I Am Sleepless: Sim 299 by Johan Twiss {Review}

I Am Sleepless: Sim 299 by Johan Twiss

Paperback, 286 pages

Published October 28th 2015 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 

 

 

While the others slept, Aidan spent hours each night running sim after sim. Although he was only a twelve-year cadet, he had completed more simulations than any prime— ever.

“You are setting history,” General Estrago told him. “No one has ever made it to the current simulation you are attempting. The other Masters and I are eager to see what comes next.”

So was Aidan.

Synopsis:
The planet Ethos is at war with a mysterious enemy known as the Splicers. Their only successful defense is the Prime Initiative. All newborns with the compatible genetic code are taken from their families and injected with the Prime Stimulus. Each child that survives the stimulus develops an extraordinary ability and is conscripted into the military for training.

After turning twelve, Aidan is moved to the upper-class at the Mount Fegorio training complex. His special gifts allow him unprecedented success in the virtual training simulations, advancing him further than any prime cadet in history. No one knows what lies after sim 299, not even Director Tuskin, the ruthless and reclusive ruler of their planet. But something, or someone, has been guiding Aidan there. If he can pass the final tests, he may discover the key to ending the Splicer War.

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From the imaginative mind of debut author Johan Twiss, I AM SLEEPLESS: Sim 299 is an extraordinary space fiction adventure series that will delight readers of all ages. I AM SLEEPLESS has a clean read rating with the perfect mix of adventure, humor, and mystery in a SciFi Fantasy world that will keep you turning pages through the night.

Clean Rating: There are no scenes with sex, drugs, graphic violence or typical "earth" swearing in this novel. There are numerous fight scenes and action sequences where people are injured and/or die, but it is not graphic and takes place in a virtual simulation. Swear words are fitting to the fictional world of Ethos, such as Tuskin's Fury, Batmonkeys, Holy Hippophants, etc... There are budding romances with kissing involved. There are suspenseful situations with monster alien creatures, fitting of the science fiction genre, and an overall thematic undertone of good v. evil that is suitable for tweens, teens and young adults.

 

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My Review: 5 Stars

 

I read this aloud with my son and he absolutely loved it! This story is very creative in creating new creatures (complete with illustrations) and a new world, where a 12 year old boy, Aidan, battles an evil force to find the secrets of the Splicers. Paired with two unlikely friends, Aidan and his adventure is gripping and entertaining for readers of all ages.

 

The story was a little confusing at the very first, because as the world was built through words, I wasn't sure what some words were referring to and who was what. As the story progressed and I came to know what these things were, I found myself immersed in the story and intrigued by the lives of these kids and their world, Ethos. These characters are each mysterious in a way and exciting in another way. I love the bonds that are formed and the teamwork is heartening.

 

Each chapter contains a snippet at the beginning from Dr. T.M. Omori's book, helping the reader gradually come to know what the different types of primes are and their abilities and weaknesses. My son and are both eagerly awaiting a sequel of some kind, as this is the first in a series. 

 

This is a great book for those who love speculative science fiction and adventure, as well as for those who enjoy a clean and interesting adventure.

 

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

 

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About the Author:

Dear Brilliant Reader,
​
First things first. Sign up for my New Release Mailing List here: www.johantwiss.com/newsletter (simply cut-and-paste that address into your browser). You'll only get 4-5 emails a year from me. That's it! I'll tell you about new releases and book signings. Everyone hates spam, except my uncle Herbie. He's Hawaiian and loves the salty canned luncheon meat. But I will never serve you spam, ever, or share your info with anyone else.

Now that we have that bit of housekeeping out of the way and you've signed up for my newsletter, let me officially introduce myself. My name is Johan Twiss. It's a pleasure to meet you and thank you for your interest in my books. Besides being an author, I'm also a husband, a father, a church volunteer, and a business owner. As such, I am sleepless (along with much of the human race.)

I am passionate about writing clean science fiction and fantasy stories that are not only exciting, but suitable for tweens, teens and adults alike.

Currently, I live outside Dallas, Texas with my sweetheart and our 5 crazy kids. We enjoy playing games, watching movies, having jam sessions on a variety of instruments and throwing the gauntlet down for Family Fight Night. Yes, you read that correctly-- Family Fight Night. We suit up in the sparring gear and my kids attack me, practicing their blocks and strikes from martial arts class. Basically, they get to beat-up dad and have a great time.

Have a question? Complaint? Want to send me a gift card to the Cheesecake Factory? Simply reach out to me at my website at

www.johantwiss.com/contact

(I can also tell your future at no extra cost, although gift cards to Cheesecake Factory tend to make the predictions more accurate.)