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Covenant College #1
Awakening
College was supposed to be all about booze and boys. For Zoe Lake, though, it's all about monsters and mayhem. An incoming freshman at Covenant College, Zoe is excited to meet her roommates and attend her classes.
There's only one problem: Covenant College isn't all it's purported to be. First off, there are attractive -- yet mysterious -- men skulking around every corner. Then there's that persistent professor that thinks he knows some secret about her past that even she isn't aware exists. Then there are the rumors. You know the ones. The ones that say Covenant College is home to more than just humans -- but vampires and werewolves, too. Not only is Zoe going to find herself in the middle of madness -- but she's going to have to try and pass finals while she endeavors to solve the mystery of what a monster really is.
There's only one problem: Covenant College isn't all it's purported to be. First off, there are attractive -- yet mysterious -- men skulking around every corner. Then there's that persistent professor that thinks he knows some secret about her past that even she isn't aware exists. Then there are the rumors. You know the ones. The ones that say Covenant College is home to more than just humans -- but vampires and werewolves, too. Not only is Zoe going to find herself in the middle of madness -- but she's going to have to try and pass finals while she endeavors to solve the mystery of what a monster really is.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2012
774 people are currently reading
683 people want to read
About the author
Amanda M. Lee
312 books2,916 followersWhen I was a kid, I was torn between whether or not I was going to grow up and be the Incredible Hulk or Wonder Woman. I flirted with being a Jedi Knight for awhile, but I wasn't up for the intense travel associated with the gig. In my teens, I settled on being a writer -- although I had no idea the effort that would entail.
Not only am I a writer now, but I'm a writer in several different mediums. I'm a longtime newspaper reporter, an avid reader and a voracious science fiction fanatic.
Not only am I a writer now, but I'm a writer in several different mediums. I'm a longtime newspaper reporter, an avid reader and a voracious science fiction fanatic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
October 7, 2021
I Wasn't sure if this series was for me or not, but then it slowly grew on mel and by the end of the book I was hooked.
It kind of reminds me of what buffy the vampire slayer would have been like if cordelia had the lead roll instead of buffy. Zoe has a very prickerly personality but she is also truthful, I found her honesty refreshing, if a bit bitchy.
Happy Reading📚📗📘📚📗📘📙📚📕📒📚📓😇
It kind of reminds me of what buffy the vampire slayer would have been like if cordelia had the lead roll instead of buffy. Zoe has a very prickerly personality but she is also truthful, I found her honesty refreshing, if a bit bitchy.
Happy Reading📚📗📘📚📗📘📙📚📕📒📚📓😇
March 1, 2019
I was in an odd mood when I picked this up. Fortunately, it was exactly the right mood to read this book in. Zoe is an interesting choice for protagonist because she's a bit abrasive and very self-contained. She's assertive and sticks up for the underdog and actively helps others when she sees they need help. But she isn't kind and she's not interested in smoothing anybody's feelings and that's on full display with one of her roommates who is designed to get on her last nerve—and thus bring out her harshest reactions. I don't know if Lee intended that in setting up this dynamic and I suspect it alienates a number of her readers. But I found it kind of refreshing, even as I acknowledge that Zoe would totally rub me the wrong way if I met her. Although, thinking back, she reminds me strongly of one of my sisters and we get along fine so maybe I'm wrong.
It doesn't help that this book is mostly establishing the characters and setting with a plot that meanders a bit and with no discernible through line. So it feels like a college story with monsters below the surface and an odd tripartite détente that's guarded mostly by ignorance. I liked that Zoe put off going all-in with any of the groups she came across and is unwilling to judge any of them to be better than the others. And I really liked that she prefers her own judgments over buying any of the various party lines. And yes, this is an aspect of her stand-offishness that looks like narcissism if she was into self-aggrandizement at all. Thankfully, she isn't or this would have been tedious beyond all reason.
The meandering plot and lack of a growth arc keep this sub-four-stars, but it's close enough that I'll call it rounding up to the four I'm giving it. Again, it matched a rather rare mood very well and be aware that Zoe's attitude is going to rub a lot of readers the wrong way. But I liked her and am looking forward to the next book (as long as this mood holds out).
A note about Steamy/Chaste: This isn't a romance, but it is a college campus with lots of horny teens. And there is sex going on, including with our protagonist. But it isn't important and it isn't depicted, merely referenced. So this isn't steamy. At all. But it isn't chaste, either.
