Awakened is the first book of the young adult urban fantasy The Gatekeepers series by Stacy R. Collins.
It was a good start but a bit too slow and long introduction for me. I prefer books with a faster pace, and found myself jumping whole paragraphs. It also didn't help that I kept remembering other books while reading it. It made it hard to stay engaged. The typical young adult tropes didn't help either. I wouldn't have minded if the story was going towards something new but it didn't, at least not for me.

Hopefully, the author will pick up the pace in the next installments.

Unfortunately I have decided not to review this book as I am no longer interested in this title. There are going to be people out there that absolutly love this book, so I don't want to be forced to review this negativly because the plot no longer interests me. I would see this as unjust and unfair to both the author and the publisher. Best Wishes!

A delightful read!

Awakened is the first book I have read by this author. It was quite enjoyable as we learn about Devyn the seventeen-year-old who thinks today is going to be another boring day. Little does she know her life is going to change once she meets the new substitute teacher and the transfer student.

As much as I enjoyed this story as a whole I found it incredibly 'tropey' almost too much so at some points. The author does a fantastic job introducing us to the world and the characters, but in parts I found the pacing to be off, and I found it hard to pick up after finishing a chapter. The last 3rd of the book really picked up, but I felt it was too little too late. I hadn't really bonded with the characters and struggled to care about their outcome.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. Felt very buffy-like to me which is my favourite so didn't mind one bit. Would happily read the rest of the series.

First off, cover love. It is so beautiful! The premise of the story was so intriguing. But it was way too predictable to me. It was a nice light read in that sense.

I enjoyed this book, it was quite slow paced at the beginning but I am glad that I pushed past it. The author did a great job with the world building and the characters and it was nice to see the characters back story too, the way that the world building and character building was done is a great way to continue on from for the next book and that is why I really enjoyed it because you don’t often see that in a first book. I will definitely continue on and read the next book when it comes out.
I give this book 4 stars.

3,5 stars.
This is a typical run of the mill YA fantasy story. You follow a girl Denvyn who has secret powers. She is also a part of a secret society tasked with the job of protecting the human race from "monsters" (Quite reminiscent of Cassandra Clares the mortal instrument series). This likeness did hit me over the head quite a few times during the book. Cliches insue, of course, you have one of my least favourite, the girl who is "plain" in her own eyes, yet everyone else just thinks she is a tasty dish.. meh...
The MC is also quite annoying and drools over everyone, I honestly can't remember beeing this girly as a teenager and also she is a bit of a D-bag.

I recommend this book for all you YA fans out there! Easily read.

As the first book in a new series, Stacy Collins took the time to build character and back story that will definitely help later in this book and continue into the next ones. Her main characters are most definitely teen agers. Their focus is on themselves and their immediate circle. As they learn and join the Order, they will have to mature to keep the story alive. I didn't feel as if there was much happening in this book, mostly just building for the next book. That being said, this is an original story line with an original cast, the author has the opportunity to make this a great start to an outstanding series.

Despite a slow-paced beginning, the novel managed to create an impact and unique - despite use of typical tropes - starting point for a new, promising, series.

Besides the main character Devyn judging everyone in her class for their looks in the first few pages, this started off great! But from 50ish pages and on it continuously goes down then up back and forth.

Story wise, it's not something new but I like reading these types of YA fantasy which is why I'm giving this a 3 stars despite me complaining over Devyn. Some stuff were repetitive and I wished the book was more focused on the plot rather than on Devyn's constant mind chatter because I enjoyed the writing style.

The premise of the book is your usual YA fantasy story where Devyn has secret powers she wasn't aware of and has history with the secret society that are protecting humanity from monsters. The cliche (trashy YA) fantasy story with huge cast of characters with it (reminded me of City of Bones but a bit worse) and the girl that views herself as plain but is the most judgemental when it comes to the other's looks.
And the biggest cliche of all, is that she's OP.

And I was in a huge mood for trashy YA so this was perfect.... until Devyn started being annoying. She keeps drooling over every hot guy there is, constantly complains and trying to be "sassy" but is closer to mean than anything. Like she knows what she's saying can be insensitive but she just blurts it out and then goes "like no offense".

Don't get me started on her always forgetting the real names of some characters!

The "secret society" is called the Order and each member have two names. Their real Order name and a name they use when they're in the outside world. Devyn keeps messing up the names the whole book!!! I have to read her saying Louis er, Odante more than 5 times in each chapter she talks to him. Her whole drama about "being stalked" and "breach of privacy" were the most annoying thing ever.

She's constantly indecisive and it took her 200 pages to join the Order!! (In my tablet, the book was 315 pages). Like yes, it's unbelievable when the main characters just joins with little thinking but taking 75% of the book to decide?? She mentions sometimes that she starts trusting the Order but the moment something tiny happens, she starts doubting the whole thing even though she knows her parents were members and her worries aren't even the reflection of the true intentions of the Order.

Moreover, she verbally attacks the two guys who had hots for her over something she heard about them and haven't apologized even! Like she knows she hurt them and feels bad but nope, no apology given and the guys forgive her anyways.

For the rest of the characters, sometimes they feel fleshed out and other times they feel superficial. Some characters that appear in the beginning don't appear again and rarely mentioned until close to the end.

Overall, not a new premise but it was interesting enough for me to finish it. The author's writing style was enjoyable and I really hope the next book would be more plot focused than just about Devyn.


Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.

Devyn Carter isn’t one of the popular kids at he high school, she only has one friend. Then her classmates start acting funny, they seem to be in some kind of trance. With the arrival of a new student a new chapter in Devyn’s life begins. She is supposed to be some kind of guardian and the brand new tattoo on her neck is prove of that.
I liked the story even if it was a little slow paced and took some time to get into it.

DNF'd at 41% I tried really hard to like this book. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me. Devyn was not endearing and everything just happened to her instead of her making choices. She came across as not very intelligent and it got on my nerves. I think possibly younger teens might like it.

Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Author for an advanced eBook in exchange for an honest review.

Devyn Carter is seventeen years old when she is thrust into a world of secret societies and ancient threats. She finds herself called towards a new stranger who omits a presence of danger and mystery. Upon fighting her pulling feelings, she meets another young man who seems to only have her best interest at heart. When an old threat is released, can Devyn and her new found group stop the rising evil before its too late?

I have nothing but beaming things to say about Awakened and I cannot wait for a sequel! The author had me right from the first chapter and didn't let me go until the ending. I had to wait a few weeks to post a review as to fully process all that happened and how I felt about it. The only thing I wish there was more of would be the lore associated with the gates and what lies behind them. We get to see one of the threats manifest in this novel, however as readers we had to base the lore around what we already knew of these mythological creatures.

But that being said, I can't wait to sink my teeth into a sequel if one is greenlit and see what the future has for Devyn and the world she now lives in. More please, Stacy R Collins; I wait impatiently to see what you have in store for us!

Devyn Carter is just your average seventeen year old girl, at least that's what she thinks. When a new, hot substitute teacher walks in everything changes. Devyn feels drawn to him and hears a voice telling her to go to him. But when an even hotter transfer student inserts himself in to her life, Devyn must decided who to believe, and if belonging to the Order is something she's ready to face.

This story has a good premise and I was excited to read it. However, the beginning was so slow and just seemed to drag on. Stacy R. Collins does a fantastic job in describing the world and characters and introduces us to a new take on the world. Unfortunately it started to feel like this whole book was one big introduction with a minimal plot. There were multiple times where I couldn't stand Devyn and questioned whether it was worth it to keep reading. I would say about 65% into the story I felt we had more of a plot line and a bit more action. The last 35% of the book then felt extremely rushed. I feel this book could have either been made longer, or some of the beginning descriptions minimized more.

The ending did have me hooked and I am looking forward to seeing how Devyn's story ends.

Devyn Carter was your average teenager in high school and looking forward to what comes after graduating until one day when everything changes for her. Sitting in class waiting for the teacher to arrive one day everything seemed normal until a new substitute walked through the door.

Devyn’s classmates all seem to be in some kind of trance and things feel so wrong when another surprise arrives. A new student also comes to class that day and says he’s there to help Devyn and shows her a whole new world she didn’t know existed.

Awakened by Stacy R. Collins is the first book of the young adult urban fantasy The Gatekeepers series. This opener was decent enough that I did somewhat enjoy it but i t did seem full of the typical young adult tropes, character lost parents early in life and find they were a part of secret world, teen doesn’t realize who she is etc.

Besides waiting for the story to really stand out on it’s own and stop reminding me of other young adult fantasies I also thought the pacing was rather slow. The author did a good job introducing the world in the series but this first book overall felt like one long introduction. Instead of feeling submerged into any action the end felt a bit rushed only to set up for the bigger story. Hopefully book two will build upon the beginning and pick up some.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Such an interesting storyline and plot structure. It was different than other novels that are being pushed out currently.

Devyn is a typical heroine in YA. She doesn't realize who she is, what she is capable of, or how the other sex perceives her. There is teenage angst in spades. Devyn has feelings toward Odante but a strange pull toward Darandus she knows is wrong and unnatural. There is drama and action that is centered on Devyn being "the chosen one." Overall, it follows a lot of trope patterns found in YA but the concepts of Gatekeepers and what they are able to do and why is a fresh take on the generic tropes.

This book is a great lead to the series and I will definitely be following up with the rest of the series.

Thank you NetGalley for an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Am I ever going to be able to finish a book?
I think this series could be good but there's something about this book that I can't get into. I made it halfway through but it's just not catching my attention

I'm afraid that this is a DNF for me.

1. I feel like everything in this book happens a bit too conventiently and too predictively.
Suddenly there's a new boy in class AND a new teacher. And the new teacher is too handsome and all the students are enchanted by him. Except for the MC, who feels like something is wrong. And then the new boy saves the day and he's got a secret. And MC is part of a secret organization. And then there's a high speed chase on the new guy's motorcycle, orphan MC, an uncle with a secret etc. And all these things are just thrown together right at the start.

2. I can only get a shallow image of the MC, everything about her is a bit jumbled and I feel like I can't really get to know her. Too much is happening all the time and she has no time to grow into her part in the book.

3. I would have loved to get more "show, don't tell" from this book, right now it's the other way around and that's probably the main reason why I will leave this as a DNF. The story is not that bad, it has much promise, but the execution could use a bit more showing and less telling.

But, I admit that this will probably appeal a lot more to the target audience for this book, for example early teens. It's not as complex as the YA books I usually read, and I think it would probably hold more appeal to this age group.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. I really enjoyed this book and the characters. It was your typical YA paranormal romance type book, but I still enjoyed it and would recommend it.