Awaken 1. Light Dancing in the Dark

Reviews are, to all intents & purposes, communication devices through which readers of a specific tale can share - with authors and prospective readers alike - any number of important (or, as the case may be, unimportant) bits of wish-I'd-known-this<insert factoid of choice>-before-getting-sucked-into-this-albeit-very-pretty-abyss, #best!story!ever! information and other assorted, rarely objective but delicious nonetheles, miscellany. Some of which, occasionally and mostly for no particularly good reason, may even end up proving somewhat useful. Or not.

To that end, I have three (3) pieces of - naturally - Very Important information to share regarding this particular tale:

1) it's objectively very well written.

The first chapter sneezes a bit on takeoff but lemme tell ya, once the correct nose angle is achieved - which takes approx. 2 paragraphs btw - you'd better make sure seats are in the upright position, trays are properly secured & your balls well strapped in because g-forces are not your friend. And the acceleration doesn't stop until optimal cruising altitude - in another galaxy, mind - is reached.

2) it will make you feel All The Things.

See, storytelling is one of this particular writer's superpowers. Along with & amongst many others, writing (obvs), characterisation, naming conventions and ripping readers' hearts out of their chests. Those he gives back, a little worse for wear but whatever. Totally worth it.

3) this is just part one (1)!

Yup, after you're done reforming yourself into the better, stronger, wilder version of yourself that reading this epic tale will allow you access to, THERE'S MORE! Two more parts, by my last tally...

***A word or two (2) of caution though because not everybody is as bloody minded or, let's face it, bloodthirsty as I am:

1) the violence & gore warnings exist for good reason.

2) for a feels-entirely-too-long-but-is-actually-very-accurately-and-beautifully-well-judged part (read: most) of this tale, justice is a one-legged horse drowning in the desert. So if instant gratification is your jam, maybe consider allotting a (largish) block of time to read this - thankfully complete - first arc in its entirety. Or, you know, don't...

That all being said, if you're up for a rollicking good time with all sorts of skullduggery, mischief, intrigue, magical abilities up the wazoo, politics, truly shitty parenting, solid fashion & home decor advice (yeah, it's a feature) and dubious decisions aplenty while in the company of a stellar cast of unforgettable (no matter how much you try) characters who'll steal your heart and make you beg to get it back, then boy do I have a story for you!

***Disclaimer: you don't have to read this, obviously, and if you do, you don't have to like it. Just bear in mind that with choice comes responsibility, and with responsibility the urge to shirk it, don't do that. Don't be a shirker. Take this story by the horns and allow it to make you it's bi..baby. You won't regret it. And if you do, sorry, no takesiesbacksies.

Suspend disbelief like I did. Sleep and wake with these characters and discover the difference Majik can make. It’s not an easy life.

Epic read.

Turn to page one. The last page isn’t written…

I enjoyed the story.  The cast of characters are intriguing.  The plot thickens and you get further involved in the story.  More than once I found myself reading a 2am.

I very much liked this story and look forward to future volumes of the series. This story follows a younger rich kid that is a disappointment to his parents due to a perceived flaw in his abilities. As the story builds the characters develop into those we cheer for and those we curse and on occasion the characters may change groups. I recommend this story as it does an excellent job of building characters,  developing society norms both good and bad and adding both crisis and relief as needed to enhance the plot.  Give it a read and let the author know what you think!!!!