Review: Awakened (The Guardian Legacy #1) By: Ednah Walters

Title: Awakened (The Guardian Legacy #1)
Author: Ednah Walters
Publisher: Pill Hill Press, 272 pages (September 2nd 2010)
From: the Author, Thank You!

Synopsis: Most teens turn sixteen and get the license to drive, Lil Falcon gets the license to kill demons, but no one told her she is not supposed to fall in love with one.

Orphaned as a child and raised by an eccentric grandfather, Lil is concerned with surviving high school and is unaware she's a Guardian—a being with super powers charged with killing demons and protecting humanity. But when she meets Bran, a mysterious boy with amazing abilities, his psi energy unlocks her latent powers.

But Bran has a secret that can destroy their growing relationship. He's part demon. But in her heart, Lil knows Bran is not evil. So when her grandfather is kidnapped by a powerful nature-bender and Bran is the only one who knows where he's being kept, Lil convinces the other Guardians to trust him, not knowing her grandfather is just the bait. And the truth that she discovers in the demonic enclave may just destroy everything she believes in, unless she makes the right choice—love and sacrifice.

Review: 4 Stars - Awakened, the first book in The Guardian Legacy series and freshman title for author Ednah Walters was more than I expected and then some. I found much to enjoy, from the rich story and brightly crafted characters to the fascinating mythology. It was quick to draw me in and had its hooks into me within the first few mysterious pages straight through to the last… leaving this reader scrambling for what comes next.

Lil Falcon, a 16 year old girl who wants nothing more than to make it through high school. She has no idea that she’s different, that she has powers that’ll help her to protect everyone around her. She lives with her grandfather and they tend to move around a lot. She’s stronger then even she knows, and it’s one of the things I liked about her the most. She grows into who she is as the story progresses and as she comes to terms with what is the true world around her. I mean she has a lot to deal with as what she knows morphs into everything that she only thought existed in books or movies.

And then there’s Bran. He’s different and Lil knows it. He’s one of those guys who are a mix of both good and bad boy. He has his own secrets and a lot to prove too many people. He’s character adds many layers to a well built plot. The relationship between Bran and Lil has twists and turns along the way that only added to such an original story. I rooted for them the whole time, even with all the uphill battles their relationship was set out to face.

Then there’s The Guardian Trainee’s and each character was so different from the next. Their strength and honor were incredible to say the least. Oh and yeah, Sykes gives Bran’s swoon worthy-ness a run for his money. Both guys wormed their way into my heart and made me grin from ear to ear when ever they were on the page. I mean, Walters great writing makes characters such as these here in Awakened easy to love.

With such detailing, Walters has a knack for writing and offers readers a great tale and a different telling of Good vs. Evil. In a world and character as vivid as hers, it was easy for this book to become a favorite on my bookcase and that I’d be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series - Betrayed. Would I recommend this title to anyone? That would be a definite YES.

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.