Awaken

By: B. T. Narro

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Desil has spent his life training, but a promise to his mother has kept him from using his abilities for anything worthwhile. Now all he does is help his mother manage her tavern as his father rests in a grave. Desil knows there's at least one other mage somewhere in this territory who can do what he can; they share a connection through their magic, although they've never met. He stays up nights wondering what they might be able to accomplish together.

When an opportunity to not only meet this mage but change the course of his future finally presents itself, Desil jumps at the chance. A great leader has disappeared, leaving clues that only Desil and this other mage can see. War is coming, and following the clues could mark Desil as a traitor, but he trained his whole life for something. If this isn't it, then what is? He might unearth a new power capable of ending war, or he might die trying. Either is better than doing nothing.

©2017 B. T. Narro (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Great Listen - Just What the Doctor Ordered!

I started listening to this during a 2 hours route canal and thankfully it was engaging and interesting enough to hold my attention - for the most part - through the root canal. By the end, I was hooked and listened to the rest eagerly.

The performance was good, but not exceptional, and the story and world was unique and interesting.

I'm looking forward to book 2.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

My First Return

Would you try another book from B. T. Narro and/or Simon Vance?

No. The picture of a main character should not be of a all situational controlling, self important, little prat, who has been made easily hate-able.

Has Awaken turned you off from other books in this genre?

Of course not. I am just afraid after purchasing 60 books that I am finally coming to the bottom of the barrel having listened to all most all of audibles Medieval feel / Fantasy type of books.

What aspect of Simon Vance’s performance would you have changed?

He was a pretty great reader. I had no issues with his voice.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment at nearly every turn.
Especially

(spoiler alert)

When the main dude meets his father who is not dead. Then saves his father and is like give me hugs dad then that's it. No emotion at all.Also another disappointment was the first time the two main characters have a connection more than friendship. They are both bruised bleeding and in pain but its all good because they are not tired and are both up after everyone else has fallen asleep and are about to have romance.Just no thought put into it

Any additional comments?

I would of kept the main character, but alter him completely. I tend to notice a inner struggle in many main characters across many books. This should be intriguing as it helps to draw the reader in to the characters personality. However, this characters inner conflict is how much of a prat he shouldn't be (controlling over any anything), but keeps being anyways through out the whole book.
There were times when the know it all character, who you start out sorta thinking is cool for the first 20 minutes then hating for the rest of the book, fails to notice something or acts snide when he is magically the only one who knows how to do something.

For example.
The ladder.

Yes the ladder. Oh how I imagine every reader begged for the situation where our 3 heroes are stumped on how to lower ones self onto a ladder leading into a hole. Where the main character was going to go first. Then is told he shouldn't because it isn't his deal, then is asked for help on how to get on the ladder. Then he asks to go first. Then the other character is like no ill go. Then asks again how they should move while on a ladder. Then finally musters the courage to climb on it leaving the last character (the fearless women warrior) outside because she is to afraid to get on the ladder, but then ends up coming down anyway because why not.

YES I KNOW. I purposefully made that confusing because guess what? That is how it is in the story!

Next as we see the BRAVE but CAUTIOUS heroes learn they must take a boat. Instead of following with the caution side of things. They take a SUPER DRUNKEN UNSAFE PIRATE WHO ESCAPED FROM THE WORST PRISON ON THE PLANET BUT LOVES KISSES FROM PRETTY WOMEN, over the obvious safer and cautious route of going to the elves for a boat.
Thank you book for blowing my mind. Right as I get to thinking I know the 2 girls they both go full on caution-less, fearless, and stupid teenagers on me.

The story is scrambled more than my morning eggs.

8 of 12 people found this review helpful

Boring and

Nothing happens and then the special ability is that one guy leaves a message in water, a note works just as well. the narrator sounds like he will fall asleep.

Greatness Awaits

l loved this book the characters just too good and the performance and plot was great

clean

clean language great story just a fantastic time listening it's worth taking some of the time out of your day to hear it.

Enjoyed it for the most part.

The last book I read from this author was a disappointment, but this book was surprisingly good. Characters make a story for me and the last book I read was one dimensional. This was a bit more, allowing the readers to see from the perspective of the other characters and not just the main. Also, in his books people don't seem to react as they would naturally do and at times I feel disconnected even if the story has an explanation as to why the character reacts the way they do. overall it was ok.

no real struggle or character development

the author could have killed off everyone and I wouldn't have really cared. did not explain magic system very well.

2 of 4 people found this review helpful

great Spin Off

way better than the prequel. It was cool to see that Mason wasn't all powerful just strong

2 of 6 people found this review helpful

What a drag

This is the least entertaining book in the genre I've had the misfortune of listening to. I couldn't even finish it.
Its just so bland.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Talk talk talk

Talk talk talking talking talking talking talk talking talking talking talking talk talk talking talking about you talk talking was talking talk talking about it was talking about it and talking

0 of 2 people found this review helpful

Magical stuff!

Compelling story with a unique magical system. Contains unexpected twists! Simon Vance is my favourite narrator and makes the words cone alive.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful