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Sleepless
Thea is an insomniac; she hasn’t slept more than three hours a night for years.
So when an ad for a sleep trial that promises to change her life pops up on her phone, Thea knows this is her last chance at finding any kind of normal life.
Soon Thea’s sleeping for longer than she has in a decade, and awakes feeling transformed. So much so that at first she’s willing to overlook the oddities of the trial – the lack of any phone signal; the way she can’t leave her bedroom without permission; the fact that all her personal possessions are locked away, even her shoes.
But it soon becomes clear that the trial doesn’t just want to help Thea sleep. It wants to control her sleep…
So when an ad for a sleep trial that promises to change her life pops up on her phone, Thea knows this is her last chance at finding any kind of normal life.
Soon Thea’s sleeping for longer than she has in a decade, and awakes feeling transformed. So much so that at first she’s willing to overlook the oddities of the trial – the lack of any phone signal; the way she can’t leave her bedroom without permission; the fact that all her personal possessions are locked away, even her shoes.
But it soon becomes clear that the trial doesn’t just want to help Thea sleep. It wants to control her sleep…
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2020
204 people are currently reading
873 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
November 28, 2020
Wow! Quite impressive, riveting, complex, rich, absolutely well-written thriller dances between different genres!
You feel like you read different books at the same time: first half is mysterious, psychological thriller with gothic, claustrophobic vibes of secluded island theme and the second half is more dystopian, sci-fi, futuristic thriller.
Did I like the different direction the book took? Absolutely!
I cannot imagine how struggling, challenging it could to live with sleep deprivation, suffering from insomnia which attacks your both mental and physical state, eating you alive!
27 years old Thea MacKenzie fights with sleep deprivation for years, hardly building a secure life for her, hating her job, having no social life, feeling secure behind the close doors of her house. Her vivid, shiny, free spirited mother Vivian is her only friend. ( that mother is my soul mate! Jane Fonda meets Sex and The City’s Samantha Jones)
Her traffic accident is her wake up call to take her problem serious and try another treatment approach! Like a divine intervention, she sees the ad of a new sleep program Morpheus ( nope she is not going to make a decision between blue and red pills!)
I know it sounds like she takes her first step to Wachowski sisters’ Matrix world to think to apply this program ( her mother still thinks it’s a cult!) and her interview phase didn’t go well in her opinion but thanks to charming bearded Rory she gets her approval to join the party! Woaaahh!
She heads to secluded St. Dunstan’s Island, only sightseeings consist of an abandoned monastery and lighthouse, giving you chilly, gothic, dark vibes.
A face appears from the window of monastery and the walls of Thea’s room slowly move to crush her: she’s suffocating. Weird and suspicious things start to occur.
And that’s where I have to shut my freaking mouth!
I know some of you may not like the changing direction of the story from the mixed reviews I’ve read after concluding my own reading experience. Reading is subjective thing! But I highly recommend you to give another chance and go blind to experience this reading adventure!
For me, the intelligent sci fi induced direction was brilliant and if author plans to write a sequel, I am all set to read it! I had so much fun!
I’m giving my four dystopian, claustrophobic, insomniac, well written stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital/ HQ for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
You feel like you read different books at the same time: first half is mysterious, psychological thriller with gothic, claustrophobic vibes of secluded island theme and the second half is more dystopian, sci-fi, futuristic thriller.
Did I like the different direction the book took? Absolutely!
I cannot imagine how struggling, challenging it could to live with sleep deprivation, suffering from insomnia which attacks your both mental and physical state, eating you alive!
27 years old Thea MacKenzie fights with sleep deprivation for years, hardly building a secure life for her, hating her job, having no social life, feeling secure behind the close doors of her house. Her vivid, shiny, free spirited mother Vivian is her only friend. ( that mother is my soul mate! Jane Fonda meets Sex and The City’s Samantha Jones)
Her traffic accident is her wake up call to take her problem serious and try another treatment approach! Like a divine intervention, she sees the ad of a new sleep program Morpheus ( nope she is not going to make a decision between blue and red pills!)
I know it sounds like she takes her first step to Wachowski sisters’ Matrix world to think to apply this program ( her mother still thinks it’s a cult!) and her interview phase didn’t go well in her opinion but thanks to charming bearded Rory she gets her approval to join the party! Woaaahh!
She heads to secluded St. Dunstan’s Island, only sightseeings consist of an abandoned monastery and lighthouse, giving you chilly, gothic, dark vibes.
A face appears from the window of monastery and the walls of Thea’s room slowly move to crush her: she’s suffocating. Weird and suspicious things start to occur.
And that’s where I have to shut my freaking mouth!
I know some of you may not like the changing direction of the story from the mixed reviews I’ve read after concluding my own reading experience. Reading is subjective thing! But I highly recommend you to give another chance and go blind to experience this reading adventure!
For me, the intelligent sci fi induced direction was brilliant and if author plans to write a sequel, I am all set to read it! I had so much fun!
I’m giving my four dystopian, claustrophobic, insomniac, well written stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital/ HQ for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
October 19, 2020
A claustrophobic and action-packed novel that perfectly captures the zombie-like experience of insomnia. (Hello fellow sufferers....if you know, you know.) I was sleepless myself trying to race through to the ending to find out what would happen!
Thea has been suffering from insomnia for years, often getting only an hour of sleep per night, and feeling destroyed in the daytime. When she sees an ad for a new sleep program called Morpheus which could cure her insomnia, she decides she would do ANYTHING to get into this study. A little strange that the study requires you to move to an island? Maybe, but Thea desperately needs to sleep.
Once on the island, Thea is fitted with metal disks on the sides of her head, and after observation, learns she is "special" where sleep is concerned. She also begins to notice that very weird things are happening around the island. This begins an action-packed set of events where Thea teams up with other sleepless subjects to learn exactly what is being done to them.
I have to say I absolutely LOVED the character of Thea's mother Vivian: a rabble rousing feminist in her 70s who holds protest meetings at her home and who you just know is going to figure into the story in a great way. And she does not disappoint. I also really enjoyed Thea's resourcefulness and intelligence and fully appreciated her desperation when suffering from insomnia.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and the great way it captured both sleeplessness and the hallucinatory quality of some of our dreams. At times I felt there was almost TOO much action and it got a little hard to keep up with. I also didn't feel like the end totally tied up the reason for the technology and what the people running it were trying to do. But these things aside, Sleepless is a totally original, creative, fun meditation on the importance of a good night's sleep and the lengths some people will go to get it. I would give this book 3.5 stars, rounded up for the totally original and fun thriller idea.
Thank you to HQ, NetGalley, and Louise Mumford for the advance copy. Wishing everyone good sleep tonight, unless of course you are awake with a great thriller.
Thea has been suffering from insomnia for years, often getting only an hour of sleep per night, and feeling destroyed in the daytime. When she sees an ad for a new sleep program called Morpheus which could cure her insomnia, she decides she would do ANYTHING to get into this study. A little strange that the study requires you to move to an island? Maybe, but Thea desperately needs to sleep.
Once on the island, Thea is fitted with metal disks on the sides of her head, and after observation, learns she is "special" where sleep is concerned. She also begins to notice that very weird things are happening around the island. This begins an action-packed set of events where Thea teams up with other sleepless subjects to learn exactly what is being done to them.
I have to say I absolutely LOVED the character of Thea's mother Vivian: a rabble rousing feminist in her 70s who holds protest meetings at her home and who you just know is going to figure into the story in a great way. And she does not disappoint. I also really enjoyed Thea's resourcefulness and intelligence and fully appreciated her desperation when suffering from insomnia.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and the great way it captured both sleeplessness and the hallucinatory quality of some of our dreams. At times I felt there was almost TOO much action and it got a little hard to keep up with. I also didn't feel like the end totally tied up the reason for the technology and what the people running it were trying to do. But these things aside, Sleepless is a totally original, creative, fun meditation on the importance of a good night's sleep and the lengths some people will go to get it. I would give this book 3.5 stars, rounded up for the totally original and fun thriller idea.
Thank you to HQ, NetGalley, and Louise Mumford for the advance copy. Wishing everyone good sleep tonight, unless of course you are awake with a great thriller.
November 5, 2020
3.5 rounded up.
Insomnia? Yes, me too but not in the same league as Thea MacKenzie who falls asleep just before her alarm goes. In desperate she joins a sleep programme ‘Morpheus’ and heads to the sleep centre on St Dunstan’s Island away from prying eyes .....
This is well written and I really like the premise as insomnia resonates with some many people. The visual descriptions of dazed, surreal images of a fog like existence are very well captured. Some characters are fleshed out such as loner Thea and her marvellously colourful mum Vivian. The setting is good as the island contains an abandoned monastery and a lighthouse which lends itself to some atmospheric sections. The first half contains some claustrophobically, zombie like hallucinatory scenes and there’s a definite element of ghostly, suspenseful creep with some very dramatic events. Then it changes and becomes more alarming and controllingly dystopian and the plot becomes very busy and a tad far fetched and futuristic. The end feels like unfinished business and sort of fizzles out unless there’s to be a follow up? In which case, sign me up now!
Overall, it’s a bit like a game of two halves - I prefer the first half as I like the creepy suspense rather than the dystopian thriller of the second. However, it’s a very promising debut and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
With thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the arc for an honest review.
Insomnia? Yes, me too but not in the same league as Thea MacKenzie who falls asleep just before her alarm goes. In desperate she joins a sleep programme ‘Morpheus’ and heads to the sleep centre on St Dunstan’s Island away from prying eyes .....
This is well written and I really like the premise as insomnia resonates with some many people. The visual descriptions of dazed, surreal images of a fog like existence are very well captured. Some characters are fleshed out such as loner Thea and her marvellously colourful mum Vivian. The setting is good as the island contains an abandoned monastery and a lighthouse which lends itself to some atmospheric sections. The first half contains some claustrophobically, zombie like hallucinatory scenes and there’s a definite element of ghostly, suspenseful creep with some very dramatic events. Then it changes and becomes more alarming and controllingly dystopian and the plot becomes very busy and a tad far fetched and futuristic. The end feels like unfinished business and sort of fizzles out unless there’s to be a follow up? In which case, sign me up now!
Overall, it’s a bit like a game of two halves - I prefer the first half as I like the creepy suspense rather than the dystopian thriller of the second. However, it’s a very promising debut and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
With thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the arc for an honest review.
September 2, 2021
Mumford's debut novel starts strongly and makes a justifiable case as to why insomniac Thea would sign up to trails on a remote island to help aid her sleep.
I mean you have to be pretty desperate to contemplate an offer like that - it's clear that there's an ulterior motive at play - even her mother warned her from going.
Thea had been involved in a car crash and her lack off sleep really had been controlling her life, I think in the same scenario even I'd be a little tempted.
The initial mystery on the island as Thea is subjected to the first phases of the tests and the stringent odd rules still made it compelling.
Unfortunately once Thea starts to learn exactly what Morpheus had planned the novel took a nose dive.
It became a little dystopian generic for my liking, really at odds with the confident beginning.
Admittedly technology was being hinted at throughout, both with the adverts and the ban on mobile phones but it overtook what promised to be a fascinating look at our need for a good night's sleep.
I mean you have to be pretty desperate to contemplate an offer like that - it's clear that there's an ulterior motive at play - even her mother warned her from going.
Thea had been involved in a car crash and her lack off sleep really had been controlling her life, I think in the same scenario even I'd be a little tempted.
The initial mystery on the island as Thea is subjected to the first phases of the tests and the stringent odd rules still made it compelling.
Unfortunately once Thea starts to learn exactly what Morpheus had planned the novel took a nose dive.
It became a little dystopian generic for my liking, really at odds with the confident beginning.
Admittedly technology was being hinted at throughout, both with the adverts and the ban on mobile phones but it overtook what promised to be a fascinating look at our need for a good night's sleep.
December 9, 2020
Sleepless is an intensely gripping psychological thriller and Louise Mumford’s debut novel. It's a dystopian thriller with elements of science fiction and technology working together to create a fantastic read. 27-year-old administration assistant Thea Mackenzie has suffered from crippling insomnia for as long as she can remember; it has seeped into all aspects of her life, causing difficulty concentrating, low mood, and issues with skin, memory, happiness and her social life and now she's at the end of her tether and willing to try anything to relieve the impact getting only a few hours sleep per night, if she's lucky, can have. Her desperation for change intensifies when, after having only four hours sleep that week, she is involved in a car accident she knows was the fault of her terrible sleeplessness. Suddenly, her phone vibrates and she receives a notification and an advert pops up from one of her apps—”Morpheus. Dream your way to a better you - one sleep at a time,” it proclaims. Days later she decides to click on it and discovers they will pay her to take part in their 6-week clinical trial. Brainchild of revered internet guru Moses Ing, of Ing Enterprises, the technology used in the trial can reprogramme the brain and has been under development for many years. She is appointed a sleep guru by the name of Harriett Stowe who comes round to interview her in order to test her suitability.
