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Bloodlines #1
The Awakening
Snap...crackle...pop. The sounds of bones breaking and shifting and of muscles tearing haunt Alexandria Reed.
For the last five years, Alex has been locked up at Compton Academy, a "school" for the emotionally challenged. She calls it the politically correct way of saying they’re all nuts and Alex has no doubts she’s insane. She comes home to Jacob's Fork to face the demons she left behind her after deceiving the doctors into believing she’s well. Soon after her arrival home though, news of her estranged mother's death brings her uncle back into her life and she and her brother, Jason, learn a terrifying secret about their family.
After questioning her sanity for the last ten years, she discovers the night terrors she's suffered for so long has become a reality. She and her brother are now being hunted because of the secret her family has killed to protect. Her world has been turned upside down, every belief she held true destroyed. Aided by her new friends, who have some dark secrets themselves, can she and Jason survive long enough to figure out the secret behind the secret?
For the last five years, Alex has been locked up at Compton Academy, a "school" for the emotionally challenged. She calls it the politically correct way of saying they’re all nuts and Alex has no doubts she’s insane. She comes home to Jacob's Fork to face the demons she left behind her after deceiving the doctors into believing she’s well. Soon after her arrival home though, news of her estranged mother's death brings her uncle back into her life and she and her brother, Jason, learn a terrifying secret about their family.
After questioning her sanity for the last ten years, she discovers the night terrors she's suffered for so long has become a reality. She and her brother are now being hunted because of the secret her family has killed to protect. Her world has been turned upside down, every belief she held true destroyed. Aided by her new friends, who have some dark secrets themselves, can she and Jason survive long enough to figure out the secret behind the secret?
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
13 people are currently reading
721 people want to read
About the author
Apryl Baker
79 books1,828 followersSo who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.
Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.
Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.
I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.
You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...
PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!
Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.
Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.
I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.
You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...
PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 26, 2017
I just loved this book! I do not want to give anything away because there are lots of surprises, but it has many great characters to fall in love with.
This book is written in first person with Alex as the voice. She has thought she was crazy for quite a few years, but comes to find out she might not be after all. There are many great friends she meets, and a few love interests, along the path of discovery. The end left me excited for the next book, way excited, and I have no clue when that will be. I cannot wait to see what happens with the romantic side.
The book was not perfectly written. It has some grammar errors, and is written in present tense but sometimes switches to past. I LOVE the story so it is 5 stars for me!
This book is written in first person with Alex as the voice. She has thought she was crazy for quite a few years, but comes to find out she might not be after all. There are many great friends she meets, and a few love interests, along the path of discovery. The end left me excited for the next book, way excited, and I have no clue when that will be. I cannot wait to see what happens with the romantic side.
The book was not perfectly written. It has some grammar errors, and is written in present tense but sometimes switches to past. I LOVE the story so it is 5 stars for me!
June 12, 2012
Apryl was the kind to send me a copy in exchange for a review, and boy, it was definitely worth it!
Though I must admit that I asked for a copy in the first place because I found the summary interesting, and I didn't really know what I would find in the book. If there were shelves listed, particularly the werewolf one, then I'm quite sure I wouldn't have read it, because I'm sick of those books. But thank goodness it wasn't there, and I'm really really happy for that because I would have left our a wonderful novel, and it wasn't really about werewolves, but I'm not spilling any yummy details.
Where to begin... In the beginning. So in the beginning, I was lost, yes, I had no idea what was going on and Alex's voice was a little depressing too with all the 'Im not crazy, oh, but what if I am?!' thoughts, but once you get past this, and the fact that xou'll have to wait to have a clue about what's up, then it becomes pretty enjoyable. And anyway, you'll read on, because you'll want to figure out the truth, you'd be the crazy one not wanting to. I didn't think I would like Alex, because she was thinking so negatively, and I couldn't exactly sympathize with her, but as the story went on, she became more of herself, and I liked that Alex much more.
About the love triangle. There isn't. There is something, but it's not that, not really. I think it may be something like the usual love-triangles in other YA books, but it can turn out very differently as well. I didn't feel the urge to slap Alex when she wasn't kissing the boy I shipped her with, and it didn't feel that obviously wrong either, I mean her kissing someone else. I'm quite sure who she will end up with, but for now, t's all a mystery how. And it's good that way. I have a feeling there will be some shocking truths discovered in the sequel, and I can't wait to read it.
About the style. It was very similar to something I would have written. No offense, really, they say I'm a good writer, but that doesn't exactly mean I like reading what I write. It was a little bit weird actually, but then I got used to it, and it was okay. And for anyone other than me, I'm sure it's not such a problem, it was just too familiar to me maybe, and so it felt a little off. Again, no offense, it was well-written enough.
The only reason why I'm not giving this book five stars, are my dear untold rules about rating. I loved this book, and can't wait to read the next one! I hope it will be available soon. Hear me, Apryl? We want that sequel ASAP! And thank you again for giving me this chance, you are amazing, this book was amazing!
Read it, you won't regret it!
Though I must admit that I asked for a copy in the first place because I found the summary interesting, and I didn't really know what I would find in the book. If there were shelves listed, particularly the werewolf one, then I'm quite sure I wouldn't have read it, because I'm sick of those books. But thank goodness it wasn't there, and I'm really really happy for that because I would have left our a wonderful novel, and it wasn't really about werewolves, but I'm not spilling any yummy details.
Where to begin... In the beginning. So in the beginning, I was lost, yes, I had no idea what was going on and Alex's voice was a little depressing too with all the 'Im not crazy, oh, but what if I am?!' thoughts, but once you get past this, and the fact that xou'll have to wait to have a clue about what's up, then it becomes pretty enjoyable. And anyway, you'll read on, because you'll want to figure out the truth, you'd be the crazy one not wanting to. I didn't think I would like Alex, because she was thinking so negatively, and I couldn't exactly sympathize with her, but as the story went on, she became more of herself, and I liked that Alex much more.
