I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, just the opportunity to read a new book before most people.
“Awaken: Melody’s Song” by Tanya Schofield is an entertaining story. While not what I would consider a strong book, needing more character development and another read through by proof-readers, it demonstrated some creativity and was an easy, enjoyable read.
The book started off a little slow, (but in all fairness, I tend to be impatient when it comes to books). However, when the links between the different characters’ lives became clear, I found myself enjoying my time with the three main characters – Melody, Jovan, and Kaeliph – and looking forward to continuing reading the story.
In short: if you are looking for a story that is entertaining, but not one that prevents you from stopping when the responsibilities of reality beckon, this would be a book to read.
While I found the book lacking in character development, I do believe Ms. Schofield demonstrates potential as a writer, and with a little bit more character development, could have a “solid” series.
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In terms of content, I would give this book a PG-15 rating. There are three sexual encounters, in two of which a woman is raped, and while these instances are not explicit or graphic, they are enough to make some more sensitive readers uncomfortable. If it weren’t for those three instances, I would have said the book could be rated PG-13 because, other than those three instances, the book is relatively clean as far as the young adult genre goes, with just a few innuendoes and “damns” dispersed here and there.
NOTE: I usually do a “sensitive reader alert” for books with sex content, but because those three instances were all within the same chapter/scene and did not permeate the entire story, you can easily skip over it and enjoy the rest of the story. For that reason, I do not feel that “Awaken: Melody’s Song” warrants a sensitive reader alert.
Reading4Fun 