The Sleepless
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Pan Macmillan
Published:5th Feb '26
Should be back in stock very soon

Welcome to a world where gods and monsters roam the earth . . .
Godkiller meets The Cruel Prince in this epic gods-and-monsters fantasy from British Fantasy Award-winning author Jen Williams.
A thrilling, enchanting quest fantasy with a magical twist on a slow-burn love triangle at its heart. Get ready for:
- An immersive gods and monsters magical world
- Dark and lyrical writing
- A journey to far-flung lands and an unexpected quest squad
- An adorable and fierce animal companion
- The beginnings of a love triangle between a young monster woman - and two men stuck in the same body
- Grumpy (her) meets sunshine (him)
- Andenemies-to-lovers
Discover the book readers can't stop talking about!
'I couldn't put this down . . . The unique storyline, characters, world building all tied together beautifully to give you a stunning story!' - 5-star reader review
'Fans of T. Kingfisher and Naomi Novik will absolutely devour The Sleepless [by Jen Williams]' - 4-star reader review
'The world is dark, magical, and completely original — gods, monsters, and curses everywhere.' - 4-star reader review
'Elver is the grumpy, reluctant heroine who wants to be left alone with her books. Altair is the sunshine boy before his transformation. His joyful energy stands in sharp contrast to Lucian's coldness, which chills every scene he's in.' - 4-star Reader review
Elver is the guardian of the wild and dangerous monster forest. Saved from the brink of death by a god, her skin will poison anyone she touches.
Artair is on a mission - one that takes him face-to-face with Elver at her most ruthless. But her defences are useless when she discovers he's the only human impervious to her deadly gift. For Artair isn't human: he's one of the Sleepless, cursed to share his body with an evil spirit. Lucian inhabits their body while Artair sleeps, and he is hell-bent on manipulating Elver for his dark purposes. But Elver is harbouring secrets too, and she has her own reasons for feigning an alliance with these two souls.
Caught in the crossfire of gods, monsters, and a dangerous magic they can barely understand, it is only a matter of time before the paths the three of them choose to take will set alight the very foundations of their world.
'Beautiful writing, solid world building, interesting characters and a truly unique magic system' - Reader...
The Sleepless is a fresh, vibrant, uniquely compelling read filled with fascinating characters in a beautifully intricate world that I couldn't get enough of. I could not put it down. -- Abigail Owen, #1 NYT bestselling author of The Games Gods Play
Epic in scope and breathtakingly exciting * The Bookseller *
Williams brilliantly weaves the tale of a monster girl, a possessed boy and the evil spirit that inhabits him, and I adored everything about this intricate, absorbing fantasy. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Lauren Roberts, readers will adore this vivid, enchanting fantasy filled with treacherous alliances, dangerous monsters, and ancient magic. A must read! -- Emily Varga, internationally bestselling author of For She is Wrath
Williams’ monstrously enjoyable imagination is on full show here. An enormously entertaining and original work of fantasy. -- Adrian Tchaikovsky, award-winning author of Children of Time
In this duology opener, award-winner Williams’ rich worldbuilding supports an action-packed fantasy that features original character dynamics and a thoughtful exploration of themes of invisible prisons, lost identity, and belonging... A complex and riveting tapestry. -- Kirkus, starred review
Dual perspective narration, an expansive 12-god religious system, and complex magical rules are all made more accessible by intriguing characters and a lyrical tone with immersive imagery. * Booklist *
The hallmarks of a Jen Williams novel: a fast pace, humour, slick and sure worldbuilding, but most importantly it's driven by characters you immediately adore -- Lucy Holland, author of Sistersong on Talonsister
Britain's Queen of fantasy * Fantasy Hive *
ISBN: 9781035058068
Dimensions: 198mm x 131mm x 19mm
Weight: 214g
304 pages