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The Spirit Beast Saga #1
Spirit Beasts Awakening
How far will he go to release the beast....
With his fifteenth birthday just around the corner, Arnold Ethon's feeling the pressure. He still doesn't have a Spirit Beast, that special creature deeply connected to a person's soul. It's like a mirror of their inner self. Some lucky ones get unique powers that match their Spirit Beast, while others can even make these mystical beings appear in the real world. But Arnold? He's still waiting for his to show up.
When Arnold rescues a retired Doyen from attack the esteemed Spirit Wardens presents Arnold and his best friend, Otto, with an irresistible offer to join their ranks. Jumping headfirst, they delve into an intense journey, sharpening their ties with the spirit realm and uncovering their dormant abilities.
But tranquillity is short-lived. A scar-faced enemy, hell-bent on vengeance against the Spirit Wardens, emerges from the shadows. Arnold's life, along with the lives of those he loves, is thrust into dire peril.
Facing imminent danger, just how far will Arnold go to awaken the beast within?
With his fifteenth birthday just around the corner, Arnold Ethon's feeling the pressure. He still doesn't have a Spirit Beast, that special creature deeply connected to a person's soul. It's like a mirror of their inner self. Some lucky ones get unique powers that match their Spirit Beast, while others can even make these mystical beings appear in the real world. But Arnold? He's still waiting for his to show up.
When Arnold rescues a retired Doyen from attack the esteemed Spirit Wardens presents Arnold and his best friend, Otto, with an irresistible offer to join their ranks. Jumping headfirst, they delve into an intense journey, sharpening their ties with the spirit realm and uncovering their dormant abilities.
But tranquillity is short-lived. A scar-faced enemy, hell-bent on vengeance against the Spirit Wardens, emerges from the shadows. Arnold's life, along with the lives of those he loves, is thrust into dire peril.
Facing imminent danger, just how far will Arnold go to awaken the beast within?
- GenresFantasy
266 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2023
48 people are currently reading
731 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 10, 2023
Spirit Beasts Awakening is an urban fantasy based around certain people having spirit beasts within them. These beasts, once able to be summoned help guide their person and gift them with other abilities as well.
This world Beswick has created was intriguing. It’s always interesting to see how an author of urban fantasy integrates the magic and fantasy elements. The town in Spirit Beasts feels like it’s always been there, the magic woven into their history which I enjoyed. The character interactions feel real to me, the jealousy of a friends success or the awkwardness of a first crush, all things teenagers encounter.
In my opinion the story unfortunately needs a stronger edit. There is a distinct lack of contractions throughout that makes the story read in an odd way. Stilted? Formal? Not 100% sure what the right word is there but it really detracted from the reading experience. It made the dialogue jarring and prevented it from reading like a real conversation. People just don’t talk like that. Many of the chapters also start with a repetitive little summary of the character introspecting what has just happened. The reader knows what just happened in the previous chapter, the summary isn’t needed and slows the pace.
The twists throughout Spirit Beasts are great, especially in the last 20%. I read that part so much faster than the rest of the book. Isn’t that always the way when all the good stuff is coming to a head at the end? The reveal and how everything is set up for the next book was great. I think anyone reading this one is going to want a spirit beast of their own, I know I do. I also kind of want to travel to the spirit realm. Do the spirit beats just run around there like animals in the real world but all magical? I’m interested to see what happens in book two and will be picking it up.
This world Beswick has created was intriguing. It’s always interesting to see how an author of urban fantasy integrates the magic and fantasy elements. The town in Spirit Beasts feels like it’s always been there, the magic woven into their history which I enjoyed. The character interactions feel real to me, the jealousy of a friends success or the awkwardness of a first crush, all things teenagers encounter.
In my opinion the story unfortunately needs a stronger edit. There is a distinct lack of contractions throughout that makes the story read in an odd way. Stilted? Formal? Not 100% sure what the right word is there but it really detracted from the reading experience. It made the dialogue jarring and prevented it from reading like a real conversation. People just don’t talk like that. Many of the chapters also start with a repetitive little summary of the character introspecting what has just happened. The reader knows what just happened in the previous chapter, the summary isn’t needed and slows the pace.
The twists throughout Spirit Beasts are great, especially in the last 20%. I read that part so much faster than the rest of the book. Isn’t that always the way when all the good stuff is coming to a head at the end? The reveal and how everything is set up for the next book was great. I think anyone reading this one is going to want a spirit beast of their own, I know I do. I also kind of want to travel to the spirit realm. Do the spirit beats just run around there like animals in the real world but all magical? I’m interested to see what happens in book two and will be picking it up.
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August 22, 2023ARC
Really enjoyed this and can't wait for the sequel. Wish I could read it now. A.P. Beswick has created an interesting world, filled with mystery and lore. I personally really want my own spirit beast. (I'm thinking canine related 🤞🏻) the big reveal was not what I expected it to be. The characters are fun and flawed in their own way. The action was engaging and the romantic subplot is so sweet and innocent. A thoroughly enjoyable read all round.
Really enjoyed this and can't wait for the sequel. Wish I could read it now. A.P. Beswick has created an interesting world, filled with mystery and lore. I personally really want my own spirit beast. (I'm thinking canine related 🤞🏻) the big reveal was not what I expected it to be. The characters are fun and flawed in their own way. The action was engaging and the romantic subplot is so sweet and innocent. A thoroughly enjoyable read all round.
May 7, 2025
This was a good intro to the series with an interesting villain that you weren’t expecting. It started a little slow for my liking but it is the first book so understandable. I love the idea of having a spirit beast once you hit 15 and it describing what your chats traits are. I love the banter back and forth between Arnold and Otto. This is a great book for early readers that love fun fantasy books.
September 8, 2023
I just finished this book and I can't wait for the next book(s) in this saga. I was fully engaged with my reading experience by Beswick. Kudos to the author. I'll be reading more of his books. Check out my blog post about his book https://informedescapist.com/spirit-b...
March 22, 2024
Fun filled fantasy
The book was great! Slightly predictable in parts, and has too many typos in some sections, but good storyline and a decent twist at the end. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next one!
The book was great! Slightly predictable in parts, and has too many typos in some sections, but good storyline and a decent twist at the end. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next one!
September 22, 2023
A couple of hours later, I'm at the end of the book. What's that about?
October 20, 2024
Just great!
This book reminds me of something Garth Nix would write. I loved the concept and action. Just wish it was longer.
This book reminds me of something Garth Nix would write. I loved the concept and action. Just wish it was longer.
May 3, 2025
Truly amazing was in the edge of my seat the whole time and really loved the twist at the end with his spirit beast
December 26, 2025
Too
As much as I enjoyed the story, the character development and the entire book as a whole was incredibly slow.
As much as I enjoyed the story, the character development and the entire book as a whole was incredibly slow.
January 4, 2024
spirit beasts awakening by ap beswick. Arnold is just trying to get by on his own wishing every day that he would get a spirit beast and have his life long wish come true. but when that wish does come true, he finds out that there is more to his life than he originally thought, and secrets are around every corner.
with the help of his friends, he is trying to unravel those secrets, but at what cost?
I love this book. If you are a fantasy fan, you will
with the help of his friends, he is trying to unravel those secrets, but at what cost?
I love this book. If you are a fantasy fan, you will
August 26, 2023
Amazing book. ✨️
I was hooked by the end of chapter 1. Then I devoured it.
The characters are fab. Arnold and his grandad are my two favourites 😍
The twists and turns are awesome and I now can't wait for book 2 and the story to continue
I was hooked by the end of chapter 1. Then I devoured it.
The characters are fab. Arnold and his grandad are my two favourites 😍
The twists and turns are awesome and I now can't wait for book 2 and the story to continue
September 8, 2023
Really enjoyed this book. It kept me thinking til the very end.
December 31, 2024
I loved the start but was slightly disappointed by the end. Hopefully the sequels will surprise and excite me to continue the series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews