Review: A rich and complex paranormal/supernatural tale
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 13, 2013
*** This review is based on an ARC provide to me by the author. ***ADDED 21-Mar-2013:  Due to an issue raised in a review posted after mine, I checked the final version put up for sale (I snagged a copy during the recent freebie promo).  I normally don't refer to another review for any reason but appropriate content warning for certain books is of particular importance to me.  So I wanted to confirm whether or not the released version of AWAKENING differed so significantly from the ARC which I read/reviewed and if necessary, revise/update my review accordingly.There is *nothing* in AWAKENING to support any charge of an incestuous relationship, whether by the strictest or loosest definition.  But if I somehow missed a critical point or scene, please feel free to leave a comment with the relevant Location(s).As for whether certain actions by Celeste could be deemed 'slutty' or a 'betrayal' under the circumstances... well, I'll leave that for each reader to determine when reading the relevant part of the story.  I will only note that the concept of sex magic is not uncommon in paranormal stories, nor is it a recent plot device.  Heck, IIRC, Stephen King used a variation of sex magic eons ago in "It".____________________________________(★★★★)  I went through several re-writes of this review of AWAKENING because spoiler-ish stuff kept creeping in.  And as a general rule, I don't like to rehash the plot and possibly ruin another reader's experience. So, finally, in broad strokes...Having read two of Ms. Warneke's earlier works ("Stone Lover (Stone Passion #1)" and "Stone Romance (Stone Passion #2)"), I thought that I was prepared for her creativity.  But AWAKENING took me by surprise--in a good way.  The Prologue immediately piqued my curiosity and had real life not interfered, I probably would've read this book in one sitting.The story revolves around a very intriguing premise. The world-building is intricate (although, IMHO, certain aspects were a bit sketchy) and involves a mix of the paranormal and the supernatural/mystical.  In addition, there is a variety of otherworldly creatures, ranging from vamps-who-are-not-vamps to angels and demons and everything in between (including, of course, half-breeds).  PNR fans will be more than satisfied with the cast of characters, especially as many are not what they appear at first.The romance between Celeste and Adamanteros (or "Adam") kicks off very, VERY quickly by way of the insta-lust/connection often found in PNR.  But thankfully, Celeste has a bit of a backbone despite her youth and doesn't just drop to her knees and offer to be Adam's sex/blood slave after experiencing some scorching times with the seductive Apocritum.  The sex scenes, while erotic (and certainly plentiful), are not crass or overdone and are incorporated well into the storyline.  As comparison, I'd say that the heat level is comparable to some Berkley Heat or HQN Spice books.FYI re: POVs, just because I know readers disagree on this point...  There are multiple POVs presented in AWAKENING, although most of the story is from the POVs of Celeste and Adam.  Also, there is some back and forth "head-hopping" which caused me to pause every so often to confirm the POV switch/identity.But... the ending... Oh, how I hate when I get to the end and read anything remotely akin to a cliffhanger.  *sigh*  I can only hope that Ms. Warneke is busily typing away at this very moment.Given that I read an ARC, I won't address any specific technical issues.  Also, I *think* (and hope) that final proofing/editing had yet to be done.  However, irrespective of what I noticed, AWAKENING was engaging enough so that I could read past the errors and focus more on the storyline (which rarely happens).SIDE NOTE:  I realised after I finished AWAKENING that "Blight" seemed to be the preceding book due to overlapping characters and minor spoilers in AWAKENING of what must've occurred in "Blight".  However, when asked, the author responded that, while in the same universe, the books are not formally tied together as in a true series.  Not having read "Blight" yet, I did wonder about the mentions in AWAKENING of certain past events.  But that didn't impede my enjoyment of this book and I didn't feel too lost.  But of course, I must now read "Blight" as soon as possible. ^_^