Aug 3, 2015

ARC Review--Reawakened by Colleen Houck

When seventeen-year-old Lilliana Young enters the Metropolitan Museum of Art one morning during spring break, the last thing she expects to find is a live Egyptian prince with godlike powers, who has been reawakened after a thousand years of mummification.

And she really can't imagine being chosen to aid him in an epic quest that will lead them across the globe to find his brothers and complete a grand ceremony that will save mankind.

But fate has taken hold of Lily, and she, along with her sun prince, Amon, must travel to the Valley of the Kings, raise his brothers, and stop an evil, shape-shifting god named Seth from taking over the world.

From New York Times bestselling author Colleen Houck comes an epic adventure about two star-crossed teens who must battle mythical forces and ancient curses on a journey with more twists and turns than the Nile itself.


I received this eARC from the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review, I was in no way compensated for this review.


Colleen Houck is about to take you on a journey to yet another new world, nestled within our own world! Reawakened takes the reader on a journey to Egypt as Lily helps a risen again mummy, Amon, stop an evil force from rising, and basically, saves the world!

I'm sitting here in stunned silence as I try to write this review.

Yeah...it's going to be tough.

I was fond of Colleen's Tiger Curse Saga, sure there were bits that I might have not enjoyed thoroughly, but I don't think that's going to be an issue with this new Reawakened series. It was truly epic beyond all reason! And while I am only vaguely familiar with Egyptian mythology, I enjoyed at least knowing bits and bobs and basically learning a slew of tidbits more as I read through this amazingly, epic read!

Lillianna is our heroine, and at first I thought I would not like her at all. She's a child of privilege,  her parents are the uber rich sorts and basically could want for nothing. Yet, naturally, her life isn't all that glamorous. While sitting in the museum working through college applications, she unknowingly stumbles upon a real live walking mummy! But Amon isn't wrapped in cloths or walking stilted about and moaning. No, he's wearing next to nothing at all and after a quick little spell (on his part), Lily is able to understand him perfectly. Though, believing he's a mummy takes a little longer.

Their journey is slow to start as Amon takes in his new surroundings. He's been asleep for a thousand years after all. Only to rise once a millennium to once again battle the evil Seth and stop him from entering our world and basically let all that is dark and evil reign. But before he can do that, he needs to locate his canopic jars, find his brothers and raise them as well. Until he can locate his canopic jars though, he connects himself to Lily to share her energy/lifeforce/what-have-you, so he can basically be a function human being, minus the revitalized mummy part.

So begins the journey fraught with perils in a dangerous landscape. 

I found Reawakened to be a very intriguing and in-depth read! Like with her past series, Colleen weaves in threads of new culture and mythology so seamlessly, it's amazing! At times, it kind of bogs down the pacing, but then once you get into the new myth or story, you get swept away in that bit that you forget where you're at! I suspect the same was for Lily when she was learning all these things from Amon too.

I greatly enjoyed Amon's brothers, Asten and Ahmose! Asten was a total flirt and Ahmose, while being the more serious brother of the two, seeing him and Asten bicker like brothers made me laugh quite a bit! And even though we do not get to see enough of them, I enjoyed seeing the three brothers together! They definitely had the whole brotherly bond thing down pat.

The romance in this one was also very nice! And for the moment, I think we're free of any possible love triangles! Though since one seemed to sneak up on us in the Tiger's Curse Saga, I can't say for sure if we're in the clear! But at least for this book, we are! And it was a rather nice, slow building one. While the two clearly and undeniably care for one another, it takes time for that to show. And let me tell you, the ending had me in near tears! We're talking about fetal position, rocking back and forth in A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION--tears!!! But then thankfully, that little voice in my head kept repeating over and over: series, series, series...aka NOT A STANDALONE!

Yeah, my emotions didn't want to listen to that voice at all. Now I so desperately need Recreated and we're basically looking at 365+ as this one isn't officially released yet. Oh the pain and torment of waiting! That's true pain! ;)

Colleen Houck's books are always nothing short of epic! And Reawakened has pretty much surpassed the term! It was amazing and incredible! I soooo cannot wait for more in this series and the wait will definitely be killer as all I have to go on is a title!

If you're looking for that fresh new read to totally blow you away, then read Reawakened and be prepared to hold on! 



Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars 


Reawakened releases August 11, 2015



 

10 comments:

  1. Another super awesome review for this one! Well, I clearly need to preorder it and devour it as soon as it comes out (in between my ARC August challenge books!).
    Great review Jessica!

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  2. Great review! I loved the use of the mythology too but I also felt like sometimes it took away from the plot, which was really thrilling. And I agree on Asten and Ahmose. I wish we had gotten more from them, they were such great foils for Amon and even Lily.
    Cassi @ My Thoughts Literally

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  3. I LOVED this book! I didn't enjoy Houck's debut series, but this one took my by surprise. And I almost skipped this one! So glad that wasn't the case. Egyptian mythology, no love triangle, swoony male lead, likable female protagonist, what's not to like!? I hope the next book is awesome and follows up in a... satisfying way, after this book ending ;)

    Fantastic review, Jessica!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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  4. I'm so jealous that you've already read this one!! I've been dying to get my hands on this book! I'm a huge fan of Egyptian mythology so this is right up my alley. I've never read the Tiger's Curse series, but I do have the first book on my shelf, so maybe I'll give that a try first... I'm glad there's no love triangle in this book! Let's hope it stays that way! Great review! :D

    Tracy @ Cornerfolds

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  5. Oh, yay!!! Now I'm even more excited to read this! I think I'll be moving up in my tbr pile! Awesome review!

    Michelle @ Michelle's Minions

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  6. Thank you for the review! I didn't like some parts on the Tiger Saga but I did enjoy the indian setting!
    Now, since Egyprian mythology is my favorite I am going to love this one!

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  7. I've been anticipating this book for a long time now! It's good to know that you loved it so much, hopefully I'll feel the same :D

    Maria @ Teen Ya Book Nerd

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  8. I'm glad to see that you enjoyed this one! I have been seeing so many negative reviews on it lately that I wasn't sure if I should pick it up, but it sounds good now. :) Great review!
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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  9. I had a few problems with the Tiger's Curse books but it does sound like this one is going to be an improvement, the characters and setting just seem so fun. Love a slow build romance. Nice review!

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  10. I've been seeing this book everywhere! I need to get my hands on this. The cover is just gorgeous! Great review!

    Blessie @ Mischievous Reads

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