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Reawakening
After centuries of suppression, the magic of England is
Reawakening
Return to the world of The Seer of York with this collection of new tales set in the aftermath of The Hiding.
Harper, Grace, Saqib, Heresy, and AJ bond as a team and as a family to save innocents, supernatural and human, despite hunters pursuing them.
Introducing Zero, a starlight cat with a bleak and painful past.
Demonic-possession
Faery circles
Pūcas
And more…
Reawakening
Return to the world of The Seer of York with this collection of new tales set in the aftermath of The Hiding.
Harper, Grace, Saqib, Heresy, and AJ bond as a team and as a family to save innocents, supernatural and human, despite hunters pursuing them.
Introducing Zero, a starlight cat with a bleak and painful past.
Demonic-possession
Faery circles
Pūcas
And more…
- GenresFantasyShort Stories
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Alethea Lyons
13 books36 followersAlethea (she/ze) is the author of the supernatural dark fantasy Seer of York series, published by Brigids Gate Press.
Ze writes various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science-fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. Many of her works take place at the intersection between technology and magic. Ze enjoys writing stories with subtle political and philosophical messages, but primarily wants to write great tales with characters readers will love. She also has soft spots for found family, hopeless romances, and non-human characters. Zir short stories can be found in a variety of publications.
Alethea lives in Manchester, UK with her husband, little Sprite, a cacophony of stringed instruments, and more tea than she can drink in a lifetime.
Bonus content for The Hiding & other works can be found on her website: https://alethealyons.wixsite.com/stories
To buy books, short stories, or follow on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/alethearlyons
Ze writes various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science-fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. Many of her works take place at the intersection between technology and magic. Ze enjoys writing stories with subtle political and philosophical messages, but primarily wants to write great tales with characters readers will love. She also has soft spots for found family, hopeless romances, and non-human characters. Zir short stories can be found in a variety of publications.
Alethea lives in Manchester, UK with her husband, little Sprite, a cacophony of stringed instruments, and more tea than she can drink in a lifetime.
Bonus content for The Hiding & other works can be found on her website: https://alethealyons.wixsite.com/stories
To buy books, short stories, or follow on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/alethearlyons
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 27, 2024
Back in March, I read The Hiding by this author and absolutely loved it!
This was the first book in a new and exciting series - The Seer of York.
When I spotted this new release coming our way, I had initially assumed that it was going to be the second novel, but this book contains 16 short stories which are all based in Seer of York world - and what a great collection this was.
It was great to be back in the strange and oddly familiar York and to reacquaint with some of the characters that I'd met and connected with in The Hiding.
I wasn't quite sure how this collection would pan out, but loved how each story was complete and whole in its own right - but also connected the whole collection together.
The writing style created the perfect atmosphere again and I loved how I wasadento feel part of the story, totally immersed with a vivid image of the events and places.
I really don't think I could pick a favourite story out of this collection, each one was so well worked with a great cast of diverse characters again, some we were aware of already, but we're also treated to some new delights - yes, zero, I'm definitely including you there!
I loved this format which allowed me to read this over a few days, grabbing a story or two over mealtimes and in-between my meatier novels - a real palate cleanser and enjoyable read!
Can't wait to see more from this author!
This was the first book in a new and exciting series - The Seer of York.
When I spotted this new release coming our way, I had initially assumed that it was going to be the second novel, but this book contains 16 short stories which are all based in Seer of York world - and what a great collection this was.
It was great to be back in the strange and oddly familiar York and to reacquaint with some of the characters that I'd met and connected with in The Hiding.
I wasn't quite sure how this collection would pan out, but loved how each story was complete and whole in its own right - but also connected the whole collection together.
The writing style created the perfect atmosphere again and I loved how I wasadento feel part of the story, totally immersed with a vivid image of the events and places.
I really don't think I could pick a favourite story out of this collection, each one was so well worked with a great cast of diverse characters again, some we were aware of already, but we're also treated to some new delights - yes, zero, I'm definitely including you there!
I loved this format which allowed me to read this over a few days, grabbing a story or two over mealtimes and in-between my meatier novels - a real palate cleanser and enjoyable read!
Can't wait to see more from this author!
November 9, 2024
“ I knew those Holy Water-filled bolts would come in handy.” Grace cheerfully patted her crossbow. She reached down a hand and tugged Harper to her feet.
“This will be an interesting one for Saqib to investigate...”
Prepared to be captivated by Alethea Lyons and her collection of short stories 'Reawakening' which fits nicely between two of Lyons' previous works, The Hiding and The Somnia.
Each story in this anthology pulses with a wonderful magical allure and eerie ambiance - Lyons writes with a lovely style and creates an excellent, imaginative world into which to escape for a while.
The stories range from the unsettlingly creepy to the fantastically strange, starting strong with "The Cleansing," where a blood moon illuminates York’s ancient streets, revealing hidden supernatural threats. Lyons effortlessly weaves mythological creatures, religious figures, and urban legends into a dark and compelling narrative. Her vivid descriptions make the haunting streets of York feel as tangible as the shadows lurking in its corners.
Another standout is "Never Alone Again," which blends themes of friendship, possession, and spiritual redemption in a way that feels both fresh and familiar.
Lyons' knack for depicting strong, flawed characters shines through, especially as Harper, Grace, and Saqib confront malevolent forces in stories like “What’s Eating the Cows?” and "Going Around in Circles." These tales are not only entertaining but also thoughtful, exploring themes of loyalty, the burden of duty, and the blurred lines between good and evil.
One of the most engaging aspects of Reawakening is Lyons' ability to make supernatural encounters feel grounded in the everyday. Characters like Harper and Grace live in a world where the extraordinary is a matter of fact, and yet Lyons' portrayal of their personal struggles gives the book a refreshing emotional depth. Whether battling faeries, demons, or haunted spirits, these protagonists feel human, flawed, and real.
Alethea Lyons’ writing remains sharp and evocative, with each short story unveiling layers of world-building and character development that reward both new readers and long-time fans. The seamless integration of mythology, religion, and the supernatural continues to be a hallmark of her style, and Reawakening offers plenty of moments that are as thought-provoking as they are spine-chilling.
In summary, Reawakening is a must-read for anyone who enjoys immersive, well-crafted supernatural fiction. Lyons’ prose is elegant, her characters are compelling, and her stories leave you eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this magical world.
“This will be an interesting one for Saqib to investigate...”
Prepared to be captivated by Alethea Lyons and her collection of short stories 'Reawakening' which fits nicely between two of Lyons' previous works, The Hiding and The Somnia.
Each story in this anthology pulses with a wonderful magical allure and eerie ambiance - Lyons writes with a lovely style and creates an excellent, imaginative world into which to escape for a while.
The stories range from the unsettlingly creepy to the fantastically strange, starting strong with "The Cleansing," where a blood moon illuminates York’s ancient streets, revealing hidden supernatural threats. Lyons effortlessly weaves mythological creatures, religious figures, and urban legends into a dark and compelling narrative. Her vivid descriptions make the haunting streets of York feel as tangible as the shadows lurking in its corners.
Another standout is "Never Alone Again," which blends themes of friendship, possession, and spiritual redemption in a way that feels both fresh and familiar.
Lyons' knack for depicting strong, flawed characters shines through, especially as Harper, Grace, and Saqib confront malevolent forces in stories like “What’s Eating the Cows?” and "Going Around in Circles." These tales are not only entertaining but also thoughtful, exploring themes of loyalty, the burden of duty, and the blurred lines between good and evil.
One of the most engaging aspects of Reawakening is Lyons' ability to make supernatural encounters feel grounded in the everyday. Characters like Harper and Grace live in a world where the extraordinary is a matter of fact, and yet Lyons' portrayal of their personal struggles gives the book a refreshing emotional depth. Whether battling faeries, demons, or haunted spirits, these protagonists feel human, flawed, and real.
Alethea Lyons’ writing remains sharp and evocative, with each short story unveiling layers of world-building and character development that reward both new readers and long-time fans. The seamless integration of mythology, religion, and the supernatural continues to be a hallmark of her style, and Reawakening offers plenty of moments that are as thought-provoking as they are spine-chilling.
In summary, Reawakening is a must-read for anyone who enjoys immersive, well-crafted supernatural fiction. Lyons’ prose is elegant, her characters are compelling, and her stories leave you eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this magical world.
September 2, 2024
Set in an alternate York, England, we follow Grace and Harper as they pit their wits against Witches, Demons, and worse.
Grace has roots within the Church, whereas Harper has no idea of her past or even what she's truly capable of.
Then there's Heresay, who mostly prefers being cat-shaped...
This is a well-written collection of stories that are frequently funny and yet still allow for hints of vulnerability from our main characters
I will certainly be reading more from this universe and author.
*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.*
Grace has roots within the Church, whereas Harper has no idea of her past or even what she's truly capable of.
Then there's Heresay, who mostly prefers being cat-shaped...
This is a well-written collection of stories that are frequently funny and yet still allow for hints of vulnerability from our main characters
I will certainly be reading more from this universe and author.
*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.*
August 4, 2024
Set in an alternate York that's as much of a main character as its ragtag team of witches, demon hunters and occult fighters of all stripes (and, my personal favorite, Zero the cat), Lyons's Reawakening is a gorgeously gothic tapestry of tales. At times both endearingly funny and hair-raisingly dark, this short story collection works as a great stepping stone for the next book in the series. Just don't disturb the faery circle while you're at it.
September 28, 2024
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Reawakening' by Alethea Lyons.
This may be the first book I have read by this author but it wont be my last!!
'Reawakening' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Alethea discusses/includes Child Possession, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Gambling, Divorce, Mutilated Corpses, Interrogation, Harm To An Animal and Threat To A Child. I have put the warnings next to the titles that include any of these so you can avoid any particular topic/discussion if needed/wanted.
This book is very well written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all making your heart pound and you constantly second guessing.
