The 'Naturals: Awakening [Episodes 1-4 -- Season 1]

The 'Naturals Season One: "Awakening" #1

by Robin Parrish, Melody Carlson (Co-Author), Aaron M. Patterson (Co-Author)

***This book is a Serial. Serials are stories published in episodes, with future episodes released every three weeks. This book contains four episodes out of an estimated twenty total episodes.***

The 'Naturals
Season One: "Awakening"

A small town full of secrets. A coming darkness. Teenagers with supernatural abilities. Think you know the story?

Think again.

As Summer ends, the students at Silverwood High are getting ready to go back to school and resume their normal, everyday lives. Too bad "normal" is no longer an option.

When these teens get their very first tastes of what destiny has in store, will they embrace that destiny... or flee from it? Will they be selfless... or ruthless? Will they master their abilities... or will their abilities master them?

This is their awakening, the first step of an epic journey. But it's only the beginning of something bigger than they could ever imagine.

Four teenagers. One town.

Four authors. One story.

The sleepy little town of Silverwood is about to wake up.

* * *

IN THESE EPISODES...

AVERY: Episode 1:
Soulful, artistic Avery is intrigued when Silverwood High's strapping, athletic newcomer takes an interest in her. So why is she convinced that there's more going on with this guy than a simple crush?
by Melody Carlson

MARSHALL: Episode 2:
Brilliant but nerdy Marshall is used to being the odd man out, the last one picked, and the bully's favorite target. But his luck may be changing when he discovers that he can do something that should be completely impossible.
by Robin Parrish

HAILEY: Episode 3:
Soccer prodigy Hailey wants desperately to hide every aspect of her home life -- and the anger and regrets that fill her heart. But she's about to discover that concealing her feelings isn't a possibility anymore.
by K.C. Neal

ISRAEL: Episode 4:
Homeschooler Israel is part of a dysfunctional family. They look normal on the outside, but it's a carefully constructed lie that's leaving plenty of scars. It doesn't help that he's having disturbing dreams and experiencing bizarre sensations.
by Aaron Patterson

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks

49 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2012

About the author

Infusions of Faith, a colorful, artful collection of Robin Parrish's finest nonfiction work, is available NOW exclusively at Barnes & Noble.

Robin Parrish is the author of more than a dozen novels across multiple genres, including Nightmare, Offworld, Vigilante, Corridor, the Dominion Trilogy, and his exciting new series The Riftwalkers. He lives in High Point, North Carolina with his wife and two teenagers.

Reviews

[Sophie's Reading Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a really short but interesting book. It was basically an intro of four stories. Four stories about four teenagers who live in Silverwood, a city that has known urban legends about a silver mineral running under their town. These teens suddenly realize that they evolve special abilities that cannot be explained.

I enjoyed this read, but I wish it wasn't just an intro of these characters. I wish it had a little more juice in each story or at least a last chapter, where all of them meet each other or something alike. I am impatient to read the rest of the series, because my curiosity has been officially piqued.

Copy was kindly provided by NetGalley.

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

Season 1 of The 'Naturals.

Some kids find out they have super powers. I think.

It's really hard to say anything really about these first four episodes. It's so short. It's four different main characters, written by four different authors. Which means that every story that I read, all these individual episodes are nothing more than set-ups for what I expect is going to happen in the rest of the 'season'.

Thing is though, because it's so short (and it's already a collection of FOUR episodes) I couldn't really make my mind up about it. Do I like it? How can I tell, it's too short for me to base my opinion on any reason really. The fact that all the storylines are written by different authors makes that I can't really say anything about the writing either.

It was not a bad start, but to soon to say whether or not I would like it. I would not sell or buy these four episodes without the rest because this alone will not make you feel like you've read something.

Awakening is the first season of The 'Naturals. The second season, Evolution, has just started.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew going into The 'Naturals that it was a very short read, but I expected more. We have four different stories focusing on four different people, and to me it felt like you are just getting to know the character, know their quirks and get a hint at what their gift is, leaving you wanting to find out what happens next for each of them, when their story ends and we meet someone new.

I did like the idea behind the 'gifts' they have, and I am curious over what they are and what they can do, I just felt like we weren't given enough time to connect with them. I know The 'Naturals is the start of a series, and that it is less than 50 pages long, I just wanted to know each character a bit better.

Final Verdict
The 'Naturals is an interesting read that has piqued my curiosity, but I wanted more information, more detail, and more time with the characters. I do want to know what happens next, and there is a finished 'season' available to buy which I intend to do on payday.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was free on ibooks, so I thought I would give it a try. It's just an introduction to 4 different characters, whom I assume will be developing powers from the silver legend in the town or whatever. I think it's an interesting concept, because each section is written by a different author. It would be interesting to read when their characters overlap, but I'm not sure I'm interested enough to by the other books in the series.

[Angel Lederhause · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure this was just a sneak peak considering it only has 4 'episodes' but they were written pretty good and I'd consider reading the rest or watching the show.

[pearl. · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received this copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*


First Thoughts

The Naturals: Episodes 1-4 of Season 1 reminded me a little of the TV show Heroes. Different characters with different supernatural powers-- it was very interesting! 4 different authors co-wrote the different chapters for each of the characters, and you'd think the writing styles would be drastically different and obvious, but no, the authors' writing meshed together very well! I also love that it was such a quick read! Only 49 pages!


What I Enjoyed

The different supernatural gifts each character had. I'll have to read the whole season, but from episodes 1-4, it seems that Avery can sense danger, Marshall has a knack for fixing things, Hailey is attuned to Mother Nature, and Israel has supernatural visions.

Israel's chapter. I felt really bad for him. His parents, especially his mother, seem like a special kind of crazy. His mother was angry at him for eating a Snickers bar so she put the wrapper and a fork on his dinner plate while she and the rest of the family enjoyed pizza. Crazy, right?


Recommended For

Fans of the supernatural and paranormal that are looking for a quick, but entertaining read!




Pearl @ AsteriskPearl's Book Blog

[onceuponatimeareview]

I want to say thanks to Netgalley though I didn't like this book it was very boring and bland too me. I got half way through it before I couldn't finish it. The slow pace combined with the writing style lead to confusion to me.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just don't think 'episode' and 'season' type books are for me. The story itself seems good but I just can't get invest in such a short amount of time sometimes.

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not very familiar with stories like these, ones that come out four chapters at a time every three weeks and categorize themselves as episodes and seasons like a tv show, but now that I know about it, I'm honestly kind of into it. Something strange is going on in Silverwood.

Check out my full review here!

https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpr...

[Lizzie the Book Hoarder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but not enough to keep me reading.

[Laurel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a book. Four stories, four authors, too random.

[Conny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but great, 5 stars for these 4 episodes. And there a lots more ...

[BH Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has a heroes TV show feel to it. Short, being only 4 chapters in this segment.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a collection of 4 different stories that I thought were connected, but they were separate from each other. I was a bit unhappy about that.

[Nelia Madeira · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I requested this book from NetGalley I thought was getting a lot more, but when I started reading I realized there were only 4 episodes and they were SOOO short. I was done reading this book in like 30 minutes? Yeah, probably. I got so mad, that when I was done reading it I didn't even feel like continue reading this series, maybe in the future as I did enjoy the stories but, come on only 4 Episodes?

Alright, I'm going to stop complaining and get to the review:

The Naturals is about a small town full of secrets, teenagers with supernatural abilities (did you watch Heroes? No, well you should, because it sounds just like, which that's what it got me interested in the first place). It's the end of the summer and the students at Silverwood High are getting ready to go back to school and resume their "normal" lives. Well, some of these teenagers get their first taste of what their destiny has in store for them but are they ready for it? Will they be selfless or ruthless?

Each episode is told by each teenager and by different authors.

Episode 1: Avery
Avery is intrigued when the new athletic newcomer takes an interest in her. But she is convinced that there is more going on with this guy than a simple crush.

Episode 2: Marshall
Marshall is a nerd and is used to is be the odd man out, the last one picked. But his luck is about to change when he discovers that he can do something that should be completely impossible.

Episode 3: Hailey
Hailey is a soccer prodigy and she hates her home life and tries to hide it every way possible, anger and regrets fills her heart, but concealing her feelings isn't something that she can do anymore and she finds that out the hard way.

Episode 4: Israel
Israel is homeschooled and part of a dysfunctional family, they may look normal but don't be fooled. Israel is having some disturbing dreams and experiencing bizarre sensations.

Israel may be my favorite, his ability is weird and cool at the same time. I love it. I may have to continue with these series in the future, now that I'm writing about it I want more of it again.

I gave 4 out of 5 stars, I did really enjoyed it.

[Jennifer Shiels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting. The readers get 4 episodes where we meet 4 different teenagers. 3 of the teenagers have lived in Silverwood for awhile where 1 has just moved there. Weird and strange things have started happening in Silverwood and there are a ton of new people and families moving into the town since a new corporation has built there. The first teenager we learn a little about is Avery. She gets these strong feelings or intuitions. Her mother calls it a sixth sense while her grandmother called it a second sight. She meets a teenager that moves to town due to the new company that was built. Something about him causes her sense to scream at her to get away from him. He's gorgeous and an athlete. Also, he jumps over a six foot fence. Next we are introduced to Marshall. He's an outsider and has been bullied for most of his life. But he has the ability to fix broken and damaged electronics and cars. Then we are introduced to Hailey. She's an overachiever and an athlete. Her home life is miserable but does her best to hide it from others. Her mother drinks too much and just seems seriously broken. She hides behind a perfect appearing exterior. But when her emotions can't be controlled or hidden, she has the ability to cause serious changes in the weather. She also meets a teenager that has just moved to their town. Finally we are introduced to Israel who
has just moved with his family to the town. He is part of what appears to be a happy and perfect family when his parents are just fakes and liars. He gets these dreams that are very strange.

