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Awakened
** Dive into the latest from the author of the 'Hidden Wizard' series —rated 4.4/5 stars from over 2,000 readers— and discover your next 5-star read. **
She didn't just study legends.
She became one.
Maya was the perfect student. Her life, all mapped out. That is, until she unleashed the BloodStorm.
Suddenly, magic from the myths she studied came roaring to life. Seven powerful bloodlines emerged, each granting extraordinary powers. But not without a steep price.
The cunning sage at the center of this chaos rules with an iron fist. By pitting bloodline against bloodline, he ensures that his reign remains unchallenged.
Teaming up with a gadget-loving bounty hunter, Maya finds herself navigating a perilous new world. She's become a target of the Master Sage, and for good Maya is the only other person with powers from all seven bloodlines.
Can she master these gifts in time to become a beacon of hope? Or will she crumble under the weight of her own doubt, falling prey to the Master Sage's dark schemes?
Her destiny is awakened.
You'll love this urban fantasy adventure because of its twists and turns, its strong character progression, and its unique modern world where magic is everywhere.
Get it now!
Awakened is Book 1 of The BloodStorm, a seven book Urban Fantasy Series.
Book 1: AwakenedBook 2: MasteredBook 3: HastenedBook 4: ThunderedBook 5: CharmedBook 6: ShapedBook 7: ???
She didn't just study legends.
She became one.
Maya was the perfect student. Her life, all mapped out. That is, until she unleashed the BloodStorm.
Suddenly, magic from the myths she studied came roaring to life. Seven powerful bloodlines emerged, each granting extraordinary powers. But not without a steep price.
The cunning sage at the center of this chaos rules with an iron fist. By pitting bloodline against bloodline, he ensures that his reign remains unchallenged.
Teaming up with a gadget-loving bounty hunter, Maya finds herself navigating a perilous new world. She's become a target of the Master Sage, and for good Maya is the only other person with powers from all seven bloodlines.
Can she master these gifts in time to become a beacon of hope? Or will she crumble under the weight of her own doubt, falling prey to the Master Sage's dark schemes?
Her destiny is awakened.
You'll love this urban fantasy adventure because of its twists and turns, its strong character progression, and its unique modern world where magic is everywhere.
Get it now!
Awakened is Book 1 of The BloodStorm, a seven book Urban Fantasy Series.
Book 1: AwakenedBook 2: MasteredBook 3: HastenedBook 4: ThunderedBook 5: CharmedBook 6: ShapedBook 7: ???
- GenresUrban Fantasy
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2023
33 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Vaughan W. Smith
21 books29 followersVaughan W. Smith is a fiction writer from Sydney, Australia, who explores big life questions through story. His favourite genres are Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction and Thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 17, 2023
This book had an interesting premise. Maya was a strong character who had to go through a lot. I loved that she kept going no matter what was thrown her way. The book however was a little confusing. It kept jumping from two different time periods and I had a little trouble keeping the characters from each time period straight. The idea of people having different bloodlines that give them special powers was an interesting one however I feel like Maya could have shown more of her powers. I did like the ending but it felt almost like I was reading two different books based on what was happening. I do think that this series has potential.
Thank you to BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 16, 2023
Rounding up from a 3.5 to a 4 star.
Our story shifts between 2019 and 2039. Maya wakes up after being frozen for 20 years into a world she doesn't recognize. Though she remembers being responsible for the BloodStorm, nothing could have prepared her for the state she finds the world in now.
A bounty hunter breaks into the facility she was kept in after receiving a tip. Maya, dressed as a researcher, is quickly revealed to have no resources, and no place to go. Anders offers to take her on as an assistant. Maya agrees, glad to have someone able to show her around while she gets her bearings.
A holder of all 7 bloodlines, the Grand Master Sage is not done with her yet. Maya is once again swept away from her home, forced to be part of an organization she doesn't understand. This time will be different. She has allies now, and she's not going to play by the same rules anymore. Maya's ready to take her fate into her own hands, and make her own choices.
The beginning can be very disorienting. Between Maya just waking up, and events from 2019 happening quickly, with very little information given, there's a lot happening with very little explanation. At first, I found myself frustrated by the storytelling. I wanted things to slow down, and for the world of the story to be developed more. However, we are very much in Maya's head. We notice what she notices, and we're given the same information she's given, so confusion is only natural.
As the story progressed, while it still had some pacing issues for me and I did still wish for a broader perspective, I got more absorbed in the story and world. My curiosity was definitely piqued, and I'm eager to learn more about the different bloodlines, and the powers behind the world now. As well as what will happen to Maya next! Looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to BookSirens, through which I received an advanced copy.
