Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov

                                                         

Today is my spot on the Blog Tour for Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov

                      FROM THE BACK PAGE

'Refusing the queen’s order to gas a crowd of protesters, Minister Shea Ashcroft is banished to the border to oversee the construction of the biggest defensive tower in history. However, the use of technology taken from refugees from another reality makes the tower volatile and dangerous, becoming a threat to local political interests. Shea has no choice but to fight the ruling hierarchy to ensure the construction succeeds—and to reclaim his own. 

MY THOUGHTS

I first heard of this when the author was at WorldCon in Glasgow earlier this year and posted that he had early copies. I wasn't there myself but we chatted online and he arranged to send me a copy in exchange for a fair review. Friends, I snapped his hand off (not literally, obviously, that would be a terrible thing to do to an author) at this offer. 

At this point I will state that all views and opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

Anyway, the book turned up days later, I read the first chapter and was hooked straight away . . .

Below is the printed plastic tower which was part of the publicity push from the book. It is a copy of the tower on the front cover - and what a glorious cover it is too. Something else that drew me in (whoever said never judge a book by its cover was misinformed).

I delayed my read as Publication Day was a way off and I had a holiday abroad coming up. I always take my kindle on holiday (well, to be fare I take it everywhere) but also a paperback or two. Sleeping Worlds was the first thing I packed in my case.

We got where we were going, the weather was glorious, plenty of time to just chill out.

But what about the book? Was it any good? Did it live up to my expectations? . . .

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is the story of Shea Ashcroft, a former Minister who is sent into what is basically a form of exile by the Queen after he refused her orders to gas a crowd in the streets. He is posted to the border to oversee the building of a humungous tower. When he gets there everything is not as it should be. Unstable technology from a different reality is being used and the whole thing is just a bomb waiting to blow.

And then things really get interesting.

Shea has to rub a lot of people up the wrong way to make sure the tower can be finished, there is an assassination attempt, there is a portal to 'elsewhere' and all the time he is fighting his inner demons and trying to 'do the right thing'. It truly is a hell of a ride.

Describing Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a task in itself - it is Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Political Thriller and oh so much more all wrapped up in one marvellous, enthralling story that pulls you in and doesn't let go (I am currently on my second re-read and still loving it). The writing is such that the world has true depth and when I was reading it I felt I was there - smells, sounds, atmosphere of the place.

The best advice I can give is go grab a copy and see for yourself.

My final rating for Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is 6/5* (my blog, my rules 😜)

 

Thank you to Black Crow PR for inviting me onto this tour and to the author for sending me the review copy. As I said earlier all views and opinions are my own.

So, while I am on the subject of just how good this book is I may as well let you all know . . .

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is my choice for The BlogCave Book Of The Year 2024