Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1) by Ednah Walters

Have you ever seen a Praying Mantis? They are amazing, undeniably strong and beautiful insects. I love watching them, though in this area they are pretty elusive, your lucky to catch site of one once or twice a year...but part of me thinks that's what makes them so special.

Lil the main character in Awakened reminded me of a female Praying Mantis, not because she eats the heads off the boy she copulates with, but because much like the Praying Mantis, Lil is strong, determined and extremely beautiful. But one of the most defining thing's about Lil, is that she's ultimately human, with the feelings that go along with that.

My Synopsis:
Lil has spent her whole life moving from one place to another, a gypsy, the only family she's had has been her grandfather. Life is not perfect, she's lonely and wishes only to be seen as “normal” and not “nomad.” But it's a comfortable life, a life she might have taken a little to much for granted.

Days after her 16th birthday, when Lil starts hearing a voice she's sure ghosts have found her, wanting nothing to do that with part of her gypsy heritage, Lil tries to ignore the voice...but when there's someone inside your head, who will not leave, denying they are there is a daunting task...and when Bran walks from out of the shadows and into her world, she's positive he's much more than a ghost.

With a message for her grandfather that Lil does not understand, and accusations that her whole life might be a lie – Lil struggles with who to believe, and when a devastatingly storm hits the tiny little valley she lives in, seemingly brought on my her...Lil is determined to find out the truth!

But with secrets on-top of secrets, Lil feels her already abnormal life implode even more, she begins to deny who she is, what she is meant for, questioning all that surrounds her; if grampa is not even truthful and trustworthy, how could she ever find “normal?”

That as the world starts to unfold, secrets come tumbling out, and Lil begins to find friendships she never knew she could form...she begins to accept her life, as a Guardian, sent to earth to protect humans from the demons that dwell.

In addition to the human friends she has, and the team of Guardian's she trains with, Bran also becomes someone Lil comes to trust, especially once they realize that there's something inside of Bran that brings out the best in Lil. But when Lil realizes that Bran maybe holding a dark secret, and things start to change, she's thrown back into darkness, with even more deceit, she beings to wonder whom to trust when, at every turn there's only more lies.

Can Lil come to trust? Can she find a balance between love and sacrifice before it's to late for them all or will the secrets the demons are hiding be to much for ALL of them to handle?

Now...most of you know I am a romance junky, I will admit it freely – yes I love paranormal or urban fantasy but when there's a little romance brewing, I like it all the better and Awakened had a romance that captured my heart! Bran is a special kind of hero, he's the hero of Lil's heart. Yes, of course dark secrets lurk deep within him however he's passionate, loving, with an air of darkness that seeps into the deepest depths. He captured my heart, left me panting and giddy, he's my kind of super hero!

Then there's Lil, often you find while reading a main character finds out she's “special” for one reason or another; when that happens one of 2 things occurs; one the character accepts it blindly or two the character rejects it, questions, demands answers...Lil is defiantly the ladder of these two things. She's a strong lead, with a beautiful sense of self, even when she's at her worst, deep down she always, ALWAYS knows who she is! She's brilliantly created, right down to her gypsy dresses and crazy braids!

The plot of Awakened is unlike anything I have read – with certain elements it reminded me of the TV show Charmed, but only because of the familiarity I felt with the “world” - much in the same way I felt while reading The Light of Astera, the world that Ednah Walters build felt like a “home” to me, I was quieted by the intense details and amazing interactions; captivated by the characterizations and driven by a deep understanding of what the Guardian's can do!

Bottom Line – Awakened, with it's 100% unique take on the paranormal element, characters I felt like I could understand and trust, and a simple yet ultimately beautiful take on love, is a book that will ALWAYS sit on my shelves – to be read and reread! Ednah Walters, with her crazy curve balls, to her daring details, is an author that I will be keeping my eyes out for, I can't wait for The Guardian Legacy Book 2, I only hope it comes out soon! I give Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1) 5++ mushrooms...please Ednah publish again soon!! I can't WAIT for more.

Buy, Borrow or Steal? Awakened is Indie publishing at it's very, VERY best!!!  I received Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1) and within hours was buried in the story, by 6 AM, I was closing the book, finished. It's an epic story, with all the elements of a good paranormal romance...I devoured it!

Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1)
By: Ednah Walters
272 Pages
Published: September 2, 2010
Publisher: Pill Hill Press
Received via Ednah Walters for my honest review.