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I Am Sleepless #2
The Huntress
The plan was simple--escape and join the rebellion. But nothing is simple when the Director sends his Huntress after you.
In this thrilling sequel, Aidan and his coterie are put to the test, escaping the Mount Fegorio complex after discovering the secrets of Sim 299. But when things don't go as planned, the team must band together to avoid being captured by Sheva, the High Huntress.
"Instantly fascinated. Exhilarating to read." - Readersfavorite.com
"Perfect for kids who love space and superpowers!" - HowDoesShe.com
"Fantastic for all ages" - Ellisa Barr, author of Outage
"On the edge of my seat."- WhisperingStories.com
"A huge hit!" -Mama'sLittleMinions
"It's like Avatar the Last Airbender in space!" - PlayfullyEverAfter.com
"A brilliantly written book that will exercise your imagination" - Bridget Mattson (Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer)
"I dare you not to get sucked into the plot" - Sandy Toes (Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer)
"If you enjoy sci-fi, don't miss this" - Southern Belle
Sci-Fi. Fantasy. Adventure. (Ages 8+)
In this thrilling sequel, Aidan and his coterie are put to the test, escaping the Mount Fegorio complex after discovering the secrets of Sim 299. But when things don't go as planned, the team must band together to avoid being captured by Sheva, the High Huntress.
"Instantly fascinated. Exhilarating to read." - Readersfavorite.com
"Perfect for kids who love space and superpowers!" - HowDoesShe.com
"Fantastic for all ages" - Ellisa Barr, author of Outage
"On the edge of my seat."- WhisperingStories.com
"A huge hit!" -Mama'sLittleMinions
"It's like Avatar the Last Airbender in space!" - PlayfullyEverAfter.com
"A brilliantly written book that will exercise your imagination" - Bridget Mattson (Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer)
"I dare you not to get sucked into the plot" - Sandy Toes (Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer)
"If you enjoy sci-fi, don't miss this" - Southern Belle
Sci-Fi. Fantasy. Adventure. (Ages 8+)
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2017
7 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Johan Twiss
30 books134 followersDear Brilliant Reader,
Thank you for your interest in my books. I am passionate about writing clean science fiction and fantasy stories that are not only exciting, but suitable for tweens, teens and adults alike.
Have a question? Complaint? Want to send me a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory? Simply reach out to me at my website at www.johantwiss.com/contact
(I can also tell your future at no extra cost, although gift cards to Cheesecake Factory tend to make the predictions more accurate.)
And if you really want to make my day, please leave a review for my books on Amazon and Goodreads. Your reviews help new readers discover my books, for which I am very thankful.
All the best and happy reading,
Johan
Thank you for your interest in my books. I am passionate about writing clean science fiction and fantasy stories that are not only exciting, but suitable for tweens, teens and adults alike.
Have a question? Complaint? Want to send me a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory? Simply reach out to me at my website at www.johantwiss.com/contact
(I can also tell your future at no extra cost, although gift cards to Cheesecake Factory tend to make the predictions more accurate.)
And if you really want to make my day, please leave a review for my books on Amazon and Goodreads. Your reviews help new readers discover my books, for which I am very thankful.
All the best and happy reading,
Johan
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 25, 2017
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
To be quite honest, I don’t remember much about the first book in this series. It feels like it’s been years since I reviewed the prequel to this piece but I was happy to hear from a returning author and leapt at the opportunity to provide another review for him.
Considering I didn’t remember anything from the first book, the list of abilities and brief guide detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the primes was somewhat helpful but I do think readers who are new to the series would benefit from reading both books. The story is set to a great pace and allows you to digest every event which occurs and get to know each character we meet along the way.
I liked the cast and was surprised how much Sheva grew on me. She is a dark addition to the story but her background and the more you get to know her makes her more than just a “Huntress”. I was intrigued by her presence and found her to be more interesting than Twiss may have intended.
I think the cast behaved well together, especially considering all the pitfalls they went through. The characters were young so I was half expecting to be annoyed by their attitudes and demeanor but I found them to be responsible and mature.
