Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory

by Yaroslav Barsukov

NOMINATED FOR THE NEBULA AWARD

"Mind-expanding" —Kirkus, starred review

"Dreamy and precise, huge in scope and very personal, this is a towering achievement and a genre-busting tour de force."—Daily Mail

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 advanced technology taken from refugees makes the tower volatile and dangerous, becoming a threat to local interests. Shea has no choice but to fight the local hierarchy to ensure the construction succeeds—and to reclaim his own life.

Surviving an assassination attempt, Shea confronts his inner demons, encounters an ancient legend, and discovers a portal to a dead world—all while struggling to stay true to his own principles and maintain his sanity. Fighting memories and hallucinations, he starts to question everything...

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a thought-provoking meditation on the fragility of the human condition, our beliefs, the manipulation of propaganda for political gains, and our ability to distinguish the real from the unreal and our willingness to accept convenient "truths." The novel is a compelling exploration of memory, its fragile nature, and its profound impact on our perception of identity, relationships, and facts themselves."Eloquent, moody, poetic. . . masterful."—Beth Cato (author of A Thousand Recipes for Revenge)

A note from the “A major theme of the book is how disinformation and propaganda can be used to justify violence, and how ignoring evil can lead people to accept atrocities. I was able to witness all this first-hand, having spent the first 21 years of my life in Russia and absorbing the recent events unfiltered and in my native tongue. Sleeping worlds are not only devoid of memories; they are also oblivious to the pain of others.”

A unique blend of science fiction, fantasy and noir, with zeitgeist and prophetic qualities (the original novella anticipated the Russo-Ukrainian War), this is a must for fans of China Miéville’s Bas-Lag series, Ted Chiang’s Tower of Babylon, and Robert Silverberg’s Tower of Glass.

"An imaginative, heady clash of fantasy and science-fiction that delivers powerful messages" —FantasyBookCritic

"Triumphs in its emotional and unsettling storytelling" —The Fantasy Hive

"Simply put, this is the most impressive debut novel I have encountered since Simon Jimenez’s The Vanished Birds."—Locus Magazine

"Somewhere in the slipstream between science fiction and fantasy—a little to the left of early Chiang, a few degrees south of Miéville—Yaroslav Barsukov has word-painted a world I can see when I close my eyes."—Peter Watts (Hugo Award-winning author of Blindsight)

"A literary masterpiece"—Before We Go Blog

"Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a surreal and ambitious undertaking, surprising at every turn. From the moment the tower appears on the page, a steady sense of dread and wonder builds toward a staggering conclusion, one that may just change the way you think.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

382 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2024

About the author

#NoToWar #НетВойне
2x Nebula, SCKA, FFA Finalist. BSFA-longlisted. Member of SF&F Writers of America & Codex.
Left one former empire only to settle in another.
Speaks German by day, Russian by night.
Writes in English.

Reviews

[Nataliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few years back when I read Yaroslav Barsukov’s Nebula-nominated novella Tower of Mud and Straw I remember wishing the author could expand it into a full novel because it was a bit too full of plot for its size back then. Well, guess what - he did it. He fleshed out the novella, making it the first part of this novel (with *much* better title, I must say) while also rewriting and editing some of it and smoothing out the uneven parts, and then continued it into a fuller (and much less depressing) story.

“Evil wasn’t even in the crown prince: it hid in the silent consent, in every nod of approval and every “yes”.

A former high-ranking government official, Shea Ashcroft is sent by the Queen to supervise the construction of an enormous defense tower, a Queen vanity project monstrosity, and he quickly finds out that the Tower is a gateway to something terrifying and sinister.

“The tower took the length of the world—only it was an alien world, replicating itself over and over as it climbed to a distant, ghostly gap into the clouds. Or did he stare down a well? Shea's head spun again as up and down flip-flopped like axes on a gyroscope.”

But just halting the construction is not an option since a lot of ambitions of different political players hinge on the Tower being built, while a woman close to him would like to see the Tower destroyed. And just across the border there’s a hostile country that houses its own bag of crazy intrigues and bloodlust, politics and balance between war and fragile peace, the lust for power and destruction — and not to mention the unexpected discoveries of the secrets beyond the entire structure of this world.

“Lena, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was so self-centered, not before you’d died (I already paid a price for that), but afterwards—because isn’t any guilt innately selfish? We hurt someone, and then we take a step back to avoid being hurt ourselves. What makes guilt so grotesque is the fact that it adorns itself with whatever remains of our righteousness.”

Keeping with the style of the original novella, it remains dreamlike and contemplative, with lovely descriptions and quite nice turns of phrase. There’s a lot of emphasis on memory, regrets, emotional scars, guilt and recovery, choices and their consequences, the painful decisions between rights and wrongs. It takes a moment to surface back to reality from its dreamlike meditative pull, and I loved the tone and the atmosphere. And this time, with the story expanded, I got a much better sense of the characters and their motivations, and the amount of the plot was just enough, with pace just right. Barsukov is quite good at combining dreamy atmosphere with action for a satisfying effect.

4 stars, and I’ll be on a lookout for more from this author.
——————

Thanks to NetGalley and Arc Manor | CAEZIK SF & Fantasy for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

——————
Also posted on my blog.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yare’s Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is an ambitious and immersive novel. I knew I would like it because I thoroughly enjoyed The Tower of Mud and Straw - a novella it’s based on. I wasn’t disappointed - the book combines elements of speculative fiction, political intrigue, and personal conflict and does all of it very well. It also expands and completes the story from The Tower.

There’s a lot to appreciate here. I’ll start with the world-building which is stunning - intricate politics and cultural differences make the story layered and satisfyingly complex. The protagonist, Shea Ashcroft, is a conflicted and morally ambiguous character who struggles to keep his personal integrity throughout the events. Hard stuff. Brielle, who was a secondary character in the Tower of Mud and Straw, now shines with a fully fleshed-out backstory that makes her one of the novel’s most unforgettable characters.

Barsukov’s rich, metaphor-laden prose won’t work for everyone, but I liked an almost poetic touch it adds to the narrative. His attention to detail, coupled with unconventional storytelling, makes Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory a rewarding, if sometimes dense, read.

One of the most exciting aspects of the novel is how it revisits the original story from the Tower of Mud and Straw while delivering answers to the questions fans of the novella had. The “Director’s Cut” approach to the first half of the novel makes things clearer, while the second half pushes the narrative forward with fresh revelations, deeper character development, and new perspectives.

The antagonists, particularly the devious leader inspired by historical figures like Putin and Crown Prince Rudolf, are definitely bad guys, but not simple bad guys - their histories and reasoning are convincing. Their cat-and-mouse games with Shea keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Sleeping Worlds stands out as a daring and original work. Its take on unreliable narration and the relationship between reader and author impressed me. Readers looking for a novel that challenges traditional genre boundaries should absolutely check Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory.

[P.L. Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

“...I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was so self-centered...because isn’t any guilt innately selfish? We hurt someone, and then we take a step back to avoid being hurt ourselves. What makes guilt so grotesque is the fact that it adorns itself with whatever remains of our righteousness.”

My desire to read this story long predates me compulsively devouring the heady sci-fi/fantasy mix that is 'Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory' by Yaroslav Barsukov over the course of 2 days (a highly addictive read).

Originally, 'The Tower of Mud and Straw', a novella that achieved the distinction of being nominated for the prestigious Nebula Award, had been on my TBR for several years. I never managed to read that novella. However, when I heard the gist of the original story had been expanded upon and evolved into a full novel - 'Sleeping Words Have No Memory' - I was extremely excited, and knew I had to read it.

I am so grateful I did: it is simply a literary masterpiece.

The story revolves around protagonist Lord Shea Ashcroft, Minister of Internal Affairs. Ashcroft has fallen into disrepute politically. Yet to some, he's a hero. But what is REALLY the truth surrounding his controversial actions that seemed to save numerous lives, yet permitted an insurrection to obliterate much of his homeland's main city?
 
“What fragile creations we are, worse than twigs; at least for every broken twig, you’ll find one just like it.”

As a result of his actions, Ashcroft is exiled to the extreme edges of his realm, to the province of Owenburg, and tasked with governmental oversight for the building of a defence tower. But this is no commonplace construction project, no ordinary tower. For one, the tower is incomprehensibly humongous - akin to the famed Tower of Babel.
 
“The tower took the length of the world—only it was an alien world, replicating itself over and over as it climbed to a distant, ghostly gap into the clouds. Or did he stare down a well? Shea's head spun again as up and down flip-flopped like axes on a gyroscope.”

Second, the height and girth of the tower is only outmatched by the pessimism surrounding the project. The chief engineer is floundering, and many believe the tower cannot actually be completed. Many also don't WANT it to be completed. 

In desperation, said chief engineer - Brielle - avails herself of the mysterious Drakiri, a sect whose advanced capabilities utilize the highly volatile 'tulip' technology. This technology holds massive potential for both salvation and destruction of the tower, endangering all those in its wake. Coincidentally, Ashcroft is plagued by grief over the loss of a loved one, directly resulting from an accident using tulips. 

"There are so many stories I wish I could tell you, simple and funny and sad ones. I find myself remembering jokes because they might’ve made you laugh. And even though time is sand, when I am not looking closely, I still get these brief bursts of hope: I’ll come home, and I’ll tell you a story.”

Finally, despite any of these considerable challenges, Ashcroft's authoritarian Queen Daelyn is determined to see the project - the defining object of her reign - succeed. This, even though the tower is the inciting reason behind the devastating riots. Yet considering his past issues, failure is not an option for the beleaguered former diplomat - he must ensure the monument to his queen's superciliousness is a success.  

Ashcroft has a risky plan to salvage the tower, and perhaps his reputation, thus restoring his standing. But at what cost?  

Ashcroft soon embarks on a journey of self-discovery and danger as he faces national paranoia, intrigue, and an existential threat that would change the world. 

Which is more terrifying: the demons of his past, or the cosmic horrors he must confront, as reality bends, nations and realms are poised on the brink of destruction, and time and space are bent to the will of powerful beings who will shape humanity's future? 

Those who follow my reviews know how I love morally grey characters: tick box here. The protagonist is all about making ambiguous decisions and constantly grapples with his own sense of duty, loyalty, and personal honour. 

The other characters who are more decidedly 'good' are well-fleshed out, and not without their own share of complications, standouts being both Lenas and of course Brielle.  

The evil characters are quite sinister, and readers will find some disturbing similarities to today's dictators, with their brutality, deviousness, and callousness justified through propaganda about so-called 'greater goods', and cloaked with a veneer of charm, sophistication and civility. 

“Evil wasn’t even in the crown prince: it hid in the silent consent, in every nod of approval and every 'yes'..."

In terms of the daring, often dreamscape-type worldbuilding in the book, it is spectacular, yet be warned, it defies the typical boundaries of reality, especially in the later parts of the novel. Reading it, may at times challenge and confound your concepts of perception, but in a fascinating, stimulating way. 

Moreover, a very grounded thread runs throughout the worldbuilding, tethering the reader to the 'here and now'.  Barsukov clearly takes inspiration from real-world histories, events, and cultures, and - chillingly - based on when the original novella was first published, seems to prognosticate the Ukrainian-Russian war.  

Which leads to the themes explored in the novel - and they are quite compelling, yet also quite grim overall. Loss, grief, regret, guilt, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and coping with weighty decisions are central themes, and elements such as hubris, memory, love, commitment, responsibility, narcissism, racism, discrimination, genocide, and ends justifying the means, are deeply explored in the book, in thoughtful, and ultimately brilliant fashion.    

The tone is generally dark in this book, with an underlying thread of optimism, that becomes more apparent as the narrative progresses. 

“Hope is a stupid thing...Were it rational, it would go broke.”

The pacing is fast, thrilling, sometimes frenetic, yet Barsukov never rushes his marvellous story, or skimps on the details. But make no mistake, while there are plenty of wonderful character moments and introspection, this story is action-packed, with rescue missions, assassination attempts, executions, battles, political maneuvering, betrayals, and more. 

I have to rave here about the melodic prose. Like masters such as Guy Gavriel Kay, exuberant with metaphors, evocative, poetic yet never purple or overdone, Barsukov's writing is absolutely beautiful. As you can tell by all the quotes from the book I have included in this review, I was enamoured by the prose.

I can plainly see why the material that was the foundation of this book was deserving of Nebula consideration. Barsukov is a fabulous writer, who has immediately vaulted to must-read status for me, now that I've read some of his work. 

'Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory' is an original, cryptic, sometimes bizarre, cerebral, and utterly captivating read, that you won't be able to forget, haunting you long after you finish the final page.

[Beth Cato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from the author.

Eloquent, moody, poetic: Barsukov’s Nebula Award finalist novella was incredible, but this continuation is masterful. It is action-packed and emotionally rich, delightfully grim and unsettling at times. At the end, I could only sit back and say, “Wow.”

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What fragile creations we are, worse than twigs; at least for every broken twig, you’ll find one just like it.”

Yaroslav Barsukov’s Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is an imaginative, heady clash of fantasy and science-fiction that delivers powerful messages on the nature of duality while tinkering with the boundaries of human perception. It is a duology of novellas, with duality being a common theme throughout the story. The book fooled me into thinking I was going to be left hanging with many unresolved threads, but the shocking finale did an excellent job of addressing the myriad of questions the story presented while leaving some areas open for interpretation.

The story begins with the introduction of Lord Shea Ashcroft, the Minister of Internal Affairs of a country under recent turmoil. His queen orders him to gas an unruly crowd, but he refuses as he does not want to harm innocents. However, this act of insubordination leads to a riot that destroys much of the capital city. Ashcroft is summarily banished to the desolate border of the empire, tasked with overseeing the construction of an unfathomably huge military defense tower. He meets Brielle, the head engineer of the project, which seems doomed to fail. But Ashcroft considers using some artifacts from his past to help further the construction and save their job. Little do they both know what terrors employing such alien artifacts will do…

“Hope is a stupid thing, Sis. Were it rational, it would go broke.”

One of the things I appreciate most about this book is the author’s trust in his audience’s intelligence to piece things together, even if all the pieces don’t quite fit until the end. Even then, the picture that emerges launches even more mysteries, but I still felt the finale was revelatory and quite satisfying.

Barsukov keeps the pace fast, with direct, no-nonsense dialogue, and lean and impactful prose. We jump from scene to scene directly at the start of where we need to be – no fat needs trimming in this story, and this decision kept the pages flying by. I was particularly impressed with how quickly the story built and shattered a love story in so few words and scenes. Raw emotion is well-depicted, with few words wielding great power and impact.

The author also conserves his descriptions of the setting, mostly concentrating on vivid smells and sights, and how sunlight (or lack thereof) plays with the surrounding foliage. The cycle of day and night also strengthens the theme of duality in this story, in addition to several plot points (including Ashcroft’s sister and lover both having the same name, among others both overt and subtle).

"… because isn’t any guilt innately selfish? We hurt someone, and then we take a step back to avoid being hurt ourselves. What makes guilt so grotesque is the fact that it adorns itself with whatever remains of our righteousness."

Sleeping Words Have No Memory is many things: a rousing adventure, a rumination on the human condition, a social class commentary, and a fantastic mystery with an excellent payoff. Barsukov writes with skill and unpredictability, and I look forward to his further releases. If you’re in the mood for something different, something exciting and strange that will make you think, then look no further.

9/10

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mind bending book for fans of Piranesi or Ascension.

Shea is regulated to the position of intendent to oversee a defensive tower's construction after ignoring the Queen’s orders during riots.
The tower is masterpiece of engineering - over a thousand feet with more planned. However, there is brewing malice in the border town with technology exploding and things aren’t quite as they seem…

This is beautifully written, sentences spiralling sensationally. The characters deal with their past which affects their present and the decisions and justification for their actions.

The purpose of a written account is to allow future generations to learn from the mistakes of the past; in the case of Drakiri, dating human cruelty doesn't make it any more digestible.
Indeed, we could argue a date and a name create a greater distance between the event and the reader. Somebody would say, no, that wasn't us, that didn't happen in our time, we'd never stoop so low. And then proceed to do just that.

Whilst the characters were loveably flawed, I did struggle connecting to any of them. However, the characters are at the centre of this book and what is peeled back is tantalising with flashbacks and diary entries and teasers.

Books that are more ambiguous are always ambitious. They appeal to a very certain kind of audience which doesn’t typically include me. Yet, I don’t regret the reading experience as the prose was wonderful and the mystery astounding.

Thank you to Black Crow for sending me a PR box in exchange for a review!

Bookstagram

[Nils | nilsreviewsit · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“They thought I was crazy. Of course, it's crazy to converse with an imaginary dead person—but we're all mad in some way or another, aren't we? The trick is figuring out who's at "some" and who's already at "another."

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov is an ambitious novel which cleverly fuses together fantasy, scifi and a political thriller. This is a story which grabbed me with its poetic and dreamlike prose and its spiraling plot.

We follow Shea Ashcroft, a disgraced minister, who after disobeying orders by the Queen is sent to Owenbeg to oversee the construction of a tower. This tower is to reach beyond the clouds and will be the country’s greatest wonder and defence. But the tower of Owenbeg is dangerous and its existence holds terrifying consequences, and Shea is soon to discover why.