About the love triangle. There isn't. There is something, but it's not that, not really. I think it may be something like the usual love-triangles in other YA books, but it can turn out very differently as well. I didn't feel the urge to slap Alex when she wasn't kissing the boy I shipped her with, and it didn't feel that obviously wrong either, I mean her kissing someone else. I'm quite sure who she will end up with, but for now, t's all a mystery how. And it's good that way. I have a feeling there will be some shocking truths discovered in the sequel, and I can't wait to read it.
About the style. It was very similar to something I would have written. No offense, really, they say I'm a good writer, but that doesn't exactly mean I like reading what I write. It was a little bit weird actually, but then I got used to it, and it was okay. And for anyone other than me, I'm sure it's not such a problem, it was just too familiar to me maybe, and so it felt a little off. Again, no offense, it was well-written enough.
The only reason why I'm not giving this book five stars, are my dear untold rules about rating. I loved this book, and can't wait to read the next one! I hope it will be available soon. Hear me, Apryl? We want that sequel ASAP! And thank you again for giving me this chance, you are amazing, this book was amazing!
Read it, you won't regret it!
May 29, 2012
The Awakening is about a girl on her journey out of insanity and into a world filled with even more dangers than those from within. She has been in a mental institute for the last five years coping with nightmares that she can’t separate from reality. Now she is home and trying to find a normal life, but she soon discovers with the death of her mother that her nightmares are a reality and are coming for her.
With the help of her friends she works to stay alive. She finds love in unexpected places, gets her heart broken, and finds a friendship that will never be destroyed. It’s a story that has so many emotional roller coasters, I went from laughing to outrage to crying in the space of a few minutes.
I have been a fan of Apryl Baker’s since I read her first novel, The Promise, book one of the Coven Series. She has this unique style of writing that just draws you in and you can’t put her books down. You become invested in her characters because you just can’t help yourself. They speak to you from the pages of the book. They come alive and that is not something that is easy to do.
Anyone can write a book. There are several out there published by the big companies like Penguin and Simon and Schuster that you just have to shake your head at thinking, how in the world did this get published? Garbage. Then you find a book like this, The Awakening, and think how in the world is this not published by Penguin or Simon and Schuster. It’s an amazing book and its Indie published. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to sit down and read a unique story, not one that’s been rewritten a dozen times over. She is one of the few out there who are coming up with original ideas and not just rewriting old ones.
If you want a good read, one you haven’t read before, then download a copy of The Awakening, or The Promise, and you’ll get a book you’ll absolutely love.
With the help of her friends she works to stay alive. She finds love in unexpected places, gets her heart broken, and finds a friendship that will never be destroyed. It’s a story that has so many emotional roller coasters, I went from laughing to outrage to crying in the space of a few minutes.
I have been a fan of Apryl Baker’s since I read her first novel, The Promise, book one of the Coven Series. She has this unique style of writing that just draws you in and you can’t put her books down. You become invested in her characters because you just can’t help yourself. They speak to you from the pages of the book. They come alive and that is not something that is easy to do.
Anyone can write a book. There are several out there published by the big companies like Penguin and Simon and Schuster that you just have to shake your head at thinking, how in the world did this get published? Garbage. Then you find a book like this, The Awakening, and think how in the world is this not published by Penguin or Simon and Schuster. It’s an amazing book and its Indie published. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to sit down and read a unique story, not one that’s been rewritten a dozen times over. She is one of the few out there who are coming up with original ideas and not just rewriting old ones.
If you want a good read, one you haven’t read before, then download a copy of The Awakening, or The Promise, and you’ll get a book you’ll absolutely love.
June 3, 2012
Great book. Super engaging an keeps you hooked in. Overall it is a really good story. I can't wait for the next book to come out
May 26, 2012
It was the cover image that got my attention first. Absolutely gorgeous.
The story revolves around 17 year old Alexandria Reed. She's fresh out of the psychiatric institution and hoping to rebuild some kind of normal life. It almost works. With the death of her mother all her old nightmares come rushing back. The Night Terrrors return. Only this time she finds out they're real. She and her brother are on a supernatural hit list because of a secret her family has killed for to protect. In comes her "A" team. Devon (my personal favorite), Morgan, Connor and Saudis. They are all hiding their own supernatural secrets. Between them they must find a way to keep Alex and her brother alive.
When I first started reading I was a little afraid it would be just some rewrite of Twilight or yet another book about fairies or fallen angels. I was completely wrong. Its a book about witchcraft, shape-shifters, Seers, necromancers and Gypsy curses. I was enthralled.
The way Baker writes reminds me of Suzanne Collins. Her writing puts you in the story and you can't put the book down. Its one that I just kept thinking about for days later. Reading her books is honestly just heart warming and heart-wrenching at the same time. She made me laugh and she made me cry. Any book that can bring you to tears is more than worth reading. Its a rare gift when an author can make you truly feel what their character is feeling.
The grammer is not perfect, but who cares? It's the story that gets you and keeps you reading until the wee hours of the morning.
I would recommend you buy this book tweet about it and take the book trailers youtube page viral. Spam that video to all your friends! Its just that damn good!
~Melinda James
The story revolves around 17 year old Alexandria Reed. She's fresh out of the psychiatric institution and hoping to rebuild some kind of normal life. It almost works. With the death of her mother all her old nightmares come rushing back. The Night Terrrors return. Only this time she finds out they're real. She and her brother are on a supernatural hit list because of a secret her family has killed for to protect. In comes her "A" team. Devon (my personal favorite), Morgan, Connor and Saudis. They are all hiding their own supernatural secrets. Between them they must find a way to keep Alex and her brother alive.
