I won’t keep you in suspense - this is the best book in the Nightmareland series, so far. Keyword there is “so far”, because even three books in, the feeling that we’re just getting started is still very fresh. Barnett has done a meticulous job at planning out the amount of content that will fit into each portion of the series, as well as where and how each should end. The first two, Nightfall and Lullaby, leave the reader excited for the next installment without relying on a traditional, and potentially obnoxious, cliffhanger. The way this one ends? Psh, good luck waiting for book four.

Writing reviews for this series is weird, because some plot elements could be considered spoilers for earlier books, but then again, why are you reading a review for book three if you didn’t read the first? Let’s assume you have. Nightfall (1) sets up John to be our stalwart hero going forward in this new world, draped in darkness. Lullaby (2) promptly takes this piece off the table, where he primarily remains for this book. Our focus continues to be on Mariah, with the added bonus of getting to know Marcos better, who we met last time.

While Barnett has not shied away from adding human villains to supplement the atmospheric disturbance that makes for the catastrophic event putting events into motion, it’s in Sleepwalking that we get a few ‘humans are the worst monsters’ antagonist types. While characters like Ernest, Theo, and Jeffrey don’t strike as primary antagonist material - though I could be wrong, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time in this series - they make for a perfect picture of the depravity on display now that the world has changed.

Lullaby left me curious about Marcos, intrigued. One book later, and I’m irrevocably sold on every aspect of this character. Barnett gives the character a compelling backstory, incorporating the aspects of his disability, and ties it beautifully into current events happening in the story.

Nightmareland is really starting to feel like transcendent work, thanks in equal parts to two things on the author’s behalf. I’ve talked endlessly about Barnett’s prose, and if you really did read the first two books, you already know and I don’t have to sell you. Second, Barnett’s vision for where this series and these characters are going are truly unique, and subverts many of the typical post-apocalyptic tropes to tell a story that leaves you expecting the unexpected. Another installment of Nightmareland, another high recommend. Don’t sleep on this series.


I received a copy from the author for review consideration.