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Arianna Rose #2
The Awakening
Overwhelmed by her powers and the discovery of what she is, Arianna Rose struggles to retain normalcy in her day-to-day life. But dark forces conspire against her, and make plain that a normal life is a luxury she will never be afforded. Arianna struggles to protect those closest to her from the evil closing in around her.
In this second installment of the Arianna Rose series, Arianna must confront evil that seeks to destroy her.
Heart pounding and gripping, Arianna Rose is a dark and exhilarating paranormal thrill ride.
In this second installment of the Arianna Rose series, Arianna must confront evil that seeks to destroy her.
Heart pounding and gripping, Arianna Rose is a dark and exhilarating paranormal thrill ride.
ebook
First published November 12, 2012
34 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Martucci
61 books117 followersJennifer and Christopher Martucci hoped that their life plan had changed radically in early 2010. To date, the jury is still out. But late one night, in January of 2010, the stay at home mom of three girls (all under the age of six) had just picked up the last doll from the playroom floor and placed it in a bin when her husband startled her by declaring, “We should write a book, together!” Wearied from a day of shuttling the children to and from school, preschool and Daisy Scouts, laundry, cooking and cleaning, Jennifer simply stared blankly at her husband of fifteen years. After all, the idea of writing a book had been an individual dream each of them possessed for much of their young adult lives. Both had written separately in their teens and early twenties, but without much success. They would write a dozen chapters here and there only to find that either the plot would fall apart, or characters would lose their zest, or the story would just fall flat. Christopher had always preferred penning science fiction stories filled with monsters and diabolical villains, while Jennifer had favored venting personal experiences or writing about romance, as romance was far easier to invent fictitiously than it was to attain in real life. Inevitably though, frustration and day to day life had placed writing on the back burner and for several years, each had pursued alternate (paying) careers. But the dream never died. And Christopher suggested that their dream ought to be removed from the back burner for further examination. When he proposed that he and his wife author a book together on that cold January night, Jennifer was hesitant to reject the idea outright. His proposal sparked a discussion, and the discussion lasted deep into the night. By morning, the idea for the Dark Creations series was born.
The Dark Creations series was written while Jennifer and Christopher continued with their day to day activities and raised their young children. They changed diapers, potty trained and went to story time at the local library between chapter outlines and served as room parents while fleshing out individal sections of the book. Life simply continued. And in some ways, their everyday lives were reflected in the characters of the series. In fact, the main female characters are named after three very important people in their lives: their three daughters. Their likenesses end there, however.
As the story line continues to evolve, so too does the Martucci collaboration. Lunches are still packed, noses are still wiped and time remains a rare and precious commodity in their household in upstate New York, but it is the sound of happy chaos that is the true background music of their writing. They hope that their work, though penned for a young adult audience, will be appreciated by the young of every age, and that all enjoy reading it as much as they enjoyed writing it.
The Dark Creations series was written while Jennifer and Christopher continued with their day to day activities and raised their young children. They changed diapers, potty trained and went to story time at the local library between chapter outlines and served as room parents while fleshing out individal sections of the book. Life simply continued. And in some ways, their everyday lives were reflected in the characters of the series. In fact, the main female characters are named after three very important people in their lives: their three daughters. Their likenesses end there, however.
As the story line continues to evolve, so too does the Martucci collaboration. Lunches are still packed, noses are still wiped and time remains a rare and precious commodity in their household in upstate New York, but it is the sound of happy chaos that is the true background music of their writing. They hope that their work, though penned for a young adult audience, will be appreciated by the young of every age, and that all enjoy reading it as much as they enjoyed writing it.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 8, 2018
Admittedly i think this is an older YA book its very very raw, the ending was a real shocker. It doesn't dress things up to be something else you get the good as well as the bad and ugly. My only stipulation is i wish books where a bit longer.
July 10, 2018
I read book 1 back in 2015 and only just recently got around to reading book 2. I have no clue what happened. lol
I also need to state for the record that I am a critical thinker/reader. Obviously, my reviews from three years ago are going to be different from now. I don't know when my critical-ness became what it is now, but yeah...I can't help but notice mistakes in areas such as: punctuation, grammar, plot/storyline, inconsistencies, etc. I can still enjoy a story though, so that's all that matters to me.
Moving on, in all honesty, I have no clue why I liked book 1 of this series. I had to reread it since it had been a while, and I needed to refresh my memory. Well, I did that, read book 2 and have book 3 waiting for me. Book 1 was eh! Book 2 had more going on but still wasn't all that and a bag of chips. I can only imagine how book 3 will be. All I can say is that it better answer the questions I have.
The first thing I noticed, as similar to the first book in this series, is all the mistakes. Seriously, there are tons! Considering there were two people who wrote this series, how in the world did so many mistakes get passed them, not to mention any beta-readers, editors/publishes, etc. that would have been involved?
The number one mistake that annoyed me the most? The use of the semicolon! Obviously, those involved in the writing, editing, and publishing process have no clue how to correctly use a semicolon. Kinda sad, really.
There was also a fair amount of repetition. For example:
"She looked left then right, undecided about where she should go exactly."
THEN two sentences later:
"She wasn't sure where she was going..."
As well as poor writing:
"She wrapped her arms around her body clutching her midsection (sounds good) as an icy breezed gusted." A what gusted? An icy breezeD! Okay, so the authors added an extra 'D.' Not a big deal, kinda sorta. But if it were "...an icy breeze gusted..." gusted where? what? who? when? why? See where I'm going here?
Questions/Comments:
The most important question for this series: Why is fire the witches/warlocks main line of defense? I couldn't figure that out. Maybe the authors were going for something different? Although witches are known for their elemental powers, sometimes they can control all the elements, sometimes they're more drawn to one or two of them. But everyone in this series is all about fire. I don't get it?!
Arianna didn't "...want to push it on my [her]first day." Actually, this was her second day of school.
So we gain more details surrounding Howard and his first kills (his mother and her lover). He kills his mother's lover, and what exactly does his mother do as Howard turns to her...to kill her? I honestly don't know. She seems to just sit there and wait for him to come to her, to stab her.
"'I'm a witch?' she gasped.
'I prefer to call you a seer. Your powers are not of this world.'" Sorry, but there's a difference between a witch and a seer. A witch can do a variety of magical things, whereas, a seer sees the past or future.
The young group of people that Howard killed weren't real witches. Desmond tells her that they hadn't been witch imposters either, "...just innocent people who had been curious about witchcraft," So then they were witch imposters since they were pretending to be witches. Am I right? Or am I right?
Desmond and Arianna disappear from the club after the one guy gets burned to death. When they reappear, "...she and Desmond were huddled together in the Blue Ivy nightclub." BUT "...she swore she heard Desmond's laugh echo...though he wasn't there." But, he was there! How were they huddling together if he wasn't there?
When Stephanie and Arianna try to explain to the others about what happened to them outside of the club, why (multiple times) do both girls say the guys had "tried" to attack them. They attacked them! Plain and simple.
Why when a male and female are making out does the female typically feel the man's "excitement" pressed against her stomach? Seriously though! I've read a similar line in so many books, it's crazy! Are the guys just always that tall compared to a really short female?
The authors attempt to describe Howard before he starts praying. He touches his forehead (In the name of the Father), his belly (The Son), and then his left and right shoulders (and the Holy Ghost). His belly? Um...no! The praying person touches their upper-center chest, not their belly! Just saying. I'm a non-religious person and even I know that.
I didn't understand why Stephanie was so eager to call the cops on Arianna after they were attacked. She kept telling her brother that Arianna had murdered the one guy. I get Stephanie is a bitch. She's a character the reader will want to hate, and she later states that she doesn't like Arianna, but still...
Who exactly is Desmond? He's got powers. He's always been "around" Arianna while she's been growing up; that doesn't seem strange. There's no way he's a simple warlock. What does he do when he's not with her?
Arianna finds out she's a witch, what does she do? Not bother to ask Desmond questions. Check! What about when she goes back to find out what's going on with Lilly. She's been told that Howard is/was in that town, yet what does Arianna do? Or not do? Well, she doesn't confirm with Desmond whether or not he's still there. Plus, she doesn't tell him that she's even going there. But wait! Isn't he always with her? So how did he not know she was in danger? Specifically, at the end of the story when Arianna finds out Howard has taken her mother. Arianna's all emotional. Where's Desmond?