When I first started reading I was a little afraid it would be just some rewrite of Twilight or yet another book about fairies or fallen angels. I was completely wrong. Its a book about witchcraft, shape-shifters, Seers, necromancers and Gypsy curses. I was enthralled.
The way Baker writes reminds me of Suzanne Collins. Her writing puts you in the story and you can't put the book down. Its one that I just kept thinking about for days later. Reading her books is honestly just heart warming and heart-wrenching at the same time. She made me laugh and she made me cry. Any book that can bring you to tears is more than worth reading. Its a rare gift when an author can make you truly feel what their character is feeling.
The grammer is not perfect, but who cares? It's the story that gets you and keeps you reading until the wee hours of the morning.
I would recommend you buy this book tweet about it and take the book trailers youtube page viral. Spam that video to all your friends! Its just that damn good!
~Melinda James
June 9, 2012
I am struggling to find the words as to why I enjoyed this book so much. I started reading it this morning and eight hours later I was done. In reality it took me about four to five of those hours to actually read the book, the rest were filled with various life distractions. It takes a well written book to grab my attention so tightly that I read it in a single day. The magic that Apryl Baker spun within the book captivated me in a way I can not describe. For several chapters I was wondering just what this book had in store for me, and when the answer was revealed I was honestly surprised and pleased by it. I will admit I am not a huge fan of shifters (let's face it, there are far too many werewolf type books out there) but I didn't seem it mind it in this book. Perhaps it was the way it was presented.
The one thing I didn't enjoy so much was the love triangle, or should I call it a love octagon, as there were so many various people involved in Alexandria's life and a good majority of them were vying for her attention and love in various ways. That part I probably could have done without, however, I can see how it works for the story and stripping that away would leave a lot of holes to be filled.
Overall this book was a great read and the only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was because of that love octagon. Either way I will certainly look forward to the next book in the series coming out and hope they are just as good as this one was.
The one thing I didn't enjoy so much was the love triangle, or should I call it a love octagon, as there were so many various people involved in Alexandria's life and a good majority of them were vying for her attention and love in various ways. That part I probably could have done without, however, I can see how it works for the story and stripping that away would leave a lot of holes to be filled.
Overall this book was a great read and the only reason I gave it four stars instead of five was because of that love octagon. Either way I will certainly look forward to the next book in the series coming out and hope they are just as good as this one was.
January 1, 2015
Not as good as some of the authors other books.
I've been on a bit of an Apryl Baker reading binge over the last couple of weeks and couldn't wait to start this one. The blurb doesn't give a huge amount away about what the story is about so I won't either in case I give any spoilers. Suffice to say like her other series this one is about the supernatural and is set in a high school.
Unfortunately however unlike her other books and series I found this one harder to get into. I think possibly there was just too much going on. Too many characters and too many secrets waiting to come out. I get the feeling that this is a series which could go on for quite a few books and I will no doubt read them but I hope they are a little more focused. As a final point, the book could do with some proof reading. The number of mistakes and incorrect use of the words wander and wonder were really starting to annoy me.
I've been on a bit of an Apryl Baker reading binge over the last couple of weeks and couldn't wait to start this one. The blurb doesn't give a huge amount away about what the story is about so I won't either in case I give any spoilers. Suffice to say like her other series this one is about the supernatural and is set in a high school.
Unfortunately however unlike her other books and series I found this one harder to get into. I think possibly there was just too much going on. Too many characters and too many secrets waiting to come out. I get the feeling that this is a series which could go on for quite a few books and I will no doubt read them but I hope they are a little more focused. As a final point, the book could do with some proof reading. The number of mistakes and incorrect use of the words wander and wonder were really starting to annoy me.
January 24, 2015
I read this as a part of the Pandora Collection.
Oh - WOW! This book has everything. At first I was "oh please not another twilight!!" - how wrong was I!! This book introduces us to a myriad of characters who you will fall in love with separately and together. Not all relationships are what they seem & this is what I loved. The twists and turns and revelations just kept coming and I enjoyed every moment. I book a just couldn't put down and when I wasn't reading I was thinking about it! Awesome - where's the next one!?!
Oh - WOW! This book has everything. At first I was "oh please not another twilight!!" - how wrong was I!! This book introduces us to a myriad of characters who you will fall in love with separately and together. Not all relationships are what they seem & this is what I loved. The twists and turns and revelations just kept coming and I enjoyed every moment. I book a just couldn't put down and when I wasn't reading I was thinking about it! Awesome - where's the next one!?!
March 24, 2014
I liked it enough to purchase the sequel.
April 28, 2014
Loved this book, Great characters and excellent plot line!!! I can't wait for book two!!!
August 13, 2014
i just read this book and liked it very much, there will be another but has not been written yet.
i am waiting apryl
i am waiting apryl
September 14, 2014
Loved this book can't wait for the second one! This is a great author. I can't get enough.
Want to read
May 24, 2012Love the cover.
July 23, 2021
Look, I don’t expect much from these free samples of paranormal stories. I really don’t. I‘m positively surprised when I discover a decent one and I‘m like "whatever" when I get another Twilight knock-off (is that’s its own genre by now?) but I admit it does get a bit frustrating when one story actually starts out interesting and then spirals downhill the more you read.
Before you say anything, I‘m fully aware that Apryl Baker has rewritten this book by now and turned it into a series (I was confused at first though) and if the remake will pop up somewhere for free along the way I might even check it out, but for now I am not that interested.
The writing is okay enough. It’s better than some others of the genre I have read, though it’s not without its flaws. Basically what you‘d expect. Tons of exposition, countless descriptions of eye colors and unnatural dialogue that goes from lol to cringey in a second. There are also a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes which is unfortunate, but happens when you self-publish.
The set up is interesting enough and the lore is filled with shapeshifters and witches and a decent mythology. It is a bit convoluted and messy though. I got the impression that the author is just trying to cram a lot into one book that barely left any time to breathe, to the characters or reader.
