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The Geis #1
Awakening
Because some Celtic stories won’t be contained in myth . . .
A little magic has always run in sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery's family—at least that’s what she’s been told. McKayla’s eccentric Aunt Avril travels the world as a psychic for the FBI, and her mother can make amazing delicacies out of the most basic of ingredients. But McKayla doesn't think for a second that the magic is real—it’s just good storytelling. Besides, McKayla doesn’t need magic. She recently moved to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming, and already she has a best friend, a solo in her upcoming ballet recital—and the gorgeous guy in her physics class keeps looking her way.
When an unexpected fascination with Irish dance leads McKayla to seek instruction from the mute, crippled janitor at her high school, she learns that her family is not the only one with unexplained abilities.
After Aunt Avril comes to Star Valley in pursuit of a supernatural killer, people begin disappearing, and the lives of those McKayla holds most dear are threatened. When the janitor reveals that an ancient curse, known as a geis, has awakened deadly powers that defy explanation, McKayla is forced to come to terms with what is real and what is fantasy.
A thrilling debut novel based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy rife with magic, romance, and mystery.
A little magic has always run in sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery's family—at least that’s what she’s been told. McKayla’s eccentric Aunt Avril travels the world as a psychic for the FBI, and her mother can make amazing delicacies out of the most basic of ingredients. But McKayla doesn't think for a second that the magic is real—it’s just good storytelling. Besides, McKayla doesn’t need magic. She recently moved to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming, and already she has a best friend, a solo in her upcoming ballet recital—and the gorgeous guy in her physics class keeps looking her way.
When an unexpected fascination with Irish dance leads McKayla to seek instruction from the mute, crippled janitor at her high school, she learns that her family is not the only one with unexplained abilities.
After Aunt Avril comes to Star Valley in pursuit of a supernatural killer, people begin disappearing, and the lives of those McKayla holds most dear are threatened. When the janitor reveals that an ancient curse, known as a geis, has awakened deadly powers that defy explanation, McKayla is forced to come to terms with what is real and what is fantasy.
A thrilling debut novel based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy rife with magic, romance, and mystery.
325 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2013
16 people are currently reading
2004 people want to read
About the author
Christy Dorrity
6 books66 followersChristy Dorrity lives in the mountains with her husband, five children, and a cocker spaniel. She grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming, and is the author of The Geis series for young adults, and The Book Blogger’s Cookbooks. Christy is a world champion Irish dancer and when she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 4, 2016
http://kellisreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Christy Dorrity's Awakening is at least the third book/series that I have read that involves the Tuatha de Danaan. However, this book is completely different from all of the others!
This book, the debut story from Christy Dorrity, is a great story. I don't usually feature a lot of YA on my blog, because I do review quite a few books that are targeted to 18+, however I must say, I cannot wait for book two: Displaced.
McKayla is an average 16 year old girl, with a baby brother Benji and an eleven year old sister, Zoey. However things are not as they appear. Once Aunt Avril appears on the scene, average is the last word you would use to describe 'Kayla (as Zoey calls her).
There is so much that I want to tell you, but as my favorite character in Doctor Who says, "Spoilers!"
Christy Dorrity's Awakening is at least the third book/series that I have read that involves the Tuatha de Danaan. However, this book is completely different from all of the others!
This book, the debut story from Christy Dorrity, is a great story. I don't usually feature a lot of YA on my blog, because I do review quite a few books that are targeted to 18+, however I must say, I cannot wait for book two: Displaced.
McKayla is an average 16 year old girl, with a baby brother Benji and an eleven year old sister, Zoey. However things are not as they appear. Once Aunt Avril appears on the scene, average is the last word you would use to describe 'Kayla (as Zoey calls her).
There is so much that I want to tell you, but as my favorite character in Doctor Who says, "Spoilers!"
August 11, 2016
I have to be honest: as eager as I am to read books written by friends of friends, it always makes me a little nervous. Will it be any good? Will I have to force myself to finish? Will I have to find something nice to say about it so my friend doesn’t feel bad for asking me to read it?
I was so thrilled (and relieved) to have that concern thrown right out the window, just a couple of chapters into Awakening by Christy Dorrity.
...Read more of this review at fefferbooks.com.
I was so thrilled (and relieved) to have that concern thrown right out the window, just a couple of chapters into Awakening by Christy Dorrity.
...Read more of this review at fefferbooks.com.
September 30, 2013
This book has a little something of everything: romance, fantasy, suspense, and a fresh plot that kept me turning pages. I love reading books in the season they are set in, so this was the perfect kickoff Fall read.
The characters are loveable and unique. I would have enjoyed a bit more romance, but the romance that was included was very well written and satisfying. This book is appropriate for middle grade through adult. I really enjoyed living in this magical world for a while and can't wait for the sequel!
The characters are loveable and unique. I would have enjoyed a bit more romance, but the romance that was included was very well written and satisfying. This book is appropriate for middle grade through adult. I really enjoyed living in this magical world for a while and can't wait for the sequel!
December 26, 2013
What a fantastic new spin on paranormal YA!
Read full review in the 2013 Dec/Jan Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2013 Dec/Jan Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
November 9, 2013
I hope you love it!
September 28, 2013
Take one dancer who dances with emotion (literally), a mute janitor from a world of music, a lizard who is invisible (unless he lets you see him), a kooky aunt who hears voices and sees things that aren't there (except they are), a mother with magical cooking who doesn't approve of magic, a really, really angry blonde with a voice to die for, and a centuries old curse and you're still not close to having all the interesting elements that make up this book. One thing is for certain: you can definitely feel the author's love and passion for Irish dance.
I was drawn into the storytelling as I tried to figure out what was going on in this book. And there's a lot. We have several story lines vying for center stage that at times I felt like instead of going on side trips off the main path, I was jumping on highway to highway. With that said, each story line was entertaining in its own, but put together, it seemed a bit too much, and I had a hard time figuring out which was the main story.
The first person narrator for the majority of the story is McKayla, a normal high school dancer with the usual teenage problems of unrequited love and jealousies. However, when she gets an obsession about competing in Irish dance, enter story line one. If you love dance, you will love the author's description of the dance. It's not all about dance moves; the emphasis is on the emotion. She also has a romance story line, which I wasn't too big of a fan at the start and thought the first half of that line could have been cut out. There's also a thriller/murder mystery involving her aunt that I really liked. You could definitely feel the tension and mystery in this line.
The book also takes the perspective of Rourke as a third person narrator for his story line. It was weird having two different POV styles, as if the author couldn't decide which she preferred and included both. Personally, I enjoyed the third person storytelling better and felt like I could get drawn into the story more if she went third person for McKayla, too. Plus, I enjoyed his story more and wish his story could have occupied more of the book or been a separate novelette on its own rather than paring with the already many story lines going on with McKayla. This story line is really for those that love fantasy and other worlds. Aside from the big lines, there are many smaller plot lines and eventually all of these lines converge later in the book where then some earlier characters that I thought would play a larger role played a lesser role.
So, there's definitely a little something for everyone who will read this story. If you like dance, romance, thriller, supernatural, or mystery, then you'll most likely enjoy some if not all of this story. I really enjoyed the mythology and wish there could have been more on that and less about dance, but since this is the first book in a series, I'm sure we will get to enjoy more of the author's world-building in later books.
As I said, this is the first book in a series, and I should note that there is a cliffhanger ending for one of the secondary characters. However, I felt satisfied with the resolution of book one and could happily consider it as standalone with a strong enticement to continue the story with book two. Overall, this was a 4 out of 5 for me.
(Originally posted on my blog; I received an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
I was drawn into the storytelling as I tried to figure out what was going on in this book. And there's a lot. We have several story lines vying for center stage that at times I felt like instead of going on side trips off the main path, I was jumping on highway to highway. With that said, each story line was entertaining in its own, but put together, it seemed a bit too much, and I had a hard time figuring out which was the main story.
The first person narrator for the majority of the story is McKayla, a normal high school dancer with the usual teenage problems of unrequited love and jealousies. However, when she gets an obsession about competing in Irish dance, enter story line one. If you love dance, you will love the author's description of the dance. It's not all about dance moves; the emphasis is on the emotion. She also has a romance story line, which I wasn't too big of a fan at the start and thought the first half of that line could have been cut out. There's also a thriller/murder mystery involving her aunt that I really liked. You could definitely feel the tension and mystery in this line.
The book also takes the perspective of Rourke as a third person narrator for his story line. It was weird having two different POV styles, as if the author couldn't decide which she preferred and included both. Personally, I enjoyed the third person storytelling better and felt like I could get drawn into the story more if she went third person for McKayla, too. Plus, I enjoyed his story more and wish his story could have occupied more of the book or been a separate novelette on its own rather than paring with the already many story lines going on with McKayla. This story line is really for those that love fantasy and other worlds. Aside from the big lines, there are many smaller plot lines and eventually all of these lines converge later in the book where then some earlier characters that I thought would play a larger role played a lesser role.
So, there's definitely a little something for everyone who will read this story. If you like dance, romance, thriller, supernatural, or mystery, then you'll most likely enjoy some if not all of this story. I really enjoyed the mythology and wish there could have been more on that and less about dance, but since this is the first book in a series, I'm sure we will get to enjoy more of the author's world-building in later books.
As I said, this is the first book in a series, and I should note that there is a cliffhanger ending for one of the secondary characters. However, I felt satisfied with the resolution of book one and could happily consider it as standalone with a strong enticement to continue the story with book two. Overall, this was a 4 out of 5 for me.
(Originally posted on my blog; I received an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
March 1, 2026
Actual Rating: 2.5
MY THOUGHTS
This was an ebook freebie I downloaded quite a few years ago. This was an okay read, but I don't feel strongly about it.
McKayla is a ballet dancer and spends most of her time dancing. When her eccentric aunt, who works as a physic for the FBI, comes to town chasing after an odd pattern of murders, McKayla figures it has nothing to do with her. Instead, McKayla starts to take an interest in Irish dancing, after seeing her school janitor dance. But when a woman involved in her aunt's case starts to take a strange interest in McKayla's sister, and McKayla starts displaying physic abilities, she realizes that there is more going on.
I have a thing that I do with ebook freebies (that have been sitting on my ereader for many years) where I read the first couple chapters and decide whether to continue. This book passed this test because the first couple chapter brought up enough intriguing elements, but halfway through, the story lost its steam and I had trouble continuing. It wasn't bad, I was just disinterested.
I am going to start with positives though. What made me want to read this book was its inclusion of Celtic mythology. While it took a while for some of the more fantastical elements, they were interesting and certainly new. I also liked how the book portrayed McKayla's interest in dance. This took up a big portion of the book, but so many other books I've read don't bother showing an MC's hobbies, so I liked how this one did. I also liked the MC's abilities, though I can't go too much into detail about that because of spoilers.
What I had difficulty with this book was mainly the pacing. Most of this book felt like a contemporary book with light paranormal elements. Whenever the fantasy elements come in, it felt out of place. Mostly because it takes a long time for the Celtic mythology to really show up, not just in hints, and when it does we sometimes got info-dumping. There are also a lot of filler scenes. All of these did not make me dislike the book, but it made it difficult to continue because it made things slow.
The characters were fine. I didn't fully feel connected to them or their interactions, but McKayla is a decent MC. Like I said, I liked that the book showed her hobbies and I liked how her physic abilities were portrayed. The only character I had trouble with was her little sister, who was supposed to be eleven but talked and acted like a 6-year-old.
There is romance in this book, but it was a small part of the story. I actually thought it was kind of sweet even though it frustrated me how long it took McKayla to realize that this guy liked her.
As for the ending, a lot of the story is tied up, but it does end in a cliffhanger that is meant to tie into the next book. Since the next book never came out (it was supposed to come out in 2014), I did feel like I wasted my time when I got to the end of the book.
IN CONCLUSION
Overall, I am really meh about this book. I think it had some interesting ideas, but the pacing was so odd. I wish I had stronger feelings for this book, but I just don't. I highly doubt I'll remember it a few months from now and if the author ever publishes the sequel, I don't plan on reading it.
MY THOUGHTS
This was an ebook freebie I downloaded quite a few years ago. This was an okay read, but I don't feel strongly about it.
McKayla is a ballet dancer and spends most of her time dancing. When her eccentric aunt, who works as a physic for the FBI, comes to town chasing after an odd pattern of murders, McKayla figures it has nothing to do with her. Instead, McKayla starts to take an interest in Irish dancing, after seeing her school janitor dance. But when a woman involved in her aunt's case starts to take a strange interest in McKayla's sister, and McKayla starts displaying physic abilities, she realizes that there is more going on.
I have a thing that I do with ebook freebies (that have been sitting on my ereader for many years) where I read the first couple chapters and decide whether to continue. This book passed this test because the first couple chapter brought up enough intriguing elements, but halfway through, the story lost its steam and I had trouble continuing. It wasn't bad, I was just disinterested.
I am going to start with positives though. What made me want to read this book was its inclusion of Celtic mythology. While it took a while for some of the more fantastical elements, they were interesting and certainly new. I also liked how the book portrayed McKayla's interest in dance. This took up a big portion of the book, but so many other books I've read don't bother showing an MC's hobbies, so I liked how this one did. I also liked the MC's abilities, though I can't go too much into detail about that because of spoilers.
What I had difficulty with this book was mainly the pacing. Most of this book felt like a contemporary book with light paranormal elements. Whenever the fantasy elements come in, it felt out of place. Mostly because it takes a long time for the Celtic mythology to really show up, not just in hints, and when it does we sometimes got info-dumping. There are also a lot of filler scenes. All of these did not make me dislike the book, but it made it difficult to continue because it made things slow.
The characters were fine. I didn't fully feel connected to them or their interactions, but McKayla is a decent MC. Like I said, I liked that the book showed her hobbies and I liked how her physic abilities were portrayed. The only character I had trouble with was her little sister, who was supposed to be eleven but talked and acted like a 6-year-old.
There is romance in this book, but it was a small part of the story. I actually thought it was kind of sweet even though it frustrated me how long it took McKayla to realize that this guy liked her.
As for the ending, a lot of the story is tied up, but it does end in a cliffhanger that is meant to tie into the next book. Since the next book never came out (it was supposed to come out in 2014), I did feel like I wasted my time when I got to the end of the book.
IN CONCLUSION
Overall, I am really meh about this book. I think it had some interesting ideas, but the pacing was so odd. I wish I had stronger feelings for this book, but I just don't. I highly doubt I'll remember it a few months from now and if the author ever publishes the sequel, I don't plan on reading it.
January 26, 2015
McKayla's aunt Avril has always been a little odd. She travels the world as a psychic for the FBI, to the chagrin of McKayla's mother, who doesn't like it when she talks magic with her daughters. Now, Avril is visiting Sun Valley in small town Idaho where McKayla and her family live in order to investigate a serial killer who--it appears--posses her victims. McKayla goes with her aunt during a case to interview the widow of a murder victim. There she discovers that maybe Aunt Avril's psychic abilities are magic and run in the family because McKayla can feel the window's emotions--she's empathic.
But that's not even the strangest thing, because despite outward tears the widow's inside emotions are not what McKayla expects a widow to be experiencing: she's not sad, she's angry.
AWAKENING is author Christy Dorriy's debut novel, and it's a cute read a lot of teenage girls will enjoy; parents will like that it's clean with no profanity or sex. McKayla is your typical teenage girl who's crushing on the cute boy at school, loves to dance ballet, and mostly gets along with her family (when they're not being weird). She goes to school, has a best friend, and helps her mom out with her baking business. But at her most recent ballet recital, she discovers a concurrent recital in another auditorium for Irish dance and suddenly McKayla is hooked.
The problem is finding a teacher that doesn't mean having to drive clear to Jackson Hole. By accident, McKayla discovers that the janitor at her school, Rourke, dances Irish and she convinces him to teach her. The only problem? Rourke is mute and a little grouchy about being bothered. But his passion for dance is clear, and McKayla is determined.
The story is easy to read, the prose clear and precise. Forward movements is also clear, even if plot threads drop suddenly only to be picked up later when it's convenient. The story is less about the mystery behind Avril's investigation and more about McKayla's magic and the relationships with the people around her. I was a little frustrated with contrivances in the romantic relationships in an attempt to create tension - these behaviors/problems were and felt forced. We learn about Rourke, and while he's an important character who directly influences the storyline, he wasn't the main PoV narrator, so his story felt shallow and incomplete. Another important element of the book was the magic, how it's inherited, how it manifests differently between people, and how it works. It's nothing groundbreaking, but still was an integral part of the story, and despite a few minor inconsistencies, was a nice addition to the story.
The potential events at the end of the book were broadcast early on, making the climax too predictable, even though Dorrity attempted to shake things up a little with "unexpected" changes. The story wraps up cleanly, but hints at sequels. Worth checking out for your teenage girls, especially since it's free on Kindle.
Recommended Age: 12+
Language: None
Violence: Minor, and nothing bloody
Sex: Teenage hormones and kissing
***Find this and other reviews at Elitist Book Reviews.***
But that's not even the strangest thing, because despite outward tears the widow's inside emotions are not what McKayla expects a widow to be experiencing: she's not sad, she's angry.
AWAKENING is author Christy Dorriy's debut novel, and it's a cute read a lot of teenage girls will enjoy; parents will like that it's clean with no profanity or sex. McKayla is your typical teenage girl who's crushing on the cute boy at school, loves to dance ballet, and mostly gets along with her family (when they're not being weird). She goes to school, has a best friend, and helps her mom out with her baking business. But at her most recent ballet recital, she discovers a concurrent recital in another auditorium for Irish dance and suddenly McKayla is hooked.
The problem is finding a teacher that doesn't mean having to drive clear to Jackson Hole. By accident, McKayla discovers that the janitor at her school, Rourke, dances Irish and she convinces him to teach her. The only problem? Rourke is mute and a little grouchy about being bothered. But his passion for dance is clear, and McKayla is determined.
The story is easy to read, the prose clear and precise. Forward movements is also clear, even if plot threads drop suddenly only to be picked up later when it's convenient. The story is less about the mystery behind Avril's investigation and more about McKayla's magic and the relationships with the people around her. I was a little frustrated with contrivances in the romantic relationships in an attempt to create tension - these behaviors/problems were and felt forced. We learn about Rourke, and while he's an important character who directly influences the storyline, he wasn't the main PoV narrator, so his story felt shallow and incomplete. Another important element of the book was the magic, how it's inherited, how it manifests differently between people, and how it works. It's nothing groundbreaking, but still was an integral part of the story, and despite a few minor inconsistencies, was a nice addition to the story.
The potential events at the end of the book were broadcast early on, making the climax too predictable, even though Dorrity attempted to shake things up a little with "unexpected" changes. The story wraps up cleanly, but hints at sequels. Worth checking out for your teenage girls, especially since it's free on Kindle.
Recommended Age: 12+
Language: None
Violence: Minor, and nothing bloody
Sex: Teenage hormones and kissing
***Find this and other reviews at Elitist Book Reviews.***
October 20, 2013
3.5 stars
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
This story had a very interesting premise, mixing magic, Irish dance, an alternate universe, and a curse unlike any other in order to set the stage for the events that unfold within Awakening. McKayla is a great female lead, with a kick-butt mentality and faithful heart, she wraps readers around her finger from the get go, making them fall in love with her almost immediately. I really enjoyed her and, though experiencing many hardships, I loved that she kept her head up and stayed positive, which is extremely difficult in the face of adversity. Her slow acceptance of magic also gave her a more realistic feel as she didn’t jump on board with her Aunt Avril right away, and she questioned information put before her without blind acceptance. While I tend to really like blind acceptance in my fictional worlds, I also understand that it isn’t realistic, and so I believe Dorrity did a fantastic job bring McKayla to life.
The portion of the novel dedicated to dance, as it were, was a bit above me as I’m not a dancer and I have no ambition or care for anything dance related. But in truth, it is a very unique and interesting way to bring about the truth behind the mute janitor’s world, and I applaud Dorrity for presenting dance in this way, as I’d never have thought of it myself.
I think of all the characters, Aunt Avril and her eccentric ways, as well as the magical lizard, were my favorite. They were just so different and added a different feel to the entire novel, which fantasy lovers will no doubt highly enjoy as they’re completely different from any characters I’ve read about in my books.
Celtic mythology is also something I know little about, and this is the first book I’ve read that actually touches on the topic, as far as I can remember. It has actually really stirred my curiosity and now I’d love to do a little more research, and read more novels on the subject, as I feel it’s one not very many authors attempt. Overall, this was a completely unique novel (with an AMAZING cover) and I highly suggest magical lovers scoop it up. I am looking forward to more from Dorrity, though perhaps a little less dance on my end.
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
This story had a very interesting premise, mixing magic, Irish dance, an alternate universe, and a curse unlike any other in order to set the stage for the events that unfold within Awakening. McKayla is a great female lead, with a kick-butt mentality and faithful heart, she wraps readers around her finger from the get go, making them fall in love with her almost immediately. I really enjoyed her and, though experiencing many hardships, I loved that she kept her head up and stayed positive, which is extremely difficult in the face of adversity. Her slow acceptance of magic also gave her a more realistic feel as she didn’t jump on board with her Aunt Avril right away, and she questioned information put before her without blind acceptance. While I tend to really like blind acceptance in my fictional worlds, I also understand that it isn’t realistic, and so I believe Dorrity did a fantastic job bring McKayla to life.
The portion of the novel dedicated to dance, as it were, was a bit above me as I’m not a dancer and I have no ambition or care for anything dance related. But in truth, it is a very unique and interesting way to bring about the truth behind the mute janitor’s world, and I applaud Dorrity for presenting dance in this way, as I’d never have thought of it myself.
I think of all the characters, Aunt Avril and her eccentric ways, as well as the magical lizard, were my favorite. They were just so different and added a different feel to the entire novel, which fantasy lovers will no doubt highly enjoy as they’re completely different from any characters I’ve read about in my books.
Celtic mythology is also something I know little about, and this is the first book I’ve read that actually touches on the topic, as far as I can remember. It has actually really stirred my curiosity and now I’d love to do a little more research, and read more novels on the subject, as I feel it’s one not very many authors attempt. Overall, this was a completely unique novel (with an AMAZING cover) and I highly suggest magical lovers scoop it up. I am looking forward to more from Dorrity, though perhaps a little less dance on my end.
August 18, 2013
I really enjoyed this one. The author used Irish dancing as a doorway into the broader world of Celtic mythology, which I loved. She also obviously knew her setting very well.
The quirky Aunt Avril made me happy. I love characters that are quirky without being over-the-top. I also love the scene where McKayla first sees the janitor dance. Actually, all the descriptions of dancing were fantastic, and I could really relate to McKayla, who was pulled to Irish dance even though her background was in ballet. My training is almost all in Ballroom, but I've always been drawn to the energy of Irish dance, and I'm just waiting for the day when I have the chance to finally try it.
I thought McKayla was a very believable teenager. The things she noticed, the way she acted, and the way she sometimes just didn't quite catch on to the subtleties of relationships with people around her, even when her magic abilities started giving her clues about that. I'm glad she didn't start suddenly knowing everything, because that, for me, would have taken away some of the very real struggles of being a teenager. I did appreciate, however, that it was all handled without excess drama--I can't handle books that get too 'teen angsty' on me.
I would have liked a little more from the villain; I didn't feel like I got much insight into her personality, so it was kind of hard for me to understand/sympathize with why she did things the way she did. From the way it ended, though, I think the next book will probably get more into that, and since the heroes were developed more in this book, maybe the focus will be more on developing the villains in the next installment.
Speaking of next installments, I liked the way this one wrapped up the current conflict, but still made me excited for the next book. I have a real problem with books that drop off with too much unresolved, but it's a fine line to walk, because you want readers to want the next book. And in this case, I did. Do. How long do I have to wait? I'll be keeping an eye out for it.
The quirky Aunt Avril made me happy. I love characters that are quirky without being over-the-top. I also love the scene where McKayla first sees the janitor dance. Actually, all the descriptions of dancing were fantastic, and I could really relate to McKayla, who was pulled to Irish dance even though her background was in ballet. My training is almost all in Ballroom, but I've always been drawn to the energy of Irish dance, and I'm just waiting for the day when I have the chance to finally try it.
I thought McKayla was a very believable teenager. The things she noticed, the way she acted, and the way she sometimes just didn't quite catch on to the subtleties of relationships with people around her, even when her magic abilities started giving her clues about that. I'm glad she didn't start suddenly knowing everything, because that, for me, would have taken away some of the very real struggles of being a teenager. I did appreciate, however, that it was all handled without excess drama--I can't handle books that get too 'teen angsty' on me.
I would have liked a little more from the villain; I didn't feel like I got much insight into her personality, so it was kind of hard for me to understand/sympathize with why she did things the way she did. From the way it ended, though, I think the next book will probably get more into that, and since the heroes were developed more in this book, maybe the focus will be more on developing the villains in the next installment.
Speaking of next installments, I liked the way this one wrapped up the current conflict, but still made me excited for the next book. I have a real problem with books that drop off with too much unresolved, but it's a fine line to walk, because you want readers to want the next book. And in this case, I did. Do. How long do I have to wait? I'll be keeping an eye out for it.
September 12, 2013
I enjoyed this book, but for me, it seems more appealing to a teen or middle school reader. I read a lot of YA, and felt this did not reach me as an adult. That is not a criticism, as this is the intended audience. I would have adored this book when I was younger.
I really liked that MacKayla is a strong young woman, but felt like a real teenager. The interactions between the characters felt genuine.
My favorite was the description of the dance scenes. I do not think I have ever read about dance in a way that was as good as watching it or doing it. They are really that good, and I will go back to those passages.
As true as the real life elements read, the elements of fantasy felt a little contrived and strained. People did not interact with the fantastical as you would expect -- wait, Leah was not surprised at seeing a lizard in her studio? The story also was a little muddled...I am not sure that I have come away with a clear understanding of how this world works. Weakest was Cliona. I did not follow at all the sea witch story. I think the back story did not always come through -- when we were with the characters in the present, the author's voice was much stronger. I think I would have preferred the story to NOT have had the fantasy elements.
The Aunt was a great, well developed character. Parents were a backdrop, not developed at all and seemed a little neglectful. Rourke was also great.
MacKayla's power is very unique, and it will be interesting to see how it can be something powerful. It was interesting to see a teenager gain insight into herself and others when without her gift, that may have taken years. And I liked that the bully of the tale was not just that, but had other sides.
All in all, this was different, creative, and an author to keep an eye on. I think her stuff is just going to get better and better!
I really liked that MacKayla is a strong young woman, but felt like a real teenager. The interactions between the characters felt genuine.
My favorite was the description of the dance scenes. I do not think I have ever read about dance in a way that was as good as watching it or doing it. They are really that good, and I will go back to those passages.
As true as the real life elements read, the elements of fantasy felt a little contrived and strained. People did not interact with the fantastical as you would expect -- wait, Leah was not surprised at seeing a lizard in her studio? The story also was a little muddled...I am not sure that I have come away with a clear understanding of how this world works. Weakest was Cliona. I did not follow at all the sea witch story. I think the back story did not always come through -- when we were with the characters in the present, the author's voice was much stronger. I think I would have preferred the story to NOT have had the fantasy elements.
The Aunt was a great, well developed character. Parents were a backdrop, not developed at all and seemed a little neglectful. Rourke was also great.
MacKayla's power is very unique, and it will be interesting to see how it can be something powerful. It was interesting to see a teenager gain insight into herself and others when without her gift, that may have taken years. And I liked that the bully of the tale was not just that, but had other sides.
All in all, this was different, creative, and an author to keep an eye on. I think her stuff is just going to get better and better!
October 4, 2013
First off, I just loved the cover the first time I looked at it. It truly grabs your attention! Christy’s husband designed it and he did a fabulous job.
Awakening has a fantastic lead character in McKayla. She is a very bright and bold character. Her love of dance in this novel is almost contagious. Her feelings were written so clearly that you experienced everything with her. I wanted so much for things to work out for her as she was going through so many hard things.
The most outstanding character would have to be crazy Aunt Avril. I loved her! She was everything that McKayla needed in her life right now. She is one of the most colorful characters I have read in a long time! I also thought the mysterious and sometimes strange janitor, was a wonderful addition to this book.
One thing I loved about this book is how it starts out as just a normal book about a teen girl. Then it becomes a murder mystery, and then the paranormal comes into play. It truly has something for readers in all genres. Awakening has great action scenes and very heart warming scenes too. I love the addition of the Celtic Mythology to the story and the Irish Dancing. I wish I could dance! The author also is an Irish Dancer. This was evident from the great descriptive writing about McKayla’s very emotional dancing scenes.
The most amazing thing that will blow readers away after reading Awakening, is knowing that this is Christy’s debut novel! It does not feel like a first novel. Her writing is smooth, characters are rich,and the storyline and plot are full and engaging.
I’m very excited to see what comes next for all of these characters. You will be hooked and wanting to read more. If you like to read YA paranormal fiction, with a lot of mystery and some romance thrown in, Awakening will keep you in your seat reading until the very end.
