Unfortunately I wasn't able to read this book before it was archived although I think it would have been an intriguing read!

Parker has a "gift" (curse?) of being a night walker and he's been without sleep basically for four years! Parker does a lot of dark and disturbing things that kept my interest. One day he met Mia who changed his life. I liked her character and Parker's but not so much all of the minor characters. I do love that some of the characters are rather hilarious and sarcastic, something which I love in a good book. I would say that Parker becomes like a stalker who uses creepy ways of trying to see Mia which are actually very disturbing. I thought the big twist in the story was really good and not expected.

The Story:
Insomnia has two story arcs working in tandem. The main arc focused on Parker and his gift (or curse), which will hopefully carry through the entire series. Why does he have this ability? And how did he come about having it? I was so intrigued with this aspect of Parker’s story. Sadly, I wasn’t given the answers I wanted, which left me eager for the next book.

The secondary, smaller arc focused on the mystery surrounding Mia’s stalker which is fully concluded in the first book. Johansson created an incredible amount of suspense that had me questioning what was happening as much as Parker. But, by the time I got to the ending I was a little let down because, to me, it felt rushed and a bit forced. Granted, I didn’t see it coming but it didn’t feel right.

The Characters:
Parker is a complicated character and since Insomnia is told in first person we only know what he knows. This allowed me to be fully immersed in the mystery and questioning what Parker was responsible for. Johansson was able to transport the reader into the framework of his world. I felt sleep deprived, just as he did, as I read. I was very impressed that she was able to capture this feeling of insanity and barely holding on to what is real and what isn’t.

It was hard to keep reading as the story progressed because of how far Parker takes his need to see Mia every night before he slept. It was creepy and uncomfortable to take that journey with him. I found myself liking him less and less and wondering if he was ever going to make it out of his downward spiral. I didn’t feel like I saw that much character growth from him but I think this will be addressed in the next books.

Final Thoughts:
Overall, I felt this was an interesting concept done fairly well. Johansson almost lost me with how far she pushed Parker. Even with how uncomfortable it made me I was still intrigued with the physiological aspects of Parker’s mental breakdown from sleep deprivation. I was less thrilled with how Mia’s stalker mystery was wrapped up, because it felt forced and wasn’t as creative as I hoped. Though there were a few flaws with this first in the series I will be checking out the next book.

I gave feedback on this title quite some time ago. It suddenly reappeared on my shelf after the addition of audiobooks. I contacted Netgalley a week ago and have heard nothing back so am getting these off my shelf this way.

Requested and downloaded this book back in 2013 with every intention of reading it but then it expired on my device before I had the chance. Have felt bad about that and as a result haven't wanted to leave a review but with more and more publishers relying on Feedback ratings I need to clear out some of these older titles in my queue.

It'd been over four years since I'd really slept, and I suspected it was killing me.

ummmm okay. I'm interested. I'm overjoyed. I decide to read more.

Meet Parker. He hasn't slept in a long time, dude. Why? Because he has a special power that deals with dreams. I don't want to give too much away, but the power allows for such a fun and mysterious adventure. He begins watching one particular girl's dreams.

Okay let's stop for a minute. So at this moment I'm thinking. Meh! This girl is the love interest. They'll fall in love or something. Blah Blah predictable.

Nope. Everything us unpredictable.

There are several threads of plot happening in the book:

1- Why the hell does Parker have this power?

2- Will he die from the power?

3- Why does this girl's dreams (view spoiler)

4- Who is (view spoiler) with the girl? And (view spoiler)

5- small sub-romantic plot

6- Where's his dad?


I mean. Parker explains that dreams have layers:

This title was a Did Not Finish. Unfortunately, I was unable to connect with it whether it be for characters, story-line or writing style.

Thank you for providing me with a copy.

Ooh, INSOMNIA was one of those books that pulled me right in. I love the premise of a teen who 'watches' others dreams. High school junior Parker Chipp hasn't slept in four years. After he makes eye contact with someone, he ends up being transported into their dreams. He knows he's 'losing' it. Then he enters the dreams of new student Mia and for once he can sleep. He can't get enough.

What's really great about this novel is the author shows how Parker's insomnia starts him questioning his sanity. I totally loved how she shows Parker's addiction to the one girl that helps him finally sleep. This turns into a crazy obsession. He can't get enough of her. Then he sees a dark shadow that might in fact be him.

Creepy, spooky tale with an unique twist. Parker's not sure if he's going insane and we're not sure either. Also a big plus is the other characters. His best friend Flinn, with the quote of the day t-shirts and wicked humor, balances out the seriousness of Parker. Flinn's also there when others including Parker's mother start to worry that Parker is involved in drugs. Addie, is the girl next door, who might become something much more.

There's a huge hint that there might be another book in this series which might answer some questions like who are the night watchers? What really happened to Parker's father? And who's that mysterious guy dressed in black that seems to follow Parker?

A great new series for fans of horror and the paranormal.