An addictive and horrific collection of 16 short stories filled with blood, gore, science fiction, karma, twists, horror and absolutely everything you could ask for in a gripping page turner. As I always do with books of short stories or poems I will rate them individually and then give an overall rating at the end. These are the stories that are included in order, a short description of what they are about and my rating:
🌊 The Cleansing: I must admit that unfortunately, I had no idea quite what was going on with this story. It had very vivid descriptions but I just did not quite understand the plot. Sadly just a 1/5 from me.
🚸 Never Alone Again (Child Possession, Person burnt by a match on purpose): I really enjoyed this short story which told the story of 6 year old Meredith who needed a friend after her sister died and got her wish. Creepy and hair raising. 4/5 for this one
🐮 What's Eating The Cows?: In this story we meet Harper and Grace again from the previous story 'Never Along Again'. This time they are hunting the being that slaughtered the farm animals. 3/5
😺 The Puca In The Priory: We meet our demon hunters Harper and Grace again but this time the monsters aren't what you would expect. I really enjoyed this one which I thought was sweet, interesting and quite humorous. 4/5.
🧚♀️ Going Around In Circles (Kidnap) : Harper and Grace investigate people disappearing from the park along with Harper's familiar Heresy and supernatural forensics researcher Saqib . They discover a Faerie circle. 3/5
🎽 The Tailor And The Acic'm (Alcohol, gambling, divorce) : Really enjoyed this one which was a tale of greed and broken promises. AJ tells the gang (Harper, Grace and Saqib) how his family got into the coven business and his history. 5/5
🦑 Easy As 1,2,3 (Mutilated Corpse): Loved this gruesome tale of possession and murder. 5/5
🚀 The Monks' Counting Song: Related to the previous story Easy as 1,2,3. Really glad the author included this as parts of the song is included in the previous story but not all. 5/5
🐱Look What The Cat Dragged In (Threat Of Harm To An Animal): A tale of Echo the greedy familiar. Another favourite of mine being a huge animal lover. I run Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice (you can find me on social media if you wish) so any story including cats is a huge bonus for me. Definitely a 5/5
👺 Girins In The Code: AJ brings a hacking job to the gang. Loved the banter and sarcasm in the gang and the humorous hacks. Another group of creatures are sent to the Zookeeper. 5/5
📖 Whispers In The Dark: After reading a tome in the archives Harper is haunted by whispers trying to get her to follow them. Enjoyed this story which had me worrying for Harper when she has a very close call 4/5
😈 A Deal With The Devil (Interrogation): Harper is interrogated by a Guardswoman and ends up walking into her trap. I wasn't really a fan of this one but it was part of the whole storyline so at the same time it was quite interesting to meet one of the Guards and seeing what goes on their side 2/5
Soul-Crushing Black And Bubblegummiest Blue (Harm to an animal, threat to a child): We meet Zero again in this story where he is in a nightmare with a child who is being kept by a jailer. I quite enjoyed this nightmarish tale that was filled with suspense and tension. 3/5
🪞Through The Looking Glass: Harper and Heresy are investigating the disappearance of Alice from her piano. Harper does not get the ending she was hoping for. I enjoyed this twisty tale of mirrors and other worlds and it wasn't quite what I expected it to be. 5/5
🎅🏻Christmas In The Shambles: Harper is admiring a violin when she is approached by a man but things are not quite what they seem and it leaves me concerned for Harper's future. 4/5
🐈Cats Don't Play Fetch (harm to an animal): Poor Zero has annoyed his master again. We get to meet the numbers that came after him and discover more about their creation. My heart did go out to Zero in this one and I just wanted to give him a cuddle. Although I felt sorry on him I did still enjoy this final story which gets a 5/5 from me.
An absolutely fantastic collection of disgusting, disturbing, suspenseful and tension packed horrific short stories!!! I haven't quite finished them all as unfortunately I have had a ram packed two weeks with a personal loss and so many appointments I've lost count but I wanted to get this up and will come back and add to the rest of the stories as I finish them.
This may be the first book I have read by this author but it most certainly won't be the last and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of her previous and future books!!!
A great collection of short stories with an excellent range of situations, characters, locations and narratives. My favourite ones had to be ' The Tailor And The Acic'm', ' Easy As 1,2,3', ' Through The Looking Glass'. These stories include suspense, horror, tension, murder, fantasy, the supernatural and much more! There is a great mix of stories so there is definitely something in there for everyone. The cover is absolutely amazing and it was one of the things that drew me to the book. This book is ideal to be able to pick up and read a story during a break or while making a cuppa!! I would probably avoid reading them as a bedtime story though!!! I am a huge fan of horror stories and the gorier the better for me!!! I loved that the stories all focused on the same characters of Harper, Grace, Heresy, AJ, Saqib and Echo and I am definitely looking forward to picking more of Alethea's books up and learning more about and meeting all these characters again. I am a huge animal lover and run Golden Oldies Cat rescue And Hospice (you can find me on social media) so any animals in books are a definite bonus for me especially cats and in these stories 2 of our main characters, heresy and Zero, are/take the form of cats so definitely bonus points deserved!! The excellent descriptions throughout ensures you feel the hair raising on your arms and the chill on your skin!!! The fact that these are short stories also allows you to pick it up and read a story at a time or read/listen to it in one sitting which is perfect for those who like to read multiple books at one time. Alethea has excellent writing skills and and I look forward to reading more of her work! The average rating for all the story ratings is 3.93 so I give the overall book a 4/5 rating
Grab your copy of 'Reawakening' and discover which stories you love!!!
Congratulations Alethea on an absolutely fantastic book of horror stories!!! Welcome to my favourite authors club and here's to your next success 🥂!!!
Overall an absolutely heart racing, gothic, chilling , suspense and tension filled addictive and explosive book of short stories that will keep you up at night!!!
#Reawakening #AletheaLyons #BrigidsGatePress #ZooLoosBookTours #ZooLoosBT
@Reawakening @AletheaLyons @BrigidsGatePress @ZooLoosBT @ZooLoosBT
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Review for 'Reawakening' by Alethea Lyons.
This may be the first book I have read by this author but it wont be my last!!
'Reawakening' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Alethea discusses/includes Child Possession, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Gambling, Divorce, Mutilated Corpses, Interrogation, Harm To An Animal and Threat To A Child. I have put the warnings next to the titles that include any of these so you can avoid any particular topic/discussion if needed/wanted.
This book is very well written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all making your heart pound and you constantly second guessing.
An addictive and horrific collection of 16 short stories filled with blood, gore, science fiction, karma, twists, horror and absolutely everything you could ask for in a gripping page turner. As I always do with books of short stories or poems I will rate them individually and then give an overall rating at the end. These are the stories that are included in order, a short description of what they are about and my rating:
🌊 The Cleansing: I must admit that unfortunately, I had no idea quite what was going on with this story. It had very vivid descriptions but I just did not quite understand the plot. Sadly just a 1/5 from me.
🚸 Never Alone Again (Child Possession, Person burnt by a match on purpose): I really enjoyed this short story which told the story of 6 year old Meredith who needed a friend after her sister died and got her wish. Creepy and hair raising. 4/5 for this one
🐮 What's Eating The Cows?: In this story we meet Harper and Grace again from the previous story 'Never Along Again'. This time they are hunting the being that slaughtered the farm animals. 3/5
😺 The Puca In The Priory: We meet our demon hunters Harper and Grace again but this time the monsters aren't what you would expect. I really enjoyed this one which I thought was sweet, interesting and quite humorous. 4/5.
🧚♀️ Going Around In Circles (Kidnap) : Harper and Grace investigate people disappearing from the park along with Harper's familiar Heresy and supernatural forensics researcher Saqib . They discover a Faerie circle. 3/5
🎽 The Tailor And The Acic'm (Alcohol, gambling, divorce) : Really enjoyed this one which was a tale of greed and broken promises. AJ tells the gang (Harper, Grace and Saqib) how his family got into the coven business and his history. 5/5
🦑 Easy As 1,2,3 (Mutilated Corpse): Loved this gruesome tale of possession and murder. 5/5
🚀 The Monks' Counting Song: Related to the previous story Easy as 1,2,3. Really glad the author included this as parts of the song is included in the previous story but not all. 5/5
🐱Look What The Cat Dragged In (Threat Of Harm To An Animal): A tale of Echo the greedy familiar. Another favourite of mine being a huge animal lover. I run Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice (you can find me on social media if you wish) so any story including cats is a huge bonus for me. Definitely a 5/5
👺 Girins In The Code: AJ brings a hacking job to the gang. Loved the banter and sarcasm in the gang and the humorous hacks. Another group of creatures are sent to the Zookeeper. 5/5
📖 Whispers In The Dark: After reading a tome in the archives Harper is haunted by whispers trying to get her to follow them. Enjoyed this story which had me worrying for Harper when she has a very close call 4/5
😈 A Deal With The Devil (Interrogation): Harper is interrogated by a Guardswoman and ends up walking into her trap. I wasn't really a fan of this one but it was part of the whole storyline so at the same time it was quite interesting to meet one of the Guards and seeing what goes on their side 2/5
Soul-Crushing Black And Bubblegummiest Blue (Harm to an animal, threat to a child): We meet Zero again in this story where he is in a nightmare with a child who is being kept by a jailer. I quite enjoyed this nightmarish tale that was filled with suspense and tension. 3/5
🪞Through The Looking Glass: Harper and Heresy are investigating the disappearance of Alice from her piano. Harper does not get the ending she was hoping for. I enjoyed this twisty tale of mirrors and other worlds and it wasn't quite what I expected it to be. 5/5
🎅🏻Christmas In The Shambles: Harper is admiring a violin when she is approached by a man but things are not quite what they seem and it leaves me concerned for Harper's future. 4/5
🐈Cats Don't Play Fetch (harm to an animal): Poor Zero has annoyed his master again. We get to meet the numbers that came after him and discover more about their creation. My heart did go out to Zero in this one and I just wanted to give him a cuddle. Although I felt sorry on him I did still enjoy this final story which gets a 5/5 from me.
An absolutely fantastic collection of disgusting, disturbing, suspenseful and tension packed horrific short stories!!! I haven't quite finished them all as unfortunately I have had a ram packed two weeks with a personal loss and so many appointments I've lost count but I wanted to get this up and will come back and add to the rest of the stories as I finish them.
This may be the first book I have read by this author but it most certainly won't be the last and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of her previous and future books!!!
A great collection of short stories with an excellent range of situations, characters, locations and narratives. My favourite ones had to be ' The Tailor And The Acic'm', ' Easy As 1,2,3', ' Through The Looking Glass'. These stories include suspense, horror, tension, murder, fantasy, the supernatural and much more! There is a great mix of stories so there is definitely something in there for everyone. The cover is absolutely amazing and it was one of the things that drew me to the book. This book is ideal to be able to pick up and read a story during a break or while making a cuppa!! I would probably avoid reading them as a bedtime story though!!! I am a huge fan of horror stories and the gorier the better for me!!! I loved that the stories all focused on the same characters of Harper, Grace, Heresy, AJ, Saqib and Echo and I am definitely looking forward to picking more of Alethea's books up and learning more about and meeting all these characters again. I am a huge animal lover and run Golden Oldies Cat rescue And Hospice (you can find me on social media) so any animals in books are a definite bonus for me especially cats and in these stories 2 of our main characters, heresy and Zero, are/take the form of cats so definitely bonus points deserved!! The excellent descriptions throughout ensures you feel the hair raising on your arms and the chill on your skin!!! The fact that these are short stories also allows you to pick it up and read a story at a time or read/listen to it in one sitting which is perfect for those who like to read multiple books at one time. Alethea has excellent writing skills and and I look forward to reading more of her work! The average rating for all the story ratings is 3.93 so I give the overall book a 4/5 rating
Grab your copy of 'Reawakening' and discover which stories you love!!!
Congratulations Alethea on an absolutely fantastic book of horror stories!!! Welcome to my favourite authors club and here's to your next success 🥂!!!
Overall an absolutely heart racing, gothic, chilling , suspense and tension filled addictive and explosive book of short stories that will keep you up at night!!!
#Reawakening #AletheaLyons #BrigidsGatePress #ZooLoosBookTours #ZooLoosBT
@Reawakening @AletheaLyons @BrigidsGatePress @ZooLoosBT @ZooLoosBT
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September 26, 2024
This book is a collection of short stories that tie into Alethea's The Seer of York Universe.
At only 124 pages, there is a story for everyone in here while visiting some old favourites.
The cover for this collection is very striking and definitely entices you to read and for anyone who is familiar to the Universe, the collection adds value to the overall series Alethea is creating.
If you are new, it offers a bitesized piece of the overall Universe action!
Although short, each story once again gives a unique fantasy insight into the darker aide of York!
A great little read.
At only 124 pages, there is a story for everyone in here while visiting some old favourites.
The cover for this collection is very striking and definitely entices you to read and for anyone who is familiar to the Universe, the collection adds value to the overall series Alethea is creating.
If you are new, it offers a bitesized piece of the overall Universe action!
Although short, each story once again gives a unique fantasy insight into the darker aide of York!
A great little read.
September 25, 2024
The Hiding, the alternate-York set supernatural folklore urban fantasy critical hit of earlier this year, saw Alethea Lyons introduce us to one of the most compelling fantasy worlds of recent times: a Britain of mythical creatures kept at bay by a magical border, within which religious powers vie with the secular, dystopian Queen’s Guard for how to handle the threat of magic. It was atmospheric, it was chilling, it was vividly described with prose you can dine off, and with the strong found family vibes of the Buffy-style monster hunters who live in this supernatural York (complete with witch, monster-slayer, wisecracking demon, IT expert and science geek), it was something to get obsessed over.
And now Lyons, while we wait patiently for next year’s sequel, has returned to this world with a collection of shorts that takes place immediately after the seismic ending of Book 1, both expanding the addictive mythos she has created and gently introducing the big plot lines that I assume will explode into relevance in the sequel.
On the face of it, this is (Buffy reference again, sorry, Elder Millennial talking) simply a “monster-of-the-week” affair, as the fab five investigate all the creatures and entities unleashed as a result of the events of Book 1. And what an eclectic mix this is – from ghostly monks to gremlins in the machine (literally) to the faery folk to shapeshifting demons. But this is the author who mixes the surreal with the wholesome with the chilling with the thematic with consummate ease so, of course, it is much more than that.
Not that we don’t get the purely chilling, of course. In Through the Looking Glass, a lost girl is found, but her fate is more disturbing than a spider leg in your pasta. Opening tale Never Alone Again offers a subtly sinister possession story to kicks off proceedings. And in the one of the standout stories, The Tailor and The Acic’m – a cautionary tale of the past narrated by one of the characters – we get a sobering reminder of the consequences of messing with the fae folk.
