Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Eron has been a Sleepbringer (Sandman) for almost 100 years and his time is almost up.  But his replacement seems less interested in helping his charges and more interested in haunting his old girlfriend, a girl that Eron has been protecting her whole life and with whom he might have fallen in love.

I hope Eron realizes what he’s in for. My mom could make the most hardened of criminals weep. p.162

Well, this was a different concept. Sandman.  That's one I have not read before now.  I've really been wrestling with what to say about Sleepless.  So I'll say it like this.

The Good:

The concept was unique and very fun.  There was the creepy element of Eron watching Julia sleep but it wasn't like he was obsessed with her like some "heroes" I could name.  It was his job and he genuinely cared for her. 

There were parts that were meant to be creepy or mysterious and they were.  The mystery of Julia's past keep cropping up and it was driving me crazy until it was finally answered.

It was a fast read and an intriguing one.  I really wanted to know what happened.  I'm curious by nature anyway and this book played to that.

It was nice to see parents who are there and who care.  So rare these days in YA.

The Bad:

There were a few problems here and there that I attribute to reading an ARC and I wish that they would change that last cheesy scene and line.  It was too sentimental, I'd say for the character and the tone seemed off given how the rest of the book reads.

I didn't become invested in any of the characters and I hated Griffin, the new Sandman and his best friend.  Julia, the girl, is sort of bland though she tries to be tough and Eron's tone was off for me even though he was by far the best character in the story.

Overall, I'd say it was good.  I just think there were some missed opportunities to make it great.

Provided by Traveling ARC Tours
Publish Date: July 13, 2010
Hogwarts: Transfiguration
YA