I got this book on May 29, 2016 and somehow never got around to reading it, but after reading Suspended I realized what a good author Sarah Noffke is. A well written, interesting read, with intriguing, well developed characters. ( )

An electrifying science fiction adventure told with great imagination. The lead character Roya is chosen to challenge and destroy Zhuang who is an evil trickster threatening the dream world and ultimately the universe. Roya discovers her inner strength and matures into a young woman of determination and emotional wholeness. An exceptionally good read.

I was given an electronic copy in return for an honest review. ( )

It was just life as usual for 16-year-old Roya Stark, but then a visitor in her dreams changed everything.

Now, she's discovered she's a Dream Traveler. And she's expected to help save the world from the villainous Zhuang—a man who causes nightmares, hallucinations, and sleepless nights for people around the world.

She knows he must be stopped, but she did not sign up for this. Sure, she could quit...but what if she—plain 'ol, nothing special Roya Stark—is the only one who can defeat him?

My review: Well, well, well. What do we have here? A YA Fantasy with a strong heroine with special powers, who's caught up in a prophecy AND a love triangle? Sign me up.

I realize some of you may have groaned just now. A prophecy? A love triangle? Come on, Ally... Yes, I know. You think the prophecy thing has been overdone and you're so sick of love triangles. Just...please. Save all questions for the end.

First of all, can I just say that I LOVE love triangles. No, really! They create tension, and conflict, and oh so many awkward moments. And awkward moments are the best.

Although, one of the things I liked about this book, was that the romance wasn't front and center. I loved the plot. I can't really tell you much about it(spoilers, ya know) but the whole time I was cheering for Roya and the other Lucidites to kick Zhuang's—ahem--I mean, to defeat the contemptible scoundrel.

Why don't I just make a list of the things I loved about this book? Okay, here goes. 1. The humor. I laughed out loud at some parts. 2. The writing. Listen to this: “Although I haven't lived long, I know to exist in a world feeling capable of moving mountains and only allowed to dig tiny holes is wrong.” 3. The dialogue. 4. The voice. 5. The characters.

I really enjoyed the characters. Each of the teens had their own special gift and it was fun to see them develop their abilities and their friendships. There was a twist with one of them that I didn't see coming!

There's only a few things I would change.

There could have been more descriptions of the surroundings. Ms. Noffke's characters are spot on, but I never really got a good sense of the environment.

That, and I'll admit, the whole 'foretold chosen one' thing was a little overdone. But none of these things lessened my enjoyment of the story. I can't wait for the next book!

Content: Minor language. Some kissing.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Scribbling Sprite
( )

ABR's original Awoken audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Have you ever wished to be able to travel in your sleep to different places in different times? If you did, then you will probably love this novel …

Roya Stark is a teenager who can travel in her sleep to anywhere she wants in the world and time period. She lives in a family that has cast her out and treats her as a stranger. She joins The Lucidites; an organization for dream travelers and is the line of defense against the most evil man on earth (brace yourselves ) Zhuang. As the chosen one, Roya has to battle him and save the human race from his evil doings.

For me this novel is very complicated to review.

The things I liked about this novel:

1. The settings are very well done in the organization(with all the technology) and the world outside.
2. The side-characters were mostly real, logical, and likable. They did support the plot and the protagonist, my favorites were: Ren (the mean British guy), and Trent (the funny guy).
3. The fast pace of the events; there were few non-important scenes in the novel, but generally it moved fast until the ending.
4. There were some hidden twists in it, but nothing too surprising; yet they made the novel more interesting.
5. The main idea of dream traveling and its laws was really likable and creative.

The things I disliked about this novel:

1. The style is old: “I’m a normal teenage girl, but I discovered I’m the CHOSEN ONE to save the world, shame it’s not one of the more skilled, knowledgeable adults.”
2. A whiney protagonist; Roya Stark is one extremely annoying girl; she is whiney, emotionally explosive, and an idiot. She says one thing and does another.
3. The plot was predictable; there was no suspense whatsoever, it was frustrating.
4. Parts of the plot were not logical. By this I mean there were some points that didn’t make any sense, leaving a lot of unanswered questions.
5. The instant love and love triangle, both occurring at the same time was a bit much. Involving the most annoying girl in the whole novel, and it gets worse when the swinging starts from one love interest to the other.

Elizabeth Klett did an excellent job in telling the events, focusing in volume more on the inner dynamic rather than the actions and battles outside, she imitated the protagonist inner voice perfectly, yet I found the reading kind of slow.

No problems with production, it was clear.

Audiobook provided for review by the author. ( )

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review :)

Summary:

Roya Stark never would have guessed that a bookworm outcast like herself would be thrown into a world of dream traveling, confusing teammates and the minor task of killing the creator of nightmares who has been terrorizing the world for centuries. As Roya gets thrown in the Institute with other Dream Travelers like herself, her perception of herself and the world begins to change. While enduring having the fate of the sanity of the world resting on her shoulders she also has to come to term with the facts that everything she knows isn't exactly what it seems.

Review:

Honestly, when I first started this book I was kind of confused. I felt like there was a book before it I should have read. Due to the fact that I was confused, I couldn't really get into the book. I kept reading little pieces and then going off and doing something else. Today I sat down and told myself I was going to finish it. After reading for about an hour, I was hooked. I'm not completely sure what trapped me, but it did. Noffke's writing was clear and I didn't notice any major grammar issues. I felt myself connected to the characters and rooting for different ones and experiencing their emotions. The book had some points that were fairly predictable because they're common in YA books, but other points had me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to come next. Needless to say, as soon as I finished Awoken I immediately checked to see if my library had the next book in the series, Stunned. ( )