Reviews

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

cobycoyle's review against another edition

4.0

Again, I feel like (besides being supernatural) this is a more realistic view of being runaway teenagers. Not enough money for food (well, Chloe has her bank card but they’d be caught), bickering between each other, unable to find a dry and warm place to stay…and the plot intertwining with it is well written to me. It’s also (what I feel would be) a *mostly* realistic rendering of a werewolf transormation—- not just magically turning into a cute wolf the first time. Derek struggled and suffered, and Chloe was with him. I feel like this is also a sort of realistic way of developing feelings for someone, as Chloe and Derek are very unsure of themselves and each other.

Also, I find the actual plot interesting with Edison Group and such. Excited to read next one.

theluminarylibrary's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

jsc55's review against another edition

3.0

2.5... while i like the story, i feel like nothing happened in this book...

secretly holding out hope that she ends up with derek. i like him.

vicky30312's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

eesh25's review against another edition

4.0

In the first book, we learn that our protagonist, Chloe, can see ghosts. She's sent to Lyle house which is supposed to be a mental care facility, but is later discovered to be a place where supernaturals used to be experimented on. That's why she, and a three other supernaturals, run away. But they're betrayed and because of that, Chloe and her friend, Rae, are caught.

Now, Chloe has to find to escape so she can meet up with the two other supernaturals, Simon and Derek.

And that's basicall what this book is about and what it includes. The entirely of it is spent, more or less, trying to escape and then evade recapture. It's not the most eventful book, but it fills us in or more stuff about the Edison group, who experiment and genetically modify supernaturals.

It takes up deeper into the world, works on developing relationships and characters, but mostly it's a bridge between the first and the third book.

But it's a quick read (took me 5 hours, give or take) and very easy to get through. I liked the characters and the book is entertaining and interesting. That's why, despite the fact that not much huge stuff happens, the book doesn't feel dull.

The pacing was really good and I loved Chloe's narrative. I honestly love Chloe, even though she has a few moments where she's oblivious to something which should be obvious and I wish she would stop coddling Tori (who got on my nerves) and stand up to her. She's one of the few smart protagonists we have in the YA genre.

Overall, this was a fun read and got me intrigued about what the conclusion of the series will be.

kathydavie's review against another edition

3.0

Second in the Darkest Powers young-adult, paranormal series, Awakening is more of a bridge in the series as we learn the purpose and history from which Chloe, Simon, Derek, and Tori are escaping.

The minor plot provides opportunities for some of them to explore their interrelationships and their powers as they figure out how to survive on the streets and evade their captors.

A very enjoyable read with interesting characters. The dialog was well done in that it felt accurate for teens without overusing teen vernacular.

shinemoore's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

alysinbookland's review

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

5.0

cosymilko's review against another edition

3.0

After discovering what she is in the first one, Chloe and the other residents of Lyle House attempt to escape. Things go wrong and Chloe is captured. She learns more in captivity and needs to get out. And soon.

With the unlikely help of Tori, they're on the run and looking for the boys. And trying to avoid being captured.

This is a second book. Therefore, it's all about the character development. They start to become friends rather than lumped together.

I enjoyed this book more than the first. I feel like Chloe was less "woe is me" in this one. Derek is less of a brute and Tori is sassy instead of cruel and bitchy. Simon seems like the only one not really developing much. Who knows about the third? I must finish them.

swiftlyreviews's review

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I had such a great time reading this! 

Overall, I loved everything about this book. The plot is intriguing and has a lot of twists. This has a lot of character development from most but not much from one character 😂 It’s very fast paced and entertaining! 

I really enjoyed the writing style as-well! I highly recommend if you like supernatural, fantasy and YA novels.