Awakening Review

Awakening (The Dark Rituals #1)
by Catrina Burgess
Publish Date: Full Fathom Five Digital
Publish Date: October 7, 2015
Status: DNF

        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?

        This book was a roller-coaster. It wasn't because of the story, but details and elements inside the story made me conflicted. I enjoyed the magic, death-dealers specifically, I thought it was really cool and it piqued my interest. Then, someone said, "Delicious." To accompany that terrible word, insta-love. At first I thought it was an attraction with a little flirting, but Colina's brain later became consumed with Luke. I get that bad boy, leather is hot and all, but you barely know him. He's also her mentor, so it's really Four from Divergent.

         I didn't get strong inner dialogue. However, I did read a weak, broken girl. Colina needs to put on some figurative pants. I get that she went through a horrific, tragic accident that damages you emotionally, but Colina doesn't have to whine about it ALL the time. Colina wasn't a badass heroine/protagonist. She lacked courage and common sense. She was foolish and naive. I really didn't bother to see her transformation/start the "rituals".

        The writing wasn't eye-catching. There wasn't anything about it that made it stand out. It was very plain and direct: there's nothing wrong with being direct, but it lacked bite, sass, or any element that would have made it more enjoyable. There wasn't important or intriguing world building. The whole book focused on Colina's history, whining, feelings, etc. and that's pretty much it. The whole magic aspect was full of holes and gaps.