To both her surprise and relief she passes the preliminary interview and the sleep assessment, the last stage before approval. Once approved she is invited to the island of St Dunstan’s, off the UK coast, along with 50 other volunteers, where the sleep school is located. But she soon begins to notice strange and disturbing things happening around her: when she wants to call home the phone lines are always engaged, she sees a face at the window of a dilapidated and seemingly abandoned monastery on the island and all of her personal items are confiscated. This feels very much like incarceration and those at Ing Enterprises aren't interested in performing altruistic experiments on their subjects—they want to control them. Can Thea escape this waking nightmare before she is put to sleep for good? This is a scintillating, unputdownable nail-biter of a techno-thriller right from the start and is refreshingly original and on a topic close to most peoples hearts: sleep. And in this case the lack thereof. Many reviews complain that Thea jumping headfirst into a trial to try to cure her long-term, debilitating insomnia is far-fetched, but I disagree entirely; it's clear those reviewers have never had major sleep issues. I would go so far as to say this is one of the most riveting, creepy and palpably tense thrillers I've read in the past few years. Unreservedly recommended.
To both her surprise and relief she passes the preliminary interview and the sleep assessment, the last stage before approval. Once approved she is invited to the island of St Dunstan’s, off the UK coast, along with 50 other volunteers, where the sleep school is located. But she soon begins to notice strange and disturbing things happening around her: when she wants to call home the phone lines are always engaged, she sees a face at the window of a dilapidated and seemingly abandoned monastery on the island and all of her personal items are confiscated. This feels very much like incarceration and those at Ing Enterprises aren't interested in performing altruistic experiments on their subjects—they want to control them. Can Thea escape this waking nightmare before she is put to sleep for good? This is a scintillating, unputdownable nail-biter of a techno-thriller right from the start and is refreshingly original and on a topic close to most peoples hearts: sleep. And in this case the lack thereof. Many reviews complain that Thea jumping headfirst into a trial to try to cure her long-term, debilitating insomnia is far-fetched, but I disagree entirely; it's clear those reviewers have never had major sleep issues. I would go so far as to say this is one of the most riveting, creepy and palpably tense thrillers I've read in the past few years. Unreservedly recommended.
December 22, 2020
When insomniac Thea is involved in a traffic accident, she decides she needs to tackle the issue that has plagued her most of her life. It has an impact on her social and working life and has left her drained and desperate to try anything. She joins a sleeping programme on St Dunstan island. The programme lasts 6 weeks.
She is approved and joins 50 other volunteers. But at the centre something is not quite right. Why does Thea feel like a prisoner with the lack of any phone signal and not being able to leave her bedroom without permission.
I was completely gripped by this book. The topic of sleep is a great storyline as a lot of people suffer with insomnia. I loved the use of technology to make this into a modern day thriller!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
She is approved and joins 50 other volunteers. But at the centre something is not quite right. Why does Thea feel like a prisoner with the lack of any phone signal and not being able to leave her bedroom without permission.
I was completely gripped by this book. The topic of sleep is a great storyline as a lot of people suffer with insomnia. I loved the use of technology to make this into a modern day thriller!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
December 11, 2020
Gosh, reading this book about an insomniac, and suddenly all I wanted to do was curl up and have a cheeky nap. Every time I picked up the book! Poor Thea, I really could not imagine what it was like to be so sleep-deprived.
I thought this book had an explosive beginning but by half-way through, this started to wane. Intrigued by the theme of control in this sci-fi/dystopian narrative, I was expecting this to be more dominant during the entire novel. When I finished the book, I think I was way more paranoid than Thea and could not accept that things were going to be ok.
This is what I felt was lacking in the narrative. It all seems to fizzle out over the story that the sleep company may or may not be fully controlling Thea. (I guess I was expecting something akin to The Matrix films!) Instead, the body count mounts and the people that Thea can trust rapidly dwindles. I found her “release” at the closing more convenient than anything else; I was expecting there to be motive for a sequel story but I don’t think this was strongly established.
However, despite my misgivings, Mumford expertly portrays the exhaustion of an insomniac that cannot rest. I found the narrative in the early chapters as tiring and claustrophobic as Thea herself experiences it. The atmosphere was heavy and I think that made me feel so lethargic!
As the story moves to the remote island where the sleep trial takes place, it felt very sci-fi, from the clothing that the participants have to wear, to the crisp, clean lines of the architecture. I relished in the remoteness of the island and think this really intensified the atmosphere throughout. Thea begins to find out more about the sleep trial and realises that there are higher powers involved that she was not aware of. I think this turning point of the narrative was where Mumford’s plot weakened; I was anticipating conspiracy theories and more paranoia, rather than just escaping.
This is a pretty good read and definitely something different to what I have read recently. However, I think Mumford could have established more of the themes in the story and even left it on a cliff-hanger. Considering that I normally do not favour sequels, I think there is possibly unfinished business for Thea and her sleep trial.
With thanks to HQ books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this book had an explosive beginning but by half-way through, this started to wane. Intrigued by the theme of control in this sci-fi/dystopian narrative, I was expecting this to be more dominant during the entire novel. When I finished the book, I think I was way more paranoid than Thea and could not accept that things were going to be ok.
This is what I felt was lacking in the narrative. It all seems to fizzle out over the story that the sleep company may or may not be fully controlling Thea. (I guess I was expecting something akin to The Matrix films!) Instead, the body count mounts and the people that Thea can trust rapidly dwindles. I found her “release” at the closing more convenient than anything else; I was expecting there to be motive for a sequel story but I don’t think this was strongly established.
However, despite my misgivings, Mumford expertly portrays the exhaustion of an insomniac that cannot rest. I found the narrative in the early chapters as tiring and claustrophobic as Thea herself experiences it. The atmosphere was heavy and I think that made me feel so lethargic!
As the story moves to the remote island where the sleep trial takes place, it felt very sci-fi, from the clothing that the participants have to wear, to the crisp, clean lines of the architecture. I relished in the remoteness of the island and think this really intensified the atmosphere throughout. Thea begins to find out more about the sleep trial and realises that there are higher powers involved that she was not aware of. I think this turning point of the narrative was where Mumford’s plot weakened; I was anticipating conspiracy theories and more paranoia, rather than just escaping.
This is a pretty good read and definitely something different to what I have read recently. However, I think Mumford could have established more of the themes in the story and even left it on a cliff-hanger. Considering that I normally do not favour sequels, I think there is possibly unfinished business for Thea and her sleep trial.
With thanks to HQ books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2021
Rounded down from around 3.5 stars ⭐️
This book is certainly unlike anything I have read before. Dreams have always been something that fascinate me, and I loved some of the ideas that Louise Mumford came up with in this area.
Sleepless follows Thea, who has really severe insomnia. It is impacting her life to a great extent. At her wits end, with no where else to turn, she signs up for a trial. The trial claims to be able to fix your sleep with its technology, and to be able to make you a better human being. But everything is not as it seems.
I was so drawn to the premise of this book. As an insomniac and avid thriller fan it seemed to fit perfectly. I initially really enjoyed the book, I was struggling to put it down and was thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. Unfortunately for me, the latter part of the book just wasn't quite as engaging, it felt a little lacking.
