Asleep [Kindle Edition]

I don't like writing, but I just had to write a short review for this book. This book is wonderful and touching. It took me on emotional highs and lows through the characters' experiences. Although it's a young adult book (no steamy sex scenes), the relationship between the Micah and Adisa is developed so nicely, and is at times sweet and tender and other times smolders with barely restrained passion. The love between them felt tangible as each of them made sacrifices for the "safety and comfort" of the other. This story was skillfully written, and I am waiting with bated breath for book 2 of the trilogy. I've only recently started reading books by independent authors, and this is the best one I've read by far. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who likes young love and romance along with superheroes.

Asleep

Even though they'd never come at night behind closed eyes, dreams have always been a constant companion to Adisa Summers. She longed to be, not a princess in flowing gowns like other little girls, but a hero in a billowing cape. At a certain age, however, one is supposed to put away childish dreams, and it seems perhaps Adisa will when, shortly before her sixteenth birthday and on the eve of her first day of sophomore year, she has her first real nighttime dream - of a traumatic incident when she was a baby, abandoned in a field. Yet, when handsome and aloof new student, Micah Alexander, becomes, first, her undeterred dance partner in gym class, then her unexpected defender, mysterious protector and finally, (and unbelievably to Adisa), her devoted boyfriend, those childhood dreams become a vicarious reality, for Micah has a secret, and when he flies in to save Adisa from a falling tree, she learns her daydreams were not so farfetched, after all.

If I could give more than five stars to this wondrously original super hero love story, I would; it is that extraordinary. In Asleep, author Wendy Raven McNair gives readers one of the most real and likable heroines to be found in a fantasy novel, convincing them such a magical world isn't just fiction, but a possibility all should strive to believe in. Adisa is the epitome of human dichotomy - scared and brave, shy and bold, vulnerable and independent and lost even as she finds herself - and the story of her budding romance with the captivating Micah, her relationship with the family she loves but sometimes feels so different from, her triumphs and tribulations with friends and classmates and, most of all, her rise from the sleep of her childhood dreams to the awake reality of adult self-awareness and identity is as touching as it is fascinating. Suspenseful, humorous, romantic and, above all, beautifully and realistically-written, Awake is an amazing novel I recommended not only to readers of the YA genre, but to anyone who holds the belief that our dreams define who we are and what we can be and that true love is as patient and self-sacrificing as it is passionate and self-defining. One of the best books I've read this year and one I know I'll revisit again and again, I can't wait to read more of Adisa and Micah's story in Book II of the series, Awake. Exceptional work!

Reviewed by Krisi Keley- Member

Paranormal Romance Review Team

I wish I could give this book 10 stars instead of just five. Seriously. I know that sounds over-the-top and most reading this will think it's an exaggeration. But I just finished reading "Asleep" and it was easily the best book I've read all year. And I read a ton of books. And it seems to be getting rarer and rarer for me to come across books that I like, let alone love.

I knew before finishing the free sample that I would buy the book, because I was already so hooked by the compelling characters. And after the first few chapters I already knew the book would be five stars, and it only kept improving from there.

The characters (even minor ones) are well drawn and interesting. The main characters (Adisa and Micah) were compelling and the relationship between them developed in a very realistic way. The author is a master of dialogue and not once did I ever feel like these teen characters were acting ridiculously juvenile for their age or unbelievably mature. Which was no mean feat (considering the storyline). The adults sounded like adults, the teens sounded like teens and the kids sounded like kids.

I stayed up ridiculously late reading this book after downloading it for my Kindle, even knowing I had to go to work could not pry me away. But I finally relented figuring I should try to get at least an hour or two of sleep. But I then spent the next day (luckily Saturday) devouring the rest of it.

The romance/relationship between the two main characters was compelling. I couldn't wait for them to get together, but until many books, also enjoyed every step of the way. And because the other characters and sub-plots were so well drawn, I had no desire to skim the book when Adisa and Micah weren't in the same scene. I laughed out loud more than just a few times, and felt real suspense at points. I desperately wanted to know what would happen to even secondary characters and was completely rooting for Adisa and Micah to have their happily ever after.

I also especially appreciated the true to life, and completely non-stereotypical, way the author portrayed this mostly African American set of characters. There are so few stories that pull this off without resorting to caricature. And when race matters were dealt with the characters had realistic reactions and the author's masterful character portrayals really had a chance to shine. And my respect for the author just increased exponentially (a little math humor that those who read the book might appreciate).

If I gush any more over this book I'm sure I will come off like a paid spokesperson (and I'm definitely not). Even still, I feel as though I'm lacking the proper words and elegant delivery necessary to truly express how much I liked this book. I could probably write an essay filling pages if I set my mind to it. I love it that much. So much so, that I think I will probably re-read this book before long. And that's the most glowing endorsement I can give a book. I have read hundreds of books (literally) yet I can only think of 1 or 2 that I have ever liked enough to bother reading again. Because most books, no matter how enjoyable on the first go through, rarely entertain or captivate me enough that I'm sure I'd fall in love all over again. I really think this book may enter those exclusive ranks.

Either way, I am definitely looking forward to reading the sequel, "Awake." And if everything I've said in this book isn't enough to convince you to read the book (if you haven't already) then I urge you to read the sample and judge it for yourself.