When we last saw Zax Delatree, he had just rediscovered Ana, the love of his life, who promised to fill in some of the blanks for him. Like why she wasn’t still a gibbering wreck after accidentally viewing the horror between realities, and exactly what her and her compatriots needed him for so desperately. Now, Zax, Ana and their friends and allies are scattered across the multiverse, on the hunt for - and being hunted by - a deadly cult whose mission could spell even more destruction than Zax’s old enemy the Lector.

Throwing us straight into the pursuit, Zax gives us some early foreshadowing and cryptic references to the events that have befallen him as he tracks a cultist across realities. As with Doors of Sleep though, it’s not just Zax who writes in his journal, with chapters from Ana’s perspective alternating with his. Ana is there to provide context for why the two have become separated again, but also to explain what happened to her after she was accidentally dragged across the multiverse while awake - normally a sanity-shattering experience. As it stands though, Ana’s recovery is an issue that’s brushed off fairly quickly, and for many of her chapters she’s narrating what happened as she followed behind Zax in the first book. With Zax off elsewhere having new adventures, it’s a little like we’re jerked back and forth between the past and present, and Ana’s chapters often seem like little more than a rather long winded way to recap what has already happened in the previous book.

Conversely, the events of the latter half of Prison of Sleep seem to happen all in a rush. Moments of tension and seemingly inescapable situations are dissipated or wriggled out of respectively almost on the next page, all whilst enormous amounts of exposition are doled out. Two new villains are doing the rounds, one of whom is given little in the way of characterisation, and there are various complicated plans and counterstrikes being formulated constantly. A big reason why Doors of Sleep was so much fun was that it didn’t get too bogged down in trying to explain the why of everything, and it feels like the opposite approach is being employed here - there’s a great deal of wearisome exposition, as well as some rather clunky deus ex machina employed to get out of many of the situations the characters find themselves in. It’s as if the first book was a fun adventure and this one is half sequel, half accompanying appendix.

On top of all this, the charming companions that Zax picked up in Doors of Sleep are largely absent here; it’s an odd choice to construct a loveable found family in one book and then separate them for the next. New companion Zaveta is entertaining enough - she has a great line in Thor-style dialogue, being an enjoyable barbarian fish out of water in pretty much every situation - but Minna’s absence is felt keenly. We see glimpses of her, as Ana recounts her own trailing of Zax and his companions, but these only serve to make us pine for her even more. Zax’s desire to solve conflicts without resorting to violence still makes him endearing, but we don’t really get to spend enough time appreciating his approach thanks to the dual timelines and expository storytelling.

With its uneven pacing and erratic plotting, Prison of Sleep feels more like a compromise than a conclusion. There’s still some entertainment value to be derived from Zax’s adventures, but with the best will in the world(s), it’s difficult not to come away feeling underwhelmed.

First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Angry Robot for providing an ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.

SEEING DOUBLE

The second and last book in the Journals of Zaxony Delatree is richer in adventures and characters than its predecessor, and provides a satisfactory (if wild) explanation for Zax's ability to travel the multiverse every time he falls asleep/unconscious. Told in diary form from two alternating points of view - Zax's and his long-lost girlfriend Ana's, with whom he got reunited at the end of Book 1, only to lose her again - it's an ambitious tour de force weaving together events past and recent (since for a good part of the book Ana recounts her adventures who took place in the same timeline as the first installment's, while Zax records what happened next) that not always succeeds in keeping the confusion at bay, but most certainly entertains.

UP A NOTCH

There are a number of things Prison of Sleep does well: Zax is a much stronger character than he was in Book 1 (he's also enhanced in a few ways, but I got the sense that his newfound self-confidence isn't a product of his borrowed abilities); Ana is a strong deuteragonist; the Prisoner and his cult are intriguing (far more than the blurb conveys), and the very concept of a deity imprisoned in the void between worlds blew my mind; the worlds themselves (at least the ones that get developed) are a riot; and while I missed Minna (who is only present later in the story), warrior Zaveeta ended up being a new favourite, plus a welcome (and sometimes funny) contrast with pacifist Zax. I loved how they clicked despite their differences, managed to learn to respect each other and became a team. There are a few surprises on the way (though I wouldn't call them "twists", and some of them I was able to anticipate, to an extent), and the ending is perfectly satisfying.

THE TELLING IN THE TALE

On the other hand, there are a few aspects where Prison of Sleep is less strong. As I mentioned before, the double point of view, with different timelines - one of which parallel to the events in Book 1 - that only catch up with each other in the last chapters, is at times confusing. Also, Zax and Ana's voices occasionally tend to blur. But the thing that bugged me more (just like it did in the first installment) is the huge amount of exposition, that of course can hardly be avoided in a story written in form of journal entries...or maybe it could have. I will admit that I was starting to feel a bit impatient while reading the first chapters, and it wasn't until the sheer brilliance of the world(s)-building won me over that I was able to overlook the large patches of telling-vs.-showing. Still, Prison of Sleep entertained (and sometimes amused) me more than the Doors of Sleep did, so I ultimately decided to round my rating up to 4 stars. If world-hopping is your jam, it doesn't get much better than this 🙂.

"Prison of Sleep" continues Zax's journey through multiple worlds as he tries to stop the Sleeper cult from propagating and destroying space-time. Told from the points-of-view of Zax, and his former traveling partner and lover, Ana, we get insights (and, admittedly, info-dumps) about the cult and the people from various worlds who are working to defeat it. But, can a god who can traverse anywhere be killed?

Tim Pratt is a writer who's work is always a joy for me. I became a fan with his Marla Mason series, and have liked everything since. I read "The Twilight Empire" at the same time I was reading "Prison of Sleep," and was intrigued by how effortlessly he builds worlds and characters.

Zax has traveled over 1000 worlds, and he has lost several companions along the way. The cult are looking for him, either to convert or to kill him, and it's becoming harder to stay ahead of them.

Ana has also become a traveler, after surviving near-madness due to exposure of the space between the worlds. She's a bit more pessimistic than Zax, but also less idealistic. They balance each other well, and readers will hope for their eventual reunion.

We also meet back up with some characters I thought might be lost for good after the first book. No spoilers, but they've joined the fight as well, and are working their way to Zax.

Despite the large blocks of info, the plot moves well and makes sense. I think possibly it could have been improved by having two parts Zax to one part Ana in the chapters, but then too, Ana's sections give us lots of the backstory of the cult and the group working against them.

This is a good, solid sci-fi series that will appeal to readers who like to imagine alternate times and places.

4 out of 5 stars

I received an advance copy from Angry Robot via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This, and other reviews, may also be found on my book blog, redhatcatreviews.com.

PRISON OF SLEEP is a fun sequel to DOORS OF SLEEP. Here we get more of Zax’s inter-dimensional travel and adventures on other worlds.

WHAT I LIKED:
I enjoyed the back-and-forth narrative. The story is told from Zax’s perspective in the story’s present while Ana tells her perspective in the past. Each chapter alternates between these two narrators, and eventually their timelines catch up to one another. I also enjoyed the concept of the Prisoner and what's going on in the space in between the worlds.

WHAT I THINK COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
There’s a lot of setup at the beginning to bring the reader up to speed on the events of the first book, which tends to feel like things are starting off slow, but after a while the tale moves along at a nice pace. We get a few new characters (including my new favorite, Zaveta), but I wish there had been more of Minna and Vicki; here they just feel like plot devices to solve particular situations without providing much character depth. And like the first book, things tend to wrap up a bit too neatly and conveniently every time something goes wrong.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:
It's good sci-fi and a unique take on the multiverse trope. I think this book could easily fit into the YA category. I enjoyed the story and had a lot of fun reading it. I hope a third book is in the works.

4/5 stars. This rating means: A very good book and I enjoyed it! Had some issues but saw moments of brilliance. Would absolutely re-read and and recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Angry Robot, and author Tim Pratt for an advance reader copy in exchange for this honest review.

* Thanks to Angry Robot and Netgalley for an advance copy for review purposes *

Oops. I did not realize this was part 2 of a duology. The first chapter does a great job at recapping what is going on, such a good job I really did not notice I was thrown in the middle of something. The story moves at such a brisk pace it was so seamless. This is an incredibly imaginative book - Zax has a condition that makes him jump to a different world every time he falls asleep. Told from Zax's perspective, as well as his beloved, Ana, we get to travel through a large variety of worlds while attempting to prevent the multiverse from collapsing. The two characters are quite different, I really liked Ana's quiet competence. She gets stuff done! I was going to write that I'd read an entire book on the adventures involving the Lecter, but that may already be covered by the first book. This is such a fun, colorful adventure, and I will be seeking out the first book next.

This was a good time. I do have to say it took me a lot longer to read it than I would have liked. I think that this would be EXCELLENT in audiobook form, and if I was on a really long drive, hell yes, this would be in my que of things to listen to. I think I did myself a disservice by reading the first book only a month ago. Because Ana's POV is from the timeline of the first book, none of the events were really a suprised me, since I just read them. But that is on me not the book. I do appreciate that we got to the meat and potatoes of why Zaxony was having such a time in the first book.

I will say that although Zax is a merciful person and that is just who he is, his Batman morailty clause did drive me nuts at times. But otherwise it was a good read. I appreciate that this was a nicely packaged duology that answered all the questions.

The world-building (multi-world building!) in this story is outstanding; Pratt shuffles us through ruined post-apocalyptic landscapes and bright bustling futuristic cities, and meeting an array of beings, without it feeling overwhelming. We learn newly created terms as they are being introduced to the characters themselves, making it so very easy to follow along as the story becomes more elaborate.

The world building here is imaginative, the writing flows easily, and characters are winsome. The main character is long-winded, self-deprecating, and unfailingly patient like some of my favorite British comedians.

No one is even close to freaking out or rushing around in this novel. In fact, during the parts I read, the ambiance is as slow and leisurely as a Hobbit four-course brunch. There’s even a character named Ephedra who does nothing to give this story the giddy up, which I thought was funny. I do like slow moving novels at times, but the pacing here felt like a misstep, even though I was charmed by the characters and dialogue—especially Zax.

Overall a good book

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing me an advance copy (ARC) of “Prison of Sleep” in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this story and leave my review voluntarily.

Can I start of by saying that this is a great series and if you haven't already read the others in the series I suggest you read them before reading this one. However if you do just read this one the. That's ok too as there is a handy little recap right at the beginning of the book so you don't need to worry too much.

Anyhoo. I was really excited to return to visit Zax and go on another adventure with him in the multiverse and this book is a great addition to the series.

In this book we get two alternating points of view it is written from the point of views of both Zax and Ana. Although I usually absolutely love this approach and I do understand what the author was trying to do. I have to say in this book. I'm not really sure if it works too well. The reason why is simply because I think Ana's story of the first book would have been better in a #1.5 addition if you will. Simply because we already know how the first book ends and it took away a little bit about what is happening in the second book with zaxs storyline. Which was actually really good, although a little bit rushed, but it was fun all the same and it really was lovely to be back in zax's world and his adventures.

Tim Prat finishes off the Zax duology with style, substance, and flare.
Zax and his companions are back and the reader feels right at home with him and the other narrator, Ana. The dual narrative styles between Zax and Ana are welcome changes between how they are written and perceive the world. A bit of the Ana chapters serve as a in story review of the previous book. While I dont agree with how the story ultimately went it all made sense within the context of story and all the characters do what they view as best.
The new characters are lively and memorable, and the numerous worlds we jump into are super well described. Tim could write for Doctor Who, Star Trek, or any other show that has a new world(s) each week.
This is suitable for YA and Adults with no real triggering issues.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #AngryRobot, and @Tim Pratt for allowing me to review an advanced copy.

I was very excited to return to Zax and his adventures in the multiverse and this book definitely didn't disappoint.

We start with a handy little recap. I know not everyone likes this but I find this so helpful and thoughtful when authors do this as it has usually been a little while since I had read the previous book/s.

Prison of Sleep is written from two alternating points of view - Zax and Ana. Personally I enjoyed Zax's chapters much more as he's a much more developed and interesting character. Ana's chapters take place almost entirely along the timeline of the first book. It is basically the first book again but from her point of view. The problem with this approach is that we know how it ends. There's no real sense of peril as we already know how it turns out. This really takes away from the impact of events happening in these parts of the book. I almost feel like Ana's chapters would have been better if they were published as their own novella. A "#1.5" in the series while Prison of Sleep concentrated in the present story, especially as the end just felt a bit rushed and maybe deserved to be developed a little more.

Overall this was a fun story and a real pleasure to return to some great characters and brilliantly inventive worlds.

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

First of all, I really like the author including a recap because it's been a while since I read the first book. So it was nice to refresh before jump into the story. As for the book, I love reading multiverse theories so naturally, I read the first book and loved it. Prison of Sleep is the next book in this series and we continue to learn about this world. The worldbuilding in this series was amazing and very unique. Tim Pratt is an amazing and very creative storyteller. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this series and I'll definitely check Tim Pratt's other works too. Thank you Netgalley and Angry Robot for this early copy.

I was able to read both books in this duology. I did not mind the recap as it had been a while since I read the first one. As other reviewers mentioned, if you didn’t read the first one, it is fully recapped here. It is a quick, easy read. . I enjoyed the uniqueness of this series and would be interested in other books from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC

The writing style is easy to get behind and the world-building is definitely a fun ride. That being said, PoS suffers immensely from info-dumping—and it acknowledges this, though that doesn't stop the info-dumping from being, well, a big pile of world building I would've better loved through story telling. The story itself is semi told through diary-esque entries that recount past events and present occurrences and transitions into being mostly in the present.

You definitely don't have to read the first book in order to dive into this one because the relevant events of book 1 are conveniently told to you from the moment Zax's p.o.v begins. I can personally attest to that, as I hadn't read book 1 before beginning this book. I wasn't confused throughout any of this however.

While not the first (and certainly not the last) story to delve into the worlds of quantum hopping, PoS fits right into the niche of this sci-fi sub genre snuggly. It kind of reminds me of something you might read in a pulp fiction magazine—which I do enjoy and so for the most part, I enjoyed this too.

It's straightforward, it tells you how it is and what it is and it does so relatively well.

This was unfortunately a bit of. a letdown after how much I was surprised and delighted Doors of Sleep. As much as Pratt tries to make this stand alone, I HATE when sequels open with a summary of the previous novel. Pratt tries to weave this recap together with a mystery about how Zaxony ended up in this newly dire situation, but I wasn't invested in all in learning about what got him there. Zax himself really got on my nerves in this novel: I didn't love him as a protagonist in the first book and all my frustrations with his narrative voice and personality were only amplified here. This still gets three stars for the pure GENIUS that is Pratt's creative world-building: once again he invents new worlds, characters, and laws of physics with apparent ease. Someone bring this man to world build for Doctor Who or Star Trek.

PRISON OF SLEEP – by Tim Pratt

(book two)

Thank heavens for Zaxony’s recap -- the details of the first book seem intricate but easy to understand (at least enough so to delve comfortably into book two). After reading this one, “Doors of Sleep” is on my TBR list.

The world-building (multi-world building!) in this story is outstanding; Pratt shuffles us through ruined post-apocalyptic landscapes and bright bustling futuristic cities, and meeting an array of beings, without it feeling overwhelming. We learn newly created terms as they are being introduced to the characters themselves, making it so very easy to follow along as the story becomes more elaborate.

Offering up two different points of view delivers a neat intersection of Zax’s continuing adventures and Ana’s recollection of her side of events from the prior book’s timeline. My only minor complaint would be that Ana regularly ends her entries with a gloomy comment about things she’s yet to record. While these hints of her foreknowledge add a bit of drama, it’s unnecessary – there’s already PLENTY of drama and adventure!

FAVORITE QUOTES:
-- “We”. Such a beautiful word. I hope I get to be a “we” again, instead of just an “I”.
-- …it’s also nice to know we were in the same places, months apart. We both ate fish in the world of pastel jellyfish-things floating in the wind. We both found the place with the flesh-and-bone lighthouse with the living eye at the top especially memorable…
For fans of sci-fi / apocalyptic / hits of cosmic horror

(I received a free copy of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

I wasn't in love with the first book, but I found the premise of the duology interesting so I wanted to give the series a second shot with this book. I liked this book more than the first, but I still didn't love the series.

The pacing in the book doesn't seem to match the events that are actually occurring in the book. The characters in the book are a saving grace, however.

Tim Pratt is a good writer. He has great characters and dialogue, and a good plot. His stories are always interesting. This book just wasn't for me.

Not a bad book, but not, for me, as good as the first in the duology. While the dual timeline (from two different viewpoints) was well handled - I only got seriously lost once - and there were plenty of tense moments just prior to switching the POV, the resolution of those moments often turned out to be linear and perhaps too easy, occasionally facilitated by fortunate coincidence. One of the characters easily succeeds at something <spoiler>(neutralizing their enemies)</spoiler> that a much better equipped, more organized and larger group had not seemed capable of doing, for example.

Still, it was an enjoyable ride, and the revelations of what was going on behind the scenes, and the provision of new antagonists, worked well after the resolution of the previous book. This is a highly capable author, but it's not his absolute best work.

I received a copy via Netgalley for review.

This book will absolutely appeal to YA and adult readers who like fantasy-flavored fiction involving quantum travel!

I’m not in that demographic, so I can’t recommend this book to readers like me who want straight up science fiction.

The world building here is imaginative, the writing flows easily, and characters are winsome. The main character is long-winded, self-deprecating, and unfailingly patient like some of my favorite British comedians.

We learn he’s chasing some worm creatures who want to destroy the space-time continuum. The worms reminded me of a favorite STNG episode where Barkley, a high strung hypochondriac, sees worm creatures in the transporter—except notably minus any freaking out. Which strikes me as odd.

No one is even close to freaking out or rushing around in this novel. In fact, during the parts I read, the ambiance is as slow and leisurely as a Hobbit four-course brunch. There’s even a character named Ephedra who does nothing to give this story the giddy up, which I thought was funny. I do like slow moving novels at times, but the pacing here felt like a misstep, even though I was charmed by the characters and dialogue—especially Zax.

The only thing I still wouldn’t have liked even if I had been a fantasy reader is the use of the word “cultists” as applied to the followers of the villain(s). There was no indication that they actually fit the definition of cult followers; plus it’s a lost opportunity to give them a colorful label like “worm-rider” or some such thing relevant to this world. DNF

Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my feedback.