Throughout all these stories, we get a mix of wonderful character moments, as Lyons deftly builds up our characters’ relationships and challenges without ruining it for those who will skip this (more fool them!) for Book 2. It’s a delicate balance to give a mid-run collection value without making it essential reading, and Lyons is up to the task. So we get hints throughout of the sinister role the Queen’s Guard – the Orwellian magic-hating fascists of this universe – are playing, and more hints as to central protagonist Harper’s real witch background.
But we also get a new character, who I suspect will play a large role in Book 2, Zero the cat – a cat with many special powers. In the same manner that witty mischief-maker Heresy the deception demon stole the show in The Hiding, so here Zero, in the two stories he appears in, makes the most of his limelight. Zero appears to be a good, magic cat in the care of an almost-certainly-not-good sorcerer (the big bad of Book 2? we shall see) and their cruel treatment by their owner as they seek freedom is hard but mesmerising to read. In one of the standout stories, they journey through dreams and nightmares, described in a kaleidoscopic array of colours and emotions which showcases Lyon’s gift of the surreal and the visual. Their pain when they are pulled from these dreams by their cruel master is palpably felt by the reader who at this point is already obsessed with this curious feline.
Overall, this collection is further proof that Lyons’ supernatural York is one of the most vividly compelling fantasy universes to be in right now – one part chilling, one part wholesome and all parts must-read.
And now Lyons, while we wait patiently for next year’s sequel, has returned to this world with a collection of shorts that takes place immediately after the seismic ending of Book 1, both expanding the addictive mythos she has created and gently introducing the big plot lines that I assume will explode into relevance in the sequel.
On the face of it, this is (Buffy reference again, sorry, Elder Millennial talking) simply a “monster-of-the-week” affair, as the fab five investigate all the creatures and entities unleashed as a result of the events of Book 1. And what an eclectic mix this is – from ghostly monks to gremlins in the machine (literally) to the faery folk to shapeshifting demons. But this is the author who mixes the surreal with the wholesome with the chilling with the thematic with consummate ease so, of course, it is much more than that.
Not that we don’t get the purely chilling, of course. In Through the Looking Glass, a lost girl is found, but her fate is more disturbing than a spider leg in your pasta. Opening tale Never Alone Again offers a subtly sinister possession story to kicks off proceedings. And in the one of the standout stories, The Tailor and The Acic’m – a cautionary tale of the past narrated by one of the characters – we get a sobering reminder of the consequences of messing with the fae folk.
Throughout all these stories, we get a mix of wonderful character moments, as Lyons deftly builds up our characters’ relationships and challenges without ruining it for those who will skip this (more fool them!) for Book 2. It’s a delicate balance to give a mid-run collection value without making it essential reading, and Lyons is up to the task. So we get hints throughout of the sinister role the Queen’s Guard – the Orwellian magic-hating fascists of this universe – are playing, and more hints as to central protagonist Harper’s real witch background.
But we also get a new character, who I suspect will play a large role in Book 2, Zero the cat – a cat with many special powers. In the same manner that witty mischief-maker Heresy the deception demon stole the show in The Hiding, so here Zero, in the two stories he appears in, makes the most of his limelight. Zero appears to be a good, magic cat in the care of an almost-certainly-not-good sorcerer (the big bad of Book 2? we shall see) and their cruel treatment by their owner as they seek freedom is hard but mesmerising to read. In one of the standout stories, they journey through dreams and nightmares, described in a kaleidoscopic array of colours and emotions which showcases Lyon’s gift of the surreal and the visual. Their pain when they are pulled from these dreams by their cruel master is palpably felt by the reader who at this point is already obsessed with this curious feline.
Overall, this collection is further proof that Lyons’ supernatural York is one of the most vividly compelling fantasy universes to be in right now – one part chilling, one part wholesome and all parts must-read.
November 11, 2024
The Review
A compelling, haunting, and action-paced collection of short stories, the author marvelously showcases a modern-day York that has found the supernatural to be an everyday fact of life. The self-contained nature of each story allows readers to pick and choose which stories to read without risking losing too much background story from the main series while also paying respect to the original novel that began it all. The chilling nature of the threats facing the protagonists and the robust and emotional writing style the author brings to each story will resonate with many readers.
The flawed yet relatable nature of these characters, the substantial use of mythology and religion throughout human history, and the grounded nature of the supernatural made this book feel vibrant and alive on the page. The book's slow exploration of some powerful themes, including but not limited to the blurred lines that exist between what is considered good and what is considered evil, with many presenting as one thing and being another, allowed readers to engage with the stories on a whole other level.
The Verdict
Harrowing, memorable, and entertaining, author Althea Lyon’s “Reawakening” is a must-read collection of short stories. The stories themselves were fantastic, and with the holidays coming up, the gothic nature of Christmas in the Shambles was a personal favorite. The twists and turns in each story and the new additions to this universe's growing mythos will make readers eager for more from this incredible author.
A compelling, haunting, and action-paced collection of short stories, the author marvelously showcases a modern-day York that has found the supernatural to be an everyday fact of life. The self-contained nature of each story allows readers to pick and choose which stories to read without risking losing too much background story from the main series while also paying respect to the original novel that began it all. The chilling nature of the threats facing the protagonists and the robust and emotional writing style the author brings to each story will resonate with many readers.
The flawed yet relatable nature of these characters, the substantial use of mythology and religion throughout human history, and the grounded nature of the supernatural made this book feel vibrant and alive on the page. The book's slow exploration of some powerful themes, including but not limited to the blurred lines that exist between what is considered good and what is considered evil, with many presenting as one thing and being another, allowed readers to engage with the stories on a whole other level.
The Verdict
Harrowing, memorable, and entertaining, author Althea Lyon’s “Reawakening” is a must-read collection of short stories. The stories themselves were fantastic, and with the holidays coming up, the gothic nature of Christmas in the Shambles was a personal favorite. The twists and turns in each story and the new additions to this universe's growing mythos will make readers eager for more from this incredible author.
September 9, 2024
I adored The Hiding by Alethea Lyons and was so excited to learn that she was publishing a collection of short stories set in The Seer of York universe. As a Yorkshire (well Derbyshire but we used to visit York a lot!) girl I adored seeing the city come to life in such a unique and new way.
The characters in the universe are all fantastic but if you know me you should know that when a new character, called Zero, that is a starlight cat is introduced I’m going to love it. But I swear this collection is worth the high praise and not just down to Zero!
I often find short story collections can be hit and miss but Reawakening is a fantastic collection with no misses as far as I’m concerned. I did have favourites which strangely enough, apart from one, all featured Zero but I enjoyed each one. What I will say is that Lyons has not only mastered the novel but the short story too. Sometimes with a short story it can feel rushed or that we are left on a cliffhanger. That is not the case here. The other plus to this collection is while obviously I recommend reading The Hiding first I will say you can read this first to get a bit of understanding of what Harper does and what world she lives in.
In short if you love fantasy this is a must read!
As always thank you to Brigid’s Gate Press and ZooLoo's Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest and truthful.
The characters in the universe are all fantastic but if you know me you should know that when a new character, called Zero, that is a starlight cat is introduced I’m going to love it. But I swear this collection is worth the high praise and not just down to Zero!
I often find short story collections can be hit and miss but Reawakening is a fantastic collection with no misses as far as I’m concerned. I did have favourites which strangely enough, apart from one, all featured Zero but I enjoyed each one. What I will say is that Lyons has not only mastered the novel but the short story too. Sometimes with a short story it can feel rushed or that we are left on a cliffhanger. That is not the case here. The other plus to this collection is while obviously I recommend reading The Hiding first I will say you can read this first to get a bit of understanding of what Harper does and what world she lives in.
In short if you love fantasy this is a must read!
As always thank you to Brigid’s Gate Press and ZooLoo's Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest and truthful.
October 3, 2024
Although the beginning and intro sets up the world of The Seer of York universe, the intro and stories have a different feeling. Whereas the intro to the supernatural, dark and demonic element of York has a more ancient almost medieval feel to it, the stories have a present day vibe. In a way it sets the two worlds apart, despite their commonalities.
It’s a short collection, novella length. Each of the stories opens the door to both a new adventure and front seat to the machinations of the power that is hidden in plain sight and the merry band of monster hunters who are intent on keeping them at bay.
Might be an interesting idea for a small screen series, nobody has quite managed to fill the Buffy sphere since that waved goodbye, but perhaps that isn’t doing the individual stories real justice. They vary in depth, in walks through folklore, myths and legends. Ghoulish, grim, disturbing and balancing the scales are the monster hunters.
I like to see some of the shorts developed with more depth – possible ideas for the next book in the series perhaps, although I’m sure there are plenty more where these came from. It’s definitely world-building with a lot of potential – looking forward to seeing where the author takes it.
It’s a short collection, novella length. Each of the stories opens the door to both a new adventure and front seat to the machinations of the power that is hidden in plain sight and the merry band of monster hunters who are intent on keeping them at bay.
Might be an interesting idea for a small screen series, nobody has quite managed to fill the Buffy sphere since that waved goodbye, but perhaps that isn’t doing the individual stories real justice. They vary in depth, in walks through folklore, myths and legends. Ghoulish, grim, disturbing and balancing the scales are the monster hunters.
I like to see some of the shorts developed with more depth – possible ideas for the next book in the series perhaps, although I’m sure there are plenty more where these came from. It’s definitely world-building with a lot of potential – looking forward to seeing where the author takes it.
August 16, 2024
An anthology of tales set in an alternate York, which includes magic, witchcraft and a state run on condemnation of such practices (partially by government and partially by Religious leaders).
Enjoy a young woman called Harper Grace, who have created their own unique team to combat the rising disturbance of magical beings against normal humans.
Grace has ties to the church through her Godfather and Harper has ties to who knows, as even she doesn't know about her background or where she's come from.
This was a captivating and immersive novel of short stories that gave me an overview of the Seer of York series and makes me want to read more about this universe (as I have never previously encountered these books). I am extremely happy to find that there are other books that I can catch up on while I await the next installment!
Enjoy a young woman called Harper Grace, who have created their own unique team to combat the rising disturbance of magical beings against normal humans.
Grace has ties to the church through her Godfather and Harper has ties to who knows, as even she doesn't know about her background or where she's come from.
This was a captivating and immersive novel of short stories that gave me an overview of the Seer of York series and makes me want to read more about this universe (as I have never previously encountered these books). I am extremely happy to find that there are other books that I can catch up on while I await the next installment!
September 21, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I read The Hiding, also by this author, sometime ago, and I really liked it, which is why I decided to read this. This takes place in the same universe as The Hiding, but I don't think you need to read The Hiding, to read this.
This was an intriguing collection of dark fantasy short stories. I found them all engaging and well-written. They were all quite spooky. Some were a little bit gruesome, and some were a little bizarre, but they were all entertaining.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
I read The Hiding, also by this author, sometime ago, and I really liked it, which is why I decided to read this. This takes place in the same universe as The Hiding, but I don't think you need to read The Hiding, to read this.
This was an intriguing collection of dark fantasy short stories. I found them all engaging and well-written. They were all quite spooky. Some were a little bit gruesome, and some were a little bizarre, but they were all entertaining.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
September 28, 2024
I enjoyed this author’s previous book and was really looking forward to reading this collection of short stories by her.
Although all are connected to the novel The Hiding, you don’t have to have read it to enjoy these short stories. I think shorts can be difficult write as they need to pack a lot of detail into it many words, but Alethea does this skilfully and I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them, revealing enough in each story to leave you wanting to read more. There are fabulous characters, both human and inhuman, though I have to admit, one of my favourites is Heresy. This book is great as a standalone read, but is also a great companion to Alethea’s novel The Hiding.
Although all are connected to the novel The Hiding, you don’t have to have read it to enjoy these short stories. I think shorts can be difficult write as they need to pack a lot of detail into it many words, but Alethea does this skilfully and I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them, revealing enough in each story to leave you wanting to read more. There are fabulous characters, both human and inhuman, though I have to admit, one of my favourites is Heresy. This book is great as a standalone read, but is also a great companion to Alethea’s novel The Hiding.
October 11, 2024
Having read her first book, I couldn't wait to get my copy of this one. I liked the short story format to carry on the aftermath of what took place in The Hiding. Also a good tool to introduce new characters. Some of the stories were very creepy... in s good way. This is a great time for the book to come out near Halloween. A short story a night perhaps just to get into that All Hallows Eve feeling.
January 3, 2025
Gruesome, Gothic Tales of Magic and Mystery
Another example of magnificent writing in this collection of short stories to intrigue, indulge yourself in with some fun twists and turns that will keep you busy and engaged throughout.
You won’t be disappointed by these wondrous gruesome, gothic, magical adventure stories from The Seer of York Universe, uniquely crafted and inspired by the classic of York, U.K.
Another example of magnificent writing in this collection of short stories to intrigue, indulge yourself in with some fun twists and turns that will keep you busy and engaged throughout.
You won’t be disappointed by these wondrous gruesome, gothic, magical adventure stories from The Seer of York Universe, uniquely crafted and inspired by the classic of York, U.K.
January 28, 2025
As with all of Lyons' work, these stories are dripping with atmosphere and mystery, with a little humour to lighten the load. The team of characters start to become old friends, like the gang from your favourite TV series. There's also a magic cat. Do you need any more reason to buy?
December 4, 2024
Magical, terrifying, and even ferocious. A new collection of fantastic stories and fractured fairy tales featuring some of your favorites from The Hiding.
December 4, 2024
This works as a stand alone, bit it also gives more flesh to the previous novel, The Hiding. Plenty of dark atmosphere and paranoia. Just excellent.
January 3, 2025
Review submitted via Amazon Kindle Unlimited
November 8, 2024
This short story collection is the ideal format for picking up when you have a few minutes to spare, at mealtimes and break times.
Each of the 16 tales thrusts you back into the alternate York universe, with its chilling atmosphere full of foreboding and something from urban folklore in every nook and cranny.
The familiar characters, plus new member Zero, who appears in two of the stories and who will undoubtedly be a favourite, investigate strange occurences following The Hiding. Tense, funny, and immersive, these shorts should delight every fantasy fan, particularly those waiting for The Hiding's sequel.
Each of the 16 tales thrusts you back into the alternate York universe, with its chilling atmosphere full of foreboding and something from urban folklore in every nook and cranny.
The familiar characters, plus new member Zero, who appears in two of the stories and who will undoubtedly be a favourite, investigate strange occurences following The Hiding. Tense, funny, and immersive, these shorts should delight every fantasy fan, particularly those waiting for The Hiding's sequel.
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