MH Thaung reviewed Awakenings by Claudie Arseneault (The Chronicles of Nerezia, #1)
Engaging introductory novella
I haven’t previously read anything by this author and picked up Awakenings as part of a cosy fantasy Storybundle. It’s an introductory novella in what I see is planned as a 9-part series.
We experience the story through the perspective of Horace, who is good-hearted and trying to find eir place in the world (both metaphorically and physically/socially). Although Horace has moments of uncertainty and send-guessing emselves, I liked that e didn’t wallow in continuous angst. E did feel a bit passive in terms of decision making, being more “moved” to act by gut feeling, instinct or someone/something else rather than explicit thought. That can make me feel that the plot rather than character is making the decisions, so to say.
I liked the found family elements and the generally cosy feel. There were also curious dangers to encounter. The language was on the ornate side for my tastes which …
I haven’t previously read anything by this author and picked up Awakenings as part of a cosy fantasy Storybundle. It’s an introductory novella in what I see is planned as a 9-part series.
We experience the story through the perspective of Horace, who is good-hearted and trying to find eir place in the world (both metaphorically and physically/socially). Although Horace has moments of uncertainty and send-guessing emselves, I liked that e didn’t wallow in continuous angst. E did feel a bit passive in terms of decision making, being more “moved” to act by gut feeling, instinct or someone/something else rather than explicit thought. That can make me feel that the plot rather than character is making the decisions, so to say.
I liked the found family elements and the generally cosy feel. There were also curious dangers to encounter. The language was on the ornate side for my tastes which I felt slowed things down (but see most of my previous reviews for similar thoughts…) Various worldbuilding elements were introduced, which I expect will feature more in the sequels. I wouldn’t have minded a bit more indication what was going on in terms of the wider world. If there were clues presented, but Horace didn’t pick up on them, they were also too subtle for me to see.
Overall, an engaging introduction to a new fantasy series.