Stacy Collins' Awakened (The Gatekeepers Book 1) is a good first book to what could be a really fun series. 17-year-old Devyn Carter is on the verge of turning 18 and her best friend is obsessed with making sure her 18th birthday party is going to be a roaring success. Unfortunately, a new substitute teacher shows up and a new kid in class and the two clearly hate each other prior to ever stepping foot in Devyn's school. Unfortunately, the teacher seems to have an odd effect on Devyn causing her to feel dizzy with a throbbing headache while at the same time feeling drawn to him. When Devyn mysteriously develops a tattoo on her neck, Devyn's world starts crumbling around her. Everything she thinks she knows about her life and her parents' untimely death is called into question and Devyn isn't quite sure who she should believe.

As a first novel in a new series, I think Collins did a really good job with world building. She slowly brings us into the world as Devyn is suddenly exposed to this new insanity that is her life now. The novel has an interesting and new mythos that propels the overarching action within the book that does't feel forced or an afterthought, which can be a problem with this type of book.

However, there are times in the book where I just don't like Devyn. She wines a lot and seems unable to keep and make decisions at times. It's like any new bird that whispers into her ear can change how she feels about the people she's meeting. Admittedly, I'm reading this as an adult male, so I just found the character a bit too immature for a 17 year old.

I also think the book should have been longer. Without going into any detail here, I felt the ending was really rushed. We spend so much time entering into this new world that the climax comes out of nowhere and just seemed a bit forced instead of naturally occuring. As a whole, I enjoyed the book, but the ending just kind of left me a bit deflated.

I want to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read this book prior to publication. The review above is 100% my own and not influenced by the publisher's generosity of providing me a pre-publication copy.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It's an inventive new YA fantasy with a snarky main character who is a riot to read on page. I loved the lushness of the world and all the mythical beasts involved. I haven't really read much fantasy that involves sirens or harpies yet they're some of my favorite legends and lore. I look forward to the next book in this series.

First, Thank you Netgalley and 48fourteen for providing me this ebook in exchange for an honest review!

I think this was a great start to a new YA fantasy series. Once I started to read I didn’t want to stop. Devyn was a very relatable character and I really enjoyed her journey so far! I can’t wait to see what is in store for her in the rest of the series.

If you enjoy YA fantasy/paranormal I think you would really enjoy this book!

I started reading this book because it is about secret orders and mythical creatures who take over the world. Who doesn't love to read about those things? I enjoyed the plot, though I found that there was a lot of info smashed into a short amount of time. I hope in upcoming books, there will be more battle scenes with much more magic as Devyn grows into her powers. Also, I hope to learn more about the different factions of monsters are covered. There wasn't as much info as I thought there would be upon reading the synopsis. As a first book to the series, AWAKENED definitely covers who and what the gatekeepers do, and their role in the world is. There is a great introduction to the characters as a whole, and I look forward to seeing them grow as they continue to overcome evil.

I’ve read books like this lots before, yeah it’s nothing new or original but you know what it’s enjoyable, world building is good and characters likeable. The plot moves fast and it’s an enjoyable YA read, fans of twilight will love this

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is pretty much a cliche YA book.

There's a girl and her parents died in a car accident. They were, of course in a secret order. The girl is also in the order and now she's in danger. Then she meets two hot guys and her world turns upside down.

I think that the world building and characters could have been better done because this is pretty much like a Buzzfeed article, it's all cliche clickbait and no substance but it's fun if you're in the mood for it.

It's pretty cliche at times, especially the parents and being in a secret order but it is actually quite intriguing. The romances were cliche but believable and sweet.

For readers of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, you will like this one for sure!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall the book was okay. I wasn’t wowed by it.
I found the main character, Devyn, to be a bit annoying; very similar to a lot of YA protagonists. Moody & kind of flies off the handle when things don’t make sense, she’s scared or has no control over situations. I guess in a lot of respects, like a normal teenage girl.
I think that YA will enjoy this book & if I was younger I would have enjoyed it a little more.

You're a normal teen, your parents died a long time ago, you live with your uncle. And then one day you find out that you're the Chosen One to keep out all the bad guys from invading the world. Light against Dark. An Order of people that your parents were in, that one of the defects killed them and now wants to kill you. Doesn't help that there are hot guys around. But do you really have to die to save the world? Can the powers you have help you in anyway? A lot of people have already died, and you feel like it's your fault. Oh boy. Second book?

The beginning of the story starts out very confusing. The characters and world are quickly built and you have to just kind of rollercoaster your way through the first few chapters.
Once you get into the story you start to learn the characters and background. While it follows a lot of stories lately it is well done and worth the read.

Thank you for letting me read an early copy on NetGalley

This book was received as an ARC from 48fourteen in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

First off I fell in love with the spelling and name of the lead heroine Devyn! From the start, I knew she was going to be unique and different from the start of the novel due to her tenacious personality and clever wit. Also, I have been waiting a long time for a series that is similar to House of Night by P.C. and Kristin Cast when Devyn realizes that she is now a warrior of the order set to protect her people from Moon Children. Now that she is forced to make a choice to go back to her normal life or leave it all behind to be a part of the Order and save the world. I can not wait to see what happens next and the choice Devyn will make.

We will consider adding this title to our YFantasy collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Awakened has some interesting aspects, but the premise is not unique. A teen girl finds out her parents were murderer, rather than a car accident years ago. Why? Wait for it.......they were members of a secret order. The girl is, of course, also a member of this order, and she is now in danger. It's a story I've heard before. The writing is good and unfolds at a good pace. The characters are engaging and entertaining. Overall, though, it's just not fresh. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Awakened (The Gatekeepers Book 1)
Stacey R. Collins

What if you find out your parents were not accidentally killed, but were murdered ? Orphaned,17-year-old Devlyn is coming to terms with just that. Collins imaginative world building creates a fresh new
YA Fantasy. Believable characters mixed with elements of mystical beast will draw you in to this book. Collins is setting up what will make for a great book series. I am looking forward to to reading the next installment.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.

E-arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be okay. The plot was quite interesting despite some things were to cliche-y.
I found that the world build was a bit weak but it might've been my fault since I expected it to be fairly atmospheric.
Devyn, the main character of the story was quite interesting to read but again, too cliche-y unfortunately.
I feel this was more of 2.5 stars read but I'll round it to 3 since it is the first review and I feel already bad doing this.
Overall the book was alright.