Worth reading and I want to know more about these and the other teenagers that live in that town.

[Leonor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The concept of this book is quite interesting but it simply doesn’t work for me. Imagine a TV series where each episode is only, let’s say, 30 minutes long and you have to wait till the next episode for the story to develop. Yep, that seriously doesn’t work out for me… nope!

The problem with this book was exactly that. This contains four episodes with four different characters (and from four different authors) and you get a glimpse of the beginning of what could be a great paranormal series. You have four teenagers who, out of nowhere, begin to have these abilities they cannot explain. Cool, I like that! But the fact that this book is simply that, the beginning with no development whatsoever was what didn’t conquer me.

You don’t have enough information to even enjoy the characters, to have a relationship with them because, when you finally start to have a certain feeling towards them, you are suddenly thrown into a different one. And you don’t really grasp what is going on because each episode doesn’t give details as to why these teenagers have these powers.

If this book had a little bit more of a background story maybe I would have enjoyed it. But since it doesn’t, I don’t feel any connection to it.

Though I have to admit that the writing of each author was really good and rather attention-grabbing. The only problem was indeed the lack of development for the first book in a series of episodes.

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 2 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

A small town full of secrets. A coming darkness. Teenagers with supernatural abilities. Think you know the story?
Think again.
As Summer ends, the students at Silverwood High are getting ready to go back to school and resume their normal, everyday lives. Too bad "normal" is no longer an option.
When these teens get their very first tastes of what destiny has in store, will they embrace that destiny... or flee from it? Will they be selfless... or ruthless? Will they master their abilities... or will their abilities master them?
This is their awakening, the first step of an epic journey. But it's only the beginning of something bigger than they could ever imagine.
Four teenagers. One town.
Four authors. One story.
The sleepy little town of Silverwood is about to wake up.

Four very short stories by four very different authors.
Less than 50 pages in total.

This was an awkward read. Four characters were introduced in these stories. There didn't appear to be any connection between them (I realise this is only one part of the fuller story but it is very hard to get interested in seemingly random characters.) If I have read 50 pages of a novel and find no connection between characters or plotlines, then I am going to put the book down...

And that's what I have done. I won't be reading any more of this series.

And that's a shame as the premise sounded interesting - it just didn't deliver with this installment.


Paul
ARH

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I originally requested this title I didn’t realise that it was not a full novel but instead the first 4 episodes of a serial, so I was somewhat disappointed in the fact that it was so short. That being said, what a great beginning to what is sure to be a very successful serial! Each of the four episodes (chapters) is written by a different author (and in a different point of view) and introduces in each episode one of the main characters as well as some secondary characters.

Avery, Marshall, Hailey and Israel are all high school students preparing to go back to school at Silverwood High school. Although not described in great detail, the reader soon realises that these are not ordinary teenagers. Each one has a special ability, a special power that sets them apart from the other residents of their sleepy little town of Silverwood.

Even though the episodes are quite short and the level of development of the characters is not very deep, there was enough content to pique my interest and I found it quite entertaining. I’m looking forward to reading this when it is released as a complete serial.

Thank you to NetGalley and All Night Reads (StoneHouse Ink) for providing me an e-copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the episodes that continue this story are as great as these, I can see this whole series becoming a 5 star must read recommendation! I really enjoyed each episode and want to know what happens next. Incredible to think that each episode is written by a different author yet they fit together seamlessly. In each episode you are introduced to another student from Silverwood High school, each showing signs of some form of supernatural ability, each with a different background and none being previously aware of these awakening abilities.

I certainly didn’t expect this to be such a great read and it left me wanting to know more about why these students are developing their abilities, how they will interact and what is happening for them to need them! It takes less than an hour to read but is enthralling and draws the reader in, leaving you wanting to know more. I highly recommend this and hope I can read the future episodes! Even though it is targetted at Teens and Young Adults, I believe it will appeal to adults, too.

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this one from Netgalley, thank you!


This was fun! It reads just like a tv-series.

This book is made of four episodes; Avery, Marshall, Hailey and Israel.
I thoroughly enjoyed Israel's story. That was by far the best story, imo. It also revealed more of what's going on and what's gonna happen.
I did like all of the characters though. Okay, maybe not Marshall, he was kind of...weird. It's wasy to see that these characters will somehow bond later on in the serial.

As far as the storyline goes, this felt mostly just like an introduction to the characters, which makes it pretty hard to say anything about it.
I do think that it's weird that they're three new boys in town. I'm wondering whether two of them are the same, since they (or he?!) made two girls act up towards them. That being said, I think we're in for a pretty wild ride with this serial, and I will most definitely be continuing it.

[Olivia (Bookcomet) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually pretty good. Forget being a book series, this NEEDS to be a web series. That would be the most epic thing ever. Someone please tell me it's been made into a web series.

I was so surprised at how much I liked this book. I liked all four episodes and was actually disappointed each time that they ended.

I guess it's no impressive feat to say I read it all in one night. Less than an hour actually. But that might be something to do with the fact that it's only 49 pages. But it saved me from a reading slump. You know when you can just feel them coming on?

I would totally read the other episodes as well. I really need to investigate about getting hold of them.

I'm afraid this is a tiny review. I haven't really got much to say or to write about, apart from the fact that if you get the chance to read this, then by all means do.

Although I can't decide whether I liked episode 3 or 4 best (Hailey or Israel).

4/5 comets
Meteor shower. A great show.

[T.M.B.A. Corbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise of Four Authors four stories in episode format, so you know more is coming!
That being said I wish there was more to the little episode stories! They are fast enjoyable reads and the point of view from four different authors and characters I loved. I liked the world building and plot and I need more now. The story is about Four different characters in a small town and the mineral below the town gives them special abilities! I love this story line but again I want more! The four characters seem relatable and my favorite character is Marshall the brilliant nerd. I am disappointed cause I have to buy the next episodes but i have no money! I just wish there was more!! For more Book love and giveaways GO HERE!

[Raz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complete review available: The Naturals: Awakening

There wasn’t time for the author to fully embark on the plotline, but the few pages we had put in a fantastic standing for the future “episodes”. There was even enough intrigue to leave the reader hanging on and eager for the rest. Whilst I’m not personally sold on this book-released-in-several-chunks-but-not-a-series approach, what we have of Carlson’s work is stellar, and I just hope the rest lives up to expectations. Even though I read it months ago, the writing was so descriptive I can still picture one of the scenes as if I was truly there.

[Alyce Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

First things first, I need to say a huge thank you to All Night Reads for accepting my request to view this title on NetGalley, and to NetGalley for the service that they provide.

It's nearing the end of the year, so it's that time when I start to panic about completing all of my reading challenges - including the A-Z reading challenge, of which I hadn't completed 'N'. Hence the fact I scrolled back through my NetGalley acceptances and picked the book that interested me the most, one that I'd been highly anticipating.
There are four chapters (sorry, "episodes") in this collection, one for each character: Avery, Marshall, Hailey and Israel.

Read the rest of my review here!

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/RHSYI16F...

This is the first "Serial" book I've read and I liked it. My favorite "episode" would probably be Robin Parrish's or Aaron Patterson's - I really liked both of those. :)

One thing I didn't like was how in the third "episode" the "A" word was said, I didn't expect there to be a swear word in this book, so I was kind of surprised when I saw that.

Overall, I liked "The 'Naturals" and plan on reading the next episodes to the story very soon. :)

*I bought this eBook on Amazon. I was not required to write a review, but chose to. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a serial and I was disappointed; disappointed that it ended! I really want to get to the next set of episodes as it was surprisingly well written and even across the board considering it was more than one author under a single plot setting, so-to-speak. Though each chapter had its own protagonist, and in turn each character had their own voice, the writing as a whole felt like it all came from one, singular author, instead of four!

Aside from that I liked the humor and even the bit of mystery that has started to build up so far! Now, I just need to get my hands on the next set of episodes!!

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

Four very short stories, or 'episodes', setting the scene for something larger... none of the characters are connected - YET - but they're all in the same town, at the same school.


Avery - too short, I'm a little intrigued but overall it was too short to totally get me in.

Marshall - I liked this one a lot, cool super power! I want more.

Hailey - Couldn't get into it really.

Israel - dude, harsh parents not letting him have even one slice of pizza because he had a Snickers bar earlier! Favourite of the four.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about four teenagers who become aware of their supernatural abilities. The reader gets an introduction of each teenager. How will they affect the town they live in? Are they good or bad?

The book is a serial. It is my second time that I have read a serial. The authors did great writing the stories. I want to read the rest of it!

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. When it comes to reading, I just don’t think that seasons work for me. Since the chapters are so short, they allow you to get the slightest taste of an interesting story, but fail to truly hook the reader. Furthermore, since each chapter is written by a different author, there is a slight disconnect between writing styles. It’s not a huge deal since each author tackles a different character, but it’s present. If this was reworked into a cohesive novel, I think that it may actually be a decent story.