Thursday, July 23, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: Awake by Natasha Preston

This is a book review for Awake by Natasha Preston. I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The scheduled publication date for this book is August 4, 2015.

Scarlett doesn’t remember anything before the age of four. 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.

When I am finding myself either bored or irritated throughout most of the book, that is not a good sign. It's really not a good sign when I am irritated starting at page three. First of all, it bugged me that everyone made such a big deal about the fact that Scarlett could not remember anything before the age of four. I mean, who cares? I really don't remember much about that time period, if anything. Actually, I think the first eight or nine years of my life passed in a blur. Not only does everyone think it's weird, but Scarlett feels the need to announce it to Noah approximately five minutes after they met. And she kept thinking she was different or weird for it. I swear, I rolled my eyes every time that was mentioned. I know there was a traumatic event that happened to her before the age of four, but I feel there was a better way the author could have handled that. Amnesia before the age of four was not the way to go.

Let's talk about the characters. Scarlett was a whiny, boring character. And seriously, couldn't they do something together besides watch movies? Sorry, but their description of a movie night at every other page almost put me to sleep. I like watching movies as much as the next person, but it's like she had no interests and no hobbies. That's how boring she was. Her relationship with Noah was just as boring. Somehow they started hanging out all the time after a day, they were so in love with each other, but they didn't even kiss for three weeks. Annoying and boring. There was zero chemistry there. The author also showed Noah's POV, but I couldn't even tell the voices apart. The only difference between his POV and Scarlett's was which pronoun they used about the person they were with. Scarlett had a friend, Imogen, for the first two chapters of the book. After some pouting because she didn't have a boyfriend and Scarlett did, she was basically forgotten about in favor of Noah. Sigh. Could I get one decent female friendship in a YA novel? Please? Is that too much to ask?

I will say that the book had a bit more action at about the halfway mark. That is when I became more interested in what was happening. That was when they revealed to Scarlett the truth about Eternal Light. Now when it became clear what their plan was with Scarlett, I hated Noah. Seriously hated him. Not to give too much away, but I really don't understand how any decent human being could have fallen for their plan. I know leaders of cults are good at brainwashing people, but this was so far out there. And there was never any explanation for why these people fell for it or why they believed it to begin with. So there is a point when Scarlett was in danger and there was some fast paced action. I enjoyed this part of the book a lot more than all the buildup. But the ending was just a little too wrapped up for me. The author did have kind of an open ending in one respect so there could be a sequel in the future. If there is, I have zero interest in reading it. 

Buy/Borrow/Skip: Just skip it. Really, don't bother. 

11 comments :

  1. Lol. I don't remember much from that age either. What's the big deal? I'll follow your advice and skip this one.

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    1. I know, right? I may have one or two hazy memories from that time frame and that's it! Crazy.

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  2. Hm. Interesting thing to pick on, the very early recollections. I think my earliest memory dates back to when I was 5-years old. Who the heck remembers anything before that? LOL indeed!

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    1. Ha, so true Ramona. I think I remember a birthday party from three or four. That's the earliest memory and it's super hazy anyway. Crazy

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  3. You know who else has "amnesia" before age four? EVERYONE. Because remembering stuff from when you were a toddler is NOT A THING. I have read one other review about this book, and that concept makes me stabby! And then I have heard the same about Scarlett and Noah. ALSO about the cult/Noah thing- and I think someone is going to have to spoil it for me (hint hint) because I have less than zero intention of reading this book. Thank you for the heads up, because it has been removed from my TBR. I trust you, and well... this just sounds full of nope. Thanks for taking one for the team and reviewing this debacle :)

    Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

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    1. You are so right Shannon! How is Scarlet special because of that? She isn't! Crazy. I will tell you that for some crazy reason, Noah and the rest of the cult (including Scarlet's biological parents) thought that killing Scarlet would guarantee them a spot in the afterlife. Why?? I have NO CLUE. That was never explained. And even though Noah was getting close to Scarlet and in love with her, he was trying to lead her to her real parents so she could be killed. Seriously insane. But everything was wrapped up all neat and tidy at the end . . . except for some mysterious younger sister she found out about, but had no idea where she was. So maybe there will be a sequel. God, I hope not. Yeah, you would hate this one. There were so many times where I rolled my eyes so hard that I thought they would stay that way. Ha

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  4. I have heard a lot of the same stuff in other reviews for this. The whole not remembering before the age of 4 makes me laugh. Like what? No one does! This book is officially a no go for me. Great review though!!

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    1. Thanks Grace! It's kind of weird that I have seen some good reviews of this one online. Ugh. To each their own, I guess. This one just had too many issues though.

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  5. I actually enjoyed the plot line. I'm not one who's very cynical when it comes to stories and their validity. I'm more a meat and potatoes type of gal. It was an easy read that in my opinion was entertaining, I'd read the sequel if she writes one.

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    1. Brittany, I am so glad you enjoyed it! I just had too many issues for it to work for me, but I am so glad it worked for you. :)

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  6. I know I'm late to the party but I've just recently finished Awake, my first read by this author. Question I have is there a sequel?

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