Reviewed
by: ?wazithinkin
Genre:
New Adult/Romance/Fairy Tale/Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Approximate
word count: 15-20,000
words
Availability
Click
on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes &
Noble, or Smashwords store
Author:
Laura
Greenwood, “I'm in my early twenties and live in the UK, I loved
English Lit from a young age and have always been a reader!
I
work in food basically! As a catering supervisor and as a bar
maid/waitress. I just got a BSc in International Business and French
and I'm a Brownie Guide Leader. I also write web copy for my family's
business.”
Ms.
Greenwood also reviews books on her website and posts to Facebook. Be
sure to check her out. Awakening
(The
Alventia Series Book 1)
is her debut novella.
Description:
“In
an effort to have a child, the Queen makes a deal with the Dark King,
but she soon discovers that the deal has dire consequences for her
beloved Sleeping Beauty. In an effort to help, the Queen’s mother
alters the curse so that Keira will sleep for 100 years, but there is
a catch; if Keira awakens before then she may still be doomed.
After
sleeping for over 90 years, Keira is awoken by Philip, the son of the
Dark King and the one she was intended for. Despite sharing his
father's bloodline, Philip refuses to be like his father and won't
make Keira do anything that she isn't ready for.
Supported
by a powerful witch and her brother, Hansel and Gretel, Philip and
Keira have to make a choice, one that will define Keira's destiny.
Changing their lives forever.”
Appraisal:
I
found this novella an enjoyable read. Keira is your typical princess
in the beginning of the story. She has heard the prophecy her entire
life but doesn’t believe in fairy tales. On the eve of her
eighteenth birthday where Keira was announced and crowned heir to the
throne of Alventia to the entire kingdom. As the ball commenced she
danced her way into adulthood hoping to find her prince. At the end
of the evening on her way to her bed chamber a light from a small
room attracted her attention. Hoping to find attendants in a
compromising position she peeked into the room. Finding a spinning
wheel instead she sat down to spin. We all know she pricked her
finger and fell into a deep sleep.
This
is where the story differs and the author takes us on a unique
journey where Keira’s sleep isn’t as deep as we supposed. Keira
is able to hear everything going on around her occasionally dreaming
dark dreams. As time passes and her parents pass away she mourns
their loss. Eventually she is left alone with few visitors or
caretakers and starts to feel a change taking place within herself.
We see her dreams, know her desires, as we watch this transformation
occur, although we don’t know why because we don’t have all the
pieces of the puzzle yet.
When
Prince Phillip arrives, he knows what she needs and desires. Phillip,
despite being raised by the Dark King, is patient, kind, has a good
heart. He knows Keira is meant for him alone but wants her to love
him for the man he is. Not because some prophecy or the Dark King
deems it so. He feels an overwhelming desire to prove himself to
Keira because of who his father is.
Including
the adult Hansel and Gretel in this tale was absolute genius. They
play an important role and bring part of the story to light. It is
through Gretel that we get the full prophecy. Ms. Greenwood was able
to modify them just enough to make them fit perfectly in her story.
It’s going to be interesting as we learn more about Keira’s
heritage. We were told early on her grandmother had enough power to
alter the curse placed by the Dark King. Not to mention other factors
that may come into play as certain aspects of the prophecy still hang
in the balance. I look forward to more from Ms. Greenwood, I think
she is an author to watch.
FYI:
This
is Book one of The
Alventia Series. The
author uses British spellings. There is some sexual content however,
it is mostly implied and not overly descriptive.
Format/Typo
Issues:
A
small number of proofing errors.
Rating:
**** Four Stars
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