Sleepwalker: The Last Sandman

This book was so much fun to read! Lots of excitement and adventure! I dont know if theres going to be another book, but if there is... I will be reading it! Loved the storyline and characters. One of the reviews stated it was hard to follow who was telling the story, but I didnt think so. I thought it was pretty clear when Cole was talking to his children and when he was reading what his father wrote in the book. It was an easy/fun read that I didnt want to end. Whether you are young or old, this story (as many do) has relevance in todays world. In the words of Martin Luther King: ...no person has the right to rain on your dreams.

I loved your book. It made me feel like a kid again discovering the wonder of books and the stories within. I cant wait to read this to my granddaughters when they are older. All I can say now is, wheres the sequel?

If youre a father or if youve ever had one, if you dream, if you love great stories filled with imagination and daring - you have to read this book. You wont be able to put it down. Loved it and cant wait for them to make this into a movie (it wont be easy!!)

Perfect gift for a 9 year old boy. He loved it.

This is a well-written book and an excellent story. I got snagged a little bit in the middle with the more surreal parts of the story, but that probably has as much to do with outside influences as it does with the obscurity of the storyline. When I read The Last Sandman again, I imagine those few parts of the book will make much more sense. The stories within the story were fantastic and the author tells the overall narrative in a conversational manner that I enjoyed. I look forward to whatever Brad Marlowe comes up with next and will be watching this author with much interest. And thanks again for the free digital copy that came with the purchased paperback, Brad!

This is a wonderful story of fantasy with a splash of evil and an air of mystery. It keeps your interest until the very last page. The book is well written with the authors own unique vision of dreamland through a childs sometimes fearful, sometimes brave eyes. Your own will twinkle with the visions he creates through his words. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the possibility of a sequal? Heres hoping!

I just finished reading Sleepwalker:The Last Sandman and I didnt want it to end. I mean...I REALLY didnt want it to end! It is an action packed book that I think young and old will enjoy. There were many things in the story that those of us that are parents truly understand, and the young and young at heart will be enchanted. The characters were so believable, and the children were so real. I teach kids the same age as the two boys and could just hear real kids talking. I had so many favorite parts, and I dont want to spoil the story...but I loved the hot chocolate part AND was creeped out by the spider part. Something happened when I finished this book that I cant remember happening to me before. I went back and re-read the first few chapters and enjoyed them almost as much as the exciting final ones. They were so much more meaningful the second time around after becoming friends with this family. I cant wait for the sequel!

I bought this book for my Kindle because I thought my 13 year old daughter might be interested in it. And, I like a little fantasy myself. I have to say that Ive never read a book quite like this. If youve seen The Never Ending Story or Alice in Wonderland, this book is similar to those tales. It was kind of weird, the day after I saw Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland, I came to the part of this book where Alice appears. I really enjoyed the book. Its very well written and has a great message without being too preachy. The characters are very interesting. There are times when the stories within the stories can get a little confusing as we have a father reading a bedtime story to his children about their grandfathers adventures which include him as a child. The book also felt a little long to me for a kind of light hearted story. And, while a shorter version might be appropriate for children, there were a couple of passages that got pretty intense and Im not sure Id want my younger daughter (10) to read. All in all, it was a fun read and I would definitely recommend the book.

Plot/Storyline: 4 Stars This was an extremely imaginative tale that takes place mostly in the dream world of Nod. There is even a surprising explanation for why it is called `Nod. Although this is listed as a YA novel, it is just as enjoyable for adults, if not more so. Younger readers would possibly miss many of the subtle nuances of the work. At first, the switching of viewpoint from omniscient to first person was a little awkward. Cole, the father of twins, is reading a book to them that is written by his father, Jake. The book he is reading is told in first person, and relates a tale from Coles childhood. The portions featuring the `adult Cole become scarce after the first quarter, though, making for a smoother read. I felt that having Jake write his book from a first person perspective, but relate in detail events he was not personally privy to, gave the story an unrealistic feel. Yes, the tale is a fantasy and, therefore, not realistic at all. However, this aspect leant a fictional quality that is negated later in the work. Coles explanation for why he did not call Jake Dad, or something similar, was bothersome to me. The story did not really explain why or when Cole switched to calling his father by his name. I figured that he must have called him `Daddy when a baby as the adults would have ensured this. His brother, Sean, calls Jake, Dad. So, the explanation Cole gives his sons seemed like something contrived by an adult to earn points with his kids, rather than something based in reality, especially given the story he reads to them with his fathers part in it. Although the story takes place mostly in the `dream world, it is pointed out that Sean and Cole have physical bodies there and can be hurt or killed. However, when Sean breaks his leg, he still manages to run, jump, climb ladders, etc. I tried hard to overlook this and succeeded for the most part, thinking that perhaps his leg wasnt actually broken, just sprained or something. However, being told that Sean still limps as an adult reinforced the idea that the leg was broken. This was a fairly fast paced novel with many action sequences. I especially enjoyed the stories injected into the storyline. They were a good fit and very interesting. Oddly enough, my favorite characters were the cows from the trampoline scene. I dont know why, but that image just stuck with me. Character Development: 4 Stars Jake is a very well-developed character. The reader can really feel his emotions coming through. I have to admit that I found it difficult to feel much sympathy for a man who abandoned his children, but sympathy did come into play for him being a widower. Cole could have been developed more as the reader really doesnt get much explanation for what he is really feeling. As a child, we understand that he loves his brother, but we dont get a feel for how this boy feels about having his mother die and being abandoned by his father. This is not expressed well from the adult Coles viewpoint, either. Sean is very well developed from the childhood view. I did wish that he would have made an appearance as an adult, but, even though that never happened, I was still satisifed with the development of his character. Writing Style: 4 3/4 Stars The writing style of Mr. Marlowe had a wonderful flow to it that kept me enthralled throughout. The descriptions were vivid, bringing the dream world to life. Aside from a very few dangling participles and awkward sentences, the structure was outstanding. The dialogue was realistic and engaging. The action sequences were also very nicely done with no confusion for the reader. I could actually see the action unfolding in my mind as I read (especially those cows). Editing/Formatting: 4 3/4 Stars There were a few too many editing errors to refer to this as `professionally edited; however, it did not fall very short. The formatting was excellent. Rating: PG ------------------------------- For more information and reviews, including commentary by authors, be sure to check out my blog. You will find it listed in my profile!

I absolutely loved this story, it was well written and action packed, the author has a great imagination. The characters were nicely defined and all of them were completely fleshed out. You felt as though you knew each and every one of them. Ditto on the locales, you could visualize each of the different places the book took place. My favorite part of the book is where Jake (the dad) had to make up or tell a story. Sort of a story within a story. These miniature tales were so entertaining and enthralling, I was almost disappointed that they didnt go on. The writing is very well done. I know that this is his first published book, but there are more to come. Count me in for the next one, Brad.