This summer an interesting new novel by Wendy Raven McNair titled Asleep arrived on my doorstep. This is book one in a series of three and is geared for the teen/young adult crowd. Here is a preview:
Adisa Summers doesn’t know her boyfriend, Micah Alexander, can fly. These two African American teens come from loving families. However, things are not always as they appear. Micah’s parents never touch him though they have the normal parent-child physical interaction with his younger brother. And does the birth certificate Adisa finds, listing strangers as her parents and Valenté as her last name, really belong to her?
Micah’s odd emotionless behavior, rigid posture, and vacant eyes are a mystery sending mixed messages to Adisa. When a flash of lightning sends a tree crashing down on her, Adisa is shocked to see Micah actually flying to her rescue!
In an instant, Adisa is in his arms, looking up at the sky over his shoulder as they fly parallel to the ground. She sees the tree descending fast, bearing down on them and Micah suddenly shifts, shielding her completely with his body. As the tree explodes against Micah’s back, Adisa feels him shudder with the impact and the air fills with wood chips and sawdust. Miraculously, they aren’t smashed into the ground. They safely continue flying, the wind rushing around them as they weave past tree trunks.
After this dramatic rescue, Micah finally begins to open up to Adisa about his secret life as a superbeing and she discovers another shocking secret. Micah burns for her–literally as well as figuratively.
Adisa’s journey to unravel these family mysteries requires a strength and maturity she is forced to grow into as her love for Micah is repeatedly challenged. In the end, she is confronted with the ultimate question. Is she truly a super being, asleep to her powers for so many years?
Asleep (a Young Adult novel) is a superhero teen love story, set in modern day Atlanta, filled with thrills, romance, and suspense.
My good friend Leslie offered to review the book for me and lend me her comments. In speaking with Leslie she told me the book was captivating right form the start and she was pulled into the story right away. She stated “As an African American it was relatable and thinking back to my teen days she captured the thoughts of adolescents well.” It was reminiscent of the “Heroes” tv show and “Twilight” series, however Asleep comes across as a little more down to earth with much deeper character development. Humor and suspense abound on every page, keeping the reader interested and constantly wondering what’s going to happen next. A real treat.
If you like mysteries and romance, check out Asleep.
