Name: Antebellum Awakening
Rating: 4.50 (2 reviews)

This book was tough. Everything sort of imploded and it was very stressful for me, but I did get some answers. This book was as compelling as the first installment of the series. And what's not to love? The characters are likable, lovable, interesting and multifaceted. In this book, poor Bianca has a lot to deal with. She is struggling with the loss of her mother and grandmother, as well as her childhood home. She has to adjust to living with her Papa in the castle, taming her magic and she still has that inheritance curse to worry about. Any one of these things would cause a normal teenager to crack, but Bianca, being of strong mind and will, constantly pushes through, knowing she is a small part of a bigger picture. We continue to see her friendships with Leda, Camille, Michelle and the High Priestess grow AND we get some new friendships. We are introduced to Merrick (possible love interest?) In fact, we get a little bit of romance for some of the other characters in this book. No, it did not become a romance, but I'm sorry, I can not pass on a little swooning. As always, Cross' writing is excellent, the story is compelling and she did not lose me at any point. I am awaiting the 3rd book with bated breath.

Our protagonist sixteen year old Bianca Monroe is a cursed, powerful and inexperienced witch. She is mourning the loss of her mother and trying to come to terms with the twisted predicament she finds herself in. Bianca and her father, along with her closest classmates are tucked within the safety of Chatham Castle, nestled on the edge of Letum Wood. Bianca’s grief has her magic building, and when frightened or angered she is unable to contain it. With only six months left before the curse will engage she has no time to think of romance or balls.

In Antebellum Awakening, we see Bianca grow as a character. First she must learn to control and hone her powers if she has any hope of confronting and destroying her enemy. She is a strong character, and these tasks are not easy, but she is smart, determined, and inquisitive. One of the things I admire most about her is her unselfish attitude, most sixteen year olds would be caught up in the curse, but Bianca’s first thought are protecting those around her. Bianca is far from perfect, and there are moments when she truly is just a sixteen-year-old girl who misses her mother. I liked how realistic she is portrayed.

The High Priestess has a young Guardian train her in sword fighting in an effort to burn off her excess magic and prepare her for battle. I enjoyed the time these too spent together, and while Bianca took notice of how handsome he was, she was far too concerned with her quest. It is nice to have a young adult series free of insta-love, triangles and angst but I am secretly hoping that their relationship continues to flourish in book three. Her friends are well developed. I can close my eyes and see them spring to life. Camille is more concerned with a certain young guardian and loathes her schoolwork. Leda is always in the library studying and you just know there is much more to this young woman. Our villain Miss Mabel is deliciously evil. She is the type you love to hate.

The tale unfolds slowly in Antebellum Awakening, and picks up speed in the final quarter of the novel as the danger escalates and Bianca approaches her seventeenth birthday. Time travel, spells, clues, and allies kept me engrossed. I loved the dragon aspect and other side threads. If I had, my way those threads would have been furthered developed. The ending was satisfying and left me eager for the next installment.

Copy provided by author.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Antebellum Awakening (Network, #2)

by Katie Cross

Antebellum Awakening (Network, #2)

by Katie Cross

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