Each character is tested in this book and are demanded to put forth their fullest effort to survive and complete the task at hand. I liked that Twiss pushed them to their limits through obstacle after obstacle. With the lurking dangers, character relationships, and overall edgy tone of the story, I found The Huntress to be very enjoyable and would definitely recommend it to other readers. The only complaint I have would be in the style of writing. While the book was edited well and definitely came together as a decent and coherent story, I found Twiss sometimes used unnecessary words in his writing such as: “Stood to his feet” (where else could you stand to?) or “Held in her hands” (if you’re holding something, its naturally in your hands…)
While those phrases may not be grammatically incorrect, they are considered signs of what may be described by some as “weak writing”. While I disagree, and believe Twiss’s writing was very good and entertaining, I think getting rid of such habits in his style will push his next book to a new level.
To be quite honest, I don’t remember much about the first book in this series. It feels like it’s been years since I reviewed the prequel to this piece but I was happy to hear from a returning author and leapt at the opportunity to provide another review for him.
Considering I didn’t remember anything from the first book, the list of abilities and brief guide detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the primes was somewhat helpful but I do think readers who are new to the series would benefit from reading both books. The story is set to a great pace and allows you to digest every event which occurs and get to know each character we meet along the way.
I liked the cast and was surprised how much Sheva grew on me. She is a dark addition to the story but her background and the more you get to know her makes her more than just a “Huntress”. I was intrigued by her presence and found her to be more interesting than Twiss may have intended.
I think the cast behaved well together, especially considering all the pitfalls they went through. The characters were young so I was half expecting to be annoyed by their attitudes and demeanor but I found them to be responsible and mature.
Each character is tested in this book and are demanded to put forth their fullest effort to survive and complete the task at hand. I liked that Twiss pushed them to their limits through obstacle after obstacle. With the lurking dangers, character relationships, and overall edgy tone of the story, I found The Huntress to be very enjoyable and would definitely recommend it to other readers. The only complaint I have would be in the style of writing. While the book was edited well and definitely came together as a decent and coherent story, I found Twiss sometimes used unnecessary words in his writing such as: “Stood to his feet” (where else could you stand to?) or “Held in her hands” (if you’re holding something, its naturally in your hands…)
While those phrases may not be grammatically incorrect, they are considered signs of what may be described by some as “weak writing”. While I disagree, and believe Twiss’s writing was very good and entertaining, I think getting rid of such habits in his style will push his next book to a new level.
March 2, 2017
the ending!!!!
fast-paced. characters are becoming like family to me. multi-faceted characters. especially liking Sheva. I'm *really* curious what will happen with her in the next book!
also...
the animals...
that chickmeleon is crazy-looking.
fast-paced. characters are becoming like family to me. multi-faceted characters. especially liking Sheva. I'm *really* curious what will happen with her in the next book!
also...
the animals...
that chickmeleon is crazy-looking.
March 7, 2017
This novel was a great continuation from Sim 299. The pacing is perfect. It just goes, goes, goes and is action packed to keep you interested and involved. Twiss is the king of cliff hangers. He keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering "What next?!" It makes for a fun read good for adults and young readers alike.
February 28, 2017
A high energy, face paced read with some awesome characterization going on. There was some real laughing from me, not from something specific or dialogue or anything, just from an understanding of the characters and appreciating what they were going through and their reactions. It made me laugh more than once at how clever it all was. Also, I teared up once or twice. Johan is surprisingly deep and good at bringing in some heartfelt stuff in the middle of what really is an adventure, suspense, action packed middle grade. I loved it.
March 5, 2017
To say I was excited for this book would be a massive understatement. I enjoyed the first book so much that I gave it five stars. The characters were interesting, the world immersive, and the abilities creative and bittersweet. The Huntress was more of the same.
The pacing was steady throughout, holding my attention the entire book. The character interactions had me laughing, getting suspicious and worrying about the characters more than I think is healthy hahaha...haha..ha. These characters grabbed me in Sim 299, and reading trough The Huntress, I was reminded just how much I cared about Aidan and co. (Paloma is freakin' awesome and officially my favorite character). I'll be honest, even Sheva, the titular Huntress, grew on me as a character, especially as you learn more about her.
The Huntress picks up where Sim 299 left off, with Aidan and his brothers and sister having beat Sim 299, and learned secrets that put them in grave danger. They are forced to escape from the facility they've spent their entire lives in, and must learn to survive the harsh world outside Mount Fegorio. We get to see this small family overcome hurdles that would be difficult for adults to deal with, let alone children. And speaking of their age, I constantly forgot that they were children, with all the unfortunate things that happened to them, and how it seemed the world was against them. You feel their pain when they go through something horrible, their struggles (and the accompanying anxiety) become yours, and their triumphs bring with them a sense of satisfaction unlike any other I've experienced from a book in years.
There's something about this world and the characters that inhabit it; Twiss has created something special, something original, something that refuses to let you go. The Huntress brings back the characters I loved from Sim 299, builds on them while introducing even more characters that have burrowed their way into my heart, mind and soul. The more you learn about these characters, the harder it is to deny them a place in your life. The Huntress is an outstanding follow-up to Sim 299, which was one of my favorite reads last year. It ups the stakes in ways I didn't expect, making me care even more about these characters and their journeys. I'll be eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting the next book, Traitors and Tyrants.
The pacing was steady throughout, holding my attention the entire book. The character interactions had me laughing, getting suspicious and worrying about the characters more than I think is healthy hahaha...haha..ha. These characters grabbed me in Sim 299, and reading trough The Huntress, I was reminded just how much I cared about Aidan and co. (Paloma is freakin' awesome and officially my favorite character). I'll be honest, even Sheva, the titular Huntress, grew on me as a character, especially as you learn more about her.
The Huntress picks up where Sim 299 left off, with Aidan and his brothers and sister having beat Sim 299, and learned secrets that put them in grave danger. They are forced to escape from the facility they've spent their entire lives in, and must learn to survive the harsh world outside Mount Fegorio. We get to see this small family overcome hurdles that would be difficult for adults to deal with, let alone children. And speaking of their age, I constantly forgot that they were children, with all the unfortunate things that happened to them, and how it seemed the world was against them. You feel their pain when they go through something horrible, their struggles (and the accompanying anxiety) become yours, and their triumphs bring with them a sense of satisfaction unlike any other I've experienced from a book in years.
There's something about this world and the characters that inhabit it; Twiss has created something special, something original, something that refuses to let you go. The Huntress brings back the characters I loved from Sim 299, builds on them while introducing even more characters that have burrowed their way into my heart, mind and soul. The more you learn about these characters, the harder it is to deny them a place in your life. The Huntress is an outstanding follow-up to Sim 299, which was one of my favorite reads last year. It ups the stakes in ways I didn't expect, making me care even more about these characters and their journeys. I'll be eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting the next book, Traitors and Tyrants.
March 20, 2017
I AM SLEEPLESS: The Huntress (Book 2) is a very well crafted Sci-Fi Fantasy. And I would imagine that fans of this genre will love sinking their teeth into this one! This is my second time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed yet again. Having read the first book in the series, I am Sleepless: Sim 299, I had high hopes for this second installment and the author did not disappoint.
The story had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well illustrated scenes that really make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that's something I really look for in a good book.
As the book description explains it better; “The plan was simple—escape, join the rebellion, find the Reader. But nothing is simple when Director Tuskin sends his Huntress after you. In this thrilling sequel, Aidan and his coterie are put to the test after discovering the secrets of Sim 299. When Director Tuskin destroys the sim system, Aidan, Fig, Palamos, and Masay are forced to escape the Mount Fegorio training complex and enter the outside world for the first time since their birth. But when things don't go as planned, the team must band together to survive and to avoid being captured by Sheva, the Huntress.”
This captivating and commendable work had me immersed from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional skill when it comes to storytelling. There are twists and turns in this page turner that will take the reader on a fascinating journey!
It’s one of those stories that come along once in awhile that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!
I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Johan Twiss in the future. This has all the hallmarks of being a great series. I would definitely recommend this book! Five stars from me.
The story had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well illustrated scenes that really make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that's something I really look for in a good book.
As the book description explains it better; “The plan was simple—escape, join the rebellion, find the Reader. But nothing is simple when Director Tuskin sends his Huntress after you. In this thrilling sequel, Aidan and his coterie are put to the test after discovering the secrets of Sim 299. When Director Tuskin destroys the sim system, Aidan, Fig, Palamos, and Masay are forced to escape the Mount Fegorio training complex and enter the outside world for the first time since their birth. But when things don't go as planned, the team must band together to survive and to avoid being captured by Sheva, the Huntress.”
This captivating and commendable work had me immersed from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional skill when it comes to storytelling. There are twists and turns in this page turner that will take the reader on a fascinating journey!
It’s one of those stories that come along once in awhile that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader!
I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Johan Twiss in the future. This has all the hallmarks of being a great series. I would definitely recommend this book! Five stars from me.
