Review: Dark Awakening by Kendra Leigh Castle

Dark Awakening 

(Dark Dynasties #1)

by Kendra Leigh Castle

Paranormal Romance

For centuries, shapeshifting vampire Tynan MacGillivray has prowled the night as an outcast, valued only for his ferocious hunting skills. When a feud among the immortals escalates into all-out war, he is ordered by his ruthless queen to locate a Seer-a human woman with a special gift-who can secure victory for their clan. Ty's search leads him to a quiet New England town, but once he has the Seer in his grasp, her touch awakens within him a hunger like he's never known . . .

Lily Quinn has always been different. Since childhood, she's had vivid nightmares and an eerie sixth sense. When a sexy, silver-eyed stranger demands her help, Lily plunges into a new world of danger and sensuality. With Ty, she discovers sizzling passions she cannot deny and powers she cannot control. Soon, it is clear that Lily is much more than a Seer-she holds the key to ancient secrets and unthinkable destruction. But will a vampire's vow of eternal protection stop these evil forces . . . or unleash her dark destiny?

Dark Awakening was one of the books that I was very looking forward to read but when I expected greatness, it fell a little flat for me. Tynan, the hero of the book is an interesting character but his presence didn’t make me swoon, smile, or laugh. He was just okay. The heroine, on the other hand, annoyed me. I didn’t like the sudden change from Ty’s perspective to hers. I didn’t think anything from her POV was memorable and this irked me from the moment she spoke on the page. I worried a little bit and when there was another switch to Tynan’s perspective, I relax a little, only to wince once again when Lily spoke once more.

The worldbuilding is great, there are lots of terms and there is no doubt that Ms. Castle put a lot of effort into building a unique world, but I just couldn’t find myself grasping the concepts and terms like other books. I found myself repeatedly returning to the glossary to recall certain terms and when you’re terms don’t stick, then I find the reading experience to be more reading a dictionary than a story.

* ARC provided by Netgalley

 

 

Purchase links: Amazon