Review for A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

A Long Long Sleep

Author: Anna Sheehan

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Source: ARC from NetGalley

Release Date: August 9, 2011

Challenges: For the Love of YA, 250 Page Challenge

352 pages

"Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically-induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten sub-basement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew.

Now, her parents and her first love are long dead, and Rose – hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire – is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes – or be left without any future at all."- Goodreads

 
  When I requested this book (by accident) and recieved a confirmation for it, I didn't know what to expect. What would this story be like? How is she going to develop it? Is it a series? Well, right now I can answer that last question, no it is not a series: hooray!


   I found myself expecting to be annoyed with Rose, you know how characters come out of a coma or whatever and are all 'I dont know what to do now' (understandably). Yes, she did have that feel but for some reason I did not get annoyed with her. I liked Rose. She was a really strong main character and discovered herself during this book. Bren, (the boy her kissed her awake) I adored him when we are first introduced to him. Then there came Otto who I loved. People viewed him as a freak but he was so kind with Rose, it was so sweet. (And no there is not a love triangle going on). Xavier was Rose's past love. Gosh I loved him! Their relationship was so sweet and touching. But towards the end, after certain twists and gasps, it was kinda weird. I'm glad I was not Rose throughout this story! Anyways, for the characters, you knew who to love and who to hate (sometimes), and they were all well developed.


   Anna Sheehan did an amazing job with the world building! This story takes place around probably I would guess 2030's, somewhere around there. You expect stuff, technology, speech to be different right? Yes! She did that, she created a world that was so believable for the time period! The plot had so many twists and turns and mystery and.. and.. well just a bunch of everything!


   I think that this book is defenitly worth the time to read, so I recommend it. It may not be for everyone but I think people should have the chance to formulate their own opinion about it. I enjoyed it even though I didn't know what to expect,; I was pleasantly surprised! There are so many twists, turns, gasps, sighs, and emotions. My hat is tipped to Anna Sheehan for a unique, interesting read!

Excerpt:

"Dark times?" I asked.

"The Dark Times?" he said as if it should be obvious. "When the..... Oh, God." His voice fell to a horrified whisper. "That was sixty some years ago."

"I'm sorry...." I whispered, unable to grasp what he was saying. "Sixtxy.... y-years?"

"Yeah," Brendan said quietly. "And..... if you're really Rosealinda Fitzroy...." Whatever more he had to say would have to wait. The ocean from my dream returned in the form of roaring surf, which blocked all sound and stopped my breath. Sixty years. Mom and Daddy, dead. Asa, dead. Xavier.... my Xavier...

I think I screamed. The last thing I felt as the shadows overcame my vision completely was Brendan's strong arms catching me as I fell.