Many thanks to NetGallley, for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Awaken the Dawn was such a fun and intriguing story! Mysteries normally aren't my thing, but this one was very enjoyable for the most part.

Sometimes I found the plot a bit hard to follow and confusing, but that may just be because I don't read a lot in this genre. I loved the romance, Kat and Maksim are so cute! They were my favorite part <3. I also enjoyed learning more about Romania's history from this book. I feel like everything the Romanians went through under their communist leaders is something that isn't talked about enough. I wasn't expecting this book to have history, so that was a very pleasant surprise since I love historical fiction.

If you're a mystery or historical fiction fan (or both!), definitely I recommend giving Awaken the Dawn a try!!

If you love mystery, puzzles and connecting the dots, check out Awaken the Dawn by Ellis K. Popa! In the story you meet Kat, and she is someone who is multilayered, driven and weighed down with grief, but she she finds a way to move with it versus letting it hold her back. She finds her self following a mystery overseas and ends up a situation she never could have imagined. From the start you have intriguing characters and the question in the back of your mind, who can you trust?

This was a great escape and you will become fully invested in connecting the dots with Kat and those who journey alongside her!

I received an eARC from the author, all opinions are my own.

Review provided on Netgalley & Goodreads. Amazon review pending until release date.

This book has a very intriguing concept but it unfortunately wasn't for me. It seemed choppy and some times hard to follow. Knowing that its set in Romania, I wonder if it's just a language barrier?

Thank you Netgalley, Ellis K. Papa and Fire Books for this ARC!

This is my personal review of Awaken the Dawn.

It took me a few chapters to really get into this book. But once I did, I was glad I stayed with it. Katherine is about to graduate from high school in Atlanta. She's hoping for a soccer scholarship. But then her father dies in a plane crash following a trip to his home country of Romania.
When Kat was little her father would put together scavenger hunts and cryptic messages for her to solve. Following his death, she receives a package from him with clues to go to Romaina and solve this last hunt.
She's not sure who she should trust or even what she's looking for. Loved this book and really hoping there's a 2nd book in the works.

Rating: 4.5/5

Character Development:

At the heart of "Awaken The Dawn" lies a cast of compelling characters grappling with loss, guilt, and the quest for redemption. Kat Barrett emerges as a relatable and dynamic protagonist, haunted by the shadow of her father's untimely demise and driven by an insatiable thirst for answers. As Kat embarks on a perilous scavenger hunt through the streets of Bucharest, she forms an unlikely alliance with Maksim, a complex and enigmatic figure with his own troubled past. Popa deftly explores the evolving dynamics between Kat and Maksim, weaving layers of mistrust, vulnerability, and reluctant camaraderie into their fraught partnership.

Themes and Exploration:

"Awaken The Dawn" delves into themes of family secrets, betrayal, and the transformative power of truth. Through Kat's relentless pursuit of her father's cryptic clues and the dark secrets they unveil, Popa explores the corrosive effects of deception and the redemptive potential of facing one's past. As Kat confronts the shadows lurking within her own family history and navigates the treacherous underworld of Bucharest, she grapples with moral ambiguity and the blurred boundaries between trust and betrayal. The novel's exploration of identity, loyalty, and the search for meaning in the face of overwhelming adversity resonates with emotional depth and narrative resonance.

Plot and Pacing:

Popa masterfully orchestrates a labyrinthine plot brimming with unexpected twists, pulse-pounding suspense, and heart-stopping revelations. From the atmospheric streets of Bucharest to the shadowy corridors of hidden conspiracies, "Awaken The Dawn" immerses readers in a world of danger, intrigue, and high-stakes adventure. The pacing is relentless, propelling readers forward with each tantalizing clue and escalating threat. As Kat races against time to uncover the truth behind her father's death, the novel unfolds with cinematic flair, weaving a tapestry of intrigue and suspense that keeps readers guessing until the final, breathtaking conclusion.

