What do you think?
Rate this book
Sleepwalkers
You know this pattern:
Go to school.
Go home.
Go to sleep.
You know where school is, where home is, but where is sleep? Is it a place like any other? That secret has been long kept by the Sleepwalkers and hidden from the waking world. In the dead of night, the Sleepwalkers roam the Round, keeping children like themselves safe from the nightmares lurking in sleep. They have never lost one of their own, until now.
It's the summer of '86 and 11-year-old Ellie Dasher is not a Sleepwalker. She doesn't know who they are or what they do. She couldn't find Inzien on a map or tell you what a Jaghound looks like. She's just a kid, trying on a new town, with an imaginary friend who might not be imaginary. It takes one fateful night for Ellie to learn that dreams have sharp teeth and, yes, they do bite.
Go to school.
Go home.
Go to sleep.
You know where school is, where home is, but where is sleep? Is it a place like any other? That secret has been long kept by the Sleepwalkers and hidden from the waking world. In the dead of night, the Sleepwalkers roam the Round, keeping children like themselves safe from the nightmares lurking in sleep. They have never lost one of their own, until now.
It's the summer of '86 and 11-year-old Ellie Dasher is not a Sleepwalker. She doesn't know who they are or what they do. She couldn't find Inzien on a map or tell you what a Jaghound looks like. She's just a kid, trying on a new town, with an imaginary friend who might not be imaginary. It takes one fateful night for Ellie to learn that dreams have sharp teeth and, yes, they do bite.
- GenresMiddle Grade
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2022
1 person is currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Izzi Breigh
2 books3 followersIzzi Breigh, raised by a family of peacocks, grew up on a rutabaga farm. She now resides in a small cottage made entirely of pinecones. Izzi enjoys knitting shirts for starfish, rooms without corners, and peddling time. Her day job is filling hourglasses with precisely the right amount of sand, which she sells for 2 copper pennies every Saturday at her local flea market. Hide and seek is her favorite sport and though she has repeatedly spotted Waldo, she has yet to figure out where in the world Carmen Sandiego is.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 24, 2022
“‘Kidnapping,’ Ellie whispered. What a strange word with a twisted double meaning that matched the event: ‘kid napping.’”
After moving into the Old Sleep, the haunted house in a new town, Ellie, the story’s protagonist, a brave, intelligent and stubborn young girl is trying to come to terms with her brother’s kidnapping to Inzien, which in Exzien (the real world) appears to be a coma. Along with her new neighbour and friend, the boisterous and loyal ‘Hat’, they traverse into the sometimes perilous and oftentimes strange dreamland of Inzien to rescue Elijah.
‘Sleepwalkers’ by Izzi Breigh is a fantastical journey into a world populated with Sleepwalkers (children who travel in their sleep) and strays (people trapped in Inzien). Ellie and Hat make comrades in Nora, Ghost, Thaddeus, Trash and Loch as they fight against terrifying monsters such as jaghounds,skoils, jilts, boggles and bumblebats.
Full of tension and excitement Breigh develops a fast paced plot that keeps on giving. I was constantly left guessing what Ellie and her crew were going to face next: morphing through mirrorpools, zooming down zip line baskets, inshifts, terrifying climbs, deadly dives, busy bazaars, and creepy forests all the while worrying if they were able to rescue Elijah before it was too late.
Filled with twists and turns, laughs and shocks, ‘Sleepwalkers’ is jam packed with adventure, dealing with themes of friendship, family, betrayal, loyalty, fear and love. This is definitely a middle grade novel with a twist that I couldn’t put down.
After moving into the Old Sleep, the haunted house in a new town, Ellie, the story’s protagonist, a brave, intelligent and stubborn young girl is trying to come to terms with her brother’s kidnapping to Inzien, which in Exzien (the real world) appears to be a coma. Along with her new neighbour and friend, the boisterous and loyal ‘Hat’, they traverse into the sometimes perilous and oftentimes strange dreamland of Inzien to rescue Elijah.
