Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Awakening

Rating: 3/5 stars

Twins Tory and Darcy learn they’re the long-lost heirs to the throne of Solaria—if they can graduate from a magic school where most of the student body wants them dead.

Eh? I was warned that the writing of this series left a bit to be desired, so I went in prepared, but I cannot stress enough that the writing is…not good. If you need top-tier writing to fully enjoy a book series, this is not for you—there are a lot of grammar/punctuation issues, the pacing is bizarre, there are loads of ridiculous cliche phrases (and the use of random out-of-context Spanish words to make sure we realize one of the characters is Latinx). The plot was also a little bonkers, and each of the characters made a series of bad decisions and overall drove me nuts.

That said, the world these books are set in is unique and pretty fun, and I found myself intrigued by the magic system and generally wanting to know what would happen next. My friend Hannah has compared these to movie theater popcorn, and I totally agree with that. Is it the best meal? No. Will you keep eating it if there’s a bowl sitting in front of you? Yes. For that reason, I’m definitely going to continue the series (though I don’t expect to go that quickly, which is why I’m planning to do individual reviews as I go!)

Recommended if you like: books about magic boarding schools, yes including the one you’re thinking of right now; dark/bully romance (I’m told—there was very little romance, dark or otherwise, in this one); popcorn fantasy

CW: Loads of violence/bullying/attempted murder; discussion of death of parents; references to foster care abuse/neglect

Content Warnings

tabathapaine's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

SPOILERS!!
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I was torn between liking this book and hating it for MOST of it. The bullying and torture that the Heirs do to the twins (like forcing vampire bites, which is 100% assault… and almost drowning one of them) is almost what made me close the book entirely, yet there’s a big part of me that wants to see these women come back and fight for their throne. I want VENGEANCE, and that’s what is going to keep me reading.

As for characters, the twins can be likeable in their own ways. Tory the rebel with a sassy attitude and fierce protection of her sister, and Darcy the sweet one that still takes no shit from anyone. I found that I expected them to spend more time trying to build on their powers since they knew so many people wanted to cause them harm, but instead they got distracted by the gorgeous assholes that were the ringleaders of their misfortunes. Sophia is just wonderful, sweet and smart and a dedicated friend, Diego is also protective and caring to the twins.

Now to the unlikeable characters. I’ll start with Orion, since it’s kind of a battle between hating him and liking him throughout the book. I think he has some redeeming qualities and keeps most of his icy cold attitude to weather the storms of the cruel fae world. As for the heirs, all of them are spoiled, self righteous, narcissistic assholes that have ZERO redeeming qualities that can save them. Their cruelty and savagery are too thick for any other qualities that could set them part from each other to show through.

I am very interested to see where the authors take the Vega twins from here, and to see what may be lying beneath (if there IS anything) the heirs and Orion.

On to Book 2!

Content Warnings

natlonelyghost's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Content Warnings

ifoundcallie's review

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dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Content Warnings

hannahwriightt's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

unicornofthesea's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

thechaoshour's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

I love the general idea of this book but it was executed poorly. The characters were unlikeable and I found the plot slow and boring. It was just a lot of bullying and abuse from the Heirs and not much plot. Plus the writing was not good and it needs some new editing but as I understand it, this book was earlier in their careers. I’m curious enough to keep reading for now in hopes they get better.

Content Warnings

_alyssar_'s review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

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