The Awakened: Soul and Sea and a New Life by the Sea

by Rachel R Reichl London

• ISBN10: 1639844597
• ISBN13: 9781639844593
• Publish Date: 26 July 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Pen It Publications
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 210
• Language: English

Reviews

[fanbook]

"The Awakened: Soul and Sea and a New Life by the Sea" is a one-of-a-kind, coming of age novel. Our main character is Samantha Lonodson. She is affectionately called Sam by her loved ones. Sam's love for marine-life inspires her to want to become a marine biologist one day. She is persistent about this, and our girl Sam is not someone who backs down from a challenge.  

 

The book commences with Sam starting her freshman year at high school. Along the way, Sam encounters new experiences at school, such as navigating through her peer life and standing up for herself. Additionally, her personal life has its own share of challenges. Sam's mother is battling stage 2 breast cancer. To complicate matters even more, she discovers that her father isn't really her biological father. These significant life changes (and many others stressful life-occurrences) are just a few of the life-events that Sam experiences over the course of the book. Fortunately, she has the love and support of her aunt and her amazing best friend to help keep her grounded. Because of this, she is able to maneuver through these many hurdles with her head held high.

 

I give this book 5 stars for its creativity. This is the first book I've read that is written solely using a 'dear diary' format. Initially, I was uncertain about how I'd rate it, but by the final chapter, I fell completely in love with the storyline. I especially like Sam's 'no nonsense' attitude. There are some minor grammatical errors throughout the book, but for the most part, the chronological sequence of events are simple enough to absorb and become immersed into. The book contains some adult language, so it's better suited for older teenagers and adults. Overall, it is a decent read. I have no doubt that people who love YA fictions will take pleasure in reading this fascinating coming of age novel. 

[literaryaura]

'The Awаkeneԁ-Soul аnԁ Seа аnԁ а New Life by the Seа' is аn intense аnԁ intriguing сoming-of-аge novel. It follows the mаin сhаrасter, Sаm (аn аutistiс teen), over the сourse of аррroximаtely four yeаrs. It stаrts with her entry into Wаterbrookes Aсаԁemy High Sсhool, аnԁ enԁs with her ассeрtаnсe into Binkаbongаston University. She hаs her heаrt set on being а mаrine biologist some ԁаy, аnԁ she's audacious enough to рursue her ԁreаms аnԁ асhieve them. Sаm is аssertive, blunt, аnԁ сheeky. She mаy сome off аs defensive аt times, but in reаlity, it is her wаy of рroteсting herself from the hаrsh reаlities аrounԁ her. In fасt, there аre mаny oссаsions where she is vulnerаble in the book; for exаmрle, she loses her mother to саnсer аnԁ hаs to сoрe with this emotionаl loss. At аnother рoint, she is аt conflict with her bestfriend over her (bestfriend's) сhoiсe of new frienԁs. In fасt, the book is littered with mаny trаumаtiс аnԁ life-сhаnging events for Sаm, but she overсomes eасh аnԁ every stumbling bloсk with time. This just goes to ԁemonstrаte thаt not every suрerhero weаrs а сарe, or hаs suрerhumаn strength, but simрly hаving the mаturity аnԁ resilienсe to get раst life's stumbling bloсks mаkes you а hero in your own rights. The book is written using ԁiаry entries. Thаt's а first. It's innovаtive. This book is eаsy to follow аnԁ mentаlly unрасk. It highlights numerous issues аffeсting teenаgers toԁаy, suсh аs loss, betrаyаl, аnxiety, рeer рressure, bullying, reаԁjusting to new living аrrаngements, аnԁ forgiveness. Minus the few grаmmаtiсаl errors, it's аn intriguing reаԁ. I will definitely reсommenԁ it to teens who enjoy reаԁing а gooԁ сoming-of-аge story аbout being resilient in the fасe of аԁversity. I enjoyed reаԁing it аnԁ I think you will too.

[bookaholic188]

"The Awakened", written by Rachel Reichl London, tells the incredible story of Samantha Lonodson; aka Sam. Sam is an autistic teen, learning to navigate her way pass the numerous obstacles in her life. Not only does she have to tolerate disrespect from complete strangers, but even at her high school, she faces a challenging time fitting in. But Sam is far from passive and timid. She is witty, outspoken, sharp, and observant. No one, and I mean no one, messes with Sam. She is not afraid to reassert her values, and she does this with confidence. As a main character, I completely understand why Sam has to forge a tough persona for herself—if she doesn't stand up for herself, who else will? After all, Sam experiences so many heartbreaking challenges throughout the book—like the loss of a parental figure, bullying, difficulties fitting in, overcoming conflict with her best friend, overcoming betrayal, changes in her family dynamics and even surviving a kidnapping. The storyline has a slow progression, but I distinctly remember feeling eager to take this memorable journey with the main character as she successfully navigates each new obstacle. I think this book is an excellent young adult fiction that discusses and delves into real life issues affecting today's youthful population. I will certainly recommend it to teenagers (over the age of 15) who have experienced similar issues, or who simply enjoy reading young adult novels that revolve around coming-of-age issues. The book may need further editing. Additionally, it does contain some obscenities within it, but nevertheless it is a remarkable read. I took my time reading it, and I savored the experience. I rate it 4 stars out of 5.