The Dreamless

Sleepless Duology #2

by Jen Williams

Jen Williams stuns in a heartrending sequel to The Sleepless that is as romantic as it is deadly.

Will Lucian pursue chaos and power?
Will Artair choose isolation, or will he choose to walk out into the wider world?
And Elver, perhaps, has the hardest choice of all.

After being sacrificed yet again at the hands of Mother Maura, Elver has returned from the dead even more jih than human. A strange new power simmers beneath her skin alongside a warning from the Queen of Serpents: though she’s been granted another chance at life, someday soon, Elver will be called from the land of mortals.

Now that Artair knows the spirit with whom he shares a body, Lucian, is an ordinary human, the two have formed an uneasy truce. While they attempt to wield their shred of Maura’s stolen power—the only thing keeping her from ascending to full godhood—they’re also confronted with feelings for Elver that are impossible to deny.

But Maura is out for revenge. As dangerous new alliances brew among the Twelve, Elver, Artair, and Lucian must set out to find the only being in existence capable of killing a god. And Elver will need to decide once and for all with which of the Sleepless her poisoned heart lies.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Romance, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2026

About the author

Jen Williams lives in London with her partner and their small ridiculous cat. Having been a fan of grisly fairy tales from a young age, these days Jen writes dark unsettling thrillers with strong female leads, as well as character-driven fantasy novels with plenty of adventure and magic. Her debut novel, The Copper Promise, kicked off the Copper Cat trilogy in 2014, and since then she has twice won the British Fantasy Award for her second trilogy, the Winnowing Flame. Her first thriller, Dog Rose Dirt, was published with HarperCollins in July 2021. Jen has two upcoming releases in 2023: Games for Dead Girls with Harpercollins, and Talonsister with Titan. When she’s not writing books she enjoys messing about with video games and embroidery, and also works as a part-time bookseller and a freelance copywriter.

Reviews

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

HUGE thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc! I loved the romance in the first book so I’m excited for this one 🥹
4.25✨

Oh this was SUCH a good conclusion to a duology! I highly recommend it.

The Sleepless focussed on the plot & magic system, while The Dreamless had a bigger focus on the characters and character development.

I rated The Sleepless 3.5✨ because I had issues. I had felt that the characters were a bit flaky and kept flip flopping between what they were vs what they weren’t. None of those issues occurred in this conclusion. The characters had major character development and were more established in to whom they were.

I loved that the mmc’s Artair & Lucian needed each other to be powerful while the fmc Elver was powerful by herself. It was a fun combination and I loved how unique it was. This instalment had a bigger focus on the Gods as well and while I don’t usually like that, I loved it in this one. It was very well done.

The pacing was on the slower side because a good portion of the story is spent running away and trying to find a way to resolve the deadly issues.

I will admit the shining part of this duology was the romance. While I don’t like love triangles at all, this one was the only exception. I was rooting strongly for BOTH of them. When I think of love triangles WELL DONE - this is the one that comes to mind. Bravo.
« If you can’t handle how she uses her power, step aside for someone who can. » I died a little bit there.

I was shocked at the ending to be quite honest, but I also feel that it was the best way to end it. I recommend this duology!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dreamless ( Sleepless Duology #2) by Jen Williams
Book Blurb: Will Lucian pursue chaos and power?
Will Artair choose isolation, or will he choose to walk out into the wider world?
And Elver, perhaps, has the hardest choice of all.

Rating: ****
Feels: Adventure, Enthralled, Invested, Satisfied
Style: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy
First published 29 Sep 26 : 336 pages

Themes & Setting: We continue this story right where book one left off. Themes of growth and how you relate to the world around you and the choices you make about who you are.
FMC: Elver has always been such a charismatic character and I enjoy the way she views the world and moves through it. There is this sense of otherness about her that the story portrays so well that makes you root for yet know that she is not the same.
MMC: We are in the thick of the love triangle that is so unique and still so puzzling in the sense I just do not know who I am hoping she ends up with. Lucian and Artair are both such unique personalities and balance her in different ways that it was interesting to see her navigate this relationship.
Conclusion: Atmospheric and lyrical in the continued tale of gods, beings and monsters. I love this setting and the choices Elver must make as she continues her story. How she grows and has to figure out who she is and what she wants is fascinating. This is the kind of story where nothing is straight foward and its a tale that you just get to sit back and enjoy.

This book has:
Gods and Monsters
Slow Burn
Love Triangle
Animal Companions
Quests and Bargains
Warring factions
Found Family
Hidden Identities

[Alyssa {fyrebookdragon} · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dreamless starts off right where The Sleepless leaves off. The world building and writing are on par with the first book.

While this was a satisfying conclusion, it did fall a little short of the first book. It also left me with questions. Without spoilers, there were certain aspects and conclusions that some characters accepted too easily for my liking. I also understand that this is a YA story, but the use of the word “turd” got a little old, in a silly kind of way. I will say however, that Fleet finally being able to bite someone was very satisfying.

I leave this review with a cute little quote that all us bookish people can relate with…

“You could have friends too.”
“I have books.”

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Richly detailed and gorgeously action packed! Jen Williams’ (highly anticipated) conclusion to The Sleepless duology was a high stakes and thoroughly bingeable YA Fantasy that had me (once again) utterly obsessed.

This was actually one of my most anticipated reads of the year, soo I’m really glad to say I loved every second of it! The complexity and emotional intensity of our characters was even stronger this time around. As was the swoony (though rather unusual) love triangle between Elver, and the Sleepless Artair and Lucien, who are both still cohabitating Artair’s body (and crushing on the same girl.)

Elver, is definitely still my favourite character with one of the biggest emotional shifts in our cast. And loved how far she’s come form the emotionally guarded, human-hating girl we first met in book one.

Her journey also takes on a lot of complexity, as she navigates not only the limits to her newfound abilities. But also the physiological changes that threaten her control, her humanity and the happiness she’s only just found with her found family-esque inner circle (consisting of Altair, Lucien, a trickster god’s mage, Sunay and Keltraxia cub, Fleet.) All of whom she’s come to care deeply for.

Though, I loved the thawing of Artair and Lucien’s animosity towards one another just as much. And enjoyed watching them learn to trust and rely on each other in order to survive (even if their feelings for Elver did complicate that at times.)

I do have to admit, (despite how much I liked Altair) I was still Team Lucien when it came to the romance. As I felt he accepted Elver in her entirety, in a way that Altair didn’t seem able to.

Oh, and the world-building?! Nuanced, in-depth and gorgeously crafted; we explore new places and gods, whose schemes (and alliances) had me thoroughly ensnared!

Overall, a must read for high stakes YA Fantasy lovers and fans of strong FMCs with swoon-worthy (morally grey) love interests.

Also, massive thanks to Book Break UK/ First Ink for the stunning HB copy.

[Harriet Diggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to complete this duology. I can see myself rereading this series multiple times.

Jen did a wonderful job at exploring power, relationships and self-discovery all while keeping a very whimsical and witty tone.

I’m so glad that I got to spend more time with my fave MMCs (yes, there’s 2) and our admirable FMC. I feel very attached to these characters and it’s hard to believe that they aren’t actually real 💔

This series just feels like a warm hug and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[BookishKB]

⚔️ The Dreamless ⚔️

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• YA Epic Fantasy
• Love Triangle
• Gods and Magic
• Found Family
• Quest Adventure
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: September 29, 2026
Thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 stars (3.5 rounded up)

In the closer of the Sleepless Duology, Elver has been revived again by the Queen of Serpents with a warning that she isn’t forever for this world, and the woman who murdered her has ascended to godhood. It’s up to Elver, Artair/Lucian, and their friend Sunay to figure out how to stop an evil god, and Elver must decide which of the Sleepless she will choose.

The worldbuilding and the writing quality of this book was wonderful, and the descriptions of the setting and the action made me feel like I was almost there in the world of the Sleepless. It’s a beautiful book, and I was surprised by how much I liked the character who was the First of Monsters (and Elver’s brother). It’s a great book if you are a fan of epic fantasy and are tired of romantasy that is more plot than character focused and doesn’t have worldbuilding that felt like the author actually tried. The worldbuilding in The Dreamless really does feel like the author was fascinated with the world that she created, which is a huge positive. There is a lot to love about this book and series, with the creatively written gods and side characters.

I, however, was not a fan of the way Elver’s monstrous side was somewhat demonized in this book by Altair. I hoped that there would be some sort of conclusion about Elver balancing her monstrous side with her empathy, but in the end it really just seemed that Altair’s horror at Elver was rewarded and she was required to tone it down to be with him. In a vacuum, this isn’t a huge problem. The unfortunate implications are present, however, in a world where teen girls are often told they are “too much” for their partners or that they have to stop acting so weird if they want to get and keep a boyfriend.

That wasn’t the only unfortunate implication in this book, unfortunately. As you may recall if you’ve read the first book in the series, the Queen of Serpents, the goddess who created Elver, naturally has a serpentine form. Some of her other creatures are lizard-like. This is where it gets complicated. As a Jewish person, I am aware that a lot of common fantasy tropes have unfortunate implications that are rooted in antisemitism, like the way goblins are often portrayed. Another big part of antisemitism is portraying Jewish people as evil lizard people who rule the world. It sounds ridiculous, but there are people who actually believe that. At one point in the book, Elver and her crew are being pursued by a hunter of the god of purity. Elver gets the drop on the hunter, and as a way of punishing him for trying to kill her, she transforms him into a lizard person. He is described as hating himself and wishing for death because he has been made impure. I am aware this could be a point about how everyone is equal inside even if they look like something horrific, but choosing specifically the lizard people form, when Jewish people have been described as having “tainted” blood… it’s just another unfortunate implication. Those two issues, despite the quality of the book overall, prevent me from giving the book a 5 star rating. I wanted to love The Dreamless, I really did, it was among my most anticipated 2026 reviews, but as a Jewish reader and a feminist I just don’t feel comfortable with some of the writing choices that were made in this book.

Also, I didn’t really understand the whole Plinko plot. His name being Plinko was distracting and I kept on laughing when I saw it on the page because of how “horse plinko” has become a meme, which distracted me from the actual tenseness of the plot. I also don’t understand why they had to carry him around even after what happened. I also thought the POVs from the antagonist god, Maura, throughout the book ruined the suspense at points and made it too obvious what was happening.

The Dreamless releases September 29 from Wednesday Books. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Jen Williams for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Librow0rm Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I just don’t get is why Jen Williams is not one of those authors everyone is absolutely screaming about! Every book I have ever read by Jen Williams has been an absolute cornucopia of world-building, character creation and development and blow your mind, stunning plots and craft that always transport me away from this absolute mess of a world we live in.

The Dreamless is the conclusion to the duology that began The Sleepless truly and richly deserves, a duology whose originality raises it head and shoulders above the vast number of YA romance fantasy series that plague our bookshelves. Williams world building is so well structured, layered, complex and rich that the atmosphere raised the hairs on my neck. The structure of the story of conflict between gods, monsters and magic that at its heart puts the world itself at peril.

I absolutely adored each and every one of the characters in this duology, even those I loathed, as their structure, creation, arc and development was so comprehensively and beautifully created to bring out those distinct facets of their personalities. From Lucian and Artair’s initial conflict in The Sleepless to the dynamics in their relationship in one and the same body as they faced foes and enemies in their journey with Elver to fight Maura and keep the Jih safe, to Elver’s arc as she grew and changed throughout both The Sleepless and The Dreamless, plus of course Fleet growing from baby to adolescent, pack, pack, pack.

From the first page to the last I was totally immersed in their journey and the dynamics of their relationships, which most definitely did not have the most auspicious of starts, and I absolutely adored my return to the magical world of gods and monsters, where not all monsters are seen through the seeing eye. I am full of admiration for how Williams challenges the distinction between the internal and external monster, and just how like you cannot judge a book by it’s cover, you often can’t judge a monster by it’s appearance.

I’m not going to go into the details of the plot as this will only take it away from those fortunate enough to read it for the first time but, the bitter-sweetness of the story is perfect for this world and if you are truly looking for your next auto-buy author, pick up The Sleepless and The Dreamless to be transported to a world where beauty and monstrousness are not defined by what the eye sees.

