Thursday, June 6, 2013

Review: Insomnia by J.R. Johansson

Insomnia (The Night Walkers, #1)
Insomnia (The Night Walkers #1) by J.R. Johansson
It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.
Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.
Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.
Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all?
”add
Publishes in US: June 8th 2013 by Flux
Genre: Ya paranormal
Source: netgalley via flux
Series? Yes. The Night Walkers series. No info on the next ones

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   Insomnia brings something new and original to the table, and it is an addicting read. I didn't want to put it down and wanted to know what would happen next. 
   I chose to read Insomnia because I was intrigued by the concept, and jumped at the chance to review an arc ebook. I was very into this story, but its very dark. I like male pov and it was done well through Parker. It was quite an adventure being in Parker's head, and I, like him, didn't know the truth of what was going on in several instances. I didn't know if he was somehow responsible, or what was going on in those missing times. I def sympathized with him, and was confused right along with him. I think that even though insomnia brings out a darker part of his mind, good still wins out with him, even when bad things happen, he has regret, and that is the important thing for me. 
   His friendship with Finn was a high point in this story for me. I love to read about male friendships, listening to their banter, and ragging on each other. I appreciate the support and how he believed the unbelievable for his best friend. That he fought for his life and that he wanted to get to the bottom of things. 
   I also liked Finn's sister, Addie. She appeared to be a strong character, and I liked the interactions with him and Parker. 
   Mia was a mystery to me, and I wanted to know what made her dreams different from others, and what exactly was going on between her and Parker, and the secrets from her past.
    The love in this one was subtleish, and even though I thought there was going to be a love triangle, there ended up not being one. I liked that it distinguished immediate attraction with deep feelings that develop over time. 
   The world building felt well done to me, I get the information I need when I need it and the pacing was good. I was never bored, and there was always something happening to keep things going.
   The ending was an explosion of action and emotion. It caught me completely by surprise but it somehow was most of the things that I wanted, just not in the way I thought they would happen. It wrapped up the plot lines of this one very well, but threw in something that I know will be the focus of the sequel. 

Bottom Line: Dark mystery with original concept from a well done male POV.

My question to you, my lovely readers: Would you want to know the dreams of others?

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50 comments:

  1. The friendship with Finn was a high point for me too! I did struggle with this book, but I did think it was quite original. I'm glad that you enjoyed it more than me, at least. :) Great review as always!

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  2. I don't think that I would like to know someone elses dream... need some privacy!!

    Great review!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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    1. I know, there are some lines that are there for a reason

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  3. Sounds like a great read and I've been seeing it around a lot lately. I find male povs very interesting to read from :)

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  4. There have been some very mixed reviews for this and I still don't know what to thin, but it helps that there's no love triangle. That actually makes me feel loads better.

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    1. I know, I have too, but luckily I fell on the side of enjoying

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  5. This does sound very original. I'm excited to read it!

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    1. That is a big thing going for it, is the originality

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  6. I would not want to know the dreams of others. Mine are confusing enough! This seems like an intense story. I'm glad you enjoyed, Brandi!

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    1. I know, but it might not be confusing to see through another's eyes

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  7. YEs, I always want to know what my husband dreams. I was curious about this one and I think I might just have to give a go. I like Male POVs and I didn't read cliffhanger or love triangle in your review and I am all about original!

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  8. My god, this book is popping up on every blog! I am so behind :-(

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    1. Books on netgalley seem to do that, no worries though

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  9. I saw this one a lot, but I still don't know if I want to read it or not.

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  10. The fact that this has a male POV and is dark excites me, as does the pacing. It sounds like the world building was solid enough and yes to no triangle and insta-love..woot! Great review Brandi!

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    1. Thanks, there have been a lot of neg reviews too, but I think you might like it.

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  11. I think i'd be o worried that I'd catch someone dreaming about me! This does sound good though, I was a little wary cause it sounded a bit scary though!

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  12. Haven't slept in 4 years? Kinda like having kids! :)

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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  13. Oh you don't get too many from the male POV. Right there has me curious. I love that there is no triangle. Might be worth it for that! :D

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  14. The dreams of others. Now that is a tough one to answer

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  15. I'm not sure I'd want to know the dreams of others...hmm. This sounds like an unique story, and I love that it's a male POV. Hooray for no love triangle too! Lovely review!!

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  16. This is the most positive review I've seen for this, I've seen several negatives so it's nice to get a different viewpoint. I don't think it's one I would enjoy, but I'm glad you loved it!

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  17. So happy to see that you liked the world building and the male POV. I don't think I'd want to know the dreams of others as I much prefer quiet, deep sleep free from any disturbance or confusion. Thanks for sharing :)

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  18. I love male POVs too. I have not had great luck with dream books, but I'm going to try Lucid and this one too!

    You can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics

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  19. I'm glad you enjoyed Insomnia Brandi, as it sure does sound like it has a fascinating premise! And yay for no love triangle! :)

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  20. I'm glad it was so addicting! I'm starting this one tomorrow. :)

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  21. Wow, this sounds so dark. I love it. I have insomnia so this is something I really want to read. Thanks.

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  22. I've been interested in this one so glad to see your review. I enjoy male POV too and like the banter between male friends as well. Love that the information and world-building was so well-done. Excellent review! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  23. Awesome review, Brandi! I agree with everything here. It was a well done dark plot, and I really really felt for Parker in a lot of instances. BUT... yeah, but... I really hated when we got to the climax D: It felt so anti-climactic (the one where the real mastermind was revealed) T_T It felt very random :)))

    Faye @ The Social Potato

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  24. This sounds awesome! And knowing others dreams is pretty unique! I'll have to add this to the TBR. Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  25. I'm so happy to see this positive review, Brandi!! I read a few pages of this and put it down because I had to read another book first. I was totally on board and it grabbed my interest, but since then I've seen a couple of reviews that were less than positive. Great review! :)

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    1. Hope to see some more positive out there when you pick back up

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  26. You had me at new and original. I still think that this book is too scary for me but I'll live! :) Great review :)

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  27. This cover just freaks me out. It's why I didn't grab it. I just don't see how someone can go four years without sleep. It's not possible. I went five days and I was a raving lunatic. But I have read other good reviews of this novel. I just don't see how.

    No I would not like to dream others dreams. Mine are vivid enough. I hard enough time figuring out what they mean I don't want to figure someone else's out too!

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    1. It is because it was interupted sleep, it was medically possible, but he had symptoms

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  28. I saw this but passed because of the cover. Thanks for the reminder to not judge a book by its cover. Going to add it to my TBR again =)

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  29. pokies online
    I type of have the same sensation with Shush, Shush. I really really like the sequence, but I still haven't gotten to the last two guides, but simultaneously I am not actually in a hurry to either.

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  30. This one sounds totally intriguing. And I don't think I want to see the dreams of others. I bet it'd get pretty weird.

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  31. I'm definitely interesting in this one! I'm glad it is as dark as it seems and I'm really interested in seeing all the world building. Great review.

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