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Book cover of Sleepless
Teen Fiction - Romance & Friendship, Teen Fiction - Fantasy

Sleepless

by Cyn Balog
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Overview

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.
 
But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .
 
Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?
 
Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.
 

Synopsis

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.
 
But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .
 
Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?
 
Cyn Balog's follow-up to Fairy Tale has more wit, more supernatural delights, and more star-crossed romance! Teen girls will love this story of a Sandman who falls in love with his human charge.
 

From the Hardcover edition.

Publishers Weekly

There can be a fine line between romantic pursuit and stalking, and Balog's (Fairy Tale) enticing supernatural story of star-crossed love hovers right on the edge. For nearly a century, Eron DeMarchelle has served as a Sandman, lulling his charges to sleep; lately, he's developed a crush on Julia Devine, a teen with a tragic past. Since Eron's service is ending and he will transition back to mortality, he must train his replacement: Griffin Colburn, Julia's recently deceased boyfriend, with whom Julia shared an ambivalent, emotionally detached relationship. Griffin's best friend Bret also develops an unwholesome interest in Julia, aggravating Griffin, who threatens to default on his Sandman duties if Eron doesn't protect Julia from Bret. Griffin's plan backfires when Julia is charmed by Eron. With three guys, living and dead, out to claim her heart, the battle for Julia's fate is decided in her dreams and in the real world. Julia and Eron share a gentle chemistry that will appeal to paranormal romance fans, but readers drawn to the fantasy concept may wish for a more in-depth exploration of the Sandmen's world. Ages 12 up. (July)

About the Author, Cyn Balog

Cyn Balog had a massive case of insomnia while writing Sleepless. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and daughters. Visit her online at www.cynbalog.com.

From the Hardcover edition.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

There can be a fine line between romantic pursuit and stalking, and Balog's (Fairy Tale) enticing supernatural story of star-crossed love hovers right on the edge. For nearly a century, Eron DeMarchelle has served as a Sandman, lulling his charges to sleep; lately, he's developed a crush on Julia Devine, a teen with a tragic past. Since Eron's service is ending and he will transition back to mortality, he must train his replacement: Griffin Colburn, Julia's recently deceased boyfriend, with whom Julia shared an ambivalent, emotionally detached relationship. Griffin's best friend Bret also develops an unwholesome interest in Julia, aggravating Griffin, who threatens to default on his Sandman duties if Eron doesn't protect Julia from Bret. Griffin's plan backfires when Julia is charmed by Eron. With three guys, living and dead, out to claim her heart, the battle for Julia's fate is decided in her dreams and in the real world. Julia and Eron share a gentle chemistry that will appeal to paranormal romance fans, but readers drawn to the fantasy concept may wish for a more in-depth exploration of the Sandmen's world. Ages 12–up. (July)

Children's Literature - Amy McMillan

Eron DeMarchelle has been a sandman for the last one hundred years. He has charge over three mortals whom he seduces to sleep each night. He's not supposed to feel any attachment to them, but Julia is different. A lonely seventeen-year-old girl, Julia has put up barriers to protect herself from real emotions, a carryover from being kidnapped when she was younger. When her so-called boyfriend Griffin is killed in a car accident she struggles to figure out where she fits and what to do next. Eron, however, is struggling with Griffin himself. Chosen to take Eron's post as sandman Griffin is supposed to be learning his new duties, instead he is busy flaunting his new powers and taking an obsessive interest in Julia to the point of haunting her. It is up to Eron to convince Griffin of his new state of being and warn Julia of danger in his moments of mortality as he slowly transfers back to the human world to finish his life. The promising idea falls flat with a lack of development and depth, particularly with the characters. Griffin is completely unlikable. His interest in Julia isn't much more than lukewarm when he's alive but inexplicably blossoms into obsession with his death. Eron has spent years observing the humans in his charge, yet when he begins to re-join their world he is flummoxed by slang and fashion. While the predictable conclusion comes a bit too quickly and neatly the intriguing premise may be enough to draw readers needing another fix for their paranormal romance needs. Reviewer: Amy McMillan

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Upβ€”An interesting, quick-paced, and compelling paranormal romance. Eron DeMarchelle has known Julia all her life. As her Sandman, it is his duty to lure her, and his other charges, to sleep each night. Now, Julia's boyfriend has passed away and just when she unknowingly needs Eron the most, he may be unable to help her. Sandmen are contracted for 100 years after their deaths and then they are able to become human again. Eron has begun training his replacement, who just happens to be Julia's ex, Griffin, an impulsive and obsessive young man. As he begins to break the rules trying to stay forever with Julia, Eron must fight to save both her and himself. Julia is a smart heroine surrounded by flawed, yet mostly lovable boys and involved in a star-crossed romance. It's a surefire formula. Told in chapters alternating between Eron and Julia, the story includes some teenage drinking, some sexually mature scenes, and stalking, but it is definitely recommended for public library collections.β€”Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Book Details

Published
July 1, 2010
Publisher
Random House Children's Books
Pages
224
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780385738484

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