Review: ‘Awakened’ by PC Cast & Kristin Cast

October 20, 2021
Review: ‘Awakened’ by PC Cast & Kristin Cast

Awakened

by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast
Series: House of Night #8
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on January 4th 2011
Genres: Young Adult Paranormal
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
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four-stars

Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. Dominion over her immortal consort Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either… And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?

I originally read and reviewed this book on my first blog – Mrs. Papillion, aka “The Book Worm.” Now, ten years later, I’m re-reading this book to finish reading the series finally. It is finally time to go back through my books and finish the series I never quite finished. I’m glad I’ve dived back into the House of Night world. This series is one of the first YA series I read after reading the Twilight series. I wanted something to fulfill my vampire obsession at the time, and the HoN series definitely helped. (I’m still obsessed with vampires in my thirties. I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow them.) 

Storyline/My Thoughts: The first time I read Awakened by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast was when it was first released in 2011. I enjoyed the book, and I gave it a 5-star rating back when I first read it in 2011. Unfortunately, now that I’m older and my tastes have changed, I ended up giving this book a 4-star rating this time around. Don’t get wrong, I still enjoyed this book but found some issues that drove me crazy. I’m going to wait to get into those later in my review.

If you haven’t read this series before, then be forewarned that this book was written in the early 2010s. Be prepared for outdated things in this book that teenagers did and liked back then in the early 2010s. If you’ve read the previous books, then you know what has happened up until now. (I’m going to try not to spoil anything in my review for readers who haven’t read this book or read the series yet.) 

Both the Authors made my tear ducts work overtime in this book the first time I read it and now a second time. From the previous two books to this one, I was an emotional wreck. Why, oh why did the authors have to kill off another character or two in this book? It’s just crazy. You would think it was enough what they did in the previous book(s) to Zoe and the crew, but no, they had to do it again. Zoe is still recovering, and so is her Warrior, Stark, on what happened in Burned. 

This time around, though, readers will realize even more how evil Neferet really is in this book. Even Kalona questioned her motives when they returned to Tulsa, and that’s saying something. I wish she would go away, but unfortunately, we need her; otherwise, there wouldn’t be any drama. Books always have to have an antagonist in them, especially if it’s this kind of storyline. Neferet will dive deeper into darkness in this book, which I would think she couldn’t go any deeper, but she did, and it’s worst. I feel for Zoe on finding out what Neferet is up to now in the next book. It’s bad enough that Neferet is having people turn against Zoe and her crew. Truth is finally going to come to light on what has been happening to Stevie Rae while Zoe has been away, and she may end up losing her friend, or her friend will have her back.

My favorite thing about this book was how Stark has changed and grown. He’s become a true warrior to Zoey. I’m also glad Zoey is with him and not Erik. Erik drove me crazy, and he’s not boyfriend material for her. Stark has his duties first to Zoey, though, and he takes them seriously, but he loves Zoey, and she loves him. I’m a little scared of what is happening to Stark after returning from the otherworld. When Stark retrieved Zoey from the otherworld, something occurred to him that he’s not even aware of yet, but someone else is and is using it against him. (I’m vague because I don’t want to spoil anything.)

The authors threw so many twists and turn in this book. I wasn’t prepared for it, but that’s what kept me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to re-reading Destined next when I get a chance. 

Here are the things that irritated me when reading this book and why I didn’t give the book five stars this time around. I’m only giving it four stars now. (I think it’s due to me being older, and my tastes have changed, and I notice things that normally wouldn’t bug me back then and do now.) 

  • Zoe and Stark were almost deciding not to go back to the Tulsa House of Night. They would leave their friends to deal with everything until something drastic happened that made them come back. 
  • Stevie Rae was keeping the big secret she’s been keeping from everyone. If only she would’ve said something earlier. 

Other than those two things, I did enjoy the book. 

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the House of Night series, and I recommend reading in order.

Cliffhanger: Yes.

Triggers: Murder/Death

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you’re a fan of Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy books, then you’ll enjoy this book/series. This is a Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy book that focuses on teenage characters who have to save the world from a corrupt High Priestess who follows darkness instead of light now. The main protagonist, Zoey, has a lot of weight put on her shoulders, but her friends are there to help her along the way.

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About P.C. Cast

PC was born in the Midwest, and grew up being shuttled back-and-forth between Illinois and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with Quarter Horses and mythology (at about the same time). After high school, she joined the United States Air Force and began public speaking and writing. After her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. PC is a #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today Best-Selling author and a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious: Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Prism, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Booksellers’ Best, and the Laurel Wreath. PC is an experienced teacher and talented speaker. Ms. Cast lives in Oregon near her fabulous daughter, her adorable pack of dogs, her crazy Maine Coon, and a bunch of horses. House of Night Other World, book 4, FOUND, releases July 7th, 2020. More info to come soon about the HoN TV series!

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About Kristin Cast

Kristin is a #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today bestselling author who was born on an Air Force base in Japan and grew up in Oklahoma where she explored everything from tattoo modeling to broadcast journalism. After battling addiction, Kristin made her way to the Pacific Northwest and landed in Portland. She rediscovered her passion for storytelling in the stacks at dusty bookstores and in rickety chairs in old coffeehouses. For as long as she can remember, Kristin’s been telling stories. Thankfully, she’s been writing them down since 2005.

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