Sleepless volume 2

March 16, 2023

uwum

I was heavily disappointed to hear this terrific fantasy romance would end after only 11 issues. However, looking on the bright side, that makes for a complete story in two collections, a tidy but not over-committed read. It does mean, though, that events step very swiftly in Sleepless volume 2, the second half of the series by Sarah Vaughn and Leila Del Duca.

Poppy is taking care of a number of substantial challenges. With her daddy no longer king and her status illegitimate, she is being pressured into an set up marriage with the princess’ cousin. At least her relationship with the princess has become a lot more friendly, although Poppy’s beloved sleepless knight protector is, as the book opens and after major emotional drama from the first volume, asleep.

Things step quickly, with schemes and longing glances and vows of revenge. There’s a good deal of action here, but what I like a lot of is how the creators focus on the personalities as well. Sir Cyrenic, formerly Poppy’s protector, is in a previously unexpected role, as there is no other former sleepless knight. There’s a comfort in doing what you’re meant to, and his uncertainty at now having to make his own choices was something I could relate to.

This volume does read as abbreviated, as though this astonishing world could have been explored far longer than it was. I was disappointed, for example, that we didn’t see Poppy having to navigate her new role as wife for longer. having the issues in larger chunks does make it much easier to keep up with the various machinations and schemes, although I admit I didn’t recall seeing the villain previously. I wanted a lot more of the various rich cultures and traditions the authors had come up with, and I’ll miss learning a lot more about this world. (The publisher supplied a review copy.)

Sleepless volume 2

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uwum