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Welcome to my blog! My name is Kim and I write young adult paranormal, mysteries, and thrillers. This blog enables me to share the two things I love: Books and the craft of writing.

Ask the Girl is my debut novel. Murdered in 1925, Kate must seek the help of Lila and her sister to save her from her demon prison.

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Writer's pictureKim Bartosch

An Intriguing Mix of Mystery, Secrets, and Adventure: "Awaken the Dawn" Book Review

Updated: 6 days ago

Ellis K. Popa’s Awaken the Dawn takes readers on a whirlwind adventure filled with intrigue, danger, and mystery. It’s a thrilling start to the Awaken Saga, balancing emotional depth with fast-paced action—though the pace slows a bit in the middle. As part of the blog and social media tour for this book, sponsored by Rockstar Book Tours, I had the opportunity to dive into the world Popa created, and here’s my take on it. Also, be sure to enter the giveaway to win a copy of this book!


Book Banner "Awaken the Dawn" by Ellis K. Popa


 

My Review


The story follows Kat Barrett, a teenager whose life is thrown into disarray after the mysterious death of her father in Romania. Wracked with guilt over their strained relationship, Kat becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened. When she receives a package from her deceased father—a classic scavenger hunt of clues—she’s drawn into a high-stakes chase that leads her to Bucharest. There, she meets Maksim, a brooding local with a shady past, who helps her uncover a secret tied to a ruthless crime ring.


This scavenger hunt leads to jaw-dropping twists, dangerous confrontations, and moments of real tension. The plot does an excellent job of intertwining Kat’s personal journey of grief with a thrilling mystery involving her father’s hidden life and the criminal organization that ensnares her.


The Characters:


Kat Barrett, the central character, is a young woman struggling with a mixture of emotions. Her guilt over her father’s death pushes her to unravel the mystery he left behind. While her journey is compelling, at times, I found it difficult to fully connect with her. Despite being the protagonist, Kat often feels like a bystander in her own story. She’s reactive instead of proactive, sometimes being carried along by events rather than taking control of them. This led to moments where I wished she were more actively involved in the dangerous scenarios unfolding around her.


On the flip side, Maksim brings a fascinating dynamic to the narrative. His mysterious past, complicated by his involvement with a crime ring, adds depth and complexity to the plot. The tension between him and Kat—though predictable in some aspects—injects a necessary layer of emotional tension.


The Setting:


The setting plays an important role in the novel, with Popa vividly describing Romania’s bustling streets, eerie landscapes, and hidden corners where danger lurks. The atmosphere is rich and immersive, making Bucharest not just a backdrop but an essential part of the story. The constant shifts from ancient architecture to the gritty underworld give the book a cinematic quality.


What I Liked:


Awaken the Dawn excels at building suspense. Each clue that Kat and Maksim uncover feels like a step deeper into a dangerous game, and I found myself flipping pages eagerly to see what would happen next. The blend of mystery and thriller elements works beautifully, especially with the added emotional weight of Kat’s unresolved issues with her father. The twists and revelations kept me on my toes, particularly as the puzzle pieces started to fall into place.


What I Didn’t Like:


As mentioned earlier, the pacing was inconsistent. The book opens with a rush of excitement, but about halfway through, it begins to drag a bit. The focus on the scavenger hunt clues is exciting, but at times, the momentum stalls as the characters get stuck in repetitive situations. Additionally, while I sympathized with Kat’s emotional struggles, her passive role in some key moments made it harder to connect with her as a leading character.


Final Thoughts:


Overall, Awaken the Dawn is a strong debut in the Awaken Saga and a solid start to what promises to be an exciting series. The mystery at its core is gripping, and despite some slow patches and a protagonist who occasionally feels distant, I was thoroughly entertained. The book’s combination of personal stakes, suspenseful twists, and a vividly realized setting makes it a thrilling read. If you enjoy young adult mysteries with a dark twist, this one’s worth picking up!


I'm excited to see where Kat’s journey goes next—and to dive further into the dangerous secrets Ellis K. Popa has in store.


⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)


 


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