Reviews with content warning for Bullying - The Awakening

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The Awakening by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

394 reviews

whitneysue96's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

hahahaha this book is all over the place and I don’t really understand what’s going on but also I’m intrigued and can’t put it down.

The first book only takes place over the span of like two weeks I think but it’s an academic setting so my brain wants the books to span the school year. Lol so the beginning was slow and then when this first book ended it felt like we were just starting to get into some interesting plot and the book wasn’t near finished. lol so I guess we’ll just pick right up after the “homecoming” dance in book 2? 😂

Also the magic is confusing. Their zodiac signs matter and they do stuff like reading tarot cards and daily horoscopes, but also every person has an elemental power (fire, water, air, and earth) and then on top of that they all are able to shift into different mythical creatures like vampires, unicorns, dragons, werewolf’s, sirens, etc. And depending on what kind of thing you shift into determines how you replenish your powers. At the same time your genetics play a roll in how many powers you have and how strong those powers are? lol it’s a lot to keep track of.

Also while this is a “bully romance” and a lot of the characters are reallllllly mean to the FMCs it is somewhat lighthearted at times and the FMCs have really funny internal dialogue. I also think the references to pop culture at presenter in a comical and entertaining way.

Anyways, I will be continuing in the series but am hoping it gets a lot better from here.

Content Warnings

mourbooks013's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

I wanted to DNF this but kept going since booktok said the rest of the series was good. I won't be reading past this one. I can't get over the bullying.

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liwybookclub's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Content Warnings

jadenoelle's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Content Warnings

thatsillygoose's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Characters = 3
Setting = 4
Writing = 3
Plot = 3
Intrigue = 4
Enjoyment = 4
(3.5/5.0 overall)

A quick, interesting, if slightly questionable read. If you're reading reviews then you know this book has bullying. A LOT of it. In pretty much every single form it comes in. If that bothers you, then you will not enjoy this book. If you can get past it/remember it's a fictional story, I think the book is a pretty good read.

Characters: Tory & Darcy are fun characters and I enjoyed how the authors developed their separate POVs. It only takes a few chapters to feel like you know them and how they are different from one another. All of the other characters, however, are very one-dimensional. I was surprised at how much I hated some of the characters - but that is how you're supposed to feel.

Plot & Setting: I wish Solaria and Zodiac Academy were explained more, but there isn't really the time or place for it. The entire book takes place over just two (?) weeks so the readers are kept in the dark about things just as much as Tory & Darcy. I'm hoping we learn more as the series goes on.

Overall, if you don't mind the bullying, and you're a fan of this genre, a worthwhile read.

Content Warnings

seattlehols16's review against another edition

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I’m not a big bully romance person and I’m especially not a “all they are is horrible and awful and humiliating to me but damn they are still so HOOOTTT” person. After reading other reviews, it sounds like it might get better, but I’m not willing to wade through the misogyny, abuse, and weird power dynamics to get to it

Content Warnings