It doesn't help that this book is mostly establishing the characters and setting with a plot that meanders a bit and with no discernible through line. So it feels like a college story with monsters below the surface and an odd tripartite détente that's guarded mostly by ignorance. I liked that Zoe put off going all-in with any of the groups she came across and is unwilling to judge any of them to be better than the others. And I really liked that she prefers her own judgments over buying any of the various party lines. And yes, this is an aspect of her stand-offishness that looks like narcissism if she was into self-aggrandizement at all. Thankfully, she isn't or this would have been tedious beyond all reason.
The meandering plot and lack of a growth arc keep this sub-four-stars, but it's close enough that I'll call it rounding up to the four I'm giving it. Again, it matched a rather rare mood very well and be aware that Zoe's attitude is going to rub a lot of readers the wrong way. But I liked her and am looking forward to the next book (as long as this mood holds out).
A note about Steamy/Chaste: This isn't a romance, but it is a college campus with lots of horny teens. And there is sex going on, including with our protagonist. But it isn't important and it isn't depicted, merely referenced. So this isn't steamy. At all. But it isn't chaste, either.
July 14, 2016
The main character can only be described as a complete bitch, Couldn't relate to any of the characters and the dialogue was extremely stilted and stupid.
May 1, 2016
I have to admit, I was disappointed in this book. It has so much promise! However, the main character was obnoxious. I wanted to punch her so many times! The plot was great and I didn't mind any of the other characters. The main character overshadowed the positive traits in the book. Overall, a good book if you can ignore the main character. Three glittery stars.
August 31, 2015
Did not finish this book. The main character is a horrible, mean person. I winced almost every time she opened her mouth. :/
July 15, 2024
Snarky is not a word I would use to describe Zoe Lake. She’s mean, snotty, overbearing, and full of herself. She lashes out indiscriminately at any and everyone, including her roommates, teachers, and even boys she’s attracted to. A main character I love to hate.
I do, however, like some of the other characters in the story, which is why I didn’t just drop this book like a hot rock. Zoe’s roommate Paris is a girl with a lot going for her. I fail to understand why the hottest guys are attracted to Zoe when Paris is prettier, nicer, and far less infuriating.
Aric, the gorgeous werewolf, is also a fun character, but seems to be obsessed with Zoe. He rescues her when she belligerently throws herself headfirst into dangerous situations, and flirts with her even when she’s busy putting him down.
The story doesn’t make much sense, but I’m intrigued by all the paranormal activity on campus and interested by how things will develop.
I do, however, like some of the other characters in the story, which is why I didn’t just drop this book like a hot rock. Zoe’s roommate Paris is a girl with a lot going for her. I fail to understand why the hottest guys are attracted to Zoe when Paris is prettier, nicer, and far less infuriating.
Aric, the gorgeous werewolf, is also a fun character, but seems to be obsessed with Zoe. He rescues her when she belligerently throws herself headfirst into dangerous situations, and flirts with her even when she’s busy putting him down.
The story doesn’t make much sense, but I’m intrigued by all the paranormal activity on campus and interested by how things will develop.
May 20, 2019
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standaloneish
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Zoe Lake
Brittany Hartman
Paris
Tara
Raffael
Will
----------------------------------
What happens?
Zoe goes to the same college as her long term on and off again boyfriend Will. Will acts differently to how she expected and the kids in the college are weird and kind of creepy.
When her roommate (who she isn't keen on) gets drugged at her boyfriend's frat party she knows something isn't as it seems. It all starts to unravel when the other roommate Tara ends up dead during a night out together.
Final thoughts
This is an OK book but not a fantastic read. It was a weird read.
The writing was odd the college setting was fine but the characters weren't likeable. Brittney was annoying af which was her intention. Zoe wasn't funny or edgy just rude.
Would I read again?: Probably not
Would I read this author again?: Maybe
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standaloneish
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Zoe Lake
Brittany Hartman
Paris
Tara
Raffael
Will
----------------------------------
What happens?
Zoe goes to the same college as her long term on and off again boyfriend Will. Will acts differently to how she expected and the kids in the college are weird and kind of creepy.
When her roommate (who she isn't keen on) gets drugged at her boyfriend's frat party she knows something isn't as it seems. It all starts to unravel when the other roommate Tara ends up dead during a night out together.
Final thoughts
This is an OK book but not a fantastic read. It was a weird read.
The writing was odd the college setting was fine but the characters weren't likeable. Brittney was annoying af which was her intention. Zoe wasn't funny or edgy just rude.
Would I read again?: Probably not
Would I read this author again?: Maybe
March 6, 2021
2.5
The writing and narrations were fine, but the main character is so unpleasant I couldn't enjoy the book. I'm not one who thinks all heroines have to be polite and pleasant, but Zoe is like someone took a Mean Girl and centered a book around her. She's not just rude and abrasive, she's needlessly cruel, shallow, and narcissistic. She even says she's a narcissist at one point and all I could think was, "Being self-aware doesn't make it any more tolerable."
She's also cliched in a hundred ways. She's 'not like other girls,' can fight well 'because she hung out with more boys than girls growing up,' effortlessly good at everything, sarcastic even in the face of death, pretty, wears Star Wars, Marvel t-shirts and Chucks. She's a self-centered walking cliche.
I did appreciate that she is unabashedly and unapologeticaly sexual. But I could have done without the roommate constantly calling her a slut for it. (Just as I could have done without the virgin character simultaneously being bashed for being a virgin over and over again and being solely focused on 'losing her v-card.') It was an unpleasant.
Zoe does step up and save the day more than once. But honestly, every-time she did I rather thought it out of character for her. There's a scene at a frat party where an inebriated girl is being 'cut from the herd' by two guys and Zoe feels uncomfortable about it, but decides not to intervene (given the rest of the plot, this girl was almost certainly later raped). That was a reaction that fit the Zoe Lee crafted far better than the times she steps in to help.
I'll also note that the use of date rape drugs and the subsequent rapes are included as pretty cheap plot devices and dismissed almost jokingly in the big climactic finish. No one is caught or punished, nor is there any indication that it's stopped. It is treated as unimportant to the 'real' plot. Leave that crap out then, IMO.
The writing and narrations were fine, but the main character is so unpleasant I couldn't enjoy the book. I'm not one who thinks all heroines have to be polite and pleasant, but Zoe is like someone took a Mean Girl and centered a book around her. She's not just rude and abrasive, she's needlessly cruel, shallow, and narcissistic. She even says she's a narcissist at one point and all I could think was, "Being self-aware doesn't make it any more tolerable."
She's also cliched in a hundred ways. She's 'not like other girls,' can fight well 'because she hung out with more boys than girls growing up,' effortlessly good at everything, sarcastic even in the face of death, pretty, wears Star Wars, Marvel t-shirts and Chucks. She's a self-centered walking cliche.
I did appreciate that she is unabashedly and unapologeticaly sexual. But I could have done without the roommate constantly calling her a slut for it. (Just as I could have done without the virgin character simultaneously being bashed for being a virgin over and over again and being solely focused on 'losing her v-card.') It was an unpleasant.
Zoe does step up and save the day more than once. But honestly, every-time she did I rather thought it out of character for her. There's a scene at a frat party where an inebriated girl is being 'cut from the herd' by two guys and Zoe feels uncomfortable about it, but decides not to intervene (given the rest of the plot, this girl was almost certainly later raped). That was a reaction that fit the Zoe Lee crafted far better than the times she steps in to help.
I'll also note that the use of date rape drugs and the subsequent rapes are included as pretty cheap plot devices and dismissed almost jokingly in the big climactic finish. No one is caught or punished, nor is there any indication that it's stopped. It is treated as unimportant to the 'real' plot. Leave that crap out then, IMO.
August 24, 2020
2.5 to 3 Stars... I had a bit of a hard time with this read... For me, it felt as if the momentum of the story kept stagnating... There were moments of build up and then it fell flat and became monotonous once again... I recognize, being the first book in the series, that introductions of characters, their relationships, and the world building is important, but the need to engage readers in the plot is also vital... I just felt as though I was floating through this one with no real direction... However, I love Amanda Lee's works and I already am aware that this series infiltrates into other series, so I will continue with it in the hopes that it improves and becomes more focused in it's approach:(
June 7, 2020
A very cliche writing, albeit entertaining.
A college full of supernatural creatures and a main character that attracts them all.
Not much in terms of romance but with some action scenes, although mostly an annoying, Star Wars obsessed girl discurse about her academic and romantic life.
I’m probably my only finishing the series because I’ve it complete to listen to, otherwise I’d stop here as I’m not sure I empathise with any of the characters.
A college full of supernatural creatures and a main character that attracts them all.
Not much in terms of romance but with some action scenes, although mostly an annoying, Star Wars obsessed girl discurse about her academic and romantic life.
I’m probably my only finishing the series because I’ve it complete to listen to, otherwise I’d stop here as I’m not sure I empathise with any of the characters.
January 23, 2019
A College Like No Other
The book was very enjoyable because Amanda M Lee's writing style is off time irreverent. Zoe was looking forward to College for good times and parties. It turned out different than she expected.
The book was very enjoyable because Amanda M Lee's writing style is off time irreverent. Zoe was looking forward to College for good times and parties. It turned out different than she expected.
September 13, 2024
3.75⭐️. I purchased the entire series at a discount on Amazon awhile ago and you know, it’s entertaining enough to continue read, especially when I’m waiting for Libby books to come off hold.
April 3, 2019
3 stars, not as good as some books by this author but better than others so all in all it was okay/good and I will continue with the series. It was not great but worth reading and continuing.
May 27, 2016
The Covenant series introduces Covenant University, a campus fraught with supernatural shenanigans. Zoe Lake follows her on-again, off-again boyfriend of four years to Covenant as a freshman. She hopes to get away from her small town upbringing, make new friends, and embrace the stereotypical college lifestyle. What she does not expect, is to encounter weirdness at every turn and find her boyfriend has become a stranger with dangerous friends.
It took a while for me to warm up to Zoe. Amanda Lee's protagonists in the Midwest Witches and the Aisling Grimlock series are flighty, loud and obnoxiously likable. They are surrounded by equally loud and wacky families. Zoe is an only child, sarcastically cynical almost to the point of being unlikable and genuinely does not care what anyone else thinks (hence the lack of verbal filter or social skills).
The secondary characters are not well developed. The reader has no idea what motivates them. Perhaps that will be resolved in future books. Bottom line--though I had trouble relating to the characters, the storyline kept me engaged enough to read the next chapter.
It took a while for me to warm up to Zoe. Amanda Lee's protagonists in the Midwest Witches and the Aisling Grimlock series are flighty, loud and obnoxiously likable. They are surrounded by equally loud and wacky families. Zoe is an only child, sarcastically cynical almost to the point of being unlikable and genuinely does not care what anyone else thinks (hence the lack of verbal filter or social skills).
The secondary characters are not well developed. The reader has no idea what motivates them. Perhaps that will be resolved in future books. Bottom line--though I had trouble relating to the characters, the storyline kept me engaged enough to read the next chapter.
November 15, 2018
I have no clue how I managed to get through this. From the beginning, the MC was a complete bitch. I think she was supposed to come off as snarky, but she is beyond snarky.
She apparently thinks she's invincible in the way that she acts towards others - especially those much larger than her and far more deadly...and maybe she is - to a point.
She treats her 'boyfriend' like crap, is constantly annoyed with roommates - except Paris. Since Paris is beautiful, then she gets along fine with her. Shallow, shallow, shallow! I absolutely could not like her or identify with her in any way.
then there is the whole Buffy the Vampire Slayer thing going on. I mean, you have a teacher who tries to teach her the ins and outs of what is going on but she won't listen - sound familiar? The series is even mentioned more than once, so it's no wonder there are so many parallels.
My recommendation is 'don't'. Just don't.
She apparently thinks she's invincible in the way that she acts towards others - especially those much larger than her and far more deadly...and maybe she is - to a point.
She treats her 'boyfriend' like crap, is constantly annoyed with roommates - except Paris. Since Paris is beautiful, then she gets along fine with her. Shallow, shallow, shallow! I absolutely could not like her or identify with her in any way.
then there is the whole Buffy the Vampire Slayer thing going on. I mean, you have a teacher who tries to teach her the ins and outs of what is going on but she won't listen - sound familiar? The series is even mentioned more than once, so it's no wonder there are so many parallels.
My recommendation is 'don't'. Just don't.
September 15, 2015
Huge disappointment coming from the author's Witch series. Very slow, doesn't really catch you up into it like her other novels.
Also, these are starting to feel like wish-fulfillment. All the MCs are blonde and blue eyed, body shape vague, eat a ton, are sarcastic and rude (which works in some stories and in others is just irritating), multiple drive range rovers, wear converse, are super into Star Wars and Super Heroes (not a bad thing but when they all are its dull), etc. The lack of diversity is boring and one of the huge faults at this point (along with weird editing issues).
Also, these are starting to feel like wish-fulfillment. All the MCs are blonde and blue eyed, body shape vague, eat a ton, are sarcastic and rude (which works in some stories and in others is just irritating), multiple drive range rovers, wear converse, are super into Star Wars and Super Heroes (not a bad thing but when they all are its dull), etc. The lack of diversity is boring and one of the huge faults at this point (along with weird editing issues).
January 20, 2015
This turned out to be a pretty good book after I got past the constant rudeness of the main character Zoe.
It seems that is just the way she is. Zoe is starting school at Covenant College and things around campus are not at all what they seem.
This book has my favorites witches and werewolves.
It seems that is just the way she is. Zoe is starting school at Covenant College and things around campus are not at all what they seem.
This book has my favorites witches and werewolves.
August 2, 2018
I ultimately enjoyed this book but it seemed to take forever to take off. I liked all of the characters but I felt like at least the first 3/4 of the book was mostly just setting up the characters. That being said, now that the story is going, I will enjoy reading the rest of the series.
February 13, 2018
A fun read and well written
A fun read. Not too deep, but not vapid, either. Nice to have competent protagonists, too. Makes me want to explore the story more.
A fun read. Not too deep, but not vapid, either. Nice to have competent protagonists, too. Makes me want to explore the story more.
March 10, 2020
I love Amanda M. Lee, almost everything I ever read written by her is pure gold, that said, I hated this book, HATED IT! it was the first book I read to the end that got only one star, because I was praying for the end and hoping it got better in latter books through the whole thing.
The main character is a fucking bully, and she is comun, she has a mean girl personality, and is not even funny, what could maybe balance things out.
Now, don't get me wrong, is funny when Mrs lee's characters take the piss out of each other,
it was hilarious when Aisling (from the Aisling Grimlock series) played mean jokes on her brothers or on Angelina, or when the aunt in the Wicked Witches of the Midwest Series made the girls' life a living hell, but the thing is, this characters could take it, and in a way, they were in on the joke, that is nice and healthy.
What Zoe makes is all together different, she is the kind of person who sits in a corner and says other people are weird, she likes to take cheap shots at her roommate because she is a virgin and a geek - a strange and exaggerated version of a geek virgin I might add - and it just felt like she was kicking a puppy, you know? Now, I admit the girl is a bit of a tool, but the whole " I like making fun of your virginity because it's hilarious you got to the first year of college still a virgin" bothered me because to judge or make fun of other people based of their sexual behavior is just wrong, and is still worse when a girl does that to another.
And the story itself was dull, nothing much happens other than her petty dramas and a bit of a scuffle toward the end.
Now, I really liked when I met some of the characters in the Death Gate Grim Reaper's Thriller, but I CAN'T go through more ten books as painful as this one, does anyone knows when/if it gets better of if I can jump covenant college all together and go straight to living/dying covenant ? Are this series any better?
The main character is a fucking bully, and she is comun, she has a mean girl personality, and is not even funny, what could maybe balance things out.
Now, don't get me wrong, is funny when Mrs lee's characters take the piss out of each other,
it was hilarious when Aisling (from the Aisling Grimlock series) played mean jokes on her brothers or on Angelina, or when the aunt in the Wicked Witches of the Midwest Series made the girls' life a living hell, but the thing is, this characters could take it, and in a way, they were in on the joke, that is nice and healthy.
What Zoe makes is all together different, she is the kind of person who sits in a corner and says other people are weird, she likes to take cheap shots at her roommate because she is a virgin and a geek - a strange and exaggerated version of a geek virgin I might add - and it just felt like she was kicking a puppy, you know? Now, I admit the girl is a bit of a tool, but the whole " I like making fun of your virginity because it's hilarious you got to the first year of college still a virgin" bothered me because to judge or make fun of other people based of their sexual behavior is just wrong, and is still worse when a girl does that to another.
And the story itself was dull, nothing much happens other than her petty dramas and a bit of a scuffle toward the end.
Now, I really liked when I met some of the characters in the Death Gate Grim Reaper's Thriller, but I CAN'T go through more ten books as painful as this one, does anyone knows when/if it gets better of if I can jump covenant college all together and go straight to living/dying covenant ? Are this series any better?
January 12, 2020
I read 15 chapters of this and even though I felt I was being hinted to that something was just about to happen, nothing ever did. Well, unless you count my growing disdain for the main character. I'm too old to spend that much time with that much foolishness to end up feeling as if I was never going to get any reward for my diligence at all!
I purchased a box set of the first novel in 5 series by this author. I loved the first one. I really liked the second one. I liked the third one with lots of reasons not to like it. But this one, I could not even finish. It was making me angry. I started the last one. It is set in the same place as the third book, but with different main characters. I don't know if I'll finish it or not.
When I purchased the box set I did not realize all the books were by the same author. I just saw it was first books in 5 series about witches solving murders and I was sold. Having completed 3 books and reading nearly half of a 4th and getting about 40 pages into the 5th, I can see patterns this author seems to follow. While she is a gifted storyteller, after a while it does start to feel as if you're reading the same characters only with different names and in different locations. Not that that is a horrible thing to have to happen while reading, but it does make me wonder why not just keep to the same series and not pretend they are different people. It's a pet peeve of mine. Not one I expect anyone to make alterations to accommodate but it would be nice if they did.
I purchased a box set of the first novel in 5 series by this author. I loved the first one. I really liked the second one. I liked the third one with lots of reasons not to like it. But this one, I could not even finish. It was making me angry. I started the last one. It is set in the same place as the third book, but with different main characters. I don't know if I'll finish it or not.
When I purchased the box set I did not realize all the books were by the same author. I just saw it was first books in 5 series about witches solving murders and I was sold. Having completed 3 books and reading nearly half of a 4th and getting about 40 pages into the 5th, I can see patterns this author seems to follow. While she is a gifted storyteller, after a while it does start to feel as if you're reading the same characters only with different names and in different locations. Not that that is a horrible thing to have to happen while reading, but it does make me wonder why not just keep to the same series and not pretend they are different people. It's a pet peeve of mine. Not one I expect anyone to make alterations to accommodate but it would be nice if they did.
February 19, 2020
I read this entire series of books that follow a girl through her four years studying at a very odd college that is overflowing with various supernatural creatures. It is supposedly a coming of age saga as she matures through college while also coming to realize and control effectively her own special powers. Since Harry Potter and the Twilight books there is an entire subgenre of these kind of books. I read them to get a sense of how the college and virtuous characters were conveyed, what were the social norms.
This one threw me for a loop! I have been a professor for decades and the main character, Zoe, had many of the stereotypical attitudes and behaviors of the worst students possible! She was reprehensible! But I gave to give credit where it is due, she was sometimes clever in her snarky narcissism, which she admitted and even self-glorified. I was intrigued and horrified at the same time so I kept reading, to get a sense of what a "heroine" for the teen girls reading these books would be like. Selfish, self-absorbed, materialistic, cruel, and a bully when it fit her mood.
In this first volume, Zoe settles into college. her high school boyfriend goes there too, but while she's not sure she wants to stay with this rube, maybe it's time for her to move on to better things, he joins a fraternity that seems to be a pack of werewolves. Uh oh!
This one threw me for a loop! I have been a professor for decades and the main character, Zoe, had many of the stereotypical attitudes and behaviors of the worst students possible! She was reprehensible! But I gave to give credit where it is due, she was sometimes clever in her snarky narcissism, which she admitted and even self-glorified. I was intrigued and horrified at the same time so I kept reading, to get a sense of what a "heroine" for the teen girls reading these books would be like. Selfish, self-absorbed, materialistic, cruel, and a bully when it fit her mood.
In this first volume, Zoe settles into college. her high school boyfriend goes there too, but while she's not sure she wants to stay with this rube, maybe it's time for her to move on to better things, he joins a fraternity that seems to be a pack of werewolves. Uh oh!
July 1, 2023
I wasn't sure I was going to finish listening to this book and did nearly give up. However I made it through and while I won't say I enjoyed it I am glad I heard it to the end because it did get better. I like snarky characters who can add humour to a story but I didn't really connect with any of them. I know you aren't going to get on with everybody but the author made every single conversation a confrontation, it got annoying. I liked the plot line for the story and the cover art caught my eye but it just didn't work for me and there is nothing cosy about the story. No actually violence or sex but a lot of innuendo and rudeness which just wasn't funny. Not sure I will continue the series.
Zoe was looking forward to leaving her parents behind when she went off to College to be with her boyfriend. The problem is he has changed, she doesn't like her roommate and her teacher is creepy. Then she gets attacked, She comes out unscathed but her whole world gets shifted upside down. Not everybody is who they seem and Zoe will have to decide if she is the hunter or the hunted.
The author used the same narrator for her other series (Avery Shaw) and it was really hard to picture Zoe and her friends when all I can see is Avery, as she gave them the same sounding voices- whiney.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntary left this review.
Zoe was looking forward to leaving her parents behind when she went off to College to be with her boyfriend. The problem is he has changed, she doesn't like her roommate and her teacher is creepy. Then she gets attacked, She comes out unscathed but her whole world gets shifted upside down. Not everybody is who they seem and Zoe will have to decide if she is the hunter or the hunted.
The author used the same narrator for her other series (Avery Shaw) and it was really hard to picture Zoe and her friends when all I can see is Avery, as she gave them the same sounding voices- whiney.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntary left this review.
December 21, 2019
Not as polished
It's far from bad but it is somehow slightly disjointed and less fluid than Ms Lee's other collections.. maybe it's because it is an introduction to new characters although I haven't felt like this about her other series.
Zoe is snarky but carries a lot more anger than most of Lee's leading ladies. She's sharing a freshman dorm with Paris, Brittany and Tara. She clicks with Paris from the beginning while Brittany rubs her completely up the wrong way and Tara doesn't really seem to do much more than follow Brittany.
Zoe has no experience of paranormals but quickly realises that something about the campus is off.. not only that, something about her own boyfriend Will is seriously off.. is it the fraternity Alpha Chi? She's made a few acquaintances but.. What is going on with Raphael who only appears in the dark? And why is Aric, another member of the Alpha Chi brotherhood, almost following her around?
When things get really weird and her attacker turns to dust Zoe confronts Professor Brooke but she's not entirely convinced that his motivation is the right one either. And what exactly does he mean "with your pedigree" Zoe's only power is the power to piss everyone off!!!
It's far from bad but it is somehow slightly disjointed and less fluid than Ms Lee's other collections.. maybe it's because it is an introduction to new characters although I haven't felt like this about her other series.
Zoe is snarky but carries a lot more anger than most of Lee's leading ladies. She's sharing a freshman dorm with Paris, Brittany and Tara. She clicks with Paris from the beginning while Brittany rubs her completely up the wrong way and Tara doesn't really seem to do much more than follow Brittany.
Zoe has no experience of paranormals but quickly realises that something about the campus is off.. not only that, something about her own boyfriend Will is seriously off.. is it the fraternity Alpha Chi? She's made a few acquaintances but.. What is going on with Raphael who only appears in the dark? And why is Aric, another member of the Alpha Chi brotherhood, almost following her around?
When things get really weird and her attacker turns to dust Zoe confronts Professor Brooke but she's not entirely convinced that his motivation is the right one either. And what exactly does he mean "with your pedigree" Zoe's only power is the power to piss everyone off!!!
May 20, 2021
I honestly don't know how many words can express my feelings about these books and this author. I downloaded all these 5 books on audiobook and when I saw it was 36 hours I was dubious about it. I started on 26 March 2021 and I can quite happily say that every night and every opportunity I have had, I have listened and got completely hooked on the books, the plots and the characters!!! As soon as I started to get engrossed in this, I started researching and found out there was another trilogy (25 hours) which continues when they leave college. That was downloaded as well. All in all there is over 61 hours of fantastic writing from an extremely talented author. I LOVED EVERY SINGLE PART OF IT. There were not any moments of the plot dragging, I didn't get bored once and that is astonishing when you think of 61 hours!!! Do not hesitate for one second to read/listen to these books. They deliver on every single level.
August 5, 2021
Awakening is the first book in the Covenant College series by Amanda M. Lee.
Apparently, our MC Zoe is some sort of special snowflake. Although, she seems to have no idea why everyone keeps telling her to be careful, or mentioning her lineage. I’m still concerned why the supe hunter Professor Blake and the two supernatural love interests we’re introduced to go all creepy invasive on her in practically the same manner? Had me considering teach as another one of the mysterious supernatural beings to be discovered, for a while there.
I’m intrigued to find out more? This story wasn’t amazing or anything. However, I can’t seem to get the possibilities left to decipher out of my head. While I’ll definitively be turning to the next book I’m annoyed by a few inconsistencies. As with Tara and her set up to be this overly convoluted, yet still fully unexplained, hybrid murder psycho with ridiculously limited buildup.
Apparently, our MC Zoe is some sort of special snowflake. Although, she seems to have no idea why everyone keeps telling her to be careful, or mentioning her lineage. I’m still concerned why the supe hunter Professor Blake and the two supernatural love interests we’re introduced to go all creepy invasive on her in practically the same manner? Had me considering teach as another one of the mysterious supernatural beings to be discovered, for a while there.
I’m intrigued to find out more? This story wasn’t amazing or anything. However, I can’t seem to get the possibilities left to decipher out of my head. While I’ll definitively be turning to the next book I’m annoyed by a few inconsistencies. As with Tara and her set up to be this overly convoluted, yet still fully unexplained, hybrid murder psycho with ridiculously limited buildup.
November 14, 2018
3.5 stars
So the funny thing about Zoe Lake (aside from her very liberal views on weed) is that she is a LOT like me. Only child from a small town that went to college in a city (a mildly loose term for her, an actual city for me), who couldn't wait to "be a number" and not everyone knew who she was. Big personality, with a loud mouth that a LOT of snark comes out of and doesn't care that people think she's mean, when she's just being honest. Granted she has a little less filter than I do and took the news about Supernaturals being real a lot worse than I would, but I totally dig her!
This was a fun, fast read. There were things that I saw coming and a few that I didn't, so it made for a nice "escape from reality" type of read. I have the full series, so I'll start the next book soon.
So the funny thing about Zoe Lake (aside from her very liberal views on weed) is that she is a LOT like me. Only child from a small town that went to college in a city (a mildly loose term for her, an actual city for me), who couldn't wait to "be a number" and not everyone knew who she was. Big personality, with a loud mouth that a LOT of snark comes out of and doesn't care that people think she's mean, when she's just being honest. Granted she has a little less filter than I do and took the news about Supernaturals being real a lot worse than I would, but I totally dig her!
This was a fun, fast read. There were things that I saw coming and a few that I didn't, so it made for a nice "escape from reality" type of read. I have the full series, so I'll start the next book soon.
January 16, 2023
Zoe starts college and learns there is a lot of strange things out there.
What I enjoyed:
* I liked Paris and Mark and wish they had more scenes
* Everyone seems to be expecting something amazing from Zoe because of where she is from, but she doesn't have a clue and I wish Zoe would talk to her parents so we can solve the why is she so special mystery
* I agree with Zoe that
What could have been better:
* The whole drugging a raping girls by the fraternity was never punished
* The "virgin" vs "slut" thing with her roommate was annoying
* Two guys seem extra interested and guess what
What I enjoyed:
* I liked Paris and Mark and wish they had more scenes
* Everyone seems to be expecting something amazing from Zoe because of where she is from, but she doesn't have a clue and I wish Zoe would talk to her parents so we can solve the why is she so special mystery
* I agree with Zoe that
What could have been better:
* The whole drugging a raping girls by the fraternity was never punished
* The "virgin" vs "slut" thing with her roommate was annoying
* Two guys seem extra interested and guess what
July 22, 2018
Buffy mark 2 is making everyone nervous
Wonderful. She is feisty, ultra confident, snarky and doesn't take prisoners. Starting college should have been great but her 3 rookies make her rethink that. However she's going to fit in even if it kills her. Things are made easier by her boyfriend from home being here. However his frat house has a secret. Throw in werewolves, vampires, witches and a league of fighters for a plot filled with secrets piled upon secrets. Why does everyone seem to have the idea that she is special? Is it the fact that she took on a vampire and won? Or is it something to do with her home town? Great characters. Love the heroine's no live prisoners attitude.
Wonderful. She is feisty, ultra confident, snarky and doesn't take prisoners. Starting college should have been great but her 3 rookies make her rethink that. However she's going to fit in even if it kills her. Things are made easier by her boyfriend from home being here. However his frat house has a secret. Throw in werewolves, vampires, witches and a league of fighters for a plot filled with secrets piled upon secrets. Why does everyone seem to have the idea that she is special? Is it the fact that she took on a vampire and won? Or is it something to do with her home town? Great characters. Love the heroine's no live prisoners attitude.
January 14, 2020
There were certain parts I enjoyed then certain parts I did more than cringe at.....
Zoe... Zoe is probably the most unlikable heroine, I think she's meant to come across as unique and edgy but she is a complete twat most the time and about as deep as a puddle.... I would have ended up slapping her by chapter 4 if she were my roommate, although Brittney seems to be the main target of Zoe's aggravations and admittedly she is a walking headache. I liked Paris she seemed to be the voice of reason.
The story was reasonable but the characters were all very one dimensional..... I audiobooked this and apart from a two male voices I loved it.
Yes I will carry on with book two I just hope Zoe learns a bit more compassion and Empathy by then.
Zoe... Zoe is probably the most unlikable heroine, I think she's meant to come across as unique and edgy but she is a complete twat most the time and about as deep as a puddle.... I would have ended up slapping her by chapter 4 if she were my roommate, although Brittney seems to be the main target of Zoe's aggravations and admittedly she is a walking headache. I liked Paris she seemed to be the voice of reason.
The story was reasonable but the characters were all very one dimensional..... I audiobooked this and apart from a two male voices I loved it.
Yes I will carry on with book two I just hope Zoe learns a bit more compassion and Empathy by then.
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