Awakened

By: A.E. Osworth

Narrated by: A.E. Osworth

A coven of trans witches battles an evil AI in the magical coming-of-middle-age romp about love, loss, drag shows, and late capitalism. ​

On a morning much like any other, 30-something queer Brooklynite Wilder makes a miraculous discovery: suddenly, as if by magic, they can understand every language in the world. Dazed and disconnected, Wilder is found and taken in by a small coven of trans witches who have all become Awakened with mystical powers of their own. Quibble, a handsome portal traveler, Artemis, the group’s caretaker and seer, and Mary Margaret, a smart-ass teen with telekinetic powers all work to make the cagey and suspicious Wilder feel at home, both within their group and with the knowledge that magic is, in fact, real.

Just as Wilder is finding their footing, a malicious AI threatens to dismantle the delicate balance of the coven and the world as they know it. The group scrambles to stay united as they question whether any consciousness—be it artificial, material, or magical—is too dangerous to exist.

Awakened is a hilarious, thought-provoking reflection on the ways that we are responsible for creating our own realities, a story of finding community, and a meditation on what it means to have a body.

Critic reviews

"Osworth offers a joyously queer urban fantasy about finding power, identity, and family at any age. Perfect for fans of Shaun Hamill’s The Dissonance or Annalee Newitz’s The Future of Another Timeline."—Library Journal, starred review

"To call Awakened the queer and trans answer to a certain fantasy series that shall not be named would be both a gross oversimplification and a disservice to the anarchic wonderland Osworth has conjured. It’s thrilling and riotous and magical af."—Electric Literature

“I'm almost tempted to say that the world is not ready for Awakened but hot damn this is the novel we need right the hell now. It's thrilling and riotous and enchanting, about the search for selfhood and finding out you're part of something much grander than yourself. To call this inventive tale the queer and trans answer to a certain fantasy series that shall not be named would be both a gross oversimplification and an absolute disservice to the anarchic wonderland Osworth has conjured.”—Michelle Hart, author of We Do What We Do in the Dark

“Pay attention! Awakened might change your life. This novel is at once a fantastical queer romp through magic and technology as well as a deep and unforgettable meditation on existence. As with the zany, caring, often hilarious coven of trans witches that populate this story, A.E. Osworth's new novel defies classification: their work is in a league of their own.”—Nick White, author of How to Survive a Summer and Sweet and Low

“The magic of A. E. Osworth’s writing is in their ability to be witty and hilariously irreverent, all while injecting their characters with the kind of charming earnestness that burrows into your soul. Awakened reminds us that even in our darkest hours, there is joy to be found if we just remain open to it. This is a wonderful, utterly un-put-down-able novel that I won’t soon forget.” —Denne Michele Norris, author of When the Harvest Comes

“What a generous, dazzling book! Osworth has made us a world of trans witchery, portals and orbs, spectral sex, mystery, wonder, and even conflict resolution models. Awakened lets us imagine ourselves into its coven to find the amazing things at its heart.”—Elissa Washuta, author of White Magic

“Awakened is an absolute delight and a perfect read for the present moment. A beautiful blend of hope and pragmatism, beauty and pain, this novel enchants by delivering well-wrought characters who live bravely in extraordinary circumstances. As I read, I wanted nothing more than to sit down at Cowboy Jaqueline’s bar, pick up a pint, and bask in conversations about magic and identity between members of a complicated found family. A joy from cover to cover.”—Gwen E. Kirby, author of Shit Cassandra Saw

Loved this queer magical world

The author is fantastic with unique characters and a plot that brings up big questions. I felt woven in to the story as a part of the motley band of queer witches

Loved from the Cover Onward

Amazing having the author read their own work! I feel like from the blurb alone you will know if you're going to love this book. For me, it was all love.