That being said, this book was fast paced and an enjoyable read. It is such a unique perspective, and certainly made me wonder what technology may do for us in the future (for better and worse). But I wouldn't make the mistake I did and read it before bed- it often left me nervous to close my eyes! All in all, I think this was a good debut novel and I will definitely keep my eye out for more from this author.
I want to say a big thank you to Netgalley, the publishers (HQ) and Louise Mumford for giving me the chance to read this book and give my personal opinion. I would recommend this book to people who like a more futuristic/dystopian type thriller.
This book is certainly unlike anything I have read before. Dreams have always been something that fascinate me, and I loved some of the ideas that Louise Mumford came up with in this area.
Sleepless follows Thea, who has really severe insomnia. It is impacting her life to a great extent. At her wits end, with no where else to turn, she signs up for a trial. The trial claims to be able to fix your sleep with its technology, and to be able to make you a better human being. But everything is not as it seems.
I was so drawn to the premise of this book. As an insomniac and avid thriller fan it seemed to fit perfectly. I initially really enjoyed the book, I was struggling to put it down and was thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. Unfortunately for me, the latter part of the book just wasn't quite as engaging, it felt a little lacking.
That being said, this book was fast paced and an enjoyable read. It is such a unique perspective, and certainly made me wonder what technology may do for us in the future (for better and worse). But I wouldn't make the mistake I did and read it before bed- it often left me nervous to close my eyes! All in all, I think this was a good debut novel and I will definitely keep my eye out for more from this author.
I want to say a big thank you to Netgalley, the publishers (HQ) and Louise Mumford for giving me the chance to read this book and give my personal opinion. I would recommend this book to people who like a more futuristic/dystopian type thriller.
October 31, 2020
Usually I start off my reviews by recapping the plot (NO spoilers, of course); however, I just don’t feel I can do that with this book, because, frankly, it made no sense. It certainly didn’t seem to tie in with the blurb that was provided, so that’s something they publisher really needs to work on!
Thea can’t sleep – no reason is ever given. She sees an advert to become a paid participant in a trial she does no research on, and almost immediately disappears to a deserted island to take part in goodness knows what. The whole set-up reeks of some bizarre sci-fi plot, and is just plain weird. Very little makes sense.
Then, suddenly, Thea becomes obsessed with something she either did, or didn’t see, whilst out walking, and the plot completely unravels from there. In fact, it gets so weird I wondered at one point if this was a cut-and-shut because, because it seemed to be a completely different style of read – far more miserable dystopian oddity than thriller!
Generally speaking this would not be a genre I’d usually reach for; however, I’m happy to explore new horizons. The problem is having this presented as one thing, when it very clearly isn’t, and then honestly, being a very poor representation of the genre it is.
I hate to offer nothing constructive, as a writer, I know how gut-wrenching this process is, but I have nothing positive to say. There is barely any character development, a lot of tell and no show, relationships between characters are assumed and make no sense, bizarre things start happening almost as though someone thought “that would be good, let’s whack that in too,” instead of producing a cohesive story-line.
The ending just made me wonder what the Hell had happened, and why I’d spent such an inordinate time wading through something that ultimate made no more sense than it had in the beginning.
Maybe this would appeal to some people, I couldn’t comment, but the only thing I can say is, if you have a desire to DNF this at any point, go with that gut instinct – it will not be a book for you. I wish I hadn’t ploughed on.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thea can’t sleep – no reason is ever given. She sees an advert to become a paid participant in a trial she does no research on, and almost immediately disappears to a deserted island to take part in goodness knows what. The whole set-up reeks of some bizarre sci-fi plot, and is just plain weird. Very little makes sense.
Then, suddenly, Thea becomes obsessed with something she either did, or didn’t see, whilst out walking, and the plot completely unravels from there. In fact, it gets so weird I wondered at one point if this was a cut-and-shut because, because it seemed to be a completely different style of read – far more miserable dystopian oddity than thriller!
Generally speaking this would not be a genre I’d usually reach for; however, I’m happy to explore new horizons. The problem is having this presented as one thing, when it very clearly isn’t, and then honestly, being a very poor representation of the genre it is.
I hate to offer nothing constructive, as a writer, I know how gut-wrenching this process is, but I have nothing positive to say. There is barely any character development, a lot of tell and no show, relationships between characters are assumed and make no sense, bizarre things start happening almost as though someone thought “that would be good, let’s whack that in too,” instead of producing a cohesive story-line.
The ending just made me wonder what the Hell had happened, and why I’d spent such an inordinate time wading through something that ultimate made no more sense than it had in the beginning.
Maybe this would appeal to some people, I couldn’t comment, but the only thing I can say is, if you have a desire to DNF this at any point, go with that gut instinct – it will not be a book for you. I wish I hadn’t ploughed on.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2020
Thea is a young woman who's insomnia is controlling her life. She can't sleep. She can't properly function in day to day life. She struggles to develop meaningful relationship. The final straw comes when she is in a car accident. At that point, desperation sets in and she's willing to do anything to fix her chronic sleeping problem. Which is why (against her mother's judgement and all the huge red flags flying) she decides to try a new sleep program.
Located on an island, the sleep center is a modern dome full of state-of-the-art equipment where patients undergo experiments, lecture and lifestyle changes to try and improve sleep patterns.
Pretty soon after arriving, Thea begins to realize there's something wrong and starts questions everybody and everything around her. Of course, escaping the island will be no small fete.
It took me a loooong time to get through this novel. It was a slow and tedious read for me unfortunately. The beginning held my attention and kept me entertained. It started out as a thriller with a bit of Gothic mystery thrown in courtesy of an abandoned and derelict monetary with a dark past. But the tone completely shifted at the halfway mark and became a cliched sci-fi mess of a story. Nothing groundbreaking here. The plot was as generic as any dystopian sci fi film of the 70s and the end was an unsatisfying fizzle.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Located on an island, the sleep center is a modern dome full of state-of-the-art equipment where patients undergo experiments, lecture and lifestyle changes to try and improve sleep patterns.
Pretty soon after arriving, Thea begins to realize there's something wrong and starts questions everybody and everything around her. Of course, escaping the island will be no small fete.
It took me a loooong time to get through this novel. It was a slow and tedious read for me unfortunately. The beginning held my attention and kept me entertained. It started out as a thriller with a bit of Gothic mystery thrown in courtesy of an abandoned and derelict monetary with a dark past. But the tone completely shifted at the halfway mark and became a cliched sci-fi mess of a story. Nothing groundbreaking here. The plot was as generic as any dystopian sci fi film of the 70s and the end was an unsatisfying fizzle.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2020
Thea has been suffering from insomnia for years. She gets between one - two hours sleep a night. When she has a minor car accident, she decides it's time to get some help with her sleeping. On seeing an advert for a new sleep app from Morpheus, she hopes this could be the answer to her sleep problems. But when something seems too good to be true....
At first all goes well at the sleep clinic until Thea sees something or someone in the monastery. That's when things turn a little nasty. The characters are well developed but they're not all likeable. Some parts of the story were predictable while others were far fetched. I also felt we were left with a lot of unanswered questions.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #LouiseMumford for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
At first all goes well at the sleep clinic until Thea sees something or someone in the monastery. That's when things turn a little nasty. The characters are well developed but they're not all likeable. Some parts of the story were predictable while others were far fetched. I also felt we were left with a lot of unanswered questions.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #LouiseMumford for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2020
Thank you very much to Netgalley, HQ and Louise Mumford!
"She knew she could no longer keep her eyes from closing. But, with her mother on one side, and Rory on the other, she was no longer afraid. She finally let the darkness take her."
Wow wow wow! What a story that was!
It was so generic but yet so incredibly different.
An unputdownable thriller with some brilliant sci fi elements.
"This felt very much like a film. It couldn’t be real life, could it? Her life?"
Absolutely brilliant read that had me on the edge of my seat! Some fantastic originality!
Highly recommend!
"She knew she could no longer keep her eyes from closing. But, with her mother on one side, and Rory on the other, she was no longer afraid. She finally let the darkness take her."
Wow wow wow! What a story that was!
It was so generic but yet so incredibly different.
An unputdownable thriller with some brilliant sci fi elements.
"This felt very much like a film. It couldn’t be real life, could it? Her life?"
Absolutely brilliant read that had me on the edge of my seat! Some fantastic originality!
Highly recommend!
November 17, 2020
Brilliant book, I loved it.
November 10, 2020
Twenty-seven-year-old Thea Mackenzie is a long-term insomnia sufferer. She has survived on a few hours’ sleep. So, because of her insomnia it caused her to crash her car. She is desperate to do something to cure it. So, by chance she sees an advert for a clinical trial to cure it. Held on a remote island she jumps at the chance. At first, she must pass an interview to see if she is suitable. She thinks she has blown it, but she is surprised when they tell her that she has passed.
But when she arrives on the island, nothing is straightforward and instead of feeling that she is on a clinical trial, she feels that she has been imprisoned as she is not allowed to venture on the other side of the island and weird things start to happen.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ for a copy of Sleepless by Louise Mumford. I did like the premise of this story and it was well written but, after finish reading it, I am afraid this book wasn’t for me. It did start well but, for me I could not connect to the characters in this story and as the story developed, I got confused on which character on whose side. They kept changing sides so often I could not keep up. I also thought that the ending of the story was stretched out so much that I lost interest. I skipped the last 10% of the book.
But when she arrives on the island, nothing is straightforward and instead of feeling that she is on a clinical trial, she feels that she has been imprisoned as she is not allowed to venture on the other side of the island and weird things start to happen.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ for a copy of Sleepless by Louise Mumford. I did like the premise of this story and it was well written but, after finish reading it, I am afraid this book wasn’t for me. It did start well but, for me I could not connect to the characters in this story and as the story developed, I got confused on which character on whose side. They kept changing sides so often I could not keep up. I also thought that the ending of the story was stretched out so much that I lost interest. I skipped the last 10% of the book.
December 25, 2020
I enjoyed Sleepless - a very cool concept executed very well with characters you can relate to.
Lacking sleep is a horrible experience which we've all faced at one point or another but imagine it every night all the time. If someone offered you a lifeline you would take it..
The lifeline offered in Sleepless is a cleverly crafted idea and the author puts a human face on it whilst telling a twisty and compelling tale. I wont give too much away but it is a page turner with some decent obfuscation which keeps you interested.
Overall my only bugbear was that I personally found it a bit predictable in its finale, however overall a very good read. Recommended.
Lacking sleep is a horrible experience which we've all faced at one point or another but imagine it every night all the time. If someone offered you a lifeline you would take it..
The lifeline offered in Sleepless is a cleverly crafted idea and the author puts a human face on it whilst telling a twisty and compelling tale. I wont give too much away but it is a page turner with some decent obfuscation which keeps you interested.
Overall my only bugbear was that I personally found it a bit predictable in its finale, however overall a very good read. Recommended.
December 17, 2020
An OK Sci-Fi thriller in which chronic insomniacs are offered a ‘sleep trial’ leading to a better life, but it’s a trial behind which there are sinister motives. A Reasonably believable and fairly interesting read only weakened by the author’s attempt to mix elements of thriller with elements of humor. I am sure that is possible, but here it involved moments of increased tension quickly defused by not very funny quipping.
June 23, 2021
Really scary read , gripping! The really scary thing was that you could imagine this happening. Don't want to say to much and spoil it but excellent read xx
June 25, 2022
VERDICT: Passing grade (maybe 2.8 stars, rounded up). Starts off well, with a sympathetic insomniac protagonist in a serious situation.
NOTES (may contain mild spoilers):
NOTES (may contain mild spoilers):
March 22, 2021
Stars: hesitating between 2 and 2.5 out of 5.
This book had such promise! The idea behind it was excellent and the blurb drew me in. Even the beginning was rather exciting. I was really pumped about reading it for about the first 35-40% of the book... Then things went downhill.
There were several reasons for this quick fall from grace, at least for me.
First of all, to create a good mystery, you need tension. To create a good horror story, you need to create the atmosphere of constant unease, when the reader and the characters know that something is wrong, but the tension is slowly winding up, like a tightening spring. Or you can have monsters jumping out of the dark and eating your face off... whatever works. The point is, it has to be scary but BELIEVABLE within the rules and limits of the world the author created.
This is were this book fails spectacularly. All the characters, especially the villains, have never heard of the word "logic". They turn form a group of sleep study researchers into murderers seemingly in the blink of an eye.
Also, the main premise of this book is completely destroyed about 40% in. So the protagonist is suffering from chronic sleeplessness. She can't fall asleep... like ever. She does on 1 to 2 hours to sometimes zero a night. She's been to all kinds of sleep studies and tried all sleep aids under the sun, right? She signs up for this experiment out of desperation... Yet not a week into this study, she is told that she doesn't have a sleep problem. She has an internal clock problem instead. Meaning, she falls asleep between 7am and 10am instead of doing it night like normal people. Really? All the other doctors hadn't noticed that? SHE didn't notice that she can actually sleep on weekends when she doesn't have to get up for work? Find a different job. Work second or night shift and your problem is solved...
The technology itself is explained rather badly. Nobody would give Thea a straight answer about how it works or what exactly they will do to her... yet she goes along it it all the same. I get it that you are desperate, but this borders on stupid.
But the nail in the coffin of this book for me was the protagonist herself. I can (usually) suffer through a bad plot if the protagonist is believable or likeable. Or suffer a bad protagonist if the story is amazing, but I can't do both.
Thea is the type of protagonist who let's the story happen to them, instead of creating that story with her actions. She spends about 90% of the story in an indecisive stupor, doubting herself, terrified, or simply going along with the flow. She is dragged from one place or another, from one plot point to the next by other people or circumstances. When she needs to act, she freezes and watches the action unfold around her. Granted, this is probably a realistic depiction of what an average person would do when presented with these kind of circumstances... but I read fiction to escape from reality. I want to read about characters who take action, even if with disasters consequences instead of being dragged behind the train of the story like so much useless baggage.
So I'm sorry, but this book and I had a rather messy and angry divorce and I hate-read it to the end.
PS: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book had such promise! The idea behind it was excellent and the blurb drew me in. Even the beginning was rather exciting. I was really pumped about reading it for about the first 35-40% of the book... Then things went downhill.
There were several reasons for this quick fall from grace, at least for me.
First of all, to create a good mystery, you need tension. To create a good horror story, you need to create the atmosphere of constant unease, when the reader and the characters know that something is wrong, but the tension is slowly winding up, like a tightening spring. Or you can have monsters jumping out of the dark and eating your face off... whatever works. The point is, it has to be scary but BELIEVABLE within the rules and limits of the world the author created.
This is were this book fails spectacularly. All the characters, especially the villains, have never heard of the word "logic". They turn form a group of sleep study researchers into murderers seemingly in the blink of an eye.
Also, the main premise of this book is completely destroyed about 40% in. So the protagonist is suffering from chronic sleeplessness. She can't fall asleep... like ever. She does on 1 to 2 hours to sometimes zero a night. She's been to all kinds of sleep studies and tried all sleep aids under the sun, right? She signs up for this experiment out of desperation... Yet not a week into this study, she is told that she doesn't have a sleep problem. She has an internal clock problem instead. Meaning, she falls asleep between 7am and 10am instead of doing it night like normal people. Really? All the other doctors hadn't noticed that? SHE didn't notice that she can actually sleep on weekends when she doesn't have to get up for work? Find a different job. Work second or night shift and your problem is solved...
The technology itself is explained rather badly. Nobody would give Thea a straight answer about how it works or what exactly they will do to her... yet she goes along it it all the same. I get it that you are desperate, but this borders on stupid.
But the nail in the coffin of this book for me was the protagonist herself. I can (usually) suffer through a bad plot if the protagonist is believable or likeable. Or suffer a bad protagonist if the story is amazing, but I can't do both.
Thea is the type of protagonist who let's the story happen to them, instead of creating that story with her actions. She spends about 90% of the story in an indecisive stupor, doubting herself, terrified, or simply going along with the flow. She is dragged from one place or another, from one plot point to the next by other people or circumstances. When she needs to act, she freezes and watches the action unfold around her. Granted, this is probably a realistic depiction of what an average person would do when presented with these kind of circumstances... but I read fiction to escape from reality. I want to read about characters who take action, even if with disasters consequences instead of being dragged behind the train of the story like so much useless baggage.
So I'm sorry, but this book and I had a rather messy and angry divorce and I hate-read it to the end.
PS: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2020
Quite a different read which started as a thriller and then moved to become slightly sci-fi dystopian. I was not keen on the amalgamation at first, but after a few pages, I didn't mind the story as the pace was kept fast and the story felt to be like a movie. I was immersed in the last few chapters.
The book intrigued me initially as I too went through days where sleep was kept afar from my brain and it became tiresome. The main character went through some tough moments of life until a sleep clinic called her and offered to pay for conducting tests on her.
The story, for me, was slightly staccato, but still managed to capture me. The credit went to the main character Thea. She managed to pull me in even when the book turned directions. I liked her mother and the bond they shared. The second half was swift-paced and managed to bring the story to a great finish. An incredible debut.
The book intrigued me initially as I too went through days where sleep was kept afar from my brain and it became tiresome. The main character went through some tough moments of life until a sleep clinic called her and offered to pay for conducting tests on her.
The story, for me, was slightly staccato, but still managed to capture me. The credit went to the main character Thea. She managed to pull me in even when the book turned directions. I liked her mother and the bond they shared. The second half was swift-paced and managed to bring the story to a great finish. An incredible debut.
December 8, 2021
I couldn’t wait for this book to finish, I should have definitely just dnf it because there is so many other books I would rather be reading.
Lesson learned.
Please don’t waste your time on this one.
Lesson learned.
Please don’t waste your time on this one.
November 12, 2020
A high-tech company is offering help to chronic insomniacs through a one of a kind ‘sleep trial’, promising them a transformed life. But what exactly is the purpose of this sleep trial? Is it really what it looks like? Thea knows things are rarely what they seem, but when someone is desperate, they are willing to take risks!
I really enjoyed reading this one and had a hard time putting it down. This is like a sci-fi-ish thriller, but nothing too unbelievable or unrealistic about it. This was like watching an action-packed movie, and I do believe it has the potential for a film adaptation. And it’s so well-written, I loved the prose, tense and witty at the same time. I absolutely loved all the characters, each has its distinct personality, and even the villains are cool, and charming till the very end, which is not very common in thrillers.
It’s a perfect ‘popcorn-thriller’, the kind you want to finish within 2-3 sittings, and that was my only problem, I kinda dragged just a bit and went in circles towards the end. But all in all, it was a very enjoyable read. Recommended!
I received an eARC through Netgalley, author, and publishers. All opinions are my own. Pub date Dec 1st, 2020.
I really enjoyed reading this one and had a hard time putting it down. This is like a sci-fi-ish thriller, but nothing too unbelievable or unrealistic about it. This was like watching an action-packed movie, and I do believe it has the potential for a film adaptation. And it’s so well-written, I loved the prose, tense and witty at the same time. I absolutely loved all the characters, each has its distinct personality, and even the villains are cool, and charming till the very end, which is not very common in thrillers.
It’s a perfect ‘popcorn-thriller’, the kind you want to finish within 2-3 sittings, and that was my only problem, I kinda dragged just a bit and went in circles towards the end. But all in all, it was a very enjoyable read. Recommended!
I received an eARC through Netgalley, author, and publishers. All opinions are my own. Pub date Dec 1st, 2020.
October 29, 2020
‘Sleepless’ is a book of two halves that don’t quite complement each other.
Upon starting this book I was thoroughly engrossed. The style of writing is very easy and slightly comical which I enjoyed as it gave a light relief to the trauma of how it is to live your life as an insomniac.
I totally ‘bought into’ the sci-fi esq way in which the plot developed and enjoyed learning about sleep theory.
But then weirdly, once the trials began, the book just seemed to change and become a dystopian horror story. During which some of the scenes and plot twists became, for me, a little unbelievable and far fetched.
The relationships between the characters on the island were described, in retrospect, as far more intense than they were developed. I struggled to believe the connections in the friendships and romance.
I liked Vivian, her character was funny, intelligent and very strong willed. Her character held great promise at the beginning and I feel her own development was cast aside too easily and fast for the role that she ended up having at the end.
The ending could’ve been much more explosive and held a much faster pace. I genuinely feel that the author lost her way with this book once she brought in the tech.
The tech involved is such a prominent feature and for me it felt like all these new technologies were just being flung in my face and then swept aside as an imaginary box was ticked to say ‘yep, that’s included’.
It’s a shame that the book changed as it did. Because I think if the tech had been paired back and more focus driven into thoughts and feelings like the first half it could’ve been a really tense, dark psychological thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Upon starting this book I was thoroughly engrossed. The style of writing is very easy and slightly comical which I enjoyed as it gave a light relief to the trauma of how it is to live your life as an insomniac.
I totally ‘bought into’ the sci-fi esq way in which the plot developed and enjoyed learning about sleep theory.
But then weirdly, once the trials began, the book just seemed to change and become a dystopian horror story. During which some of the scenes and plot twists became, for me, a little unbelievable and far fetched.
The relationships between the characters on the island were described, in retrospect, as far more intense than they were developed. I struggled to believe the connections in the friendships and romance.
I liked Vivian, her character was funny, intelligent and very strong willed. Her character held great promise at the beginning and I feel her own development was cast aside too easily and fast for the role that she ended up having at the end.
The ending could’ve been much more explosive and held a much faster pace. I genuinely feel that the author lost her way with this book once she brought in the tech.
The tech involved is such a prominent feature and for me it felt like all these new technologies were just being flung in my face and then swept aside as an imaginary box was ticked to say ‘yep, that’s included’.
It’s a shame that the book changed as it did. Because I think if the tech had been paired back and more focus driven into thoughts and feelings like the first half it could’ve been a really tense, dark psychological thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 23, 2020
This was such a surprise! I was not expecting such a surprising plot, and neither the superb writing.
This is beautifully written. It's literary fiction, for sure. A prose so engaging that feels like poetry many times.
And then you have a cleverly constructed futuristic plot that feels real and possible, adding to the claustrophobic sensation we have from the start, with Thea's sleepless nights.
I identified a lot with Thea, since I have suffered from insomnia since I was a child, and also with her sarcasm and wit. The character starts as a good one and evolves to an amazing one.
I honestly can't think of a single issue with this novel. It's for sure one of the best I"ve read this year and I can bet it'll be a success when it's released.
I am already looking forward for Mumford's next book.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
This is beautifully written. It's literary fiction, for sure. A prose so engaging that feels like poetry many times.
And then you have a cleverly constructed futuristic plot that feels real and possible, adding to the claustrophobic sensation we have from the start, with Thea's sleepless nights.
I identified a lot with Thea, since I have suffered from insomnia since I was a child, and also with her sarcasm and wit. The character starts as a good one and evolves to an amazing one.
I honestly can't think of a single issue with this novel. It's for sure one of the best I"ve read this year and I can bet it'll be a success when it's released.
I am already looking forward for Mumford's next book.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
January 2, 2021
I really enjoyed the first 30% of this book. It really caught my attention..... And then..... It just got wierd, annoying and dull. I don't mean to be harsh but that's honestly how I felt
November 26, 2020
There's something about some books that differ them from other books, for me that's the vibe that I get from the books that I pick. This was the same matter when I started this book and just after reading 80 pages, I knew that I, again, made the right choice by choosing a good book! Author Louise Mumford surely deserves appreciation for writing such an amazing book. She has done remarkable work with the plot, characters, premise, and fast-paced execution which made this book more entertaining and thrilling!
So what was the basic plot?
Thea was an Insomniac who struggled with getting enough sleep and she signed up for a trial program for an app called ‘Morpheus’ by Moses Ing Enterprise, which promised to fix her insomnia and to give her a better version of herself. This trial took place on a very isolated island where fifty people had to live in a sleeping center for six weeks where they went through different phases of the trial. But the intention behind the trial wasn't what they promised but instead had a very sinister purpose. And our protagonist Thea got stuck in the middle of all this and then the whole story was about survival, loss, betrayal, and Thea's hope to return to her world with all the secrets that she had learned about the evil intentions of the app's tech and it's owners!
I loved this book for its gripping plot; I was hooked from the beginning to the end. That was this book's fast-paced storyline which kept me glued to the screen and made me turn the pages by offering an astonishing concept. There are many reasons why this is the best psychological thriller which I have read this year but among them, its characterization and the plot development is something that makes this book phenomenal. As the story proceeds and the author puts all characters in their significant places, she starts giving the story all unexpected twists and turns. Every reality that this book tried to construct seems delusional and then with a hard blow, reality hits—eliciting everything that one may not see coming.
Thea as a protagonist was perfect, I have no complaints about her or any other characters. Thea made the story more entertaining by showing her desperate need in the beginning to fix her insomnia and to become a person she couldn't have thought of in her wildest dreams. She was charming and her sensitivity towards other characters made her more alive. Other characters like Ethan, Rosy, Delores, Moses, Rory, and Harriet were equally flawless—when I say flawless, what I mean is that they justified their existence in the story, all their actions and decisions pushed the story into the same direction, not a single aspect about their characterization let the main plot distract from its flow.
Another star of this book was Thea's mother, Vivian. Whatever part she had in this book gave another perspective to the story; the perceptive of a concerned mother who could go to any limit to save her daughter. I saw Vivian as a very independent character, from being a mother to a social activist, I must say, the author put a soul in her character.
The main theme of the book is another delightful element of the story which revolved around greedy tech companies and their self-centered purpose to influence people through advertisement. [ How? You will have to read this book to know that ]. Now, the last part... The end of the book!... I am not sure if there will be its sequel or not but the author gave plenty of hints and enough reasons to expect it. I believe that the author had a choice to end this book with a cliffhanger but she ended this book in a way, it's really difficult to make any conclusions.
Overall, it was a very satisfying and entertaining read with all its thrilling contents. It has a good story, excellent characters, and that page-turning grip we always need! Need a book you can completely lose yourself into? Louise Mumford's ‘Sleepless’ can be the best pick for you.
So what was the basic plot?
Thea was an Insomniac who struggled with getting enough sleep and she signed up for a trial program for an app called ‘Morpheus’ by Moses Ing Enterprise, which promised to fix her insomnia and to give her a better version of herself. This trial took place on a very isolated island where fifty people had to live in a sleeping center for six weeks where they went through different phases of the trial. But the intention behind the trial wasn't what they promised but instead had a very sinister purpose. And our protagonist Thea got stuck in the middle of all this and then the whole story was about survival, loss, betrayal, and Thea's hope to return to her world with all the secrets that she had learned about the evil intentions of the app's tech and it's owners!
