Dawn of Wonder

The Wakening, Book 1

By: Jonathan Renshaw

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

When a high-ranking officer gallops into the quiet Mistyvales, he brings a warning that shakes the countryfolk to their roots. But to Aedan, a scruffy young adventurer with veins full of fire and a head full of ideas, this officer is not what he seems.

The events that follow propel Aedan on a journey that only the foolhardy or desperate would risk, eventually leading him to the gates of the nation’s royal academy – a whole world of secrets in itself.

But this is only the beginning of his discoveries. Something is stirring in the land, something more ominous than the rising threat of hostile nations. Fearful travellers whisper of an ancient power breathing over Thirna, changing it, waking it. In the very heart of these stirrings, Aedan encounters that which defies belief, leaving him speechless with terror – and wonder.

©2015 Jonathan Renshaw (P)2016 Jonathan Renshaw

The most heart felt touching and amazing adventure

this story just hits all the notes I won't go into many details as I don't like spoilers but this book is so immersive you just can't help but fall into the characters they are so we'll developed and unique this is a real 6/5 the narrator thrusts you into the world ,and you can't leave until the book is done !

Enjoyable if not cliche

When I first saw this book, I read a review that said this book was incredibly stereotypical of fantasy novels. It literally hits every fantasy cliche you can imagine:

1) Child Prodigy - Check
2) Horrific Childhood experience - Check
3) Training with secretive/selective unit - check
4) Nobel Rich Dick vs commoner kind Main Character - Check
5) A little Magic - Check
6) Old and powerful Mentor - check (although he went against the norm and didn't die!)
6a) Old Mentor takes place of father figure - check
6b) Father comes back and renews tension between father and son - Check
6c) father son battle - Check
7) Dragons - kind of check
8) magical creatures - Check
9) Prophecy - little check
10) Kings, Betrayal, Friendship, near death, death death, bullies and revenge/justice - all checks

If you can think of another cliche, this book probably had it. I was looking for red vs blue swords by the end!

But it's very enjoyable and Renshaw even introduces some serious mental issues with the main character. He also creates a fairly decent introduction to a second book which I will bother with.

Go a head and take a chance. It's fun and emotional at the same time.

Lives Up To The Hype

Everywhere I went, I kept hearing about this book. Decided to stop procrastinating and gird my loins for a 30 hour book. The adventure was as entertaining as everyone promised. My only complaint is that the Publisher’s Summary is uninspiring and almost persuaded me to pass on this book.

All I could do at the end was scream...NO not now!

Hopefully the next book will be out soon..
Makes me want to reconsider giving any other books a 5 star rating. This is one of the best.

amazing first in a series!

I really enjoyed this book. it is a great mix of everything fantasy in my book. can't wait for the next one!