Review: Loved it!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 15, 2013
I definitely have to give props to Nicole MacDonald - she definitely knows how to write a good story! Usually I find that with the second book in a trilogy, it is in a "transition" phase. It's still trying to wrap up details from book one, while also trying to set the scene for book two. They never really stand on their own. This book accomplishes the two above goals, plus still manages to tell one hell of a story. I know that I am beginning to sound a bit repetitive, but I just have to say one more time how glad I am that I didn't walk away from book one, The Arrival. It's still a little early to say for certain, since I haven't read book three yet, but this is fast becoming one of my all-time favorite fantasy series.I also need to say that I feel like I was really harsh of my criticism of the multiple POV's in my review of book one. I will say that it still was really confusing for me to follow dialogue and who was thinking what all through The Arrival, but I'm either getting used to it, or the different formatting in book two made it WAY easier to keep up with the shifts. In fact, the changing POV's didn't bother me at all in Awakening. And yay for that, because I was so engrossed in the story that I would not have welcomed any distractions caused by confusion!This book made me laugh and made me cry! (The scene where Cat is searching for someone to look after Audi in preparation for leaving for the battle had tears running down my face). There are not many books out there that pull me in so far that I'm invested enough to do that. I love all four of the main character: Cat, Kassie, Loi and Sian. They are all so strong in their own ways, but yet each still shows real and honest vulnerability. And their relationships with their men are beautifully touching. Not to give too much away, but the ending of Awakening was so devastatingly sad, and so unexpected, but I knew something like that was more than likely going to happen. Everyone was just a little too happy, you know? Plus, I love the new little twist that MacDonald throws in by revealing that there is a snake on the home team that is only looking out for what they want - even if it means killing one of the good guys.I highly, highly, recommend that if you are a fan of Fantasy, Romance, or just a really good book that you pick up this trilogy. The Arrival is free everywhere, so hurry up and download it!