A riveting speculative fiction that had me anxious and uncertain throughout, if you enjoy those types of stories then this might be for you. It was a fairly quick read that kept the tension high throughout it's ups and downs.

The plot of anyone who sleeps will die was both fascinating and horrifying and I was eager to find answers. Unfortunately this felt like more of a short story that was expanded upon in unnecessary ways and I felt let down when I got to the last page. Attempts to flesh out the world were distracting to me and felt like an attempt at emotional damage that fell flat. Apparently this was a podcast which I was unfamiliar with so maybe it worked better in that format.

There are two main plots we follow with two different groups and these were the strongest parts of the story. I really enjoyed the characters, their interactions and banter were great but I definitely would have loved more backstories on them. Dave was a riveting character because we got so much of his history.

Overall this story was quite engrossing but in the end left me dissatisfied but I can see why others would quite enjoy it for it's intrigue and characters.

The Edge of Sleep had an interesting premise. You fall asleep, you die. How long will it last? Will it happen to everyone?
There were several different characters introduced, but it was really hard to feel much of anything for the characters. They were dull and fairly flat. Matteo and his regular pop culture botches were irritating and not necessary. It just seemed like nonsense that he didn't know what things were called. It was like he had lived under a rock his entire life. Dave was disjointed, which actually made sense because of his sleeping disorder and lack of restful sleep. Linda was not necessarily sleep deprived in the beginning, but she was crazy one minute, and sane and in charge the next.
There were a few reality inconsistencies, like several cars on the street where the driver was dead, which meant that they fell asleep at the wheel. Are there really that many people who fall asleep at the wheel? I didn't buy it.
Overall, a decent read. And a decent twist at the end.

Dave, leader of the group of survivors, grapples with haunting flashbacks that offer tantalizing glimpses of the future, yet their true significance eludes him. The intertwining threads of these unsettling flashbacks, lifeless bodies in slumber, and sporadic chapters detailing the global apocalypse all conspire to evoke a relentless sense of anxiety and foreboding. This relentless tension is amplified by the brisk, compact chapters, crafting an unrelenting narrative pace.

While the concept was undeniably inventive, regrettably, it fell short of resonating with me. The story launched with considerable vigour, thrusting readers headlong into a nightmarish world that readily seized their attention. However, the sudden introduction of incongruous characters unrelated to the central plot, and other elements felt out of place. Additionally, certain character traits, like Matteo’s humorous misuse of words, initially amusing, ultimately grew grating. I always appreciate authors who venture into uncharted territory, seeking innovation, but in this instance, the execution simply did not align with my tastes.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love dystopian-esque books and this one was interesting enough to keep my attention. I wasn't overly blown away by the book, but I wasn't disappointed either.

"Here’s what I can say with some certainty. Something is happening. Case in point: WZPE’s AM news show usually ends at 8am. Not today. They’ve basically got the phone lines wide open, and people are calling in by the hundreds. The last caller just sobbed, “They’re dead, they’re dead, they’re dead,” and disconnected.
There are TV and radio stations all over the state that just . . . aren’t on the air at all.
From my window, if I elevate my chair, I usually have a great view of the mile-long gridlock at the intersection of Monaghan and Wolcott. The traffic lights there aren’t even working, but the intersection’s just . . . dead. No cars that I’ve seen.
Usually by now my upstairs neighbor is jazzercising. But the whole building is strangely subdued. I haven’t heard a single other person.
Perhaps it’s my overactive imagination . . . but I really don’t think that’s the case.
If you have any information about what might be happening, I’ll see you in the comments."
—Posted by Eli Broder, 7/4/25 9:12am

Dave Torres is a security guard at Daxalab. He and his co-worker and best friend, Matteo Leon, are having a bad night. After their shift they head, quite late, to a party only to find the guests mostly gone already. Of course, some are more gone than others. Like the one on the couch whom they had thought was passed out. Turns out he had passed on. Dave goes looking for their host only to find him in bed, in no better shape than the couch stiff. What is going on? And why are the roads so empty?

Off to the hospital they head, to see that the bodies are handled, or, out of the frying pan…The body count there is impressive, and growing. They meet a tough nurse, Linda, who is doing her best to keep it all together, but things are clearly falling apart. Dave gets that sleep is the trigger and desperately calls his ex to warn her. Katie finally joins them.

"A large room, lined with storage bins and shelves, has been transformed into a morgue. Shoved along the west wall are gurneys bearing zippered white bags. Human-sized bags, arranged haphazardly, as though they were rolled into the room and released to drift where they may. Which is exactly what happens next: An orderly in a white smock bangs into the room through an adjacent door, back first, then drags a fresh gurney into the room, pivots, and releases it, sending it spinning across the floor. It thumps into another gurney, and both roll in separate directions. The orderly, not pausing to admire his handiwork, disappears through the door again."

So we have a small group that sets out to decode the situation. There is a separate pair. Eli Broder (of the opening quote) is confined to a wheel chair. Boston is quiet, too quiet. His online messages begging for information on what is happening receive scant response. Millie is a narcoleptic coder, in the process of being fired from her job, who finally responds. She goes to him and they face the situation together.

These are our two primary threads. Third is a lookback for Dave to events from this childhood. He has had sleep issues all his life, for which he has received some serious medical intervention. His miseries include nightmares about an elephant and a whale since he was a kid. When his dreams slip into the waking world, his life becomes seriously troubled.

They all figure out in short order that going to sleep is a bad idea. To sleep, perchance to dream? Nah. More like to sleep, perchance to die. Each group goes through challenges in progressing to understanding, and getting, geographically, from where they are to where they want to be. Ergo, road trips. During these, we get more insight into the characters. As they begin to glean some truths behind the sleep-bomb that appears to be wiping out humanity, it becomes harder and harder to function, even to think, as their fatigue become profound. How long can the primaries remain awake? Where can they find answers to the why and how of it all? Even if they find answers will they retain consciousness enough to actually do anything about it?

The story is set, primarily, in Santa Mira, California. No, it is not a real place, but it may, still, sound familiar. That is because the fictional place has been used in many films.

"So we have a small group that sets out to decode the situation. There is a separate pair. Eli Broder (of the opening quote) is confined to a wheel chair. Boston is quiet, too quiet. His online messages begging for information on what is happening receive scant response. Millie is a narcoleptic coder, in the process of being fired from her job, who finally responds. She goes to him and they face the situation together.

description
Podcast episode 3 - the Black Triangle - image from Markiplier Wiki

These are our two primary threads. Third is a lookback for Dave to events from this childhood. He has had sleep issues all his life, for which he has received some serious medical intervention. His miseries include nightmares about an elephant and a whale since he was a kid. When his dreams slip into the waking world, his life becomes seriously troubled.

They all figure out in short order that going to sleep is a bad idea. To sleep, perchance to dream? Nah. More like to sleep, perchance to die. Each group goes through challenges in progressing to understanding, and getting, geographically, from where they are to where they want to be. Ergo, road trips. During these, we get more insight into the characters. As they begin to glean some truths behind the sleep-bomb that appears to be wiping out humanity, it becomes harder and harder to function, even to think, as their fatigue become profound. How long can the primaries remain awake? Where can they find answers to the why and how of it all? Even if they find answers will they retain consciousness enough to actually do anything about it?

The story is set, primarily, in Santa Mira, California. No, it is not a real place, but it may, still, sound familiar. That is because the fictional place has been used in many films.

"Santa Mira felt like a fun nod to Invasion Of The Body Snatchers, a huge influence on the show. And we think it’s a cool tradition that many writers and creators have used the same town." - from Paul Semel interview

The 1956 version of Invasion was set in Santa Mira, as was E.T., a Dean Koontz novel, Phantoms, and several Sharknado sequels.

Edge all began with an eight-episode podcast, the first season airing in 2019. I have listened to some of the podcast, although not all of it, reluctant to spoil the read. There is a link to that in EXTRA STUFF. It was adapted for TV, filmed in Vancouver in 2021. I was unable to find definitive intel on where that might be available. A second podcast season is slated for release this year (2023). Emanuel and Block, authors of the podcast, already rewrote the podcast for the TV series, and with this novel, it is yet another version. They tried to keep it fresh with each rewrite. They even brought in a fresh set of eyes in Jason Gurley to help out. To keep themselves sane, they made changes with each rewrite, so you can expect that this book is not slavishly attached to the original podcast.

"After working on The Edge Of Sleep for so long, and in so many different iterations, we needed a fresh set of eyes. Jason had some really creative and cool ideas to expand the story." - from the Paul Semel interview

The authors include a considerable list of one-off characters who struggle with fatigue, and succumb. Were they added for texture, or to establish them for future episodes?

The main characters had at least a bit of depth to them, but only Dave was really developed enough to hold much interest. On the other hand, if one looks at this as the first part of a longer series, it is usual to introduce the characters and plan on developing them later.

There are elements that are creative and intriguing, having to do with dreaming, sleep disorders, and things too spoilerish to note here. On the other hand, there are some significant downsides. First is that the ending, while offering some resolutions, feels like too much of a cliffhanger. Explanations were interesting but far too sketchy. If you are interested in continuing on with this series, by all means, dive in. But if you are looking at The Edge of Sleep as a stand-alone read, you are likely to be very disappointed. The characters had a bit of depth to them, but only Dave was really developed enough to hold much interest. On the other hand, if one looks at this as the first part of a longer series, which it certainly is, it is usual to introduce the characters first and develop them later on. While it had conceptual bits that were satisfying, my bottom line on The Edge of Sleep was that it was a bit of a snooze.

"“Mama,” Davy, the child, moans.
“This is your fault,” the beast says. Its trunk searches out Davy’s face, presses slick against his cheek, exhales hot, sour breath into his hair. “I warned you, didn’t I.”
Davy looks down at his pajama shirt. Something beneath bulges. Utter panic consumes him as he clutches at his shirt, trying to hold it away from his skin. He looks wildly at the thing above him.
“I can’t stop it now,” the elephant grunts. Its mouth unhinges, and a thick river of mustard-colored bile streams onto Dave’s legs. “I wouldn’t if I could. You aren’t a good boy.”
Davy, blinded by pain, cups his hands over his chest in time to catch the small elephant that bursts from his breastbone. Yellow foam rises in Dave’s throat; he can’t clear it to breathe.
The small elephant stretches in Davy’s little palms, glistening and damp. Davy’s vision blurs; he’s suddenly terribly sleepy, and his hands fall limp."

Review posted - 07/28/23

Publication date – 06/23/23

I received an ARE of The Edge of Sleep from St. Martin’s Press in return for a fair review. I was able to get some shut-eye between reading sessions. Thanks, folks, and thanks to NetGalley for facilitating.

interesting read with an intriguing premise. Kept me hooked and wondering what was going to happen. Very enjoyable.

I love dystopian/apocalyptic fiction & at first this book seemed right up my alley. I loved the first part of the book as everyone was trying to figure out what was happening. But then it just devolved into silliness and got hastily wrapped up in the last 8%…very unsatisfactorily. It was as if the authors didn’t know how to finish it. Or there should have been another 50 pages. Turns out, as I found out while reading Goodreads reviews, that this book is based on a podcast. Which explains a lot. I think the authors just should have continued with the podcast.

This might be the strangest book I’ve ever read. Somehow, even though it felt like an acid trip, I was thoroughly engaged with what was happening. The last 1/4 of the book was particularly bizarre and I hope at some point we’ll get a second book with some resolution.

Despite The Edge of Sleep starting off as a podcast, then getting a small adaption with Markiplier, and then getting announced for a second adaptation with mainstream actors, I had somehow never heard of it. After reading this book, I would certainly be interested in watching the newest adaptation and potentially listening to season 2 of the podcast when it comes out.

Here's the deal: if you like apocalyptic stories following ragtag groups of survivors (like Birdbox or The Walking dead, even) I think you'd enjoy this! Personally, I'm a sucker for stuff like that, and this is an apocalypse I surely wouldn't survive–what can I say, a girl likes her naps.

The beginning was a little hard to get into, but I would say the book started to pick up shortly after people started to realize what was going on. Tandem reading the e-book while listening to the audiobook definitely helped me stay engaged, as the narrator is great and will be playing one of the main characters in the upcoming adaptation.

That ending though...I am confused, yet intrigued.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Don't read before bed! The Edge of Sleep is a great example of terrifying existential horror. What if most of the world's population died overnight, simply by falling asleep? This story follows Dave, (a man with a serious sleep disorder), his friend Matteo, his ex-girlfriend Katie, and a nurse named Linda, as they discover what is happening and strive to stay awake as long as possible. Is there anyway to survive this devastation? Dave is determined to find out.

This was a highly creepy read, especially if you do like I did and stay up all night reading. I enjoyed the group dynamic of Dave and the others, but I think I enjoyed the interesting vignettes of others experiencing their last few hours even more. It added so much depth and humanity to the world. The depictions of sleep disorders made me quite glad to have my own less troublesome experience with sleep. The unexpected ending of the novel definitely sets this up for a sequel, which I would happily pick up. I'm also interested in checking out the podcast that this was apparently an adaptation of. Seems like it would work well in audio format. Would recommend the novel either way.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An interesting read with a mysterious premise.

Some of the sidekicks added a bit of humor but if I was in a different mood I could easily have found them annoying.

The overall story line was full of so many activities that the story quickly became ridiculous to me. Speculative fiction may be that way anyway, but usually in a good way.

A lot of mixed feelings about this one. I think I’m landing on - it was just ok.

This book has a great premise, but I struggled to connect. The story felt slow and confusing at times and I just didn't care about the characters. I struggled to stay engaged and as a result found myself tuning out of the storyline (which could be a large reason I didn't love this one).
While not for me, this book is great for someone who enjoys a slow burn.

In "The Edge of Sleep" by Jake Emanuel, Willie Block, and Jason Gurley, an unsettling premise draws readers into a world where sleep takes a chilling twist. While intrigued by the concept, this book landed as a three-star read for me – it was decent, but not a standout favourite.

Dave Torres, a night watchman battling personal sleep troubles, finds himself in a waking nightmare when he wakes up to a world where everyone else is asleep and doesn't awaken. As Santa Mira, California, becomes deserted, Dave and his companions, including his ex-girlfriend Katie, best friend Matteo, and a new acquaintance named Linda, race against time to untangle the mystery and avoid sharing the same fate.

The story's foundation in a podcast adds perspective, clarifying some elements of its structure. Despite the intriguing premise, the book's characters felt underdeveloped, emphasizing plot over their own growth. The narrative seemed driven by events rather than character dynamics, which was a notable drawback for me.

While I appreciated the creative premise, "The Edge of Sleep" didn't fully captivate me. It was an okay read, but not one that became a favourite due to the somewhat underwhelming character portrayal. The plot carried the story, and while it didn't quite hit the mark for me, it still offers an interesting exploration of the eerie and unpredictable nature of dreams.

The Edge of Sleep By Jake Emanuel, Willie Block, Jason Gurley

I thought the premise of The Edge of Sleep sounded really good. But in all actuality, it was putting me to sleep. I felt that I couldn't connect with any of the characters or the storyline itself.

While I enjoyed this story - as I oddly enjoyed The Stand in late 2020 - I was disappointed by the conclusion and the vagueness of the ending (are they really alive? Are they perhaps zombies or something similar?) I guess even when reading science fiction I still hope for explanations that could be believable or rooted in fact.

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book (a nightwatchman realizes those who fall asleep died, and sets out to find out what's really happening) but a lot of it went over my head. I respect a little bit of mystery but it was too hard for me to follow. It may have been disjointed and vague on purpose, but I just ended up getting frustrated and made it harder to finish. I didn’t listen to the podcast but maybe existing fans will find this easier to process or digest.

Bizarre.

This type of novel is new to me, and my oh my was I not prepared. The premise is interesting, and it was a pretty great read. The ending really goes off whatever expected course I thought we were on, but it works for this bizarre world.

Dnf at 15% I cant get into this at all, the language and way the characters speak is way too hard for me to follow.

I was so excited to read this book but... I just don't get it? Maybe I'm not the intended audience. I honestly couldn't get through a single chapter, much less the whole thing. I even tried skipping forward to see if I just needed to get into it, but I can't understand this book.

(Actual: 3.25⭐, rounded down) HA! So.... this was a lot freakier to me than I thought it would be lol (aka yes, I got scared, especially as a fellow chronic insomniac 😭). THE EDGE OF SLEEP is a dystopian tale with elements of science-fiction & magical realism thrown in; it definitely felt very much like "Nightmare on Elm Street" where, essentially, if you fall asleep you die. I liked the overall pacing of the story - there was always something happening, with enough twists & turns to keep me engaged and continue reading. However, the ending...... now, don't get me wrong: I have nothing against open endings, nor do I think all stories need to end neatly wrapped with a bow. BUT. I can see how readers, myself included, wanted (and perhaps expected) a bit more and were left with more questions than answers. I wish the author was able to stick the landing, but ultimately believe they fell somewhat short. I'd still read more from Emanual & Block though, so I'm excited for what's to come in the future!