To New Yorker Rosa Alcantara, the exotic world of Sicily, with its network of Mafia families and its reputation for murder and intrigue, is just th...
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reviews
Dec 17, 2011
Emily
rated it: 
This book managed to tick all of the boxes for the first few chapters (actually quite a few chapters because they're only short) and I was pleasantly surprised to find a young adult author that: a) doesn't think it's okay to be condescending when the audience is younger, and b) creates an atypical heroine who isn't all about drooling after her inevitable one true love. As a matter of fact, the author attempts to write quite prettily and sets the scene in the Sicilian countryside very well, you c
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6 comments
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(15 people liked it)
Feb 22, 2012
Sam
rated it: 
3.5 stars
Arcadia Awakens intertwines a forbidden romance reminiscent of the tale of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with the supernatural world of shape-shifting and buried legends. Add a sprinkling of Cosa Nostra, and this book is set up to be a thrilling and unique read. We have a snarky female protagonist, a complicated love interest, and a storyline derived from ancient mythology – all of this surrounded by the exotic heat of Sicily.
If the premise for this book wasn’t enough to draw More...
Arcadia Awakens intertwines a forbidden romance reminiscent of the tale of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with the supernatural world of shape-shifting and buried legends. Add a sprinkling of Cosa Nostra, and this book is set up to be a thrilling and unique read. We have a snarky female protagonist, a complicated love interest, and a storyline derived from ancient mythology – all of this surrounded by the exotic heat of Sicily.
If the premise for this book wasn’t enough to draw More...
10 comments
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(14 people liked it)
Dec 21, 2011
As much as I want to know more about the difficult main character (she lies, steals and is fond of acting all emo), as much I like a good mafia story and as much as I adore an exotic locale (Sicily!), the writing (or the translation) is just not good enough. The sentences are choppy and don't flow together, the observations are often trite or unnecessary, the narrative is dull, distant and lifeless.
This might be the case of writing style incompatibility though.
This might be the case of writing style incompatibility though.
9 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Jun 29, 2011
Juliane
rated it: 
Am Anfang dachte ich echt, es sei ein Fehlkauf gewesen. Während der ersten Seiten hab ich mich einfach nur gefragt, warum der Autor (ein Mann!) aus der Sicht eines TeenagerMÄDCHENS schreibt.. ich fand es zu Beginn sehr gewollt böse. Oh oh oh Rosa ist so böse, sie klaut Schokoriegel.
Aber ganz egal, denn nach den ersten ca. 70 Seiten wurde es richtig gut. Rosa hat sich eingekriegt und die Machenschaften der Familien wurden spannend und verworren.
Tiger und Löwen tauchen plötzlich More...
Aber ganz egal, denn nach den ersten ca. 70 Seiten wurde es richtig gut. Rosa hat sich eingekriegt und die Machenschaften der Familien wurden spannend und verworren.
Tiger und Löwen tauchen plötzlich More...
Oct 30, 2010
Jess
rated it:
It sounds like a mixture of „Romeo and Juliet“, „The Godfather“ and „Twilight“. A cheesy romance between two young people from families that are enemies for centuries now and all of that is overshadowed by a dark mysterious secret.
But “Arkadien erwacht” (Arkadien awakes) is more than you would expect first. While using old and known elements from familiar stories Kai Meyer manages successfully to create a new and thrilling world that the reader can fully sink in and let us fight alon More...
But “Arkadien erwacht” (Arkadien awakes) is more than you would expect first. While using old and known elements from familiar stories Kai Meyer manages successfully to create a new and thrilling world that the reader can fully sink in and let us fight alon More...
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(5 people liked it)
Jan 04, 2011
Janina
rated it:
Don't think I'm going to pick this up again.
I so wanted to like the book and have been waiting eagerly for quite a while to read it, but neither the story nor the characters drew me in.
I'm glad I got it from the library and therefore didn't spend any money on it.
Kai Meyer can definitely do better, as he has already proven with The Water Mirror and Pirate Curse for example. More...
I so wanted to like the book and have been waiting eagerly for quite a while to read it, but neither the story nor the characters drew me in.
I'm glad I got it from the library and therefore didn't spend any money on it.
Kai Meyer can definitely do better, as he has already proven with The Water Mirror and Pirate Curse for example. More...
2 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 30, 2012
Jenny
rated it:
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
MY THOUGHTS
Arcadia Awakens is an unusual story, one where the strangeness of it is both a positive in that it stands out amidst the masses of paranormal young adult fiction, and a negative in that it leaves us a bit unsure as to exactly how we feel about what we’ve read. On the plus side we have the richly atmospheric setting of Sicily, a place where light and dark exist in equal measures and where the beauty of the landscape is in contrast with the nefariou More...
MY THOUGHTS
Arcadia Awakens is an unusual story, one where the strangeness of it is both a positive in that it stands out amidst the masses of paranormal young adult fiction, and a negative in that it leaves us a bit unsure as to exactly how we feel about what we’ve read. On the plus side we have the richly atmospheric setting of Sicily, a place where light and dark exist in equal measures and where the beauty of the landscape is in contrast with the nefariou More...
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 25, 2011
"Rosa Alcantara vuela desde Brooklyn a su Sicilia natal para huir de su pasado más reciente: un trauma y sus secuelas. En el avión conoce a Alessandro, el hijo del capo de la familia Carnevare, que vuelve a casa a ocuparse de "unos asuntos familiares". La atracción es casi instantánea. Rosa lucha con todas sus fuerzas y su sarcasmo contra ella, en vano. No obstante, lo que complicará la vida de Rosa no es sólo la chispa que surge entre los dos muchachos, sino el hecho de que él es
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Jun 17, 2011
Booksmademyday
rated it:
Inhalt
Ein Schicksalsschlag ist der Auslöser für Rosas Rückkehr nach Sizilien, zu ihrer Schwester Zoe und ihrer Tante Florinda. Sie will neu beginnen, mit der Vergangenheit abschließen. Ihr ist klar, dass dies nicht leicht sein wird, vor allem da sie in eine ganz und gar ungewöhnliche Familie gehört. Denn Rosa ist eine Alcantara und ihre Tante ist der Boss des Alcantara-Clans, einer Mafiafamilie. Allerdings hätte Rosa nie gedacht, dass sie jemals in Berührung mit dem ganzen Mafiakram kommen More...
Ein Schicksalsschlag ist der Auslöser für Rosas Rückkehr nach Sizilien, zu ihrer Schwester Zoe und ihrer Tante Florinda. Sie will neu beginnen, mit der Vergangenheit abschließen. Ihr ist klar, dass dies nicht leicht sein wird, vor allem da sie in eine ganz und gar ungewöhnliche Familie gehört. Denn Rosa ist eine Alcantara und ihre Tante ist der Boss des Alcantara-Clans, einer Mafiafamilie. Allerdings hätte Rosa nie gedacht, dass sie jemals in Berührung mit dem ganzen Mafiakram kommen More...
Feb 28, 2011
Nadine
rated it:
Romeo und Julia meets Der Pate meets Gestaltwandlerstory... Die 17-jährige Rosa kehrt nach Sizilien, dem Schoß ihrere Familie zurück um Abstand zu den schrecklichen Dingen zu bekommen, die ihr in New York widerfahren waren. Ihre Familie nimmt eine führende Rolle in der Mafia ein. Noch im Flugzeug nach Italien begegnet ihr Alessandro, Mafia Sproß und baldiger Capo einer verfeindete Mafia Familie. Die beiden Familien trennt mehr als nur ihre Geschäfte, die Alcantaras und die Carnevaras tragen die
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Jun 17, 2010
Marina Anik
rated it:
Kay Meyer ist einer der wenigen deutschen Fantasy- Autoren, den ich wirklich gut finde. Ähnlich wie Wolfgang Hohlbein bedient er sich in den meisten seiner Geschichten alter Mythen oder Volksmärchen. Daraus kreiert er dann aber ganz eigenständige, mitreissende Geschichten.
Nachdem mich seine "Wellenläufer-Trilogie" in ihren Bann gezogen hatte, war ich begeistert, als sein neues Buch "Arkadien erwacht" herauskam. Es wurde sofort gekauft und verschlungen.
Eine More...
Nachdem mich seine "Wellenläufer-Trilogie" in ihren Bann gezogen hatte, war ich begeistert, als sein neues Buch "Arkadien erwacht" herauskam. Es wurde sofort gekauft und verschlungen.
Eine More...
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 19, 2012
Miriam
rated it:
As always, the first thing that made me like this book, was the main character. Rosa Alcantara defintely wouldn't be the easist person to get along with if you met her in real life. Nevertheless that's what I particularly liked about her: She is herself, very stubborn and way to grown up for her age, she is not a person that trusts anyone easily and always seems to be very careful with every step she takes. But she still falls in love with Alessandro, even though it takes some time and overcomin
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Feb 14, 2012
Andrea
rated it:
Originally posted on Cozy Up With A Good Read
This book really caught my attention for different reasons. First was the cover. I kept seeing this book on the sidebar of A Cupcake and A Latte's blog and I just had to see what it was about (so lots of thanks there!). I absolutely love the green of the snake, it just absolutely drew me in. The second thing was that this is a translation of a book, I haven't actually read many books that have been translations, really only Haruki Murakami ( More...
This book really caught my attention for different reasons. First was the cover. I kept seeing this book on the sidebar of A Cupcake and A Latte's blog and I just had to see what it was about (so lots of thanks there!). I absolutely love the green of the snake, it just absolutely drew me in. The second thing was that this is a translation of a book, I haven't actually read many books that have been translations, really only Haruki Murakami ( More...
Jan 25, 2012
Lisa
rated it:
Originally posted at Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me
Moving to Sicily to live with her older sister and aunt, Rosa Alcantara finds herself trapped in the middle of a mafia war between her family and the Carnevares. Although the two have a truce, their history of mistrust and the ascension of a new boss leads to deception, dangerous rule-breaking and secrets between them. When Rosa takes notice of Alessandro on her plane, never did she think he would become her enemy, that he was the dead More...
Moving to Sicily to live with her older sister and aunt, Rosa Alcantara finds herself trapped in the middle of a mafia war between her family and the Carnevares. Although the two have a truce, their history of mistrust and the ascension of a new boss leads to deception, dangerous rule-breaking and secrets between them. When Rosa takes notice of Alessandro on her plane, never did she think he would become her enemy, that he was the dead More...
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 07, 2011
Katie
rated it:
I really loved the concept for this one. I mean, Sicilian Mafia and a dark, mysterious, fantastical family secret? Plus forbidden love, Romeo and Juliet style? This was my first Kai Meyer read for me and it certainly lived up to my expectations (and its beautiful cover!). The only problem I had was that there were a few awkward sentences here and there and, then again, that will probably be fixed in the final version. The characters were entertaining and, over time, Rosa grew on me with her bad
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0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 07, 2010
Kathrin
rated it:
Another book that was suggested to me by my best friend. I had no idea about the subject of the book, just that she told me it was good and I should read it and once again, I wasn't disappointed. First I thought, what the hell is wrong with you girl and I really didn't like her all that much, but the more the story continued the better I liked her. The development of the storyline took a while and continued slowly and steadily, getting more and more intense towards the end. Something that made m
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 14, 2011
Steffi
rated it:
Tolles Buch! Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass ich mal sage "Die Story ist neu!" Aber sie ist es tatsächlich. Dieser Fantastik-Roman ist mal ganz anders und der Crossover aus Liebesroman/Thriller und Fantasy ist echt gelungen. Ich musste mich im ersten Band zwar erst an Rosa gewöhnen, denn sie war mir nicht sofort sympatisch, aber spätestens im 2. Band fühlt man mit ihr. Die Charactere sind glaubhaft gezeichnet und der Plot ist spannend und bringt jede Menge Wendungen und Aha-Erlebnisse mit
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Feb 10, 2012
Book Twirps
rated it:
I really liked a lot of things about this book. The main character, Rosa, is strong, rebellious, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. I immediately liked her because she isn't weak. She's not the "poor me, I need a boy to help me discover who I am" type of heroine. The setting (Sicily) is one that I haven’t seen over and over, and there isn’t an “insta-love” attraction between Rosa and Alessandro, which was refreshing. In fact, the romantic relationship didn't seem to be the main focus.
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Feb 19, 2012
Jess
rated it:
ARCADIA AWAKENS, by Kai Meyer, is full of action and mystery and captures this readers attention and does not let it go. Set in Italy it is exotic and unknown and impossible to put down. A new and original tale of Romeo and Juliet.
I really loved this book. It was unique with the tie in of the Mafia and the supernatural. The Mafia theme is mostly underlying and the different families feud against each other not only because they are Mafia families but because they are all different shap More...
I really loved this book. It was unique with the tie in of the Mafia and the supernatural. The Mafia theme is mostly underlying and the different families feud against each other not only because they are Mafia families but because they are all different shap More...
Feb 12, 2012
Kristen
rated it:
Arcadia Awakens is a modern day Romeo and Juliet mixed with some supernatural elements and the Italian Mafia.
This was such a thrilling read. I could not get enough of Rosa and Alessandro. The plot twists were absolutely extraordinary.
I loved Alessandro from the moment he appeared. He is so sweet and caring but he is torn due to his responsibilities to his family and his legacy.
I was a little hesitant on Rosa at first. I wasn't exactly sure what to think of he More...
This was such a thrilling read. I could not get enough of Rosa and Alessandro. The plot twists were absolutely extraordinary.
I loved Alessandro from the moment he appeared. He is so sweet and caring but he is torn due to his responsibilities to his family and his legacy.
I was a little hesitant on Rosa at first. I wasn't exactly sure what to think of he More...
Feb 11, 2012
Carina
rated it:
ARC received through Goodreads Firstreads.
Can someone please get me a plane ticket to Sicily? Like, now, please? Seriously, I have the weirdest, unexplainable desire to travel to the Mediterranean after finishing this book!
It’s not very often that a book comes along and literally takes over my life. I’m pretty picky about what I read, so finding a book that makes me forget that I have friends, overdue college papers, let alone a life, is pretty rare for me.
Arc More...
Can someone please get me a plane ticket to Sicily? Like, now, please? Seriously, I have the weirdest, unexplainable desire to travel to the Mediterranean after finishing this book!
It’s not very often that a book comes along and literally takes over my life. I’m pretty picky about what I read, so finding a book that makes me forget that I have friends, overdue college papers, let alone a life, is pretty rare for me.
Arc More...
Jan 02, 2012
Tiffany (For Those About to Read...)
rated it:
I was so excited to pick up Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer for two reasons: I love Italy and I have been meaning to read his Darkest Reflections series. I certainly was not disappointed as Arcadia Awakens incorporated some of my favorite story elements.
The setting for Arcadia Awakens was Italy. How fabulous! If you’ve ever been to Italy, you know how amazing the food is and how cool all of the old ruins are. I highly recommend both Pompeii and Sorrento—and Capri! What a beautiful count More...
The setting for Arcadia Awakens was Italy. How fabulous! If you’ve ever been to Italy, you know how amazing the food is and how cool all of the old ruins are. I highly recommend both Pompeii and Sorrento—and Capri! What a beautiful count More...
Feb 10, 2012
Tawni (The Book Worms)
rated it:
Originally posted at The Book Worms: http://thebookworms.org/2012/02/review-arcadia-awakens-by-kai-meyer/
Kai Meyer molds such a unique and powerful world in Arcadia Awakens! Every time I cracked this book open, I just couldn't get enough of it. The mafia aspect is incredibly realistic and weaves these opposing families together in an ancient legend. I really, really loved that it was extremely different than other shape shifting books out there!
Rosa has a troubled past an More...
Kai Meyer molds such a unique and powerful world in Arcadia Awakens! Every time I cracked this book open, I just couldn't get enough of it. The mafia aspect is incredibly realistic and weaves these opposing families together in an ancient legend. I really, really loved that it was extremely different than other shape shifting books out there!
Rosa has a troubled past an More...
Oct 16, 2011
Aryana
rated it:
Als die junge Rosa Alcantara nach Sizilien kommt, um dort bei ihrer Tante Florinda und ihrer Schwester Zoe zu leben, ahnt sie noch nicht, wie sehr sie in die Intrigennetze der Mafia verstrickt wird. Ebensowenig ahnt sie, wie wichtig Alessandro für sie werden wird, der doch nicht mehr ist als eine flüchtige Flugzeugbekanntschaft. Oder doch? Als Mitglieder verfeindeter Clans ist es gar nicht so einfach für Alessandro und Rosa, Freundschaft zu schließen, sich ineinander zu verlieben und sich aus de
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Jan 03, 2012
Hannah
rated it:
I had honestly never heard of this book before it was sent to me, but one look at that shiver-inducing cover and I was game. I mean, combine that with mafia, Italy, and a romance? It had all the makings of something I would love forever. Unfortunately, the story fell kind of flat for me.
The first problem I had was Rosa. Right off the bat this girl irritated me with her snarkiness (bordering on bitchy) and the way she casually stole random things. Thankfully she got progressively bett More...
The first problem I had was Rosa. Right off the bat this girl irritated me with her snarkiness (bordering on bitchy) and the way she casually stole random things. Thankfully she got progressively bett More...
Jan 24, 2012
the golden witch.
rated it:
You know, you’d never think that, when putting together a story using the Italian Mafia and mythology would mix. Kai Meyer’s “Arcadia Awakens” not only makes it totally work, but literally casts a spell over his readers. This book is gorgeously written, with no stone left unturned, and makes for a very good first book in a trilogy. If you like your heroines awesome with a side of gumption, you definitely need to read “Arcadia Awakens”, ASAP.
For a first book, this part of the Arkadien More...
For a first book, this part of the Arkadien More...
2 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Jan 28, 2012
Mocha ღ Latte
rated it:
More of my reviews at A Cupcake and a Latte:YA Reads, Reviews & More!
An Exotic Setting and Lore That Instantly Pulls You In
Kai Meyer is one author that I've been vastly aware of for quite some time. In the past, I recall being told about several of his novels, though all in German, and had always been curious about what exactly made Kai Meyer such an enthralling author. It wasn't until I received a copy of Arcadia Awakens, a translation of his novel Arkadien erwacht, that More...
An Exotic Setting and Lore That Instantly Pulls You In
Kai Meyer is one author that I've been vastly aware of for quite some time. In the past, I recall being told about several of his novels, though all in German, and had always been curious about what exactly made Kai Meyer such an enthralling author. It wasn't until I received a copy of Arcadia Awakens, a translation of his novel Arkadien erwacht, that More...
4 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 18, 2012
Savannah (Books With Bite)
rated it:
I really like it when authors write out of the box. The idea behind this book and watching it unfold really capture me. I liked that is wasn't something typically but really unique. A cross between Atlantians and ancient blood lines sparking powerful mafia families is quick to capture the reader and hold them.
Say what! Atlantis. Mafia. Blood lines. All of this in one book sparking my curiosity till the end. Once a few chapters in the mafia really got me. I enjoyed reading about the po More...
Say what! Atlantis. Mafia. Blood lines. All of this in one book sparking my curiosity till the end. Once a few chapters in the mafia really got me. I enjoyed reading about the po More...
Oct 26, 2011
sabisteb
rated it:
Die Siebzehnjährige New Yorkerin Rosa Alcantara reist nach Sizilien zu ihrer Großmutter, um einen Neuanfang zu machen. Vor einem Jahr passierte etwas, was ihr Leben veränderte, und nun will sie nur noch eines: vergessen, ein neues Leben anfangen, ein neuer Mensch werden.
Sizilien ist dafür jedoch der denkbar schlechteste Ort, denn auch wenn Rosa nie mit den Geschäften ihrer Familie zu tun hatte, und in sehr bescheidenen Verhältnissen in der Bronx aufwuchs, ist sie auf Sizilien die Enkelin de More...
Sizilien ist dafür jedoch der denkbar schlechteste Ort, denn auch wenn Rosa nie mit den Geschäften ihrer Familie zu tun hatte, und in sehr bescheidenen Verhältnissen in der Bronx aufwuchs, ist sie auf Sizilien die Enkelin de More...
