Tuesday, May 14, 2013

ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ THE AWAKENING: AIDAN BY ABBY NILES



Title: The Awakening: Aidan 
Author: Abby Niles
Release Date: April 21, 2013

ARC provided by NetGalley



Is the gift of eternal love a blessing or a curse? 

After years of counseling grieving shifters, psychiatrist and half-shifter, Dr. Jaylin Avgar has become jaded on shifter mating. She wants to marry a human and forget about the love for eternity crap. Then she meets Aidan O’Connell, an infuriatingly laid back shifter who represents everything she doesn’t want. Yet, the more he pursues her, the more she craves a future with him. Only one thing stands in her way: death. Can she overcome her fear of losing Aidan to the one guarantee in life? 

Millionaire consultant, Aidan O’Connell knows he’ll one day meet a woman who’ll awaken an unrelenting mating instinct. Unfortunately, that woman is Jaylin, who has no qualms about telling him that he and his so-called eternity can shove it. When she pushes him away, he takes a drastic step so she can no longer escape. The close proximity throws the instinct into overdrive. Can he control the need ingrained in him until he’s certain she will reciprocate the bond, or will a moment of weakness doom him to hell on earth?





Book Review

Jaylin Avgar is a half-shifter and a psychologist, who, until recently counseled grieving shifters. But the torment that they suffer when their mate either dies or deserts them has left its toll on her. And she refuses to let its claws sink into her own heart. She is through with alpha shifters. 

Aidan O'Connell knows that Jaylin is his mate and he is determined to have her. But he cannot understand why Jaylin would refuse him. Why would she consider a human as a possible mate, when he would do anything for her? 

Abby Niles does a fantastic job of world building with this paranormal series. It isn't overwhelming or confusing. There are terms that when you take a second look at them, make complete sense.

Dsershon--when a mate leaves or is abandoned by his unbonded mate.

Fewshon-- a "buzzing" sensation--the overwhelming urge to bond with your mate.

Wydow--a death of a mate leaving the living one waiting to be reunited after death.

Bahrraj-- (yeah, that one is a little bit more difficult, lol)- an episode that is like a trance, where the shifter is "stuck" inside his own head, connected to his mate. Very difficult to return from. 

Aidan's buddy Liam is suffering from dsershon after he has bonded with his mate. She was unable to accept the fact that he was a shifter. She was human. He is experiencing a bahrraj episode and no matter what he does, Aidan cannot reach him. He calls for Dr. Avgar for help. 

Jaylin is sympathetic to Liam's peril but she tries to keep her distance from Aidan. Even though there is a very obvious attraction, she refuses to leave herself vulnerable or Aidan vulnerable to the fewshon. She knows the horrific psychological damage that dsershon brings upon a shifter. 

But Aidan wants her and he uses everything in his power to make it happen. Even a bit of trickery. 

What follows is Aidan basically trying to woo Jaylin. Court her. Make her see how wonderful things could be between them. Fate has chosen them as mates for a reason. 

Jaylin cannot help but fall a little for Aidan. He is charming, loyal, protective, and they do seem to fit like pieces of a puzzle. But she tries to keep him from falling susceptible to the fewshon--something that could make Aidan lose control and bond with her. 

But when a storm engulfs the island, fatally injuring Jaylin, Aidan's attempt to save her puts him at risk to lose everything. Even the connection to the animal inside him. 

Although the tug-of-war between Aidan and Jaylin was a bit vexing at times, I could understand why Jaylin kept rejecting his endeavors. The Awakening put a unique twist on the whole mating ritual in shifter romances and I look forward to reading more. 

Hopefully, poor Liam will find his HEA in a possible upcoming book? Inquiring minds want to know, Abby Niles. 

4 comments:

  1. :) Thanks for the review!! Yes, Liam's book is next. Not sure about a release date yet, but it's coming.

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    1. Abby~ You are so welcome-I enjoyed reading about your shifters :) Can't wait for Liam's book. And thank YOU for stopping by my blog. It gave me goosebumps.

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  2. Added to my to-read list, thanks for the review !

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    1. Red--You are so welcome. Thanks for stopping by~

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