A Once Upon A Time Tale: Reawakened

Once Upon A Time #1

by Odette Beane

Emma Swan's life has been anything but a fairy tale. She's been on her own since she was abandoned as a baby--that is, until the night of her twenty-eighth birthday, when Henry, a ten-year-old boy, shows up on her doorstep. He's the son Emma gave up for adoption, and this surprise visit turns her life upside down.
Henry takes Emma back to his home in Storybrooke, Maine, where, Henry claims, all the residents are actually fairy tale characters who can't remember their true identities. And if Henry's right, that means that his sweet-natured, lonely schoolteacher Mary Margaret Blanchard is really Snow White, the iconic princess ... and also Emma's long-lost mother.
In Fairy Tale Land, we meet Snow White as a bandit on the run, forced into exile by her stepmother, the Evil Queen. Snow's a young woman learning to become a hero, who will do anything to live happily ever after with her one true love, Prince Charming.
The closer Emma comes to Henry in Storybrooke, the harder it is for her to ignore the dark curse that haunts this small New England town and binds her to Mary Margaret. If Emma can learn to accept her destiny as Storybrooke's savior and break the curse, she just might get the family reunion she's dreamed about her entire life.
ABC's "ONCE UPON A TIME" is a modern adventure with thrilling twists and hints of darkness, brimming with wonder, and filled with the magic of our most beloved fairy tales

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Magic

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[ShingetsuMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The show (not quite) in book form. The book primarily focuses on what happens in Storybrooke and switches between Emma and Mary Margaret's point of view. So pretty much all of the major events that happen in Storybrooke during the show are in here.

Of course just for the sake of space they couldn't put everything in. Some moments are shortened, quickly glossed over, or explained by Henry, but not in a way that makes it feel rushed. And, yes, Jefferson gets his 5 minutes of fame as well.

However, they do delve into Fairy Tale Land to tell some parts of the story concerning Snow White, Charming, and Red Riding Hood. I was pleasantly surprised to see Ruby/Red's story included and not quickly explained as some others were.

It also reminded me of how annoying David was when he was cursed (I'm so glad the curse was broken and he returned to "normal") and also how hard Mary Margaret really did try to do the right thing and stay away from him. Not just for her sake but Kathryn's as well.

Also Mary Margaret's musings about Dr Whale were priceless. Seriously I recommend buying the book just for that alone.

Highly recommended not just for dedicated fans of the show but for new fans as well.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fricking love Once Upon a Time. That show makes me feel all the feels. This book I have problems with. I've read fanfiction that's better written (and waay better edited - I highlighted no less than twelve mistakes). Also, they left out several episodes (the Hansel and Gretel story - The Still Small Voice, the Fruit of the Posionous Tree, etc). Also, limiting the narrative perspectives to just Emma and Mary Margaret (and Grumpy for a brief time) really took away from the complexity of the Once universe. Plus there was little to no Mr. Gold, who, as the fangirls know, is the best character. The writing is...not good. Very "tell tell tell, never show, if you wanted show, watch the actual show!" type of writing. But still, for a "I'm bored and I need something quick and enjoyable to read that isn't a thousand pages of A Song of Ice and Fire" kind of day. Now I must re-watch season 1 of Once and feel all the feels.

[Kimberley doruyter · Rating 4 out of 5]

so it's basically it's the show in written form.
i really like the fact that you get to know what they are thinking.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

OUAT is my favourite TV show, reading this book was so much fun! It stays really true to the first season of the show.

[Francisca Viegas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know exactly what I was expecting when I started reading this book, but it kind of took me by surprise.
First of all, Once Upon a Time is one of my favourite series. I am totally in love with retellings, and even if the plot is kind of getting old and predictable, I still find it fun to watch.
Reawakened was sort of a guide to the series. We get a little more insight on the reasons behind Emma and Snow's (or Mary Margaret's) decisions, but it's actually pretty disappointing as a stand alone book.
I guess you could read the book without watching or having watched the first season of OUaT, but if you did, you might find it very confusing and not at all explanatory. Lots of things happen in the series that lead to the final events, and most of these (especially the ones related to Rumplestiltskin) are not even mentioned.

Having said this, my advice is: do NOT read this book unless you saw the first season of the series.

[Tereza Eliášová]

Další kubulínská pohádkovina... poměrně věrný přepis první série seriálu, šikovně, funguje to i samostatně, protože já pár posledních dílů neviděla :) A je tam i něco maličko na víc. Jen na můj vkus trošku málo té pohádkové roviny, ale zato tam mnohem líp funguje Henry coby vypravěč a zprostředkovatel těch neuvěřitelných příběhů.

