Review: Awake by Natasha Preston

Title: Awake
Author: Natasha Preston
Published: August 4th 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Rating: 

Scarlett doesn’t remember anything before the age of five. Her parents say it’s from the trauma of seeing her house burn down, and she accepts the life they’ve created for her without question—until a car accident causes Scarlett to start remembering pieces of an unfamiliar past. When a new guy moves into town, Scarlett feels an instant spark. But Noah knows the truth of Scarlett’s past, and he’s determined to shield her from it...because Scarlett grew up in a cult called Eternal Light, controlled by her biological parents. And they want her back.

Review

I was very excited to read this book as the synopsis sounded so mysterious and I was intrigued and felt I just had to request a copy!

The story started off good, I was slightly put off by the tone of the book because it didn't seem intellectual and the quality of the writing was good with its descriptions however it wasn't near enough what was needed for me to be indulged in this new world.

The second thing I noticed was the characters, the way they acted the development of them wasn't thought through. They developed too quickly that it was unrealistic and at times it was cringe worthy to hear them profess their love to each other when they had barely gotten to know each other. Nevertheless they were likeable and I liked that the two protagonists were at conflicting worlds and their safe haven was each other.

Maybe it was because I'm used to reading older fiction but I got through 44% of the book, much more than I normally would if I hadn't enjoyed the book from the start however nearly halfway through I just could not carry on with this one. I did wish to carry on but the fact that much had not happened in the first half of the book, the story feeling very slow-paced and I just couldn't get into it. Even more so, the character development in such a short span of events made the story unrealistic and I felt confused at the way they acted and what they said so I didn't feel the 'pull' I normally feel to carry on reading a book.

All opinions aside the story would be ideal for young teenagers however it wasn't what I had expected when I picked it up. 

I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


Review by Aiysha.