#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts begins a new trilogy of adventure, romance, and magick in The Awakening.In the realm of Talamh, a teenage warrior named Keegan emerges from a lake holding a sword—representing both power and the terrifying responsibility to protect the Fey. In another realm known as Philadelphia, a young woman has just discovered she possesses a treasure of her … discovered she possesses a treasure of her own…
When Breen Kelly was a girl, her father would tell her stories of magical places. Now she’s an anxious twentysomething mired in student debt and working a job she hates. But one day she stumbles upon a shocking discovery: her mother has been hiding an investment account in her name. It has been funded by her long-lost father—and it’s worth nearly four million dollars.
This newfound fortune would be life-changing for anyone. But little does Breen know that when she uses some of the money to journey to Ireland, it will unlock mysteries she couldn’t have imagined. Here, she will begin to understand why she kept seeing that silver-haired, elusive man, why she imagined his voice in her head saying Come home, Breen Siobhan. It’s time you came home. Why she dreamed of dragons. And where her true destiny lies—through a portal in Galway that takes her to a land of faeries and mermaids, to a man named Keegan, and to the courage in her own heart that will guide her through a powerful, dangerous destiny…
more
Love this new series by N. Roberts. The characters are rich and full of life. It was delightful to watch Breen “find herself”.
The first in the doyenne of fiction’s Dragon Chronicles trilogy is so much fun. Set mostly in Ireland and the alternate reality land of Talamh, it is a wonderful adult coming-of-age tale – with dragons! I’m halfway through and can’t get enough of it.
Aaaargh! Why did I read this now? I should have waited until all three books are released. Holy cliffhanger, Batman!
Things I loved:
– Amazing imagery of wondrous Ireland and mystical Talamh;
– Masterful character development of Breen;
– Awesome friendships and found family;
– Cute dog and magnificent dragon (!!!)
– Atmospheric dreams and visions;
– Engaging narrator with wonderful accents.
Things I didn’t love
– Slow pace in the beginning;
– Keegan’s relationship with Shana;
– pronouns for Sally;
– the lone Asian being stereotypically tiny and looking like 16
This book is hard to categorize. There are elements of women’s fiction, fantasy, magical realism, paranormal, and romance. So, a ParaNora, I guess.
I’m so glad I have two copies of this book—hardbound and audiobook. Some of those Irish words are trippy. Like, how do you get tholluv from Talamh? Or sauen from Samhain? What happened to the mh?
I’ve been reading Nora Roberts books forever, since she started with Silhouette Romance before they were bought out by Harlequin – shows how old I am. I love her world building and this romance has everything. Setting – Ireland, then another world – check! Terrific characters, check! Okay, it has a couple “far-fetched” points & no, I’m not talking about the witches, magick and paranormal elements. I’m reading it for the second time while I wait for Jayne Krentz’s aka Amanda Quick’s new release and it still amazes me. The dog is so funny.
I’ve never sought out Norah Roberts books because I was under the impression that she was a romance novelist but I did love her dystopian series that started with Year One. Some of the reviews for The Awakening were negative but I decided to take a leap of faith and am so glad I did. I can’t wait for the next in the series!
Wow!!! Just WOW!!!
Looking forward to the rest of the books in the series!!!!
I didn’t realize, until I had finished the book, that I had to wait months before reading book 2! I love her trilogies. I find myself wondering what will happen next. And how much longer do I have to wait?
Whenever Nora Roberts writes a book set in Ireland, I’m ready to pack my bags and move there. I loved this book, filled with the bonds of family and friendship, adventure, magic, and the relatable struggle of finding where you belong.
In Breen Kelly’s story, she finds herself caught between the human world she’s always known and the magical world of Talamh she’s forgotten. Awed by this new discovery of witches, faeries, and dragons as well as the powerful leader of Talamh, Breen trains to reawaken the magic that dwells deep within her. Time is not on her side because the evil that forced her to flee Talamh as a child has grown impatient to destroy her and all she loves.
Love this story of going from a hum-drum everyday life, into a world that’s magical and a little bit dangerous. Looking forward to book two in the series as she takes her place to fight evil.
I absolutely loved The Awakening, and while it wasn’t as action-packed as most of the books I read are, I was never bored. Nora Roberts truly has a way with words, drawing the reader into the worlds she creates. I felt like I was right there with Breen, discovering the beauty and magic of Ireland for myself, which only added to my desire to actually go there one day. The characters are well-developed and relatable, based believably in the real world and in the mystical world of the Fey.
The Awakening revolves around Breen, a virtual nobody with no faith in herself or what she could accomplish, a belief drilled into her from a young age by her mother. Under all the negativity, she lives her life blending into the background—dull hair, dull clothes, an unfulfilling job she never wanted, but took because she never thought she could do anything else. Until the day everything changed, and her best friend Marco finally convinced her she could be so much more…more than she could ever have imagined. I loved watching Breen find herself and her place not just in one world but two. I look forward to watching her grow even further in book two, as she takes steps closer and closer to fulfilling her potential and her destiny.
First of a series. Waiting for what’s next!
Only negative is having to wait on the 2nd book as left completely hanging at the end. Love the characters and the writing allows you to completely visualize the scenery. Huge fan of Nora Roberts and this did not disappoint!
Couldn’t put the book down once I got into it. Started off slow but understandable in building the character of a young woman who blends into her surroundings and basically lives a humdrum boring life hiding in the recesses of the niches her mother has carved for her. It’s when she breaks out of that mold and walks into the unknown, that her world changes and becomes incredibly adventurous, exciting, stimulating and open. This book finished with a totally unexpected and equally surprising ending leaving me starving for the next book in the series.
Really? Nora Roberts – the name assured the quality, intriguing story lines, and character you can rely on with her novels!
Greatly enjoyed this book!! Terrific characters. Breen is in a job she doesn’t enjoy. Shares an apartment with her best friend. She has been told by her mother all her life by her mother that she was mediocre. Her father had left her when young he said said he would return but never did. She struggled to pay her student loans. Then one day she finds that her father had been sending her money, which her mother had put in an account. With that money she confronted her mother, paid off her student loans, quit her job and takes her best friend to Ireland where her dad was from. She starts a blog, a novel and discovers a whole new world!
I can’t wait for book 2.
A fantastical tale full of magcik, friendship, courage and an astounding cast of characters. Breen has never truly felt capable of much in life, as her mother as constantly pointed out. Since her father left and never came back the only love she has ever felt is from her best friend Marko and Sally and Derrick. Until one day it all changes when her mother’s lies catch up to her. A new path has opened for her and she leaps at the chance. Setting of to the magical land of her father’s birth, Ireland, she finds herself and a whole lot more than she ever bargained for . There is a another world out there and they say she is their salvation, their key. Full of fantasy creatures brought to life and a family she never knew she has Breen will be faced with many choices as this book leads into the next. It’s another success brought to us by the creative geniuses of Ms Roberts and I reveled in every page!
The Awakening by Nora Roberts is a captivating novel. I was immediately drawn into this tale and I did not want to put it down. The Awakening is the first installment in The Dragon Heart Legacy series. I thought it was well-written with developed characters and a complex plot. Breen Kelly learns her mother has hidden a vast sum of money from her. Breen is surprised to learn that her father who disappeared many years ago has been sending her money. This money will allow Breen to make changes to her life such as quitting her teaching position. Her roommate and best friend, Marco Olsen suggests she do something that she has always dreamed of doing. Breen has always wanted to visit Ireland. She rents a cottage for the summer in Connemara where she begins to dream of a magical place with red dragons. Breen is in for the adventure of her life. The Awakening is a magical tale. I like that the author took the time to establish the characters, storyline, and setting. Her vivid word imagery brought the scenery alive for me. We get to meet Keegan and Breen’s loving grandmother along with a cast of enchanting folks and creatures. There is good versus evil and a bad woman who is intent on causing conflict. I liked seeing Breen come out of her shell and blossom. Of course, The Awakening ends with a cliffhanger. We must now wait a year for the next tale in The Dragon Heart Legacy series. If you have never wanted to visit Ireland before, you will after reading this book. You can tell that the author did her research. I enjoyed the whimsy and humor in the story. Marco is a delight and I frequently laughed after reading his dialogue. My favorite phrase from The Awakening is, “Girl, take it from an old queen. Be who you are and the heck (I changed this word) with the rest.” The Awakening is a magical tale that will keep you riveted until the very last word.
Wonderful beginning to a new series by Nora Roberts. Breen is a young lady whose father she believes has just left her and a mother who has made her believe she is not good enough. Through a discovery of a secret account she discovers she is so much more than she was led to believe. Her best friend Marco and her go on a vacation to Ireland which changes Breen’s life. Marco stays for awhile but then goes home. Breen discovers she is an author and her legacy left to her by her father. This book has so many underlying themes that are relevant to the growth of the reader. Breen’s journey is just beginning in this first of a series and I am excited to see where and what she goes on to become.
Nora Roberts is a master story teller, and she does not disappoint with this book. I look forward to the next story in this series.