Chrysalis - The Awakening: Book 1
Author
M. L. Lacy
Publisher
AuthorHouse
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All families have secrets. But at 32 years old, Bree Campbell is discovering that her entire life has been a secret. Like most people, it never occurred to her to question her mortality; that is until she learns that she is a mortal born into a family of Magicals and begins to question everything and everyone in her life. As the doors to Bree’s new world fly open and she finally hears the prophecy told at her birth she must face the revelation that she is a Chosen One; the last and greatest of a long line of Chosen Ones. And if this were not overwhelming enough, she has been charged with saving the earth by repairing the cosmic tear that binds the mortal world she has always known and the Magical world she is just now discovering. But the real question lies in whether Bree will survive the long transformation into the powerful Druid Sorceress that is her destiny or die in the process as many before her have gone. Bree’s journey will not be an easy one. She must face the realities of her new life and her new family; a clan of vampires who have been charged with protecting her for all of her mortal life. They have chosen her as a leader in their clan, a position that has really complicated things for her. For no sooner than Bree is finally reunited with her long lost love, Steven, Bree must learn how to navigate the jealousies and emotions within her new family. While Bree tries to free herself from her past, including her cruel and lethal husband, she must determine who she can truly trust. And while her clan loves her immensely, they will continually try to stand in her way; all in the name of protecting her from those set upon her death. Bree’s arch nemesis is Esmeralda, a powerful sorceress in her own right who will stop at nothing until this Chosen One is dead. If Esmeralda can claim Bree’s blood, heart and soul and restore her Demon to his body, she will be so strong that none will be able to oppose her and she will be free to rid the world of all mortals and
Reviews
I loved this book. The main character, Bree is a 32 yr old woman who has been sheltered from the truth and her real identity her entire life. In the midst of protecting her, her parents and friends kept her from her true love and paved the way for evil to insinuate itself into her life - in the form of her abusive and deadly husband. She was beat down both mentally and physically. Now that she is getting a divorce, the path is clear for her reunion with her soul mate, Steven. She just isn't immediately aware that he is a vampire who has been waiting for her since her birth.
One of the things that I really appreciated in the book was the author's method of delivering vital information. Instead of long, dry narratives full of important details or back story, she used dialogue between several characters or groups to fill the reader in. It was a very refreshing technique from a lot of books I've read in the past. I usually tend to skim over long sections of details and background history when I'm reading -I never did that while engrossed in this book. The characters were interacting while giving me the info I needed to move forward in the story.
The characters were very richly written in this story. There is a lot of humor and warmth as well as adventure and drama. Family was another aspect that I really liked seeing with the author making the reader feel a part of the group. Bree's family or extended family are a large, very warm and gregarious group. Millie, Bree's Gran is one of my favorites. She's a tough old bird that garners respect and admiration from everyone that knows her - good or bad. She also just happens to be an extremely powerful witch.
This book was full of twists and turns - some you had an inkling were coming, while others were a big surprise. I think the story flowed very nicely and I have to admit that I read it in one day. I told everyone I was busy and immersed myself in Bree's world.
I am really, really looking forward to this next book in the series:Chrysalis - Tribulations: Book 2
Reviewed on 08/16/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Julie Dees
Reviewed on 08/16/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Danielle Galvin
A few years back, my husband and I ordered a butterfly garden for our small son and it was interesting to see how the caterpillars developed their chrysalis, the stage where the transformation to a butterfly begins. The title of this story is amazingly appropriate as Bree is in the beginning stages of this ‘cocoon of transformation’ as she learns of her true identity. When she was a small child, her parents hid magic from her and dismissed any unexplainable instances she would witness. During her teenage years when she finds her true love, her parents intervene and sent her love away. She moves on with her life and is tricked into marrying a man that is by all standards, evil as he is abusive, drugs her to get his way and more.
Later, her family persuades her to go with her grandmother to Las Vegas. With the plan to just lay low; her world is turned upside down with the people she meets for her grandmother’s reunion. Within the week’s time of her stay, she learns she is a ‘chosen one’ and in being so, has the weight of the magical world riding on her shoulders. And, she may or may not survive the transformation from mortal to magical. She also becomes aware that a few people have always been a part of her life since birth and their relation to her, and she is finally reunited with her lost soul-mate, Steven. Those around her begin to realize that Bree is not only the last of the line of being a ‘chosen one’, but that she is stronger than even they suspected before her ‘change’. They do not give her enough trust to allow her the freedom to embrace her new path and challenges, including her face-off with Esmeralda, the powerful sorceress that plans for her demise.
‘Chrysalis: Awakening’ has fast become a standing favorite in my paranormal preferences. I have read many that fall into the paranormal/ paranormal romance genre, yet M.L. Lacy has combined the best of this and fantasy unlike any other I have read. I found that I could not put this book down as it was engaging from the start with suspense, mystery, romance and so much more! It is not too often that I feel ‘swept up’ in a story; but in this one, I felt as if I was right there with Bree and her experiences.
Reviewed on 07/15/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Ann Hauer
