The Awoken by Katelyn Monroe Howes
Book Review
✨BOOK FEATURE✨
Genre: Dystopian Fiction / Sci-Fi
Length: 416 pages
Publisher: Dutton Books
Publication Date: August 9, 2022
I’m a sucker for a sci-fi adventure story (especially ones that star a strong female protagonist), so it’s perhaps no surprise I loved this book. 🤩
This epic novel takes place in a dystopian future world where cryogenics have made it possible to preserve and revive the dead. When one woman is awoken from her cryogenic state a century after her death, she finds herself in an unrecognizable world… one where her very existence is illegal. With humanity’s newfound ability to “play God,” a war between conflicting ideologies inevitably ensues.
The opening line of the book is perhaps one of the best I’ve come across in recent years… “I was twenty three years old when I died.” How could you not continue reading after that!?
Fans of the later Hunger Games books (or movies) are sure to enjoy this one, as the leading character gives off major Katniss vibes once she finds her voice, steps into her power and becomes the face of a movement that seeks peace and justice for all humankind.
I originally rated the book four stars, but upgraded my rating a week later, as I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the story and connecting all the dots to real-life prejudices and injustice.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Upon finishing the book, I learned that the author found inspiration for The Awoken, her debut novel, from her own near-death experience at age 17. I highly recommend checking out the full essay she wrote about her experience with death, existentialism and trauma. I'm always fascinated to learn how authors find inspiration for their fictional stories and this is certainly a unique one!
Also, exciting news... Keshet Studios has acquired the rights for The Awoken and has plan to adapt it into a TV show! I have no doubt this action-packed story will make for an epic viewing experience.
The Awoken if currently on sale everywhere books are sold. It's also available on audio for those who prefer listening to books. Click HERE to purchase the book on Amazon (disclosure: Bookmarkparty receives a small commission from purchases made through affiliate links).
Thank you to Dutton Books for the advanced gifted copy and congrats to Katelyn Monroe Howes on a spectacular debut novel! 👏🏼
So now I want to know... If you were diagnosed with an incurable disease and had the option to cryogenically freeze your body until a cure was discovered, would you do it???
P.S. If you're a huge fan of sci-fi books / dystopian fiction (like me!), I highly recommend you check out the Sci-Fi/Dystopia Fan Mug on my shop, which features my hand-drawn art of popular sci-fi and dystopian fiction book spines. While I love all the bookmarkparty literary mugs, this one is my favorite.
P.S.S. If you're a fan of sci-fi books, other novels I highly recommend include: Dark Matter and Recursion by Blake Crouch, The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson, The World Gives Way by Marissa Levien, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir and Ready Player One by Earnest Cline.
