In a world where the slightest edge can mean the difference between success and failure, Leisha Camden is beautiful, extraordinarily intelligent, and one of a growing number of human beings who have been genetically modified to never require sleep.
Once considered interesting anomalies, now Leisha and the other "Sleepless" are outcasts, victims of blind hatred, political repression, and shocking mob violence meant to drive them from human society and, ultimately, from Earth itself.
But Leisha Camden has chosen to remain behind in a world that envies and fears her "gift," a world marked for destruction by a deadly conspiracy of freedom—and revenge.
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"A very quick read. I really liked it, but it does feel like a novella made into a novel (which it is). Genetically modified subgroup that doesn't need to sleep is ostracized. I don't think I'll move on to the others in the series."
— Kris (4 out of 5 stars)
“Superb…An exquisite saga of biological advantages.”
— Denver Post“Thought-provoking…Raises some intriguing scientific and sociological issues.”
— Publishers Weekly“[Kress] explores the nature of humanity’s fear of differences in this elegantly written novel set on tomorrow’s horizon. A priority purchase for sf collections.”
— Library Journal“A thoughtful, carefully constructed exploration of various ethical questions.”
— Locus“A depth of imagination unusual even among science fiction writers.”
— Analog“Thrilling drama, compelling dialectic.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Loved loved loved the opening novella. Liked the rest of the book. "
— Elizabeth, 2/18/2014" This is a series? Gad, I barely made it through the first one, and I could not care less what happens in the future of this alternate...future. It's not painful, but it feels like a waste of time. "
— Paul, 2/7/2014" A great read. A tempting concept and a beautiful (yet rational) conclusion to the greatest dilemma we can found in our current societies. "
— Horatio, 2/1/2014" Okay. Nancy Kress is another one of the those gender-issue authors I usually enjoy. And this was okay, but I had to read the description to remember what it was about. "
— Darla, 1/30/2014" I originally came across this title on an online list of the top 200 science fiction novels of all time. As with most lists of that sort, most of the novels[return]that made it were so litterary as to be unreadable. While this particular title wasn't, in my opinion, one of the best of all time, it was worthwhile.[return]The characters are believable and well done, and they grow and change throughout the book. This is classic science fiction in that it takes one what-if[return](what if some people no longer had to sleep?) and runs with it, fleshing out all of the many implications of that change. In a time when most science fiction[return]tries to build a complete world, the consintration on this one what-if is refreshing. The changes that it causes, and the resulting plot, are well thought[return]out. This is not a space opera. But it is quality sf. "
— Samuel, 1/18/2014" Great concept, but pretty misleading title "
— Andres, 1/16/2014" Book selection for the Hard SciFi group (aka the Yahoo hardsf group) for the month of October, 2009. "
— Richard, 1/10/2014" Tried to read this once before and couldn't get into it. Glad I gave it another shot. Will look for more in the series. "
— Keith, 12/21/2013" Something of a cross between the Heinlein Lazarus books and Atlas Shrugged. "
— Petrina, 12/17/2013" This book brings up some very interesting questions about genetic engineering, and the need for sleep. I read this after reading Steal Across the Sky and Maximum Light, which got me started on an author binge. "
— Marie, 10/16/2013" I hated it. Poorly written. "
— Elaine, 10/16/2013" Excellent book about breeding children who need no sleep. Mixed results ensue. "
— Phil, 9/25/2013" Very Objectivist in its morals, very Randian in its structure, this novella was nonetheless entertaining. "
— Patrick, 9/23/2013" Enjoyable and thought provoking but slightly exasperating. "
— Natalie, 8/29/2013" Much prefer the novella to the novel. A sensitive tale of compassion, devotion and...well, better not say more and spoil the read for those about to read the story "
— Tim, 2/21/2013" 3.5 - found the mix of political philosophy in a sci fi situation a really interesting combination. The philosophy it espoused so typically american, and as much as it annoyed me, I was still interested. I am keen to read the next one! "
— Alex, 2/10/2013" CLA Honors Sci-Fi @ UMN. LOVE this book. Nancy Kress is a genius. This is part of the Sleepers series - fantastic. "
— L, 12/14/2012" Good idea, but lots of Randian claptrap to wade through. "
— Ben, 6/21/2012" An unbelievable novel of speculative fiction in which people genetically modified to be sleepless show extraordinary intelligence and power and face persecution and paranoia both from within and without. Truly stunning. "
— Kirsten, 11/13/2011" great book. Looking forward to the next two books in the trilogy. "
— Robyn, 9/23/2011" I was reminded of this novel because I read an article on a woman who can't forget anything. This book is about people who don't have to sleep. Fascinating. "
— Felicia, 9/14/2011" An excellent premise for a science fiction book. Ms. Kress keeps you on the edge of your seat writing about a new generation of humans whose DNA is changed and require no sleep. There are two other books in the series. "
— Lily, 5/14/2011" An excellent premise for a science fiction book. Ms. Kress keeps you on the edge of your seat writing about a new generation of humans whose DNA is changed and require no sleep. There are two other books in the series. "
— Lily, 5/14/2011" I LOVED the premise of this book--and I want the vaccine for myself! "
— Jan, 4/24/2011" I LOVED the premise of this book--and I want the vaccine for myself! "
— Jan, 4/24/2011" Loved loved loved the opening novella. Liked the rest of the book. "
— Elizabeth, 3/8/2011" Loved loved loved the opening novella. Liked the rest of the book. "
— Elizabeth, 3/8/2011" Addicting. Finished in two days. "
— Dave, 3/2/2011" Addicting. Finished in two days. "
— Dave, 3/2/2011" Great concept, not sure if it needed to be anything other than a novella as she lost me in the last sections of the book. "
— Jason, 2/12/2011" Great concept, not sure if it needed to be anything other than a novella as she lost me in the last sections of the book. "
— Jason, 2/12/2011" Loved the emphasis on importance of the decisions of each individual person. "
— Karen, 1/3/2011" An interesting thought experiment concerning social inequality, racism and their consequences. "
— Xdyj, 1/3/2011" Loved the emphasis on importance of the decisions of each individual person. "
— Karen, 1/3/2011" An interesting thought experiment concerning social inequality, racism and their consequences. "
— Xdyj, 1/3/2011" I had to read this book for a 'Classics of Science Fiction' class in college some years ago. <br/>Never heard of Nancy Kress, but was blown away. <br/>Amazing story. "
— Jason, 12/21/2010" I had to read this book for a 'Classics of Science Fiction' class in college some years ago. <br/>Never heard of Nancy Kress, but was blown away. <br/>Amazing story. "
— Jason, 12/21/2010Nancy Kress is the bestselling author of numerous science fiction and fantasy novels, including Beggars in Spain, Probability Space, and Steal across the Sky. She has also published several short-story collections and and books on the fundamentals of writing. Kress frequently explores biology and genetic engineering in her fiction, as in her acclaimed Beggars series and her bio-thriller, Dogs. She is a six-time Nebula Award winner and the recipient of the Sturgeon and Campbell Awards as well as two Hugos. Her fiction has been translated into nearly two dozen languages. She teaches at venues including the Clarion Writers’ Program and, as a guest professor, at the University of Leipzig.
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.