[Abigail McKenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't care what anyone says, Once Upon a Time is the ultimate autumn comfort show. It's chaotic, but it's nostalgic, and reading this novelization of season 1 was so lovely. Don't get me wrong, the book is absolutely mediocre and I wouldn't recommend it if you don't already love the show, but if you want to revisit s1 without actually having to rewatch s1, this was very fun. It focused more on the Storybrooke side of things than the Enchanted Forest side, and some episodes are completely glossed over, as this book mainly focuses on Emma and Snow White's plotlines. Overall reading this was a lovely time where I could kind of turn my brain off and just enjoy revisiting my high school years, haha! 3.5 stars from me!

[Hanine ϟ]

Can it be May 7th already so that I run to my favourite bookshop and pick up my copy????

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reawakened by Odette Beane follows Emma's journey over the course of the first season of ABC's Once Upon A Time. Each chapter is named after an episode - only five, I believe, are entirely eliminated. Of course, they couldn't fit everything in, so for the most part this book is set in Storybrooke with limited perspectives from Emma and Mary Margaret with a few key fairybacks to really set the tone and to show the importance of Operation Cobra.

I was pleased to see Snow and Charming, the Evil Queen, and Red get their backstories fairly well explored. It really reminded me of how much I enjoyed Sheriff Graham/ the Huntsman and Jefferson/ the Mad Hatter. It's a pretty decent companion considering some elements were rushed, glossed over, or skipped. I recommend it if you're a fan of the tv series, or, perhaps, if you're considering starting to watch the series. However, I'd much rather watch the show. Reawakened definitely reminded me of how much I'd like to rewatch the first season.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember watching the TV series, Once Upon a Time, and it's spin off, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, a few years ago. Admittedly, I haven't watched all seasons but I enjoyed the episodes I did see. So imagine my delight when a mystery gift giver bought me a copy of this book because this is the novelisation of season 1. That's the best season, in my opinion. Partly because of this guy: 😍😍😍

But, actually it was this guy who made Once Upon a Time so interesting:

Unfortunately, Reawakened doesn't have enough of either of these characters. Other things were missing and the storytelling was a bit simplistic too. You'd expect novelisations to expand and develop the story but actually it is the show that has more detail and complexity.
I liked reading this as it brought back memories but I do prefer the TV series. I still might read the other books in this series though.
🎅 Thank you, Secret Santa 2020! 🎅

[Bookworm007 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't wait to see how the story'll be like on paper!!!


edit on July 27, 2013

2.5 stars.

Overall mood of the whole book = intensely dull. Hard to follow and understand for anyone interested in the book but has NOT watched the show.

And how DO you adapt something that is originally NOT a written piece of idea? I've read adaptations for the Spider-Man trilogy, Iron Man, and The Darn Knight, and one thing I've noticed is that things get shorten down into simple descriptions.

Probably won't be reading future adaptations from this series.

[Marcella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het verhaal van het eerste seizoen. Leuk om te lezen, maar niet vernieuwend als je de serie al hebt gezien.
Jammer dat er van de volgende seizoenen geen boeken geschreven zijn.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this show!! But I didn't realize this book was basically just telling each episode of the show.. and there were quite a few mistakes and such as well.. it wasn't my favorite read, but it was cool to "revisit" the show again since it's been a while since I've seen it.

[Molino · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is MUCH better as a tv-show. Maybe it could have been better if everything wasn't so abbreviated.

[Aniya Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good but if you haven’t watched the show you’d probably be fairly confused with the story.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

All you have to do is BELIEVE in the magic!

Once upon a time…

All her life Emma had been a skeptic. She’d been the person who poked holes in other people’s logic, the person who saw through the illusions that trapped everyone else.
This time, though, it was different.
This time she’d been the one living in the dream world.
Emma, the realist, had been utterly wrong.


Once upon a time there was an enchanted forest filled with all the classic fairy tale characters we know.
Or we think we know.
One day they found themselves trapped in a place where all their happy endings were stolen. Our world. This is the tale of what happened and how true love’s kiss broke the spell…


{Based on the hit channel 5 series} Once upon a time is a remarkably clever, twisted narrative that deftly interweaves classic fairy tales within a contemporary façade. Prepare to lose yourself {and possibly your sanity!} within an intricate labyrinth of dark deceptions, mysterious wonders and shocking secrets. Perfectly imagined and written, It’s so easy to become spellbound by the irresistible romance and captivating plot.


At its core reawakened is a tale of hope. Through the spunky main protagonist, as a reader you are able to find your true self. When there are no Fairy Godmothers in the world nor magical potions, you are challenged to make changes and trust that innate instinct, so as to stand-up for our own beliefs. Irrevocably we have to try our best to create opportunities for ourselves because we are never going to get anything out of life if we don’t make an effort. We all long for a magical solution to our problems, yet sometimes astonishing tenacity can be hidden within the most unlikely of places.


True love isn’t easy. Neither is exposing the secrets of the soul, which dwell within the darkest corners of the heart.

In stories. As in life. Adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way, than through perspicacity and comprehension. With perpetual change and challenge, one seeks the wisdom to realise joy and serenity.

Sometimes you can’t see yourself clearly until you see yourself through the eyes of others

Complete with a compelling cast of complex characters this deliciously addictive, magical tale is one that transcends boundaries with eccentricity, originality and atypical incongruity!

[Jessica (Books: A true story) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't know going into this that it was a novelization. I thought it was a bonus story that hadn't made it into the show. When I found it was just a novelization of Once Upon a Time Season 1, I still thought I would give it a try since that is my favorite show right now. This novelization felt really crammed because an entire TV season was smashed into this short, 337 page novel. There was a lot of telling. Conversations were sometimes summarized which is kind of boring to read. There were some insights into the character's thinking, but it felt like stuff I already knew or guessed at from watching the show. I quit at just over halfway on page 170.

The chapter titles felt familiar to me so I looked them up. They are the episode titles. The novelization even skips some of the episodes which surprised me. I can't imagine how much telling there would have been if they had fit all the episodes in there.

I understand it's a novelization and I shouldn't expect amazing writing, but there was not much I was getting out of it that was new or interesting. Usually when I read a novelization it either fills in details and expands the story or it's an immersive reliving of my favorite show. But this one did neither. There wasn't much insight into the characters or new story lines and there was so much to fit inside the novel that it felt like I was being told way too much and I couldn't get into it.

[Francisco Acevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leer este libro es volver a creer en la fantasía, si una vez me emocione demasiado en el momento que el que comencé a ver la serie de televisó; con este libro reviví cada uno de esos sentimientos que sentí durante la transmisión de la primera temporada. Es una pena que no hicieran los libros de las demás temporada; por que de verdad que se disfruta de diferente manera, no se si sea, que hace tiempo que vi la serie o que fue lo que sucedió que de verdad no podía dejar de leer este libro y me volví a enamorar de cada uno de los personajes, y en este preciso momento que he terminado esta lectura me es muy difícil soltarlo y dejar ir a cada personaje que la autora logro conquistarnos en esta fantástica historia juntando a casi todos los personajes de cuentos de hadas infantiles, pero aun me queda el consuelo que seguiré y espero que sea así por mucho tiempo seguir viendo la serie de televisión.

"Una lectura que no te puedes perder si eres fan de la seria Once Upon A Time."

[Caitlin Underwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book. I am a huge fan of the OUAT TV show, so when I heard they were writing a novel based on the series, I was quite excited. The book only covers season 1 -- I'm looking forward to the second book. The book was pretty true to the show, but missed some key backstories -- Sidney Glass, for example, was made to just look like he's in love with Regina; that backstory is not covered. I liked that the chapters lined up with the episodes, but I think that if they wanted to switch it up a bit, they could have done different chapters in different times. Instead, they cover different time periods in the same chapters, much like the show does in the episodes. Overall it was pretty good; I read it in a day (I think if you have the background knowledge from watching the show, it's an easy read).

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I love the show and really wanted to love this book, I didn't. It is all well and good to be a quick, easy read but I think it was something of a cheap job to do the chapters whole-cloth from the episodes. I understand that they didn't want to add anything, and that's perfectly fine, but the transitions that are effective on TV just didn't work in text. If I wasn't a faithful series watcher I would have gotten lost at some points because there was no common thread. In text form it also made the show seem ridiculous, the characters flat, and the storyline cliche. I also wonder how the choose the style for the book because the show straddles that lines between children and adult at 8pm... The book didn't work for me.

[Veronica Alvarez · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25
A good book overall but absolutely not what I was expecting.

This book is basically the first season of OUAT or the majority of it, which is of course good because I love the show but its literally the show nothing, I mean there’s nothing new about it, and of course is good to read it, it’s a different way to consume it but in this case, I’d totally prefer watch the series, because:

1) We got more content.
2) It’s a pleasure for the eyes.
3) I clicked more with the characters.

After all it wasn’t a bad read because I’d always love this show and consume any kind of materials would be always good for me.

I was hoping for different things we didn’t know or at least the same situations but in different POV’s.

[Terka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moje recenze: http://sheisbookaholic.blogspot.cz/20...

[Eliška · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jojojojojo... Tuhle knížku prostě MILUJU♡♡^-^

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often read novelizations, but I found myself enjoying this.
The familiar feeling of being back in Storybrooke, but being able to actually know the thoughts and emotions of the people as they are going through the first adventure was, well it felt like an Easter egg. Don't get me wrong, all the amazing actors and actresses in OUaT brought those feelings and emotions across their performances, but this is just... Different.
Also there is no dichotomy between the onscreen characters, and the written ones so that makes it just that much more immersing.
Okay, so that was written just after I started reading it.
Now that I've finished, I... don't want to say that I am disappointed, but I think I would have been happier with less rehashing of season 1, and more of a new story. Something we didn't get to see in season 1. You know, more slice of life type stuff with a plot.
This was literally just Snow/Mary Margaret and Emma's plots from S 1, and no one elses.
It was also a lot of telling instead of showing. I'm not saying it was bad, but there were times it felt like just trying to move to the next chapter as quickly and succinctly as possible without any description.
Even saying all that, I did enjoy it and makes me want to go back and binge watch all the seasons all over again.

[Mica ~ Mundo entre Líneas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro fue una compra impulsiva porque lo vi en una librería de saldo y AMÉ la serie, por lo que lo compré pensando que tendría “agregados” o datos especiales sobre la serie.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Pero no 🤷🏼‍♀️, simplemente es la historia de la primera temporada redactada a modo de novela.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Once Upon a Time es una serie que recopila todos los cuentos infantiles en un solo mundo y los interrelaciona desde el inicio de los tiempos. Blancanieves, Peter Pan, La Bella y la Bestia, Caperucita Roja y Pinocho, son solo algunos de todos los personajes que aparecen en la primer temporada 🥰.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Ojo, que esté basado en cuentos infantiles no quiere decir que sea infantil. La serie tiene drama, romance, acción y Magia, mucha magia ♥️.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Disfruté mucho viéndola y se la recomiendo a todos aquellos a quienes les encanten los cuentos de los hermanos Grimm o aquellas historias que leíamos de chicos.

[Kate Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

First review of 2020! So, having seen the show ‘Once Upon a Time,’ I knew everything that would happen. It followed it pretty closely to the first season. It made me love the show even more having now read it. There were some things I had forgotten and I was glad to revisit Storybrooke.

My one complaint is the author constantly used the word ‘glib.’ I counted three times the word was used and then finally, they said ‘glibly.’ Like... do you not know any other word? It was strange. But I love this show and I can’t wait to move on to the next book in the series!

[Antto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encantó el libro. Esta contado muy claro. Me gusta como no es lineal sino que va y viene con la historia pero de una forma tan clara que en ningún momento perdés el hilo.
A mi me parece una forma muy original de meternos en las historias que nos contaban cuando éramos chicos.. Que pasa si "todos los cuentos son reales?"
Admiro mucho a Henry, quien a pesar de sus 10 años de edad es el motor de fe del pueblo. Capaz que sea por su misma edad, cree con la convicción de un niño.

[Christian West · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never watched the show so I think I'm missing something. There was minimal description of anyone so there was a lot of "fill in the blanks" for my imagination, and certain characters were there with no introduction and then were gone. No clue who they really were. Anyways, episodic book where each chapter tells a semi complete story, some include a side tale from the fairyland counterpart of the characters.
The book was enjoyable enough, but I won't be reading any sequels.

[Kaela Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is basically a book version of the entire first season of Once Upon a Time. It gives a little more detail in the real world parts of the show but it does tend to ignore most of the fairy tale parts of the episodes. It does go in depth in the fairytale world in some chapters, but in others it is just a quick summary and it usually happens where Henry is telling someone the story from his book or someone is reading the book to someone. Overall it was a good book version of the show.

[Trish Phamnguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. As a Disney fan, it was an amazing read that breathed new life into beloved fairy tale characters. The plot was engaging and full of twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. The character development is impressive, adding depth to familiar characters while introducing new ones. The way the chapters switch from reality to fairy tale land creates an engaging journey that fans of the series will enjoy.