Nerdy Book Box is a book box subscription service that supports Indie authors. In the December box, I received a copy of Awakening Shadows, Book 1 of the Navarre Chronicles by Sydney Hawthorn. Awakening Shadows is a dark(ish) fantasy that captures the reader and makes one forget they are reading entirely.
The chapters shift between two main storylines:
- Princess Joseline, on her eighteenth birthday, is attacked by followers of Aeron, the demon king. Yet the princess is rescued by members of The Order of Kynire sworn to protect her. Thrust into a world she thought merely childish fairytales, Joseline must learn to fight as well as control the power of the Goddess within her so she might save herself and her people from Aeron and his Shadow Beasts. Will Joseline be able to fulfill the prophecy of the promised princess?
- Evalyn, a fae, has been enslaved mining obsidian for eighteen years. The dreaded pirate lord, Dax, who sealed her fate by bringing her to the island is her enemy – she dreams of revenge. However, Dax tells her he wants to protect her. Will Evalyn be able to withstand Dax’s charm, and does she want to? Will she escape and get her revenge?
Woven within these storylines are:
- Strong female characters
- An enemies to lovers trope
- Excellent world building
- A budding romance
- Action and combat
- White Aonani foxes
- Secret identities
- Magic
The first chapter was a bit slow for me, but after that, I devoured the book and I really am excited for the next book in the series. Hawthorn has created a beautiful fantasy world, and, as a reader, I am so grateful to have discovered it. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
“I will not let the darkness consume me.”
To get your own copy of Awakening Shadows, click here.
To get awesome indie books like Awakening Shadows, be sure to check out nerdybookbox.com – for the time being, you can use my code UNICORN10 to save on your order!
*Awakening Shadows does contain some language and suggestive situations. Though it is a YA dark fantasy, it may not be suitable for all young adults.