‘Sleepwalkers’ by Izzi Breigh is a fantastical journey into a world populated with Sleepwalkers (children who travel in their sleep) and strays (people trapped in Inzien). Ellie and Hat make comrades in Nora, Ghost, Thaddeus, Trash and Loch as they fight against terrifying monsters such as jaghounds,skoils, jilts, boggles and bumblebats.
Full of tension and excitement Breigh develops a fast paced plot that keeps on giving. I was constantly left guessing what Ellie and her crew were going to face next: morphing through mirrorpools, zooming down zip line baskets, inshifts, terrifying climbs, deadly dives, busy bazaars, and creepy forests all the while worrying if they were able to rescue Elijah before it was too late.
Filled with twists and turns, laughs and shocks, ‘Sleepwalkers’ is jam packed with adventure, dealing with themes of friendship, family, betrayal, loyalty, fear and love. This is definitely a middle grade novel with a twist that I couldn’t put down.
March 2, 2022
This is a hugely imaginative and extremely exciting fantasy/horror adventure. If you like fantasy worlds you are sure to love this book.
I loved the premise of this story, someone trapped in a dreamworld, which I think is truly terrifying. Ellie is a wonderful heroine, brave, resourceful, and prepared to do anything to save her brother. The world-building is superb: detailed, imaginative, and well thought out. I could have spent a lot more time exploring Inzien’s magical dangers and I can’t wait to return (skoils, mirrorpools, pyren beads, inshifters anyone?). The other characters, Hat and Trash (Sleepwalkers, kids who patrol dream world protecting the dreamers), Thaddeus the auglican (non-human resident of Inzien), Nora and Oxburg (strays, stuck forever in Inzien) are all well drawn, and I’ve love to more about them, especially Nora. Ellie embarks on a dangerous and exciting journey to save Elijah, but the plot twists and turns between monsters and sleepwalkers and traitors, and there are hints of a much larger over-arching story. There is a lot of” story” in this story, and you could argue perhaps that the author should have split over several books but I get the sense there is a lot more of this world yet to be shared
To avoid spoilers, I won’t mention what my favourite element of the story is but Sleepwalkers Round One has many wonderful imaginative details. a very exciting climax, and on finishing the book, I immediately wanted to pick up the sequel. I hope I won’t have to wait too long!
This is a middle grade fantasy/horror, suited to readers who enjoy complex worlds and plots, and who can handle the horror elements.
I loved the premise of this story, someone trapped in a dreamworld, which I think is truly terrifying. Ellie is a wonderful heroine, brave, resourceful, and prepared to do anything to save her brother. The world-building is superb: detailed, imaginative, and well thought out. I could have spent a lot more time exploring Inzien’s magical dangers and I can’t wait to return (skoils, mirrorpools, pyren beads, inshifters anyone?). The other characters, Hat and Trash (Sleepwalkers, kids who patrol dream world protecting the dreamers), Thaddeus the auglican (non-human resident of Inzien), Nora and Oxburg (strays, stuck forever in Inzien) are all well drawn, and I’ve love to more about them, especially Nora. Ellie embarks on a dangerous and exciting journey to save Elijah, but the plot twists and turns between monsters and sleepwalkers and traitors, and there are hints of a much larger over-arching story. There is a lot of” story” in this story, and you could argue perhaps that the author should have split over several books but I get the sense there is a lot more of this world yet to be shared
To avoid spoilers, I won’t mention what my favourite element of the story is but Sleepwalkers Round One has many wonderful imaginative details. a very exciting climax, and on finishing the book, I immediately wanted to pick up the sequel. I hope I won’t have to wait too long!
This is a middle grade fantasy/horror, suited to readers who enjoy complex worlds and plots, and who can handle the horror elements.
March 15, 2022
This was quite a gripping, intriguing, & highly imaginative read! I loved it. The whole idea of a whole other world inside the dream world we know, is incredible. Then how expansive, detailed, & how full of such vivid imagery it is-phenomenal! I love all of the details that make up the dream world, & just the story overall. Such as sleepwalkers, the rounds, all the different beads & what they do, the “strays”, snoops, the Vaaks, jaghounds, houdinis, the power of names, mirrorpools, & so much more. Ellie is a terrific MC. So brave, smart, loyal, resourceful, & determined. She will do anything to save her brother. Some of my heart belongs to Hat though. I already love the beginnings of a friendship they have, & can’t wait to see how that develops further. I also quite enjoyed Nora’s character. She was amazing, & hope to see more of her. The rest of my heart belongs to Ghost. I need more of him though! Lol I hope he’s in the next one even more. This is so atmospheric as well. Not just in the dream world, but in our own. It’s 1986 to start with-LOVE. Then this town, the school, & ELLIE’s HOUSE?! Named “The Old Sleep”?! Soooo good. This has so much adventure, danger, & suspense as well. The journey Ellie goes on is so thrilling, & makes for a very fast-paced read. So many twists & turns. I never saw the twists at the end coming, nor saw it ending the way it did. I will say, with how obsessed I am, & in love with the book..I hated the last few chapters. I’m good with cliff hangers, but usually there’s a little kernel of hope given or a clue or insight in some way of what’s to come in the next book of making it right. Not in this. It’s like, ok the bad guys win, the end. lol SO unsatisfying & infuriating! So I really hope there’s not a long wait for book 2. Even with the ending not being my favorite, I would highly recommend this. Loved it. This is out now, but I keep checking Amazon(I want a finished copy), & there hasn’t been any in stock(just ebooks)so not sure what’s going on there. Beautiful cover by Rick Bermejo!💜
April 12, 2022
SLEEPWALKERS was an incredibly fun story with just the right amount of mystery and suspense to keep little ones invested. There’s a mysterious and magical group of people with a very special ability, Sleepwalkers, who can enter into the dreamworld and infiltrate and sometimes alter the dreams of others. Like real dreams, sometimes the dreams can get a little spooky, a little frightening, and that’s something that Ellie Dasher experiences when she is thrust into a situation where she has to save someone she loves.
Atmospheric and so incredibly vivid and rich, I often forgot I was reading a middle grade book. SLEEPWALKERS is a true delight for both children and adults, and both of my littles loved this one immensely. My older one has already requested that we read it again, though at 11 she can certainly tackle this one on her own.
Aside from the gorgeous scenery, Ellie was such a fantastic MC. She’s strong, smart, and incredibly loyal to those she loves. I really liked the friendships she made in this book, particularly the one she forms with a certain someone very early in the book. There are a few elements that might be spooky to younger readers, like ghosts and a potentially haunted house, but my littles are morbid like their mama so they really liked those parts.
All told, this is a delightful tale that is sure to please young readers (and their parents!). I’m certainly glad we discovered this one, and we will definitely be following along with this series.
*Many thanks to CMPR Communications for sending a lovely box and an arc for review.
Atmospheric and so incredibly vivid and rich, I often forgot I was reading a middle grade book. SLEEPWALKERS is a true delight for both children and adults, and both of my littles loved this one immensely. My older one has already requested that we read it again, though at 11 she can certainly tackle this one on her own.
Aside from the gorgeous scenery, Ellie was such a fantastic MC. She’s strong, smart, and incredibly loyal to those she loves. I really liked the friendships she made in this book, particularly the one she forms with a certain someone very early in the book. There are a few elements that might be spooky to younger readers, like ghosts and a potentially haunted house, but my littles are morbid like their mama so they really liked those parts.
All told, this is a delightful tale that is sure to please young readers (and their parents!). I’m certainly glad we discovered this one, and we will definitely be following along with this series.
*Many thanks to CMPR Communications for sending a lovely box and an arc for review.
May 27, 2022
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Sleepwalkers is a mesmerizing romp through the rich and textured land of the sleeping. It's mythos is complex and the characters are interesting. Tons and tons of non-stop action and adventure.
I want to say this is a middle grade book, though some of the language reads a little older and the world is quite complex. As an adult reader, I found this book enchanting. So, it's maybe something to be shared between older and younger readers.
Some of the book is creepy and it certainly has scary elements which definitely added depth to the atmosphere of the book. The baddies are bad and several characters are morally grey.
I, very much, enjoyed my read. I believe this is an adventure for all ages and I can't wait to see where the story goes next.
Sleepwalkers is a mesmerizing romp through the rich and textured land of the sleeping. It's mythos is complex and the characters are interesting. Tons and tons of non-stop action and adventure.
I want to say this is a middle grade book, though some of the language reads a little older and the world is quite complex. As an adult reader, I found this book enchanting. So, it's maybe something to be shared between older and younger readers.
Some of the book is creepy and it certainly has scary elements which definitely added depth to the atmosphere of the book. The baddies are bad and several characters are morally grey.
I, very much, enjoyed my read. I believe this is an adventure for all ages and I can't wait to see where the story goes next.
October 20, 2022
4.5 stars *A great start to a new series*
This turned out to be more intriguing than I was expecting and is perfect for middle school, although younger readers might struggle with following the complex world-building and plot elements. Still, it is a fascinating world that reminds me a little bit of Neverland but is definitely its own place. It is the perfect mixture of fantasy, horror, adventure, and mystery with a great heroine, some interesting side characters which are sure to grow, and extensive world-building. My only disappointment with this book is that it leaves you on a surprise cliffhanger that makes you want to yell, "Nooooooooo..." although the main plot was resolved, just not the way you thought it would. I have no idea how long it will be before the next book comes out, but I plan on reading it as soon as it does!
This turned out to be more intriguing than I was expecting and is perfect for middle school, although younger readers might struggle with following the complex world-building and plot elements. Still, it is a fascinating world that reminds me a little bit of Neverland but is definitely its own place. It is the perfect mixture of fantasy, horror, adventure, and mystery with a great heroine, some interesting side characters which are sure to grow, and extensive world-building. My only disappointment with this book is that it leaves you on a surprise cliffhanger that makes you want to yell, "Nooooooooo..." although the main plot was resolved, just not the way you thought it would. I have no idea how long it will be before the next book comes out, but I plan on reading it as soon as it does!
February 22, 2022
There’s a lot of imagination in Sleepwalkers, and it’s a promising start to a new series. There’s a lot that middle-grade readers will connect with, and the plot lines tap into some primal fears that most people have, like nightmares and fear of the dark, but in a way that’s not too over the top as to repel the target audience. Furthermore, there’s enough her that will keep adult readers engaged and interested, so anyone looking for a solid, YA horror novel with some clever takes on classic tropes should check out Sleepwalkers: Round One by Izzi Breigh.
Full review here: https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/...
Full review here: https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/...
April 14, 2022
The Sleepwalkers is a well written middle grade horror story. Ellie and her brother Elijah inherited their grandmother's house "The Old Sleep". What starts as a haunted house turns into an alternate universe . I thought Ellie was a brave female lead and I enjoyed her relationship with the other characters. The alternate universe is full of interesting ways of travel, people, food and animals. Secrets and mysteries are slowly revealed to give Ellie a better understanding of her grandmother. The ending had me holding my breath and a perfect setup for the next book in the four book series.
February 15, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
This was such an imaginative and very age relevant book! I think kids will really get a kick out of it. There's really interesting world building, excellent characters, and so many twists and turns. If you have a middle grader who loves fantasy, I recommend checking this one out!
This was such an imaginative and very age relevant book! I think kids will really get a kick out of it. There's really interesting world building, excellent characters, and so many twists and turns. If you have a middle grader who loves fantasy, I recommend checking this one out!
July 19, 2022
What's in a Name? For Ellie Dasher it is everything...
