Reviewed by: Tonya
Format:Kindle
Format:Kindle
Published:Kristen Day
Source:author copy Genre:Paranormal Romance
Source:author copy Genre:Paranormal Romance
The sacrifices we make have the power to shift the very fabric of who we are, and ultimately who we are meant to be…
After learning of her true destiny as the intended Leader of the Tydes, Anastasia Whitman must now embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld before the age of eighteen in order to plant the seed of immortality and complete her essence to become a true Sea Goddess. But before she can make her legendary journey, an unexpected new student transfers to Lorelei; initiating a sequence of events that will unravel Stasia’s new life, and test the boundaries of her relationship with the mysterious, dark, and sexy Finn Morrison. The line between the Underworld and the Living begins to blur as gruesome ghosts, morbid reveries, and pure evil haunt her waking hours as well as her sanity. Once the details of Finn’s own startling destiny are revealed, the dangerous secrets he’s been hiding will threaten the very love Stasia believed to be indestructible. As time begins to run out, she will be forced to choose between the one she loves and the destiny she cannot escape.
My Thoughts
First I just want to say I completely love how Awaken just picked right up where Forsaken left off. Many times a book will come to an end, with an obvious opening for another book to be added yet when you pick up the next book it is like entire moments in time are missing, new people are suddenly there and no explanation as to how they got there or why they are even part of the story. Actually in thinking about it Author Kristen Day worked characters for this book seamlessly into the prior book Forsaken so when they really come into serious play in Forsaken you already know them it’s not just “POOF LOOK AT ME HERE I AM”.
Again the relationship between Anastasia and Finn is just so enjoyable to read and be a part of. It is truly budding love that continues to grow, I mean who cares that he is a “Son of Damion” you know the badest of the bad guys around town. He is so deliciously hot and a bad boy to boot – LOL.. I love seeing Anastasia try to constantly control the feelings she has for him, even with a glance she comes undone. It’s so innocent yet steamy. The author has done such a fabulous job describing each emotion, each moment, down to the smallest details. The movement of the sand when Anastasia is angry and storms to the water seeking comfort to the feelings and emotions she goes through when in one of her reveries. No small stone is left unturned within the pages of this book.
I also liked the truly funny and relatable battle of “I hate him” – “I hate her” – I like him” – “I like her” that Carmen and Ricker go through. Reminds me so much of a few friends of mine in school. You knew they liked each other but they liked getting under each other’s skin and acting like they couldn’t stand the other. And the slowly evolving relationship between Willow and Liam – Willow is chomping at the bit for him to ask her out but refuses to make the first move – it’s so totally real and so completely fun to read. I absolutely love Ricker he is such a wise guy yet you can tell he cares, cares about Finn and yes Carmen as well as his other friends.
Let’s not forget Willow and Liam they are still fledgling love puppies but it’s getting there and I just love how their story flows in Awaken. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a cute guy struggle to tell a pretty girl he likes her. And you can just feel Willow want to grab him and say alright enough already just get it out and get it over and lets move forward.
Okay ladies you all know in school there was always that ONE girl that just got under our skin, no matter how hard we tried, no matter how much we pretended to ignore her. She was still always there, glaring, spewing, and making our lives complete misery. Well Anastasia goes through that as well with Nadia and let me tell you what, there were a few times I wished I could jump right into the pages of the book and just pull that nasty girls hair out send her packing right back to her momma where she really belongs. – Shhhh don’t let my daughter hear that “What mom you fighting” – LOL You see what Nadia puts Anastasia and Finn through and you just hate her for it and scream for Anastasia and Finn to get the upper hand. But I like Nadia at the same time, she is good at being bad no no she is great at being evil.
This book is so good – the emotional struggle that both Anastasia and Finn go through as each prepares for their journey, what they are chosen for, their destiny. Though at times you really feel like Finn isn’t telling Anastasia everything and you just want to go “Okay mister spill the beans or else..” you also feel like maybe he is not telling her for her own good, and so suffers that constant tug of war. I personally could feel the struggles that Anastasia was going through. Being a teenager is tough enough, been a teen that at first didn’t fit in and then learns there is something completely different about her that is a lot. Then to learn you have this huge destiny to fulfill that you have been chosen (without even having a say in the matter) wow that is one serious ton of bricks to be lain at your feet. And Finn, dear, sweet, dark Finn, having to go through what he has to go through – I couldn’t even imagine, and to know you can’t tell the one girl who has made you believe you can be better everything you want to tell her. That is not something I would wish on anyone.
Phoebe and Carmen don’t fail to disappoint with their best friend sisterly type bickering with one another. Sometimes it’s so comical I find myself bursting out laughing I really love these two. And Willow, dear sweet Willow, still the healer, I love her demeanor, her strength that she carries throughout these stories – she is the best friend I would love to have. The bond between the four girls continues to grow and the journey that Anastasia has to take with the help of her friends puts that friendship to the ultimate test.
Now I have to tell you the ending well let’s just say it was 1:30 in the morning and I got to the end and when I read the last paragraph I jumped up and yelled “WHAT THE HECK!!!!!!!!!!” So did not see that coming but ohhhhh what an evil little twist you threw in there – no doubt you HAVE to read the next book to find out the fate of Anastasia and Finn, and Carmen, and Phoebe, and…and…and….
A++++++ MAZING!!!!!!!
