Title: The Awakening
Author: Nora Roberts
Series: The Dragon Heart Legacy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dragons, Fae, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed The Awakening, it did also feel like a bit of a long read. I have been reading some books on the shorter end, and there was a whole lot of world building that made this story feel just a little bit slower. Having said that, I absolutely loved this, and it was a great way to dive into my first Nora Roberts fantasy novel. Such a good experience that I plan on reading more of her works in the future. The Awakening was the very definition of a slow-burn and, although I loved it, I’m impatient and it took me a little to actually get into it at times.

One of my favourite parts of this world building was the two worlds living side by side. I seriously enjoyed how Breen is from two worlds, and she spends the entirety of this book discovering both parts of herself, plus, figuring out what it actually means to inhabit both parts of her ancestry. I loved how, rather than picking one or the other, she spends the majority of the time figuring out how to live both lives side by side. I kind of hope that some of this continues throughout the series – she’s not even contemplating giving up the people she loves for one man and one world. And, unlike some stories of this calibre, she very obviously has a full and fulfilling life before she gets dragged into her new one.

Marcus, although he is a secondary character, was one of my favourites. He is everything that a BFF should be – unquestionably supportive, but also happy to kick Breen’s butt when she needs it. I love how he is just constantly supportive and happy to go with the flow where Breen is concerned. On top of that, he absolutely dives in head first to support her. The final scene of this book perfectly demonstrates just how amazing and supportive he is, and I honestly want to read The Becoming for more Marcus than anything…

As with all good stories, there is a decent amount of angst in The Awakening. It particularly hurt my heart to read about the relationship Breen has with her mother. Yet, even though many of her actions can’t be considered to be “good”, she isn’t villainised either. She might be completely in the wrong here, but she also had her reasons, and Roberts is able to highlight this. Whilst she’s not a likeable character, she is one that can be seen with compassion and pity. I absolutely adored the nuances of all of the characters throughout this novel, but it was Breen’s mother and Breen’s relationship with her that I felt most strongly showed this.

Image source: Amazon