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.
