Sleepwalker: The Last Sandman

Im not very good at writing reviews. What can I say? I really enjoyed The Last Sandman. I wasnt so sure at the beginning of this book, there was a little confusion over who was narrating the story. However, this confusion was quickly cleared up. The story sucked me right in, and I was disappointed to see it end. The author was great at making his imaginary characters seem believable. I hope there will be a sequel in the near future. Without giving away spoilers, I have to say Id really like to see Jake and his familys adventures expanded, and Id also like to see Coles twins share their own adventures as they enter the land of Nod. This story has so much potential. As a side note, this is one reason why I love my Kindle and Amazon so much. They introduce me to a world of indie authors like Brad Marlowe, a world I had no connection with before I bought my Kindle! Thanks for a wonderful read, Brad, and I hope to see more of your work!

I just finished reading Sleepwalker:The Last Sandman and I didnt want it to end. I mean...I REALLY didnt want it to end! It is an action packed book that I think young and old will enjoy. There were many things in the story that those of us that are parents truly understand, and the young and young at heart will be enchanted. The characters were so believable, and the children were so real. I teach kids the same age as the two boys and could just hear real kids talking. I had so many favorite parts, and I dont want to spoil the story...but I loved the hot chocolate part AND was creeped out by the spider part. Something happened when I finished this book that I cant remember happening to me before. I went back and re-read the first few chapters and enjoyed them almost as much as the exciting final ones. They were so much more meaningful the second time around after becoming friends with this family. I cant wait for the sequel!

By any standard, including the work of many of todays leading authors, this is an exceptional book. *As in the best literature, the characters are created stroke-by-stroke rather than in extended, often boring, asides. *The plot is highly original, properly braided with natural transitions between character and locale, and the rhythm and pacing are perfectly suited to the writers easy flowing style. One has only to read the prologue, which is included in the free sample, to gain an appreciation for the excellent prose quality. The hook is excellent, quickly and deeply set, and is fully supported by the books development. *Dialog is spot-on, never stilted, and children sound like children--precocious children to be sure, but children nonetheless--rather than obnoxious forty year olds. *The formatting of the book is essentially perfect and the editing is nearly so. This is a thoroughly professional job in every respect. In closing, Ill simply add that, were I a literary agent, Id be doing all within my power to get this writer under contract. With proper representation and guidance, Im confident hes destined for a highly successful career.

Although I really think that tweens and teens will thoroughly enjoy Sleepwalker: The Last Sandman I think the book has a great story and meaning to offer to adults as well. The storytelling is tight and fast paced, but it was the sort of book that you almost didnt want to finish, because you knew youd miss the characters when the last page was done. The characters are realistic and even in the most fantastic of situations the author finds them in, you can hear the truth of the characters as you read. The fantasy elements are so neatly done, that you find yourself believing them just as much as you believe in the more mundane and recognizable reality that Jake, Cole & Sean are experiencing in the story. Many authors can make fantasy exciting and others can make reality realistic, but to be able to do both is something you dont often seen in YA novels. Also, unlike many YA books, this story had characters that both boys and girls would be interested in. This is definitely not a book that will be pegged as a book just for boys or just for girls. I could easily have seen our family reading this book as a read-aloud book when my daughter was younger. The chapters are of a manageable size for an evenings read. But more than that, this book touched on many subjects and emotions that I, as a mother of a teenager who is rapidly preparing to go out on her own, was deeply touched by. The love of children for their parents, the love of parents for their children, the strength of children, the weaknesses in even the best parent figures - all of these themes come into play in Sleepwalker:The Last Sandman in a way that made it more than worth my time to read. I usually archive books as soon as I finish them, but this one I have left on my Kindle. I find myself going back to peek in on the characters and I am anxiously awaiting what happens next!

Plot/Storyline: 4 Stars This was an extremely imaginative tale that takes place mostly in the dream world of Nod. There is even a surprising explanation for why it is called `Nod. Although this is listed as a YA novel, it is just as enjoyable for adults, if not more so. Younger readers would possibly miss many of the subtle nuances of the work. At first, the switching of viewpoint from omniscient to first person was a little awkward. Cole, the father of twins, is reading a book to them that is written by his father, Jake. The book he is reading is told in first person, and relates a tale from Coles childhood. The portions featuring the `adult Cole become scarce after the first quarter, though, making for a smoother read. I felt that having Jake write his book from a first person perspective, but relate in detail events he was not personally privy to, gave the story an unrealistic feel. Yes, the tale is a fantasy and, therefore, not realistic at all. However, this aspect leant a fictional quality that is negated later in the work. Coles explanation for why he did not call Jake Dad, or something similar, was bothersome to me. The story did not really explain why or when Cole switched to calling his father by his name. I figured that he must have called him `Daddy when a baby as the adults would have ensured this. His brother, Sean, calls Jake, Dad. So, the explanation Cole gives his sons seemed like something contrived by an adult to earn points with his kids, rather than something based in reality, especially given the story he reads to them with his fathers part in it. Although the story takes place mostly in the `dream world, it is pointed out that Sean and Cole have physical bodies there and can be hurt or killed. However, when Sean breaks his leg, he still manages to run, jump, climb ladders, etc. I tried hard to overlook this and succeeded for the most part, thinking that perhaps his leg wasnt actually broken, just sprained or something. However, being told that Sean still limps as an adult reinforced the idea that the leg was broken. This was a fairly fast paced novel with many action sequences. I especially enjoyed the stories injected into the storyline. They were a good fit and very interesting. Oddly enough, my favorite characters were the cows from the trampoline scene. I dont know why, but that image just stuck with me. Character Development: 4 Stars Jake is a very well-developed character. The reader can really feel his emotions coming through. I have to admit that I found it difficult to feel much sympathy for a man who abandoned his children, but sympathy did come into play for him being a widower. Cole could have been developed more as the reader really doesnt get much explanation for what he is really feeling. As a child, we understand that he loves his brother, but we dont get a feel for how this boy feels about having his mother die and being abandoned by his father. This is not expressed well from the adult Coles viewpoint, either. Sean is very well developed from the childhood view. I did wish that he would have made an appearance as an adult, but, even though that never happened, I was still satisifed with the development of his character. Writing Style: 4 3/4 Stars The writing style of Mr. Marlowe had a wonderful flow to it that kept me enthralled throughout. The descriptions were vivid, bringing the dream world to life. Aside from a very few dangling participles and awkward sentences, the structure was outstanding. The dialogue was realistic and engaging. The action sequences were also very nicely done with no confusion for the reader. I could actually see the action unfolding in my mind as I read (especially those cows). Editing/Formatting: 4 3/4 Stars There were a few too many editing errors to refer to this as `professionally edited; however, it did not fall very short. The formatting was excellent. Rating: PG ------------------------------- For more information and reviews, including commentary by authors, be sure to check out my blog. You will find it listed in my profile!

If youre a kid at heart, youll like this book. Its one of those fun, engrossing reads, that anyone from 9 to 90 will like. Its fantasy, which isnt my usual choice, but not the kind of fantasy with dragons, fairies, and swashbuckling elves, its got its own dream characters, in this dreamland of Nod, that I found thoroughly enjoyable and different from the usual dragons and princess fantasy books. Im looking forward to another adventure from this author. I give it 5 stars for fun, great storytelling, and smooth writing.

Im going to keep this short and just say I really enjoyed this book. Im looking forward to the next one and will buy it the minute it comes out! Keep the stories coming and keep all your new fans happy! :)

Normally, I dont like first-person narrative novels. Normally, I dont like stories that switch between first-person and third-person narrative. I freely admit to now being abnormal, because I absolutely LOVED Sleepwalker: The Last Sandman. The story was imaginative, fresh, and extremely enjoyable to read. The characters were believable and well-developed. The authors words painted such vivid pictures in my mind (I was bouncing right along with Jake on the trampoline grass, could feel how tired the people were because they werent getting proper sleep, and could smell the soot in the air as I rode with Sean and Cole on their horrific roller-coaster experience). The story evoked sadness and joy, terror and triumph. When the villain was defeated, I cheered aloud (though quietly, as it was 1:30 a.m. and my husband was asleep!). Another thing I liked about the book is that is contained no profanity, gratuitous sex, or violence (thats not to say that bad things didnt happen, but the descriptions were not graphic or gory). That is hard to find in a day and age where bad language, violence, and sex are used in novels, TV shows, and movies (even those geared towards children and teenagers) just because they are more accepted today than they used to be and publishers seem to think that sex sells. Sleepwalker didnt need any of those things to be a compelling story. I noticed that all the other reviewers for this book gave five-stars. Mine is a four-star review only because of some minor grammatical errors about which the author has been told (at his request). If Amazon had a 4-1/2 star option, thats what I would assign to Sleepwalker: The Last Sandman, because the mistakes only slightly detracted from the story. When the corrected version is released, I know it will definitely be a five-star novel. I will be one of the first in line to buy Brad Marlowes next book.

If youre a father or if youve ever had one, if you dream, if you love great stories filled with imagination and daring - you have to read this book. You wont be able to put it down. Loved it and cant wait for them to make this into a movie (it wont be easy!!)

This book was so much fun to read! Lots of excitement and adventure! I dont know if theres going to be another book, but if there is... I will be reading it! Loved the storyline and characters. One of the reviews stated it was hard to follow who was telling the story, but I didnt think so. I thought it was pretty clear when Cole was talking to his children and when he was reading what his father wrote in the book. It was an easy/fun read that I didnt want to end. Whether you are young or old, this story (as many do) has relevance in todays world. In the words of Martin Luther King: ...no person has the right to rain on your dreams.