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A review by kathydubs
Sleeper by MacKenzie Cadenhead
3.0
I received Sleeper as a free giveaway. The story centers on a girl, Sarah, who has REM sleep disorder that causes her to thrash around in her sleep and potentially harm others in the vicinity. The story opens with such a case happening at a sleepover, where Sarah harms her friend, who coincidentally is the most popular girl at school. The aftermath of the attack leaves Sarah stranded socially, with just her best friend at her side. At the same time, Sarah meets Wes, a boy she recognizes from her dream the night of the sleepover attack. As Sarah starts a trial for a new drug, Drexid, that will help keep her still as she sleeps, she runs into Wes again in her dreams. Both have REM sleep disorders and both are trying out Drexid. Through the novel, Sarah and Wes discover the power that this experimental drug affords them, such as entering other dreamer's bodies and being able to control what they do in the real world. They carry out a number of revenge plots, most for Sarah's benefit, but when Wes wants to up the anty, things take a turn. Sarah attempts to distance and even end her relationship with Wes as he grows even more addicted to Drexid, but his abusive boyfriend tendencies come out as he effectively begins to stalk her. The novel climaxes with a showdown int he dream word.
Overall this novel was an intriguing read. It wasn't your usual teen novel, which I appreciated. The plot sets this book apart from others. It also develops a complex world and alternative relative in a short number of pages, which impressed me. My only critical feedback for this novel is that the explanation for the phenomenon we see occurring in the story is jargon heavy when explained, and even in layman's terms it is difficult to follow. As an older reader, I understand some of the brain science behind it, but I wonder if I would have as a teen. I also found it confusing to understand the situation with the burners at the end, and that required a bit of a reread. Overall, this is a solid read.
Overall this novel was an intriguing read. It wasn't your usual teen novel, which I appreciated. The plot sets this book apart from others. It also develops a complex world and alternative relative in a short number of pages, which impressed me. My only critical feedback for this novel is that the explanation for the phenomenon we see occurring in the story is jargon heavy when explained, and even in layman's terms it is difficult to follow. As an older reader, I understand some of the brain science behind it, but I wonder if I would have as a teen. I also found it confusing to understand the situation with the burners at the end, and that required a bit of a reread. Overall, this is a solid read.