The Awakening

by Kaylan Cordell

After an attack that leaves her permanently marked, Harper finds herself forming an unlikely alliance with her commanding officer, Cassian Bates, who has a secret agenda of his own. Cassian does what he can to protect Harper from her abusive new husband and helps provide insight into her emerging abilities, resulting in a dangerous awakening.

In a battle for freedom and finding themselves, Harper and Cassian will do whatever it takes to get what they are after.

422 pages, Paperback

Published July 21, 2026

Reviews

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just the first book!!!! The amount of mixed emotions I have for this read is beyond measure. There's ups and downs for the MFC and MMC. I've had many favorite characters I love reading but none that I've connected with on so many different levels. Between the hardships and turmoil that Harper endures as a woman and an outcast, and the willpower Cassian struggles with to keep his promises. The emotions that were brought to life on page made it feel so much more real. They dragged you deeper. Needing and wanting to know what is even going on. So many unanswered questions. So many paths to take. I love how there's a build-up romance with underlying expectations from each other. But then the cliffhanger just makes you want to reread as if it'll change anything. The powerhouse of intensity that was brought to the page between every encounter whether the characters were bantering or fighting.
Now if I had one character that I despise it's whole heartedly Axus. Even more than the Patriarch and trust me when I say that is beyond their Code of Conduct.
I can't wait to see what comes of them all and how things will develop. I know the next book will most definitely be even more interesting and intense.
I highly recommend paying attention to the trigger warnings before reading this though but it's completely worth Awakening your eyes to.

[Arianna White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following this author, and her journey writing this book, since she started posting on TikTok. I can honestly say it was worth the wait! It's a very ssssllllllooooooowwwww burn, with a lot of "will they won't they" tossed in there. The tension you could cut with a knife it was so thick! I absolutely loved this story, and am anxiously waiting for book two, since I need to know what happens to, and between, the main characters. I have never shipped a fictional couple so hard in my life!!!

P.s. there are definitely some scenes that had me giggling like a school girl and kicking my feet like an idiot 😍

[Kara Wescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going to try to do this without any spoilers. This book is great if you love a slow burn if you love angst if you love character development this is it. This is this is the book for you. I could not put this book down. Harper story is so crazy but the resilience this woman has and the strength this woman has is INSPIRING. Kaylan really knows how to move her readers through her story. I Love it. Go buy it now!

[Maegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed with Cassian and Harper. Just obsessed. Harper has had everything you can imagine thrown at her and her she pushes forward. Cassian may have his secrets but the way he calls for her and how protective he becomes is 🥵🥵🥵 the world building is done so well. You don't feel lost nor do you feel like it was thrown at you in a few chapters. The slow burn is ssslllooowww bbuuurrrnnniingg and I'm here for it. Axus can get fucked. That's all I got to say on him. I don't know if I can be patient for book 2. I NEED MORE NOW!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, the strength in this FMC is inspiring, so much heartbreak, pain and loss but she keeps getting back up never backs down and just keeps going. I love her FAFO attitude and I love that she isnt your average young, tiny FMC. She older, has some curves and has no problem telling you where you can stick it lol. Cassian is the perfect book boyfriend, strong, protective, touch her and die, a bit of a shitass 😉 but also kind, sweet and understanding. And the tension and chemistry between the 2 is chef kiss. This book will have you feeling all the emotions, one chapter will have you kicking your feet then next will have you pissed and out for blood lol. Great read, highly recommended.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay *cracks knuckles* this feels like one of the most important reviews i'll ever write. I had to sleep on it, I've been itching to get my hands on this read ever since I found Kaylan on tiktok when she was promoting. Her ability to sell this book should be studied because she hooked me in HARD. She is absolutely amazing. First things first, chefs kiss. This was a wonderfully written fantasy book. I didn't feel like I was dying trying to create the world in my brain. The witty banter? The strong FMC who overcame such a cruel upbringing? A protective MMC? LOVE LOVE LOVE. Her trauma resonated with me so hard and I was here for all the ass kickings she dealt with the "abilities" her Sylvonia side provided her. She was a realistic woman in shape, size AND AGE, I wanted to hug my book feeling seen. The book flowed with a good story, I was never confused on where we were at, favorite part definitely being the end when they got to visit Sylvonia. The amount of times I bust out laughing at things she said, I knew she was my people. Im pissed I finished it and cant immediately pick up the next book to know what the hell happened. The book ended on the perfect cliff hanger making me ache for more!
Pieces for myself I didn't love:
- The slow burn being so slow its just about nonexistent. The tension and want I could feel, but being my filthy self I would've loved for SOME action before the book ended outside of her making out with a basic stranger. But again, I'm deplorable🤭
- Repeating things over and over - just personal preference I don't love when things get said to be drilled into your brain too many times.
- No progress to overthrowing someone, didn't super bug me, but I think I would've loved to at least see them take over the resistance before the end of the book to show some progress, but this also gives me more reason to ache for the 2nd book so I can see where the choice landed this way.
- Cas getting beat up so much. Stressed he was huge and rugged, but seemed to get taken out a lot and Harper had to save him. I needed him to show his strength a little more. Lemme see dem muscles boy!

All in all I think everyone should read this, because it was truly a wonderful read. The thought that went in to create this world is impressive and Harper was relatable to any sassy woman wanting so badly to be seen. I cannot wait to read more of Kaylan's work! Round of applause!

[Maria ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did a preorder for this book and because she’s awesome she sent it out early to us! Yay 💕
If you love a strong FMC and a MMC with touch her and die vibes, corrupt leaders, magic, creatures and slow burn romance this is most definitely for YOU!
OMG I just finished reading and just wow! I love loved it! Harper’s strength and resilience is admirable with all the trauma and crap she’s went through, I just love her. I love how protective Cassian is of her and how noble he is. He consistently fights his desire for her which at times I just wanted to smack him and say she wants you too lol! But he has his reasons. Can’t wait for book two! Fingers crossed for the villains getting what they deserve!!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The YEARNING my heart endured for those two, my lord. This book was phenomenal, from end to beginning. I wouldn’t say it’s a super dark book, but it’s does have its elements for a reason. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. Well done, Kaylan!