Awakening has a fantastic lead character in McKayla. She is a very bright and bold character. Her love of dance in this novel is almost contagious. Her feelings were written so clearly that you experienced everything with her. I wanted so much for things to work out for her as she was going through so many hard things.
The most outstanding character would have to be crazy Aunt Avril. I loved her! She was everything that McKayla needed in her life right now. She is one of the most colorful characters I have read in a long time! I also thought the mysterious and sometimes strange janitor, was a wonderful addition to this book.
One thing I loved about this book is how it starts out as just a normal book about a teen girl. Then it becomes a murder mystery, and then the paranormal comes into play. It truly has something for readers in all genres. Awakening has great action scenes and very heart warming scenes too. I love the addition of the Celtic Mythology to the story and the Irish Dancing. I wish I could dance! The author also is an Irish Dancer. This was evident from the great descriptive writing about McKayla’s very emotional dancing scenes.
The most amazing thing that will blow readers away after reading Awakening, is knowing that this is Christy’s debut novel! It does not feel like a first novel. Her writing is smooth, characters are rich,and the storyline and plot are full and engaging.
I’m very excited to see what comes next for all of these characters. You will be hooked and wanting to read more. If you like to read YA paranormal fiction, with a lot of mystery and some romance thrown in, Awakening will keep you in your seat reading until the very end.
September 30, 2013
I was given an ARC copy of the novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to read Awakening. I have not read many fantasy novels of late that incorporate Celtic lore anymore and to add some Irish dancing to that made me so happy. It's definitely a unique blend.
Right out of the gate I was hooked. I immediately latched on to McKayla's character. Who doesn't remember liking that cute guy in high school? Or working so hard at something whether it was dance, debate, drama, etc. and wanting to be good at it. I related to the characters easily and found myself getting caught up in their lives.
The writing was clean and tight. I loved the action. I loved the dancing. The way Dorrity describes Irish dancing makes it come alive on the pages. I could hear the music playing as I read and see the dancers doing the steps. I might not have known what each dance meant or what the steps looked like, but I did see Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.
I felt like I was transported to a magical world. I loved the backstory of the geis between Rourke and the sea witch. Brilliant. Everything about this book was great. My favorite character was Aunt Avril. She was amazing and I cannot wait to see what she's up to in the other realm.
If you like Celtic mythology, fantasy, and historical books you'll love Awakening. The ending was so perfect. I wish it was coming out tomorrow so I could just finish the series.
5 stars: (I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I had to keep going until I was finished. When I finished I felt very emotional. The characters felt like my best friends. It was so real I felt like I was a character in the novel. I will directly purchase this book in some format.)
I was really excited to read Awakening. I have not read many fantasy novels of late that incorporate Celtic lore anymore and to add some Irish dancing to that made me so happy. It's definitely a unique blend.
Right out of the gate I was hooked. I immediately latched on to McKayla's character. Who doesn't remember liking that cute guy in high school? Or working so hard at something whether it was dance, debate, drama, etc. and wanting to be good at it. I related to the characters easily and found myself getting caught up in their lives.
The writing was clean and tight. I loved the action. I loved the dancing. The way Dorrity describes Irish dancing makes it come alive on the pages. I could hear the music playing as I read and see the dancers doing the steps. I might not have known what each dance meant or what the steps looked like, but I did see Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.
I felt like I was transported to a magical world. I loved the backstory of the geis between Rourke and the sea witch. Brilliant. Everything about this book was great. My favorite character was Aunt Avril. She was amazing and I cannot wait to see what she's up to in the other realm.
If you like Celtic mythology, fantasy, and historical books you'll love Awakening. The ending was so perfect. I wish it was coming out tomorrow so I could just finish the series.
5 stars: (I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I had to keep going until I was finished. When I finished I felt very emotional. The characters felt like my best friends. It was so real I felt like I was a character in the novel. I will directly purchase this book in some format.)
January 17, 2014
I am officially a fan of Christy Dorrity! My all-time favorite series is Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. Awakenings has many of the qualities seen in Moning's work. An average girl gets thrown into an anything but average world. Her characters are intriguing and Dorrity's writing style makes it easy to relate to these individuals.
I love that Christy was able to take something she is passionate about and integrate it into her writing. It surprised me to discover this gem was Dorrity's debut novel. I found it extremely well written, well thought out, and well rounded. The only criticism I could give Awakening is that it was lighter on the magic than I would have expected.
I can easily see Awakening growing into a great series, and longer than a trilogy. It's got the intrigue needed to sustain it's momentum and I'm excited to see where it goes from here.
It's characters are believable and plausible. I find myself agreeing with the majority...Aunt Avril was a standout character for me. I enjoyed her quirkiness. The setting was appropriate, and I can't wait to see if Dorrity introduces the other world in future books. While it hints at romance, she does a wonderful job not overwhelming readers with long, drawn out descriptives.
If you enjoy the genre, you will certainly enjoy Awakening. Visit bookie-monster.com to read my full review.
I love that Christy was able to take something she is passionate about and integrate it into her writing. It surprised me to discover this gem was Dorrity's debut novel. I found it extremely well written, well thought out, and well rounded. The only criticism I could give Awakening is that it was lighter on the magic than I would have expected.
I can easily see Awakening growing into a great series, and longer than a trilogy. It's got the intrigue needed to sustain it's momentum and I'm excited to see where it goes from here.
It's characters are believable and plausible. I find myself agreeing with the majority...Aunt Avril was a standout character for me. I enjoyed her quirkiness. The setting was appropriate, and I can't wait to see if Dorrity introduces the other world in future books. While it hints at romance, she does a wonderful job not overwhelming readers with long, drawn out descriptives.
If you enjoy the genre, you will certainly enjoy Awakening. Visit bookie-monster.com to read my full review.
June 9, 2014
*I received this book as an eARC from the author as part of the Girls on Fire box set in exchange for an honest review*
I'm not really familiar with Celtic mythology, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy reading books that have a basis in it. Luckily, this book had enough of a background and enough explanations that it didn't matter that I knew very little!
I especially loved the way that Rourke's past ties in to the history of Ireland and Irish dancing. I'm not sure if some of the explanations were real stories in Celtic mythology or if Tir na nOg is an actual place in their stories or not, but it all felt like it could be, which I really thought was nice. We only learn a little bit of Tir na nOg in this book, so I'm looking forward to the rest of the series because I hope we learn more! Star Valley, WY is interesting enough, but I would have loved to have spent some more time in Tir na nOg.
Since this book is in the Girls on Fire boxed set, I knew the heroine was going to be one spunky girl who wouldn't back down even when presented with situations that seemed (and were) out of this world. McKayla is willing to accept things that other people might be hesitant to accept because she knows that it's the best explanation. She does keep secrets when she needs to, but she's also always the first one to jump in when anyone needs help, especially her Aunt Avril. I'm really excited to see how she continues to grow in the next book and use her newly discovered powers to rescue her friends in need!
There's also quite a bit of romance in this book, and many types of relationships are explored. Most of them have their fair share of heartbreak and problems, but the characters are all willing to try and work things out, for the most part. The relationships all felt very real, even if there was a bit of magic interwoven with them, and it was really fun to watch them progress. Especially because the book often changes perspectives (it's mostly first person from McKayla's perspective, but we also see a little third person from Rourke and Leah), we get to see how some of the secondary characters feel about everything.
There were a few parts that just seemed really convenient and I wasn't entirely convinced that things would ever have worked out so nicely, but it helped the story progress at a decent pace so I was willing to overlook most of it. Overall though, it's still an excellent book with an awesome heroine, and I will definitely be doing whatever I can to get my hands on a copy of Displaced ASAP! This book was very well written, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone even vaguely interested in Celtic mythology or just mythologies in general. I also think fans of YA fantasy novels would really enjoy this one. I would give it a 4/5!
I'm not really familiar with Celtic mythology, but that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy reading books that have a basis in it. Luckily, this book had enough of a background and enough explanations that it didn't matter that I knew very little!
I especially loved the way that Rourke's past ties in to the history of Ireland and Irish dancing. I'm not sure if some of the explanations were real stories in Celtic mythology or if Tir na nOg is an actual place in their stories or not, but it all felt like it could be, which I really thought was nice. We only learn a little bit of Tir na nOg in this book, so I'm looking forward to the rest of the series because I hope we learn more! Star Valley, WY is interesting enough, but I would have loved to have spent some more time in Tir na nOg.
Since this book is in the Girls on Fire boxed set, I knew the heroine was going to be one spunky girl who wouldn't back down even when presented with situations that seemed (and were) out of this world. McKayla is willing to accept things that other people might be hesitant to accept because she knows that it's the best explanation. She does keep secrets when she needs to, but she's also always the first one to jump in when anyone needs help, especially her Aunt Avril. I'm really excited to see how she continues to grow in the next book and use her newly discovered powers to rescue her friends in need!
There's also quite a bit of romance in this book, and many types of relationships are explored. Most of them have their fair share of heartbreak and problems, but the characters are all willing to try and work things out, for the most part. The relationships all felt very real, even if there was a bit of magic interwoven with them, and it was really fun to watch them progress. Especially because the book often changes perspectives (it's mostly first person from McKayla's perspective, but we also see a little third person from Rourke and Leah), we get to see how some of the secondary characters feel about everything.
There were a few parts that just seemed really convenient and I wasn't entirely convinced that things would ever have worked out so nicely, but it helped the story progress at a decent pace so I was willing to overlook most of it. Overall though, it's still an excellent book with an awesome heroine, and I will definitely be doing whatever I can to get my hands on a copy of Displaced ASAP! This book was very well written, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone even vaguely interested in Celtic mythology or just mythologies in general. I also think fans of YA fantasy novels would really enjoy this one. I would give it a 4/5!
September 24, 2013
"You don't have to see something to know it is real. In fact, some of the truest things in life are intangible."
McKayla has a passion for dance and when she was introduced to the fascinating and interesting Irish Dance. Now she just can't get that dance out of her mind when she managed to find person to teach her it would be from someone no one expected, the mute, janitor with a limp. When he gets to dancing its nothing like shes ever seen before.
"Where I come from, We dance from the heart."
McKayla's life seems to turn pretty good, she finds a dance she loves, the guy shes been giving her attention and her eccentric aunt is around. Until she ends up finding out she got the power to sense others feelings, meets a killer and gets stalked by the killer. After all this, it would be easier is McKayla would accept that shes not normal but shes like her mother so it makes the whole power thing complicated if she cant accept that it exists.
"Faith is power, and the more I trust the unseen, the greater my power will grow."
When I first found out about this book it was the interesting and pretty cover that drawn me in but the summery pretty much sealed the deal for me getting a hold of this book. Luckily I was able to receive a free copy of the book from the author for a book tour.
"When life gets tough, you should count on family to be there, whether you like it or not."
I really enjoyed this book. This book would appeal to those of you out there who enjoy Young Adult books but book can be enjoyed by any age. What loved about this book was how easy it was for me to be hooked until the very end. I liked the characters and loved that there was more than one point of view to help me connect to the characters easier. I loved that McKayla had a lot passion especially towards dancing and once she put her mind to something it was hard for her to let it go. I thought that this book was well-written, easy to follow. I loved that there was always something going on and that there was never a dull moment. What I loved about this book was that it was unique and and different from the many books out there. I loved getting to know Rourkes back story but wished I could've known more about the villain. I love how the book ended and thankful it wasn't left with a cliffhanger. I look forward to see what happens in the next book! Overall loved the book 4 of 5 stars.
"I am crazy, dear. Every person who has attempted to save the words is their own flavor of crazy."
McKayla has a passion for dance and when she was introduced to the fascinating and interesting Irish Dance. Now she just can't get that dance out of her mind when she managed to find person to teach her it would be from someone no one expected, the mute, janitor with a limp. When he gets to dancing its nothing like shes ever seen before.
"Where I come from, We dance from the heart."
McKayla's life seems to turn pretty good, she finds a dance she loves, the guy shes been giving her attention and her eccentric aunt is around. Until she ends up finding out she got the power to sense others feelings, meets a killer and gets stalked by the killer. After all this, it would be easier is McKayla would accept that shes not normal but shes like her mother so it makes the whole power thing complicated if she cant accept that it exists.
"Faith is power, and the more I trust the unseen, the greater my power will grow."
When I first found out about this book it was the interesting and pretty cover that drawn me in but the summery pretty much sealed the deal for me getting a hold of this book. Luckily I was able to receive a free copy of the book from the author for a book tour.
"When life gets tough, you should count on family to be there, whether you like it or not."
I really enjoyed this book. This book would appeal to those of you out there who enjoy Young Adult books but book can be enjoyed by any age. What loved about this book was how easy it was for me to be hooked until the very end. I liked the characters and loved that there was more than one point of view to help me connect to the characters easier. I loved that McKayla had a lot passion especially towards dancing and once she put her mind to something it was hard for her to let it go. I thought that this book was well-written, easy to follow. I loved that there was always something going on and that there was never a dull moment. What I loved about this book was that it was unique and and different from the many books out there. I loved getting to know Rourkes back story but wished I could've known more about the villain. I love how the book ended and thankful it wasn't left with a cliffhanger. I look forward to see what happens in the next book! Overall loved the book 4 of 5 stars.
"I am crazy, dear. Every person who has attempted to save the words is their own flavor of crazy."
September 24, 2013
I had no idea until I reached the end of the book that this was Christy's debut novel. It is well written and the editing is very clean. I can't think of the last time I've read a debut novel that was this polished.
Two things really stood out for me. First, the characters. I read so many books where every characters is a cookie-cutout from about two or three molds, but Christy did an excellent job of giving each character their own voice. Conversations went so well that she didn't really need dialogue tags to know who was talking (or, sometimes, not exactly talking...). If you do read this book, you are going to love Aunt Avril. Christy must have had a blast writing that fun character!
And the magic system was very unique and interesting. One of the better ones I've seen. It left me very intrigued. My only disappointment is that I wish we could have seen more of it, especially from McKayla, the protagonist. However, she sets up the ending very well for a sequel, which does seem to promise showing more of the magic system. I can't wait!!
Speaking of the ending... on the last chapter I was thinking to myself, "You know, it would be so cool if we saw x." (x is hidden to avoid spoilers) Well, she didn't give me x. She gave me x squared. Maybe cubed. Anyway, it far exceeded my expectations.
Bravo to Dorrity for writing such a brilliant debut novel and I'm looking so forward to what comes next in what promises to be an amazing series.
Two things really stood out for me. First, the characters. I read so many books where every characters is a cookie-cutout from about two or three molds, but Christy did an excellent job of giving each character their own voice. Conversations went so well that she didn't really need dialogue tags to know who was talking (or, sometimes, not exactly talking...). If you do read this book, you are going to love Aunt Avril. Christy must have had a blast writing that fun character!
And the magic system was very unique and interesting. One of the better ones I've seen. It left me very intrigued. My only disappointment is that I wish we could have seen more of it, especially from McKayla, the protagonist. However, she sets up the ending very well for a sequel, which does seem to promise showing more of the magic system. I can't wait!!
Speaking of the ending... on the last chapter I was thinking to myself, "You know, it would be so cool if we saw x." (x is hidden to avoid spoilers) Well, she didn't give me x. She gave me x squared. Maybe cubed. Anyway, it far exceeded my expectations.
Bravo to Dorrity for writing such a brilliant debut novel and I'm looking so forward to what comes next in what promises to be an amazing series.
October 30, 2013
Exciting, YA paranormal mystery
Fans of paranormal YA will enjoy this unique tale rooted in Celtic mythology.
Though sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery has multiple family members who claim to have magical talents, she doesn't really believe them and views herself as a normal girl. There is nothing magical about the fact that she has friendships, enjoys ballet and Irish folk dance, and has a crush on a cute boy in her physics class. Then her eccentric Aunt Avril, who works as a psychic for the FBI, arrives in McKayla's home town in pursuit of an evil, supernatural murderer--and every assumption McKayla previously held about her life is flipped upside down.
This YA novel is an exciting mashup of fantasy, action-adventure, and mystery, with a touch of romance thrown in for good measure. McKayla is an appealing heroine, and there are many intriguing subcharacters, most especially, McKayla's colorful aunt. The forward motion of this story never lags, and the book as a whole is very well written.
I read this book in a Kindle edition, and it is professionally designed, formatted and edited.
I rate this novel as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Action-Adventure Plot: 5 stars
Mystery Plot: 5 stars
Fantasy World-Building: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author to enable me to read it so I could write a review.
Fans of paranormal YA will enjoy this unique tale rooted in Celtic mythology.
Though sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery has multiple family members who claim to have magical talents, she doesn't really believe them and views herself as a normal girl. There is nothing magical about the fact that she has friendships, enjoys ballet and Irish folk dance, and has a crush on a cute boy in her physics class. Then her eccentric Aunt Avril, who works as a psychic for the FBI, arrives in McKayla's home town in pursuit of an evil, supernatural murderer--and every assumption McKayla previously held about her life is flipped upside down.
This YA novel is an exciting mashup of fantasy, action-adventure, and mystery, with a touch of romance thrown in for good measure. McKayla is an appealing heroine, and there are many intriguing subcharacters, most especially, McKayla's colorful aunt. The forward motion of this story never lags, and the book as a whole is very well written.
I read this book in a Kindle edition, and it is professionally designed, formatted and edited.
I rate this novel as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Action-Adventure Plot: 5 stars
Mystery Plot: 5 stars
Fantasy World-Building: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author to enable me to read it so I could write a review.
February 20, 2014
This book exceeded my expectations. This is not just another coming of age story. Ms. Dorrity has woven Celtic myth into this whole family's history with an ancient curse they never had a clue about. The author's passion for Irish dance shines through in the emotion of her words. I was totally swept away into the dance, the history, and the characters of this book.
The story is mainly told through McKayla's eyes interspersed with third person, the transitions are smooth and well placed. The story threads were woven together with thoughtful consideration to the overall plot. The stories are heart wrenching and fascinating. I was blown away when I learned this was Ms. Dorrity's debut novel. I thought the story started off strong but I found myself a little overwhelmed with all the details and was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up. It turned out I didn't have the problem I anticipated thanks to Ms. Dorrity's adept writing style. At about a third of the way in the story takes off and I had trouble putting the book down to sleep. The story comes to a satisfying ending with a nice twist to draw you into the next book. This is going to be an enchanting series.
Format/Typo Issues: I found no significant issues.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** February 15, 2014
The story is mainly told through McKayla's eyes interspersed with third person, the transitions are smooth and well placed. The story threads were woven together with thoughtful consideration to the overall plot. The stories are heart wrenching and fascinating. I was blown away when I learned this was Ms. Dorrity's debut novel. I thought the story started off strong but I found myself a little overwhelmed with all the details and was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up. It turned out I didn't have the problem I anticipated thanks to Ms. Dorrity's adept writing style. At about a third of the way in the story takes off and I had trouble putting the book down to sleep. The story comes to a satisfying ending with a nice twist to draw you into the next book. This is going to be an enchanting series.
Format/Typo Issues: I found no significant issues.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** February 15, 2014
June 8, 2014
Sometimes I feel that there isn’t a lot of originality in terms of book plots, especially in the YA field, everything seems to be either dystopian or vampire. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Christy Dorrity had come up with something wholly original. Awakening chronicles the story of McKayla McCleery as she find out that she and several members of her family have psychic abilities. Her aunt who is a psychic consultant for the police and FBI starts to slowly integrate her into a world of charms and magic. McKayla is your typical teenager: trying to navigate high school cliques and crushing on the high school hunk. I particularly liked her dedication to her family; she helps out with her mother’s business and takes care of her sister. There are some moments in the story where her little sister is in danger and I could feel McKayla’s panic coming off the page. She’s sweet and quirky but also opinionated and determined. She’s thrown into a world of Celtic mythology come to life. I think the integration of Celtic lore and also Irish dance as a magical system was very ingenious. Dorrity’s writing style is very conducive to this YA fantasy genre because its action packed and streamlined. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book and lovers of paranormal with a hint of mythology will particularly enjoy it.
November 17, 2013
Awakenings is an enjoyable first book in The Geis series. Christy Dorrity weaves an intriguing tale, mixing ancient Celtic myth with modern teenage romance and mystery. I enjoyed all the characters–they were well thought-out, especially the quirky Aunt Avril, who I particularly liked.
The story moves at a good pace. The mystery surrounding Aunt Avril’s psychic investigations, the janitor Rourke’s incredible dancing, and the irresistible tug toward a world full of strange mystic powers that envelopes the main heroine, McKayla–all will draw readers deeply into the story. Dorrity does an excellent job of keeping us guessing on what’s going on and what might happen, Add a good dollop of teenage romance, and readers will stay sucked in from the beginning to the end.
There are some clunky areas where the story switches from first to third person, and some unanswered questions, but the story is gripping and has enough tension, romance, danger and mystique to excite and enthrall, and I for one am excited to read the second installment. Definitely give this one a read!
Nik's Picks Book Reviews
www.nikki-bennett.com
(The author provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.)
The story moves at a good pace. The mystery surrounding Aunt Avril’s psychic investigations, the janitor Rourke’s incredible dancing, and the irresistible tug toward a world full of strange mystic powers that envelopes the main heroine, McKayla–all will draw readers deeply into the story. Dorrity does an excellent job of keeping us guessing on what’s going on and what might happen, Add a good dollop of teenage romance, and readers will stay sucked in from the beginning to the end.
There are some clunky areas where the story switches from first to third person, and some unanswered questions, but the story is gripping and has enough tension, romance, danger and mystique to excite and enthrall, and I for one am excited to read the second installment. Definitely give this one a read!
Nik's Picks Book Reviews
www.nikki-bennett.com
(The author provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.)
May 8, 2014
Firstly, let me tell you I cannot wait for the next book. It's been a loooooong while since I've gotten into a series, and seriously, if the next one were out, I'd be rushing to the bookstore for the next one.
Secondly, I came across this book at the LDS Storymakers Conference this year. Loved the cover, and actually sat in the author's husband's lecture about designing book covers (which is what I want to pursue in my career).
Okay, with that aside, now you probably want to know why I rated it so high.
1- The story was gripping. I was hooked, and spent all afternoon burning my skin in the sunshine enjoying the story. There's never a dull moment.
2- I fell in love with the characters. Their relationships are believable, the characters are relatable, and if you don't love Zoey and Ansul by the end of the book, then I'll send a dragon after you.
3- It's a unique, original story involving magic. I, too, try to write about magic, and Dorrity manages to write about it in such a unique way that you crave for more of the story.
If I go on I'll ruin the story. So pick it up and see for yourself. It's a good mix of fantasy and romance. :)
Secondly, I came across this book at the LDS Storymakers Conference this year. Loved the cover, and actually sat in the author's husband's lecture about designing book covers (which is what I want to pursue in my career).
Okay, with that aside, now you probably want to know why I rated it so high.
1- The story was gripping. I was hooked, and spent all afternoon burning my skin in the sunshine enjoying the story. There's never a dull moment.
2- I fell in love with the characters. Their relationships are believable, the characters are relatable, and if you don't love Zoey and Ansul by the end of the book, then I'll send a dragon after you.
3- It's a unique, original story involving magic. I, too, try to write about magic, and Dorrity manages to write about it in such a unique way that you crave for more of the story.
If I go on I'll ruin the story. So pick it up and see for yourself. It's a good mix of fantasy and romance. :)
September 25, 2013
With “Awakening,” Christy Dorrity has created a captivating young adult urban fantasy novel, and told a rollicking story. The characters are excellently crafted, ranging from down-to-earth protagonist McKayla (who is both a strong female lead and a realistic, relatable high school girl), to the endearing and mysterious Rourke. Every one of them will tug at your heartstrings.
The setting is a lifelike small town that Dorrity overlays with the magical realism of Celtic myth, creating a world that feels believable while still containing the promise that anything could happen. Combined with descriptions of Irish dance that make you feel like you’re on stage with the characters, this book will come to life and draw you in. If you like YA paranormal fiction, Celtic fairytales, strong female characters, high school romance, or Irish dancing, you're going to want to read this book—you won’t be disappointed.
The setting is a lifelike small town that Dorrity overlays with the magical realism of Celtic myth, creating a world that feels believable while still containing the promise that anything could happen. Combined with descriptions of Irish dance that make you feel like you’re on stage with the characters, this book will come to life and draw you in. If you like YA paranormal fiction, Celtic fairytales, strong female characters, high school romance, or Irish dancing, you're going to want to read this book—you won’t be disappointed.
May 25, 2015
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
I added this book to my TBR list when I read that it was based in Celtic mythology. I am a huge fan of mythology but most books are based in Greek and Roman mythology, so this was a unique Young Adult fantasy for me to read. I have been hooked by this story and I am official a fan of the series. Christy Dorrity did a wonderful job creating and writing Awakening. This book is not just for young adults but for adults as well. If you are a fan of mythology, fantasy, romance, and mystery than this book is for you. I cannot wait to see what Dorrity does with the next book of the series.
Would I read it again?
Yes, I definitely would.
Will I read the next book?
YES!!
Would I recommend it to others?
Yes
Would I read other books by this author?
Absolutely
I added this book to my TBR list when I read that it was based in Celtic mythology. I am a huge fan of mythology but most books are based in Greek and Roman mythology, so this was a unique Young Adult fantasy for me to read. I have been hooked by this story and I am official a fan of the series. Christy Dorrity did a wonderful job creating and writing Awakening. This book is not just for young adults but for adults as well. If you are a fan of mythology, fantasy, romance, and mystery than this book is for you. I cannot wait to see what Dorrity does with the next book of the series.
Would I read it again?
Yes, I definitely would.
Will I read the next book?
YES!!
Would I recommend it to others?
Yes
Would I read other books by this author?
Absolutely
September 23, 2013
This book is such a fun and delightful read. The book is set in Star Valley, Wyoming, where I grew up! Because of that I may be biased towards the setting, but the book really captures the fun vibe of the small town.
The characters really grabbed my attention and grew on me. They all have such fun and different personalities. You will just fall in love with the quirky aunt and mysterious janitor!
I knew nothing of Irish dance or mythology before picking up this book but now I am intrigued with all it!
This is such a great read! It's the perfect mix of magic, adventure, and of course love. I would suggest this book to anyone, pre-teens to adults. I can't wait for it to come out in print so I can share it with my husband:)
The characters really grabbed my attention and grew on me. They all have such fun and different personalities. You will just fall in love with the quirky aunt and mysterious janitor!
I knew nothing of Irish dance or mythology before picking up this book but now I am intrigued with all it!
This is such a great read! It's the perfect mix of magic, adventure, and of course love. I would suggest this book to anyone, pre-teens to adults. I can't wait for it to come out in print so I can share it with my husband:)
June 24, 2014
The cover got my attention, the synopsis sold me and from the first page I was sucked in. This story was very well written with great characters you could just fall in love with. The author really helps you feel the emotions of the characters. I often found myself feeling scared and heartbroken and excited along with the characters. I really loved how the author told us the back story for a couple of the characters that seemed to be very mysterious. This way we were able to get to know them better and understand why they are the way they are. I really enjoyed this book and am excited for the next book. I would defiantly recommend this book.
May 18, 2014
I loved this book. It started a little slow for me, but once it picked up, I couldn't put it down! It's hard to find a good book with a believable love story. Most love stories I find a little over the top and soap opera cheesy, but Awakening didn't disappoint.
I also enjoyed the dance and mythology, and really loved the food. The author did a great job at including food in appropriate ways throughout the book. (Don't read on an empty stomach!)
I was very sad when the book ended, and kept thinking about when I wasn't reading, which in my mind is the mark of a great author. Looking forward to reading more from Mrs. Dorrity...
I also enjoyed the dance and mythology, and really loved the food. The author did a great job at including food in appropriate ways throughout the book. (Don't read on an empty stomach!)
I was very sad when the book ended, and kept thinking about when I wasn't reading, which in my mind is the mark of a great author. Looking forward to reading more from Mrs. Dorrity...
December 4, 2013
This is the start of a fantasy series that uses Irish dancing and folklore. It's written by a friend from college and I was nervous that I wouldn't like it and then what would I tell her. I was very pleasantly surprised, self-published books can be a mess, but this book is competently written. Some aspects are confusing at first but many questions are revealed later in the narrative. The story was a page turner and I liked that main characters. I look forward to the next book in the series!
October 10, 2013
Awakening is unlike any other YA paranormal romance I've read! This fresh take uses Celtic mythology in a new way, and it's far from a retread of the same old plot This book struck me as a unique take on YA paranormal romance (sweet & believable) and Celtic culture. It also incorporates elements of Irish dance and sign language, both of which I studied in college. Plus, the writing was wonderful--vivid and beautiful--so this book was very much a win for me!. I was very impressed with Awakening!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
October 11, 2013
This book definitely held my interest. I will read the rest of her series. The e-book had a few little glitches, but I wasn't sure if it was editing issues or formatting issues. Either way, it's a great story and an author with a lot of potential. I will even recommend it to my teenage kids. It has mystery, magic and a little romance. A gem in the self publishing realm.
Side note: I really hate the creepy cover. If Holly J Wood hadn't given it 5 stars, then I would not have bought it....because of the cover.
Side note: I really hate the creepy cover. If Holly J Wood hadn't given it 5 stars, then I would not have bought it....because of the cover.
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