I’ll be honest, I’ve never been one to really think about buying any indie books. I just go to the bookstore and pick up whatever books have been on my radar. However, after reading Asleep by Krystal Wade, I might just have to rethink my book buying strategy.
“To cure fear, you must use fear.”
Rose Briar claims no responsibility for the act that led to her imprisonment in an asylum. She wants to escape, until terrifying nightmares make her question her sanity and reach out to her doctor. He’s understanding and caring in ways her parents never have been, but as her walls tumble down and Rose admits fault, a fellow patient warns her to stop the medications. Phillip believes the doctor is evil and they’ll never make it out of the facility alive. Trusting him might be just the thing to save her. Or it might prove the asylum is exactly where she needs to be.
The Good
- Unique retelling of the classic fairytale, Sleeping Beauty.
- Fast-paced story with plenty of thrills.
- Really interesting characters, especially Phillip.
- Plot was full of twists – especially in regards to if Phillip was real or only in Rose’s head.
- The ending was great. I might have shed a little tear.
The Bad
- Rose wasn’t the best MC. I felt she was a little too naïve and trusting, which was part of the reason she ended up in the asylum in the first place.
- I didn’t really like the family dynamic in this book. I found it a little hard to believe that parents would be so quick to send their daughter to an asylum, leave her there without any contact, and then all of sudden be okay again when it’s all over. Just seemed far too easy for there apparently to have been so many problems before.
If you’re looking for a creepy book to get you ready for Halloween, this is the one! I recommend it for anyone looking to dive into some indie novels, or if you’re just looking for a fresh take on a classic fairytale. Wade delivers some original thrills and she isn’t afraid to get a little dark and dirty.
Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars
Have you read Asleep? What were your thoughts on it? Do you read many indie novels? Which ones would you recommend?
Wonderfilled Reads 