March 1, 2017
This is a fast-paced, action-packed sequel to book 1. You get to learn more about the world outside the sims and training facility, digging deeper into the mysteries of the Splicers, the Primes, and their history, especially the history of the Director. Lots of twists and turns, humor, fun surprises, and intricate plot lines that are weaving together.
The ending will definitely leave you waiting for book 3.
The ending will definitely leave you waiting for book 3.
April 29, 2017
(4.5 Stars) This Sci-Fi/Fantasy book picks up immediately where the other one left off and since I read Book 1 last year, it took me a little while to catch up on what was going on. This isn't my usual genre, but my son and I really enjoy reading it together.
Soooo many questions... Packed full of danger and adventure, this story moves at a swift pace, as the mysterious surrounding the secrets of Sim 299 are gradually revealed. There are puzzles surrounding many of the characters and some of these things come to light, which adds to the excitement of the story. For me, it's hard to tell what's good, what's evil, what's right, and what's wrong--my brain was constantly working, trying to decipher things.
I really liked the characters and the plot, but there were times when it seemed a little confusing--maybe too much going on? For the most part, it's very engaging and entertaining. Since it ended on a cliff hanger, we're hoping for more! We want to figure this out.
Content: some violence
*I received a copy from the author, which did not affect my opinion. All thoughts are my own.*
Soooo many questions... Packed full of danger and adventure, this story moves at a swift pace, as the mysterious surrounding the secrets of Sim 299 are gradually revealed. There are puzzles surrounding many of the characters and some of these things come to light, which adds to the excitement of the story. For me, it's hard to tell what's good, what's evil, what's right, and what's wrong--my brain was constantly working, trying to decipher things.
I really liked the characters and the plot, but there were times when it seemed a little confusing--maybe too much going on? For the most part, it's very engaging and entertaining. Since it ended on a cliff hanger, we're hoping for more! We want to figure this out.
Content: some violence
*I received a copy from the author, which did not affect my opinion. All thoughts are my own.*
April 8, 2017
After the discovery of Sim 299, Aidan and his group are put to the test. Director Tuskin destroys the sim system, forcing Aidan and his coterie to escape the training complex and venture into the outside world for the first time in their lives. Their quest is endangered, though, when Tuskin sends the Huntress, Sheva, to recapture them.
I Am Sleepless: The Huntress by Johan Twiss is the second book in the ‘I Am Sleepless’ series. It picks up where the first book ended, and ups the ante for Aidan and his friends as they experience an unknown world and new adventures, with Sheva breathing down their necks. This is an excellent book for young adult readers, packed with suspense and adventure in a fantastic, but almost believable world.
I Am Sleepless: The Huntress by Johan Twiss is the second book in the ‘I Am Sleepless’ series. It picks up where the first book ended, and ups the ante for Aidan and his friends as they experience an unknown world and new adventures, with Sheva breathing down their necks. This is an excellent book for young adult readers, packed with suspense and adventure in a fantastic, but almost believable world.
April 9, 2017
Great writing! Just as expected from Twiss. Clean science fiction. Great story.
December 15, 2017
It's been a year since I read the first book in the series I AM SLEEPLESS SIM 299 (read that review HERE). I found it easy to slip back into Aidan's world, even though I didn't remember details from the first book. The mystery grows, even as the pieces and clues pile up. There are things you "know", but knowing only brings about more questions. In my mind this is proof of great science fiction writing.
Aidan and his coterie barely escape from Mount Fegorio. With all the trials arising from trying to reach a contact for the rebellion, Aidan starts to experience the defects associated with his Prime traits for the first time. He has to learn how to deal with the challenge of occasional blindness and shakes while also avoiding capture by Sheva, the Huntress.
Sheva is simultaneously easy to hate and to feel a deep sadness for. I even found myself feeling bad for Tuskin, and he's evil or crazy at best. I know, I should hold my judgement until we know all the specifics of what made him the way he is. Masay is still a great big question mark in my mind. Good? Bad? What really is his agenda? We also see more of the "normal" civilization where humans and Primes sort of co-exist. There's a lot going on, making book 2 in the series more complex and full of depth without being overwhelming. A great balance.
I give The Huntress a 4.5. Now we wait for book three!
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
Aidan and his coterie barely escape from Mount Fegorio. With all the trials arising from trying to reach a contact for the rebellion, Aidan starts to experience the defects associated with his Prime traits for the first time. He has to learn how to deal with the challenge of occasional blindness and shakes while also avoiding capture by Sheva, the Huntress.
Sheva is simultaneously easy to hate and to feel a deep sadness for. I even found myself feeling bad for Tuskin, and he's evil or crazy at best. I know, I should hold my judgement until we know all the specifics of what made him the way he is. Masay is still a great big question mark in my mind. Good? Bad? What really is his agenda? We also see more of the "normal" civilization where humans and Primes sort of co-exist. There's a lot going on, making book 2 in the series more complex and full of depth without being overwhelming. A great balance.
I give The Huntress a 4.5. Now we wait for book three!
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
May 17, 2025
Despite some dumb decisions by what are supposed to be smart people, this is a solid book and a great series so far.
Read
December 20, 2017The Huntress is the second book in a projected three-book series. It is suitable for preteens. My ten-year-old daughter really liked it. She regularly reads fantasy, and this series, I Am Sleepless, was her first foray into science fiction. She got the book, along with the first one in the series (Sim 299), one afternoon. By the end of the following day, she had finished reading both. As soon as she finished The Huntress, she began re-reading Sim 299. That's right, *re-reading* it! I asked her how she'd rate the book on a scale of one to five. She gave it a five. Her only complaint? She said she couldn't wait for the third book in the series to come out.
The book is "peopled" with unusual, cleverly created creatures, illustrations of which appear throughout the book. My daughter LOVED the illustrations. She kept showing each creature to everyone in our family and asked us which one was our favorite.
The Huntress, a collaboration between talented author Johan Twiss and talented illustrator Adrienne Burger, kept my daughter reading late into the night.
The book is "peopled" with unusual, cleverly created creatures, illustrations of which appear throughout the book. My daughter LOVED the illustrations. She kept showing each creature to everyone in our family and asked us which one was our favorite.
The Huntress, a collaboration between talented author Johan Twiss and talented illustrator Adrienne Burger, kept my daughter reading late into the night.
October 12, 2017
This book was amazing. It had really good details especially when it came to scenery and new characters, and was constantly keeping me on edge. I felt like I was part of the book, and it had a great cliff hanger.
May 1, 2019
Aidan and his team are on the run from Director Tuskin and his unstoppable Huntress. But nothing goes as planned, and the Huntress is part of a history no one remembers, save for the director himself. If Aidan can just join the rebellion and meet the Reader, he might be able to end the destruction once and for all. Too bad getting there isn't so simple.
The action kept me turning pages, and there are so many questions to be answered, but each answer uncovers a new rock with new questions. I love the world building in these books and the author's writing is smooth and enjoyable. Looking forward to the conclusion of this story.
The action kept me turning pages, and there are so many questions to be answered, but each answer uncovers a new rock with new questions. I love the world building in these books and the author's writing is smooth and enjoyable. Looking forward to the conclusion of this story.
February 3, 2021
Okay, I liked this one even more! I would give it 3.5 stars if I could. I can see why my kids loved it so much--it's definitely geared to kid/adolescent age, but enjoyable for all ages. I liked how the bigger parts of the story all start coming together in this one. I like that the "chosen" OP character isn't actually OP; rather, all his extra gifts come with heavy prices, and he doesn't always get it right. I really liked that part of it. There are still some writing issues, but I raced through the book anyway. And the world is just really fun!
May 25, 2019
This one ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm looking forward to reading the next one for sure! The characters are engaging and the spirit of family and friendship makes them quite endearing as well. This is a fun and clean series, and I highly recommend giving it a try!
February 22, 2021
Really enjoying this series. Just as good as the first. I am excited to see where this story goes. Lots of reveals, but also lots of mysteries still to clear up.
April 6, 2022
Fantastic again! The story is so interesting and the characters complex. I loved the city and the interweaving of good guys and bad guys.
May 8, 2024
Honestly, the first book was better. Some things about this story are interesting, but I would have liked to see more of the Sims and the world building.
February 16, 2025
The story busted open! Such a great ensemble and intricate plotting.
October 2, 2025
Torn between 3-4 for this second book. Still enjoy the plot, can’t quite put my finger on why the character development is not quite there with this book.
July 5, 2019
Another knockout for Twiss. This story just gets more intriguing. Even as some answers are given, more mysteries present themselves. I couldn't stop reading.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews