Name: C. J. Daley 's review of A Child's Awakening by Lucy A. McLaren
Item: A Child's Awakening
Rating: 5
Author: C. J. Daley

Lucy A. McLaren

The Kingdom of Septima is ruled in all but name by the Commune, a ruthless cult that seeks control of an ancient power that has taken root in unsuspecting children in Septima. To maintain their hold on the kingdom, the Commune will stop at nothing to capture children who show signs of this power, to be weaponised or eliminated. 18-year-old Evelyn Folksman is in hiding. Taken in by a tavern-owner, she is haunted by the horrific events that drove her from her home years before. Evelyn is forced to face her past when two wayward children, Raif and Rose Huntsman, arrive at the tavern, pursued by Commune soldiers. The children fall under Evelyn's reluctant care as the trio narrowly escape a raid. Relentlessly hunted by Commander Jonah Sulemon and Commune agent Lord Eirik Torrant, Evelyn and Raif cannot fathom why they pose such a threat to the Commune, until six-year-old Rose unwittingly reveals a terrible secret: she possesses powers more fearsome than any the Commune has unearthed in decades. There are only two options: to be captured and imprisoned, or to run for the rest of their lives.

A Child's Awakening

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

C. J. Daley 

This journey originally started with me pretty much spamming the author’s page with likes because of how much I loved this cover. I was then very graciously offered an e-ARC, so how do you like them apples. Still love the cover, now I get to love the novel. 

So the original title for this was ‘A Child’s Awakening’ and the e-arcs came with that original title on the cover. Just wanted to point out how cool I think that is when you get something that feels like a b-side or second, and then you literally have it forever (another example: my copy of Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good came with the book inserted upside down into the attached hardcover…). Anyway, just thought that was a really cool tidbit, the title ‘Awakening’ is much broader, as it is fitting to several others, not just children, so great choice on the author’s part. 

The author sets up an interesting first novel. There is not a lot of action, but when there is, it is well done and the pacing is right. As a fantasy, this is very dialogue driven, and with that in mind, it felt kind of reminiscent of Andrzej Sapkowski’s style (to me). You spend a lot of your time absorbed in what they’re saying, and therefore it’s not all about what they are doing. Very tricky, especially for a debut!!

The author gives the characters life with all their own traits, thoughts, quirks, and twitches. With this being young adult, their are multiple children in the story, and even they don’t read as flat or similar. Two of the main characters even are brother and sister, and they read as drastically different. The bad people, or the outright villains, also read as multilayered, with redeeming qualities or traumas, so that they don’t just read as “evil” or “bad.” I was very impressed by the fact that I found myself caring for people that were not viewed as good, or found myself disliking someone that was supposed to be helping. 

The magic system is interesting, but still a little hazy to me. I think that works well only because the people with powers are often untrained, especially the children. So in that sense, they don’t know what the magic is or how it works either, so when reading it feels more like mutual discovery. The ability to take over and control others’ minds is a pretty continuous one during the story, and that is a !crazy! power. Also, although it is not really explained, the ability for some magic wielders to connect with an animal companion is really cool! I would love to the see the story continue and use some larger, less frequently seen animals as companions, like a lion, hippopotamus, or even an eagle/hawk (kind of Assassin’s Creed-esque). 

In terms of plotting this isn’t really something you haven’t seen before by any means, however it is certainly refreshed and interesting throughout so that it doesn’t feel the same as other novels. The author really drives home character, and therefore relationships, which is not always something that goes hand in hand (at least done well…), and I’m really impressed with it. And talk about a cliffhanger ending! 

I absolutely need a copy of this for my own shelf, not just for the amazing cover, but because I am very impressed with the work. Have I intrigued anyone? Was anyone looking out for this one anyway?! The novel releases May 1st and it can be preordered now!!

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
A Child's Awakening by Lucy A. McLaren

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &A Child's Awakening by Lucy A. McLaren

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
A Child's Awakening by Lucy A. McLaren