The Sleepless
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Godkiller meets The Cruel Prince in this epic gods-and-monsters fantasy from British Fantasy Award-winning author Jen Williams.
Welcome to a world where gods and monsters roam the earth . . .
A thrilling, enchanting quest fantasy with a magical twist on a slow-burn love triangle at its heart. Get ready for:
- An immersive gods and monsters magical world
- Dark and lyrical writing
- A journey to far-flung lands and an unexpected quest squad
- An adorable and fierce animal companion
- The beginnings of a love triangle between a young monster woman and two men stuck in the same body
- Grumpy (her) meets sunshine (him)
- Enemies-to-lovers
Discover the book readers can't stop talking about!
"I couldn't put this down... The unique storyline, characters, world building all tied together beautifully to give you a stunning story!" - 5-star reader review
“Fans of T. Kingfisher and Naomi Novik will absolutely devour The Sleepless by Jen Williams” - 4-star reader review
"The world is dark, magical, and completely original - gods, monsters, and curses everywhere." - 4-star reader review
"Elver is the grumpy, reluctant heroine who wants to be left alone with her books. Altair is the sunshine boy before his transformation. His joyful energy stands in sharp contrast to Lucian's coldness, which chills every scene he's in." - 4-star reader review
Elver is the guardian of the wild and dangerous monster forest. Saved from the brink of death by a god, her skin will poison anyone she touches.
Artair is on a mission—one that takes him face-to-face with Elver at her most ruthless. But her defences are useless when she discovers he's the only human impervious to her deadly gift. For Artair isn't human: he's one of the Sleepless, cursed to share his body with an evil spirit. Lucian inhabits their body while Artair sleeps, and he is hell-bent on manipulating Elver for his dark purposes. But Elver is harbouring secrets too, and she has her own reasons for feigning an alliance with these two souls.
Caught in the crossfire of gods, monsters, and a dangerous magic they can barely understand, it is only a matter of time before the paths the three of them choose to take will set alight the very foundations of their world.
"Beautiful writing, solid world building, interesting characters and a truly unique magic system" - Reader review
"Incredible heroines... incredible fantasy... Escapism at its finest" - Stylist on The Bitter Twins
"One of the great original voices of fantasy" - Adrian Tchaikovsky on Talonsister
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781035058068
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 05 February 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: First Ink
Audience: Teenage
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 19.0mm
Width: 131.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 214g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Jen Williams is a writer from London currently living in Bristol. A fan of witches and dark folklore from an early age, these days she writes character-driven fantasy novels with plenty of banter and magic as well as horror-tinged crime thrillers with strong female leads. She was nominated for Best Newcomer in the British Fantasy Awards, and her books The Ninth Rain and The Bitter Twins both went on to win Best Fantasy Novel. The Sleepless is her first novel for YA readers.
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