The structure of this novel is a merit to the story’s compelling and immersive traits. It has been some time since I’ve read a novel where nothing is told in a linear fashion, where the plot is really unclear until you reach the end, and I have to say, I found this refreshing. There’s a surreal and dreamlike feel to Barsukov’s prose and this creates quite the moody atmosphere. We are presented with a fragmented timeline where we get glimpses of our main characters' pasts, their memories and their present situation. Barsukov pays much attention to piecing together Shea, Brielle and Lena’s lives whilst simultaneously exploring the mystery of the tower piece by piece, which left me continually needing to read one more chapter to learn that bit more. I do believe this kind of structure may not appeal to every reader, it can be hard to get into, but for me I enjoyed its challenging nature and I felt it perfectly mirrored the strangeness of this world.

“The tower took the length of the world—only it was an alien world, replicating itself over and over as it climbed to a distant, ghostly gap into the clouds. Or did he stare down a well? Shea's head spun again as up and down flip-flopped like axes on a gyroscope.”

Every interaction Shea has reveals more than the words say on the page, his dialogue holds so much meaning and sincerity. Shea is a character who is hard to read at first glance but as we delve deeper we see the brokenness underneath a facade of control and authority. Shea is drowning in grief and PTSD from losing his sister and he’s a man of principle and morality, not one for violence or warfare. Yet Shea is not living in a peaceful world and in Owenbeg where there are refugees looking for safety, where the non-human Drakiri with their advanced technology are trying to survive through hostility and where there is a power-mad Duke, Shea finds himself pulled in all directions. In the mix are Brielle, chief engineer of the tower and Lena, a Drakiri who is in the Duke’s retinue. Both these women have connections to the tower and they both impact Shea’s life in very different ways, some for the better and some to add further sorrow and regret.

As we approach the ending, events take on a more bizarre and otherworldly experience and a few aspects certainly took me by surprise. I felt Barsukov plays with the notion of reality in clever ways—people will look for sense in a senseless situation, when devastation and tragedy strikes and ruins the world we know, the brain has to find a way to cope, to believe the unbelievable. We begin to question how much of the characters’ visions and memories can we trust? How much of what they experience is indeed ‘real’? The entire novel is laced with metaphors and allegory, it is a reflection upon war, our striving for power, our capacity for destruction but it also shows human fragility. In this sense I felt the ending was fitting if a little out there. However this is just the way I viewed the novel and there is so much depth and complexity that I’m sure each reader will interpret it in their own way. I believe this is what the author set out to achieve.

“A fall from grace, a fall from heaven, a fall from sanity, a succession of falls.’

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory triumphs in its emotional and unsettling storytelling. It is both a study of the past and a warning for the future. Barsukov creates something quite special here, a tale that keeps readers thinking long after they’ve turned the last page.

ARC provided by Stephen at Blackcrow PR in exchange for an honest review. All quotes used are taken from an early ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have soaked up every word of this novel and found it more actual than ever! The story is a blend of different genres bleeding into each other beautifully without feeling forced, wrapped up in a dream-like prose, often stream-of-consciousness, sometimes poetic and blurred like an impressionist painting if looking too closely.

In this mash-up between sci-fi, fantasy, speculative and dystopian fiction, there are several themes running in parallel, following the main character’s personal growth (Shea), until his complete epiphany towards the end where all the tribulations, hallucinations and philosophical conundrums come together, confirming that our reality is not really true but is a result of our beliefs and the truths we are told and we tell ourselves to make living bearable.
We also learn how the characters’ past experiences shape their entire lives and truths, so much so that when they realise it they are liberated and unaffected by the imposed propaganda and constructed reality.
This is the real power of those at the top of the chain that just write their own truth and then feed it to everyone else until no one questions it and it starts becoming the actual reality!

All of this is beautifully told through fantastic world building and well defined characters (I loved Shea, Lena, Brielle and the Queen Mother especially) battling through political feuds and an ancient legend threatening the entire populations’ lives and the start of a dangerous war.
Have I found another new author I love? Yes I have and I’m sure whoever reads this book will agree with me!

Thanks to the author and to Black Crow PR for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Jamedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally on JamReads

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a mesmerizing science fantasy novel written by Yaroslav Barsukov (using his previous The Tower of Mud and Straw novella as the base for it), and which will be published by CAEZIK SF & Fantasy. A thought-provoking story that, through a quasi lyrical prose, opens the reflection on themes that rabidly present nowadays while giving us a cast of compelling characters thrown into an imaginative world.

Shea Ashcroft, a minister that fell in disgrace after refusing to use violence against the mob, is sent to supervise the construction of an immense defensive tower which has been falling behind schedule; a task that soon proves to be difficult as the local Duke and his clique form a closed group that will diametrically oppose to the inherence of outside people, such as Ashcroft. The political game will soon prove to be an extremely risky one to play, a difficult balance that will also include Shea's contacts with the other characters that will act as narrators for the story: Brielle and Lena; Brielle, the engineer behind the construction, and Lena, who will give us a unique perspective on the Tower and its risks.

But if the exterior is a complex political thriller about the power balance, and the prize of ambition, inside is where the actual substance it is; not only Barsukov puts his best into oniric passages that happen as a consequence of plot development, but after that, he unleashes a powerful message over how tyrannies and wars bring over the low people the worst consequences, including a really interesting thought about how refugee are, by definition, people that have been stripped of their home and their homeland.

Barsukov's prose is another of the highlights of the book; it might feel dense at points due to how it borders the lyrical, but reading it is an enjoyable experience. The inclusion of gorgeous world paintings adds another layer of beauty over the reader, creating vivid images that contrasts with the flashbacks moments that are more dreamlike, showing the porous nature of memory.

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is, simply, an excellent and though provoking novel, a memorable experience if you are looking for a different kind of science fantasy; Barsukov proves his ability to weave worlds through words, with a novel that will stay with me for a long time.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: The author kindly provided me with a pre-release copy!

This is the fleshed-out and continued story we know from the Nebula-nominated novella Tower of Mud and Straw. If you thought that the novella was too open-ended and didn’t answer your many questions about this very unique world, here you’re finally getting all your answers, as well as a satisfying ending! There’s no need to have read the novella before you start, everything is included and expanded upon.

In terms of style, this is perfect for people who enjoy very lyrical, dream-like, literary writing full of metaphors. It also features a complex structure in different timelines, and with different POVs. So if you’re tired of formulaic writing and over-simplifications, you may want to give this one a try!

In terms of criticism, my own personal taste is a less lyrical style that reads faster, with less inner monologues and reminiscing - but that’s just me, and I admit that the lyricism is often evocative and beautiful, so take this with a grain of salt. There’s also an important story-spoiler-related reason for why the world is described in a dream-like style!

[FantasyBookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yaroslav Barsukov’s Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is one of those books that defies pigeon holeing into one particular genre.
Set against a back drop of the threat of oncoming war and state paranoia, the story takes place in a world where the two main super powers are in an arms race against to develop the ultimate defence against each other.
After refusing to gas the members of a demonstration that has been deemed a riot, Shea Ashcroft, the minister in charge is sent to a backwater town where a monument to the defensible power of the Queen is been built in the form of a 2000ft tower.
In the midst of attempting to manage this mammoth task, he will come against the political machinations of the local governments and members of the party, the trials of building the hubristic monument to a nationalistic state and ghosts from his own past. Not only that he will have to use all his skills to stop an ancient evil crossing from one reality to another.
Throughout the book, Baraslov writes with an almost dream like quality as the story interweaves reality and unreality. The characters are both morally and structurally grey as they try to make the best of the situation that they have been put in. Shea is battling against ghosts form his past and how to make the most of the situation that he has been thrust upon him, whilst the rest of the characters try to survive in a harsh world.
Mixing a multitude of influences from fantasy, sci fi, cosmic horror and folk horror amongst others, Baraslov writes a mesmerising tale of the pitfalls of ambition and the terrors of nationalism, plunging the reader into an enthralling and sprawling tale, that in places reads like a speculative The Man Who Was Thursday. Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is an enthralling book that had me devouring its pages in two sittings, and if you want a fantasy story that falls out of the normal confines of everyday fantasy stories, this one is highly recommended.

[Derek Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader's copy from the author.

This is a continuation of Barsukov's Nebula-nominated novella, Tower of Mud and Straw--and a mighty fine continuation and expansion at that.

Barsukov had a lot going on in this story, as he added new dimensions and layers to an already well developed world and mythology. Yet, even with the complexities involved with taking the many strands of a previous narrative and weaving them together with additional elements to create something new, Barsukov somehow found a way to do the thing that captivated me the first time around: He forced me to think.

As I was reading this novel, my mind was transported not only to the world Barsukov created, but also to worlds that may or may not have had a role in tethering Barsukov's writings to a greater literary tradition. To be clear, I'm unfamiliar with the author's inspirations and personal reading habits. Yet, as this narrative unfolded I found myself reminiscing upon some of my favorite works. Barsukov's innovative, tech-centric plots and supremely humanized characters took me back to the Strugatsky brothers. His knack for dropping the reader into a foreign world, but then methodically providing them with all the information they needed, at just the right time, reminded me of the one and only P.K.D. His easy to read prose and even easier to follow strains of logic evoked memories of Jim Butcher's Cinder Spires series.

Works of fiction that make me think--think about life, think about where I've been, think about where I'm going--are always worth my time. This most definitely was worth my time, and if given the chance, I hope it will be worth yours. Truly, a fantastic read. -DM

[Erika Ensign · Rating 2 out of 5]

By the time I was about halfway through this book I'd already gone from really intrigued to rather indifferent to roundly irate to rather intrigued again. The rather-intriguedness didn't really bear out in the end. Some interesting and wild stuff happens in this book, but it feels weirdly paced and very disjointed when it comes to POV characters. There's one main POV character whose inner monologue was so annoyingly emo and woe-is-me-full I had trouble rooting for him. I was more interested in the other 3 POV characters, but we got 2 of them out of nowhere for roughly one chapter and then never again. My biggest complaint is that women are handled terribly in this book. If they're not already dead, they're mystical or weird or fridged (or all 3) or they have one personality trait, which is daddy issues. Usually a book about the very nature of reality would be enough to get me past some of these issues, but the nature-of-reality stuff felt like a minor sideshow next to the MC's internal, endless musing on his own failure and suffering.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to read and review an outstanding fantasy novella called Tower of Mud and Straw, which very much deserved its Nebula Award nomination. Since then, I'd been keeping an eye out for further works by its author and, when offered an ARC of his upcoming novel that uses Tower as a basis, was more than happy to accept.

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory - a fitting title giving the reader a first glimpse of the dreamlike poetry of the writing they are about to encounter - expands the already complex plot of the original novella in an intricate, engrossing tale that is part fantasy, part science fiction, part political thriller, and wholly defies the boundaries of any single one of those genres. Its protagonist, disgraced former minister Shea Ashcroft, must navigate the treacherous ground between two powerful countries poised on the brink of war, between a variety of actors spinning political intrigue and seeking to manipulate people and events for their own gain.

The worldbuilding is truly masterful, immersive, visionary and atmospheric, as rich and vivid as the characters populating this realm. There's a surreal, dreamlike feeling to the beautiful prose it's laid out in that draws the reader inexorably deeper into the tangled web contained between these pages. This is a complicated, thought-provoking book that requires the reader to pay attention to each minute detail lest they become lost amidst the unfolding narrative in which the fabric of reality itself comes into question. Despite remaining undistractedly glued to the page throughout I feel like I have, on this first read, barely scratched the surface and will undoubtedly find more to discover upon an eventual (and highly likely!) re-read.

If you like your speculative fiction riveting, complex and political, with a truly unique feel and gorgeous prose, leaving you deep in thought about the plot and world you have just experienced for a good long while after turning the last page, pick up this book - you won't regret it.

[Kaden Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barsukov has crafted a magnificent piece of moving literature that exemplifies the best of fiction. Not only is the story engaging, but it causes the reader to reflect on current matters that affect every human, regardless of where they come from. This book is political in the best ways possible, not divisive over controversial matters but by appealing to the Shea Ashcroft inside each one of us. We experience the dilemmas that our protagonist does as he strives to settle peace on the precipice of a rising war. What is the cost of compliance? Who is responsible for remembering the terrors of tyranny? What is the value of a single human’s decisions in a crumbling world? 


While the first part of the book was entertaining, the latter half becomes much more thought provoking as readers learn more about the babel-esque tower. The characters were captivating and each one had something significant to leave with the reader. The world is fascinating, but the details to it are not overbearing. The treasures of this novel lie with the characters and their realizations that we reach with them at the conclusion. While certain parts may lack the clarity some readers desire, it only helps to feed our curiosity.


Akin to mysteries that unfold mind-boggling answers, this novel will appeal to fans of Piranesi and similar pieces of fantasy literature that provide more for the reader than pure entertainment. Though it is quite short, Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory deserves awards, which I am sure it will collect as more see what Barsukov has to offer. 


Shea's journey is not one to be taken in ignorance. This novel can be confusing, but that only serves to let this novel fulfill its purpose - to spark important questions. Who will remember the injustices of the past while the world sleeps in compliance? 

[Banshee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember Tower of Mud and Straw as one of the best novellas I have read in the recent years. It's no surprise then that I jumped enthusiastically at the opportunity to be one of the early readers of the novel created on the basis of that short work. I was definitely not disappointed.

This sci-fantasy novel captured the same unique atmosphere, but managed to enhance every element: the world-building was richer and more complex, the characters came alive on the pages and the story had more threads that came together smoothly.

It expanded on the bizarre magic that underlies the world and becomes the major component of the mystery that main character sets out to solve. I loved how the very unique title of the book came into play here.

The political scene of this world was much more intricate than in the novella and we get a fuller picture of the map that is the canvas of the events. The politicians could almost be the people that one reads about in the news, with their hidden agendas and power struggles.

I really enjoyed the foreboding atmosphere and the looming question of what's superstition and what's reality. It kept me guessing and trying to puzzle out the construction of the world.

The writing style was simply superb. It was a combination of precise and matter of fact narration with beautiful metaphorical language that embellished the experience but never crossed into the territory of purple prose.

I received an eARC from the author and the review is written voluntarily and honestly.

[Michael Burnam-Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a novel length expansion of Barsukov's previous novella Tower of Mud and Straw, adding a fourth and fifth act onto the foundation of the novella. Shea Ashcroft, a minister disgraced for choosing not to use violence against the mob, is sent to investigate the construction of an immense defensive tower that has been slipping behind schedule. The paranoid and insular group around the local Duke has mirrors in his own past.

This book feels like a political thriller, a plot of ambitions and intrigues, but that is a surface of stucco and paint rather than stone. The writing is dreamlike and lyrical, gorgeous word-paintings that capture those moments of memory that hold like snapshots, against which everything else seems false. Shea and the other narrators of the book, Lena and Brielle, tread water in a vast and stormy sea of memory and illusion, where air is foam and what purchase their feet can find is rotting driftwood. I'm reminded of Susanna Clarke's Piranesi, though a labyrinth and a tower have complete different vibes.

(disclosure: I received an ARC from the author and no other compensation)

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book from the Author.

I read the short story this book was adapted from, Tower of Mud and Straw, several years ago and enjoyed it enough to leave a 4* review, so I was excited when Barsukov let me know he had expanded it into a full novel.

I really enjoyed Sleeping Worlds Have no Memories, the expanded story works really well and the additions to the mystery and world all landed for me. I still love Barsukov's prose which has a dreamlike quality sometimes and I love how original and different the plot and story felt to nearly everything else that I have read.

My only complaint from the short story stands though, the book is almost too short for its own good. There are many places where some shorter low stakes scenes could have made the relationships and interactions between certain characters and to give a better sense of the time that has passed - although this last part may have been intentional.

Overall this is a definite upgrade to the short story and a great debut novel. I am very excited to read anything Barsukov writes next.

[Luke Tarzian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to the author for an ARC.

Enthralling from start to finish. Deft, lyrical prose bolsters an already mesmerizing plot that is equal parts grim, haunting, and emotionally rich.

[Lois Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars.

For those of you who remember, "Tower of Mud and Straw," was the novella that introduced us to the author and his narrative which blends steampunk, metaphysical, and folklore into an intriguing story which led to a shocking ending. In this novel, the audience learns what happens after the events in the novella.

This novel contains a more detailed first half, which rolls over into the second half that will keep the audience enraptured until its strong conclusion. It's not just about a tower, it's about a group of individuals who gather unknown information to prevent both a war and a catastrophic event from happening simultaneously. And yes, this novel is inspired by topical issues, but you knew that already.

I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Complete RTC!

[Craig Bookwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rtc

[Ariana Weldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews

Yaro was super kind enough to give a physical ARC of Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory when we met, and I repaid that by not being home properly for months so I couldn’t really sit down to start it. Well, past-me has a lot to regret about that (and many other things but we’ll save those for therapy).

I finished Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory and then just sat there for a moment realising I needed like two lifetimes to unpack things. I have friends that read this and warned me that it can feel like a confusing moment when you’ve woken from a dream suddenly and it is a whirlwind, so I felt like I was ready for some psychological whiplash. Reader, I was not.

The book is actually pretty easy to follow for the first three or four parts. I think it was Part IV or V that I entered what a friend and I affectionately called the ‘alternate dimension of chaos’. This is not a complaint. Like at all. I loved it. I didn’t totally know what was happening or where I was, but I think that was the vibe for this section so it worked very well.

Ok, ok let’s back up a bit. If you read the blurb, you’ll see that Shea Ashcroft has been exiled for refusing to gas a crowd of protesters, he’s now in the middle of nowhere on the border with a warring neighbour nation to oversee a massive tower construction, and survives an assassination attempt while there. Now none of this is funny and Shea is obviously in for a bad time from the start. What is funny was this shady meeting at a theatre where Shea finds out from mysterious man, Aidan, that he is being sacked and relocated to tower duty. You may think that’s not funny but please understand, it was the topic of the play they were watching. Like Shea is sitting there ‘Oh this feels like a familiar situation.’ And Aidan is like ‘So you know that’s you on stage?’ Can you imagine any instance where that’s how someone finds out their life is changing?

After the informative play, Shea is off to the town of Owenbeg where this monstrous tower is being constructed using advanced technology that no one really knows how to safely work. It is also at this point we find that Shea is utterly haunted by a soot-stained room and has been unintentionally entered into some exposure therapy. Aside from that, I utterly loved the scene where Shea first sees the tower. His whole experience and description of the tower, navigating through it, the little details, was utterly brilliant. Yaro deserves enormous praise for his smooth writing style and I think this was one of the most illustrating moments of his skill.

Once in Owenbeg, it’s not just his job that Shea is woefully underprepared for but also Lena, a Drakiri. Lena, not his sister Lena which, tbh, was kinda weird but let’s move on, is crazy interesting. The people she comes from, the culture around her, the stories, etc. just crazy interesting. I fell in love with this brief part of the story where Shea and Lena go to this Drakiri settlement and honestly, I could have a whole other book just about the Drakiri. Lena is a catalyst for why Shea has to make some hefty choices. And once they start, and we get closer to Part IV and V, there are no rails left to go off of. It was wild and beautifully written the whole way through. I felt like throughout I wasn’t sure who I was meant to root for or believe. There is a serious blurring of lines between what is real, here and now, and what is just a lingering perception of past experiences.

Without question, Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is super out there. Like multi-dimensionally out there. Like at one point there is a giant baby monster thing and it’s super terrifying out there. It’s fine, just go with it. There were some truly gorgeous scenes that stand out among the vividly depicted despair and Shea’s haunted experience. As I said at the start, past-me has a lot of regrets about not getting into this sooner. But as I also said, I need two lifetimes to unpack the layers of things in the pages so at least I can ruminate on the whole story for ages.

[Donna Bull · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by the author.

4.5/5

"Evil wasn't even in the crown prince; it hid in the silent consent, in every nod of approval and every "yes."


I was lucky enough to read The Tower of Mud and Straw when it first came out and was immediately enchanted by the world and distinctly remember wishing there was more. I was so excited when I found out "more" was finally happening and am thrilled to report that Sleeping Worlds builds on everything I loved about Tower and expands that into a marvelous sci-fantasy story that resonates on many levels.
The Tower of Mud and Straw makes up the first part of this book and while there aren't major changes, it feels tighter, smoother and the character growth throughout is top notch. The second part of the book is new material and completes what I knew would be a wonderfully written tale. Not only are we introduced to new characters, but we get so much more with Shea, Lena, Brielle and Aidan. Backstories are expanded upon, and the relationships are just so much more fleshed out.
The world created here feels so unique and the prose makes you feel every moody, atmospheric moment as these characters find themselves pulled into situations that change everything they thought they knew about the world. I think Yare has one of the most unique voices in fiction and hopefully you will find something to love in this story as well.

[Sraah · Rating 5 out of 5]

where do i even begin? there’s two sides to everything, right?
want enough and it will be?
it’s up to us to shape the future; and the past…?
BAH!!! so much about this tale had me reflecting on real life. hey yaroslav, what inspired you? have you read stephen king’s the dark tower series? parts had me imagining this as an expansion on what we didn’t get to read more about… there.

can we wish for talking dogs, please
rather than fueling war and loss and destruction

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+


“I hope you don't suffer from vertigo."
"No, but I do suffer from this stupid wish to live."




"Come on!" She laughed, throwing up her arms, and he unclenched his fingers and thought, How beautiful people can be when they're happy.



I’m sorry, he wanted to say, but then thought, I’ll say sorry by making it right.



"We're doing a fine job matching each other in matters of war. I wish we were as good at peace."

Time moves in a circle just to mock us.


She tapped her temples. "It's all in here. Our desires, our fears. Communal madness."
Things he'd never known the names of, and things he thought he didn't need names for.
Layers upon layers of denial, ignorance becoming a habit, habit becoming the way of life.

[Charlotte (thepennotthesword) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yaroslav Barsukov’s Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory draws readers in with its intriguing premise and imaginative world-building. It has this surreal, sci-fi setting which offers a glimpse into a universe that is both otherworldly and eerily familiar. The politics, the setting and the characters hold your interest and leave you with a need for answers. Barsukov’s prose is vivid and poetic, creating a dreamlike atmosphere, matching the setting, that keeps you turning the pages.

However, the abstract nature of the storytelling made it difficult for me to fully grasp the narrative’s direction, leaving passages unclear and a little longwinded. Key elements of the plot and character motivations were in my opinion not fully expanded upon, leaving me feeling distanced from the story at times.

Sleeping World’s Have No Memory is an interesting, thought-provoking read, which takes readers in a wild sci-fi journey of sabotage, guilt, loss, destruction and hope. However, it is the exploration of memory, identity, belief and propaganda, and how each can manipulate and have a significant impact on people. A read that will definitely have you questioning each character and revelation.

[Dan Trefethen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very satisfying medievalist fantasy about building a tower, and two kingdoms who may go to war if our protagonist can't solve the puzzle of what the tower represents. The clue is in the title, that this world is not quite what it seems.

There is some startlingly good metaphorical language. I haven't read this author before but may keep an eye out for him.

There are a few little tweaks that are strange, such as in a medieval setting with crossbows and balistas, there is also morphine. I guess in an alternate medieval world they could have discovered and developed various kinds of opioids earlier. After all, it's pretty clear it's not our world.

[Abel Montero · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is far, far removed from my usual readings, and it took me a while to feel a real underlying connection to story and characters. But when I found it, the result was fantastic.
Full review coming soon.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of the 2025 award season as this was nominated for the Nebula Award.

A dark and moody sf fantasy that grips you and will leave you thinking about it after you finish. Works described as dreamlike scare me, however this lives up to the dark/ moody/ dreamlike descriptions and pulls it off.

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory combines two novellas, Tower of Mud and Straw that came out 2021, and its follow-up, City of Spires, City of Seagulls, with a brief intermission, The Man with All the Gifts, between them that gives the reader insight into the actions of one of the characters in the first book. I read and reviewed the first book in 2021 and liked it very much. You can read the full review here.

In the first novella, Shea Ashcroft, an aristocrat and politician, is sent to a remote town to supervise the construction of an enormous tower. It’s a punishment, and he takes it as such, but he’s willing to do his job as instructed. But when he learns that the tower will lead to a destruction of the world by opening a portal to another world, he has no choice but to destroy the tower.

The first novella ends there, with the reader convinced that Shea has plunged to his death with the tower. But he’s saved, in a manner that fits the world and doesn’t come across as a deus ex machina solution. But now that Shea is alive, he has to face the consequences of his actions. Everyone knows he’s the one who destroyed the tower. The queen herself comes to his trial to make sure he’s executed for treason.

Shea isn’t willing to wait for that. With the help of an enemy spy, he flees to her country, only to end up in even more trouble than before. Now he’s the captive of their prince who wants him for his information about the tower. Because the tower Shea destroyed isn’t the only one. It’s about arms-race, and the enemy isn’t willing to be left out, no matter what they say about destroying their weapon too.

Meanwhile Brielle, the engineer of the tower who was stranded in the alien world in the first novella, struggles to find her way out before she dies of thirst or is killed by a giant baby throwing a tantrum. But what happens when the two worlds collide?

In the end, there’s only one choice for the other tower too, and Shea knows it. Reality has changed already though, even if there are only two people who know about it. Or maybe it has always been like that...

Second novella is slightly more action driven than the first, but equally compelling and the narrative tone remains similarly pensive as in the first, as Shea now has new deaths on his conscience. Both Lenas feature too, even after death; Shea’s sister in his memories, and the alien woman in the pages of her diary Shea is reading for clues about the tower. The second novella ends in a better place for Shea, but the ending is open enough that the reader can’t be quite sure how he’ll fare from now on. Hopefully he’ll get what he wished for.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sylvia Spruck Wrigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yaroslav Barsukov's "Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory" follows Shea Ashcroft, a disgraced minister exiled to oversee the construction of a defensive tower in Owenburg. At its heart, the story appears to be about a broken man and how he loved and learns to love again. We meet his long-dead sister and a beautiful woman with the same name as Ashcroft struggles to navigate friendships, court intrigues, and the person that he wishes he could be.

This story could be compelling enough. But Barsukov doesn't stop there. Instead, he weaves the personal threads into the political, unravelling a larger story that explores memory, loss, life as a refugee and the echoes of history. His prose is dense and beautiful, offering metaphors and mood like a tree heavy with fruit. His talent comes through in the quiet moments which underscore the haunting quality:  a mongrel rummaging through the rubbish, a missed connection with a mandolin-playing neighbour,  a conflict interrupted by the description of the shreds of paint clinging to the walls. Barsukov seems to effortlessly create these intimate moments which illuminate the larger themes of the novel.

Sleeping Worlds mirrors both the reality-warping structures of Vandermeer's Annihilation, with that same sense of creeping dread, and the political despair of Disco Elysium, filled with personal loss and regret. The result is a fantasy world that only Barsukov could create while at the same time echoing our modern global politics. The medieval towers,  monuments of political machinations, cast their shadows onto the haunted history of Europe, as the past and future collide over and over again. Everything is political and every choice has repercussions.

Shea Ashcroft is a haunted protagonist driven by his demons, while at the same time slowly recognising his own biases and political assumptions. A strong cast of supporting characters weaves in and out of the story, representing all walks of life, from the impoverished refugee to the queen mother and her pug. As an immigrant, I could not help but connect to those characters who know that they, like me and presumably like Barsukov, will never quite be at home anywhere, ever again.

In his struggle to know whom to trust, Ashcroft finds himself obstructed, supported and manipulated from unexpected quarters.  As he responds to the many layers of disinformation and propaganda, the reader is also asked to consider and confront the nature of complicity.

"Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory" shows an odd prescience of real-world conflicts, or perhaps Barsukov simply recognised the inevitable before the rest of us. The country of Duma looms as a complex amalgam of imperial powers, its potential for aggression a constant undercurrent.  The lines of reality and fiction repeatedly blur, reflecting our own situation and offering a glimpse of possible futures. Throughout, Barsukov never lets us forget our culpability in the modern world:

"Evil wasn't even in the crown prince; it hid in the silent consent, in every nod of approval and every 'yes'."

This is a novel that lingers in the mind, like the last notes of a mandolin.