Monday, September 9, 2013

[Review]: "The Awakening: Liam"

The Awakening: Liam by Abby Niles Publisher: Entangled: Covet (August 26, 2013)
Series: The Awakening, 2
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shifter, Liam Doyle knows Hell. At least he believed he did. The night he feels his mate die, he learns how very wrong he was. Nothing he’d struggled with since Ava’s rejection compares to the emptiness that fills his soul by her death. Lost in his grief, he’s taken by surprise and drugged. When he wakes, everything changes. Nothing is what it seems, and someone is dead set on making him pay.
 
 
When Ava Michaels is taken captive, she’s thrust into a dark and terrifying world along with the man she was forced to leave behind. While being near Liam again is heartbreaking, the motive behind her kidnapping is gradually revealed. The more she learns, the more she worries Liam isn’t the man she believed him to be. He has enemies willing to do anything to extract their revenge. Can their love survive a crazy man’s vengeance?







Where to Buy*:
More Info:


My Review:


A few months ago I read book one in this series (The Awakening: Aidan) and I really enjoyed it, finding the world Niles created for her shifters to be very interesting. I was anxious to see Liam's story, as his pain was shown again and again. But upon picking up Liam's story this week, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. I still liked this book, but it fell short of my expectations.


My problem with Liam's story was a combination of small things. I felt like the pace was too fast, and major issues were resolved much too quickly. I didn't quiet get a chance to connect with the characters, and felt that Emma, the sister to the heroine, was simply a blank character taking up space in the story; I had hoped that she would have played a bigger role, especially considering how important Emma's safety was to Ava. And what I really missed in The Awakening: Liam was when Liam and Ava fell in love. The story starts months after they broke up, but I didn't feel like we were ever shown why they fell in love, and how. Yes, the fact that they were mates instantly puts them together, but as Ava had to choose Liam for the bond to be complete, she would have to love him in return--right? But I didn't see why she loved him, and I need to see that for me to believe in the HEA.


While this has nothing to do with why I liked or didn't like the book, I have to say--I found Liam's hope chest for Ava to be a very sweet gesture. I want a man who will make me a hope chest like that, and then say all the right things (such as "I want to make so many memories with you that I have to build another chest for you. And another.") *sigh*


Despite the flaws I found, I did like Liam and Ava's story, and read it very quickly. I will no doubt continue the series in the future. Liam's book may not have been my favorite, but that doesn't mean I won't still recommend it to some readers. However, I will point out that having read Aidan's book will help you to understand this world better (plus, Aidan's book was great). If you are looking for a new kind of shifter romance, one with a new twist on the theme and rules, this is the series to try. Niles writes sexy shifters, with a good dose of dirty talk and smexy action, and who doesn't love that?



3 STARS!
 
 
 
 
 

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I received an e-ARC of this book from the tour host in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Have you read any of Abby Niles' books? Do you have a favorite?
 
What about shifters--what kind of shifter do you prefer?






Enjoy!



Until Next Time,



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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

7 comments :

Eva Millien said...

Thanks for sharing your review. I enjoyed this book very much and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do.

Kame said...

I am not a shifter reader - can't wrap my head around it but the hope chest tugged at my heart!

The_Book_Queen said...

:) And it sounded so beautiful, too, with the infinity symbol carved inside... *sigh*
Enjoy,
TBQ

Pat Egan Fordyce said...

Have not read anything by this author, have to look into it. But, the cover model is a HUNK!! His name is Karl and he is one of Jenn LeBlanc's models. I'd buy the book for the cover!!! LOL!
Great review TBQ!

Kame said...

oh now - that is just touching - theHubs bought me a hope chest. sniff

The_Book_Queen said...

:) He is a hunk, that's for sure! Nothing wrong with buying a book for the cover.. I do it all the time. Sometimes I regret it, but oh well. ;)
Enjoy!
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

:) Ah, that's so sweet! *sniff* And I may be just a tiny bit jealous. LOL.