This was my first time reading a Jessica Goodman book. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it.

I'm always a sucker for multiple POVs in a mystery. And while Frankie's POV was different, I couldn't tell much of a difference between Lucy and Millie's.

On top of that, I didn't care for any of the characters, just like none of the characters cared for Billy (besides his best friend). The reveal was okay, I just wish everything leading up to it was better.

For a mystery, it wasn't much of one; it was more a drama.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC. All these opinions are my own.

It seems to me that people who are very keen on sacrifice are often the ones not losing anything.

Don't you love it when a book takes you by surprise? That's what The Sleepless did to me. It was on TBR for a while, and when I finally picked it up, I didn't want to put it down.

The story begins with a young Elver being sacrificed. However, she ends up being saved by the Serpent Queen who transforms her blood into poison. Anyone she touches, dies. After the betrayal by humans, she lives alone in the forest protecting the creatures.

One day, a mage comes and kidnaps Altair's friends. If he wants them to live, he has to get a keltraxia cub from the forest. That's where Altair meets Elver.

She discovers that he is immune to her poison. Why? It's because he's one of the Sleepless. They share their body with a dark spirit which takes over body when they are asleep. And that's our love triangle: Elver, Altair, and Lucian – the dark spirit.

The world and the magic system was refreshing. The writing was great; I didn't feel a dull moment in the story, which is more character-driven. There are bursts of action, but mostly it's saved until the last chapter.

The characters were all someone I could root for. Yes, even Lucian, who isn't really evil (all of them have sad backstories). We have a strong and vulnerable female lead with a noble male lead. Seeing Altair enjoying the world after being in a monastery for years was sweet as was Elver discovering that not all humans are bad.

There was no instalove; even the love triangle didn't develop until the end. But it was a great buildup - the yearning was amazing!

I can't wait to read the sequel.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Book for the ARC; all these opinions are my own.