loved how their dynamic was so slow burn, tender, and healthy while also still being so sexy and filled with that delicious romantic tension and yearning that I just live for.
At the same time, I really enjoyed how he remained such a mysterious enigma, especially as we started getting more and more of his POV chapters that showed his deep inner turmoil and hinted at something much bigger and darker brewing beneath all the quiet character moments. That level of intrigue was exactly what kept me glued to the pages, even during the moments where I started wondering when the story would reveal its larger direction. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the comforting found family vibes and the cozy everyday moments in the first half, but it was when the mystery surrounding the disappearing gods and the truth behind The Order finally started coming into focus that I genuinely couldn't put Somnium down anymore.
And sure, maybe the progression of the feelings and emotional stakes was a little jarring and happened faster than I fully believed at times, but the fact that I devoured all 500+ pages in just 2 days should say enough about how much I was enjoying myself. The final stretch is just packed with twist after twist that somehow felt both completely unexpected and perfectly inevitable, and now I am equal parts excited and nervous to see where the Dreams & Darkness series goes next because that ending was brutal in exactly the way I like it. The fact that Somnium is a debut honestly blows me away, and I can’t recommend it highly enough if you like the sound of a dark yet healthy urban romantasy full of mythology, trauma, mysterious cults, secret societies, and of course plenty of Sleep Token vibes.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own. Somnium is scheduled for release on September 1st, 2026.
From the moment I met my girl Arcadia 'Cadi' Kismet, I just knew I was going to enjoy following her journey. She's a 33-year-old human living in a world where gods from every pantheon and myths from every culture have stepped into reality, and her quiet little life on the outskirts gets completely derailed after she's invited to Somnium, a mysterious rite conducted by The Order that promises purpose, belonging, and dreams made real. Before long, her path starts to entwine with the enigmatic Elias Masterson, a bartender and traitor to The Order, and when the truth about the Order's god begins to unravel, Cadi and Elias find themselves caught up in something far bigger and far more personal than either of them expected.
Now, technically Somnium delivers exactly what this premise promises, but I do have to say that the execution was very different from what I expected. For pretty much the entire first half, this almost felt like a slice of life romantic fantasy in terms of its pacing and plotting as we simply follow Cadi getting familiar with The Order, settling into this strange new part of her life, and later slowly bonding with Elias. If you’re looking for instant action, this may not be the book for you, but I personally could not stop turning the pages because I loved all the Sleep Token aesthetics and easter eggs, and I just had the best time exploring this modern yet deeply fantastical world through the eyes of these characters.
To me, Cadi was just such a refreshing and enjoyable romantasy FMC, not just because she is not the brash, naive youngster that you typically see in this genre, but also because she’s actually lived some life and is carrying a lot of emotional baggage that I loved unpacking alongside her. Seeing how difficult it was for her to let people in was painful in all the best ways, which made it all the more rewarding to watch Elias and Sera (who is my favourite character and I would absolutely date her, just fyi) slowly become people she felt safe enough to be vulnerable around. And then Elias surprised me just as much by continuously proving himself to be a true walking green flag instead of the emotionally unavailable menace that romantasy keeps insisting is attractive, and I loved how their dynamic was so slow burn, tender, and healthy while also still being so sexy and filled with that delicious romantic tension and yearning that I just live for.
At the same time, I really enjoyed how he remained such a mysterious enigma, especially as we started getting more and more of his POV chapters that showed his deep inner turmoil and hinted at something much bigger and darker brewing beneath all the quiet character moments. That level of intrigue was exactly what kept me glued to the pages, even during the moments where I started wondering when the story would reveal its larger direction. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the comforting found family vibes and the cozy everyday moments in the first half, but it was when the mystery surrounding the disappearing gods and the truth behind The Order finally started coming into focus that I genuinely couldn't put Somnium down anymore.
And sure, maybe the progression of the feelings and emotional stakes was a little jarring and happened faster than I fully believed at times, but the fact that I devoured all 500+ pages in just 2 days should say enough about how much I was enjoying myself. The final stretch is just packed with twist after twist that somehow felt both completely unexpected and perfectly inevitable, and now I am equal parts excited and nervous to see where the Dreams & Darkness series goes next because that ending was brutal in exactly the way I like it. The fact that Somnium is a debut honestly blows me away, and I can’t recommend it highly enough if you like the sound of a dark yet healthy urban romantasy full of mythology, trauma, mysterious cults, secret societies, and of course plenty of Sleep Token vibes.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own. Somnium is scheduled for release on September 1st, 2026.
July 27, 2026
Advanced Reader Copy provided by the author-
As a predominantly Romantasy reader who generally struggles with modern fantasy settings, I am blown away how much I LOVED this book! It was a unique story with extremely lovable characters! Cadi is beyond relatable and Elias is such a green flag! I can’t wait until book 2! The ending is clearly set up for an exciting sequel, but I’m relieved we weren’t left with a cliffhanger that was too devastating 😅
As a predominantly Romantasy reader who generally struggles with modern fantasy settings, I am blown away how much I LOVED this book! It was a unique story with extremely lovable characters! Cadi is beyond relatable and Elias is such a green flag! I can’t wait until book 2! The ending is clearly set up for an exciting sequel, but I’m relieved we weren’t left with a cliffhanger that was too devastating 😅
August 4, 2026
I was desperate to read this book as soon as I saw that it was inspired by Sleep Token! And man it did not disappoint! This story was an absolute ride, so much tension, emotion and cheeky banter! The cult like following of Oneirios was genuinely creepy, control at its very worst. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone that loves fantasy, dystopian stories that will leave you on the edge of your seat, eyes glued to the pages. I can’t wait to read the next book!!
July 21, 2026
Omg what a ride!!!!!! Seriously soooooo effing good!!!!! Loved everyone!!! Cadi Elias Sera even Seth lol and of course oodles of love for Cuba😍😍😍😍 can’t wait to see where this story goes💙
Review of advance copy received from Author
I would like to thank the author for trusting me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Somnium is a solid urban fantasy with an intriguing blend of mythology, secret religious orders, gods walking the modern world, and a slow-burn romance between two characters who have actually lived a little which, as a reader, I always appreciate.
Arcadia “Cadi” Kismet is 33, fiercely accustomed to being on her own, but still carrying that very human desire to be truly seen. An invitation to the mysterious rite known as Somnium draws her into the world of The Order, where she soon finds herself tangled up with Elias Masterson - a bartender with his own complicated and painful history with the very faith Cadi is being pulled toward.
I really enjoyed the world Apelbaum created here. It’s urban fantasy populated by all kinds of mythical beings, with gods and mythology woven into a modern setting in a way that gives the story plenty of room to expand as the series continues.
The writing is descriptive without bogging down the story, and the third-person dual POV works well for Cadi and Elias. The pacing and characterization are good, and the romance develops at a believable slow burn. I especially liked getting protagonists in their 30s rather than another pair of barely-adult chosen ones tasked with saving the universe before they can legally rent a car.
Ultimately, I enjoyed it from beginning to end, but it never quite gave me that jaw-dropping moment or emotional gut punch that pushes a book into five-star territory for me personally.
The ending wraps up this part of the story while clearly opening the door for what comes next, so there’s a definite setup for book two without leaving you dangling from a brutal cliffhanger.
A great debut and a strong start to an urban fantasy series, and I’m curious to see where Cadi and Elias go next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Somnium is a solid urban fantasy with an intriguing blend of mythology, secret religious orders, gods walking the modern world, and a slow-burn romance between two characters who have actually lived a little which, as a reader, I always appreciate.
Arcadia “Cadi” Kismet is 33, fiercely accustomed to being on her own, but still carrying that very human desire to be truly seen. An invitation to the mysterious rite known as Somnium draws her into the world of The Order, where she soon finds herself tangled up with Elias Masterson - a bartender with his own complicated and painful history with the very faith Cadi is being pulled toward.
I really enjoyed the world Apelbaum created here. It’s urban fantasy populated by all kinds of mythical beings, with gods and mythology woven into a modern setting in a way that gives the story plenty of room to expand as the series continues.
The writing is descriptive without bogging down the story, and the third-person dual POV works well for Cadi and Elias. The pacing and characterization are good, and the romance develops at a believable slow burn. I especially liked getting protagonists in their 30s rather than another pair of barely-adult chosen ones tasked with saving the universe before they can legally rent a car.
Ultimately, I enjoyed it from beginning to end, but it never quite gave me that jaw-dropping moment or emotional gut punch that pushes a book into five-star territory for me personally.
The ending wraps up this part of the story while clearly opening the door for what comes next, so there’s a definite setup for book two without leaving you dangling from a brutal cliffhanger.
A great debut and a strong start to an urban fantasy series, and I’m curious to see where Cadi and Elias go next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sleep Token inspired Romantasy.......say less!
Cadi has always been a loner.
Bounced from place to place as a child because of her mother’s job, she never had the chance to put down roots. After losing both of her parents, she learned to rely on no one but herself.
She built walls.
She buried the loneliness.
She stopped searching for a connection she was convinced she’d never find.
Until Elias. 🖤
There’s something magnetic between them—an undeniable pull that keeps drawing Cadi closer, no matter how desperately she tries to fight it. But what is she so afraid of?
Cadi has spent years building her walls sky-high… but will Elias be the one to tear them down, or will he give her even more reasons to keep everyone out?
And let me just say… when that thunderstorm knocked out the power and Elias started lighting all those candles?
I was KICKING. SCREAMING. THROWING MYSELF AT THE WALL. 🫦🕯️
"You deserve to be worshipped slowly," 🥵😱🤤🫠
"I've been dreaming of all the sounds you'd make when I touch you like this. Now, I want them all."
But beneath the tension, the longing, and the undeniable chemistry, something much darker is lurking.
Secrets are being buried.
Lies are beginning to unravel.
Gods are disappearing.
And Arcadia somehow tangled right in the middle of it all…
But what exactly is Cadi being pulled into?
And can she trust the people—or gods—leading her there? 🌙✨
This review is from an Advanced Reader Copy provided to me by the author prior to publication.
Cadi has always been a loner.
Bounced from place to place as a child because of her mother’s job, she never had the chance to put down roots. After losing both of her parents, she learned to rely on no one but herself.
She built walls.
She buried the loneliness.
She stopped searching for a connection she was convinced she’d never find.
Until Elias. 🖤
There’s something magnetic between them—an undeniable pull that keeps drawing Cadi closer, no matter how desperately she tries to fight it. But what is she so afraid of?
Cadi has spent years building her walls sky-high… but will Elias be the one to tear them down, or will he give her even more reasons to keep everyone out?
And let me just say… when that thunderstorm knocked out the power and Elias started lighting all those candles?
I was KICKING. SCREAMING. THROWING MYSELF AT THE WALL. 🫦🕯️
"You deserve to be worshipped slowly," 🥵😱🤤🫠
"I've been dreaming of all the sounds you'd make when I touch you like this. Now, I want them all."
But beneath the tension, the longing, and the undeniable chemistry, something much darker is lurking.
Secrets are being buried.
Lies are beginning to unravel.
Gods are disappearing.
And Arcadia somehow tangled right in the middle of it all…
But what exactly is Cadi being pulled into?
And can she trust the people—or gods—leading her there? 🌙✨
This review is from an Advanced Reader Copy provided to me by the author prior to publication.
Review of advance copy received from Autor
*Advance copy provided by the author*
The cliffhanger made me scream and that's when I realize I didn't wanted this book to end.
The story is strong, the characters are relatable and Cuba is the most obedient and conscious dog and I love it. The depiction of the modern mythology is perfect as it helps to skip having to explain unnecessary details and focused on the main story you want to tell.
Sonmium is a love story that keeps you wanting to know more, to have all the pieces together and make the hum in your belly grow as you read about Cadi and Elias. Atmospherictly speaking this book is gorgeous, you can really see the temple, the rites you can really feel the spite in Oneirios's acts and you'll find yourself cheering for his downfall.
MMC: I love that Elias is not an asshole, for some reason I picture Lewis Pullman everytime he showed up (Sorry Eden I know you have someone else in mind 😅) he is what you would want to feel cherished and valued. He is the definition of thoughtfulness.
MFC: relatable AF, I love the girl she is not a damsel in distress and will be there to help even if she has no clue of what's happening. She is the definition of determination.
Can't wait to see how this story goes. I'm truly invested.
The cliffhanger made me scream and that's when I realize I didn't wanted this book to end.
The story is strong, the characters are relatable and Cuba is the most obedient and conscious dog and I love it. The depiction of the modern mythology is perfect as it helps to skip having to explain unnecessary details and focused on the main story you want to tell.
Sonmium is a love story that keeps you wanting to know more, to have all the pieces together and make the hum in your belly grow as you read about Cadi and Elias. Atmospherictly speaking this book is gorgeous, you can really see the temple, the rites you can really feel the spite in Oneirios's acts and you'll find yourself cheering for his downfall.
MMC: I love that Elias is not an asshole, for some reason I picture Lewis Pullman everytime he showed up (Sorry Eden I know you have someone else in mind 😅) he is what you would want to feel cherished and valued. He is the definition of thoughtfulness.
MFC: relatable AF, I love the girl she is not a damsel in distress and will be there to help even if she has no clue of what's happening. She is the definition of determination.
Can't wait to see how this story goes. I'm truly invested.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Eden Apelbaum for the opportunity to arc read this! I saw a book inspired by one of my favorite bands and knew I needed to read it as soon as possible. It definitely didn’t disappoint 💜 it mixed mythology and gods in so well with the modern setting, I really enjoyed that. Sera is one of my favorite side characters ever, I loved her so much, and her dog too. Cafu and Elias had such a sweet story that I wasn’t even mad at him for hiding so much about himself. And the last few chapters were so exciting, I need book 2 IMMEDIATELY
check the trigger warnings if you have any as there were some darker elements but I really enjoyed this. It was so different from anything I’ve read before and I love that!
check the trigger warnings if you have any as there were some darker elements but I really enjoyed this. It was so different from anything I’ve read before and I love that!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*disclaimer: this review is from an Advanced Reader Copy provided to me by the author prior to publication*
I don't know if I could love this book more! I love the magical world this book is set in. I love the blends of genres tied into one novel. I was excited to read page after page, curious to see where the story was taking me. You think you know and then BAM! There isn't enough space here for me to gush about this book. But I'm obsessed with these characters and can't wait for the next book! 10/10!
I don't know if I could love this book more! I love the magical world this book is set in. I love the blends of genres tied into one novel. I was excited to read page after page, curious to see where the story was taking me. You think you know and then BAM! There isn't enough space here for me to gush about this book. But I'm obsessed with these characters and can't wait for the next book! 10/10!
Review of advance copy received from Author
THIS REVIEW COMES FROM AN ADVANCED READER COPY OBTAINED FROM THE AUTHOR!!
Wow— a hell of a debut!!! If you love a twisting of mythological and contemporary settings, then adding a splash of lore from your favorite masked band (hehe) you got yourself a recipe for one heck of a ride! With lush and dimensional characters and settings that pulled me right into the center of the story, this was definitely worth the agonizing wait! WELL DONE, Eden, I can’t wait to see where you take this!!
Wow— a hell of a debut!!! If you love a twisting of mythological and contemporary settings, then adding a splash of lore from your favorite masked band (hehe) you got yourself a recipe for one heck of a ride! With lush and dimensional characters and settings that pulled me right into the center of the story, this was definitely worth the agonizing wait! WELL DONE, Eden, I can’t wait to see where you take this!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review is from an Advanced Reader Copy provided by the author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Somnium by Eden Apelbaum
Woah... what a ride! What a book!
I absolutely loved this. The characters Cadi, Sera, and Elias... the contemporary fantasy setting, the atmosphere, the twists and turns—it completely pulled me in from the start. I genuinely didn't want it to end, and I'm already excited to see where the story goes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Somnium by Eden Apelbaum
Woah... what a ride! What a book!
I absolutely loved this. The characters Cadi, Sera, and Elias... the contemporary fantasy setting, the atmosphere, the twists and turns—it completely pulled me in from the start. I genuinely didn't want it to end, and I'm already excited to see where the story goes next.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews