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Falling Awake
Imagine waking up in a place you can’t remember, with a face you don’t recognize, and a name that may not be your own printed on a ticket in your back pocket. And of the five people you meet during the next few hours, four of them hold clues to your past, present, and two possible futures. The outcome of the encounter will determine your soul’s fate, and the only way out of the nightmare may be through falling awake.
84 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 24, 2018
This review was removed upon request.
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September 20, 2015I won't leave a star rating as I had the distinct pleasure of pre-reading and critiquing this work. Because of those reasons, I normally don't comment on any story I've had prior knowledge of.
That said, why would I break habit and review this book?
Because this story so moved me, touched me on such a profound level, that it needs to be shared.
What it's not: 1. A typical boy meets boy romance (and yet there is a deeper love here than in many romances I've read). 2. A showcase for Mr. Alan's quirky humor and tongue-in-cheek observations.
What it is: Amazing.
Good versus evil, cultural legends, soul connections, and an epic battle for the very existence of man caught in the middle of the struggle. And a cast of characters that each represent so much more than they appear at face value.
Are my words cryptic? Yes, sorry, but totally in keeping with the surreal nature of this work. It's like nothing I've read before, and I stayed up way into the night, glued to each word. Thousands upon thousands of novels and novellas have I consumed in my life, so it's getting very hard to find something unique, something so different, so unpredictable. And ending the book was just the beginning. Since reading (has it really been two months ago?), I still find myself revisiting a scene or concept, discussing the book with friends, and plotting out who'll I'd buy copies for.
How rare is it that you read fiction that affects the way you look at the world?
Oh, darn. I'd planned to finish edits on one of my own books today, but instead I think I'll make a cup of tea and re-read this one. A day well spent.
Read Falling Awake.
For a short work, it packs a punch.
Bravo, Mr. Alan.
That said, why would I break habit and review this book?
Because this story so moved me, touched me on such a profound level, that it needs to be shared.
What it's not: 1. A typical boy meets boy romance (and yet there is a deeper love here than in many romances I've read). 2. A showcase for Mr. Alan's quirky humor and tongue-in-cheek observations.
What it is: Amazing.
Good versus evil, cultural legends, soul connections, and an epic battle for the very existence of man caught in the middle of the struggle. And a cast of characters that each represent so much more than they appear at face value.
Are my words cryptic? Yes, sorry, but totally in keeping with the surreal nature of this work. It's like nothing I've read before, and I stayed up way into the night, glued to each word. Thousands upon thousands of novels and novellas have I consumed in my life, so it's getting very hard to find something unique, something so different, so unpredictable. And ending the book was just the beginning. Since reading (has it really been two months ago?), I still find myself revisiting a scene or concept, discussing the book with friends, and plotting out who'll I'd buy copies for.
How rare is it that you read fiction that affects the way you look at the world?
Oh, darn. I'd planned to finish edits on one of my own books today, but instead I think I'll make a cup of tea and re-read this one. A day well spent.
Read Falling Awake.
For a short work, it packs a punch.
Bravo, Mr. Alan.
September 16, 2015
Wow!! I'm not sure what to say... This isn't light and fluffy, but it's not dark and depressing either. What a wonderful, different story. I'm not sure any of this is coherent or intelligible, but hopefully it makes a little sense. Kage has packed a ton of story in this novella and it held me spellbound and turning pages until the end. Interesting characters and fascinating storyline, I'm always in awe of authors and their ability to think up and write stories, but this one is something special. When I've dried my eyes and had some sleep and time to think, I'll come back and add more.
September 18, 2015
The most amazing thing I've read in ages. Kage Alan has taken my breath away with this one. Such a beautifully crafted story that gives us all hope. If light finds it's heart, a soul can be saved. This tale will be in my heart and mind for a long time.
November 19, 2015
4.25 Heart Review by Marieke
How to start? This was a pretty short novella, and I had no idea what to expect from the blurb. It’s vague, yet intriguing, and it fits the book perfectly.
It all starts in a strange place, that’s a lot like an airport. But it’s not. The main character doesn’t know his name, his age or even what he looks like. He has no idea where he’s going, or how he got there. When he wanders off, he ends up at a diner where he meets the persons who will determine his future.
The main character (who will remain nameless in this review like in the blurb) has to battle the biggest fight of all times––the one between good and evil. But it’s not done with actual physical fighting here. It’s way subtler, and that makes you want to keep reading. You don’t really get to find out that this whole story is about the struggle that the main character has to go through, until almost the end of the book. Of course some clues are given, and you figure out some stuff on your own. But when the main character finally realizes everything, and what has to happen now, it’s still done in a surprising way.
The only ‘negative’ things I can say about this book, is that the feelings of the main character aren’t really discussed much. It’s probably done for a reason, because it would give away too much, but I still missed his emotional journey. His thoughts are there, though, and that makes up for a lot.
Plus, the story is short. Of course it’s a novella, but the bit where you find out what, why and how, and what happens after that, is a tad rushed. I would’ve liked it better if there was a bit more on where they were walking, the people they saw and the bonding they did. A bit more conversation between the two characters you follow there.
The other characters are very likeable (except for the bad guys of course) and they feel just as important as the main character does. In the end, they turned out to be extremely important, so that was very well written.
The ending was so sweet and fulfilling, it made me smile widely (and though I’ll never admit it out loud, a bit wet eyed.)
I recommend this book to everyone who believes in more than what we can see and touch. To everyone who believes in the good of people and that you can learn from every experience you have during your life.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
How to start? This was a pretty short novella, and I had no idea what to expect from the blurb. It’s vague, yet intriguing, and it fits the book perfectly.
It all starts in a strange place, that’s a lot like an airport. But it’s not. The main character doesn’t know his name, his age or even what he looks like. He has no idea where he’s going, or how he got there. When he wanders off, he ends up at a diner where he meets the persons who will determine his future.
The main character (who will remain nameless in this review like in the blurb) has to battle the biggest fight of all times––the one between good and evil. But it’s not done with actual physical fighting here. It’s way subtler, and that makes you want to keep reading. You don’t really get to find out that this whole story is about the struggle that the main character has to go through, until almost the end of the book. Of course some clues are given, and you figure out some stuff on your own. But when the main character finally realizes everything, and what has to happen now, it’s still done in a surprising way.
The only ‘negative’ things I can say about this book, is that the feelings of the main character aren’t really discussed much. It’s probably done for a reason, because it would give away too much, but I still missed his emotional journey. His thoughts are there, though, and that makes up for a lot.
Plus, the story is short. Of course it’s a novella, but the bit where you find out what, why and how, and what happens after that, is a tad rushed. I would’ve liked it better if there was a bit more on where they were walking, the people they saw and the bonding they did. A bit more conversation between the two characters you follow there.
The other characters are very likeable (except for the bad guys of course) and they feel just as important as the main character does. In the end, they turned out to be extremely important, so that was very well written.
The ending was so sweet and fulfilling, it made me smile widely (and though I’ll never admit it out loud, a bit wet eyed.)
I recommend this book to everyone who believes in more than what we can see and touch. To everyone who believes in the good of people and that you can learn from every experience you have during your life.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
March 2, 2025
This was an interesting and deeply philosophical read. At times I found it funny and I enjoyed the cultural references (esp. to Detroit). At other times the book was quite introspective and dragged you down to areas one tends to not like thinking about...mortality. When you finish, the story and characters stay with you for a while...sometime coming back to continue that conversation in those quiet moments of the day. This is a quick read and well worth the time.
April 10, 2016
This was a wonderfully written and atmospheric novella.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews