Awakening by Catrina Burgess

Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Goodreads

Published by: Full Fathom Five Digital

Review by: Dani Hoots

Seventeen-year-old Colina was born a healer. But after a horrific event forces her to leave her clan, she becomes desperate to learn the dark magic of the death dealers, mages who draw their power from the spirits of the dead. Colina was taught to fear and hate death dealers, but becoming one of them is the only way for her to get the revenge she seeks—and the only way for her to survive.

Colina asks a young death dealer named Luke to help her, but he’s reluctant to train her in the Death Arts. Little does she know convincing him to teach her will be the easiest part of her journey. To become a death dealer, Colina will need to undergo three dark rituals, each more terrifying than the last. At the same time, she’ll have to deal with her growing feelings for her mentor. Too bad the first ritual involves him strangling her to death.

As Colina undergoes the trials, she discovers an untapped darkness within herself. If she survives the horrific rituals and gains dark power, what will she become?

*Description taken from Amazon*

*Copy received from Netgalley*

Colina was a healer, that is until her family was murdered. Now she wants revenge and the only way to do that is by becoming a death dealer. However her clan will not like her decision, as death dealers are frowned upon throughout all society. It is definitely a tough choice for our heroine.

This story was like a rollercoaster. I couldn’t put it down and it is definitely one of my favorite books involving witches and witchcraft. Having a healer have to change her lifestyle completely was quite an interesting character development story and I can’t wait to read more!

I really liked the character Luke and felt that he really added to the story. I wanted to know more about his past and his character, and can’t wait to see what’s in store for him in the next book. The only problem I had about him is that he wouldn’t listen to the reason Colina wanted to become a death dealer, but when his sister is kidnapped he has no problem with it. It’s a little bit rude and it makes me feel like he is very selfish.

All in all, I really loved this book and can’t wait to read the rest in the series. I give it a 4.5/5 as Luke’s character could have been developed a little more so he didn’t have double standards. I recommend it to anyone who likes stories with a little bit of magic.