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eboda's review
medium-paced
3.0
I feel like I should have liked this more than I did. I never really cared about how it was going to end, I really just kept reading because I wanted to know who did it. And even that was a little disappointing
jacehan's review against another edition
5.0
Love a noir scifi mystery, with a plot that keeps moving forward.
One thing I’m thinking about is the structure. One of the things that makes the Sleepless is the lack of punctuation/ chapters, as it’s all one day. The timestamps underline just how much time there is without sleep. But there are still chapters and jumps. Then those are intentional as well.
One thing I’m thinking about is the structure. One of the things that makes the Sleepless is the lack of punctuation/ chapters, as it’s all one day. The timestamps underline just how much time there is without sleep. But there are still chapters and jumps. Then those are intentional as well.
jbergin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
“My visor tells me it’s about 82 yards from the door to the tree line, accounting for the slope. That’ll take about a minute to sprint”
82 yards in a minute? You mean 4.1 feet per second? 2.8 miles per hour? You mean slightly below average walking speed? To sprint?
On the surface I should have loved this book; sci-fi noir with cyberpunk tendencies and a twisty mystery. But I guess you just can’t save bad writing.
82 yards in a minute? You mean 4.1 feet per second? 2.8 miles per hour? You mean slightly below average walking speed? To sprint?
On the surface I should have loved this book; sci-fi noir with cyberpunk tendencies and a twisty mystery. But I guess you just can’t save bad writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
dylanjk's review
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Pretty solid sci-fi thriller. Appreciated the queer themes and clever premise, but it dragged in parts, and the ending was only meh.
cozy_reading_times's review
4.0
3.75*
Thank you to Netgalley and Erewhon Books for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings: suicide, loss of a loved one, depression, drug abuse, violence, blood, self-harm, mental torture.
I went into this, I have to admit, with mixed expectations. On one side, this is a Sci Fi thriller/mystery noir story. I don't really like thrillers. The Sci Fi elements might make them more interesting but I'll still always be sceptical of them.
On the other hand, in the last few month, I fell deeply in love with near-future Sci Fi (such as Goliath, The City Inside, The Vanished Birds) and am eager to read as much of that sub-genre as I can - even in the form of a more plot-driven book.
Particularly if that book also happens to be queer and written by a BIPOC author.
Another thing this book has going for it is the fact that it isn't climate fiction. While the world building of course includes the consequences of the on-going climate crises Earth is facing, at its center is a different topic. After reading quite a few Cli Fi titles this year already, I welcomed this as a breath of fresh air.
I love how nuanced the author's exploration of the main theme of the book "what if peoply weren't sleeping anymore" is. It's not just a gimmick, but the main question that drives this book. By the time this book starts (2043), around 25% of the world population are hyper insomniac -and it effects everything. From religious extremists to climate activists worrying avout the impacts Sleeplessness has on the planet. Mental health issues, social expectations and imbalances, medical developments, political machinations and economical masterplans.
There is a lot of greyness to the issue of Sleeplessness, no absolute good or bad.
Manibo's exploration of the themes was definitely my favourite aspect of the book and has me excited for future books by the him.
I also liked our protagonist, Jamie Vega. He's your typical hardworking nice guy, a bit of a bisexual mess (very relatable). But there's much under the surface, some rather tragic things but also more grey mroality than I first expected.
Most of the side characters I would've liked to see more of. There were so many characters in this book, and while it made for some complex intigue, sometimes I forgot who exactly a person was and many of them were a little two dimensional.
Some of them also only popped up once and then were never mentioned again which sometimes left me wondering why the author included them at all.
I already mentioned that I'm usually not a fan of thrillers or mysteries, for the simple reason that those tend to fall on the more plot-driven side of fiction. I'm myself not a plot-driven reader and this is a great example of why. While reading, I have a good time and am invested (at least when the story is well-written, which in this case it was) but often plot-driven books don't evoce lsting emotions in me.
Here it felt like my brain was invested and fascinated, but my heart wasn't. I really liked the ideas and intigue and big reveals but there was always a little distance between me and the book that kepts me from fully getting into it.
I still think of this as a very solid debut that I expect many readers to enjoy.
Thank you to Netgalley and Erewhon Books for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings: suicide, loss of a loved one, depression, drug abuse, violence, blood, self-harm, mental torture.
I went into this, I have to admit, with mixed expectations. On one side, this is a Sci Fi thriller/mystery noir story. I don't really like thrillers. The Sci Fi elements might make them more interesting but I'll still always be sceptical of them.
On the other hand, in the last few month, I fell deeply in love with near-future Sci Fi (such as Goliath, The City Inside, The Vanished Birds) and am eager to read as much of that sub-genre as I can - even in the form of a more plot-driven book.
Particularly if that book also happens to be queer and written by a BIPOC author.
Another thing this book has going for it is the fact that it isn't climate fiction. While the world building of course includes the consequences of the on-going climate crises Earth is facing, at its center is a different topic. After reading quite a few Cli Fi titles this year already, I welcomed this as a breath of fresh air.
I love how nuanced the author's exploration of the main theme of the book "what if peoply weren't sleeping anymore" is. It's not just a gimmick, but the main question that drives this book. By the time this book starts (2043), around 25% of the world population are hyper insomniac -and it effects everything. From religious extremists to climate activists worrying avout the impacts Sleeplessness has on the planet. Mental health issues, social expectations and imbalances, medical developments, political machinations and economical masterplans.
There is a lot of greyness to the issue of Sleeplessness, no absolute good or bad.
Manibo's exploration of the themes was definitely my favourite aspect of the book and has me excited for future books by the him.
I also liked our protagonist, Jamie Vega. He's your typical hardworking nice guy, a bit of a bisexual mess (very relatable). But there's much under the surface, some rather tragic things but also more grey mroality than I first expected.
Most of the side characters I would've liked to see more of. There were so many characters in this book, and while it made for some complex intigue, sometimes I forgot who exactly a person was and many of them were a little two dimensional.
Some of them also only popped up once and then were never mentioned again which sometimes left me wondering why the author included them at all.
I already mentioned that I'm usually not a fan of thrillers or mysteries, for the simple reason that those tend to fall on the more plot-driven side of fiction. I'm myself not a plot-driven reader and this is a great example of why. While reading, I have a good time and am invested (at least when the story is well-written, which in this case it was) but often plot-driven books don't evoce lsting emotions in me.
Here it felt like my brain was invested and fascinated, but my heart wasn't. I really liked the ideas and intigue and big reveals but there was always a little distance between me and the book that kepts me from fully getting into it.
I still think of this as a very solid debut that I expect many readers to enjoy.
undermeyou's review
adventurous
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I liked this right up until the last probably 10%. I hate when twist is all explained by one character explaining it and working it out with another and the reader doesn't get to figure it out with the narrator/characters organically. But it was interesting and had socioeconomic messages that were done well.
I received this title from a Goodreads giveaway
I received this title from a Goodreads giveaway
weweresotired's review
3.0
This was fine? I liked the plot - I love mysteries, I love a good whodunnit, I still love pandemic stories - but I felt like I had a really hard time connecting to this one emotionally, and I never really got sucked in to the point where I'd just sit and read all night. I actually thought the last few chapters/sections were more interesting than a lot of the whodunnit that was the majority of the book. It was entertaining but not one that I'll think of too much after returning it to the library.
eacolgan's review
3.0
CBR Bingo #15 : Edibles
My main issue was that some of the relationships felt imbalanced without any emotional tension to drive them-- Jamie was a workaholic, sure, so it made sense that his relationships with his family were a little strained, but I didn't feel the oomph behind his regret about that fact, or about the push-pull between himself and his ex. His relationships with his coworkers were his driving force, I really felt it when he wanted to get justice for Simon, or when he dwelled on Elliot's betrayal. But his conflict over his other relationships felt like lip service. Again, part of this could for sure be due to the narrator.
I'm giving this 3.5 stars rounded down, might round up to 4 upon further reflection, but will definitely read more of the author's work. Just not on audio if they use the same narrator. :)
Spoiler
This was a cool and interesting read. I really didn't vibe with the audio narrator, which I think contributed to my feeling like I just wasn't as bought in as I wanted to be. The worldbuilding was really interesting, the plot and pace were great, I thought the process of Jamie finding out who was working with who and following the different clue threads was well done. The focus on capitalism as the big bad was great, I found the stuff about pro-sleepless extremism a little farfetched, but overall it was a believable world and the neo-noir style worked well. The ending was kind of bleak, but a "damn the man save the empire" ending would've felt unrealistic, so I'm not sure there was a way to thread that needle better than it did.My main issue was that some of the relationships felt imbalanced without any emotional tension to drive them-- Jamie was a workaholic, sure, so it made sense that his relationships with his family were a little strained, but I didn't feel the oomph behind his regret about that fact, or about the push-pull between himself and his ex. His relationships with his coworkers were his driving force, I really felt it when he wanted to get justice for Simon, or when he dwelled on Elliot's betrayal. But his conflict over his other relationships felt like lip service. Again, part of this could for sure be due to the narrator.
I'm giving this 3.5 stars rounded down, might round up to 4 upon further reflection, but will definitely read more of the author's work. Just not on audio if they use the same narrator. :)
jojo50's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Blood, Death, Grief, Addiction, and Violence
_christinacreads's review
4.0
3.5, rounded up TLDR: it was really great. murder mystery and thriller are genres I don't enjoy but I loved the representation and the prose, and themes in this book were showstoppers for me.
“Sleep is an escape. And the agony of being alone with one’s thoughts without relief, devoid of that means of escape, kills one’s sanity quicker than anything can.“
The Sleepless by Victor Manibo is a queer near-future biopunk, speculative fiction novel where murder, mystery, and corporate dystopia come together to examine themes of hyper-capitalism, exploitation, and addiction.
This book eerily mirrors society today as we open the book to the year 2043 to a world where a pandemic affects a fourth of the world’s population causing people to completely lose the ability to sleep. We follow Jamie Vega, one of the Sleepless, as he comes into work one day and finds his boss had died from an overdose. Once he becomes the main suspect in the investigation, he realizes that he has these massive holes in his memory.
Jaime was quite an interesting character. He is very queer and very Filipino. The fact that he cannot remember so many crucial events in his life, tells you already that he’s going to be an unreliable narrator. And for someone that has all the time in the world since he no longer has to squander half his life asleep, Jaime spends the entire book racing against time to solve this mystery.
Jamie takes us on a journey to uncover the truth of his boss’ death and clear his name. This book tells the story of extremists who believe the Sleeplessness is peak human evolution, corporations who abuse this tireless workforce, biohackers, and assassins.
While I, as a personal preference, don’t enjoy murder mysteries, I absolutely loved how intensely Manibo delved into the psyche of the Sleepless. I was told an uncomfortable, personal story I never expected for a phrase I throw around so often “I wish I didn’t have to sleep.”
The way Manibo illustrates that when you don’t sleep, you don’t dream, and all you have is the endless grind of daily life without rest is an incredibly haunting picture. Your consumption increases because you don’t sleep so all you end up doing is working more, and that’s honestly a horror story in and of itself.
The way that consumption and overconsumption in this book is discussed as well, especially for those who aren’t forced by their bodies to sleep is also a frightening concept. The exploitation of people who cannot sleep, and therefore have the ability to literally work themselves to death left me stunned.
Furthermore, the way that Manibo blended in themes of today’s pandemic with a fictional world and a sickness that has such different presentations is pure talent. I appreciated the reflection of how society looks at the afflicted and how families worry for their loved ones and the possible long term effects of the disease. I loved Jaime’s unapologetically Filipino family. The family gatherings gave me such nostalgia.
Honestly, I don’t think I’m ever going to take for granted the ability to sleep. I personally am also grateful I read this after making a career change from doing 36 hour shifts every three days to a very healthy 9-5. If you think you might enjoy a dark genre-bending futuristic biopunk thriller with an unreliable narrator, consider picking up this book.
“Sleep is an escape. And the agony of being alone with one’s thoughts without relief, devoid of that means of escape, kills one’s sanity quicker than anything can.“
The Sleepless by Victor Manibo is a queer near-future biopunk, speculative fiction novel where murder, mystery, and corporate dystopia come together to examine themes of hyper-capitalism, exploitation, and addiction.
This book eerily mirrors society today as we open the book to the year 2043 to a world where a pandemic affects a fourth of the world’s population causing people to completely lose the ability to sleep. We follow Jamie Vega, one of the Sleepless, as he comes into work one day and finds his boss had died from an overdose. Once he becomes the main suspect in the investigation, he realizes that he has these massive holes in his memory.
Jaime was quite an interesting character. He is very queer and very Filipino. The fact that he cannot remember so many crucial events in his life, tells you already that he’s going to be an unreliable narrator. And for someone that has all the time in the world since he no longer has to squander half his life asleep, Jaime spends the entire book racing against time to solve this mystery.
Jamie takes us on a journey to uncover the truth of his boss’ death and clear his name. This book tells the story of extremists who believe the Sleeplessness is peak human evolution, corporations who abuse this tireless workforce, biohackers, and assassins.
While I, as a personal preference, don’t enjoy murder mysteries, I absolutely loved how intensely Manibo delved into the psyche of the Sleepless. I was told an uncomfortable, personal story I never expected for a phrase I throw around so often “I wish I didn’t have to sleep.”
The way Manibo illustrates that when you don’t sleep, you don’t dream, and all you have is the endless grind of daily life without rest is an incredibly haunting picture. Your consumption increases because you don’t sleep so all you end up doing is working more, and that’s honestly a horror story in and of itself.
The way that consumption and overconsumption in this book is discussed as well, especially for those who aren’t forced by their bodies to sleep is also a frightening concept. The exploitation of people who cannot sleep, and therefore have the ability to literally work themselves to death left me stunned.
Furthermore, the way that Manibo blended in themes of today’s pandemic with a fictional world and a sickness that has such different presentations is pure talent. I appreciated the reflection of how society looks at the afflicted and how families worry for their loved ones and the possible long term effects of the disease. I loved Jaime’s unapologetically Filipino family. The family gatherings gave me such nostalgia.
Honestly, I don’t think I’m ever going to take for granted the ability to sleep. I personally am also grateful I read this after making a career change from doing 36 hour shifts every three days to a very healthy 9-5. If you think you might enjoy a dark genre-bending futuristic biopunk thriller with an unreliable narrator, consider picking up this book.