June 17, 2015

Awake by Natasha Preston 4.5/5 stars

Hey, guys!  I just finished reading Awake by Natasha Preston.  I had completely forgotten why I wanted to read it and was pleasantly surprised.  I really enjoyed it!  The writing was a little flat at times, but it was still a really enjoyable read!

The Cover:
The Cover:
It's just super symbolic.  A rose trapped in barbed wire (or maybe thorns?), which is supposed to be Scarlett and her role in the cult.  She is a thing of beauty trapped by ugliness.  I'm not a fan of the cover, to be honest.  C cover.

Official Description: 
(Note: This description has spoilers, but I can't think of a better one that still gives you a feel for the book!)
Scarlett doesn’t remember anything before the age of four. Her parents say it’s from the trauma of seeing her house burn down, and she accepts the life they’ve created for her without question—until a car accident causes Scarlett to start remembering pieces of an unfamiliar past.
When a new guy moves into town, Scarlett feels an instant spark. But Noah knows the truth of Scarlett’s past, and he’s determined to shield her from it...because Scarlett grew up in a cult called Eternal Light, controlled by her biological parents.
And they want her back.

My Review:
I enjoyed Awake.  Its writing style was light and the plot was quick to move.  I started reading and couldn't stop.  The book switched between Noah and Scarlett's point of views, which was perfect for the story, allowed it to move, and stopped it from being bogged down.  They had such drastically different thoughts and actions that it made the book more enjoyable to see it from multiple angles.  
The characters were interesting.  Noah and Scarlett were both unique and Noah in particular went through a lot of character development as the book went forward.  I really liked these characters, but the side characters, which honestly had a really small role in the book, were much less developed.  They didn't need to be complex, so I didn't mind, but they didn't add to the reading experience. 
My complaint was mostly that every now and again, Noah would say something that just didn't sound very realistic.  Too romantic for anyone to be comfortable with, etc.  At one point, they go up to a random couple and his dialogue was just a touch too monotonous to be believe.  It didn't happen often, but it did detract from the story when it did happen.  (This might not be an issue anymore since I read an uncorrected proof, but it may be!)  Also, it had an epilogue, which I think ruins the end of a story.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and thought that it was definitely worth reading!  Alive comes out on August 4, 2015.  

Note:  I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an HONEST review.  

Happy Reading!

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