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The Magic Wakes
(Magic Wakes #1)
by
Since childhood, scientist Talia Zaryn has been haunted by recurring dreams, visions of an alien attack on her planet Sendek. Each time it ends abruptly with Talia’s death in the capital city Joharadin, a city that she has spent her life desperately avoiding. Talia keeps these dreams a secret, hoping they are nothing more than childish nightmares. But when she is unexpecte
...more
Paperback, 300 pages
Published
February 19th 2013
by WiDo Publishing
(first published February 3rd 2013)
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Oct 27, 2012
Katy
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
fans of romance, science fantasy, Alicia and Kenya should really like this
Recommended to Katy by:
Charity Bradford
Book Info: Genre: Science Fantasy Romance
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of romance, fans of science fantasy, people who enjoy a good story
Book Available: February 19, 2013
Trigger Warnings: Some violence, genocide
My Thoughts: This is a very interesting world that Charity Bradford has created. In many ways it is much like ours, but there are enough differences that it feels exotic. I’m especially impressed by how well this book turned out, since it is her debut novel. Overall, I really ...more
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of romance, fans of science fantasy, people who enjoy a good story
Book Available: February 19, 2013
Trigger Warnings: Some violence, genocide
My Thoughts: This is a very interesting world that Charity Bradford has created. In many ways it is much like ours, but there are enough differences that it feels exotic. I’m especially impressed by how well this book turned out, since it is her debut novel. Overall, I really ...more

Charity Bradford is one of the best new voices I have read in science fiction. I am a fortunate recipient of an Advanced Reader Edition and I devoured it in two sittings on a Saturday and Sunday.
In The Magic Wakes we are presented with a technologically advanced world that reminds me in some ways of Alderaan in Star Wars (before it got destroyed by the Empire). It's filled with natural beauty, but there are these incredibly fantastic metropolitan areas complete with flying cars and high-tech tra ...more
In The Magic Wakes we are presented with a technologically advanced world that reminds me in some ways of Alderaan in Star Wars (before it got destroyed by the Empire). It's filled with natural beauty, but there are these incredibly fantastic metropolitan areas complete with flying cars and high-tech tra ...more

The plot for this book is actually quite good. In fact there are many positives to it such as the heroine being highly educated and successful (career wise anyway). If I bought this with the intent to read a light romance, chick-lit type read, than I'd award it 3*. However, for a SciFi, it tanks.
It has all the gagging (pass me a bucket) ingredients one would expect from a cheesy romance, such as the vulnerable sweet golden haired and violet eyed damsel in distress (here known as Talia) awaiting ...more

It has all the gagging (pass me a bucket) ingredients one would expect from a cheesy romance, such as the vulnerable sweet golden haired and violet eyed damsel in distress (here known as Talia) awaiting ...more

Although I liked the story, I am of two minds about this book. On the one hand it felt...odd. It was supposed to take place on another planet, yet everything seemed very earth-like in many ways. The people weren't supposed to be human (At least it didn't seem so) and yet everything about them was human. Their technology was in some ways very advanced, and in others seemingly in the dark ages. I liked the main characters, but spent the first third of the book confused about who was supposed to be
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This is a great fantasy/sci-fi/romance with just the right tension along the way too keep the story interesting.
I loved the world building Charity created throughout and across worlds. I loved the technology and science aspects and the idea that magic, or believing in something you can't explain can go hand in hand with science.
I appreciate that the story started and finished in one book, but I suspect the story could continue on very nicely. Well done Ms. Bradford, and thank you MJ for sharing ...more
I loved the world building Charity created throughout and across worlds. I loved the technology and science aspects and the idea that magic, or believing in something you can't explain can go hand in hand with science.
I appreciate that the story started and finished in one book, but I suspect the story could continue on very nicely. Well done Ms. Bradford, and thank you MJ for sharing ...more

I enjoyed the combination of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance. I'm not really sure which one it belongs to, but I couldn't put it down. I liked how the book ended, no need for a sequel, but I would definitely read it if there was one.
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I am constantly on the look out for a great book to read, and I had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Magic Wakes, by Charity Bradford, and took the chance. The Magic Wakes is AMAZING! The story draws you in from the very first page. I found myself constantly trying to find the time I needed to just sit and read. With each page I turned, I found myself more and more excited, to discover what lay ahead for Talia and Landry. I also base a good book on my ability to dream about it at night, whi
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I loved the world-building! I thought the romance was okay (not bad, but certainly not anything new). I'm not too much for magic but I loved it here & there were dragons. Dragons! That was a neat twist. Talia was a well rounded character & she was fairly easy for me to follow along with. Landry took longer for me to get into. There wasn't anything wrong with him by any means but the romantic set up is something that I take as a thing that is a part of so many stories that it's sometimes a little
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I do admit I "bought" the Kindle version when it was temporarily "free". I almost didn't. In fact, I went searching for something else, but kept coming back to "The Magic Wakes". I'm a scifi fan, and the scifi portion of the description caught my interest. So, I decided I had nothing to lose by trying it. I AM SO GLAD I DID!!! I stayed up all last night reading it because I couldn't put it down (yawnnnnn...). The first thing I did after catching 40 winks was to see if there was a sequel. I'm so
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This was a selection for my sci-fi book club and we did not even know that she is a local author. It turns out that my manager at work knows her, and Charity kindly agreed to come on the night we discussed her book. She asked for honest feedback and she got it! The response was absolutely positive with some hearty discussion.
My personal thoughts were: There's so much going on here that I expected it not to work, but it did. Also, another author would have taken 1,200 pages to tell this story, b ...more
My personal thoughts were: There's so much going on here that I expected it not to work, but it did. Also, another author would have taken 1,200 pages to tell this story, b ...more

Kindle freebie!
I love it when I happen upon a freebie that turns out to be awesome. So often I see freebies published without editing. Or it's just a teaser for a story you need to pay $7.99 for. Most of the time, it seems like somebody just published a story they wrote in five minutes and want to see if anyone has any interest in their writing.
But this one... this one was pretty damn good. I enjoyed the characters, even the villains. I would have preferred a bit more of an explanation about the ...more
I love it when I happen upon a freebie that turns out to be awesome. So often I see freebies published without editing. Or it's just a teaser for a story you need to pay $7.99 for. Most of the time, it seems like somebody just published a story they wrote in five minutes and want to see if anyone has any interest in their writing.
But this one... this one was pretty damn good. I enjoyed the characters, even the villains. I would have preferred a bit more of an explanation about the ...more

Feb 20, 2013
Diana (Offbeat Vagabond)
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
paranormal-romance,
favorites,
arc,
demons,
great-heroines,
fantasy,
science-fiction,
adventure,
dystopian,
magic
Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-magic-wakes-blog-tour-arc-indie.html
The Magic Wakes is about a woman named Talia who is quite brilliant. She is a dedicated scientist who loves her job. But no one knows about her secret since most wouldn't believe what she is. She is a mage who gets her powers from the earth and the suns (there is more than one in this world). She also has visions and she keeps having one vision about an alien invasion. But they aren't aliens ...more
The Magic Wakes is about a woman named Talia who is quite brilliant. She is a dedicated scientist who loves her job. But no one knows about her secret since most wouldn't believe what she is. She is a mage who gets her powers from the earth and the suns (there is more than one in this world). She also has visions and she keeps having one vision about an alien invasion. But they aren't aliens ...more

I found this book to be a fun science fiction romance that especially shined with scenes involving Landry and Talia. The author is skilled at bringing out the chemistry between these two, which at times was sizzling. The blend of science fiction and fantasy is interesting. This story includes various humanoids, dragons, mind reading, self-healing, space ships, spacesuits, airlocks, trams, mages and demons. I think it's best described as futuristic fantasy.
In the beginning, the main character, Ta ...more
In the beginning, the main character, Ta ...more

*I received this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review*
I really enjoyed this book once it got going, but I had to knock it down a couple stars because of a few things:
1) The beginning was rocky. It took a little while for me to really get into this book. I would've liked a little more world building and it just seemed kind of all over the place. I understand just jumping into the story, but this one left me a little confused.
2) I really wanted more back story for the dragons. I really ...more
I really enjoyed this book once it got going, but I had to knock it down a couple stars because of a few things:
1) The beginning was rocky. It took a little while for me to really get into this book. I would've liked a little more world building and it just seemed kind of all over the place. I understand just jumping into the story, but this one left me a little confused.
2) I really wanted more back story for the dragons. I really ...more

The Magic Wakes was a fun read. Charity Bradford creates a hybrid book, weaving science-fiction and fantasy into a unique vision. Talia Zaryn is a scientist and has disturbing dreams of dying and an alien invasion. The dreams portray frightening visions of creatures called Dragumon. The Dragumon are hybrids—half human, half dragon. The Magic Wakes narration with multiple viewpoints, including protagonist Talia’s and the Dragumon, worked well. It won’t be a spoiler to say there’s an invasion, for
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Bradford's debut novel really draws one in to the fantasy world she has created. Talia has nightmares that leave visable scars on her flesh. She is healed by energy from the sunsrise. Her nightmares are a sign of impending doom, and there is trouble afoot. The old king is dying and has a secret to tell his son and nephew. There are a lot of important characters in this novel, and most of them have secrets. The build-up of intrigue helps the reader turn page after page faster and faster to reach
...more

I really enjoyed Magic Wakes! I had a hard time getting through the epilogue and the first chapter or two, but once I adjusted to the world in which it was set, I really thought it was stellar!!
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the fantasy genre over people who enjoy scifi. I think that's why I had such a hard time gettting into it initially; I was expecting more science fiction. I'd love to go back and read it again in the future, knowing where its headed. And yes, this is most de ...more
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the fantasy genre over people who enjoy scifi. I think that's why I had such a hard time gettting into it initially; I was expecting more science fiction. I'd love to go back and read it again in the future, knowing where its headed. And yes, this is most de ...more

It is always a treat when an author successfully weaves science fiction and fantasy together in a great story. Charity Bradford blends the two in to a compelling work of speculative fiction… or is it science fantasy? Anyway, I always love a good cross genre work. In the tradition of Avatar and Star Wars, she builds interesting alien worlds with advanced technology which finds itself inadequate when The Magic Wakes.
In the distant past, a man allows a demon to possess him in order to give him the ...more
In the distant past, a man allows a demon to possess him in order to give him the ...more

If sci-fi fantasy is your meat and potatoes, this book will fill your plate to overflowing.
Charity Bradford builds a tech-lover’s dreamworld for anyone who loves the science behind space travel and new planets. And dragons. Did I mention dragons?
She blends my two beloved fantasies into one: space and dragons. A planet is in jeopardy due a mistake made long ago. No one listens to the ones who warn of the impending invasion. Not even the heroine Talia even though it’s her dreams that she dismisses ...more
Charity Bradford builds a tech-lover’s dreamworld for anyone who loves the science behind space travel and new planets. And dragons. Did I mention dragons?
She blends my two beloved fantasies into one: space and dragons. A planet is in jeopardy due a mistake made long ago. No one listens to the ones who warn of the impending invasion. Not even the heroine Talia even though it’s her dreams that she dismisses ...more

The writing in this book is fantastic. You immediately believe her as she tells you about this new world of Sendek, and Talia and Landry's unique challenges.
Drama, fear, and excitement. As well as quite a love story.
The whole thing picks up speed as you go and soon your turning page after page wishing you didn't have to worry about minor things in life like food. I'm excited for the next book! ...more
Drama, fear, and excitement. As well as quite a love story.
The whole thing picks up speed as you go and soon your turning page after page wishing you didn't have to worry about minor things in life like food. I'm excited for the next book! ...more

This was a pleasant surprise. It's a genre I'm not always thrilled to read, but once I got started, I couldn't stop. By the time I got half way through, I couldn't put it down. I read it all at once. I even stayed up till almost 2am it finish. It was a fun and exciting read. I can hardly wait to find out what happens next. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book.
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The author did a great job making this story a fun read. It had all the potential to be just another story with a whiny protagonist who cries over her forlorn self through the whole thing, but Talia was a heroine with some guts and took everything that happened to her and turned it into something to make her stronger. The story was fast moving and evenly paced. I would recommend.

I was privileged to read part of an early draft of this book - and I loved it then. The finished book was amazing. I would recommend this book to any fantasy or sci-fi fan. I am looking forward to the sequel. Highlights included a strong heroine and supporting cast. An evil antagonist and a few surprises.

It was slow going at first, seems like everything I'm choosing is. But about 1/3 of the way in, the action started geting good, and they introduced a romance, for which I'm a sucker.
Good mix of futuristic society, magic and dragons. The unlikely heroine was believable, and her unsuspecting hero was likeable. ...more
Good mix of futuristic society, magic and dragons. The unlikely heroine was believable, and her unsuspecting hero was likeable. ...more

I saw people complain that this was chick lit and that they were expecting it to be a Sci-Fi book.
I prefer to read books without expectations... it makes the experience more enjoyable.
This book is a well-written fantasy with a touch of Sci-Fi wrapped in a ribbon of romance. The author has talent... give her a chance.
I prefer to read books without expectations... it makes the experience more enjoyable.
This book is a well-written fantasy with a touch of Sci-Fi wrapped in a ribbon of romance. The author has talent... give her a chance.

This book was a quick, fun read. As someone else mentioned, it does seem like parts of the story come too easily, the romance seems forced at points, and to me the mail character kind of changed personality half way through. But other than that, I really did enjoy this book. It was interesting and something I've never contemplated or read of before.
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This book was great! The characters practically leap off the page, and it wasn't predictable at all. I thought it was awesome, and I'm very glad I got to be one of the first people to read the whole thing.
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Charity Bradford has been a voracious reader ever since her 5th grade teacher introduced her to the world of books with Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys. She’s the mother of four kids that keep her on her toes, constantly reminding her that imagination still makes the world go round.
Her preferred writing genre consists of a mix of science fiction, fantasy, adventure and romance. ...more
Her preferred writing genre consists of a mix of science fiction, fantasy, adventure and romance. ...more
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Magic Wakes
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“You will learn to be wise, or you will destroy yourselves as effectively as the Dragumon wished." --Jewel”
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--Landry Sutton”