Arianna and Luke are heading to school. There's a snot joke or something that's told during their trip that I didn't understand at all. "With the rash of snotty tissue droppings, I just want to be sure I'm not a target..." Huh? This was said after Arianna grabs a used tissue from her purse.
Luke is supposed to be all that when it comes to engines, right? So, why does his truck sound like a piece of crap?
Can I just say that when they have sex, yeah...that was the simplest? Maybe the easiest way of describing Luke putting his penis in Arianna's vagina. "She parted her legs and felt him enter her." Wow! That definitely sounds like a fireworks moment there! EDIT: book 3 with her and Desmond wasn't much different. And I'm not going to comment about the fact that Luke doesn't bother taking his condom off because he's just so tired, and Arianna doesn't bother to clean herself up either. Nope, I'm not commenting about either of those questionable things.
Luke drives a pickup truck. So why is it repeatedly referred to as either a pickup truck OR a car! A car and truck are not the same thing. Again, just saying.
Arianna knows that Lilly's parents were killed in their bedroom laying in a pool of blood. So did Howard and his men take the bodies and clean the mess? All that blood from two bodies? Was it that easy to get up without there being any obvious signs that blood had been there? Yeah, I didn't think so.
I'm assuming that when Howard learns that Arianna, the Sola, the one he's been searching for is at Lilly's house, he tells his men to kill her themselves as a test of her power?
How did none of the neighbors hear shooting or screaming going on in Lilly's house/yard?
"Arianna was not in the mood to answer what promised to be an unending battery of questions from her mother about why she was home from school so early." Huh? Did her mother suddenly change into one that cares about what her child does? Yeah, I didn't think so. Why this line above makes absolutely no sense.
I also need to state for the record that I am a critical thinker/reader. Obviously, my reviews from three years ago are going to be different from now. I don't know when my critical-ness became what it is now, but yeah...I can't help but notice mistakes in areas such as: punctuation, grammar, plot/storyline, inconsistencies, etc. I can still enjoy a story though, so that's all that matters to me.
Moving on, in all honesty, I have no clue why I liked book 1 of this series. I had to reread it since it had been a while, and I needed to refresh my memory. Well, I did that, read book 2 and have book 3 waiting for me. Book 1 was eh! Book 2 had more going on but still wasn't all that and a bag of chips. I can only imagine how book 3 will be. All I can say is that it better answer the questions I have.
The first thing I noticed, as similar to the first book in this series, is all the mistakes. Seriously, there are tons! Considering there were two people who wrote this series, how in the world did so many mistakes get passed them, not to mention any beta-readers, editors/publishes, etc. that would have been involved?
The number one mistake that annoyed me the most? The use of the semicolon! Obviously, those involved in the writing, editing, and publishing process have no clue how to correctly use a semicolon. Kinda sad, really.
There was also a fair amount of repetition. For example:
"She looked left then right, undecided about where she should go exactly."
THEN two sentences later:
"She wasn't sure where she was going..."
As well as poor writing:
"She wrapped her arms around her body clutching her midsection (sounds good) as an icy breezed gusted." A what gusted? An icy breezeD! Okay, so the authors added an extra 'D.' Not a big deal, kinda sorta. But if it were "...an icy breeze gusted..." gusted where? what? who? when? why? See where I'm going here?
Questions/Comments:
The most important question for this series: Why is fire the witches/warlocks main line of defense? I couldn't figure that out. Maybe the authors were going for something different? Although witches are known for their elemental powers, sometimes they can control all the elements, sometimes they're more drawn to one or two of them. But everyone in this series is all about fire. I don't get it?!
Arianna didn't "...want to push it on my [her]first day." Actually, this was her second day of school.
So we gain more details surrounding Howard and his first kills (his mother and her lover). He kills his mother's lover, and what exactly does his mother do as Howard turns to her...to kill her? I honestly don't know. She seems to just sit there and wait for him to come to her, to stab her.
