ASLEEP by Krystal Wade
Published by Blaze Publishing on Feb.16, 2016
GENRES: YA, Thriller, Psychological, Horror
FORMAT: e-ARC
I had the privilege of receiving an ARC (advanced reading copy) of the book ASLEEP by Krystal Wade. After reading the synopsis I was sure I was going to like the book.. It has elements which I love - INSANITY, ASYLUMS, and a possible LOVE connection. Anyone that knows me - knows I'm VERY interested in the psychologically damaged, and the freakish nature of morbid asylums.. It shows up even in my own sleep - real horrifying awful stuff goes on in my head while I'm dreaming - and it leaves me all shaky and dazed when I finally awake. Sometimes I've wondered... am I losing my sanity?? While these dreams do upset me - after the initial shock has worn off - I realize that they would certainly make for a GOOD BOOK!!! I'd love to know how author Krystal Wade gets her inspiration..??
Published by Blaze Publishing on Feb.16, 2016
GENRES: YA, Thriller, Psychological, Horror
FORMAT: e-ARC
I had the privilege of receiving an ARC (advanced reading copy) of the book ASLEEP by Krystal Wade. After reading the synopsis I was sure I was going to like the book.. It has elements which I love - INSANITY, ASYLUMS, and a possible LOVE connection. Anyone that knows me - knows I'm VERY interested in the psychologically damaged, and the freakish nature of morbid asylums.. It shows up even in my own sleep - real horrifying awful stuff goes on in my head while I'm dreaming - and it leaves me all shaky and dazed when I finally awake. Sometimes I've wondered... am I losing my sanity?? While these dreams do upset me - after the initial shock has worn off - I realize that they would certainly make for a GOOD BOOK!!! I'd love to know how author Krystal Wade gets her inspiration..??
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
First off - let's talk about impressions.. as in FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Well, I ask you - how does that cover grab you? It definitely grabbed my attention! I saw it first on INSTAGRAM - the post was for her cover reveal.. and what a reveal!! I jumped right in and asked if I could review an ARC and a few emails later - I was IN! YAY! When I got my e-arc delivered to my inbox I was so excited to start reading.. I'm definitely going to be purchasing a real PHYSICAL copy of course.. I really prefer them - something tangible to hold onto and hug and flip through.. (love those flippy books!)
First off - let's talk about impressions.. as in FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Well, I ask you - how does that cover grab you? It definitely grabbed my attention! I saw it first on INSTAGRAM - the post was for her cover reveal.. and what a reveal!! I jumped right in and asked if I could review an ARC and a few emails later - I was IN! YAY! When I got my e-arc delivered to my inbox I was so excited to start reading.. I'm definitely going to be purchasing a real PHYSICAL copy of course.. I really prefer them - something tangible to hold onto and hug and flip through.. (love those flippy books!)
STORYLINE/PLOT:
There was some mention of this book being a cross between Sleeping Beauty and Freddy Krueger. I suppose you could call it a fairytale retelling. Although in my opinion it's only loosely based on Sleeping Beauty.. I see more of Mr. Krueger here!!
Our heroine Rose is sent to this asylum for her 'own good' against her will and right away we are thrust into the crazy! Half the time we don't know if Rose is asleep or awake and dreaming. She meets a whole slew of interesting people - some seeming to be on her side - and some seeming to be out to get her! We are constantly questioning the intentions of the creepy Dr. Underwood - and what is the meaning of the woman whose strange portrait is hanging on the wall above his desk - a woman whose sad story Rose had heard about from her mother. We are also left questioning the sanity of Rose as well - with vast amounts of time lost; or suddenly knowing peoples names she had no recollection of how she came to know them. And what's with all those trips to the bowels of the building - and the horrific tortures she endures.. are those real?? It gripped me from the beginning - no slow start - or slow anything in this book! It had me hooked until the very end!
WRITING STYLE:
The writing flows very nicely.. it's very easy to follow. Filled with wonderful descriptions of her surroundings (the very old sanitarium and it's paint chipped walls and cement flooring.. to the grounds on which it lies) - to the creepy and disturbing 'is it a dream or not?' imagery that keeps the pages turning.
CHARACTERS:
There are a number of people we get to meet in Asleep. All of them are written very well - I got to know each character just enough to be able to get an idea or visual of them in my head which is important for me to be able to visualize the people I'm reading about.
PROS:
FINAL THOUGHTS:
WOW! This book was just.. amazing. If you are like me, and enjoy reading about the freaky messed up world of insane asylums.. or you like suspense, thriller, horror, romance, all mixed into one fantastic bundle of greatness - then please BUY THIS BOOK!!!
RATING:
There was some mention of this book being a cross between Sleeping Beauty and Freddy Krueger. I suppose you could call it a fairytale retelling. Although in my opinion it's only loosely based on Sleeping Beauty.. I see more of Mr. Krueger here!!
Our heroine Rose is sent to this asylum for her 'own good' against her will and right away we are thrust into the crazy! Half the time we don't know if Rose is asleep or awake and dreaming. She meets a whole slew of interesting people - some seeming to be on her side - and some seeming to be out to get her! We are constantly questioning the intentions of the creepy Dr. Underwood - and what is the meaning of the woman whose strange portrait is hanging on the wall above his desk - a woman whose sad story Rose had heard about from her mother. We are also left questioning the sanity of Rose as well - with vast amounts of time lost; or suddenly knowing peoples names she had no recollection of how she came to know them. And what's with all those trips to the bowels of the building - and the horrific tortures she endures.. are those real?? It gripped me from the beginning - no slow start - or slow anything in this book! It had me hooked until the very end!
WRITING STYLE:
The writing flows very nicely.. it's very easy to follow. Filled with wonderful descriptions of her surroundings (the very old sanitarium and it's paint chipped walls and cement flooring.. to the grounds on which it lies) - to the creepy and disturbing 'is it a dream or not?' imagery that keeps the pages turning.
CHARACTERS:
There are a number of people we get to meet in Asleep. All of them are written very well - I got to know each character just enough to be able to get an idea or visual of them in my head which is important for me to be able to visualize the people I'm reading about.
PROS:
- Very intriguing storyline - rich with twists, surprises, LOL moments, sadness, and terror!!
- Easy flowing writing - no trip-ups with fancy hard to understand or over-intellectual writing..
- a wide variety of different characters - some likable and some very UN-likeable, and some LOVEABLE, and dare I say 'swoon' worthy!
- I didn't want the story to be over!! I'm left longing to read more of what happens! If only there was a sequel??
FINAL THOUGHTS:
WOW! This book was just.. amazing. If you are like me, and enjoy reading about the freaky messed up world of insane asylums.. or you like suspense, thriller, horror, romance, all mixed into one fantastic bundle of greatness - then please BUY THIS BOOK!!!
RATING:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Krystal Wade can be found in the sluglines outside Washington D.C. every morning, Monday through Friday. With coffee in hand, iPod plugged in, and strangers - who sometimes snore, smell, or have incredibly bad gas - sitting next to her, she zones out and thinks of fantastical worlds for you and me to read. How else can she cope with a fifty mile commute?
Good thing she has her husband and three kids to go home to. They keep her sane.
Krystal Wade can be found in the sluglines outside Washington D.C. every morning, Monday through Friday. With coffee in hand, iPod plugged in, and strangers - who sometimes snore, smell, or have incredibly bad gas - sitting next to her, she zones out and thinks of fantastical worlds for you and me to read. How else can she cope with a fifty mile commute?
Good thing she has her husband and three kids to go home to. They keep her sane.
***If you would like to buy this book (and I suggest you do) here are some places where you can find it: