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A review by phantasmaboo
Sleepless: A Novel by Romy Hausmann
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sleepless by Romy Hausmann follows the story of Nadja, who is asked by a friend to help bury a body. Nadja was previously convicted of a murder, losing her friends and family in the process. Still, when her friend asks for help, Nadja is willing and begins to go down a dark path.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. Honestly, I thought that the plot was strongest for the first half, but then it quickly derailed toward the midpoint of the story. Not only did the pacing begin to falter, but I also began to dislike the characters, which is never a good sign. Instead of seeing Nadja as a potentially dark, unreliable narrator, I began to increasingly see her as pathetic and a tool used to tell the story of the other main cast. Furthermore, as the story continued, I believe the author really glamorized abusive and unhealthy relationships by making them seem romantic and desirable. Ultimately, the ending fell flat and the character development just didn’t follow through all the way to the end.
Overall, Sleepless was a decent story, but it is let down by poor character development and a plot that plods along at the end. I am convinced if 50-60 pages of this book were removed, not much would actually change.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. Honestly, I thought that the plot was strongest for the first half, but then it quickly derailed toward the midpoint of the story. Not only did the pacing begin to falter, but I also began to dislike the characters, which is never a good sign. Instead of seeing Nadja as a potentially dark, unreliable narrator, I began to increasingly see her as pathetic and a tool used to tell the story of the other main cast. Furthermore, as the story continued, I believe the author really glamorized abusive and unhealthy relationships by making them seem romantic and desirable. Ultimately, the ending fell flat and the character development just didn’t follow through all the way to the end.
Overall, Sleepless was a decent story, but it is let down by poor character development and a plot that plods along at the end. I am convinced if 50-60 pages of this book were removed, not much would actually change.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Kidnapping, Death, and Death of parent