Reviews

Awakened: A Guardian Legacy Book by Ednah Walters

fallingwings's review against another edition

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2.0

So I've been debating with myself for the past few weeks and I think I'm going to put this on my DNF shelf. I refuse to push myself through books that I don't enjoy and can't keep my interest. Honestly? I don't know what my problem is exactly with this book. I actually bought and tried reading this a couple years back and didn't make it past chapter 2. Well, I picked it up again and now am stopping at chapter 8. Maybe it's just too YA for me, or maybe it's the fact it's a prequel (which I didn't know when I originally bought this), or maybe it's the fact I just can't click with anything I've seen regarding this book.


Cons:

-Our MC is already drooling over the love interest in chapter one.

-"Next week on Friday." Oh, you mean Next Friday?

-MC is a typical, special snowflake.

-MC ditches new best buds that she made within a day to hang out with her fellow super popular and bossy trainees. Then when met with looks of betrayal, uses the excuse "they just don't understand." Um, you agreed to eat lunch with them first and now you're blowing them off before lunch is even over. They don't need to understand your situation. You could have told miss popularity "no" or "not right now". Like damn. Here our MC is whining about how she doesn't want to be a guardian, that she still considers herself normal, yet first chance she gets, she jumps at the chance to hang out with these other trainees.

-
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. 'Help people...make a difference in people's lives.' Were they brainwashed or punch drunk from drinking too much guardian kool-aid?


I'm sorry (no, I'm not), but what the hell is wrong with wanting to help and make a difference in people's lives?! We're only on page 40 and I have major issues with this immature, selfish brat of a MC.

-Things just felt rushed.

-
"Is he always so...mean?" I wanted to say "evil," but the vulnerability in Bran's eyes made me lighten it.


Siiiighs. Our MC waters down what she thinks of the person who tried to KILL her not even an hour ago because she doesn't want to hurt Bran's feelings. Just no. No. In fact, that whole conversation is disturbing with how Bran blames himself over it and then tries to make excuses for this person.

-Much of the writing is too corny for my personal taste, especially when our MC is around Bran.

-MC makes hot cocoa with water. Okay, this isn't a real con. But it's something that bugs me so bad, lol. Everyone who's ever made and had hot cocoa KNOWS -- we KNOW -- you make it with milk. Always. No matter what. Package says water? No, you say "screw that" and use milk.

Pros:

-Bran has wings on the cover, which was what initially drew me to this book. I'm a sucker for books where characters have wings and whatnot. By the way, does Bran actually have wings? Or is it one of those false cover teases?

-The lore was somewhat interesting.

heatherliz86's review against another edition

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4.0

Awakened is action packed love story that many will enjoy and love. The story line is intriguing that will keep you flipping through the pages to see what will happen next. Ednah puts a twist on Angels and Demons in this action, romance, suspense, secrets, and mystery book.
The Characters are one of kind and that you will fall in love with. Lil the main character packs a punch but realistic nature. Bran the love interest is nothing but smexy. Yes another good looking Angel or demon? Read and you'll find out...LOL
It had all of the aspects a good paranormal young adult story should have. I would not call any of the plot twist predicable because I didn't see any of it coming.
I liked the creativity behind the Guardians and their history and duties. The side characters have a mix of different relationships with Lil. And remember even demons want to change !!

phillygirljl's review against another edition

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4.0

Awakened is a unique take on the story of Nephilim, the descendants of angels and their human mates.

I loved the character Sykes and his personality and flirtatious nature with Lil. In the beginning, I thought he came off as a little too forward with Lil, but as the story progressed, I liked the comparison of his relationship with Lil and Bran and Lil's relationship. Despite his teasing and flirting, it was obvious that Lil really had a connection with Bran. I loved how Walters developed this distinction and avoided the typical triangle of girl caught between two boys.

I also liked Lil's personality. Lil is a great character in this book. She is compassionate and willing to do anything for those she cares about, without minding the consequences. I liked how Walters developed Lil's character in Awakened. She starts off as being a somewhat naive, somewhat lonely girl, who has no idea of the powers she possesses. As the story continues, readers can see how Lil adjusts to difficult and dangerous situations. She shows her strength and her willingness to help others. Despite knowing very little about Bran (at the start of the story), she wants to help him and prove that he is the good person she believes him to be. I liked how Walters wrote Lil as someone who tried to see the good in most situations.

I thought Bran could have had more character development. While readers did learn his "story" and why he was seeking the help of the Guardians, as a reader, I didn't feel any connection to him. He was the boy Lil liked and the brother of a bad guy, but that's it. Since this is the start of a series, I'm hoping that Bran become more developed in the next book.

I liked Awakened and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I enjoyed the "ensemble cast" nature of the book. While Lil is definitely the main character, I liked how Walters created the rest of the young Guardians with their own well developed characters and personalities. I also liked the unique take on Nephilim and the contrast of good and evil described in Awakened.

_camk_'s review against another edition

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4.0

I like this book a lot.
It gave a fresh twist to the stereotype of these books. It didn't break any boundaries, but it was a safe and enjoyable read.

The characters were all accessible and enjoyable.

Although, the romantic aspect occurred all a little too fast for me, I expect a love triangle to happen in the second book.

amber04's review against another edition

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4.0

Very good book..review to come

heather4994's review against another edition

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4.0

I could get detailed and pick this book apart. There were things wrong with it and you could look for lots of things if you wanted to complain about it. But I picked this book up because I wanted an enjoyable YA fantasy. And guess what? That's what I got. They author includes a break down of who's who in the front but I didn't think the book got that technical. I thought it was fun to see the kids beating each other up and then sneaking out because they didn't like getting left out of things. They were typical teenagers with superpowers. The romance between Lil and Bran is kind of insta love, but I think it's more like hero worship on Lil's part.

And then there's a lot of fighting. And trying to figure out what's going on. And some great reveals. And more great fights and a quest and more fighting and then it's over. It was really fun to read. One part that I did think should have been treated harsher was the punishment of the jocks at the dance and that's all I'll say. You'll have to read it to find out. I ran through this one not worrying about character development or plot or anything else. It was just an enjoyable read. And I'm not messing it up by delving too deeply into it with all that stuff. Read someone else's review if you want to know about it. It was a fast enjoyable read for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

tartbarbie's review against another edition

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5.0

Review

Received this book in return for a honest review. The book is about Lil Falcon a sixteen year old girl, who just moved to town and has to start all over. She lives with her grandfather who has raised her since she was little, because her mother and grandmother died in a car accident. Having been raised as a gypsy all her life she's had a hard time fitting in at school and never really made friends before. As if being a teenager isn't hard enough she learns that she's not human but a guardian a demon hunter.

When Bran shows up asking for help getting his sister and brother from the demons. However he speaks to her using telepathy, causing Lil to think he's a ghost. Afteralking to Bran she learns about her abilities, that she's not just a human girl. She talks to her grandfather about what Bran had said and learns that she comes from a long line of Guardians who protect the humans from the soul harvesting demons. With this knowledge Lil is sent off to school, and told to keep her eyes out for the other guardian trainee's who will help her. Her first day she meets several human girls who become new friends as well as the guardian trainee's. Lil set's out to learn the powers that the guardian posses in hopes of being able to control them better, along the way she needs to fig ture out how to help Bran, and stop the demon queen.

I loved this book. It had my from the first page I was drawn in and couldn't put it down. Lil is this sweet shy girl that reminds me a lot of myself at that age. Throughout the book we watch Lil grow from a shy girl to a powerful set to save the world. I enjoy reading about Lil and Bran's growing chemistry. I really like the rest of the trainee's in Lil's guardian group at first I wasn't sure but the more I got to know them the more I started to like them.

The book has it all action, romance, fireballs, daggers and hot guys. The characters are well written I felt like I was with Lil though most of the book, and I love that when I read a book. I like the aspect of the guardians, how each one is different is unique in their gifts, and that it's a team effort. I just really loved this book, it was one of the best books I've read all year. I don't know what else I can say but it's an amazing book that didn't let me down and left me wanting more. I'm so lucky that I have the second book from the author I can't wait to start it.

blissbubbley's review against another edition

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4.0

Lil Falcon is a girl who like most of us wants to get through school and see what's next. Little does she know that she's about to find out a lot more about herself. Raised by her grandfather as she was orphaned as a child. She soon finds out she's a Guardian and has super powers! Then she meets Bran and this intriguing boy with his talents make for an interesting tale.

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stb2012's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is about a girl named Lil. She lives with her grandfather and they travel around the U.S. But one day she starts hearing voices when one in particular is asking for her help. She then learns that she is not a normal teenager but has special powers. Will she be able to do human things like make friends? Or even go to a high school dance? I loved this book from beginning to end and I can not wait to read betrayed!

andimontgomery's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed this story. It was a quick read with likable characters and an interesting plot. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

NOTE: The Kindle version was a bit sloppy - some paragraphs were fully indented, while others had only the first line indented. The editor also did not do the best job. There were a few typos that jumped out at me, and a few sentences did not end with periods.