Awaken

Awaken #1

by Maggie Sunseri

After a tragic accident, Luna Beckham lost an entire year’s worth of memories, but she is determined to get her life back on track. Her family and friends tell her that the accident was a blessing, and Luna believes them. They say rebellious acts marred her senior year of high school, and in the seemingly Utopian society of Oportet, questioning anything was questioning everything.

Now, as Luna begins to regain memories that were never supposed to resurface, she is drawn to a boy from her past she doesn’t even recognize. She soon discovers he might have all the answers she’s looking for.

Caught between the past and present, Luna becomes more aware of her true self with each startling revelation. As her two worlds collide, Luna learns all that Oportet stands for, and how far its leaders will go to keep citizens in line.

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2015

About the author

Maggie Sunseri is the author of fantasy romance books by day and a witch, tarot card reader, and succubus by night. She has a bachelor's degree in Anthropology/Sociology. When she’s not traveling the world, you’ll find her curled up with a good book and a hot cup of tea, pretending it’s autumn no matter the season.

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She also writes a Substack about spirituality, mental health, addiction, sexuality, and all things witchy and creative. https://maggiesunseri.substack.com/

Reviews

[John A. Sillasen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Dystopian Society Novel after the Fall of the U.S.

A Utopian society of mindless automatons who are taught rules make an orderly society and not following rules is what brought down the former American government. A new form of Fascism where free speech and emotions are disallowed.
A bit of a slow read that truly only gets good in the last twenty pages. Too reminiscent of adolescent rebellion in a 1984 society. The book truly only gets good in the last twenty to twenty-five pages. Otherwise it's a slow read that makes you wonder when it starts to get to the point.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this book is written alternating the main character’s returning memories and what is happening a year later in the present. It makes it really hard to put down, though! In fact, after a certain point I couldn’t put it down and kept right on reading until the end. Right from the start I was super curious about where the story would go. It follows the typical pattern of “escape” dystopian novels. There isn’t a whole lot of time spent on worldbuilding, instead allowing the reader to learn about what it’s like inside Oportet, where the main character lives, little by little. I recommend Awaken to anyone who enjoys young adult dystopian.

[Aleta Meeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie takes after her mom when it comes to writing! She keeps you on the edge of your seat never knowing which way the story will turn. Frighteningly plausible. A must read!

[Laura Haslett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Well I thought this debut novel was interesting and a fun storyline and I enjoyed the characters and plot. I look forward to the next book.

[Kristan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5☆

[Valory Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad novel for a first

I actually thought this was Heather Sunseri's novel when I bought it. In fact until I read the author's bio, I thought it was Heather's! So I may be unfair with my rating since I was comparing it to an established author.
This novel has a good story line but I just couldn't sink into it. When I read I like to be in the story. I wasn't feeling well so I took the time and read straight through. It was a bit hard at times, to know whether you were in the past or present. The font was different but when you are changing chapters, it was confusing.
It is good enough that I would read the next one to see what the outside is like. Keep writing!

[Melissa Bybee-fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story and the way it was written. Normally I don't like the books that skip around from past to present but the way the author set it up so that you were learning the past at the same time the main character was regaining lost memories is absolutely brilliant. This was one of those books where you are saying to yourself "just one more chapter". I couldn't put it down.

The most amazing thing is that this is a first novel for young teenage author, Maggie Sunseri. I am just in awe and cannot wait to see more from this extremely talented young lady.

Read this book and buy it for your daughters!

[Heather Sunseri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I'm biased, but this novel by debut Author Maggie Sunseri is the introduction of an amazing new and fresh voice on the young adult scene. She writes dystopian and teen rebellion like no one I've read. And the romance? So emotional and deep. The young adult audience is going to love AWAKEN!

[Natalya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really liked this story. The writing was good, especially considering YA narrative voice always seems so vapid. Sunsieri does a good job here. I liked the theme -- it has a moral. Not many books really do that anymore. Well done.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting for a first novel & by someone so young! I liked the was it went from past to present & didnt confuse me, which it sometimes does. Maggie says she is writing a sequel, this book could stand alone, but I will get the sequel to continue with the story