The characters are serviceable. Alexandria is not the worst Bella Swan clone around and if I had to give props to post-Twilight paranormal romance writers it’s that most of them at least try to improve on the "heroine archetype" and are willing to give her some kind of a personality. Alex is annoying though, but that’s not entirely her fault either. She is just to defined by the alpha male madness around her and that’s something that really put the book down for me. Mostly because it got worse and worse as the story progressed. She has not one, not two, but three suitors who are hopelessly in love with her and want to protect her. Along with that also come a big brother and best friend, also hovering around her for protection (there’s one particular lovely scene of four boys telling her that her dress is "too revealing" You and kindly screw yourselves, boys). Why Alex does Protest sometimes, she also mostly gives in and keeps running back to her squad of alpha males and obsessing over the broodiest, most byronic of them (duh!). And I wanted to puke. The plot wasn’t that uninteresting, but once insta love set it everything else was pushed aside to focus on the epic love of two people who have known each other for two weeks and how their love was impossible, because of monster reasons. The climax also happened very fast, a battle between our hero squad and a villainess we got to know for like two chapters and that’s it. Now that might have been textbook Twilight here, the villains you meet towards the end of the book, they are suddenly a big deal just because the author noticed that they can’t just focus on teenage heartbreak. Whatever.
Awakening is certainly not the worst of its kind, but also far from the best. I‘m still somewhat intrigued by the premise of Baker‘s Ghost Files and might give that one a shot.
Before you say anything, I‘m fully aware that Apryl Baker has rewritten this book by now and turned it into a series (I was confused at first though) and if the remake will pop up somewhere for free along the way I might even check it out, but for now I am not that interested.
The writing is okay enough. It’s better than some others of the genre I have read, though it’s not without its flaws. Basically what you‘d expect. Tons of exposition, countless descriptions of eye colors and unnatural dialogue that goes from lol to cringey in a second. There are also a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes which is unfortunate, but happens when you self-publish.
The set up is interesting enough and the lore is filled with shapeshifters and witches and a decent mythology. It is a bit convoluted and messy though. I got the impression that the author is just trying to cram a lot into one book that barely left any time to breathe, to the characters or reader.
The characters are serviceable. Alexandria is not the worst Bella Swan clone around and if I had to give props to post-Twilight paranormal romance writers it’s that most of them at least try to improve on the "heroine archetype" and are willing to give her some kind of a personality. Alex is annoying though, but that’s not entirely her fault either. She is just to defined by the alpha male madness around her and that’s something that really put the book down for me. Mostly because it got worse and worse as the story progressed. She has not one, not two, but three suitors who are hopelessly in love with her and want to protect her. Along with that also come a big brother and best friend, also hovering around her for protection (there’s one particular lovely scene of four boys telling her that her dress is "too revealing" You and kindly screw yourselves, boys). Why Alex does Protest sometimes, she also mostly gives in and keeps running back to her squad of alpha males and obsessing over the broodiest, most byronic of them (duh!). And I wanted to puke. The plot wasn’t that uninteresting, but once insta love set it everything else was pushed aside to focus on the epic love of two people who have known each other for two weeks and how their love was impossible, because of monster reasons. The climax also happened very fast, a battle between our hero squad and a villainess we got to know for like two chapters and that’s it. Now that might have been textbook Twilight here, the villains you meet towards the end of the book, they are suddenly a big deal just because the author noticed that they can’t just focus on teenage heartbreak. Whatever.
Awakening is certainly not the worst of its kind, but also far from the best. I‘m still somewhat intrigued by the premise of Baker‘s Ghost Files and might give that one a shot.
March 24, 2017
The Awakening by Apryl Baker is a terrific read. So many characters, yet each made an impact. I would say that this is going to be a great series, but I cannot seem to find more. To say this is a cliff hanger would be a huge understatement. I enjoyed the story and the writing style, but am hesitant to read others from Baker in case they drop off too.
Also, I read this as part of the Pandora collection and had to drop a star for editing.
Also, I read this as part of the Pandora collection and had to drop a star for editing.
July 22, 2020
FIRST BOOK I HAVE READ OF THIS AUTHOR ...
STORY WAS OK ...
A FEW TYPO ERRORS
STORY WAS OK ...
A FEW TYPO ERRORS
January 2, 2015
This was in a bundle called Pandora. If you like paranormal look for this bundle. Most of what I've read so far has been YA, but well written, complicated characters, and unexpected twists.
Alexandra and Jason are siblings and very close to each other. Their mom left them several years ago. Their father hasn't been the same since and mostly they have had to depend on each other. Jason is the oldest. In grade school some mean girls were really aggravating her as usual, but on this day she felt this extreme anger and she was afraid she would really hurt this girl or someone else, she tells her dad. It is decided that she is having a breakdown and she is sent away to a boarding school which is for troubled kids. She is watched, trapped, studied, but safe from hurting anyone. She is released when Jason is in his senior year of high school, she is younger. The mean girls are still there and picking on her, but for the most part she ignores them. She meets a new girl to town and they become friends. She also meets, Morgan, Connor, and Devon. Alex finds Devon very attractive. The 5 have lunch together every day. Her brother isn't very happy about her friends, especially Devon. Her nightmares start up again, but sometimes she hears a soothing voice in her dreams. She is convinced she is losing her mind again. Her uncle shows up and announces that their mom is dead. Their dad goes to pieces. Uncle tells him to go to sleep and he goes to his room. Uncle then tells them that mom was a werewolf and it is possible that they are, too. He will be staying to help them through the change if necessary. Then she learns that Morgan and Connor are weres and that Devon changes shape but is not a were. In her dreams her mom warns her against Devon. Alex learns that she and Morgan are soul-mates. Not like lovers but they can hear each others thoughts and feel each others pain. It is Morgan who whispers into her dreams to calm her down. To try to put Alex off, Devon starts dating one of the mean girls. Jason and his best friend Tom are hanging around her locker when one of the mean girls is trying to get Tom a senior to invite her to a senior only dance. Alex walks up to him and is more direct. He invites her to the dance. After a few dances she is thirsty and Tom goes off to get her a drink. It tastes off, but she is so thirsty. Then she feels hot and goes outside to cool off. A man standing next to a Lexus invites her for a ride. She recalls him from a bad episode at the mall. But her brain won't come fully on board and she gets in the car. When they get to their destination the man grabs her hand and something amazing happens - for the 1st time the constant skin crawling and humming she hears goes away. The man is startled. He introduces himself as Nicholas Winter and promises he will not allow any harm to come to her. It seems Alex is also a witch. Nicholas' sister wants to drain all of Alex's blood and take her powers as her own. Nicholas says no, claiming that Alex is his Complement and Mate. He has waited 80 years for her. Everyone knows how important Complements are. But the sister is power hungry. Devon arrives and is spelled to burn from the inside out. Alex becomes very angry and finds herself thinking fire and pointing at the sister, she is burned to death. Morgan and Connor are fighting and Morgan then calms Alex down, Nicholas calls that a complication. The weres, Alex and a cured Devon head back to the dance where Tom is furiously pacing outside the dance. The explanation - Alex saw Connor leave angrily after someone. She borrowed her brother's car, followed while calling Morgan who was with Devon so they then followed her. Tom asks why she didn't call him for back up next. She said her phone was dead. He doesn't believe her. She tosses him her phone and it is dead. Connor has clearly been beaten up. He has no choice but to believe her. That night she has very bad dreams and Morgan jumps through her window and shares her bed to keep her calm. Tom being a best friend of Jason's lets himself into the house and goes to her room to check on her. Finding Morgan on her bed asleep makes him angry all over again. There isn't a lot she can say to Tom when she finds him fuming downstairs. Morgan comes down and explains that she has been plagued by nightmares and after the trauma of last night he knew she would need someone to talk to. They were talking and both fell asleep. Tom decides to leave, Alex grabs him on the porch, kisses him and says she loves him. So now she has a human boyfriend a werewolf soul-mate and a witch Complement. Can her life get any more complicated? And she still cares about Devon who doesn't want her.
Alexandra and Jason are siblings and very close to each other. Their mom left them several years ago. Their father hasn't been the same since and mostly they have had to depend on each other. Jason is the oldest. In grade school some mean girls were really aggravating her as usual, but on this day she felt this extreme anger and she was afraid she would really hurt this girl or someone else, she tells her dad. It is decided that she is having a breakdown and she is sent away to a boarding school which is for troubled kids. She is watched, trapped, studied, but safe from hurting anyone. She is released when Jason is in his senior year of high school, she is younger. The mean girls are still there and picking on her, but for the most part she ignores them. She meets a new girl to town and they become friends. She also meets, Morgan, Connor, and Devon. Alex finds Devon very attractive. The 5 have lunch together every day. Her brother isn't very happy about her friends, especially Devon. Her nightmares start up again, but sometimes she hears a soothing voice in her dreams. She is convinced she is losing her mind again. Her uncle shows up and announces that their mom is dead. Their dad goes to pieces. Uncle tells him to go to sleep and he goes to his room. Uncle then tells them that mom was a werewolf and it is possible that they are, too. He will be staying to help them through the change if necessary. Then she learns that Morgan and Connor are weres and that Devon changes shape but is not a were. In her dreams her mom warns her against Devon. Alex learns that she and Morgan are soul-mates. Not like lovers but they can hear each others thoughts and feel each others pain. It is Morgan who whispers into her dreams to calm her down. To try to put Alex off, Devon starts dating one of the mean girls. Jason and his best friend Tom are hanging around her locker when one of the mean girls is trying to get Tom a senior to invite her to a senior only dance. Alex walks up to him and is more direct. He invites her to the dance. After a few dances she is thirsty and Tom goes off to get her a drink. It tastes off, but she is so thirsty. Then she feels hot and goes outside to cool off. A man standing next to a Lexus invites her for a ride. She recalls him from a bad episode at the mall. But her brain won't come fully on board and she gets in the car. When they get to their destination the man grabs her hand and something amazing happens - for the 1st time the constant skin crawling and humming she hears goes away. The man is startled. He introduces himself as Nicholas Winter and promises he will not allow any harm to come to her. It seems Alex is also a witch. Nicholas' sister wants to drain all of Alex's blood and take her powers as her own. Nicholas says no, claiming that Alex is his Complement and Mate. He has waited 80 years for her. Everyone knows how important Complements are. But the sister is power hungry. Devon arrives and is spelled to burn from the inside out. Alex becomes very angry and finds herself thinking fire and pointing at the sister, she is burned to death. Morgan and Connor are fighting and Morgan then calms Alex down, Nicholas calls that a complication. The weres, Alex and a cured Devon head back to the dance where Tom is furiously pacing outside the dance. The explanation - Alex saw Connor leave angrily after someone. She borrowed her brother's car, followed while calling Morgan who was with Devon so they then followed her. Tom asks why she didn't call him for back up next. She said her phone was dead. He doesn't believe her. She tosses him her phone and it is dead. Connor has clearly been beaten up. He has no choice but to believe her. That night she has very bad dreams and Morgan jumps through her window and shares her bed to keep her calm. Tom being a best friend of Jason's lets himself into the house and goes to her room to check on her. Finding Morgan on her bed asleep makes him angry all over again. There isn't a lot she can say to Tom when she finds him fuming downstairs. Morgan comes down and explains that she has been plagued by nightmares and after the trauma of last night he knew she would need someone to talk to. They were talking and both fell asleep. Tom decides to leave, Alex grabs him on the porch, kisses him and says she loves him. So now she has a human boyfriend a werewolf soul-mate and a witch Complement. Can her life get any more complicated? And she still cares about Devon who doesn't want her.
August 10, 2012
Losing her mother, losing her mind...Alexandria Nicolette Deveraux has overcome terrible trials in her life already. Unfortunately this is only the beginning. Alex is about to face down centuries-old secrets about her family that will bring not only danger, but truths Alex may not be able to survive, as well.
In, The Awakening, Apryl Baker combines mythical beings from across the world and mixes different mythologies together in order to create her cast of characters. At first glance, one might think a witch, a necromancer, a cursed gypsy, a shifter, and a Seer might be too much to pack into one book, but Baker blends them together seamlessly. The reader isn't inundated with everyone at once. I think this was key to handling so many different characters. The readers gets to enjoy the mystery of each character, seeing each one's secrets revealed at just the right time.
Alex's family is messed up, that's a given from the first few pages, but they're also hiding some deadly secrets as well. The mystery surrounding Alex's family secrets is very good, not only for the mystery itself, but also because for the timing of revealing each new bit of information. Alex's uncle shows up partway through the book, and it is clear from the beginning that he knows much more about what is happening than he is willing to tell. Baker let's the reader agonize over the knowledge that he's holding back answers long enough to drive you crazy, but not so long that it becomes irritating. The pacing of the mystery was well done. My only complaint about the mystery was that there could have been a little more lead-in to the final confrontation. I think the tension could have been increased with just a little more of a hint about who was behind the attacks.
Finally...the romance! As I mentioned in my post yesterday, the romance in The Awakening was fabulous. Definitely an emotional battlefield. Alex is so easy to relate to because she is struggling with the same things so many teen girls face in the form of rejection, starting over, family problems, heartache, and facing the unknown. Alex's trials happen to be a bit more dangerous than most, but still easy to connect with. This is especially true when it comes to Alex's feelings for Devon. Devon is impossible to figure out, but Alex knows she's meant to be with him. The fact that Devon won't let that happen sends Alex into an emotional tirade. What will really break the reader's hearts is when Devon actively tries to distance himself from Alex by dating another girl. Alex's absolute agony had me tearing up again as I read it this time. And that's really saying something because this is the fourth time I've read this book counting first drafts and revisions. This book has so much going for it, from a good mystery, fascinating characters, and a romance that will suck you in.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! I could turn around and read it again next week if I didn't have so many other books to review. Even after having read The Awakening several times I am still eager to read it again. I can't wait for the next book!
Who would I recommend this book to? YA readers of all types will enjoy this book. There are elements of the paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, and even mystery. Adult readers who are also fans of these genres will love the book as well. It definitely has crossover appeal. And of course, those readers looking for a great romance, pick up your copy today!
In, The Awakening, Apryl Baker combines mythical beings from across the world and mixes different mythologies together in order to create her cast of characters. At first glance, one might think a witch, a necromancer, a cursed gypsy, a shifter, and a Seer might be too much to pack into one book, but Baker blends them together seamlessly. The reader isn't inundated with everyone at once. I think this was key to handling so many different characters. The readers gets to enjoy the mystery of each character, seeing each one's secrets revealed at just the right time.
Alex's family is messed up, that's a given from the first few pages, but they're also hiding some deadly secrets as well. The mystery surrounding Alex's family secrets is very good, not only for the mystery itself, but also because for the timing of revealing each new bit of information. Alex's uncle shows up partway through the book, and it is clear from the beginning that he knows much more about what is happening than he is willing to tell. Baker let's the reader agonize over the knowledge that he's holding back answers long enough to drive you crazy, but not so long that it becomes irritating. The pacing of the mystery was well done. My only complaint about the mystery was that there could have been a little more lead-in to the final confrontation. I think the tension could have been increased with just a little more of a hint about who was behind the attacks.
Finally...the romance! As I mentioned in my post yesterday, the romance in The Awakening was fabulous. Definitely an emotional battlefield. Alex is so easy to relate to because she is struggling with the same things so many teen girls face in the form of rejection, starting over, family problems, heartache, and facing the unknown. Alex's trials happen to be a bit more dangerous than most, but still easy to connect with. This is especially true when it comes to Alex's feelings for Devon. Devon is impossible to figure out, but Alex knows she's meant to be with him. The fact that Devon won't let that happen sends Alex into an emotional tirade. What will really break the reader's hearts is when Devon actively tries to distance himself from Alex by dating another girl. Alex's absolute agony had me tearing up again as I read it this time. And that's really saying something because this is the fourth time I've read this book counting first drafts and revisions. This book has so much going for it, from a good mystery, fascinating characters, and a romance that will suck you in.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! I could turn around and read it again next week if I didn't have so many other books to review. Even after having read The Awakening several times I am still eager to read it again. I can't wait for the next book!
Who would I recommend this book to? YA readers of all types will enjoy this book. There are elements of the paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, and even mystery. Adult readers who are also fans of these genres will love the book as well. It definitely has crossover appeal. And of course, those readers looking for a great romance, pick up your copy today!
May 31, 2012
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a review.
Overall
This was a decent book with an excellent concept that has a few problems. I'll pick up the next one and see what happens to these characters. Thank you Apryl for giving me the chance to read your work. I did enjoy it
The Good
There is plenty good about this book. I enjoyed the plot line with the various characters and their secrets. It did pull me in and I finished it in almost one sitting (I had to work for a few hours in the middle of the sitting). There were some twist and turns in the book that I didn't see coming and that was fabulous. Too many books these days are very predictable, and this didn't go where I thought it was headed.
The characters were really great. I loved the relationship between Alex and Jason. You could see his protectiveness of her and the sibling bond. I enjoyed the conflict between Morgan and Devin and the rest of the characters.
