Seth Raincrest is a photographer, Cal MacDonnell is a member of the NYPD. It seems that these two men have nothing in common yet neither of them can remember anything before the past 13 years of their lives. They are also being hunted by people who are not of this world and these beings want them dead.

These two men come from another realm, one that neither remembers and are here to protect a child that is a lost heir and the hope for their kingdom of Aandor. Seth and Cal join up and have to trust Leilani, a centaur who arrives to help them remember what they have forgotten.

Awakenings started with a bang from the first page and really got a grip on me. I liked Cal from the start and Seth had that hang dog persona that you just can’t help falling for and cheering for. I found it very enjoyable to read about Cal’s marriage and his relationship with his wife Cat and their worries about his young daughter. Seth made me chuckle more than a few times. He may take pornographic pictures but that does not make him a bad guy, or does it?

The plot is quick-moving and hard to keep up with at times due to the numerous voices the story is told in. Each chapter brings in another viewpoint from another character and for me, it didn’t flow smoothly. The plot really heats up when the supernatural beings make themselves known. It continues to build until the end where is just — well — ends! It was like stopping in the middle of the story. Definitely a cliffhanger!

Fantasy is normally not my thing and I didn’t realize this book had a fantasy element but nonetheless it was good reading and enjoyable. For me it was believable and enough of a good mystery to keep my attention. Fantasy lovers and mystery lovers both will enjoy Awakenings. It is a great first novel and I will be looking for the other books to come out so I can see what these guys are up to!

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Image courtesy of Edward Lazellari.