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Awakened

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Published 2011          290 pages

Reviewed by Georgia

Summary (from the book jacket)

How far will the bonds of friendship stretch? How strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior Stark may never be the same either…

And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Rave Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?

The Review

Awakened is the eighth book in the House of Night series. The story continues from where Burned left of, with a lot of events coming to a closure and others taking the storyline to a new level.

The writers use again the multiple point of view narrative and give more than one perspective to the same course of events. This is done in a well-disciplined, coherent and linear way that not only allows readers to follow every step and keep up with the main and subplots, but also helps them identify themselves to the various characters in the story. It also helps highlight the various aspects of each of the main characters personality, their way of thinking and of course the choices they make and the reasoning behind them.

As far as the storyline goes, it unfolds gradually and strategically. Nothing is given away, yet those who follow the story faithfully are able to take a few educated guesses as to which way the wind may blow. This particular book has a bridge quality to its plot, i.e. it connects what happened so far with what is going to happen afterwards. It comes full circle for some of the various subplots and it sets the starting point for other events to unfold.

Moreover, each of the main characters is developed. Nevertheless, for Awakened the main focus turns to the relationship between Stevie Rae and Rephaim, while a few points concerning the relationship between Zoey and Stark are also explained. Stevie Rae really shines as a chief figure in the HoN story. It becomes clear that she has a far bigger role to play and that she certainly has a lot to offer. Her character is so well written, that indeed it is very easy to understand and relate to her woes and dilemmas. She has grown up alongside Zoey, Aphrodite and the rest of the fledglings.

Lastly, the narrative is vivacious, warm and direct. For Zoey the first-person narrative is kept. While for the rest of the characters, whose point of view is used to describe the course of events, the third-person narrative is selected. The language is constructed according to the age, background and temperament of each character, making the book both realistic and colorful.

For all those who have been following this series Awakened will be welcomed. The storyline will excite, intrigue and interest them. The readers will be kept entertained, amused and touched. There is quite the emotional roller-coaster in this book, so be prepared! The only downside: it ends too soon.

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