A Headful of Skye

by Willow H. Wood

Doctor Mayu Shirakawa treats coma victims by entering their dreams. Until the process failed her husband. Despite her grief, she knows the project saves lives, and that’s why Mayu agrees to fight for it. Her next patient, 11-year-old Skye, seems the perfect candidate to rescue her sinking business.

But when Mayu enters Skye’s dreams, she finds the girl is hiding a secret far bigger than either of them realise. Violent forces in the waking world want answers. If they ever want to wake up again, they must journey through imagination and the nightmares of their past.

Mayu is caught between duty and grief, integrity and corruption. Now she must decide how to embrace life if she wants to save Skye’s future.

322 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Willow H. Wood is my real name! I'm an author of speculative fiction, fantasy romance, and science fiction. I've been writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil and I can't resist the urge to create stories.

I live in the isolated wilds of the Dorset countryside with my two cats. I'm the eldest of five children and realised that the best way to keep them quiet at bedtime was making up shadow-puppet theatres and reciting Roald Dahl.

When I'm not dividing my attention between three novel projects, I'm leading a Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

Reviews

[Luke Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Major inception like vibes through a YA lens. It’s packed full of imagination, with moments of joy, tenderness, legitimate stakes, and a beautifully realised future world. I’d highly recommend.

[Rachael Dewhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly imaginative debut.
Doctor Mayu Shirakawa, respected Dream Guide, has built a life-saving business entering the dreams of coma patients. Successful until she isn't. Wracked by grief and increasingly pulled in conflicting directions, Mayu is slipping into her grief when a new high-profile client, and her team, need her. With the last dregs of her motivation and propelled by the dedication to her team, Dr Shirakawa delves into the coma dream of 12-year old Skye. Skye is headstrong, obstinant, troubled, lonely, and in desperate need of a friend.

This debut novel intertwines the suspense of a crime novel with the futuristic intrigue of science fiction whilst paying respect to Japanese culture, nodding to British sarcasm, and ultimately reminding us that, while escapism might be nice for a while, life is out there for the taking.

[P L]

Read this book!
Set in London and Japan with a brief sortie to Scotland, A Headful Full of Skye shows a future where science, technology, and medicine fuse to provide an unconventional way to bring coma patients back to consciousness.
The dream scenes are fantastically described by the author and lead the reader into a thrilling, magical and sometimes scary parallel world.
This is all set to a backdrop of unfurling natural disasters caused by climate change which should make every reader sit up and think about how they can start helping to reduce these effects today.
Will Skye wake up? Will personal struggles be overcome? Will others involved survive the process unscathed?
Give yourself a treat and indulge in this beautifully researched page turner.

[Mitch Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful journey, a deep and often startlingly funny exploration of grief. There’s a real urgency and sense of time running out, from the intensely personal (Skye’s worsening condition, Mayu’s collapsing business) to the global climate catastrophe that the characters can never outrun. Each dream is its own chocolate box of treats (and spooks) that build upon each other. The imagery is excellent and haunting in the best way possible. I wanted to snuggle up on the sofa with these characters and let their truth wash over me. Really recommend, this is fun and moving and unique.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It has everything a good story needs - a gripping plot, beautiful world building and well thought out characters you care about. I stayed up reading this when I was so tired my eyes felt like they had sand in them because I couldn’t put it down. Many of the scenes from this have stuck in my mind even though I finished it a couple of weeks ago - never wanted to see some fan art more!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing adventure into a world of dreams. Personal grief has to be put aside to risk all in an attempt to save a troubled girl from her coma. Mixed loyalties tug in different directions, and mystery, danger and revelations along the way will keep you page-turning. Congratulations to this new author.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to come across this author at Comic-Con and bought a copy of her book. I can see why she mentioned our love of cats in her note to me! It’s a wonderful, imaginative escape into the mind of two characters, using their dreams together to uncover the truth as to why Skye is in a coma.

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling, absorbing read from start to finish!
This enchanting story takes you on a journey filled with thrilling tense drama! A roller coaster ride of emotions, which turns into a wonderful nail biting fantasy!
Enjoyed and look forward to reading more from this author.

[Marc Hilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a few novels that have a character entered another person’s mind. This story has a unique premise that deals with helping traumatized patients by entering their dreams. And dreams aren’t always healthy.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every moment of this thrilling adventure. The science behind it was explained so well that even a person who has the bare minimum understanding of science could follow it with ease. I loved the imagination put into each scene.
Looking forward to more from this author

[Nath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need everyone to read this book!! It's so different, so unique, not a single page is boring and I recommend everyone to read this!!!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Willow at the Bournemouth comic con and immediately knew I had to read this book! Fantastic9 from start to finish with the most beautiful imagery throughout. Thank you so much for writing this, I can't wait to read everything else you write in the future!!