Lovin' los libros

Awakenings (Elemental series #1)
    by Hally Willmott

Publication Date: May 2013
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Genre: Paranormal
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by YABound in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 359 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars


                              
My Review:

Being the first book in a series, Hally does a lot of world building and really immerses us readers into Jacey's world. It is quite a bit of information to take in, especially towards the end as everything begins to be revealed. The pace is a bit on the slower side, as Willmott slowly brings us into the mystical aspect of the novel. I think she did a great job of setting us up for the next installment of the Elementals series. I love it when books give us just enough, but then leave us wanting more (without adding in a huge cliffhanger!)

Jacey is our main character, who at 16, has had some very strange dreams. Dreams that have caused her and her family to have to move on multiple occasions. Jacey, however, is unaware of these reasons. She can't help but feel that her family is keeping things from her.

Jacey was a pretty likeable protagonist, and I found myself really empathizing for her, as she is constantly kept in the dark for her own protection. I can imagine how frustrated she must feel that her brother, her parents, her aunt, and even her best friend always seem to know things she doesn't.

Hudson, her older brother, is very protective of her and while that would irritate me, it was actually very sweet. The two depend and lean on each other in times of need and I think it was important to set their relationship up that way.

Jen, Jacey's best friend, is loyal and while she is harboring a few secrets, she cares for Jacey and once the truth is revealed, she hates that she had to lie to her friend, even if it was for protection. She is able to accompany Jacey and Hudson to their new home in Nemele, after they are forced to move yet again to live their aunt.

Jacey and her brother Hudson's world is rocked to the core as they experience a horrific tragedy. This event causes a spiral of new events that will change their lives completely. They must depend on each other and will once again have to uproot their lives and begin anew. However, thanks to their aunt and close friend, Jen, they will not be alone. As Jacey continues to experience these strange dreams, she also begins to pick up on bits and pieces of conversation between the others that she doesn't understand and she sees things that she can't explain. Not to mention, a boy with clear blue eyes is also making an appearance in her dreams. A boy who makes her feel safe- and she is inexplicably drawn to.

Vincent, we later learn his name is, is able to communicate with Jacey through her dreams. He is her safe haven, if you will, and is able to calm her when she is afraid. This is a bit of insta-love, which I am not usually a fan of, but they do have an actual connection that we learn about towards the end, so it's not completely out of nowhere. When the two finally meet in person, he is kind and patient, and genuinely wants to help make Jacey's transition to a new place as easy as possible.

We are introduced to a few more key characters toward the end, that I'm sure we will see more of in the next novel.

Overall, this is a book that begins quite normally and then progresses into a mystical, magical read that takes us to new dimensions and introduces us to a world we never knew existed.

*I received an e-copy of this book from YA Bound and the author in return for an honest review*


About the Author:


Author for Limitless Publishing. Wife, mother and Police Officer:)