Our story shifts between 2019 and 2039. Maya wakes up after being frozen for 20 years into a world she doesn't recognize. Though she remembers being responsible for the BloodStorm, nothing could have prepared her for the state she finds the world in now.
A bounty hunter breaks into the facility she was kept in after receiving a tip. Maya, dressed as a researcher, is quickly revealed to have no resources, and no place to go. Anders offers to take her on as an assistant. Maya agrees, glad to have someone able to show her around while she gets her bearings.
A holder of all 7 bloodlines, the Grand Master Sage is not done with her yet. Maya is once again swept away from her home, forced to be part of an organization she doesn't understand. This time will be different. She has allies now, and she's not going to play by the same rules anymore. Maya's ready to take her fate into her own hands, and make her own choices.
The beginning can be very disorienting. Between Maya just waking up, and events from 2019 happening quickly, with very little information given, there's a lot happening with very little explanation. At first, I found myself frustrated by the storytelling. I wanted things to slow down, and for the world of the story to be developed more. However, we are very much in Maya's head. We notice what she notices, and we're given the same information she's given, so confusion is only natural.
As the story progressed, while it still had some pacing issues for me and I did still wish for a broader perspective, I got more absorbed in the story and world. My curiosity was definitely piqued, and I'm eager to learn more about the different bloodlines, and the powers behind the world now. As well as what will happen to Maya next! Looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to BookSirens, through which I received an advanced copy.
October 27, 2023
Maya has been a pawn in the games of the Master Sage who has long been manipulating bloodlines for his own purposes. Each line has special powers that the Master Sage hopes to control.
For the first half of the book, there are split timelines. I’m not sure why this structure was used, rather than a more linear approach because it led to a very disjointed feeling in a plot that was already a little rushed. There was a lot of “okay we’re here doing this, now we’re there doing that,’ usually with some reason, but it was not very smooth. There was some improvement in the last half, once the timelines merged. There were also some incongruences--in that in a scene where an announcer says that the six contestants have arrived (more than once), there are actually seven contestants. I kept having to look back to see if I had miscounted something.
Despite all of that, Maya is pretty charming as well as smart, determined, and brave. The magic system is interesting and different from the usual. The action is not lacking either. There is definitely potential in the writing and world building, and I will definitely try the next in the series to see where both go.
For the first half of the book, there are split timelines. I’m not sure why this structure was used, rather than a more linear approach because it led to a very disjointed feeling in a plot that was already a little rushed. There was a lot of “okay we’re here doing this, now we’re there doing that,’ usually with some reason, but it was not very smooth. There was some improvement in the last half, once the timelines merged. There were also some incongruences--in that in a scene where an announcer says that the six contestants have arrived (more than once), there are actually seven contestants. I kept having to look back to see if I had miscounted something.
Despite all of that, Maya is pretty charming as well as smart, determined, and brave. The magic system is interesting and different from the usual. The action is not lacking either. There is definitely potential in the writing and world building, and I will definitely try the next in the series to see where both go.
August 19, 2023
Awakened is book 1 in The Blood Storm Series by Vaughan W Smith. I felt that this story was a fantastic SiFi, fantasy, a mystery and a thriller all rolled into one exceptional book. Maya wakes up after 20 years in a lab and the story flys off of the page. Maya is rescued by a bounty hunter, Anders. I thought the characters were perfect for the story and I enjoyed how the author gave Maya's backstory by alternating chapters (1 chapter in the present and 1 20 years ago). Vaughan W Smith wrote an excellent story that leaves me wanting book 2, Mastered, now, but, I have to wait! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
October 13, 2023
Urban fantasy with a refreshingly different take on the fantastic part. It's not simply magic but tied to bloodlines. Really fun and nicely thought out.
I did find some of the early jumps between times a bit confusing. Also the timing later on is a bit unclear, it seems like the hero Maya is simply awesome at learning - and guessing, and figuring things out on the fly. It seems a bit too easy for me.
I did find some of the early jumps between times a bit confusing. Also the timing later on is a bit unclear, it seems like the hero Maya is simply awesome at learning - and guessing, and figuring things out on the fly. It seems a bit too easy for me.
September 30, 2023
Great read and adventurous
Fast paced and packed with excitement. Recommend to anyone who enjoys something that is just a bit unique and fun. You never know what will be happening next.
Fast paced and packed with excitement. Recommend to anyone who enjoys something that is just a bit unique and fun. You never know what will be happening next.
October 5, 2023
Vaughan W. Smith has provided us with a great start to a new series. The character work and story line were well written. I was hooked from start to finish and I can't wait to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 13, 2023
Seven types of magic to be learned and then applied to win against all. Well built world of magic. Purchased this item on October 1, 2023, from Amazon for free.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews