The Awakening

OM freaking fascinating creative Gs! This is marvelous long epilogue to a new series. The entire book impeccably introduces us the likable, falling in lovable characters and their past and present stories and preparing us like a calmness before the storm for the next exciting adventures of the characters!

I have to admit after reading this book I prayed the borders will open soon because this book gives you addictive craving to schedule an urgent trip to Ireland and get lost in its folkloric, ancient historical , magical places. Those tempting forests, the supernatural creatures and mystical elements perfectly summon your soul and you just die to be part of those incredibly breathtaking and life changing adventures. ( oh I forget to tell you how tempting to hear those sexy, ear tickling Irish accents!)

The book starts with a quick introduction of Breen Kelly, 26 years old, insecure, introverted , reluctant teacher who hates the guts of her job, barely making her ends meet, drowning into her debts, hard worker, shopping from thrift shops, wearing grey colors, laying low to be invisible because her own mother made her believe she was not capable to achieve something extraordinary: she is under average. But when she goes to her mother’s place as she’s directed to finish her chores: including watering her plants and organizing her correspondences when she was in spa treatment-having fun (bitchy monstrous, intimidating mother model) she coincidentally finds out( thanks to the cat’s sudden move) the financial statements about her own account she never knows its existence .

After her father and mother has been separated when she was a little girl, her father has left them and never contacted with her but now she sees each year he has sent her money and now it’s a huge amount may cover her all expenses and give her better life choices to chase her dreams.

So Breen tells her sweet pie, supportive, BFF Marco what she discovered and offers him to go to a journey with her to find her father and learn about her ancestors in Ireland. Marco the bestie, so much likable friend accepts her offer.

From her bus trip to her mother’s house throughout her airplane trip, Breen realizes a bearded man is following him but as soon as she realizes his existence, he disappears into thin air. She asks herself as if she’s been hallucinating. But she forgets that mysterious guy as soon as her plane land into the magical Leprechaun

And of course the magical atmosphere of Ireland awakens true potential of Breen, after Marco’s going back to the US, she starts work on her blog and two different novel concepts but when the storm blasts out and as she hears the voice summoning her, she discovers an opening portal to another world which her father has been born and raised and her grandmother has been waiting for her with open hands. A magical universe with werewolves, elves, Magicks, powerful talismans, dragons and the one of the most charismatic leader, warrior Keegan!

Breen discovers her abilities, supernatural powers and her extraordinary skills which frightened her own mother and she realizes that’s why she has lived in over protective cocoon her mother built for her during her old life in Philadelphia and as soon as she discovers her potential and her important role to protect both of the worlds from the danger of her own blood thirsty grandfather she realizes she has to make a decision.
Will she fight or will she escape to the world where she came from?

The story is great introduction to give enough about the characters and their pasts, motives. And we witnessed the beginning of Keegan and Breen’s love story ( we also met with the bad woman who may create conflict about their love interest at the upcoming installments) and we learned more about upcoming war between evil and good! The story finishes with a cliffhanger as we expected! So am I in to read what’s gonna happen next! Abso-freaking-lutely! I’m hooked, I’m chanted, I’m all in!

Cannot wait to read more Breen, Keegan’s journeys!

So much special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this incredible Arc with me in exchange my honest review.

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.

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.

Another winner from Nora Roberts, there aren't many of her books that aren't winners, but this one had me captivated and I couldn't do anything else until I finished. Now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book. It really can't come too soon.

A gripping story of life. Born to two worlds but denied one. When it's finally revealed changes happen, danger happens, love might happen...so much to learn and explore.

Since she was a child, Breen Kelly has been told she was less than average. As an adult she keeps herself closed off, reluctant to shine, and never expecting anything more out of life. Working a job she hates to pay of her sizeable student loans, she dreams of a different life. When Breen discovers her mother has been hiding an investment account worth $4 million dollars, left to her by her father, she vows to turn her life around starting with an impromptu trip to Ireland, her Father's homeland. Breen hopes this trip will help her discover who she is, learn more about her heritage, and discover why her father left and never returned. What she finds is a portal to another world filled with magic, dragons, and a power that will determine her destiny.

The Awakening is an exciting new fantasy trilogy by Nora Roberts. After reading the Chronicles of the One trilogy; I was very excited to jump into another one of her Ireland based magical fantasies. This one definitely has a slower start as we learn about Breen's upbringing with her controlling mother and then her attempt to embrace a new and more courageous version of herself in Ireland. Once she discovers the realm of Talamh the story really picks up. We get to meet the diverse community of Talamh including, Keegan, the sexy and brooding leader and protector of the Fey. I really enjoyed the characters and world building of Talamh and hope that we will see more of them in the next two novels. The book leaves off with a very pivotal ending promising an exciting start for book two.

The Awakening by Nora Roberts. Solid start to a new otherworldly series. The descriptive landscapes in Ireland are series unto themselves. And no one can describe the Irish brogue like Ms. Roberts. A capable and likely heroine, Breen, and the promise of more magic to come not to mention dragons, elves and werewolves. Another winning series for Ms. Roberts.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

What a wonderful romantic fantasy book. I loved all of the characters, not the mother though, and the descriptions of Ireland makes you want to pack up and go there right now. Two completely different worlds. The building of the fantasy world with all the magic just grabbed me from page one. I will warn. It is a cliffhanger ending. I can not wait for the next book

As a Nora Roberts fan, this book does not disappoint. I enjoyed the depth of the characters. The story pulls you in and does not let you go. I can't wait for the sequel to 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.