The Dreamless
As romantic as it is deadly, Jen Williams stuns in this heartrending sequel to The Sleepless.
After being sacrificed yet again at the hands of Mother Maura, Elver has returned from the dead even more jih than human. A strange new power simmers beneath her skin alongside a warning from the Queen of Serpents: though she’s been granted another chance at life, someday soon, Elver will be called from the land of mortals.
Now that Artair knows the spirit with whom he shares a body, Lucian, is an ordinary human, the two have formed an uneasy truce. While they attempt to wield their shred of Maura’s stolen power―the only thing keeping her from ascending to full godhood―they’re also confronted with feelings for Elver that are impossible to deny.
But Maura is out for revenge. As dangerous new alliances brew among the Twelve, Elver, Artair, and Lucian must set out to find the only being in existence capable of killing a god. And Elver will need to decide once and for all with which of the Sleepless her poisoned heart lies.
Jen Williams
Jen Williams crafts fantasy worlds that shimmer with danger and charm, where the echoes of forgotten legends meet sharp wit and complex characters. Growing up in southeast London, she was drawn to dark folklore and fairy tales that whispered of shadowy magic and fierce survival. This early fascination shaped her voice—one that blends the raw edges of adventure with moments of sly humor and emotional depth.
Her debut, The Copper Cat Trilogy, introduced readers to a world where swordplay and sorcery collide with a refreshing irreverence, centered on Wydrin, a mercenary who breaks the mold of typical fantasy heroes. But it was with The Winnowing Flame Trilogy that her reputation truly solidified. Beginning with The Ninth Rain, the series weaves together elements of fantasy and sci-fi with a brooding atmosphere and richly layered storytelling that earned critical acclaim, including multiple British Fantasy Awards. Themes of decay and renewal thread through her work, inviting readers to explore worlds on the edge—where ancient powers stir and unlikely heroes rise.
The Sleepless
In a world where gods tread lightly and monsters lurk just beyond sight, this series invites you into a shadowed realm where danger and desire intertwine. At its heart is Elver, guardian of a cursed forest whose very skin poisons those around her, a solitary figure shaped by a debt paid long ago to a serpent queen. Then comes Artair, a man haunted by an ancient spirit dwelling within him, awakening only in darkness to claim control. Their meeting sparks a fragile, volatile dance between trust and fear, where survival means confronting not only external threats but the shadows within themselves.
The Sleepless consists of one book and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