I loved this book for its gripping plot; I was hooked from the beginning to the end. That was this book's fast-paced storyline which kept me glued to the screen and made me turn the pages by offering an astonishing concept. There are many reasons why this is the best psychological thriller which I have read this year but among them, its characterization and the plot development is something that makes this book phenomenal. As the story proceeds and the author puts all characters in their significant places, she starts giving the story all unexpected twists and turns. Every reality that this book tried to construct seems delusional and then with a hard blow, reality hits—eliciting everything that one may not see coming.
Thea as a protagonist was perfect, I have no complaints about her or any other characters. Thea made the story more entertaining by showing her desperate need in the beginning to fix her insomnia and to become a person she couldn't have thought of in her wildest dreams. She was charming and her sensitivity towards other characters made her more alive. Other characters like Ethan, Rosy, Delores, Moses, Rory, and Harriet were equally flawless—when I say flawless, what I mean is that they justified their existence in the story, all their actions and decisions pushed the story into the same direction, not a single aspect about their characterization let the main plot distract from its flow.
Another star of this book was Thea's mother, Vivian. Whatever part she had in this book gave another perspective to the story; the perceptive of a concerned mother who could go to any limit to save her daughter. I saw Vivian as a very independent character, from being a mother to a social activist, I must say, the author put a soul in her character.
The main theme of the book is another delightful element of the story which revolved around greedy tech companies and their self-centered purpose to influence people through advertisement. [ How? You will have to read this book to know that ]. Now, the last part... The end of the book!... I am not sure if there will be its sequel or not but the author gave plenty of hints and enough reasons to expect it. I believe that the author had a choice to end this book with a cliffhanger but she ended this book in a way, it's really difficult to make any conclusions.
Overall, it was a very satisfying and entertaining read with all its thrilling contents. It has a good story, excellent characters, and that page-turning grip we always need! Need a book you can completely lose yourself into? Louise Mumford's ‘Sleepless’ can be the best pick for you.
December 15, 2020
Sleepless: the debut dystopian thriller by Louise Mumford. And what a debut! The whole premise of the novel is enticing for a start. Sleep issues are a very real problem in modern society, and for that reason I imagine the subject will appeal to a wide audience.
The opening hooked me in, the car crash scene so well depicted I felt as if I was experiencing it for myself... “Her car was concertinaed. It was a shock, how impressively the whole thing could crumple, yet keep her whole as a seed inside its tattered fruit.”
Character were vividly portrayed, Thea and Vivian particularly. Moments of humor, which highlighted the characters’ quirks, were observant and well executed.
Some of my favorite moments were the dream scenarios. Being a vivid dreamer all my life I really connected with the almost psychedelic feel of these scenes.
I happen to know the setting of this novel quite well: the island, its history, geography and location, so it was easy to picture events.
Fast-paced, action-packed, with plenty of food for thought. All in all, thoroughly enjoyable! I shall very much look forward to Louise Mumford's next offering.
The opening hooked me in, the car crash scene so well depicted I felt as if I was experiencing it for myself... “Her car was concertinaed. It was a shock, how impressively the whole thing could crumple, yet keep her whole as a seed inside its tattered fruit.”
Character were vividly portrayed, Thea and Vivian particularly. Moments of humor, which highlighted the characters’ quirks, were observant and well executed.
Some of my favorite moments were the dream scenarios. Being a vivid dreamer all my life I really connected with the almost psychedelic feel of these scenes.
I happen to know the setting of this novel quite well: the island, its history, geography and location, so it was easy to picture events.
Fast-paced, action-packed, with plenty of food for thought. All in all, thoroughly enjoyable! I shall very much look forward to Louise Mumford's next offering.
November 23, 2020
Wow this took a turn I was not expecting! It started off slow but then moved along after a few twists. Our protagonist is Thea, she is an insomniac; she hasn’t slept more than three hours a night for years. So when an ad for a sleep trial that promises to change her life pops up on her phone, Thea knows this is her last chance at finding any kind of normal life. Soon Thea’s sleeping for longer than she has in a decade, and awakes feeling transformed. So much so that at first she’s willing to overlook the oddities of the trial, the lack of any phone signal; the way she can’t leave her bedroom without permission; the fact that all her personal possessions are locked away, even her shoes. Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for a gifted ARC. This is my honest review.
December 8, 2020
I really enjoyed this book.
Thea’s insomnia is controlling her life and she’s finding it hard to function during day to day life.
She decides to try a new sleep program but doesn’t realise what she’s letting herself in for.
Located on an island, the sleep centre is a modern building full of state-of-the-art equipment where people undergo experiments to try and improve sleep patterns.
Pretty soon after arriving, Thea begins to realize there's something wrong and starts to question everybody and everything around her.
I do enjoy some science fiction books and this one definitely held my attention but I didn’t realise it was going to be a sci-fi story from the blurb, however, this is a great page turner that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Thea’s insomnia is controlling her life and she’s finding it hard to function during day to day life.
She decides to try a new sleep program but doesn’t realise what she’s letting herself in for.
Located on an island, the sleep centre is a modern building full of state-of-the-art equipment where people undergo experiments to try and improve sleep patterns.
Pretty soon after arriving, Thea begins to realize there's something wrong and starts to question everybody and everything around her.
I do enjoy some science fiction books and this one definitely held my attention but I didn’t realise it was going to be a sci-fi story from the blurb, however, this is a great page turner that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
May 4, 2024
Sleepless offers a truly terrifying story exploring how, in the right circumstances, our sleep could be manipulated.
When we first meet Thea she has just caused a crash. Having slept for only a matter of hours in the course of the last week she is, naturally, keen to learn more about the trial offering a way to help those involved sleep.
Before we know it Thea is making her way to a remote island where she, along with others, will take part in a sleep trial. While early signs are encouraging, it soon becomes clear that there is more to this than they have been told.
What follows is quite frankly terrifying. Pushing the body to its limits and seeing how technology that could be a force for good can be used wrongly is bad enough. Things take a turn for the worse and Thea soon realises she’s fighting for life.
When we first meet Thea she has just caused a crash. Having slept for only a matter of hours in the course of the last week she is, naturally, keen to learn more about the trial offering a way to help those involved sleep.
Before we know it Thea is making her way to a remote island where she, along with others, will take part in a sleep trial. While early signs are encouraging, it soon becomes clear that there is more to this than they have been told.
What follows is quite frankly terrifying. Pushing the body to its limits and seeing how technology that could be a force for good can be used wrongly is bad enough. Things take a turn for the worse and Thea soon realises she’s fighting for life.
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