Reawakened by Colleen HouckSeries: The Reawakened #1
Published by: Delacorte Books for Young Readers on August 25, 2015
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Mythology
Pages: 400
Source: BookExpo America
Book Details
Rating: ★★★★
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.
I was a tad nervous about Reawakened. I read Colleen Houck’s Tiger’s Curse series and it swiftly went downhill for me. THE HORRID LOVE TRIANGLE!! AHHH!
But I’m very pleased to say that Reawakened was fantastic!! I only hope that the rest of the series keeps in line with this first book and there isn’t a horrible, all consuming love triangle to ruin everything. 😉
Epic adventure!
If you love the adventure and historical aspects of The Tiger’s Curse series, then Reawakened will not disappoint! It has the same incredible level of research, history, and exciting action! It almost feels like a movie. Colleen Houck certainly has a way with epic visuals. I can clearly see all the intense action scenes play out.
Another thing that really excited me was how much I recognized from the book. I went to Egypt for my honeymoon and had actually been to some of the places that were in the book! There were the pyramids, of course, but also the Kom Ombo temple. I loved being able to visualize the places that were in the book!
Let’s talk about Lilliana
I had a love/dislike relationship with Lilliana. She had her awesome moments, and then a few “what the hell was that?” moments.
I actually really liked her at the beginning. She was kind of a spoiled, entitled girl, but had a certain level-headedness about her. She was nice—not mean or bitchy—and I kind of pitied her a little (her family situation).
But I loved how she really WANTED to become a new person. She didn’t want to be “safe” and “boring” and “successful”. She just wanted to be happy. She craved adventure and something outside of the ordinary/safe zone. And I like how she went for it!
Are you Lilliana or Kelsey?
But there were a few moments where Kelsey from The Tiger’s Curse series shined through in Lilliana’s personality. Just general moments of stupidity or acting a bit like a silly entitled girl.
Here’s one example, and I know this is super small and stupid, but it’s things like this that grated on me:
She was with the brother of her “sun prince”, so basically the reincarnation of a god. She’s seen his powers and strength and all that. It’s epic. But then, he asks her to climb on his back while he’s in bird form, and she’s all like:
“What if I fall or get airsick?”
I mean, c’mon girl. You’re in the middle of this epic quest and you seriously doubt that this REINCARNATION OF A GOD can take care of you? Or you’re worried about airsickness?
There were just a few moments like that which felt super lame… It’s like I was disappointed in Lilliana as a character.
The romance… could have been more epic
I LIKED the romance, but I have to admit that I was hoping for more. I was craving an all encompassing, world dominating romance… Kind of like The Tiger’s Curse series (but without the love triangle, obvs). But in Reawakened, the romance was really on the back burner. It just lurked quietly in the background. It was never HUGE or EPIC or A DESTROYER OF WORLDS or whatever the hell a romance can be. It was… quiet… not really there…
And if you don’t want a dominating romance then you might actually REALLY like that about Reawakened. But I’m a mushy, romance girl at heart and I wanted MORE MORE MORE!
Looking forward to more!
I have super high hopes for this new series and hope the other books have as much of a bang as this one!
The Verdict
I was wondering this book! Egypt, fantasy, adventure… sign me in! Now you got me curious about The Tiger’s Curse series too! 🙂 Thanks for the great review Ashley.
I loved the idea of The Tiger’s Curse and I loved the first book.. but there’s a ridiculous love triangle that drove me kind of nuts! Bummer because I loved everything else about the whole series (story, adventure, etc.).
I have been dying to read this one. I’m glad you like it. And that’s so awesome, Egypt for your honeymoon…how was that? Absolutely magnificent I bet.
P.S. I love your new blog design, Ashley!
Egypt was amazing!! You can see pictures of my trip here if you want: https://www.nosegraze.com/honeymooning-egypt-abercrombie-kent/
I’m glad you like the new design! 😀
Ugh, the Tiger’s Curse series drove me nuts! I read the first two a couple of years ago and loved them, but when I read book 3 last month it was NOT good. At first it seemed like the author was going to avoid the love triangle and then it was right there and oh man, it was not done well.
Anyway, I’m glad you liked Reawakened! I’ve been looking forward to reading it and have read a lot of great reviews 🙂 Hopefully I’ll still like Liliana, despite those moments you mentioned. Awesome review, Ashley!
I know exactly how you feel Zareena! I loved so much about the first book in The Tiger Saga.. I loved the romance, the story, the adventure, the culture.. it was incredible! But then the love triangle just tore the whole book apart. And the whole time it was so obvious which one she was going to choose in the end, and I was just yelling at her for stringing the other guy along. UGH.
I actually haven’t picked up a book by Houck yet but this one sounds really cool! The fact that the Egyptian history and sites are spot on makes me want to pick it up instantly. But Lilliana seems a bit doubtful.. LOL at the quote you provided for us! JUST GO ON THE FREAKING ADVENTURE ALREADY GEEZ. I’m really curious to see if I’ll like her. And I’m totally a gushy romance junkie as well, so I feel like I’m going to crave a more epic romance like you did. Nevertheless, I still want to pick this book up! Superb review, Ashley!
I really hope you love it Jen!
The Tiger Saga does have a more epic, intense, amazing romance.. but the love triangle ruins it!! But if you’re not bothered by love triangles or if you happen to like this particular one, then you’d probably love The Tiger Saga. Everything about that series ROCKS except for the freakin’ love triangle haha.
But even if the romance isn’t super intense and epic in Reawakened, the story is still pretty darn awesome. I love all the history and mythology.
I really enjoyed this one! You saw on Twitter how I felt about the Tiger Saga, so it surprised even me when I decided to read this one. I love the action and epic adventure, as you said! And the romance was really sweet, I hope Houck leaves the pair alone. Of course, given that lovely ending… O_O More is definitely the one word that fits the bill! I hope the sequel is satisfying and amazing.
Fantastic review, Ashley! <3
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Yeah, unfortunately the possibility of a love triangle is DEFINITELY there. :/ But I hope it doesn’t go that way or I’ll be super sad!
This is the second review I’ve seen for this book today. Serendipity! 🙂
@dino0726 from
FictionZeal – Impartial, Straightforward Fiction Book Reviews
I really enjoyed reading Reawakened! I loved the world building and the way Egyptian mythology was handled and most of all, I loved Amon! He was adorable:)
I haven’t read Colleen’s Tiger’s Curse series. But I really want to, since I can see how good she is with mythology!:)
P.S – You went to Egypt for your honeymoon? Woah, that’s awesome!
Yeah, it was a fantastic trip!! 🙂
There’s definitely a lack of YA Egyptian themed books. So when I see one being released, I immediately snatch it up. I’m quite excited for this book. When I do get the chance to read it, it’ll be my first book by Colleen, so I’m excited about that.