Thank you so much First Ink, MacMillan Children’s Books, and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Theresa Delayne McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

So excited to read the conclusion of The Sleepless. The story of Elver, Artair, and Lucien was spellbinding for me. I loved the world Jen Williams built, and the chaos created by the competing gods. And the conclusion was as good as I could have asked for.

First of all, the characters were fantastically complex. There were things to love and question about all three main characters. I really struggled with whether I loved Elver or wanted to strangle her. But her complexity was built from the challenges in her life, so I always returned to her trauma when I got annoyed. Artair, on the other hand, was terribly close to perfect. He was so consistent - his whole personality remained steady across the books. There were only a few times I quirked an eyebrow. And I did love his gradual acceptance of Lucien's personality. He struggled with it, but he continued to choose the right things - amid the conflict. And Lucien - ah Lucien. Such a whirlwind character. To love him, to hate him, to trust him? I love a good wild card - Lucien was that for me. He felt a bit like Damon Salvatore to me - you loved him, but you were constantly reminded why you really shouldn't trust him.

The supporting characters were larger than life. Tisk was a constant concern for me. Loved Fleet, and the way his child/pet character continued to weave into the story. The greater story, the quest to beat Mother Maura was twisting and turning, with other gods worming their way into the journey in such interesting ways. The Serpent Queen was a surprise twist at the end - although I admit I rather expected something of the sort as a final resolution.

My favorite element was the quiet way characters began to embrace Elver, Fleet, and the other Jin for what they were, not how they looked. The underlying message was just wonderful. I had so many of the scenes painted vividly in my mind based on the writing, and that resolution, that people only see monsters when they insist on viewing them that way, was just a fabulous backdrop message. I'm sad to leave that world - I'd have loved to see an Artair & Elver in 10 years, when they cross paths with Tisk again, with Lucien driving the turmoil...A solid 4.5 star read for me.

[Alyssa Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I give The Dreamless 4.5 stars, but I rounded up for the book being and overall solid read and satisfying ending to The Sleepless duology.

I was entranced by the world of The Sleepless, and The Dreamless doesn't disappoint, setting up a pitch that twists and lands well, at least for me. I wasn't sure how the prologue was going to connect back to the main plot, but I felt like it was a necessary introduction and paid off decently well by the end.

I continued to enjoy Elver, Artair, and Lucian for the interesting characters that they are, and though I'm more of a "why choose" reader (so I was slightly disappointed on that front), I thought the resolution was reasonable and still hopeful in some ways (and there's definitely room for fic at the Inn). I enjoyed that the tensions between them were heightened and intense while still maintaining the characters' motivations and sense of self and without getting too weird-jealous in a way that can be hard for me to read and enjoy. And I could definitely use more stories of any kind within the world - Fleet and Sunay are still really good, and I want to see more of Gus.

The pacing was good and the writing was excellent. It kept my attention and I finished the book in a few big chunks of reading over only two or so days.

I can definitely recommend The Sleepless duology to anyone looking for a fantastical adventure with a trio of complex and motivated characters who change each other and with each other. It's a romance with a monster girl who isn't so monstrous (but powerful and scary to those who fear women with power) and a couple of boys who deserve to get to see the world(s).

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dreamless by Jen Williams

This was such a satisfying way to wrap up the duology.

I was already really invested after the first book, so getting back into this world was instant comfort. Jen Williams has this way of writing that feels whimsical but still grounded in real emotional weight, and that balance worked really well here again.

The story continues to explore power, identity, relationships, and self-discovery, but what I really appreciated is how naturally it all unfolds alongside the main plot. Nothing feels overly forced into theme—it’s just woven into the characters’ experiences as they move through the story.

I also really enjoyed spending more time with Elver, Artair, and Lucian. Their dynamic is what makes this series so memorable. There’s tension, connection, and shifting loyalty, but it never loses sight of who they are as individuals. Even when things get complicated, the emotional core between them stays consistent, which I liked a lot.

The pacing is solid throughout—fairly fast, with short chapters that make it easy to fly through. It kept me engaged the entire way through without feeling like it dragged.

The ending also felt fitting for the series. It wraps things up in a way that feels complete, but still leaves just enough openness that the world doesn’t feel fully closed off.

Overall, this duology really does feel like a warm, slightly chaotic fantasy hug—adventurous, character-driven, and easy to get emotionally attached to.

I can definitely see myself revisiting it in the future.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This YA duology felt like such a fun breath of fresh air. I didn't realize when I picked up the ARC for The Dreamless that it was a duology, so I had a bit of catching up to do before diving into the second book.

I was very pleasantly surprised to see a refreshingly complex world with a new magic and deity system. The gods you do meet along the way add layers to the story without feeling contrite, and their interactions with the world do weigh heavily on the story and even their "prequels" feel thought out in their impacts to the current story.

The romance between Elver, Lucian, and Artair is not the primary focus but is well woven in - the triangle is very different than what we see in other YA/NA/fantasy novels and was a fun twist. No one is perfect, everyone has flaws and there may have been a bit of rooting for the "why choose" feeling through most of this book.

The story wraps beautifully with what appears to be an option to continue on in the world beyond this first duology.

For those of us who have teens who are dipping their toes into the fantasy/romantasy world - this is a great option and my daughter (16) has picked up the 1st in the duology after I finished my read. Having a series that doesn't feel too adult but has the sprinklings of the troupes is a great conversation starter.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to pick-up this ARC pre-publication. :)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for granting me an e-arc!
4.5 Stars
I was ecstatic to see that I was given an e-arc for this sequel to The Sleepless as I enjoyed the first installment.
I think the character work is so well done and I love all of the characters. I especially love Fleet and one of the new characters that is talked about in the beginning and shown near the end. I was wondering and a bit worried on how the story would tie up since there are two MMCs, and by the end I was worried for nothing because of how nice it ended up being.
Our main character, Elver has gone through a drastic change from the last book and we see the results of the that change happen in this book and how she and her companions come to terms with it. Like in the first book, I love the ragtag team of friends that become a found family for our characters.
The journey that our characters take is one with great danger but there are also numerous allies that help along the way. I loved reading about one scene where it made it feel cozy and safe for our weary travelers.
The ending makes me think there could be a spin-off series or maybe a novella about a certain character which makes me excited because I do enjoy reading about this character! I also look forward to reading other books by Jen Williams in the future.

[April Haas · Rating 4 out of 5]

🦊 I received an advanced copy of this ebook on Netgalley 🦊

As with the first book, The Sleepless, this story feels like a fairytale with its many magical creatures and its meddling deities involving themselves in the lives of our characters. We get to meet more of the Twelve in this volume, which is a lot of fun. (Barleycorn's inn is a vibe!)

There's a great juxtaposition here between Maura (the mage of Tisk who turned to the Bloody Claw after her family's unfortunate demise and has since been hell-bent on finding a way to bring them back) and the Serpent Queen (who refused to let her own child die, even if she had to change his form in order to save his life).

The love triangle between Elver, Artair, and Lucian continues to get more complicated, especially once Artair and Lucian develop a greater awareness of one another's actions while being the "awakened" one inside of Artair's body.

Pacing was consistent, like a slow simmer, until the closing chapters when everything boiled over. The biggest emotions for me were at the end of the final chapter, leading into the epilogue. If you're an epilogue skipper, don't skip this one. It definitely matters!

Overall, I think this was a fun adventure with a satisfying conclusion.

3.5/5 ⭐️ rounded up

[Kate S · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing way to finish this duology.

I bought the first book without ever reading anything by Jen Williams before, and I completely fell in love with it, so I was incredibly excited, and very grateful to get the chance to read the ARC of The Dreamless. Somehow this second book captured everything I loved about the first and gave me the perfect conclusion to the series.

This duology honestly felt like a warm hug. The world-building is magical, immersive, and so easy to get lost in. I was pulled straight back into the story from the very first page and didn’t want to leave this world behind again.

Sometimes with duologies, one book ends up stronger than the other, but that definitely wasn’t the case here. Both books are equally brilliant in my opinion, and together they create such a beautiful YA romantasy series.

I can already see myself rereading this in the future, and now I desperately need the special edition from Waterstones to match my copy of the first book.

[L Powers (Bookish_Mum) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re tired of YA fantasy that feels the same over and over again, this duology is SUCH a good change of pace. The world-building is incredible (gods, monsters, magic, weird dreamlike atmosphere) it all feels so vivid and immersive without being overwhelming.

I got so attached to these characters, especially Lucian, Artair, Elver, and honestly Fleet stole my heart completely. The relationships and character development throughout both books were SO well done, and I loved how messy and complicated everyone felt. Also one of my favourite things was how the story constantly challenges what makes someone a monster and who actually deserves empathy.

The ending was bittersweet in the best way and felt really fitting for the story. Basically, if you want fantasy that feels original, emotional, beautifully written, and completely absorbing, please pick up The Sleepless and The Dreamless. I need more people to read these books so I can scream about them.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite love triangle has set out on another quest in “The Dreamless” and this time they’re on the edge of a waking nightmare and a dream. Elver is facing her new monstrous powers and Lucian must continue severing power from the newly made goddess. This series introduces new, intriguing mythology about the world.

Even though this is the sequel, I’m still reeling over the nature of this book and our main male characters. This world is so beautiful and unique. I reread the first book before I started this one, and I’ve decided that these books are my new favorite comfort read. There’s something that feels nostalgic about them. They remind me of the kinds of movies and stories I grew up with. And it’s refreshing that this series is a true YA - appropriate for younger readers and fun for the young at heart too.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting conclusion to the world of The Sleepless.

Overall, everything is tidied up at the end, every plot thread resolved. The clash of romantic interest between Elver and Artair/Lucian is present for most of the story, and there seems to be specific focus on whom Elver will decide to be with once the major conflict is settled.

I quite enjoyed the different Gods and their mages as well as the tithe they give in order to access that power. It fleshed out the world more, although the story read more as a place-to-place journey where each place is briefly visited, an event happens, then our band of heroes move on to the next location for the story.

My Takeaways:
- people and creatures may be more different than they first appear
- a love triangle but there's only two bodies
- finally a story where the Gods are not needlessly cruel to humans for the hell of it
- ♫ "poison running through my veins" ♫

[Ally Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

What came to mind reading this one:

- Adventure storyline with high stakes
- love triangle but not main focus
- unusual love triangle, definitely not the norm!
- mythical creatures
- funny, lovable animal companion
- fights with gods
- narrative around being different and acceptance
- quite fast paced
- short chapters, quick read

This is the 2nd in a duology and wraps up quite nicely with a sprinkle of a hint that maybe there will be more from the world to come.

One thing to note is this series is marketed as a fantasy romance but I would say it's fantasy with romantic subplot. The romance doesn't even start until the very end of book one.

Overall I enjoyed the Duology! I have read three series by this author now - The Ninth Rain remains my favourite but this one has earned second place. :)

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a magnificent ending to the story started in The Sleepless! The Dreamless is the conclusion of a dreamy fantasy that will capture the imagination of anyone who decides to get lost in its forest. Elver, Artair, and Lucian have a curious connection where only the smallest aspect is whom Elver will give her heart to, because before any romantic notions are settled, they must deal with the gods. We plunge deeper into the world we entered in The Sleepless to find what is causing trouble. Adventure, peril, and metamorphosis bubble up and spill over to a powerful conclusion. Blending epic-level high stakes into a cozy setting, this book was a delight to read.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press - Wednesday Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read and review an ARC from Netgalley. I am so glad that they now offer some ARCs for the Kobo!

Fantasy is my go-to genre and I was so happy with this duology The Sleepless and The Dreamless that these two books got me back into reading this genre!

I had purchased The Sleepless for our school library and had not had the chance to read it until recently. The cover caught my attention when I was book buying and it was on my TBR pile for a while. When I realized I could read the next one as an ARC, I was thrilled and read it in just two days.

The relationship between Elver, Artair and Lucian was an interesting love triangle. The gods and their dealings with mortals were an intriguing storyline. I can’t put my finger on exactly why I enjoyed reading this series so much, but I did and I recommend it.

I will recommend it to my readers who like fantasy and romance.

[Regina M · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start, I want to say that I enjoyed this book and I found the book as a whole to be more entertaining than the first. I especially liked the development of Fleet and the theme of monstrous vs pure in this story was very well done.

There are two problems I have with this book. First, the use of the word "turd". This word was used liberally and really made the book feel childish. I understand a desire to keep the book cleaner since it is YA, but the use of the word started to get irritating and take me out of the story. The second problem is that part of the conclusion was very anticlimactic. The confrontations felt too condensed and the character and readers needed to have more time to adjust with the major changes that occur.

Overall, I felt that this was a good conclusion to the duology, even though some of the ending felt simple.

[Amanda Diers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that I was a little nervous going into this one because wrapping up a duology that has two separate love interests inhabiting the same body is a BIG TASK but Jen absolutely killed in. The character arcs continued to be amazing and we got to see these complex relationships develop through really genuine interactions. I loved how the author handled the continuation of this love triangle. Elver has grown up so much since the start of the first book and I love seeing her establish and stand firm in her new beliefs. Artair and Lucien’s rivals-to-homies vibes were immaculate as well. As always, great world building, nuanced politics and lots of fun and intense adventures. If you enjoy high stakes YA fantasy, this one is perfection!

A big thank you to Jen Williams and NetGalley for this ARC!

[RJK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dreamless is a fantastic follow-up that expands the world in all the right ways while keeping the focus on the characters who made me care in the first place. Jen Williams has a knack for blending dark fantasy, mystery, and emotional depth, and this book kept me hooked from beginning to end. The stakes feel higher, the world feels richer, and there are plenty of surprises along the way.

What stood out most to me was how well the character development matched the larger plot. Even with all the twists, revelations, and looming dangers, the emotional journeys never got lost in the shuffle. The atmosphere is wonderfully eerie, and the ending left me eager to see what happens next. A compelling sequel that builds on everything that worked in the first book.

[Zoe James-Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dreamless is a satisfying conclusion to Jen Williams' duology, bringing together everything I enjoyed about the first book while raising the stakes even higher.

The world-building is imaginative and immersive, filled with gods, monsters and magic, but what really kept me reading was the characters. Their relationships feel genuine, they grow throughout the story, and the emotional moments land just as well as the action.

The pacing kept me turning the pages, and although there's plenty happening, it never lost the sense of adventure that made me enjoy the series so much. If you're looking for YA fantasy that's darker, character-driven and refreshingly original, I'd definitely recommend this duology.

A strong finish and one I'd happily recommend to fantasy fans.

[Catarina Morais · Rating 3 out of 5]

While The Dreamless offers an imaginative conclusion to Jen Williams' gods-and-monsters duology, it fell slightly short of the first book for me. The unique premise of Artair and Lucian sharing a single body remains fascinating, and the romantic tension with Elver provides great high stakes. However, the complex magical rules and shifting plot structure felt a bit messy and overcomplicated in this installment. The world-building is undeniably rich and the writing is vivid, but the pacing dragged during the heavy quest sequences. A decent fantasy read, but it lacked the tighter execution of The Sleepless.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

As much as I like duologies, I kinda want a third book because I have a few unanswered questions. I didn’t like this one as much as the first book, though it was still a very good read. The world expanded a lot more. The romance got a bit more complicated. Relationships and tension grew. I do wish that the other Sleepless were addressed. It sort of was, but it was really like a sentence or two at the end. Otherwise, I found this to be fun and enjoyable read!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
0/5 🌶

If yoy loved The Sleepless, then you will love the conclusion to this duology. Told in the same three-person POV as the first book, this story unfolds quickly. We pick up right where Book 1 left off.

Elver is not the only character that undergoes significant growth; Altair and Lucian both grow as characters.

This is a fast-paced YA fantasy novel that is perfect for those that love a little bit of world building and a lot of action.

Thank you NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC!

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to end the duolgy 🥹

I knew if I wasn't in a funk with reading at the moment I would have devoured this book quicker. I loved how this book picks up immediately after the events of the Sleepless and now on this new journey there are plenty of new things to discover and gods too.

The ending did get me abit emotionally (no spoilers) but my heart it suffering from that final decision made 😭

[Danielle Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC of this book prior to its release! This was a wonderful and magical sequel to a very interesting story! I was impressed with the writing and was quickly thrown back into a world that I adore. Although I found myself a bit sad at how it ended, I feel like the author took the story exactly where it needed to be. I just loved the lore and world in this series, and would happily recommend it to anyone who loves a unique fantasy experience.