Conclusion:

In "Awaken The Dawn," Ellis K. Popa delivers a masterful blend of mystery, suspense, and heart-pounding thrills that will captivate readers from the very first page. With its richly drawn characters, labyrinthine plot, and evocative setting, the novel is a testament to Popa's storytelling prowess and narrative ingenuity. Fans of mystery thrillers and pulse-pounding suspense will find much to love in the electrifying world of "Awaken The Dawn," a mesmerizing tale of secrets, betrayal, and the enduring quest for truth in the face of adversity. A gripping and unforgettable read that heralds Popa as a rising star in the genre, "Awaken The Dawn" is a must-read for anyone seeking an exhilarating literary escape into the heart of darkness.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

Whew, this book was quite a ride. I admit I was a little lost for a good part of it (more on that later), but wanting to know how everything turns out certainly kept me invested. The story was well-written, there were even pictures in certain portions which I thought were fun additions. The characters were cool, I liked our M.C. Kat, and I especially liked Maksim so much so that I wouldn't have minded being in his head for a while.

Now I will say I spent a large portion of this book being a little confused by what or mainly why things were happening. The scavenger hunt was a fun way to learn some of the history of Romania and see some scenery, but I felt like we were on this journey and solving these clues for quite a while without learning any significant information about what this is all leading up to.

Around the 70% mark, however, we find a letter and meet a character that gives us the mother of all info dumps and explains how pretty much everyone in the story ended up where they are now. While I was glad to finally be in the loop, I feel it would have increased my understanding and enjoyment if we had found some things out along the way.

Overall, I thought the story was very interesting, and it definitely kept me engaged. It did leave me with some questions, but I saw that this is the first book in a series and I am intrigued to see what comes next!

Thank you, NetGalley, and Ellis K. Popa for allowing me the opportunity to review this book!

I enjoyed the puzzle elements to this book. It had a great suspenseful feel to it. It had everything that I was hoping for in a young adult Paranormal myst read book. The characters felt like they belonged that I was on the same adventure with them. I wanted to solve what was going on and hope that the main character succeeded. Ellis K. Popa does a great job in writing this and making interesting characters. I hope there is more in this world,as I enjoyed reading this.

This story started off a little slow for me but I was curious about the scavenger hunt so I kept going. I’m so glad I did. The book was absolutely amazing and I couldn’t get enough of it. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

This is an enjoyable puzzle mystery book great for those who enjoyed The Inheritance Game and a good debut novel for the author. Overall, I give this book 3.75/5.

The plot unravels well as the main characters solve clues and the truth begins to settle upon the main character. I liked the two main characters and appreciated how the author wrote their chemistry. The story wrapped up enough to feel closure with the story and still left room for the story to continue in sequels. I also liked how much research the author did about the language and people she referenced. It made the story stronger and I think added to the setting and overall plot.

I think what was missing from this story, for me, is the the paranormal elements of the story. The description says this is a paranormal mystery, but the only paranormal elements in the story are alluded to or happen in pockets of the story that felt random. I wished this had a bit more direction and connection to the overall story, even if the author is saving answers in coming books.

Again, an overall enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a quick puzzle mystery!

I received an advanced readers copy for this book through Netgalley and the publisher, And Fire Books, and this is my honest review.

I was super excited for this book after reading the description on the back of the book. A puzzle, a secret and a betrayal? Yes please!
It was described perfectly and I was not disappointed at all. I was quickly transported to Kat’s world and was able to follow along with her feelings and conclusions. Between the scavenger hunt and trying to piece together Kat’s Dads past, i was hooked right to the very end. I would have loved to learn more about the paranormal aspect, but overall such a great read! And that slow burn romance with Maksim… absolutely perfect! I can’t wait to see what happens next with them!

I love a scavenger hunt! A mystery package and some great obscure clues lead Kat on a hunt for answers in Eastern Europe. She has grown up solving cryptic clues on scavenger hunts with her father so when the package seems to offer a hunt from beyond the grave she flies from the US to Romania to take up the challenge. Travelling alone in a strange country, she accepts help from Maksim and Andrei who seem keen to get involved.
The story is action packed involving dead ends, jeopardy, trying to keep one step ahead of the bad guys and I loved the twists in the tale.
The descriptions of Brasov and the forests and mountains of Romania are so beautiful that readers of this book would surely be inspired to visit. There are hints of the supernatural which I hope the author will develop further as Awaken the Dawn is the first part of a longer saga.

Mystery, puzzles, mafia, secrets, and red herrings at every turn all set in Romania and intertwined with culture, corruption and political upheaval. Whew! Solid adventure with a treasure hunt for unknown treasure, while hunted by bad guys you will want to see gone. Definitely recommended.