Izzi Breigh's "Sleepwalkers" takes us from the world we know to one we would never wish to step foot in. It is a cosmos of sleep and nightmares that are both real and projected - and the chosen Sleepwalkers are there to protect those who are trying to rest unharmed in their beds.
I will confess, once we left the universe of the awakened into that of the sleeping (Inzien), I felt the world-building was slightly lacking at times - as I couldn't always picture in my head the setting Breigh was trying to conjure. However, to truly create worlds where readers are fully immersed, one must rattle on for dozens and dozens and dozens of pages, a la J. R. R. Tolkien - which is just not my cup of tea. So I was okay pushing through those parts and I let the characters and plot bring me along on the adventure...and an adventure it was!
While reading "Sleepwalkers," I was immediately transported back to my own middle school years and the excitement I felt when discovering & devouring a new book from my local library. There was nothing better to my 12 year old self than being carried away to a haunted house, secret passages, and new worlds all while trying to save someone loved.
I am assuming (and hoping!!) that this book was merely the beginning...because I have some Serious Thoughts and Opinions on the ending. So much so, that had this been a paperback in my hand instead of my Kindle, I would have thrown it down in shock. I just did NOT see it ending the way it did.
I would highly recommend this book to any and all MG readers who love a fantasy, adventure, or supernatural storyline. And I would tell them to clear their calendar for the day because once they start, they won't be able to stop.
Thank you to BookSirens for the free advance review copy! I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Izzi Breigh's "Sleepwalkers" takes us from the world we know to one we would never wish to step foot in. It is a cosmos of sleep and nightmares that are both real and projected - and the chosen Sleepwalkers are there to protect those who are trying to rest unharmed in their beds.
I will confess, once we left the universe of the awakened into that of the sleeping (Inzien), I felt the world-building was slightly lacking at times - as I couldn't always picture in my head the setting Breigh was trying to conjure. However, to truly create worlds where readers are fully immersed, one must rattle on for dozens and dozens and dozens of pages, a la J. R. R. Tolkien - which is just not my cup of tea. So I was okay pushing through those parts and I let the characters and plot bring me along on the adventure...and an adventure it was!
While reading "Sleepwalkers," I was immediately transported back to my own middle school years and the excitement I felt when discovering & devouring a new book from my local library. There was nothing better to my 12 year old self than being carried away to a haunted house, secret passages, and new worlds all while trying to save someone loved.
I am assuming (and hoping!!) that this book was merely the beginning...because I have some Serious Thoughts and Opinions on the ending. So much so, that had this been a paperback in my hand instead of my Kindle, I would have thrown it down in shock. I just did NOT see it ending the way it did.
I would highly recommend this book to any and all MG readers who love a fantasy, adventure, or supernatural storyline. And I would tell them to clear their calendar for the day because once they start, they won't be able to stop.
Thank you to BookSirens for the free advance review copy! I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 24, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I went into this book sceptical, mostly because of the age of the characters. In the first chapter, I was intrigued and continued to read, and after reading chapter two I was completely invested in the story. It has a lot of horror elements, and the author does a fairly good job of creating suspense. The dreamland setting is completely unique and fantastical, exactly what a dreamland is supposed to be. The role that children play in dreams is also fairly unique, but it definitely makes sense. The author does a wonderful job of bringing all of their ideas together to form a coherent, eerie story. Overall, it was definitely a good read and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an eerie, disquieting story.
Favourite Part
Definitely the descriptions of the dreamland setting. When the main character enters Inzien, that is where the author is really able to go wild with their imagination!
Least Favourite Part
The ending felt a bit rushed--the twist comes and goes without much consequence. I wasn't particularly attached to the "villain" in the end, so their punishment sort of didn't hit the way I assume the author wanted it to.
Final Notes
I honestly didn't go into this thinking it was a children's book. While writing this review and looking into the genre, I found out it is Middle Grade! It is so well written with a definite adult voice--perhaps it being about children should have tipped me off! Either way, regardless of reading level, it was a fun and imaginative read!
I went into this book sceptical, mostly because of the age of the characters. In the first chapter, I was intrigued and continued to read, and after reading chapter two I was completely invested in the story. It has a lot of horror elements, and the author does a fairly good job of creating suspense. The dreamland setting is completely unique and fantastical, exactly what a dreamland is supposed to be. The role that children play in dreams is also fairly unique, but it definitely makes sense. The author does a wonderful job of bringing all of their ideas together to form a coherent, eerie story. Overall, it was definitely a good read and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an eerie, disquieting story.
Favourite Part
Definitely the descriptions of the dreamland setting. When the main character enters Inzien, that is where the author is really able to go wild with their imagination!
Least Favourite Part
The ending felt a bit rushed--the twist comes and goes without much consequence. I wasn't particularly attached to the "villain" in the end, so their punishment sort of didn't hit the way I assume the author wanted it to.
Final Notes
I honestly didn't go into this thinking it was a children's book. While writing this review and looking into the genre, I found out it is Middle Grade! It is so well written with a definite adult voice--perhaps it being about children should have tipped me off! Either way, regardless of reading level, it was a fun and imaginative read!
April 9, 2022
Ellie and her brother inherit her grandmother's old house that is anything but ordinary. Shortly after moving, her brother falls into a coma and is transported to a place called Inzien which is only accessible to children in their sleep. Ellie and a group of children called Sleepwalkers, who are tasked with protecting the border between reality and the sleep world, must team up to save her brother and other children from an evil force in Inzien. To do so Ellie has to fall asleep and traverse this magical world.
Sleepwalkers is an imaginative book that really pulls you into the story. The worldbuilding is absolutely incredible! While I like the plot and the characters, the world created by the author is where this book really shines. It's creative and so fantastic! I could easily envision the settings as I was reading, which made it that much more enjoyable. I do feel like the story got a bit convoluted at the point where Ellie initially awoke in Inzien, but things pulled back together after a few chapters and the ending really tied it all up nicely, while leaving an opening for another book.
Overall, I think this is a book that is fun to read and will really be enjoyed by the target audience. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars rating simply because of the confusing storyline, mid-book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sleepwalkers is an imaginative book that really pulls you into the story. The worldbuilding is absolutely incredible! While I like the plot and the characters, the world created by the author is where this book really shines. It's creative and so fantastic! I could easily envision the settings as I was reading, which made it that much more enjoyable. I do feel like the story got a bit convoluted at the point where Ellie initially awoke in Inzien, but things pulled back together after a few chapters and the ending really tied it all up nicely, while leaving an opening for another book.
Overall, I think this is a book that is fun to read and will really be enjoyed by the target audience. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars rating simply because of the confusing storyline, mid-book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 28, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Somnium Publishing LLC for the digital galley of this book.
Ellie and her family move to their ancestral home. She immediately meets a ghost, but he’s nice and wants her to help him figure out who he is. No one else has seen him in a very long time. She finds out about sleepwalkers, and even though she’s not one, she’s plagued by dark creatures of the dreamworld. When one takes her brother, she’ll risk everything to travel to the unkown and get him back.
This appropriately creepy middle-grade paranormal adventure was a lot of fun. Moving to a new (haunted) place, slowly discovering her family’s past. Losing her brother to some supernatural being and being determined to get him back. Ellie wasn’t always the most loveable character, but I was rooting for her. None of these things are normal, and it’s hard starting over in a new place and losing the only person who knows your family and your life like you do. I liked her journey of making friends and traveling through mysterious dreamworlds.
It wrapped up enough to end this book but definitely left things open to jump right into another book. There are elements of proper, adult horror but adjusted down to the middle grade level flawlessly. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t wait to continue the adventure, and I recommend it for middle graders and adults alike.
It’s out now wherever you get your books.
Ellie and her family move to their ancestral home. She immediately meets a ghost, but he’s nice and wants her to help him figure out who he is. No one else has seen him in a very long time. She finds out about sleepwalkers, and even though she’s not one, she’s plagued by dark creatures of the dreamworld. When one takes her brother, she’ll risk everything to travel to the unkown and get him back.
This appropriately creepy middle-grade paranormal adventure was a lot of fun. Moving to a new (haunted) place, slowly discovering her family’s past. Losing her brother to some supernatural being and being determined to get him back. Ellie wasn’t always the most loveable character, but I was rooting for her. None of these things are normal, and it’s hard starting over in a new place and losing the only person who knows your family and your life like you do. I liked her journey of making friends and traveling through mysterious dreamworlds.
It wrapped up enough to end this book but definitely left things open to jump right into another book. There are elements of proper, adult horror but adjusted down to the middle grade level flawlessly. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t wait to continue the adventure, and I recommend it for middle graders and adults alike.
It’s out now wherever you get your books.
May 2, 2022
*Spoiler Free*
"Under the night sky was the sink, and beneath the sink was the cavity, and somewhere inside the cavity was one of the busiest markets in all of Inzien."
What an excellent ride! I absolutely loved this middlegrade by Izzi Breigh. It was a rollercoaster with twists and turns and it felt like the author had been writing books her entire life and that this wasn't her first book. It was that good! I definitely recommend. The world building is complex with its own imaginative creatures, structures, and vivid imagery.
Quick synopsis: Ellie Dasher and her family are moving into her late great grandmothers house. It makes creepy noises and things tend to go bump in the night. One fateful night in her new but old house things get out of control. Ellie meets the sleepwalkers, the ones that protect dreams. It opens a world full of possibilities, full of danger, wonder, and new friends.
If you love Neil Gaiman I'm pretty sure that you're going to love this one. It reminds you a little bit of Stardust, full of interesting characters. It will leave you excited for round two of Sleepwalkers. I am so excited for the sequel to come out. This is a middle grade horror book that I am excited to be buying my nephew a copy of. It's that good!
"Under the night sky was the sink, and beneath the sink was the cavity, and somewhere inside the cavity was one of the busiest markets in all of Inzien."
What an excellent ride! I absolutely loved this middlegrade by Izzi Breigh. It was a rollercoaster with twists and turns and it felt like the author had been writing books her entire life and that this wasn't her first book. It was that good! I definitely recommend. The world building is complex with its own imaginative creatures, structures, and vivid imagery.
Quick synopsis: Ellie Dasher and her family are moving into her late great grandmothers house. It makes creepy noises and things tend to go bump in the night. One fateful night in her new but old house things get out of control. Ellie meets the sleepwalkers, the ones that protect dreams. It opens a world full of possibilities, full of danger, wonder, and new friends.
If you love Neil Gaiman I'm pretty sure that you're going to love this one. It reminds you a little bit of Stardust, full of interesting characters. It will leave you excited for round two of Sleepwalkers. I am so excited for the sequel to come out. This is a middle grade horror book that I am excited to be buying my nephew a copy of. It's that good!
December 4, 2021
This was a really cool Inception meets Stranger Things vibe, but with an appropriate read for 3rd-6th graders. I will say, I selfishly wish this was a YA Fantasy world so I could experience it in my preferred genre. I truly enjoyed the bold main character. Some may say she's unlikeable -- I'd say she knows her boundaries and that's some great life skills for a ten-year-old. She's definitely an underrepresented type of character: someone who doesn't need the world to like them and genuinely enjoys their own company.
While there were a few moments that felt convenient or like I just had to accept something as true, the world is really well-developed and you can tell there's been a lot of work put into building it. The mysteries are sprinkled throughout to create great ah-ha moments when the answers are finally revealed! There were times the pacing slowed down a little but the build-up to the end was very intense and leaves you in a wild place to set up the next book! Overall, unexpected and super fun read :)
While there were a few moments that felt convenient or like I just had to accept something as true, the world is really well-developed and you can tell there's been a lot of work put into building it. The mysteries are sprinkled throughout to create great ah-ha moments when the answers are finally revealed! There were times the pacing slowed down a little but the build-up to the end was very intense and leaves you in a wild place to set up the next book! Overall, unexpected and super fun read :)
April 21, 2022
I was lucky enough to get an ARC from BookSirens. This book is not just for middle schoolers. In the beginning I was sucked into the story, I had so many questions and couldn't wait to unravel the answers, most of which aren't revealed until the ending. When Ellie is transported into Inzien, the dream world, it was almost a completely different story with more questions and more piecing together this massive puzzle the author created. I loved that the reader experiences everything Ellie does and I'm fairly certain I went through all the emotions that came with it, fear, happiness and heartbreak. The ending took me by surprise, I will be needing a sequel!!
March 6, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read Sleepwalkers by Izzi Breigh. I loved this book! I know it was meant for middle school readers but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was mystery and friendship. Family and the strength of a sibling bond. There were scarey parts that would have had me turning on all the lights when I was a kid. I am bummed that I can't buy the book for my childrens book collection, but I already have it on my Kindle! Of course, there's a cliff hanger so I wait unpatiently for the next!
April 21, 2022
I was excited about Sleepwalkers, I've never read another story like this. I did find the beginning a little slow and hard to get into, but then the book took off! The writing was great, and the world building was something new and original. This book happily kept me guessing as to what was going on behind the scenes, and the ending completely threw me for a loop. I'm very excited to see where this story goes.
January 1, 2022
The first in a J-fiction fantasy series. What started as a haunted house mystery evolved into an alternate universe adventure. Lots of action and plenty of unanswered questions will keep young readers invested enough to follow the series.
December 27, 2022
Sleepwalkers was a great book. I felt like it was a cross between a Tim Burton movie and a scary story you might hear around a campfire. I honestly have never read anything like it. Thank you to the author and BookSirens for sending me a copy.
December 5, 2022
I'm a big fan of middle-grade horror books and this was a dark but enjoyable one. This book is set in 1986 and focuses on 11-year-old Ellie Dasher. Right off the bat, we're right in my pop culture sweet spot. Ellie moves to a new town, the ancestral home of her family, with her father. She is not a Sleepwalker and has never heard of a Sleepwaker, but she quickly begins to learn about a hidden world where sleep occurs that has been kept secret for years from the waking world. A place where Sleepwalkers keep children safe from nightmares. Ellie enters this world and goes on a dark and exciting adventure. The two different but parallel worlds brought to mind for me The Upside Down from Stranger Things. I found the story to be quite dark and scary at times and very creative. There were sections that were a bit slow for my taste, but overall, it was very unique.
May 20, 2022
Great spooky season read for kids!
*I was sent this book by the publisher for review, this in no way affects my opinion*
It was certainly a fun time reading this book. It was the kind that I can imagine a kid reading with a torch under the covers at night and giving themselves goosebumps with. I liked how imaginative the concept was. I couldn't connect too much with the characters, possibly due to their eccentricities but as the plot was fast paced and engaging it didn't particularly affect my enjoyment. I found that though this is not the most memorable of books for me, it will without a doubt provide a great deal of joy and excitement for any kid picking this up and giving it a go. Would recommend for kids between 9-12.
*I was sent this book by the publisher for review, this in no way affects my opinion*
It was certainly a fun time reading this book. It was the kind that I can imagine a kid reading with a torch under the covers at night and giving themselves goosebumps with. I liked how imaginative the concept was. I couldn't connect too much with the characters, possibly due to their eccentricities but as the plot was fast paced and engaging it didn't particularly affect my enjoyment. I found that though this is not the most memorable of books for me, it will without a doubt provide a great deal of joy and excitement for any kid picking this up and giving it a go. Would recommend for kids between 9-12.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews