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Wake Unto Me
Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9780142414361.
A haunted castle, a handsome young man dead for four hundred years, one heck of a scary portrait of a witch, and a treasure hunt -- not to mention a princess for a roommate! -- all await 15 year old American girl Caitlyn Monahan when she earns a scholarship to a French boarding school.
There are secrets behind the stone walls of Chateau de la Fortune, buried for centuries along with the mystery of who killed Raphael, the charming ghost who visits Caitlyn at night. But as Caitlyn unearths the history of the castle, nothing scares her as badly as the secret she learns about herself, and the reason she was chosen to come to the Fortune School.
And nothing breaks her heart as badly as falling in love with a dead guy.
A haunted castle, a handsome young man dead for four hundred years, one heck of a scary portrait of a witch, and a treasure hunt -- not to mention a princess for a roommate! -- all await 15 year old American girl Caitlyn Monahan when she earns a scholarship to a French boarding school.
There are secrets behind the stone walls of Chateau de la Fortune, buried for centuries along with the mystery of who killed Raphael, the charming ghost who visits Caitlyn at night. But as Caitlyn unearths the history of the castle, nothing scares her as badly as the secret she learns about herself, and the reason she was chosen to come to the Fortune School.
And nothing breaks her heart as badly as falling in love with a dead guy.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
32 people are currently reading
8200 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Cach
48 books203 followersLisa Cach grew up in a farm near Portland, Oregon, a place she loves although she'd always trying to leave it. Wanderlust has led her to sail the Sargasso Sea, teach English in Japan, and trek the leech-infested jungles of Borneo. She has degrees in both English and psychology, two subjects that were fun to learn about but that guaranteed her low-paying jobs. Her father, she admits, may have been right about the MBA.
Lisa started to writing romances in her parents' basement during snatched moments from work. Since her writing career began her free time has become less and less as her novels become more and more popular. She's loved romance novels since Junior High School, and at least now she doesn't have to worry about getting caught reading one. Lisa married, and bought with her husband a home in Seattle, Washington. She describes her personal paradise as "...a pile of books, a plate of brownies, and the free time in which to enjoy them".
Lisa started to writing romances in her parents' basement during snatched moments from work. Since her writing career began her free time has become less and less as her novels become more and more popular. She's loved romance novels since Junior High School, and at least now she doesn't have to worry about getting caught reading one. Lisa married, and bought with her husband a home in Seattle, Washington. She describes her personal paradise as "...a pile of books, a plate of brownies, and the free time in which to enjoy them".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
April 21, 2011
What I thought was suppose to be a haunting love story, turned out to be something different, and not at all what I was expecting. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but sadly I couldn't love this as much as I wanted too.
Lisa Cach is a very skilled writer and the dedication to her historical details was very impressive. But I found it a bit to formal and dry and it didn't quite have that desired punch to keep me engaged.
The plot line is very clever and I enjoyed the ghostly mysteries, but then the storyline moved on to religion and the treasure of The Knights Templar...which isn't something I'm to familiar with and even though I did find it somewhat interesting, I didn't find it captivating.
While I liked the idea of Caitlyn and Raphael, I had a hard time connecting with them and felt there romance wasn't believable, even for a paranormal story.
Basically, I just don't think this one was for me.
With that said, I still think anyone who enjoys historical, supernatural and mystery should find Wake Unto Me an entertaining read, I think I was just expecting something entire different.
Lisa Cach is a very skilled writer and the dedication to her historical details was very impressive. But I found it a bit to formal and dry and it didn't quite have that desired punch to keep me engaged.
The plot line is very clever and I enjoyed the ghostly mysteries, but then the storyline moved on to religion and the treasure of The Knights Templar...which isn't something I'm to familiar with and even though I did find it somewhat interesting, I didn't find it captivating.
While I liked the idea of Caitlyn and Raphael, I had a hard time connecting with them and felt there romance wasn't believable, even for a paranormal story.
Basically, I just don't think this one was for me.
With that said, I still think anyone who enjoys historical, supernatural and mystery should find Wake Unto Me an entertaining read, I think I was just expecting something entire different.
April 9, 2011
An unexpected, work-related reading assigment turned up, which I will use as an excuse to abandon this book after 72 pages, although I wanted to let it simmer on my bedside table for a while.
Is it so bad, you ask? Oh, it's not bad.
- I just don't care for bordom-school (oops) boarding-school stories at the moment - especially not for those including blue-blooded royal-bitch-room-mates
- the moody, goth-like, thrift-store addicted, I-am-different-from-everybody-else-where-is-my-great-destiny-invite-me-to-a-french-castle heroine, who in my mind looks like Emily the Strange, grates on my nerves
- the evil or not so evil sisterhood searching for "The Dark One" promised in their prophecy switched on all the cliché-screamers inside of my head and alerted my suspicion-mode
- I wanted a cute ephemeral ghost and got a solid Medici-time guy visited during time-travelling dreams.
Go ahead: buy and read it, but read the description first and forget about the cover. It has been switched at birth.
Nic, don't you buy the book. I'll mail it next week.
Is it so bad, you ask? Oh, it's not bad.
- I just don't care for bordom-school (oops) boarding-school stories at the moment - especially not for those including blue-blooded royal-bitch-room-mates
- the moody, goth-like, thrift-store addicted, I-am-different-from-everybody-else-where-is-my-great-destiny-invite-me-to-a-french-castle heroine, who in my mind looks like Emily the Strange, grates on my nerves
- the evil or not so evil sisterhood searching for "The Dark One" promised in their prophecy switched on all the cliché-screamers inside of my head and alerted my suspicion-mode
- I wanted a cute ephemeral ghost and got a solid Medici-time guy visited during time-travelling dreams.
Go ahead: buy and read it, but read the description first and forget about the cover. It has been switched at birth.
Nic, don't you buy the book. I'll mail it next week.
May 3, 2011
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
I really wanted to like this. I had heard so many great reviews on blogs but I was BORED. I felt like I was studying a history book. It may have just been due to the fact that historical genre is not my thing (but then again I have just read two historical books this week and loved them) so I don't think that is the case. The concept had potential but it needed to have writing that flowed effortless.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
Thank you to Olivia for sending me a copy
I really wanted to like this. I had heard so many great reviews on blogs but I was BORED. I felt like I was studying a history book. It may have just been due to the fact that historical genre is not my thing (but then again I have just read two historical books this week and loved them) so I don't think that is the case. The concept had potential but it needed to have writing that flowed effortless.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
Thank you to Olivia for sending me a copy
June 24, 2011
15-yr-old Caitlyn Monahan is bored with her life in rural Oregon. She's interested in classical music, art history, period novels, not pop culture and boy drama. When she is offered a full-scholarship at a boarding school in France, she leaps on it. Anything that might introduce her to a more exciting life and a chance to meet her Prince Charming. However, life at the Fortune School isn't as idyllic as she would hope. Caitlyn has always been plagued by frightening and realistic dreams, which she thinks are the result of having a prophetic mother. Now her dreams are becoming more and more intense, immersing her in a world 400 years in the past, a world where powerful women are burned at the stake and young men wear armor on horseback. Caitlyn is thrown into a mystery involving the Fortune School, the de Medicis, and a handsome young man named Raphael.
I think this book is marketed poorly. Its portrayed as a ghostly romance story, but its really not, at least for the first two-thirds of the story. For the majority of the book it is a historical mystery, something I particularly enjoyed. I can see how it might be boring though, to those not interested in the genre. The novel also didn't follow the stereotypical girl-goes-to-boarding-school-finds-out-she-is-special story line. Yes, there were elements in there, such as the smug bitchy girls, but for some reason it just didn't read like standard YA. The tone was different, and it definitely held my interest.
I did not like Caitlyn, however. Her whole thing was "No one understaaaaaands me. I'm too original. I shop vintage!". She is exactly the same as every other frighteningly dull teenage girl, except her taste in music and clothing was "cultured". She was not anything special, and she lacked spunk and (to play off the book's French setting) joie de vivre. Boohoo boohoo, Caitlyn, go whine up someone else's tree. Oh, and I also didn't like how her one main goal in life was to get a guy. Realistic to a vapid teenage girl, perhaps, but it still made her seem shallow. I mean, she's going to live in fucking France and her main concern is finding a hot guy? Remind me, why is she the heroine again? Oh, cuz she is the one thats gots the powahs. Got ya.
Actually, pretty much all the characters lacked life and dimensionality. The most likable for me anyway was Naomi, but that is not saying much seeing as she was also as flat as a penny on the railroad tracks. And the romance between Raphael and Caitlyn was ehhhhhhhh. At first I was like, are they actually going to take it slow for once? How can THIS BE? And then before you know it, they were all up in each other's personal spaces saying how they can't live without each other. Damn, I should have shut off my sarcasm valve. I think I jinxed it. And then Caitlyn got all depressed and shit when she thinks Raphael dies (slight spoiler here, but whatevs). Its like YOU MET HIM LIKE THREE TIMES. And you didn't even know if he truly existed for most of them!! Way to be a Bella, Caitlyn.
Also, I felt like Caitlyn either was slow on the uptake or jumped to miraculous conclusions given few facts. Are you a genius or TSTL? Decide.
Overall, it was different but at the same time painfully disappointing. It has a different vibe from the other YA paranorms (even if this review provides examples to the contrary), but it still wasn't that great. The best aspect for me, easily, was the de Medici/Templar/historical mystery thing. I like me history.
I think this book is marketed poorly. Its portrayed as a ghostly romance story, but its really not, at least for the first two-thirds of the story. For the majority of the book it is a historical mystery, something I particularly enjoyed. I can see how it might be boring though, to those not interested in the genre. The novel also didn't follow the stereotypical girl-goes-to-boarding-school-finds-out-she-is-special story line. Yes, there were elements in there, such as the smug bitchy girls, but for some reason it just didn't read like standard YA. The tone was different, and it definitely held my interest.
I did not like Caitlyn, however. Her whole thing was "No one understaaaaaands me. I'm too original. I shop vintage!". She is exactly the same as every other frighteningly dull teenage girl, except her taste in music and clothing was "cultured". She was not anything special, and she lacked spunk and (to play off the book's French setting) joie de vivre. Boohoo boohoo, Caitlyn, go whine up someone else's tree. Oh, and I also didn't like how her one main goal in life was to get a guy. Realistic to a vapid teenage girl, perhaps, but it still made her seem shallow. I mean, she's going to live in fucking France and her main concern is finding a hot guy? Remind me, why is she the heroine again? Oh, cuz she is the one thats gots the powahs. Got ya.
Actually, pretty much all the characters lacked life and dimensionality. The most likable for me anyway was Naomi, but that is not saying much seeing as she was also as flat as a penny on the railroad tracks. And the romance between Raphael and Caitlyn was ehhhhhhhh. At first I was like, are they actually going to take it slow for once? How can THIS BE? And then before you know it, they were all up in each other's personal spaces saying how they can't live without each other. Damn, I should have shut off my sarcasm valve. I think I jinxed it. And then Caitlyn got all depressed and shit when she thinks Raphael dies (slight spoiler here, but whatevs). Its like YOU MET HIM LIKE THREE TIMES. And you didn't even know if he truly existed for most of them!! Way to be a Bella, Caitlyn.
Also, I felt like Caitlyn either was slow on the uptake or jumped to miraculous conclusions given few facts. Are you a genius or TSTL? Decide.
Overall, it was different but at the same time painfully disappointing. It has a different vibe from the other YA paranorms (even if this review provides examples to the contrary), but it still wasn't that great. The best aspect for me, easily, was the de Medici/Templar/historical mystery thing. I like me history.
September 3, 2010
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It may not seem like a dark book, but it is. Everything in it was so surprising and emotional I want to read it again just for the pleasure of it.
Caitilyn Monahan has vivid dreams. Dreams that are real. And in her dreams she meets him. Haunted by her dreams and thoughts by him Caitilyn takes an opportunity to go to a boarding school in France, but once she gets there, her dreams are worse. All of the sudden, her dreams are so real she can’t tell the different anymore. And whats worse is now she is falling for someone in her dream. Caitilyn discovers secret about the boarding school she is at. Secrets that have to do with her……
This book was just amazing! The plot, the writing, my goodness even the twist and turns I did not see was just awesome. This book was written so suspensly it had me at the edge of my seat! I could not, would not, put this book down. I stayed up half the night just to finish it. And I was glad that I did.
Ms. Cach did a superb job writing this. I can’t express how good this book is! I was just amazed, hooked, taken by surprise, and just totally awed by this story.
This is a must read and you should most definitely pick this up.
Caitilyn Monahan has vivid dreams. Dreams that are real. And in her dreams she meets him. Haunted by her dreams and thoughts by him Caitilyn takes an opportunity to go to a boarding school in France, but once she gets there, her dreams are worse. All of the sudden, her dreams are so real she can’t tell the different anymore. And whats worse is now she is falling for someone in her dream. Caitilyn discovers secret about the boarding school she is at. Secrets that have to do with her……
This book was just amazing! The plot, the writing, my goodness even the twist and turns I did not see was just awesome. This book was written so suspensly it had me at the edge of my seat! I could not, would not, put this book down. I stayed up half the night just to finish it. And I was glad that I did.
Ms. Cach did a superb job writing this. I can’t express how good this book is! I was just amazed, hooked, taken by surprise, and just totally awed by this story.
This is a must read and you should most definitely pick this up.
March 11, 2012
Caitlin Monahan described herself as freaky. Even though she has friends and a family who loves her, she still felt she didn’t belong because of her freakiness.
Dreams were always a constant companion of Caitlin. She never knew or understood what it meant so she kept a journal for her dreams. Her dreams were mostly nightmares, ghastly figures who scream at her which was why she called them Screechers.
Everything changed when she received a scholarship to a prestigious school in France. Her dreams were becoming more and more real like Raphael, the gorgeous adoptive son of Bianca de Medici who was burned at stake as a witch.
The longer that Caitlin stayed at Chateau de la Fortune, the more she learns about the mystery of the castle, the people who owned it and herself.
Wake Unto Me definitely was one of the most interesting books I have read so far.
Really interesting!
At first, I thought it was another YA paranormal ghost story.
It’s not!
Ms Kach gave a whole new twist to the concept of ghosts. I was surprised at how much I thought it was possible to be dead and alive at the same time. It was just gorgeous. How everything came together at the end of the book was fantastic. I never expected it to end the way it did. At first I thought, Caitlin just was time travelling and this book would somehow be similar to one of my favorites, Timeless, but its not. She was time travelling but there was more to the story than just that.
This book was full of all my favorite genres: romance, mystery, the gothic feel and history. At the author’s notes at the back of the book, she gave her sources of information and which ones were based on true historical facts and which weren’t. If I didn’t read that, I wouldn’t have guessed that some of the historical snippets from the book were just fiction. That was how well-woven everything was in this book.
At first I didn’t really like Caitlin much. She thinks so badly of herself. She felt like she didn’t belong and nobody wants her and stuff like that but as the story progressed she became a very likeable character.
Raphael was well… Unbelievably gorgeous! Hahaha. Well, I always fall for the guys rather than the girls in books I read. One thing I like about his was his faith in people. I admired him more because of that.
Caitlin’s friends, Amalia and Naomi, were too hmmm… How would I say it? Excited? They weren’t skeptical as most people would be when you tell them about something supernatural. It wasn’t normal. Well anyways, I liked them so I’ll stop at that.
Ms Kach’s writing style was impeccable. She described Chateau de la Fortune precisely as if it was real. As I was reading it, I felt sort of an ache to see the place for myself. Also, I loved her new take on how ghost were like. It was UNIQUE. There were so many things in this book that I wasn’t expecting which is totally an awesome thing!
I would like to congratulate Ms Kach for doing a great job. Most of the books released nowadays were series, it’s a good thing this one wasn’t. This book was so rich with everything that I got me curious as to how she made everything fit in just one book.
4.5!
Dreams were always a constant companion of Caitlin. She never knew or understood what it meant so she kept a journal for her dreams. Her dreams were mostly nightmares, ghastly figures who scream at her which was why she called them Screechers.
Everything changed when she received a scholarship to a prestigious school in France. Her dreams were becoming more and more real like Raphael, the gorgeous adoptive son of Bianca de Medici who was burned at stake as a witch.
The longer that Caitlin stayed at Chateau de la Fortune, the more she learns about the mystery of the castle, the people who owned it and herself.
Wake Unto Me definitely was one of the most interesting books I have read so far.
Really interesting!
At first, I thought it was another YA paranormal ghost story.
It’s not!
Ms Kach gave a whole new twist to the concept of ghosts. I was surprised at how much I thought it was possible to be dead and alive at the same time. It was just gorgeous. How everything came together at the end of the book was fantastic. I never expected it to end the way it did. At first I thought, Caitlin just was time travelling and this book would somehow be similar to one of my favorites, Timeless, but its not. She was time travelling but there was more to the story than just that.
This book was full of all my favorite genres: romance, mystery, the gothic feel and history. At the author’s notes at the back of the book, she gave her sources of information and which ones were based on true historical facts and which weren’t. If I didn’t read that, I wouldn’t have guessed that some of the historical snippets from the book were just fiction. That was how well-woven everything was in this book.
At first I didn’t really like Caitlin much. She thinks so badly of herself. She felt like she didn’t belong and nobody wants her and stuff like that but as the story progressed she became a very likeable character.
Raphael was well… Unbelievably gorgeous! Hahaha. Well, I always fall for the guys rather than the girls in books I read. One thing I like about his was his faith in people. I admired him more because of that.
Caitlin’s friends, Amalia and Naomi, were too hmmm… How would I say it? Excited? They weren’t skeptical as most people would be when you tell them about something supernatural. It wasn’t normal. Well anyways, I liked them so I’ll stop at that.
Ms Kach’s writing style was impeccable. She described Chateau de la Fortune precisely as if it was real. As I was reading it, I felt sort of an ache to see the place for myself. Also, I loved her new take on how ghost were like. It was UNIQUE. There were so many things in this book that I wasn’t expecting which is totally an awesome thing!
I would like to congratulate Ms Kach for doing a great job. Most of the books released nowadays were series, it’s a good thing this one wasn’t. This book was so rich with everything that I got me curious as to how she made everything fit in just one book.
4.5!
March 9, 2014
I started Lisa Cach's Wake Unto Me yesterday morning and I just finished it up. It was okay. The book started out with such promise but fell kinda flat two-thirds through.
Caitlyn has always felt out-of-place in Oregon. She studies the past, art and history, like some girls study fashion magazines and pop culture. A good evening to her is reading a book of fine art while listening to Chopin. When she gets an opportunity to study at a prestigious boarding school in France she jumps on it, forsaking America and everything she knows for castles, and fine food, and a chance to immerse herself in culture.
At first the book is a Gothic ghost haunt. Caitlyn sees visions of the past, of the Medici family and Europe of the past. But the book devolves to a Templar treasure hunting story and with it went my attention span. I don't do Knights Templar very well, I'm afraid. Parts of the mythos intrigues me, but overall the bits of knights in the service of God... yeah, my attention veered to say the least. I wanted more of Catherine de Medici and Rafael and the hauntings, and my interested was ill rewarded. Just like that. My interest quite literally deflated in the final 100 pages. I skimmed the latter part of the book.
While not for me, this may interest people for the Gothic quality of the story. And the characters in the school are all intriguing, though a bit flat dimensioned.
3 out of 5 stars. I wish I didn't have to resort to skimming the end.
- review courtesy of www.bibliopunkkreads.com
June 3, 2011
Why was I not more aware of this book and it's awesomeness!
Ghosts, romance, an intriguing history and a mystery hundreds of years old.... yeah I'm going to say it again. AWESOME.
This novel was totally not what I was expecting. I think perhaps I was anticipating the same old paranormal romance, but that is not what I got at all. And it was a welcome change!
I have to admit that I wasn't gripped by the story initially, I remember thinking that perhaps I should put this story down... mostly because I wasn't a fan of Caitlyn. I don't belong here, nobody understand me... a sob story I've heard one too many times. But then something happens to Caitlyn, and she gets interesting! And the rest is history!
One of the unexpected things was the history in this novel, I know from the authors notes that most of it was based on places she had been or seen, and that a lot of the story was based on legends, so it's not exactly factual, but it was still very fascinating!
The story was beautifully written. Cach's descriptions of Chateau de la Fortune, in the present and past were utterly enchanting! I felt like I was there along with Caitlyn experiencing the beauty along with her. And I can't fail to mention the many unexpected twists that Cach throws at the reader. Did not see a few of those coming at all! And I do love to be surprised.
Wake Unto Me is an unforgettable story layered in mystery, love and history! You'll be at the edge of the abyss, err I mean, the edge of your seat unraveling this gothic tale!
Ghosts, romance, an intriguing history and a mystery hundreds of years old.... yeah I'm going to say it again. AWESOME.
This novel was totally not what I was expecting. I think perhaps I was anticipating the same old paranormal romance, but that is not what I got at all. And it was a welcome change!
I have to admit that I wasn't gripped by the story initially, I remember thinking that perhaps I should put this story down... mostly because I wasn't a fan of Caitlyn. I don't belong here, nobody understand me... a sob story I've heard one too many times. But then something happens to Caitlyn, and she gets interesting! And the rest is history!
One of the unexpected things was the history in this novel, I know from the authors notes that most of it was based on places she had been or seen, and that a lot of the story was based on legends, so it's not exactly factual, but it was still very fascinating!
The story was beautifully written. Cach's descriptions of Chateau de la Fortune, in the present and past were utterly enchanting! I felt like I was there along with Caitlyn experiencing the beauty along with her. And I can't fail to mention the many unexpected twists that Cach throws at the reader. Did not see a few of those coming at all! And I do love to be surprised.
Wake Unto Me is an unforgettable story layered in mystery, love and history! You'll be at the edge of the abyss, err I mean, the edge of your seat unraveling this gothic tale!
July 27, 2019
3 1/2 stars
The best thing about this book is how everything comes together in the end. It's like the satisfaction that you get once you've finished a very complicated puzzle. My only problem was the romance: it just felt a little forced. And the main character sometimes was a little too obsessed with finding her "Knight". Other than that it was pretty decent read.
The best thing about this book is how everything comes together in the end. It's like the satisfaction that you get once you've finished a very complicated puzzle. My only problem was the romance: it just felt a little forced. And the main character sometimes was a little too obsessed with finding her "Knight". Other than that it was pretty decent read.
February 26, 2011
First I must say this. I can't express how happy I am, to finally see a refeshingly oiginal premise in a YA paranormal romance. I started reading YA novels again less than a year ago, but was already tired of the same stale plot- lines. Wake Unto Me doesn't have vampires, werewolves or angels. It doesn't even have a love triangle or a protagonist who annoys you to death. In short, I loved this book!
Caitlyn has always been the odd one out. Her family and peers think she is strange. She has always felt out of place and as not belonging. Is there some place else where she is destined to be? Caitlyn also has dreams so vivid that they are almost real. Sometimes these dreams are nightmares , sometimes pleasant. Her mother, who had the ability to foresee the future, died in an accident. When a mysterious school in France offers her the chance for a full scholarship, she immediately grabs the opportunity. The school turns out to be an ancient castle turned into a school. Within the castle lie long-buried secrets, that Caitlyn is about to uncover and which might hold the key to her destiny.
I loved the author's descriptive writing style, especially the way she has imagined the castle. I have this strange infatuation with gothic castles and am drawn to books such books. The author's description of the castle is breathtaking. I could almost imagine every nook and corner of the castle.
Caitlyn is a wonderful heroine. She's neither one of those spineless whiny female protagonists who evoke a deep desire to knock some sense in to their heads nor is she an over-the-top, almost unrealistically "tough" girl. She's believable and relatable.
Wake Unto Me eloquently combines suspense, history, myth, paranormal elements and romance. Add to that a potential literary crush - Raphael, a ghost who seems more real to Caitlyn than any "real" people. Who is he? Why is he haunting her dreams? Why does it seem like she has known him all his life? Then there is the ghost of a woman supposedly haunting the castle in search of her lost lover. There's enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. There are many twists and turns; you can never guess what will happen next.
Despite this being a dark novel, there are some genuinely humorous moments. For instance, Caitlyn's shock at the "exotic" French food or when she has to draw a naked woman in the art class. The culture shock has been described well. It's very believable since Caitlyn has never been outside her hometown before.
Wake Unto Me is a delicious gothic suspense/romance which you can savour and enjoy.Thanks to the author, I might not give up on paranormal romances just yet.
Overall:
This book combines 3 things I love - gothic suspense, history and France. Of course, I love this book!
Recommended?
Yes! You need to get your hands on this book, as soon as it releases.
Caitlyn has always been the odd one out. Her family and peers think she is strange. She has always felt out of place and as not belonging. Is there some place else where she is destined to be? Caitlyn also has dreams so vivid that they are almost real. Sometimes these dreams are nightmares , sometimes pleasant. Her mother, who had the ability to foresee the future, died in an accident. When a mysterious school in France offers her the chance for a full scholarship, she immediately grabs the opportunity. The school turns out to be an ancient castle turned into a school. Within the castle lie long-buried secrets, that Caitlyn is about to uncover and which might hold the key to her destiny.
I loved the author's descriptive writing style, especially the way she has imagined the castle. I have this strange infatuation with gothic castles and am drawn to books such books. The author's description of the castle is breathtaking. I could almost imagine every nook and corner of the castle.
Caitlyn is a wonderful heroine. She's neither one of those spineless whiny female protagonists who evoke a deep desire to knock some sense in to their heads nor is she an over-the-top, almost unrealistically "tough" girl. She's believable and relatable.
Wake Unto Me eloquently combines suspense, history, myth, paranormal elements and romance. Add to that a potential literary crush - Raphael, a ghost who seems more real to Caitlyn than any "real" people. Who is he? Why is he haunting her dreams? Why does it seem like she has known him all his life? Then there is the ghost of a woman supposedly haunting the castle in search of her lost lover. There's enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. There are many twists and turns; you can never guess what will happen next.
Despite this being a dark novel, there are some genuinely humorous moments. For instance, Caitlyn's shock at the "exotic" French food or when she has to draw a naked woman in the art class. The culture shock has been described well. It's very believable since Caitlyn has never been outside her hometown before.
Wake Unto Me is a delicious gothic suspense/romance which you can savour and enjoy.Thanks to the author, I might not give up on paranormal romances just yet.
Overall:
This book combines 3 things I love - gothic suspense, history and France. Of course, I love this book!
Recommended?
Yes! You need to get your hands on this book, as soon as it releases.
July 4, 2017
I came to this book expecting to read a haunting love story. Instead, I got a bizarre journey to find a long lost treasure and a girl's soul traveling through times. I mean, how ridiculous does that sound? The description of this book didn't truly reflect what the book is about, and I blame whoever wrote this description. And I think this explains why the book receives such low rating on Goodreads, despite having very promising plot and premise.
I may have been felt like I was cheated and lied to, but I would totally welcome a story that is different from what I wish to read, as long as it's engaging and exciting. Instead, "Wake Unto Me" was a boring mess that wasn't captivating, uplifting or, inspiring. Everything was written in a dry way, and all the parts or details isn't linked to each other in a coherent manner. The romance wasn't described thoroughly, and I felt like it was an unnecessary part. I found it hard to follow the story, and after some time, I didn't know what I was reading. I skimmed through the last few chapters just to see what the ending turned out to be, and to be honest, it was kinda cliché and ridiculously predictable.
The only good thing about this book is the history background that the author injected into her novel. The story about all the conspiracies in France and Italy's medieval time is very entertaining, although the author got the details about Bianca de' Medici wrong - she was dead at the age of 6, as the author wrote in the Author's Note part.
I may have been felt like I was cheated and lied to, but I would totally welcome a story that is different from what I wish to read, as long as it's engaging and exciting. Instead, "Wake Unto Me" was a boring mess that wasn't captivating, uplifting or, inspiring. Everything was written in a dry way, and all the parts or details isn't linked to each other in a coherent manner. The romance wasn't described thoroughly, and I felt like it was an unnecessary part. I found it hard to follow the story, and after some time, I didn't know what I was reading. I skimmed through the last few chapters just to see what the ending turned out to be, and to be honest, it was kinda cliché and ridiculously predictable.
The only good thing about this book is the history background that the author injected into her novel. The story about all the conspiracies in France and Italy's medieval time is very entertaining, although the author got the details about Bianca de' Medici wrong - she was dead at the age of 6, as the author wrote in the Author's Note part.
March 19, 2012
I almost didn't finish this book. I got really bored at the first few chapters, but I pushed through and ended up semi-enjoying this book.
It starts out with Caitlyn, who's this misfit at her school. What I didn't understand was that she didn't seem to be much of a misfit. She's got a boy asking her to a party and two really good friends, so I don't see what her problem was, but whatever.
She then gets accepted into a French boarding school. *yawn* she makes friends, yada yada. Then there's mysterious guy in her dreams and, here's the shocking part, she falls instantly in love with him! Swoon.... er, not.
And he thinks she's a ghost, and she thinks he's a ghost and there's this moment of confusion where *you* wonder if *you're* a ghost... oh, wait, that doesn't happen. You just wonder if you've died of boredom.
Anyway, and it turns out that her sleeping spirit is a ghost or something that haunts the past, and the present and the future or something, for no apparent reason.
Oh, and I almost forgot. There's this creepy, evil witchy lady who was burned at the stake and her adopted son (Caitln's love interest) keeps her heart in a box. Mmmhmm. Yeah. You read that right. Her HEART in a BOX. Just a little weird. He also worships this mother-figure, even though, in my mind, she's pretty darn evil. She kills people and seduces people and overall sounds completely insane and everyone treats her like this victim... um, no. She kind of asked for it.
So, at the end, Raphael (mysterious guy in paragraph #2) dies and Caitlyn goes into this depression and fails all of her classes. Then she finds out that Raphael took over her friend's dead brother's body (ummm, creepy, much? Isn't that something that most bad guys do?) and so she's all happy again and leads the more or less evil headmistress to the Knight's Templar treasure (yep, that made an appearance, too) and then they're all like, "yay" even though this evil lady now has the witchy lady's, Bianca's, heart and will probably rule the world with her mind control powers. Um, what? And Caitlyn's not worried about this at all? *insert eye roll*
So, I think it's pretty obvious what my thoughts were on this book. The biggest part was that Bianca and Mistress Snowe should have at least *seemed* good. They seemed more or less pure evil to me.
Not something I would recommend
It starts out with Caitlyn, who's this misfit at her school. What I didn't understand was that she didn't seem to be much of a misfit. She's got a boy asking her to a party and two really good friends, so I don't see what her problem was, but whatever.
She then gets accepted into a French boarding school. *yawn* she makes friends, yada yada. Then there's mysterious guy in her dreams and, here's the shocking part, she falls instantly in love with him! Swoon.... er, not.
And he thinks she's a ghost, and she thinks he's a ghost and there's this moment of confusion where *you* wonder if *you're* a ghost... oh, wait, that doesn't happen. You just wonder if you've died of boredom.
Anyway, and it turns out that her sleeping spirit is a ghost or something that haunts the past, and the present and the future or something, for no apparent reason.
Oh, and I almost forgot. There's this creepy, evil witchy lady who was burned at the stake and her adopted son (Caitln's love interest) keeps her heart in a box. Mmmhmm. Yeah. You read that right. Her HEART in a BOX. Just a little weird. He also worships this mother-figure, even though, in my mind, she's pretty darn evil. She kills people and seduces people and overall sounds completely insane and everyone treats her like this victim... um, no. She kind of asked for it.
So, at the end, Raphael (mysterious guy in paragraph #2) dies and Caitlyn goes into this depression and fails all of her classes. Then she finds out that Raphael took over her friend's dead brother's body (ummm, creepy, much? Isn't that something that most bad guys do?) and so she's all happy again and leads the more or less evil headmistress to the Knight's Templar treasure (yep, that made an appearance, too) and then they're all like, "yay" even though this evil lady now has the witchy lady's, Bianca's, heart and will probably rule the world with her mind control powers. Um, what? And Caitlyn's not worried about this at all? *insert eye roll*
So, I think it's pretty obvious what my thoughts were on this book. The biggest part was that Bianca and Mistress Snowe should have at least *seemed* good. They seemed more or less pure evil to me.
Not something I would recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2011
Even though I'm a sucker for boarding schools and goth-like characters in the end it wasn't what I hopped it would be.
The beginning was interesting,unfortunately it didn't stayed that was for long.
What I hated the most was that Caitlyn fell in love with Raphael so fast. It was like: "I'm driving to my school for the first time;oohhh there's a guy on a horse,I feel somehow connected to him;what now,I am dreaming of him,he can use a sword,I can see him taking a bath,I am so embarrassed,he is the guy I was saving myself for..."
Okay...
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The beginning was interesting,unfortunately it didn't stayed that was for long.
What I hated the most was that Caitlyn fell in love with Raphael so fast. It was like: "I'm driving to my school for the first time;oohhh there's a guy on a horse,I feel somehow connected to him;what now,I am dreaming of him,he can use a sword,I can see him taking a bath,I am so embarrassed,he is the guy I was saving myself for..."
Okay...
[image error]
September 2, 2010
I want a boy from 400 years ago... As long as he is my my dreams first!
Cach really knows how to write a boy who is 400 years older than you, you can only see him in your dreams, an excellent treat!
Right after reading the Prologue, I was hooked. Like most Prologues, it left me questioning and wanting more! After Chapter 1, the book had all of my attention. I sat at my brothers football practice, reading instead of watching him as I should have. This wasn't the first time Ive seen him, nothing stopped me from reading Wake Unto Me.
The setting of the boarding school in France was well written and beautifully imagined. As was the characters of Caitlyn and her dream boy. The character of Caitlyn Monahan or as the kids of at her high school call her, Caitlyn Moan N Groan, was a pleasure reading about. Caitlyn is a girl who was the out cast at her high school and never thought she would get to have an adventure. Her dream boy was just living his life 400 years ago and thought of nothing until her met this girl who comes and goes at her convenience. What he did not know, was he was actually the dream in this story. Though he was supposed to be the knight in shining armor, but in the end, who was really saving who?
I found quite a bit of Caitlyn in myself as I continued the adventure in Wake Unto Me. I appreciated the imagery between the present and the past. While the setting was the same, the actions of the characters were very different and lovely.
Wake Unto Me was a memorable read in which I devoured at my brothers football practice. For those who may not know how long that is, it's two hours. It not only made me laugh out loud, gasp, and sigh but had my mom who was with me tempted to steal the book out of my hands and start reading herself. Cach proves that nothing can keep you away from true love. Even if you are sixteen, at a boarding school, and in a foreign country. Not only is can you fond love in a foreign country, but even in the most unlikely place.
Girls, and maybe even boys, Wake Unto Me is an eye opening love story in which you will never look at "historical" love stories the same again.
Cach really knows how to write a boy who is 400 years older than you, you can only see him in your dreams, an excellent treat!
Right after reading the Prologue, I was hooked. Like most Prologues, it left me questioning and wanting more! After Chapter 1, the book had all of my attention. I sat at my brothers football practice, reading instead of watching him as I should have. This wasn't the first time Ive seen him, nothing stopped me from reading Wake Unto Me.
The setting of the boarding school in France was well written and beautifully imagined. As was the characters of Caitlyn and her dream boy. The character of Caitlyn Monahan or as the kids of at her high school call her, Caitlyn Moan N Groan, was a pleasure reading about. Caitlyn is a girl who was the out cast at her high school and never thought she would get to have an adventure. Her dream boy was just living his life 400 years ago and thought of nothing until her met this girl who comes and goes at her convenience. What he did not know, was he was actually the dream in this story. Though he was supposed to be the knight in shining armor, but in the end, who was really saving who?
I found quite a bit of Caitlyn in myself as I continued the adventure in Wake Unto Me. I appreciated the imagery between the present and the past. While the setting was the same, the actions of the characters were very different and lovely.
Wake Unto Me was a memorable read in which I devoured at my brothers football practice. For those who may not know how long that is, it's two hours. It not only made me laugh out loud, gasp, and sigh but had my mom who was with me tempted to steal the book out of my hands and start reading herself. Cach proves that nothing can keep you away from true love. Even if you are sixteen, at a boarding school, and in a foreign country. Not only is can you fond love in a foreign country, but even in the most unlikely place.
Girls, and maybe even boys, Wake Unto Me is an eye opening love story in which you will never look at "historical" love stories the same again.
August 11, 2011
Wake Unto Me is a story of an ordinary girl (Caitlyn) who is having a freakish nightmare. She wanted something different in her life so when she received an invitation/scholarship to study in a French boarding school, she immediately jump in to the idea. There she discovered a lot about herself and the mysteries surrounding her dreams. She met a very gorgeous guy Raphael, who haunts her in her dreams. And of course, they fell in love. Instalove should I say. And also somehow she discovered that she is a lot special than what she thought she is. Sounds familiar right?
Well although the plot of this story is too similar with the other paranormal/fantasy genre books that I’ve read, I still kind of like reading it, but just a little bit. Be warned that this is definitely a slow paced book. I think that the story only got interesting when I reached the final 100 pages. I nearly gave up on this, but in the end I decided to just finish reading it and be done with it.
Now the writing style is pretty ok, I like the historical aspects of the story. She did in fact incorporate the info about The Knights Templar and the missing treasure in the story but I don’t think it was explored well. I need more details, but sadly it was not delivered. It is a pretty well wrapped-up but found the ending a little bit rushed and too conventional. It was like she did that just to have a happy ending but I found it awkward and unrealistic. Though I must admit that I am pretty much surprised about the mysteries of Caitlyn’s life when it was finally revealed, I sure didn’t expect that.
If you want a paranormal, ghost story with a touch of history, go ahead and give it a try.
Well although the plot of this story is too similar with the other paranormal/fantasy genre books that I’ve read, I still kind of like reading it, but just a little bit. Be warned that this is definitely a slow paced book. I think that the story only got interesting when I reached the final 100 pages. I nearly gave up on this, but in the end I decided to just finish reading it and be done with it.
Now the writing style is pretty ok, I like the historical aspects of the story. She did in fact incorporate the info about The Knights Templar and the missing treasure in the story but I don’t think it was explored well. I need more details, but sadly it was not delivered. It is a pretty well wrapped-up but found the ending a little bit rushed and too conventional. It was like she did that just to have a happy ending but I found it awkward and unrealistic. Though I must admit that I am pretty much surprised about the mysteries of Caitlyn’s life when it was finally revealed, I sure didn’t expect that.
If you want a paranormal, ghost story with a touch of history, go ahead and give it a try.
August 9, 2014
Coming off of one supernatural novel set in France, I was a little leery about how this one was going to turn out because I knew I was going to draw comparisons. And Die For Me was pretty epic. But this had a different premise, a different plot, and a different kind of France (rural, as opposed to Paris).
Caitlyn hates life in Oregon. That's got to be more out there for her. When she gets an email unexpectedly from a private school in France that's offering her a full-ride scholarship, she jumps at the opportunity. But once she's there, the nightmares she had back in Oregon only get worse. On top of that, she dreams of a gorgeous man named Raphael, who lived at the castle that is now her school in the 1600s. Can she control her heart?
I pretty much saw the ending coming well before it happened. When you notice that a book begins taking little things from early on and twisting them into major plot points, you begin looking for them. So I saw the ending coming. However, there were maybe 2-3 major twists that occurred before that that I did NOT see coming. I was like, "Oh, okay....OH SNAP! What?!" That was so cool.
I liked Caitlyn. She didn't have the same attitude as Kate from Die For Me had that I admired so much, but she was alright. I give her a little lee-way since Caitlyn is younger than Kate. It was very interesting, especially with a huge dose of historical fiction in it that I did not see coming from the summary. I learned a lot about French and Italian history right here.
Caitlyn hates life in Oregon. That's got to be more out there for her. When she gets an email unexpectedly from a private school in France that's offering her a full-ride scholarship, she jumps at the opportunity. But once she's there, the nightmares she had back in Oregon only get worse. On top of that, she dreams of a gorgeous man named Raphael, who lived at the castle that is now her school in the 1600s. Can she control her heart?
I pretty much saw the ending coming well before it happened. When you notice that a book begins taking little things from early on and twisting them into major plot points, you begin looking for them. So I saw the ending coming. However, there were maybe 2-3 major twists that occurred before that that I did NOT see coming. I was like, "Oh, okay....OH SNAP! What?!" That was so cool.
I liked Caitlyn. She didn't have the same attitude as Kate from Die For Me had that I admired so much, but she was alright. I give her a little lee-way since Caitlyn is younger than Kate. It was very interesting, especially with a huge dose of historical fiction in it that I did not see coming from the summary. I learned a lot about French and Italian history right here.
June 3, 2011
I'll admit it...this book made me think. My thoughts through most of this book..."Huh???" lol!!! Honestly it took a while for me to catch on to what was real and what was a dream. And even towards the end...I fell for the twists. Just when i'm thinking....oh I get it...the story suddenly changes?? And there I go again... Huh?? lol! Thats not a bad thing though. The book was interesting...the story was entertaining. And I loved that extra bit at that end that just added the cherry to the top of the happy ending! Yay for happy endings lol! Totally didn't see it coming..and that doesn't happen often. So props for being unpredictable and entirely unique! One thing I did notice was the history...there was alot of history in this book. I will admit...I skipped over most of it haha! Sorry...it didn't seem essential to the plot at the time...and it turned out I was right. Putting all the history fluff aside...you have yourself a cute romance...a true thinker of a mystery...and a great book. 4 stars from me! Really liked it.
December 31, 2010
A true time travel romance that will appeal to all of us girls everywhere. There are bits of Romeo and Juliet mixed with a modern approach that time travels back in history. The story reminded me a bit of Libba Bray's series, but I liked this one a bit more since the descriptions are to the point and not overly wordy. I am more of a dialogue person and the conversations are very realistic.
I have read several of Lisa Cach's other stories and she is excellent at mixing up her characters and their actions. This was a quick read for me and I think those that enjoy a good clean romance will enjoy this one. There is also a touch of historical and gothic elements which I think are the next big thing.
I have read several of Lisa Cach's other stories and she is excellent at mixing up her characters and their actions. This was a quick read for me and I think those that enjoy a good clean romance will enjoy this one. There is also a touch of historical and gothic elements which I think are the next big thing.
Want to read
February 28, 2011Ooooh, i like the sound of this!
:D
mar 31
:D
mar 31
June 2, 2017
Oh my lordy, oh my lordy. You have got to read this book! It's not only a paranormal romance but it's much different then any I've read! I found no cliches in it myself and I thought it was definitly an original idea.
The back of the book does this book no justice! Caitlyn has just started the tenth grade in Oregon when she recieves a letter from a boarding school in France. Who offers to pay her full tuition. They want her because they think she's 'special' and Caitlyn is in fact special. She has odd dreams of horrible things, and detailed dreams that she wonders constantly if their fact or just her imagination. When she attends this school her dreams turn into a story, a reoccuring story within the past of her very school, with a mysterious boy she can't help but slowly fall in love with. But he comes from 'a different time, a different place, a different reality'.....
Overall I loved this book. It had twists and turns I never saw coming. It was interesing enough to be read in one sitting and I am completely stunned by it. I kept trying to guess what was ahead but I was always wrong and trust me in this case it's not a terrible thing. If you want a fresh look on paranormal romance, mystery, and french history read this book!
The back of the book does this book no justice! Caitlyn has just started the tenth grade in Oregon when she recieves a letter from a boarding school in France. Who offers to pay her full tuition. They want her because they think she's 'special' and Caitlyn is in fact special. She has odd dreams of horrible things, and detailed dreams that she wonders constantly if their fact or just her imagination. When she attends this school her dreams turn into a story, a reoccuring story within the past of her very school, with a mysterious boy she can't help but slowly fall in love with. But he comes from 'a different time, a different place, a different reality'.....
Overall I loved this book. It had twists and turns I never saw coming. It was interesing enough to be read in one sitting and I am completely stunned by it. I kept trying to guess what was ahead but I was always wrong and trust me in this case it's not a terrible thing. If you want a fresh look on paranormal romance, mystery, and french history read this book!
November 4, 2011
Caitlyn kann es nicht fassen. Ausgerechnet ihr, einer mittelmäßigen Schülerin und Außenseiterin, wird ein Stipendium im Chateau de la Fortune, einem Internat in Frankreich, angeboten. Sie muss nicht lange überlegen und zieht nach Frankreich. Da Caitlyn in den USA immer von schlimmen Alpträumen geplagt wurde, hat sie nun die Hoffnung, in Frankreich ein neues Leben zu beginnen. Doch auch dort verfolgen sie die Alpträume. Allerdings hat sie dort auch andere Träume: Sie träumt von der Vergangenheit des Internats und begegnet dort immer wieder Raphael, mit dem sie sich auf eine gefährliche Schatzjagd begibt. Sie verliebt sich immer mehr in Raphael und fühlt sich mit ihm verbunden. Kann dies wirklich nur ein Traum sein oder steckt viel mehr dahinter?
"Eternally" ist eine gute Mischung aus Jugendbuch, Fantasy und historischen Roman. Lisa Cach hat den Sprung zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart in diesem Buch gut hinbekommen und ich konnte der Geschichte verfolgen, ohne durcheinander gebracht zu werden. Die Geschichte befasst sich mit Hexen von damals und heute, allerdings nicht unbedingt in der Form, wie man sie bislang in anderen Büchern kannte. Die Hexe wird hier nicht als Zauberin, sondern mehr mit übersinnlichen Fähigkeiten beschrieben, was mir gut gefallen hat, da bei der Darstellung nicht übertrieben wurde.
Mit dem Schreibstil bin ich nicht ganz zufrieden. Zwar hat es die Autorin geschafft, mich mit der Geschichte in ihren Bann zu ziehen, allerdings gibt es auch ein paar Schwachstellen. Vor allem die Szenen in der Vergangenheit sind stellenweise zu genau beschreiben, sodass die eigene Fantasie kaum gefördert wurde. Die Informationen, die Lisa Cach hier jedoch gesammelt hat, sind durchweg interessant, nur leider zu langatmig. Ebenfalls etwas störend empfand ich die ganzen französischen Sätze, die direkt darauf übersetzt wurden. Hier hätte es auch auf deutsch gereicht, da dies oft beim Lesen gestört hat. Ansonsten gibt es hier aber nichts zu bemängeln.
Einen ganz großen Pluspunkt gibt es von mir, weil dieses Buch endlich mal wieder ein Einzelband ist. Zwar lese ich Reihen und Trilogien sehr gerne, jedoch ist ein Einzelband auch mal wieder sehr angenehm.
Vor allem bei den Schauplätzen und den Charakteren hat sich die Autorin große Mühe gegeben. Das Chateau de la Fortune strahlt auf mich eine kalte, aber durchaus gemütliche Atmosphäre aus, in dem man sich nur wohlfühlen kann. Das Gelände rund um das Schloß wirkt verlassen und zum Teil ebenfalls düster. Zunächst spielt die Geschichte in den USA, Caitlyns Heimatland, doch recht schnell zieht sie nach Frankreich, um dort zu Schule zu gehen.
Caitlyn ist eine großartige Protagonistin. An ihrer alten Schule war sie eine Außenseiterin, die sich nie willkommen fühlte und mit den Schülern nichts anzufangen wusste. Sie wirkt schüchtern und in sich gekehrt. Aus den Jungs ihrer Highschool hat sie sich nichts gemacht, vielmehr wartet sie auf den Mann, der ihr Herz direkt im Sturm erobert. Der ist ihr jedoch noch nicht persönlich begegnet.
In ihren Träumen trifft sie auf Raphael, der ihr Herz höher schlagen lässt. Sie lässt sich immer mehr auf ihre Träume ein und begegnet immer wieder Raphael. Sie spürt, dass dies weit mehr, als ein Traum ist. Aber kann sich Realität und Traum tatsächlich miteinander vereinbaren? Aber sie träumt nicht nur von Raphael, sondern muss sich auch ständig mit Alpträumen befassen, in denen sogenannte Kreischer auf sie lauern. Caitlyns Gefühle und Gedanken werden gut dargestellt, im Bezug auf Raphael ist sie jedoch stellenweise naiv, was ich ihr aufgrund ihres Alters jedoch nicht übel nehme.
Aber auch andere Charaktere kommen hier gut zur Geltung. Da gibt es u.a. Naomi, die mit ihr zusammen aufs Chateau de la Fortune geht. Sie ist die erste, die die Wahrheit über Caitlyns Träume und Schlafstörungen erfährt. Ebenfalls sehr interessant ist Madame Snowe, die als Direktorin im Chateau de la Fortune arbeitet und gleichzeitig als Caitlyns Mentorin auftritt. Sie fördert sie und ihre Fähigkeiten, scheut sich aber ebenfalls nicht davor zurück, Caitlyn zurückzuweisen. Sie wirkt geheimnisvoll und mächtig und man muss einfach Respekt vor ihr haben.
Die Covergestaltung ist wunderschön und hat mich erst richtig auf dieses Buch aufmerksam gemacht. Die kräftigen Farben harmonieren perfekt miteinander. Allerdings habe ich mich während des lesens gefragt, was der Leuchtturm auf dem Cover wohl zu sagen hat, denn dieser wird weder erwähnt, noch ist ein Leuchtturm in der Nähe eines ländlichen Schloßes zu finden. Das hat mich dann doch ein wenig irritiert.
Insgesamt konnte mich "Eternally" mit seinen Charaktere und der wunderbar düsteren Handlung überzeugen. Nicht nur Liebhaber von Jugendbüchern werden an diesem Buch ihre Freude haben.
"Eternally" ist eine gute Mischung aus Jugendbuch, Fantasy und historischen Roman. Lisa Cach hat den Sprung zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart in diesem Buch gut hinbekommen und ich konnte der Geschichte verfolgen, ohne durcheinander gebracht zu werden. Die Geschichte befasst sich mit Hexen von damals und heute, allerdings nicht unbedingt in der Form, wie man sie bislang in anderen Büchern kannte. Die Hexe wird hier nicht als Zauberin, sondern mehr mit übersinnlichen Fähigkeiten beschrieben, was mir gut gefallen hat, da bei der Darstellung nicht übertrieben wurde.
Mit dem Schreibstil bin ich nicht ganz zufrieden. Zwar hat es die Autorin geschafft, mich mit der Geschichte in ihren Bann zu ziehen, allerdings gibt es auch ein paar Schwachstellen. Vor allem die Szenen in der Vergangenheit sind stellenweise zu genau beschreiben, sodass die eigene Fantasie kaum gefördert wurde. Die Informationen, die Lisa Cach hier jedoch gesammelt hat, sind durchweg interessant, nur leider zu langatmig. Ebenfalls etwas störend empfand ich die ganzen französischen Sätze, die direkt darauf übersetzt wurden. Hier hätte es auch auf deutsch gereicht, da dies oft beim Lesen gestört hat. Ansonsten gibt es hier aber nichts zu bemängeln.
Einen ganz großen Pluspunkt gibt es von mir, weil dieses Buch endlich mal wieder ein Einzelband ist. Zwar lese ich Reihen und Trilogien sehr gerne, jedoch ist ein Einzelband auch mal wieder sehr angenehm.
Vor allem bei den Schauplätzen und den Charakteren hat sich die Autorin große Mühe gegeben. Das Chateau de la Fortune strahlt auf mich eine kalte, aber durchaus gemütliche Atmosphäre aus, in dem man sich nur wohlfühlen kann. Das Gelände rund um das Schloß wirkt verlassen und zum Teil ebenfalls düster. Zunächst spielt die Geschichte in den USA, Caitlyns Heimatland, doch recht schnell zieht sie nach Frankreich, um dort zu Schule zu gehen.
Caitlyn ist eine großartige Protagonistin. An ihrer alten Schule war sie eine Außenseiterin, die sich nie willkommen fühlte und mit den Schülern nichts anzufangen wusste. Sie wirkt schüchtern und in sich gekehrt. Aus den Jungs ihrer Highschool hat sie sich nichts gemacht, vielmehr wartet sie auf den Mann, der ihr Herz direkt im Sturm erobert. Der ist ihr jedoch noch nicht persönlich begegnet.
In ihren Träumen trifft sie auf Raphael, der ihr Herz höher schlagen lässt. Sie lässt sich immer mehr auf ihre Träume ein und begegnet immer wieder Raphael. Sie spürt, dass dies weit mehr, als ein Traum ist. Aber kann sich Realität und Traum tatsächlich miteinander vereinbaren? Aber sie träumt nicht nur von Raphael, sondern muss sich auch ständig mit Alpträumen befassen, in denen sogenannte Kreischer auf sie lauern. Caitlyns Gefühle und Gedanken werden gut dargestellt, im Bezug auf Raphael ist sie jedoch stellenweise naiv, was ich ihr aufgrund ihres Alters jedoch nicht übel nehme.
Aber auch andere Charaktere kommen hier gut zur Geltung. Da gibt es u.a. Naomi, die mit ihr zusammen aufs Chateau de la Fortune geht. Sie ist die erste, die die Wahrheit über Caitlyns Träume und Schlafstörungen erfährt. Ebenfalls sehr interessant ist Madame Snowe, die als Direktorin im Chateau de la Fortune arbeitet und gleichzeitig als Caitlyns Mentorin auftritt. Sie fördert sie und ihre Fähigkeiten, scheut sich aber ebenfalls nicht davor zurück, Caitlyn zurückzuweisen. Sie wirkt geheimnisvoll und mächtig und man muss einfach Respekt vor ihr haben.
Die Covergestaltung ist wunderschön und hat mich erst richtig auf dieses Buch aufmerksam gemacht. Die kräftigen Farben harmonieren perfekt miteinander. Allerdings habe ich mich während des lesens gefragt, was der Leuchtturm auf dem Cover wohl zu sagen hat, denn dieser wird weder erwähnt, noch ist ein Leuchtturm in der Nähe eines ländlichen Schloßes zu finden. Das hat mich dann doch ein wenig irritiert.
Insgesamt konnte mich "Eternally" mit seinen Charaktere und der wunderbar düsteren Handlung überzeugen. Nicht nur Liebhaber von Jugendbüchern werden an diesem Buch ihre Freude haben.
December 10, 2015
Kurzbeschreibung:
Eigentlich gehört Caitlyn gar nicht in die amerikanische Kleinstadt, in der sie lebt, das spürt sie nur zu deutlich. Als sie ein Stipendium in einem angesehenen Internat in Frankreich angeboten bekommt, ergreift sie die Gelegenheit, ihrem engen Leben zu entfliehen. Im Château de la Fortune begegnet sie fortan jede Nacht im Traum einem geheimnisvollen Jungen, der aus einer anderen Zeit zu kommen scheint. Caitlyn weiß: Sie und er sind Seelenverwandte. Aber wie kann sie jemanden lieben, der gar nicht wirklich existiert? Als Traum und Wirklichkeit sich auf einmal vermischen, erkennt Caitlyn, was sie wirklich in dieses Internat geführt hat. Und das wird ihr Leben für immer verändern... *Quelle*
Zur Autorin:
Nach Jobs als Englischlehrerin in Japan und als Telefonseelsorgerin für eine Psychokrisen-Hotline ist Lisa Cach überglücklich, dass “Arbeit” mittlerweile bedeutet, Liebesgeschichten mit Zeitreisenden, Geistern und Zombies zu schreiben. Das verregnete Seattle ist ihr Zuhause, und obwohl sie die Stadt liebt, nutzt sie jede Gelegenheit, in die Ferne zu reisen - zum Beispiel nach Kathmandu, in die Urwälder von Borneo, in rumänische Dörfer und zu mehr europäischen Schlössern, als sie oder ihr inzwischen etwas ermüdeter Ehemann zählen können.
Meinung:
Die 15-jährige Caitlyn Monahan lebt in einem verschlafenen Dorf in Oregon, wo sie sich nicht so richtig zugehörig fühlt. Ihre Mutter starb in ihrer Kindheit und hinterließ ihr eine Tarotkarte, die das Rad des Schicksals abbildet. Außerdem plagen sie schwere Albträume, die von Wesen, die Caitlyn "Kreischer" nennt, dominiert werden.
Um ihrem Umfeld zu entfliehen, bewirbt sie sich bei der Fortuna-Schule in Frankreich, an der sie auch ein Stipendiat erhält. Doch kaum in Frankreich angekommen, wird Caitlyn mit neuen Fragen und Rätseln konfrontiert: Wer ist Raphael, der sich immer wieder in ihre Träume schleicht? Und was hat es mit "der Dunklen", einem geheimnisvollen Schatz und der Schulleiterin Eugenia Snowe auf sich, die sich so ungeheuer für Caitlyns Träume interessiert?
Eternally und ich sind nicht wirklich gute Freunde geworden. Der Aspekt, dass es um Hexen geht, fand ich interessant und auch der Prolog lässt auf eine gute Geschichte hoffen, doch leider stellte sich die Handlung als sehr zäh dar und es fehlte eindeutig an Spannung. Dafür fand ich die geschichtlichen Fakten, die Lisa Cach mit in die fiktive Erzählung einfließen lässt, ansprechend.
Die Geschichte wird aus der Sicht der 15-jährigen Protagonistin Caitlyn geschildert, die von Albträumen geplagt wird, zwar Freunde hat, aber zu Beginn eher schüchtern ist. Als sie ihr Stipendium in Frankreich antritt, wird sie zusehends mutiger und versucht, sich ihren Träumen zu stellen.
Die (obligatorische) Liebesgeschichte, die sich zwischen ihr und Raphael entwickelt, bietet indes nichts Neues. Das hat man schon in gleicher Form unzählige Male gelesen und konnte mich überhaupt nicht begeistern, da es einfach nur klischeehaft wirkt.
Da man während der Handlung nie ganz richtig aufgeklärt wird, welche genauen Fähigkeiten Caitlyn denn nun besitzt, möchte man natürlich weiterlesen. Doch die Auflösung kam mir dann auch etwas zu bemüht vor, sie ist verwirrend und für mich etwas über das Ziel hinausgeschossen.
Allerdings haben mir die historischen Fakten über die Medici, die mit in die Handlung eingebracht wurden, gut gefallen und mich etwas über die Langatmigkeit von Caitlyns Story hinweg getröstet. Für die angesprochene Zielgruppe, insbesondere die weibliche Leserschaft, mag das Buch jedoch besser geeignet sein.
Fazit:
Eternally ist ganz nette Unterhaltung für zwischendurch für Leserinnen, die sich für Themen wie übersinnliche Phänomene, Traumdeutung und Liebe interessieren. Mir war das Buch von der Grundhandlung her leider etwas zu zäh und in einigen Passagen zu langatmig. Einzig die historischen Aspekte konnten mich allerdings begeistern.
Eigentlich gehört Caitlyn gar nicht in die amerikanische Kleinstadt, in der sie lebt, das spürt sie nur zu deutlich. Als sie ein Stipendium in einem angesehenen Internat in Frankreich angeboten bekommt, ergreift sie die Gelegenheit, ihrem engen Leben zu entfliehen. Im Château de la Fortune begegnet sie fortan jede Nacht im Traum einem geheimnisvollen Jungen, der aus einer anderen Zeit zu kommen scheint. Caitlyn weiß: Sie und er sind Seelenverwandte. Aber wie kann sie jemanden lieben, der gar nicht wirklich existiert? Als Traum und Wirklichkeit sich auf einmal vermischen, erkennt Caitlyn, was sie wirklich in dieses Internat geführt hat. Und das wird ihr Leben für immer verändern... *Quelle*
Zur Autorin:
Nach Jobs als Englischlehrerin in Japan und als Telefonseelsorgerin für eine Psychokrisen-Hotline ist Lisa Cach überglücklich, dass “Arbeit” mittlerweile bedeutet, Liebesgeschichten mit Zeitreisenden, Geistern und Zombies zu schreiben. Das verregnete Seattle ist ihr Zuhause, und obwohl sie die Stadt liebt, nutzt sie jede Gelegenheit, in die Ferne zu reisen - zum Beispiel nach Kathmandu, in die Urwälder von Borneo, in rumänische Dörfer und zu mehr europäischen Schlössern, als sie oder ihr inzwischen etwas ermüdeter Ehemann zählen können.
Meinung:
Die 15-jährige Caitlyn Monahan lebt in einem verschlafenen Dorf in Oregon, wo sie sich nicht so richtig zugehörig fühlt. Ihre Mutter starb in ihrer Kindheit und hinterließ ihr eine Tarotkarte, die das Rad des Schicksals abbildet. Außerdem plagen sie schwere Albträume, die von Wesen, die Caitlyn "Kreischer" nennt, dominiert werden.
Um ihrem Umfeld zu entfliehen, bewirbt sie sich bei der Fortuna-Schule in Frankreich, an der sie auch ein Stipendiat erhält. Doch kaum in Frankreich angekommen, wird Caitlyn mit neuen Fragen und Rätseln konfrontiert: Wer ist Raphael, der sich immer wieder in ihre Träume schleicht? Und was hat es mit "der Dunklen", einem geheimnisvollen Schatz und der Schulleiterin Eugenia Snowe auf sich, die sich so ungeheuer für Caitlyns Träume interessiert?
Eternally und ich sind nicht wirklich gute Freunde geworden. Der Aspekt, dass es um Hexen geht, fand ich interessant und auch der Prolog lässt auf eine gute Geschichte hoffen, doch leider stellte sich die Handlung als sehr zäh dar und es fehlte eindeutig an Spannung. Dafür fand ich die geschichtlichen Fakten, die Lisa Cach mit in die fiktive Erzählung einfließen lässt, ansprechend.
Die Geschichte wird aus der Sicht der 15-jährigen Protagonistin Caitlyn geschildert, die von Albträumen geplagt wird, zwar Freunde hat, aber zu Beginn eher schüchtern ist. Als sie ihr Stipendium in Frankreich antritt, wird sie zusehends mutiger und versucht, sich ihren Träumen zu stellen.
Die (obligatorische) Liebesgeschichte, die sich zwischen ihr und Raphael entwickelt, bietet indes nichts Neues. Das hat man schon in gleicher Form unzählige Male gelesen und konnte mich überhaupt nicht begeistern, da es einfach nur klischeehaft wirkt.
Da man während der Handlung nie ganz richtig aufgeklärt wird, welche genauen Fähigkeiten Caitlyn denn nun besitzt, möchte man natürlich weiterlesen. Doch die Auflösung kam mir dann auch etwas zu bemüht vor, sie ist verwirrend und für mich etwas über das Ziel hinausgeschossen.
Allerdings haben mir die historischen Fakten über die Medici, die mit in die Handlung eingebracht wurden, gut gefallen und mich etwas über die Langatmigkeit von Caitlyns Story hinweg getröstet. Für die angesprochene Zielgruppe, insbesondere die weibliche Leserschaft, mag das Buch jedoch besser geeignet sein.
Fazit:
Eternally ist ganz nette Unterhaltung für zwischendurch für Leserinnen, die sich für Themen wie übersinnliche Phänomene, Traumdeutung und Liebe interessieren. Mir war das Buch von der Grundhandlung her leider etwas zu zäh und in einigen Passagen zu langatmig. Einzig die historischen Aspekte konnten mich allerdings begeistern.
April 13, 2017
A quick, fast-paced read with a great gothic atmosphere. Historical, paranormal, romance, mystery--this book has a bit of everything. I know this could've easily been a four star read if I'd read it when I was in high school.
The first twenty or so pages made me question whether or not I'd enjoy it. The prologue especially was kind of...ehhh. Didn't quite know what to think, and since my copy of the book doesn't have a summary on the back, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. After reading the Halo trilogy, I just wanted something different, preferably good.
And that's exactly what I got.
Caitlyn (or however you spell it because there are like a thousand variations of the name) is contacted by an expensive school in France, and all-girls' boarding school. She doesn't have great grades, so when she applies for the scholarship, she's beyond surprised when she gets it. Time skips ahead, we don't really see how her family reacts to her leaving. My parents, i know, would never have let me leave the country, even if the scholarship was to an expensive school. This I found a little...unbelievable, but I could roll with it. Once she starts dreaming of Raphael and starts uncovering the secret history with Bianca and the school and Catherine de Medici---now THAT's when it gets good! I really liked how the author wove in historical figures with a National Treasure-esque hunt.
I will admit, the last 10% took me by surprise. I did not expect that twist, and at first, I was thinking that the next chapter would be all "ha-ha, just kidding!" But...it didn't. I grew okay with the twist, and when a certain character came into the book at the last second, I totally called that particular twist. It seemed a very 90's thing to do, and maybe that's why i was able to predict it.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a YA story that doesn't completely revolve around romance (ahem, Halo, Fallen, etc). There's a bit of insta-love, but the main character is only 15. I was boy crazy at that age, too. It's a quick read. I would've finished it in one sitting if i hadn't read the last half of Heaven (shivers) before it.
The first twenty or so pages made me question whether or not I'd enjoy it. The prologue especially was kind of...ehhh. Didn't quite know what to think, and since my copy of the book doesn't have a summary on the back, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. After reading the Halo trilogy, I just wanted something different, preferably good.
And that's exactly what I got.
Caitlyn (or however you spell it because there are like a thousand variations of the name) is contacted by an expensive school in France, and all-girls' boarding school. She doesn't have great grades, so when she applies for the scholarship, she's beyond surprised when she gets it. Time skips ahead, we don't really see how her family reacts to her leaving. My parents, i know, would never have let me leave the country, even if the scholarship was to an expensive school. This I found a little...unbelievable, but I could roll with it. Once she starts dreaming of Raphael and starts uncovering the secret history with Bianca and the school and Catherine de Medici---now THAT's when it gets good! I really liked how the author wove in historical figures with a National Treasure-esque hunt.
I will admit, the last 10% took me by surprise. I did not expect that twist, and at first, I was thinking that the next chapter would be all "ha-ha, just kidding!" But...it didn't. I grew okay with the twist, and when a certain character came into the book at the last second, I totally called that particular twist. It seemed a very 90's thing to do, and maybe that's why i was able to predict it.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a YA story that doesn't completely revolve around romance (ahem, Halo, Fallen, etc). There's a bit of insta-love, but the main character is only 15. I was boy crazy at that age, too. It's a quick read. I would've finished it in one sitting if i hadn't read the last half of Heaven (shivers) before it.
April 12, 2014
I can't really put into words how brilliant and well thought out this book was! I loved the premise and wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was! Wake Unto Me blew me out of the water! It'll keep you guessing and trying to figure out the mystery eagerly as you turn the pages! Highly recommended!
First of all, this is the first book I've ever read on a book tour! If you've never participated in a book tour, I suggest you go and sign up for one now as it's an amazing experience! You get to read yet-to-be-released books and meet fellow bloggers and readers along the way. I don't know about you, but having a copy of a book that's travelled around the world is an amazing feeling! While I was reading Wake Unto Me, I was picturing the exact copy in other countries, entrancing other readers than myself!
I said it in my mini summary that I wasn't expecting this book to be as good as it was. It wasn't from a 'huge' company (not to my knowledge anyway and I live in Australia) and although the cover is gorgeous, it's not exactly one that looks mass-produced and over promoted like so many YA novels these days. I think that's a good thing because it is what sets Wake Unto Me apart from so many other books.
I hadn't read Lisa Cach before so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Sure, the premise sounded great and appealed to my sense of mystery, romance and of course - anything French! But would the book live up to the expectations I already had? I featured this book on a Waiting on Wednesday post a month or so ago and never did I thought I'd be able to read this book before it's release in 2011. Well, I did and it surpassed all my expectations and even got a 5 star rating from me! So to put it simply; get this book when it comes out.
I read on someone else's blog that this was sort of like Meg Cabot's The Mediator series, which I think is true. Except, add The Mediator in with Libba Bray's A Great & Terrible Beauty series and you'll have kind of an idea about how this story is set out. I won't re-write the summary in my own words because you're all smart people and if you're reading this review then surely you've researched the plot up in the blockquote of this page.
The thing that really stood out for me in Wake Unto Me was the amount of research that went into it. It wasn't predictable or a faint echo of another YA book, it was completely original. Although I guess a few things here and there about the mystery, I never really got 'the big picture' and as soon as everything was revealed I was just 'ohhh'. Lisa Cach really knows how to write a mystery and I was desperately turning pages to figure it all out in the end.
It's evident that she didn't tack on a silly ending at the last minute, as hints to the 'big reveal' are inserted early on in the book. You'll really enjoy piecing everything together as I did and enjoy the atmosphere and faces at Chateau de la Fortune!
A great read!
Recommended to: Anyone, really! Especially those for a love of history, ghosts and France! You'll be sure to enjoy it!
August 7, 2012
Zur Aufmachung
Mir persönlich gefallen beide Cover sehr gut. Beim Original finde ich, hätte das mit der Substanz auch umgekehrt sein können. Außerdem sieht es da wie ein Erotikroman aus. Der Ink Verlag hat sich da für die schönere Variante entschieden, wie ich finde. Vom Titel her passen beide sehr gut, wobei Ink eher auf den Vergangenheit/Gegenwart und Speak eher auf den Traum/Wirklichkeit Konflikt anspielt.
Zum Buch
Ich muss gestehen, als ich begann Eternally zu lesen, da dachte ich noch, es würde einer der typischen Romane in diese Richtung werden. Die völlig unverstandene Caitlyn, die sich schon immer so gefühlt hat als sei sie völlig fehl am Platz, hat eine ganz besondere Gabe, weshalb sie an eine Schule weit weit weg geht. Aber dieses Buch hat mich eines besseren belehrt. Caitlyn hat sich als so viel sympathischer herausgestellt, als sie auf den ersten Blick wirkte. Ihre Stiefmutter war keine Hexe, sondern ein wirklich lieber Mensch, der Caitlyn sogar noch mehr geliebt hat als ihr Vater und die Schule, auf die Caitlyn dann geht, ist auch nicht nur für magisch Begabte zugänglich, sondern eigentlich bloß ein Internat für die Elite, dessen Gründer ein Geheimnis haben, das es zu entschlüsseln gilt.
Eternally ist eine wirklich tolle Geschichte, die es auf sehr unterhaltsame Weise schafft, Vergangenheit und Gegenwart, Traum und Wirklichkeit miteinander zu vermischen bis man zuletzt selbst nicht mehr weiß, was denn nun wahr und wirklich ist. Mir persönlich hat das super gefallen und ich hätte nie damit gerechnet, dass das diesen Roman zu etwas machen würde, das ich so noch nicht gelesen habe.
Besonders die beiden Hauptcharaktere sind sehr sympathisch, schlagfertig, mutig und beide kämpfen sie für die selbe Sache. Nur eben in verschiedenen Zeiten.
Es gab ziemlich viele sehr spannende Stellen, aber doch muss ich sagen, dass man sich als Leser einiges schon zusammenreimen konnte bevor man das Buch beendet hatte. Auch ist das Buch natürlich nicht völlig befreit von Klischees. So gibt es die liebe nette Zimmernachbarin und die Zicke, die sich in den Mittelpunkt stellt und über den Hauptcharakter lustig macht. Trotzdem gab es auch da die eine oder andere Überraschung und die Charaktere stellten sich mit der Zeit auch als immer weniger klischeehaft heraus.
Was mir an diesem Roman seltsamerweise am allerbesten gefallen hat, das war zum einen, dass die Geschichte mit tatsächlichen Ereignissen der Vergangenheit verbunden war und auch viele verschiedene Sprachen mit eingebracht hat, hauptsächlich natürlich Französisch aber auch Latein. Zum anderen war es, dass dies ein EINZELBAND ist. Wie sehr ich es vermisst habe mal einen Einzelband zu lesen, das war mir bis jetzt gar nicht klar gewesen...
Fazit
Schreibstil: 4 Herzen
Charaktere: 4 Herzen
Spannung: 4 Herzen
Emotionale Tiefe: 3 Herzen
Humor: 3,5 Herzen
Originalität: 3,5 Herzen
Ein schöner Roman, der mit Traum und Realität spielt und den Leser auf diese Weise mitreißt! Eine Mischung aus Zeitreise und Urban Fantasy Roman, der zusätzlich auch noch ein Einzelband ist. Was kann man da schon falsch machen?
♥♥♥♥
Mir persönlich gefallen beide Cover sehr gut. Beim Original finde ich, hätte das mit der Substanz auch umgekehrt sein können. Außerdem sieht es da wie ein Erotikroman aus. Der Ink Verlag hat sich da für die schönere Variante entschieden, wie ich finde. Vom Titel her passen beide sehr gut, wobei Ink eher auf den Vergangenheit/Gegenwart und Speak eher auf den Traum/Wirklichkeit Konflikt anspielt.
Zum Buch
Ich muss gestehen, als ich begann Eternally zu lesen, da dachte ich noch, es würde einer der typischen Romane in diese Richtung werden. Die völlig unverstandene Caitlyn, die sich schon immer so gefühlt hat als sei sie völlig fehl am Platz, hat eine ganz besondere Gabe, weshalb sie an eine Schule weit weit weg geht. Aber dieses Buch hat mich eines besseren belehrt. Caitlyn hat sich als so viel sympathischer herausgestellt, als sie auf den ersten Blick wirkte. Ihre Stiefmutter war keine Hexe, sondern ein wirklich lieber Mensch, der Caitlyn sogar noch mehr geliebt hat als ihr Vater und die Schule, auf die Caitlyn dann geht, ist auch nicht nur für magisch Begabte zugänglich, sondern eigentlich bloß ein Internat für die Elite, dessen Gründer ein Geheimnis haben, das es zu entschlüsseln gilt.
Eternally ist eine wirklich tolle Geschichte, die es auf sehr unterhaltsame Weise schafft, Vergangenheit und Gegenwart, Traum und Wirklichkeit miteinander zu vermischen bis man zuletzt selbst nicht mehr weiß, was denn nun wahr und wirklich ist. Mir persönlich hat das super gefallen und ich hätte nie damit gerechnet, dass das diesen Roman zu etwas machen würde, das ich so noch nicht gelesen habe.
Besonders die beiden Hauptcharaktere sind sehr sympathisch, schlagfertig, mutig und beide kämpfen sie für die selbe Sache. Nur eben in verschiedenen Zeiten.
Es gab ziemlich viele sehr spannende Stellen, aber doch muss ich sagen, dass man sich als Leser einiges schon zusammenreimen konnte bevor man das Buch beendet hatte. Auch ist das Buch natürlich nicht völlig befreit von Klischees. So gibt es die liebe nette Zimmernachbarin und die Zicke, die sich in den Mittelpunkt stellt und über den Hauptcharakter lustig macht. Trotzdem gab es auch da die eine oder andere Überraschung und die Charaktere stellten sich mit der Zeit auch als immer weniger klischeehaft heraus.
Was mir an diesem Roman seltsamerweise am allerbesten gefallen hat, das war zum einen, dass die Geschichte mit tatsächlichen Ereignissen der Vergangenheit verbunden war und auch viele verschiedene Sprachen mit eingebracht hat, hauptsächlich natürlich Französisch aber auch Latein. Zum anderen war es, dass dies ein EINZELBAND ist. Wie sehr ich es vermisst habe mal einen Einzelband zu lesen, das war mir bis jetzt gar nicht klar gewesen...
Fazit
Schreibstil: 4 Herzen
Charaktere: 4 Herzen
Spannung: 4 Herzen
Emotionale Tiefe: 3 Herzen
Humor: 3,5 Herzen
Originalität: 3,5 Herzen
Ein schöner Roman, der mit Traum und Realität spielt und den Leser auf diese Weise mitreißt! Eine Mischung aus Zeitreise und Urban Fantasy Roman, der zusätzlich auch noch ein Einzelband ist. Was kann man da schon falsch machen?
♥♥♥♥
April 12, 2011
4.5 stars
Some girls have all the luck. High school would've been so much more interesting if I could've gone to a place like Chateau de la Fortune!
Wake Unto Me transported me into Caitlin Monahan’s world. It was a place where history and the paranormal came to life-complete with mysteries yet to be unlocked, romantic interludes with debonair ghosts and a plot filled with more twists and turns than the halls of the French castle itself.
To be honest, I was really leery about reading the book at first—so many YA paranormal books lately have been way too heavy on the instantaneous love connection thing. It's to the point where it’s become almost comical (at least for me). When I picked up this book, I was nervous. It seemed ripe for the signature YA paranormal formula ( Awkward girl + godlike supernatural boy = Tru Luv 4-EVA) But thankfully, Wake Unto Me had so much more to offer than most YA paranormals I've read lately. With a rich, exciting plot and great conflict, everything seemed to meld together with a heaping good dollop of paranormal romance as the cherry on top. As for the romance itself, I actually found Caitlin's relationship with Raphael pretty darn alluring—it was all done with just the right amount of sizzling tension and definitely reeled me in right from the start.
But my favorite aspect of Wake Unto Me were the bits of historical intrigue interwoven throughout the narrative. This actually was what kept me on my toes more than I had anticipated and I was constantly surprised as each new clue unfolded along the way. Another thing that stood out to me was how much time the author must have spent working on the intricacies of her plot with all the clues-within-clues. All in all, Lisa Cach's efforts really showed with both the quality of the writing and her memorable cast of vibrant, quirky characters. The French boarding school setting itself was vital to a book like this and it added so much— Chateau de la Fortune was an eerie, imposing boarding school with its gothic architecture and colorful medieval history. Even the people running the school seemed to somehow be setting the stage and adding to the general ambiance of the book.
Needless to say I adored this book. I was immediately drawn in by the idea of Caitlin traveling to a strange castle and getting more than she bargained for with ghosts, eerie dreams and long-buried secrets. How can you not be interested in a novel where treasure had been hunted since the Crusades and where ghosts are said to haunt the grounds?More please! Wake Unto Me exceeded my expectations and thoroughly entertained me. In fact, I suffered a major book hang-over from my subsequent lack of sleep the next day at work. But you know what? It was well worth it.
Some girls have all the luck. High school would've been so much more interesting if I could've gone to a place like Chateau de la Fortune!
Wake Unto Me transported me into Caitlin Monahan’s world. It was a place where history and the paranormal came to life-complete with mysteries yet to be unlocked, romantic interludes with debonair ghosts and a plot filled with more twists and turns than the halls of the French castle itself.
To be honest, I was really leery about reading the book at first—so many YA paranormal books lately have been way too heavy on the instantaneous love connection thing. It's to the point where it’s become almost comical (at least for me). When I picked up this book, I was nervous. It seemed ripe for the signature YA paranormal formula ( Awkward girl + godlike supernatural boy = Tru Luv 4-EVA) But thankfully, Wake Unto Me had so much more to offer than most YA paranormals I've read lately. With a rich, exciting plot and great conflict, everything seemed to meld together with a heaping good dollop of paranormal romance as the cherry on top. As for the romance itself, I actually found Caitlin's relationship with Raphael pretty darn alluring—it was all done with just the right amount of sizzling tension and definitely reeled me in right from the start.
But my favorite aspect of Wake Unto Me were the bits of historical intrigue interwoven throughout the narrative. This actually was what kept me on my toes more than I had anticipated and I was constantly surprised as each new clue unfolded along the way. Another thing that stood out to me was how much time the author must have spent working on the intricacies of her plot with all the clues-within-clues. All in all, Lisa Cach's efforts really showed with both the quality of the writing and her memorable cast of vibrant, quirky characters. The French boarding school setting itself was vital to a book like this and it added so much— Chateau de la Fortune was an eerie, imposing boarding school with its gothic architecture and colorful medieval history. Even the people running the school seemed to somehow be setting the stage and adding to the general ambiance of the book.
Needless to say I adored this book. I was immediately drawn in by the idea of Caitlin traveling to a strange castle and getting more than she bargained for with ghosts, eerie dreams and long-buried secrets. How can you not be interested in a novel where treasure had been hunted since the Crusades and where ghosts are said to haunt the grounds?More please! Wake Unto Me exceeded my expectations and thoroughly entertained me. In fact, I suffered a major book hang-over from my subsequent lack of sleep the next day at work. But you know what? It was well worth it.
March 16, 2011
If it wasn't for the good reviews, I wouldn't have read Wake Unto Me. I've been seeing this a lot in other book blogs, but never had it never caught my interest. I didn't even know it was about witches and ghosts and french boarding schools until I read it. You know when you have no idea what a book is about, and yet, out of nowhere, the urge to start reading it attacks you? And then when you read it, bam! You're blown away. That was exactly how I met this book.
I enjoyed this book a lot especially the protagonist, Caitlyn Monahan. Even though I could not fully comprehend what type of personality she really has. Her character was a bit inconsistent. Sometimes, she would act shy. Sometimes, a bit crazy. Sometimes, bold. Nonetheless, she was very funny and interesting. Though, I'd really love to see her personality have some more consistency in the sequel because I didn't feel like I got to know her that much in the book.
One thing I did not think this book would be about were ghosts. I know the cover has a ghostly apparition of a guy, but I didn't think that there was actually a ghost. Let me share you a secret. I have never, ever, ever been scared by a book about ghosts and other dead things. Never. Until I read Wake Unto Me. The description of that ghost Caitlyn encountered in the school. Scared. The. Hell. Out. Of. Me. I was so absorbed with the story that I didn't notice how I was trying to push the book away from me while still trying to sneak a peak of it. Unbelievable, I know.
I can't wait for this book to be released. I hope a lot more people would be able to see the awesomness of this book. I absolutely recommend Wake Unto Me to everyone!
Review here.
I enjoyed this book a lot especially the protagonist, Caitlyn Monahan. Even though I could not fully comprehend what type of personality she really has. Her character was a bit inconsistent. Sometimes, she would act shy. Sometimes, a bit crazy. Sometimes, bold. Nonetheless, she was very funny and interesting. Though, I'd really love to see her personality have some more consistency in the sequel because I didn't feel like I got to know her that much in the book.
One thing I did not think this book would be about were ghosts. I know the cover has a ghostly apparition of a guy, but I didn't think that there was actually a ghost. Let me share you a secret. I have never, ever, ever been scared by a book about ghosts and other dead things. Never. Until I read Wake Unto Me. The description of that ghost Caitlyn encountered in the school. Scared. The. Hell. Out. Of. Me. I was so absorbed with the story that I didn't notice how I was trying to push the book away from me while still trying to sneak a peak of it. Unbelievable, I know.
I can't wait for this book to be released. I hope a lot more people would be able to see the awesomness of this book. I absolutely recommend Wake Unto Me to everyone!
Review here.
March 15, 2011
Have you ever felt like you just didn't belong? That's how Caitlin feels in WAKE UNTO ME. Her parents have three rowdy boys involved in sports and they think Caitlin might be a little...unbalanced. It's not that her parents don't love her, they just don't know what to do with her. See, she has these dreams - sometimes terrifying nightmares and sometimes wonderful escapes into the history of Oregon (where she lives). When Caitlin gets a full-ride scholarship to a fancy boarding school in France, she jumps at the chance to leave.
But now she's in France and the nightmares haven't stopped. In facet, now she's dreaming FRENCH history! Ofcourse, the bonus is the boy in (and of) her dreams - Raphael. She knows in her heart that they are bound together..but he's only a dream...right?
This is a great historical fiction, I'm really glad to see historical fiction making a showing in YA. WAKE UNTO ME is well-written with lots of lovely description - it was like watching a movie - Lisa Cach did a beautiful job!
But now she's in France and the nightmares haven't stopped. In facet, now she's dreaming FRENCH history! Ofcourse, the bonus is the boy in (and of) her dreams - Raphael. She knows in her heart that they are bound together..but he's only a dream...right?
This is a great historical fiction, I'm really glad to see historical fiction making a showing in YA. WAKE UNTO ME is well-written with lots of lovely description - it was like watching a movie - Lisa Cach did a beautiful job!
April 11, 2011
This book is about a American girl named Caitlyn Monahan.She can't believe her ears when she is given the chance to go to a prestigious boarding school named Chateau de la Fortune. She jumps at the chance to get out of her small Oregon town.But everything is not what is seems.
This is good read.Not the best but good.The plot lacked originality and it took a while to reach the climax. The reason I gave this book 4 stars is because of the description and love story.The story of Caitlyn and Raphael made me cry! The ending was so surprising I jumped up and did a little dance. This book is full of twists and turns that you would never expect.
In order to fully understand this book you might need to know some Bible lines. Also this book took a totally different turn from what I predicted in the beginning.
Wake Unto Me is a good read.
This is good read.Not the best but good.The plot lacked originality and it took a while to reach the climax. The reason I gave this book 4 stars is because of the description and love story.The story of Caitlyn and Raphael made me cry! The ending was so surprising I jumped up and did a little dance. This book is full of twists and turns that you would never expect.
In order to fully understand this book you might need to know some Bible lines. Also this book took a totally different turn from what I predicted in the beginning.
Wake Unto Me is a good read.
April 7, 2011
Someone really messed up this cover! Besides the smokey ghost, which Raphael is not, Caitlyn has black hair. The cover also screams paranormal, whereas the book was more historical, with a touch of paranormal.
Caitlyn starts at a boarding school in France. She's had very vivid dreams since she was 11, some of them are very vivid nightmares. When she arrives in France she starts dreaming of Raphael and recognizes him immediately as her soulmate. Luckily, the kissing doesn't begin there. There is a mystery to solve, Caitlyn's dreams/powers to understand, and the day to day life of a french boarding school.
A fun read, maybe even a four star read if I can get over the offness of the cover.
Caitlyn starts at a boarding school in France. She's had very vivid dreams since she was 11, some of them are very vivid nightmares. When she arrives in France she starts dreaming of Raphael and recognizes him immediately as her soulmate. Luckily, the kissing doesn't begin there. There is a mystery to solve, Caitlyn's dreams/powers to understand, and the day to day life of a french boarding school.
A fun read, maybe even a four star read if I can get over the offness of the cover.
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