When a high-ranking officer gallops into the quiet Mistyvales, he brings a warning that shakes the countryfolk to their roots. But for Aedan, a scruffy young adventurer with veins full of fire and a head full of ideas, this officer is not what he seems.
The events that follow propel Aedan on a journey that only the foolhardy or desperate would risk, leading him to the gates of the nation’s royal … nation’s royal academy — a whole world of secrets in itself.
But this is only the beginning of his discoveries. Something is stirring in the land, something more ominous than the rising threat of hostile nations. Fearful travellers whisper of an ancient power breathing over Thirna, changing it, waking it. In the very heart of these stirrings, Aedan encounters that which defies belief, leaving him speechless with terror — and wonder.
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A book that transcends age, gender, and genre. A must-read for everyone. Extremely well-written, excellent storyline, in-depth characters, well-researched ideas. This is my #1 favorite book of all time.
Jonathan Renshaw writes so beautifully. The words are almost like music. Dawn of Wonder is a amazing coming of age story that is not sunshine and daisies. Renshaw addresses issues usually left behind closed doors. His resolution of some of these issues, are not what you would except to find. While highly entertaining, engaging and captivating, his words also inspire and make one think about making changes in one self. Not something I look for when I read. It was like having a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. One of my favorite books of all time, can not wait for book 2.
This book inspired me to be an author
A few months ago, when I had a few credits available on Audible, I snagged Dawn of Wonder, Book 1 of Jonathan Renshaw’s “The Wakening” series, out of sheer curiosity. I knew nothing of the story, I’d never even heard the title. But it was at the top of the lists, and the cover intrigued me. And at about thirty hours as an audiobook, I knew it would indulge my time long car rides.
I made the right choice.
Dawn of Wonder presents a most ambitious tale, well beyond most modern epic fantasy. Its world slowly expanded from the valleys of the Mistyvales to the plains of Din’Eilan, thrusting me through twists and turns of emotional turmoil as the main character, Aeden, encounters increasingly difficult challenges.
While I can’t speak to the experience of reading the book, since I listened to the tale on Audible, the story captivated me from the start. The first act plunges readers into the action within its first pages. What’s more significant, however, is that the first chapters of the story are, in fact, the most important chapters. They set the stage for every conflict experienced by Aeden throughout Dawn of Wonder, all the way to the very final story arc.
And through that act, Jonathan Renshaw masterfully executes a most difficult aspect of the art of storytelling. While he’s establishing a longer series, Dawn of Wonder stands on its own as a masterpiece. The internal conflicts of Aeden felt raw and real through a broken mind that continues to plague him with every step. Renshaw’s choice to attack domestic abuse through fantasy provides insight into the fear gripped by victims, reminding readers of the complexity of the human psyche.
The scale of this tale also staggered me. Taking place over at least four years of Aeden’s life, I’m excited to experience the next stage of The Wakening. The world only continues to expand; the myths only continue to burrow into my brain; the mysteries will only further excite my mind when the second book drops on shelves.
If you’re looking for a medieval fantasy that will suck you in like Lord of the Rings, Narnia, or Mistborn, experience Dawn of Wonder. You’ll leave its pages with both shock and awe.
Dawn of Wonder is the first book reviewed under our new scoring system.
Writing: 7/10. In some places, it suffers from a lack of immediacy to the narrative.
Character: 8/10. Even with a diverse set of characters, the story mostly focuses on Aeden’s path. However, Renshaw superbly develops complex characters, both men and women, who break many of the barriers faced by older medieval epic fantasy.
Setting: 9/10. I hesitate from providing a 10/10 on setting because you only experience one nation in Dawn of Wonder, but the hints at complex peoples in future stories entice the mind. And Kultuhm will forever remain entrenched in my memory as a place of wonder.
Plot: 10/10. Possibly the most character-driven plot I’ve ever read in the epic fantasy genre.
Overall: 9/10.
Five stars. Dawn of Wonder deserves the Two Doctors Review’s first five star rating.
Dawn of Wonder is a well-crafted book with great characters and plot. It held my interest from beginning to end, and I can’t wait for his next book.
This book is fantastic. The main character challenges you to face your own humanity while the story entertains you. There are several plot twists that were unpredictable. A fantastic book to binge.
Beautifully written!
I read this book just because I had nothing else to do and I am so glad I did. This is one of the best books I have read in 2015. I haven’t read this book since 2015 but the memories are bringing me back and I love it.
I loved this book. Aegon is wonderful in his own flawed way. It was a really good story.
I appreciate the way the author set the story up. Wasn’t a lot of setting the stage before anything actually happens. Also, the author doesn’t go out of his way to create an entire new language to go with the book. There are other languages, but he doesn’t make a big deal out of it.
The story is sad, painful, straight-foward, with small triumps and failures. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Enjoyable book. Takes its time to build the characters and world, but has a good pace. Can’t wait for the next book
The best I have read in a little while. If you have trouble with the first few chapters,(maybe not for me, your thinking) just keep reading. you will not be disappointed.
P.S. I hate to give reviews. Even if I love a book. I can’t wait for the next one.
SMB.