A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

Title: A Long, Long Sleep
Author: Anna Sheehan
Published: August 9, 2011 by Candlewick Press
Pages: 352/Hardcover
Source: e-ARC from publisher and NetGalley
Challenge: 2011 Debut Author Challenge


Summary: Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for 62 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.


Review: This book was amazing. I can not imagine better writing or characters in a book. For a debut author Ms. Sheehan has done one heck of a job. 


I like dystopian books (which is the only way I can think of this book) but I don't like that many of them are centered around governments that control everyone. The fact that this book did not have a dominating government as its theme was very refreshing. 


The plot had a bit of everything. There was definitely mystery which was wonderfully done. I honestly had no clue what was coming, and I'm not just talking about the Plastine for those of you who have read it.


The emotions of the characters were very authentic and added to the characters greatly. I could feel Rose's pain and despair when she woke up to the fact that her family and love were dead. She made for a very well rounded character, as did Bren and Otto. I loved that Bren and Rose were just friends. Of course she loved him, but they both knew it couldn't work at the time and they continued on to become great friends throughout the book. It seems very hard lately to find a book where a boy and girl are friends. Just friends. That in and of itself allowed both of them to grow and fill out there character more because they weren't trying to make some "love" work.


Overall this is a great book that I suggest everyone read. No matter what genre you typically enjoy, A Long, Long Sleep has just about everything. It's characters are strong and real, as is the plot.