This review contains SPOILERS!
None Shall Sleep
By: Ellie Marney
3|.|25 stars
In 1982, two teenagersâserial killer survivor Emma Lewis and US Marshal candidate Travis Bellâare recruited by the FBI to interview convicted juvenile killers and provide insight and advice on cold cases. From the start, Emma and Travis develop a quick friendship, gaining information from juvenile murderers that even the FBI can't crack. But when the team is called in to give advice on an active caseâa serial killer who exclusively hunts teenagersâthings begin to unravel. Working against the clock, they must turn to one of the country's most notorious incarcerated murderers for help: teenage sociopath Simon Gutmunsson. Despite Travis's objections, Emma becomes the conduit between Simon and the FBI team. But while Simon seems to be giving them the information they need to save lives, he's an expert manipulator playing a very long game...and he has his sights set on Emma.
Firstly, this quote was the highlight of the whole entire book! Go Kristen!!! đđ
âTAKE MY BLOOD, YOU MISERABLE FUCKING SHIT!â Kristinâs face is twisted in a snarl, like sheâs been possessed by her brother.
It was such an intense scene and I just cracked up laughing, I couldn't help it.
Ok now to the review!! First off, I just want to say that objectively, this book probably deserves a 4.5 star but as you can see I gave it a 3.25. That's because I really wasn't in the mood for this book, and my mind was preoccupied with other books. I pretty much just read this to tick it off the list, and for that reason the whole book felt really slow and sluggish.
Now, let's set the scene. It's 1982. Emma Lewis is the sole survivor of a savage serial killer. Travis Bell is working towards becoming a US Marshal and his dad was killed by notorious teenage sociopath Simon Gutmunsson. So they get hired by the FBI to provide insight and do interviews with convicted juvenile murderers. Soon, Emma and Travis get wrapped up in an active case and have to turn to Simon for help.
I like Emma! She was a nice main character and I really sympathised with her. She was so courageous and brave even after everything she went through. I enjoyed Kirsten's character too. She was really unique and different from what I expected. The mystery and plot as a whole stands out. It's not all about who is the killer. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes true crime or a good thriller!
The whole first 2 thirds were kind of slow and boring as I mentioned before, enough that I considered DNFing. 2 things (or should I say, very attractive men đ) kept me going. These are Travis Bell and Simon Gutmunsson.
Let's start with Travis đ
How can I not love a man that wears formal wear all the time? Even better, when he's not in a suit, he's working out wearing those loose grey sweats that are just... *sigh* Also, the way he talks and holds a gun and his whole personality is just so very hot đ„ and sweet đ§ And when he cupped Emma's face near the end and was so nice and gentle with her, I was mentally squealing.
She looks up at Bell and he steps closer and cups her face in his hands. He wipes her cheeks with his thumbs and slowly, slowly, Emma sinks in until his arms wrap around and he is holding her. The warmth of him thaws some of the numbness inside, but Bell is solid; he keeps holding her while her shoulders shake.
I shipped Emma and Travis so much the whole book, and even though it hints at a future relationship between them, there was no actual kiss or dating. The most I got was holding hands and blushing. Consider me disappointed đ
Now on to Simon đ€đ
Simon is just on another level. He has his own brand of crazy. I know what you're thinking. Simon killed so many people, DISEMBOWLED them and made weirdo tea party scenes with them (hence the nickname The Artist) so how tf can you be attracted to him? Here's my answer. He's intelligent, attractive and there's just something so appealing about him. I am definitely not excusing his horrible crimes, but I can't say I wouldn't voluntarily step in his cage with him đ„ș He has ice blue eyes and white hair, sharp jawline and a "rare glowing beauty". And when he quotes poetry and classics, my heart flutters đ„° Also, the way he converses with Emma and his whole like ~aura~ is just so appealing. I don't know why, but I blame the author. At the end scene, he was literally hung up by his ankles upside down and being all snarky and cute and I just couldn't help but love him đ Forgive me, but I'm not going to forget about Simon any time soon. Also, this probably means I'm insane but I just loved this scene for some reason.
âDear Emma,â he says. âYouâll excuse me if I borrow this.â A sharp sliding pain that makes her gag, and Simon holds the scalpel in his hand, the scalpel that was in her arm.
Although the last third of the book was much more fast-paced and I enjoyed it, I couldn't say the same for the ending. That disappointed me đ. First of all, Travis, why didn't you man up đȘ and kiss Emma? Seriously?! Second, she just left the envelope for such an amazing oppurtunity just lying there and drove away!! So annoying! Anyways, that's it for this review. Hope you enjoyed!! đ€đ€đ€