G. R. Thomas

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A great synopsis and a stunning cover had me drooling over Awaken by GR Thomas. Unfortunately, the reality was a bit more stark. There’s a good story there and solid characters, but the delivery leaves a lot to be desired. I think this might be Thomas’ first book and the nerves show.

There needed to be a better balance of show and tell. Unlike the faults I find with other books that simply tell, tell, tell, Thomas shows. She shows almost too much. Every minute detail is written about and shown. Whereas another story might make better use of the time to write a paragraph explaining how the protagonist spent a month training, Thomas instead actually chooses to stay with the protagonist that entire month showing the training every day (just an example). The stretch between action and inaction is too drawn out.

As I said though, the story is solid, as are the characters. The idea of an earth born angel sent to be the salvation of the watchers and nephilim is a good one. As is the backstory that starts the book off. Nik’ael is a great character and his angst should have propelled the story forward. Sophia’s innocence and desire to help/do good should have provided the conflict. Yet, the times I felt the push and pull was far and few between.

I’m sure plenty of people love this book and you might as well. Perhaps I’m simply being picky, and that could definitely be it. However, Awaken by GR Thomas simply did not engross me as it should have. The excessive day to day to day to day exposition of things that could have been summed up more succinctly brought me out of the struggle and conflict, leaving me wanting more.

// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. //
… (plus d'informations)

Instagrammer, G. R. Thomas is the author of this urban, dystopian fantasy. Awaken is about a young woman who finds out she's not just a gal in the world, but a woman with a people that need saving.

SOME PEOPLE AREN'T DESTINED TO BE ORDINARY. With a special gift held close to her heart, it was always going to be hard for Sophia Woodville to live an ordinary life. As a 20 year old nursing grad, she thought she had her future all sorted. However, destiny was about to intervene. Her secret was not so secret. The gift she possessed was just a hint of something far beyond her wildest imagination. Sophia will be pulled, kicking and screaming, into an unseen, ancient world that challenges all that she thought to be true of herself, her family and the origins of humanity. Original sin, forbidden love and her life in constant danger. Will Sophia survive this dark twist of fate? Will the devil be her saviour? Will an Angel be her downfall?
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This story is complex to follow, but we're talking about someone's destiny, right? I love female heroes because they're strong and even when faced with the worst in themselves, they can stand against it all. For me, the story was a bit fairytale-ish. Things happened a bit fast and in a way I thought stole from the focus, but it worked. After all, this is YA, right? That's how the world of young adults works!

I like the cover for the story, but while reading, I tend to look back at the cover for recognition and some relatability. This cover, though it looks gorgeous, I can't say I'd have grabbed it from the bookshelf. It doesn't tell the story, you know?

When it came to the story, in world creating, you have to be able to bring foreign information into a sort of relatability- especially when it comes to things like other-worldly land, water, trees, etc. I found it a tqad bit troublesome to see into Thomas' world because she briefly pushed past those differentiating details. Things that are the norm but off from this world were described, but not enough. I felt a little off during those parts, trying to see what she was seeing...

*http://bit.ly/AwakenNovel
**eBook published by Amazon Unlimited.… (plus d'informations)