"'I'm a witch?' she gasped.
'I prefer to call you a seer. Your powers are not of this world.'" Sorry, but there's a difference between a witch and a seer. A witch can do a variety of magical things, whereas, a seer sees the past or future.
The young group of people that Howard killed weren't real witches. Desmond tells her that they hadn't been witch imposters either, "...just innocent people who had been curious about witchcraft," So then they were witch imposters since they were pretending to be witches. Am I right? Or am I right?
Desmond and Arianna disappear from the club after the one guy gets burned to death. When they reappear, "...she and Desmond were huddled together in the Blue Ivy nightclub." BUT "...she swore she heard Desmond's laugh echo...though he wasn't there." But, he was there! How were they huddling together if he wasn't there?
When Stephanie and Arianna try to explain to the others about what happened to them outside of the club, why (multiple times) do both girls say the guys had "tried" to attack them. They attacked them! Plain and simple.
Why when a male and female are making out does the female typically feel the man's "excitement" pressed against her stomach? Seriously though! I've read a similar line in so many books, it's crazy! Are the guys just always that tall compared to a really short female?
The authors attempt to describe Howard before he starts praying. He touches his forehead (In the name of the Father), his belly (The Son), and then his left and right shoulders (and the Holy Ghost). His belly? Um...no! The praying person touches their upper-center chest, not their belly! Just saying. I'm a non-religious person and even I know that.
I didn't understand why Stephanie was so eager to call the cops on Arianna after they were attacked. She kept telling her brother that Arianna had murdered the one guy. I get Stephanie is a bitch. She's a character the reader will want to hate, and she later states that she doesn't like Arianna, but still...
Who exactly is Desmond? He's got powers. He's always been "around" Arianna while she's been growing up; that doesn't seem strange. There's no way he's a simple warlock. What does he do when he's not with her?
Arianna finds out she's a witch, what does she do? Not bother to ask Desmond questions. Check! What about when she goes back to find out what's going on with Lilly. She's been told that Howard is/was in that town, yet what does Arianna do? Or not do? Well, she doesn't confirm with Desmond whether or not he's still there. Plus, she doesn't tell him that she's even going there. But wait! Isn't he always with her? So how did he not know she was in danger? Specifically, at the end of the story when Arianna finds out Howard has taken her mother. Arianna's all emotional. Where's Desmond?
Arianna and Luke are heading to school. There's a snot joke or something that's told during their trip that I didn't understand at all. "With the rash of snotty tissue droppings, I just want to be sure I'm not a target..." Huh? This was said after Arianna grabs a used tissue from her purse.
Luke is supposed to be all that when it comes to engines, right? So, why does his truck sound like a piece of crap?
Can I just say that when they have sex, yeah...that was the simplest? Maybe the easiest way of describing Luke putting his penis in Arianna's vagina. "She parted her legs and felt him enter her." Wow! That definitely sounds like a fireworks moment there! EDIT: book 3 with her and Desmond wasn't much different. And I'm not going to comment about the fact that Luke doesn't bother taking his condom off because he's just so tired, and Arianna doesn't bother to clean herself up either. Nope, I'm not commenting about either of those questionable things.
Luke drives a pickup truck. So why is it repeatedly referred to as either a pickup truck OR a car! A car and truck are not the same thing. Again, just saying.
Arianna knows that Lilly's parents were killed in their bedroom laying in a pool of blood. So did Howard and his men take the bodies and clean the mess? All that blood from two bodies? Was it that easy to get up without there being any obvious signs that blood had been there? Yeah, I didn't think so.
I'm assuming that when Howard learns that Arianna, the Sola, the one he's been searching for is at Lilly's house, he tells his men to kill her themselves as a test of her power?
How did none of the neighbors hear shooting or screaming going on in Lilly's house/yard?
"Arianna was not in the mood to answer what promised to be an unending battery of questions from her mother about why she was home from school so early." Huh? Did her mother suddenly change into one that cares about what her child does? Yeah, I didn't think so. Why this line above makes absolutely no sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2015
In book two I f the series Arianna has many things to deal with and overcome. first she has Howard Kane to deal with and that she does. what uhh check brings the Sola out. her powers are expanding more and more with each day passing . what I didn't get that is that she can hear conversations from far away without trying them later in the book it d I sent mention that she even has the power but then she seems to be able to read minds later on . way later and think she's going crazy. it makes no sense . I also thought the relationship if her and Luke could k dev been a bit more drawn out but it enough d ed abruptly and not in a good way. but as the story goes on there's so much more that actually gets better but kinda unresolved things going on. I think the book could be been longer just to add clarity. but it does get better and maybe later things can be clear. now she's met a bad bunch of her kind and her powers obviously draw her to them. so a lot goes down in this book and I sou k dint want to ruin any of that. so if you read book n one this one's way better and I'll don't get why Desmond her watcher never t re sins her I n anyway. I mean he r was trained all the witches and warlords she meets seem to g ave been trained by someone and have been told of the prophecies but Arianna. so why isn't Desmond training her I instead of letting her learn on her own she has no control over her powers and as more surface she's just teaching herself. plus theirs so many powers she's not even aware of but processes them all. that can be improved ok n and :O p e it is in the coming books. . I just want to read on and find out what happens now. the books are good in the sense of the storyline though. so I'm hoping in the coming books that they are improved. I really like the books their just missing all I stated but I will continue to read on.
September 13, 2015
I re-read this so I could refresh my memory before reading book 3. Arianna learns the fate of her best friend. Her boyfriend realizes what she can do and he has trouble dealing with it. Then the guy hunting her finds her. She loses everyone she has ever cared about except for Desmond, the warlock helping her. She feels so alone but there is much that she still needs to do. I can't wait to read book 3 and learn what else Arianna has to face.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2023
So I read the first book and thought it was ok, but a few things niggled at my brain.
I can deal with maybe reading a book about witches, but when it came to the sex, that's what gave me pause for thought...nothing against sex, even if it's teenagers. But the way it was described is what didn't work for me. How many 17-18 yr olds do you know--especially having been one--that go about having sex the way it was described??? I guess what I'm saying is that the description was more fitting for ROMANTIC sex, not a basal need due to being a horny teen!
Had I paid more attention and realized that this was about a young witch coming of age, I wouldn't have read it at all, but I didn't...my fault. As I said in my review for the first book, I liked the storyline--I'd have been content with reading about a teen coming of age and her having to deal with an alcoholic parent, her school life, etc. The other characters in the school setting made it a believeable read; they were likeable and reminiscent of my school days. Sadly, I'm not interested in finishing the series.
I can deal with maybe reading a book about witches, but when it came to the sex, that's what gave me pause for thought...nothing against sex, even if it's teenagers. But the way it was described is what didn't work for me. How many 17-18 yr olds do you know--especially having been one--that go about having sex the way it was described??? I guess what I'm saying is that the description was more fitting for ROMANTIC sex, not a basal need due to being a horny teen!
Had I paid more attention and realized that this was about a young witch coming of age, I wouldn't have read it at all, but I didn't...my fault. As I said in my review for the first book, I liked the storyline--I'd have been content with reading about a teen coming of age and her having to deal with an alcoholic parent, her school life, etc. The other characters in the school setting made it a believeable read; they were likeable and reminiscent of my school days. Sadly, I'm not interested in finishing the series.
July 20, 2017
He was dispatched of way to easily. Luke and her mom..wow..really didn't see that coming. Had a feeling Howard was one of them, yeah, seeing another man while doing the deed. Saw that coming. Who the hell was talking to Howard then..lol
Want to read
July 30, 2023I have not been able to find this book anywhere!!!! its so frustrating as I loved the first one and I happen to be one of those people who can't read a series out of order. Can anybody help me find this book?
April 13, 2019
Oh my goodness, what a rollercoaster. Love it but hate it. On to book 3.
May 28, 2014
"The Awakening" is a wonderful follow up to the first book in the Arianna Rose series. This time, Arianna knows who and what she is. However, Stephanie is avoiding her like the plague and she warns Luke to stay away from her.
Arianna is concerned about her friend Lily. So, she talk Luke into taking her to her former home to check on her friend. What she discovers will change her world forever as well as her relationship with Luke.
During this transition, Arianna seeks answers from Desmond. He promises to train her for an inevitable battle with Howard Kane but before he has a chance, her mother is kidnapped. An enraged Arianna will not wait for assistance. She will tackle this problem by herself. However, she has no clue how much she will lose.
I enjoyed this installment but will admit that I was not much of fan for how the confrontation played out nor was I a fan of the ending. I feel Arianna's confrontation with Howard was too soon as well as a little anticlimactic. I now wonder just where this series is headed. I need to think on this a little more before I proceed with the next book.
Arianna is concerned about her friend Lily. So, she talk Luke into taking her to her former home to check on her friend. What she discovers will change her world forever as well as her relationship with Luke.
During this transition, Arianna seeks answers from Desmond. He promises to train her for an inevitable battle with Howard Kane but before he has a chance, her mother is kidnapped. An enraged Arianna will not wait for assistance. She will tackle this problem by herself. However, she has no clue how much she will lose.
I enjoyed this installment but will admit that I was not much of fan for how the confrontation played out nor was I a fan of the ending. I feel Arianna's confrontation with Howard was too soon as well as a little anticlimactic. I now wonder just where this series is headed. I need to think on this a little more before I proceed with the next book.
November 16, 2013
These books are getting better! I am starting the 4th one today! Great story line! Arianna Rose has become a formidable character! She is growing and maturing! Being the Sola is tough! I wasn't sure when I read the first one, but gave them a chance and I really like them. The reason I started reading it was because Arianna is my grandaughters name! Glad I got them! You won't be disappointed!
August 23, 2015
I enjoyed part two of this series. Arianna went through a good bit in this book but I think it was supposed to happen so she could truly become The Sola. Although I get it I hate how things ended with her mom and Luke. Now I am wondering what is the deal with Desmond so on to part 3 to see what becomes of Arianna next
March 1, 2013
This one was better than the first one. Arianna comes into her powers and all hell breaks lose. Some lives are lost, friendships destroyed and new ones made. I recommend this book to ages 17+ due to some sex and cussing. hahaha i loved it!!!
August 21, 2013
It's decent. The writing is okay, but could be a bit better. The story is pretty good, and is really what keeps me reading the series. I hope that the writers improve the more they write, and flesh out the story more, but for $3 it's not bad time spent.
November 28, 2013
I'm glad they got the bad guy in the end but to achieve this Arianna had to lose some important people I cried my eyes out I love Arianna and Desmond hubba hubba hot guy alert and does he love Arianna your gonna have to read it I can't wait for the next book I need more more more!!!
October 22, 2015
Awesome! These authors are fantastic writers I live all their work a must read!! This series is great. Their other series don't let you down either I've never read an author or authors who continuously doesn't let me down, I'm always hooked and never disappointed!!!!
September 30, 2016
The story is great an progressing wonderfully. However, again, there are several wording issues. Wrong tenses, extra words, completely wrong words (they instead of the). Definitely needs to be proofread better. Otherwise, the story itself is amazing.
March 24, 2013
so sad that she had to lose everyone that meant anything to her.
May 29, 2013
After really liking the first book in the series I thought it was a no-brainer to pick this one up. Wrong. It was so boring I couldnt make it through. I didnt even bother finishing it.
August 19, 2013
I loved the first one, but this one was amazing!! I couldn't put it down.
September 16, 2013
These books of the series are great. I have enjoyed both reads and am looking forward to the last one titled the Gathering.
December 5, 2013
Loved it. Now on to the next one
March 16, 2014
I am hooked!! I have to finish reading this series now!!
November 7, 2014
This novel is brilliant, beautifully conceived, and beautifully written...and it also hits the bull's-eye for a gripping read.
March 21, 2015
I was upset!
July 5, 2015
I liked this book a lot but that's because of Arianna and Luke's relationship . I don't know about the next book I might just stop this series here.
January 30, 2017
Great book, love this story. I love all of the up's and down's in it. Great job on writing it.
September 9, 2013
I am officially hooked after reading the first two books.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews