Having taken a short break from Nora Roberts, I was excited to read this first book in a new series. I loved the world building and the characters and am highly anticipating the next in the series.

Another trilogy! I have long been a fan of Nora and this title did not disappoint. I found it to be a bit different from her other books. It seemed a bit softer. Some of her supernatural trilogies can get very gritty, very fast. I am not opposed to it, but when I discovered it was a supernatural title, I was hoping it would not be "too much" for me right now. I am delighted to report this title left me anticipating more, even though it will be a year until then! The characters are developing nicely and I enjoy the progress of the story. My patrons will love it as much as I did!

It's been awhile since I've read what I would consider a "high fantasy" book, and "The Awakening" definitely had elements of that! This was a good story that moved a long pretty quickly.

This story just didn’t really work for me. I understand that it’s the beginning of a series but it was just so slow and got a bit tedious for me. I’m at 75-80% now and I just don’t want to pick this back up. I’ve waited a while to see if I could just power thru but have decided to hang up my hat.

Its really well written and the story line is really cool and intriguing and everything I normally like. I think if you get thru this first book the series will be amazing. For me the pacing was too slow and I got lost and didn’t really care about the characters or where this was going anymore by the time we started to get to the end sadly.

I love, love, love this book, the start of an amazing new fantasy romance series by Nora Roberts. Beginning in Philadelphia, then moving to the west of Ireland, it ultimately leads through a portal into another world, that of the Fey (including fairies, elves, trolls, were-animals, dragons, and gods). In trying to shake up her life, Breen discovers her own talents and an unknown magical heritage, one she will be called upon to defend. A cliffhanger ending was expected, but I couldn't have imagined it would be so very perfect. I cannot wait to read and experience more!

Breen Kelly discovers she is more than she seems in this adult fantasy novel.

It seems Nora Roberts’ foray into the fantasy genre is here to stay. Luckily, I liked this book far more than her first outing. It plays to her strengths as a writer – complex female relationships, lyrical descriptions, and a fascinating setting. Her love for Ireland, for Irish lore, and for witchcraft shines through. Breen’s character arc as she explores her identity and her heritage is satisfying. She may not have entranced me as the main character, but she has the potential to grow on me.

I had two big issues. The first is Keegan. Guys, I was not a fan of Breen’s love interest. His overbearing demeanor and lack of compassion left a bad taste in my mouth. I’m assuming his character growth will be the focus of the next book and he needs it badly. I also didn’t feel that much of a connection between him and Breen. As this is not a romance, I recognize their relationship is not the driving force of the story. But, considering his role in the setting, I expected to like him more.

My second issue is the plot. The majority of the book focuses on Breen’s character growth and the Fey setting, but the plot is not all that interesting. Not much happens beyond outlining the two warring factions. Even the ending fails to create any momentum for the next in the series. All that said, the good outweighed the bad for me. I’m willing to give the next book a chance, and pray the plot picks up.

tl;dr A decent start to a new fantasy (not romance) series with an interesting setting and a complex female character.

A wonderful beginning to a new series. Breen lives hand to mouth in the city, always hiding her true self as her mother puts her down until she discovers her mother has been keeping a fortune from her left by her father. Breen decides to completely change her life by going to Ireland with her best friend in search of her father. Once there she discovers wonderful and wondrous things about him and his life. Breen discovers she is not average but magical as she is introduced to her grandmother and a hidden world.

I always like the first book in Nora Robert’s trilogy’s as they set the stage for things to come. But I’ve found lately in the last few trilogies, book 2 & 3 always follow the same pattern, and seem the same. I hope this series changes that. I’d also like to lobby for putting out book 2and 3 sooner rather than waiting a year. Her trilogies used to come out only months after the book before it. Too long and our patrons lose interest, so I buy less copies.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review.

I must say that the storytelling was fantastic. This author really brought to life not only Ireland, but this alternate universe she created. Just the scenery alone was worth the read.

This first book is more about the heroine, Breen learning who she really is, and shedding the old Breen her mother tried to mold her into. We also get introduced to many characters in this alternate universe that will have a lot to do with the overall storyline. The imagery of each of these characters were just as fascinating as their surroundings.

I loved seeing Breen shine as she learns where she truly comes from. I really liked her character and could relate to her struggles with confidence. I also like how she handles many conflicts that dealt with this confidence issue she has that was bred by her mother.

Keegan was a harder character for me to like. He's an honorable man who has this fierce need to protect everyone, but that need got in his way of his compassion towards Breen in this book. It will be interesting to see how he changes in the next book now that he sees what he's asked of her.

As I mentioned before, there are many side characters that add to the overall story and I am looking forward to seeing where they all will fit in as things escalate. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Another great story from Nora Roberts. I was hooked when I saw dragon in the title and it didn’t disappoint. I was couldn't put it down until I finished and now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have read many romances and mystery novels by this author and this being my first fantasy novel by her, I was left unimpressed. The beginning is slow and the characters lacking real personality. The descriptions are magical but the story feels flat. Point of view changes too quickly and difficult to distinguish who's speaking. Just not what I expected from such a well known author.

Oh Wow!! This book was so good and now I have to wait for the next one.!! This book has all the elements I’ve come to expect from one of her books. It had magic, dragons, fairies, romance and a big ole evil person trying to take over the world. It’s a page turner! I loved it!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

This is a departure for Roberts, although somewhat in line with her last trilogy, The Chronicles of the One. I have to say that I read this book in one night, and could not put it down. It is filled with imagery that pulls you in, characters that are true to life who make you feel, and an overall sense of urgency as the story moves on. The writing is lyrical, the characters are real, and overall this was a magical story.

Breen is a woman of today, who has always felt a little less. Her beloved father walked away when she was a child, and her mother never quite let her measure up. Her life is not what she imagined it could be, and while she has the best friend she could ever want in life, she still is seeking more.

More is what she gets when the opportunity comes for Breen to go with her best friend Marco to Ireland. There, she thinks, she can explore and take time to really start to decide who she wants to be. Maybe she can discover her roots, and find out what happened to her father as well.

This is the first book in The Dragon Heart Legacy Trilogy. This book introduces us to Breen Siobhan Kelly, a 26 year old middle school teacher. Breen lives with her best friend Marco in a small apartment, she works a job she hates because her mother told her that was all she would be good at, she is drowning in student loans and can only afford thrift store clothing. She has no self esteem because she has been beaten down her entire life by her mother, who has repeatedly told her she is not good enough. One day when she is at her mother's apartment watering her plants while she is away, Breen accidentally sees some financial papers that her mother had not yet hidden away....statements from an account in Breen's name, and the balance in the account was almost four million dollars. Breen investigates and finds out her mother opened the account in her name, and all of the child support payments her mother claimed she never got went straight into that account. Breen closes the account and opens one in her name only and then immediately books a trip to Ireland to search for her father. When she gets there she immediately feels a sense of home, and as she starts searching for her father, what she discovers instead is a portal... into a land called Talamh, where there really are such things as fairies, were, elves, witches and dragons.
I devoured this book. I couldn't put it down. Talamh was such a magical place and I never wanted to be transported back out of there. I loved everything about this book, including the surprise ending. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I received an ARC in return for an honest review.

Breen has never been good enough for her mother and she hasn't heard from her father in years. When Breen discovers her father has been sending her money, enough to make her a millionaire, but her mother has been hiding it, she refuses to let her mother run her life any longer. She pays off her bills and sets off to Ireland to search for her father, not knowing the magic and portal to another realm that awaits her.

The first chapter was beyond fabulous and hooked me immediately. While this book is a fantasy, it is grounded enough in the real world for the first part to be easily accessible to those who don't like too much fantasy. There are also mystery and romance elements to keep the story interesting. I get tired of parents always being terrible people in books, but that made me glad that Breen had a caring friend in Marco. However, Breen felt a little lackluster to me and some of the elements felt too generic, like her mysterious dreams used to foreshadow and Breen being a writer in a way that felt like a fantasy of its own with how quickly she was successful at it. I think I was just hoping for more from this book, but it definitely has that signature Nora Roberts feel to it.

I love Nora Roberts! The Awakening is Book 1 of a new trilogy, The Dragon Heart Legacy. Although Nora Roberts writes about the themes of Ireland, magic, family, friendship, love and loyalty in many of her books, her stories are always fresh and exciting. The Awakening introduces a new world, existing beside be the one we know and a woman Awakening to her legacy and power as well as finding lost family. The book ended way too soon! I don't know how I will be able to wait for book 2!

The Awakening is a wonderful introduction to Robert’s new fantasy world. Breen Kelly lives an ordinary life, working at a job she doesn’t love, drowning in student loan debt, shopping in thrift stores, and barely making ends meet, Breen is shocked when she finds out that she has an account with almost four million dollars in it. Breen uses the money to pay off her debt and then takes a trip with her best friend to Ireland in the hopes of learning more about her estranged father. It is in Ireland where she discovers a portal that takes her to Talamh, the place of her birth and a magical land of fairies, weres, dragons, and more.

Breen meets a dynamic group of people, including a grandmother she doesn’t remember, and she finds out that she is the key to saving this world from an evil, power-hungry villain who also happens to be her grandfather. She “awakens” and realizes her power. As she learns to master her abilities and hone her craft, Breen must also decide if she wants to return to her safe and monotonous world or stay in this new world where danger lurks in every corner.

Breen Kelly. What a protagonist! Breen spent much of her life feeling rejected by her father and less than by her mother. Working in an unfulfilling career to pay off her student debt and barely making ends meet, she lives a mundane life. Luckily, Breen has a strong group of friends who show her more love and support than her own mother. I love Breen’s friends – her old friends from Philadelphia and the new friends she gains in Ireland! Smart and kind people who encourage Breen to reach toward happiness, they are what Breen’s mother should be.

Breen has a toxic relationship with her controlling and negative mother. Though I can understand her mother’s desire to move and stay away from the supernatural world, especially after what happened to Breen when she was younger, I don’t understand why her mother is so critical. It is almost as if she resents and fears Breen. Breen’s mom always makes her feel less than and didn’t encourage her to achieve her goals. I think, in a weird, warped way, Breen’s mother was trying to keep her safe, but in doing so, squelched her individuality and sense of self. This is quite different from Breen’s friends and, my favorite character in the novel, her grandmother.

Marg waited over twenty years to reunite with Breen, and watching their relationship redevelop is lovely. Kind, generous, and loving, she is the antithesis of Breen’s mother. I love the way that Marg supports and encourages Breen. Her love is unconditional and true. From her advice to her gestures to her actions (or inactions), Marg exemplifies the mother that Breen always wished she had. She gives Breen the confidence to step out of her comfort zone and embrace her newly awakened abilities. She also helps her acclimate to the incredible supernatural world of Talamh – the powers, supernatural beings, lore, and more. (Oh, and did I mention the dragons?! You know I love a story with dragons! And Breen’s love interest on a dragon? Sa-woon!)

The name of Breen’s blog is “Finding Me,” which is fitting since she spends the majority of the story “finding” and redefining herself. This is one of the highlights of the story as Breen goes from being a person who prefers to blend into the background to a powerful, self-assured woman. I love her growth throughout the story. I mean, I don’t know how I would react if I fell through a portal, reconnected with family I never knew I had, realized they are not entirely human (nor am I), and then found out that I was the key to protecting the world (and other worlds) from the evil intentions of my villainous grandfather. Breen has a lot of heavy decisions to make, but before she can make any decisions, she needs to find herself.

I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the love story. Breen and her love interest have an interesting dynamic. Keegan is the sexy leader of Talamh and has sworn to protect her. However, he refuses to let her depend on others for protection, as do the other amazing friends she makes in Talamh. Keegan teachers her how to fight and control her power. He makes her learn to defend herself, and though his ways are often hard and punishing, his motives are clear and honorable. He takes his role as leader and protector very seriously, and I have a feeling that, as the story evolves, so will the relationship between Breen and Keegan. Their connection is strong, and their chemistry is palpable.

The Awakening is a fantastic start to what promises to be an exciting new series from Nora Roberts. With dynamically developed character, both human and supernatural, skillfully woven and immersive worlds, interesting lore, a fabulous romance, and themes of friendship, family, female empowerment, and the healing power of love, The Awakening is Nora Roberts at her best. Thanks so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Nora Roberts did it again! Her story, THE AWAKENING, was a very enjoyable story for me to read. It had a solid plot, interesting characters, and an intriguing story. The story held my attention the whole time. There were very few instances where I caught my mind wandering but that was because I stayed up late reading this book.

I was instantly brought into Breen’s world. It was initially small, disappointing and anxiety ridden with some very bright spots, mostly her best friend. She has an amazing group who have adopted her as family. Her world widens enormously when she finds money her father has set up for her that her mother hid from her. In traveling to Ireland, Breen discovers so much more exists in the world and in herself. Nora Roberts has created a personal odyssey for Breen that lovingly takes the reader along for the adventure. I’m more than eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a great start to a new series by Nora Roberts! The Dragon Heart Legacy is definitely going to be a hit! I am just bummed that we have to wait so long for the next book in this series because this left us off in a serious cliffhanger! Kudos to Ms. Roberts though for making us all want to get the next book in the series!!

Breen Kelly is a young woman that has been stuck in a job that she is not fond of. She is a teacher and feels like her mom forced her to be in that profession because she made her feel like that was the only thing she would be good at. Her mom always talked down to her and made her feel like she wasn't worth anything. Her father left them when Breen was 12 and told her he would be back, but he never did come back. Breen has always wondered why he left and why he has never tried to contact her since then.

When Breen is watching her mothers place for her to go away on a luxurious trip, things take a drastic turn in her life. When Breen is opening the windows like her mom has instructed, the cat somehow makes it to where some files fly around out of the filing cabinet. What Breen finds when she is cleaning up is shocking to her. Breen can hardly believe what she is seeing. There is a bank account in her name with almost 4 million dollars in it. Her mom's name is on the account as well so she knows that she has something to do with it. When Breen calls the bank, she is told that the money is indeed hers and that her mom has told her broker that she was not ready to make decisions on the money and that is why she has handled the money for Breen. Brenn's father has been the one sending the money since he left. She had no idea about any of it! Needless to say her mom has a lot of explaining to do when she gets back.

The day Breen's mom is to return she takes off work and meets her mom at her house. Her mom knows that this is odd because Breen never misses work. She is always trying to make ends meet with her student loans, rent and utilities. Breen has always been one to shop at thrift stores for her clothes just to save money. Well, with her 4 million dollars, she is not going to have to worry about any of that. Breen confronts her mom and they have words. Breen finally has the backbone to stand up to her condescending mom.

Breen has decided that she is going to quit her teaching job since she never was really fond of it anyway and go to Ireland to find her dad. Breen enlists her best friend and room mate, Marco to go to Ireland with her for a couple of weeks. She doesn't want to make the trip alone.

When Marco's time is up in Ireland and it is time for Breen to start finding her dad, things begin to make sense and surprise Breen all at the same time. When Breen finds a portal that takes her to a whole other world, things start to get very interesting in the book. I don't want to give much more away because you will get lost in the book at this point and just keep turning the pages as fast as you can. This is such a great read! I can not wait for the next book in this series! I am just disappointed that we are going to have to wait so long!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book.

What a wonderful way to start a new series! There’s always more going on than what one sees or feels, as Breen finds out. When she unexpectedly finds that how she sees herself and how she’s been living so frugally isn’t real, she makes some major changes. She stops putting a brown rinse to dull her red hair, goes on her first overseas trip with her best friend, Marco to Ireland, the land of her father. Once there, she feels an immediate connection. After Marco returns home, she really finds her connections. The memories and her hidden skills are starting to appear which help her overcome her sense of just barely being adequate. When meeting Keegan, she feels his disdain with her. He knows that she is capable of so much and with the troubles to come, she really needs to find her confidence in her skills and love for her new found world.