A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

A Long, Long Sleep
Author:  Anna Sheehan
ISBN-13: 978-0763652609
Publication Date: August, 2011
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Book Length:  352 pages
Acquired by Me:  NetGalley

 

Description Courtesy of Goodreads:

“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.”

 

My Thoughts:

This is seriously one of my favorite young adult reads of this year. It was such a fresh and creative story that I didn’t want to put it down once I started it. There is a powerful message tucked away in these pages. Anna Sheehan tackles some seriously weighty subject matter. How would you feel if you suddenly found yourself an outcast? How do you treat others who are different in other ways? How do you cope with life when it throws you challenges and pain? Those were a few thoughts that ran through my mind. I also thought hard on throwaway children and suffering – as well as lost loves. Does this tease your mind? There is a great deal going on in this story. Much to contemplate, rather than a breezy read.

Rosalinda is a girl frozen in time – that is until one day a boy wakes her from her long, long sleep – far too long of a sleep because she’s been forgotten and left behind at some point. When she wakes, she finds the world has changed around her. This isn’t like every other time that she’s been sleeping (which happens quite often for her). What she endures as she begins to readjust to “normalcy” is incredibly sad. There are truths for her to uncover and learn – and I admit to stumbling over the words each time something came to light.

This story is utterly heartbreaking at times, yet it does offer promise. Rosalinda works her way through her challenges and becomes stronger for it. Although there are several supporting characters – I don’t really want to discuss them for fear of opening up a lot of spoilers to the story. There is a great deal that needs to unfold as you read it and it would be a shame to know the ending before you have time to absorb what is going on exactly.

I know I mentioned that the setting is futuristic, so the book really falls under young adult science fiction. Think a little of the Jetsons here – there are floating cars and robots. But, don’t let that detract you even if you aren’t a big fan of that type of book. It’s the story itself that is powerful -- just skip the peripheral stuff!

I HIGHLY recommend this book. I think it is a great read for teens and moms alike. There is much that a girl can identify with and find empowering all at the same time. Moms: the romance bit may be a tad awkward at some point (not in a graphic way), but I think there is much more to offset it. Go ahead and give it a try!! 

The thoughts expressed in this post are solely based on my personal opinion and have not been influenced by any other entity or being. Use of my statements may not be reproduced without permission from me, the author of Fall In Love With Books.

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