The Opportunities
There were a lot of proofreading errors. I saw in another review where the author was working on that. It did cause me to stumble over the book in areas.
I also felt there was some repetitiveness in the book. There was one part of the story (that tells of what happened to Alex on the day her mother left) that was repeated almost verbatim in the book. I actually stopped reading to make sure I hadn't accidentally set my Kindle back several pages. I also noticed that descriptions of characters were repeated throughout the book several times.
The arc of the book didn't seem fully formed. The main threat (or the climax) of the book didn't feel like it built through the story but was more forced out in the end. I also didn't feel the relationship building between the characters. That seemed told to us more than shown to me as the reader. The love was very quick and not explained. It just happened. I felt that the main story took a backseat to the love story. Conner and Sadie seemed like throw away characters. You learn a little about them, but they aren't essential. I'm wondering if the author does something with them in the next installment.
Overall
This was a decent book with an excellent concept that has a few problems. I'll pick up the next one and see what happens to these characters. Thank you Apryl for giving me the chance to read your work. I did enjoy it
The Good
There is plenty good about this book. I enjoyed the plot line with the various characters and their secrets. It did pull me in and I finished it in almost one sitting (I had to work for a few hours in the middle of the sitting). There were some twist and turns in the book that I didn't see coming and that was fabulous. Too many books these days are very predictable, and this didn't go where I thought it was headed.
The characters were really great. I loved the relationship between Alex and Jason. You could see his protectiveness of her and the sibling bond. I enjoyed the conflict between Morgan and Devin and the rest of the characters.
The Opportunities
There were a lot of proofreading errors. I saw in another review where the author was working on that. It did cause me to stumble over the book in areas.
I also felt there was some repetitiveness in the book. There was one part of the story (that tells of what happened to Alex on the day her mother left) that was repeated almost verbatim in the book. I actually stopped reading to make sure I hadn't accidentally set my Kindle back several pages. I also noticed that descriptions of characters were repeated throughout the book several times.
The arc of the book didn't seem fully formed. The main threat (or the climax) of the book didn't feel like it built through the story but was more forced out in the end. I also didn't feel the relationship building between the characters. That seemed told to us more than shown to me as the reader. The love was very quick and not explained. It just happened. I felt that the main story took a backseat to the love story. Conner and Sadie seemed like throw away characters. You learn a little about them, but they aren't essential. I'm wondering if the author does something with them in the next installment.
June 13, 2012
Alex finds herself coming back to her hometown where she faces her past with a brave face. Dealing with inner demons she battles her nightmares, her own insecurities, as well as a snobby girl who made her life miserable just before she was shipped to a school for the “emotionally challenged” On the first day back home she bonds with a group of friends who help her deal with her past. Alex holds a secret that is wrapped up in her nightmares as well as the mystery of her family’s past.
Good Parts I loved
I really enjoyed Alex’s sarcasm especially when she would think things like “no one smells like wet grass, Get a grip Alex.” I found Alex’s background very interesting, because she’d gone to school for the “emotionally challenged” that made me feel like she wasn’t just the typical main character in all teen books. The mystery of Alex and her mother held my attention, the untold story of what happened to Alex when she was young. I loved the relationship between her brother and her, and their reliance upon each other with dealing with the abandonment of their mother. Though Morgan and Devon’s relationship with her was sudden, I found Morgan to be a very sweet character that I loved. Very well written book overall! I think this author will go far. There are very few books that hold my attention all the way through, and The Awakening held mine the entire time.
Parts that I was unsure about
The grammar errors were something the author might want to work on, there were quite a few I spotted. I also was confused by the quick attachment she made with the different boys. They seemed a bit too sudden. Also the nicknames that the boys gave her “Bessie Mae, and Cara” seemed to annoy me, because it was never explained why they called her that.
Overall excellent job! Intriguing characters and mysterious! Liked it!
Good Parts I loved
I really enjoyed Alex’s sarcasm especially when she would think things like “no one smells like wet grass, Get a grip Alex.” I found Alex’s background very interesting, because she’d gone to school for the “emotionally challenged” that made me feel like she wasn’t just the typical main character in all teen books. The mystery of Alex and her mother held my attention, the untold story of what happened to Alex when she was young. I loved the relationship between her brother and her, and their reliance upon each other with dealing with the abandonment of their mother. Though Morgan and Devon’s relationship with her was sudden, I found Morgan to be a very sweet character that I loved. Very well written book overall! I think this author will go far. There are very few books that hold my attention all the way through, and The Awakening held mine the entire time.
Parts that I was unsure about
The grammar errors were something the author might want to work on, there were quite a few I spotted. I also was confused by the quick attachment she made with the different boys. They seemed a bit too sudden. Also the nicknames that the boys gave her “Bessie Mae, and Cara” seemed to annoy me, because it was never explained why they called her that.
Overall excellent job! Intriguing characters and mysterious! Liked it!
April 30, 2013
Downloading this book as a free giveaway from amazon, I found myself more curious of the creatures inside The Awakening than I did the actual story. A book of paranormal beasts with different abilities, the pages turned quickly to see where Alex would end up next.
An interesting plot as the typical teenage antics were present. Outcast girl caught up between two boys and just so happens to have the strongest powers of them all. What truly caught my interest in this book was the powers created through Alex into the other characters.
This book receives three stars due to the typical teenage story, yet it kept my interest. There are interesting thought processes here that could lead Alex into some grand adventures.
Nicholas A. McGirr, Author of:
The Life Tree
An interesting plot as the typical teenage antics were present. Outcast girl caught up between two boys and just so happens to have the strongest powers of them all. What truly caught my interest in this book was the powers created through Alex into the other characters.
This book receives three stars due to the typical teenage story, yet it kept my interest. There are interesting thought processes here that could lead Alex into some grand adventures.
Nicholas A. McGirr, Author of:
The Life Tree
September 9, 2014
Alex spent the last ten years thinking she was a nut job. She was even institutionalized for 5 of those years. Her uncle holds the information she so desperately needs but with it, a devastating blow comes. Had her mom, who ran off all those years ago, not been murdered, her uncle would not be in her house trying to protect her and her brother from the same fate. They’re werewolves and they’re very powerful. This alone signed their death certificate. Or did it?
The other were-creatures are looking for them, hunting them down for the slaughter.
Ok, so I want you to know I absolutely freaking loved this book. Everything about it was perfect. But, I am also extremely disappointed. Not because of the book, but rather because it was published in 2012 and I cannot find anything to show that the author has plans to continue the series.
So, while I would love to recommend this book, I cannot on that basis alone. I am going to go crazy needing the rest of the story and it appears there will not be more even though it says series in the title.
The other were-creatures are looking for them, hunting them down for the slaughter.
Ok, so I want you to know I absolutely freaking loved this book. Everything about it was perfect. But, I am also extremely disappointed. Not because of the book, but rather because it was published in 2012 and I cannot find anything to show that the author has plans to continue the series.
So, while I would love to recommend this book, I cannot on that basis alone. I am going to go crazy needing the rest of the story and it appears there will not be more even though it says series in the title.
February 17, 2015
Alex is nervous about her first day at high school with regular kids. She’s spent the past five years in a private institution for kids with mental instabilities. There’s no way she wants to go back there, but isn’t sure she can do this. But she immediately meets some others who don’t seem to care that she has/had problems; which is really good considering everything she’s going through and discovering what she is.
There are definitely interesting aspects to this story, but I have to say that of all of the author’s books, this is the one I enjoyed the least. A good portion of the story drags with her fears, nightmares and descriptions of eyes but does pick up somewhat when she finds out about her friends. And of course she’s finding herself in the center of everything.
I wasn’t able to connect with Alex and never felt her emotions. It’s an okay read, but nothing special.
There are definitely interesting aspects to this story, but I have to say that of all of the author’s books, this is the one I enjoyed the least. A good portion of the story drags with her fears, nightmares and descriptions of eyes but does pick up somewhat when she finds out about her friends. And of course she’s finding herself in the center of everything.
I wasn’t able to connect with Alex and never felt her emotions. It’s an okay read, but nothing special.
February 23, 2015
Received this book as part of the Amazon Kindle compilation - Pandora but will be reviewing it separately.
Y/A Romance novels are not really my thing, but I'll make exceptions for this book. It's a well written story with an interesting paranormal mythology revolving around a young woman recently released from a private school/mental institution.
She soon learns she is not your typical teenager and her family has more than a passing familiarity with the supernatural world.
Alex very quickly reintegrates herself into the high school realm and almost immediately picks up an entourage of young people who, as it turns out are also supernaturally connected - that bothered me a bit from a statistical standpoint but it works great to move the plot along.
My only real issue is that the book ended rather abruptly, so I guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for the next title in the series.
Y/A Romance novels are not really my thing, but I'll make exceptions for this book. It's a well written story with an interesting paranormal mythology revolving around a young woman recently released from a private school/mental institution.
She soon learns she is not your typical teenager and her family has more than a passing familiarity with the supernatural world.
Alex very quickly reintegrates herself into the high school realm and almost immediately picks up an entourage of young people who, as it turns out are also supernaturally connected - that bothered me a bit from a statistical standpoint but it works great to move the plot along.
My only real issue is that the book ended rather abruptly, so I guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for the next title in the series.
February 10, 2016
OMG I so loved this book and want the next book NOW!! I love the story and the characters, they seem so real and I want to get to know them even more. Alex is so great, she starts out a little too reserved but grows a pair not long after. She's scared of what's happening and has no real clue and ends up freaking out a bit (understandable though) but by the end she steps up but still freaks out. She was so realistic, I'm sure I would've reacted the same way if I were in her shoes.
I have a new fave series and author.
I have a new fave series and author.
November 17, 2012
I really enjoyed reading The Awakening. The characters where written in a way that you felt like you really knew them. I also enjoyed the fact that the main character Alex served as a good role model for the young adult reader. What I was expecting to happen didn't which means that there were twists which I like. I am looking forward to the next book in this series and hope it includes more about Sadies gifts.
June 22, 2013
Pretty good. But it seemed it was mostly the main character's feelings and thoughts and not a whole lot of an actual story. Plus, Alex gave herself "brownie points" way too often. Interesting though; lots of different things going on at the same time (each characters' abilities, and so forth). Also, i noticed more than a few typos, which made me wonder if it wasn't really proof read very much and hence why i can only find it in kindle-form.
January 17, 2014
a complex ya paranormal book. like apryls other novels it doesn't follow the formula. witches, shifters, vampires, gypsy magic and curses all blended in a ever unfolding tapistry of mystery and intrigue. the 17 year old heroine struggles with finding out ehat she is who she is and how she fits into the universe. a great read a grest adventure but more than that it will help young readers to unravel the confusion that all teens go through
April 17, 2015
why why why did i read a book that is the first book in a series when the others aren't written yet??? I liked this book with weird magic and characters. I feel like it has all the important ingredients for a CW TV series- broken/strong girl power, hot characters, love triangles, stupid adults who have no clue what is happening (my gripe with YA novels. . .) and magical/fantastical beings. can't wait for the next book or the pilot episode whichever comes first.
May 30, 2012
Baker's done it again. Excellent characters, amazing dialogue and a plot full of conflict. Young Alex Deveraux has a past to overcome and a future filled with extraordinary new friends to embrace. Trouble is, not everyone at Adam's High school can forget and get over it.
Susan Stec, author, The Grateful Undead series
Susan Stec, author, The Grateful Undead series
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