Thursday, January 17, 2013

Review: Awaken


Title - Awaken 
Author - Sarah M. Ross
Series - Patronus #1
Genre - Young Adult Paranormal
Format - Kindle Ebook
Publication - January 27th 2012

Synopsis 

Lucy Donovan was supposed to have a weekend of fun in the sun, celebrating her upcoming graduation from college. In a split second, everything changed. A drunk driver ended Lucy’s mortal life.


Lucy opens her eyes to a world she never imagined possible and a new destiny: as a Patronus, a guardian of spirits. Adjusting to her new role and abilities while negotiating this confusing realm will test her limits and push her further than she ever dreamed she would go. From wayward spirits who don’t want her help to soul stealing vampires, and even a stuck-up British royal, Lucy must brave them all to save one spirit she can’t bear to lose.

Further complicating her life is an inexplicable yet growing connection she feels to a member of her team, Max, whose mysterious behavior leaves her both confused and intrigued.

Waking up dead was just the beginning of her problems. Lucy’s death is about to become the greatest adventure of her life.


Review 

I received Awaken in return for an honest review from the author Sarah M. Ross.  Lucy Donovan is about to graduate from college when a weekend in the sun changes everything. Lucy’s life is cut short when doesn’t walk away alive after a car accident. Lucy wakes up in a new place surrounded by strangers who tell her she didn’t survive the car crash. Lucy doesn’t want to be dead; her parents need her as well as her little sister who’s is fighting leukemia. The strangers explain to Lucy that she’s been given the chance to be a Patronus which means she will protect the spirit until its final resting place has been decided.

They explain that they repaired her body and she was out for several months and now she will be trained to protect spirits from Vampires, werewolves fey and any other who attempt to take them. Lucy learns that the monsters from movies and books are real but that’s where the similarities end. Vampires aren’t the blood sucking killers like she thought instead they tend to avoid humans and feed on animals. Lucy has a new roommate named Cassie who is thrilled for her to be there, since she’s been the only girl forever. There is also a new love interest Max whom she’s attracted to but first she has to complete her training to become a Patronus.

It’s during her first learning session that the team is called in to help catch a vampire who is stealing spirits. Since it’s all hands on deck Lucy also tags along but Max is sure to keep an eye on her at least he was till she went after a spirit and happened to run into the vampire himself. Since she’s had no formal training it’s all just a learning process but she attempts to stop the vampire but it doesn’t end well. Thankfully Max shows up to save her from the vampire. It’s after the vampire she learns that her sister isn’t going to beat the leukemia and will be coming there soon. Lucy wants to be the one to guide her sister to the realm and with help from some pretty impressive women she may just get the chance.

I like Lucy even though her whole life has changed she still takes it in stride. She doesn’t dwell on the fact that she’s dead instead she accepts it and moves on with her new life. She has a strong will that can take a lot and still keep going so when she has to learn to use all her brain in one day she accepts the challenge if it means she can guide her sister. I like the connection between Lucy and Max he seems to be her perfect partner I don’t think I could have picked a better one. He’s exactly the kind of guy she needs to help her though all the rough stuff. I also like the mystery surrounding the relationship between Max and Lucy it adds to Lucy’s adventure.

Patronus is a fast paced story of Lucy’s life now that she’s become a protector of human spirits in an alternate realm. I was drawn in right from the start because I just love Lucy as a character she’s the kind of girl I would want for a best friend. I found the concept for the Patronus unique with a fresh twist on things that go bump in the night. The idea that each spirit is evaluated based on the life they lived, and then their fate is decided on a case by case basis is really interesting. I found Patronus well written it flows along smoothly from start to finish creating a story I honestly loved reading. I enjoyed reading Lucy’s story which is filled with adventure, mystery, action even a little romance creating a great story.
I just really love everything about the book, the characters and the concept are so well created that it has me wondering what if? Patronus is a wonderful story that any teen been able to read and enjoy as well as adults. The cover has been updated with a beautiful new cover. I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to read Awaken and I can’t wait to read the next book and see what happens next.  

5 out of 5 Stars

1 comment:

  1. Lucy sounds like an interesting character and this sounds like a great cross over book from teen to adult. Awesome review Mandy!

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