Reawakened by Colleen Houck
Published by Random House Children's Books on August 11, 2015
Genres: Ancient Civilizations, Historical, Legends, Myths, Fables, Love & Romance, Young Adult
Source: ARC from Publisher
Buy the Book • Goodreads
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When seventeen-year-old Lilliana Young enters the Metropolitan Museum of Art one morning during spring break, the last thing she expects to find is a live Egyptian prince with godlike powers, who has been reawakened after a thousand years of mummification.
And she really can't imagine being chosen to aid him in an epic quest that will lead them across the globe to find his brothers and complete a grand ceremony that will save mankind.
But fate has taken hold of Lily, and she, along with her sun prince, Amon, must travel to the Valley of the Kings, raise his brothers, and stop an evil, shape-shifting god named Seth from taking over the world.
From New York Times bestselling author Colleen Houck comes an epic adventure about two star-crossed teens who must battle mythical forces and ancient curses on a journey with more twists and turns than the Nile itself.
The first thing to consider before diving into this new two-book adventure by Colleen Houck, is whether or not you liked her previous Tiger’s Curse saga. Then ask yourself what you liked or did not like about those books. This may have an impact on your overall enjoyment of this new series, as well as whether or not you will be able to separate the two.
Ross meet Russ. Tiger’s Curse meet Reawakened.
If you enjoyed the Tiger’s Curse saga, you will find much to enjoy about this first entry in Colleen’s Egyptian tale. But I couldn’t help but make comparisons as I read, of course. So…
Characters. Lily is one arrogant and stuck up girl in the beginning. She’s rich and very privileged, but it is obvious that she is not entirely content being her parent’s proper little princess. Still, she obviously had certain believes ingrained into her sub-cranium and those beliefs really showed in the earlier parts of the book. Talk about room for growth, and unlike Kelsey from TC, a girl who was thinking about her future and looking for adventure, Lily was much more hesitant. In the end, I found myself liking Lily far more than I did Kelsey in the end of her first book. One point for Reawakened.
As for the mythological men who join Lily on her adventure. Admittedly, I will always be a Ren girl at heart, so I didn’t quite connect with Amon like I did him in Tiger’s Curse. I hate to make such comparisons, but… A girl likes what a girl likes. Not only that, but the romance in Tiger’s Curse felt slightly more swoon-worthy to me. In Reawakend the focus is more on the stakes and the adventure.
A girl wants Ren, not just a man, er… Amon.
BUT… Reawakened has one thing going for it which Tiger’s Curse does not – and that is the lack of an annoying love triangle. NO TRIANGLE HERE, FOLKS! And there is none in sight either. Both series progress their individual romances slowly, as romances tend to progress. For Reawakened, it’s a winning combination.
Not in Reawakened!
The mythology. Colleen moves from Middle Eastern/Indian and Asian mythology to that of Egypt. I can’t claim to know much about either, but the world she creates – and the creatures, symbols and adventures that result from it – are all so captivating. I was convinced.
…Which leads me to the writing. Colleen is quite the wordsmith – she knows how to spin a tale rich in detail and danger. Although the story is complete fantasy, she convinces the reader that all things are possible. There is logic in the details and in the character’s actions. There are risks and consequences. Things are rarely left to a matter of convenience, in my opinion, although I’m sure that is arguable depending on the reader. Although Lily would probably prefer her middle name to be “Safe,” her adventures are anything but in Reawakened. She gets scared. She wants to go home (more than once). Sshe doesn’t instantly become the “hero”. I like that.
That you may be, but gloat you shall not.
While Reawakened suffers from a slow start – much like Tiger’s Curse – once the journey begins, it’s nonstop action until the very end. Oh, the ending… I can guarantee you this: it contains a cliffhanger that will have you begging for more.
Although Tiger’s Curse this book may not be, there are differences that will gain Colleen Houck new fans. I’m always here if you ever want to dicuss those differences, as well as the similarities. Reawakened stands apart from the Tiger’s Curse saga as a stellar new series by Colleen Houck.
About Colleen Houck
New York Times Bestselling Author Colleen Houck is a lifelong reader whose literary interests include action, adventure, science fiction, and romance. Formerly a student at the University of Arizona, she worked as a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter for seventeen years before switching careers to become an author. Colleen lives in Salem, Oregon, with her husband and a huge assortment of plush tigers.
Enter to win an ARC of Reawakened by Colleen Houck!
US only to entrants aged 13 and older. Void where prohibited.
Have you read this one? What did you think?
Tiger’s Curse was my favortive series ever! And eyptian myths r my all time fav! I very much enjoyed indian myths but I always loved eyptian more!
Lovely review! This sounds like such an interesting read! Plus that cover is to die for!
Great review! Thanks for the opportunity.
Great review!
I’d love to win Reawakened because I LOVE Egyptian mythology and there’s NO love triangle!
I am super excited to read Reawakened! I liked The Tiger’s Curse saga so I can’t wait to see how she portrays Egyptian mythology (which is a favorite subject of mine)! Winning an ARC would just be the cherry on top!
so I heard about Reawakened about a year ago on Goodreads and of course I immediately clicked on the “want to read” button. I stalked Colleen Houck’s website for sneak peaks, blurbs, prizes (basically any info about Reawakened). I’ve been waiting for more than a year to have my hands on this book. I have all 4 of her Tiger’s Curse series and often re-read them just because they are that good. This review only fueled my DESPERATE NEED to read this book so if I won an ARC my life would be complete.
Egyptian ….mythology…drops mic
Thanks for your GREAT review, Jenna! Very informative as it makes me want to read this book even more. Wasn’t sure that was possible, but somehow you managed.
Colleen Houck is my FAV author. Enjoyed the Tigers Curse saga immensely, so am double certain will be diving right in the Ms. Colleen’s Egyptian series head first. Have all her Tiger’s Curse books, so thank you for the opportunity to begin this new collection with an ARC of Reawakened!
As one Ren girl to another . . . always enjoy reading your book blog, Jenna. With my limited reading time you always help me decide what to put on my TBR shelf.
Thank you for the ARC giveaway! Good Luck everyone!
I liked everything about this one but Lily. I kept trying to like her and I couldn’t. Especially when Amon wouldn’t kiss her, at times that seemed like all she cared about. Other then that though I really liked this book. I haven’t read Colleen’s Tiger Curse series, but I hope to eventually.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Yay 😀 So glad you liked this book a whole lot Jenna. <3 Thank you for sharing about it sweetie 🙂 You make it sound aaawesome. I'm curious now 😀 Maybe not for me, but so so happy you loved it 🙂 Thank you for sharing. <3
I’ve been dying to get my hands on this for a while now – I love Egyptian mythology and this sounds like a REALLY fun read! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I haven’t read many books based on Egyptian mythology and this one looks so good. I still have the last book in the Tiger’s Curse series to finish, but I have really enjoyed Colleen Houck’s writing and I’m looking forward to see her take on this mythology.
I’d really love to win this! I’ve heard great things about this book, and I would really love to read this!
Sooo excited to see who the winner will be! (squeeeeeelllll!!)
GOOD LUCK Everyone! Thank you tremendously for this give away!!
Wonderin’ when the winner of this giveaway might be announced? Hoping the reveal will be soon. Sooo excited about this book!
Thanks for the giveaway and the opportunity to win an ARC of Ms. Colleen Houck’s new novel.
Hello, Jenna . . .
Checkin’ in again. Wonderin’ if . . . perhaps the winner of this giveaway might be announced sometime soon? Here’s hoping?! Sooo excited about this book!
Thanks for the giveaway and the opportunity to win an ARC of Ms. Colleen Houck’s new novel. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her novels and writing style. Hope to hear from ya’ll soon!?
There should be a list on your instagram with all of the books you post cause their covers are so pretty and makes me wanna read em!
Hello Jenna . . .
OK . . . now I am really getting concerned. You have been conspicuously absent from any blog posts since this very post. Yes, I would like to know who might be the extremely lucky winner of the above giveaway.
However, I would also like to know that you, as one of my favorite book bloggers, are doing alright. It is my hope to find out that you are doing well and have just had an extremely busy summer and in the thralls of trying to get into a back-to-school routine. If, perhaps, it is an otherwise something-or-other, hope it is a pleasant something-or-other.
If nothing else, please let us know how you are doing. Hope to hear from you soon.
A concerned fan ;o}