Awakened drops you right into the middle of the action. The story starts right out with a bang, is what I mean. It was a little confusing at first, but then again that just helped me connect with the main character, Jade, that much better. She was just as confused as I was. She didn't know what was going on and it must have been so scary for her to be attacked and then transported to a strange new land. After the initial shock, the world that Kriston Johnson created started to be described and the players all started to fall into place. It was then that I got more into the book. I was able to get to know the characters and kind of fall into a a nice reading pace. Awakened is an exciting book and it turned out to be a series that I am interested in checking out further.

Jade is a tough gal. I knew I was going to like her when she was being escorted through Elyndia for the first time with her apprentice (not paladin) guard who she wasn't sure if she could trust, and she had just met up with her ::coughsurprisecough:: magical friend from back home and she started making demands and calling the shots. Hello bad a**!! She is gutsy and I really enjoyed that about her. I also kind of liked that I felt like the romance was secondary to the action in the plot.

The fantasy world is very rich and detailed. I thought it was a little too much going on too early in the story and that led to some confusing and feeling a little overwhelmed with the story and plot but you soon get the hang of everything and it was a pretty interesting concept. I loved the idea of all of the magical creatures coexisting in this world, and the fact that there are so few elementals left was interesting. Which is why bad guy Draven is after Jade. At first you aren't really sure why, but you do know that she is important. Very important. I'm hoping some more answers are forthcoming in the next book, but I am intrigued enough to want to continue on. Kriston Johnson's writing is clear and easy to read and I really enjoyed Jade. Fans of fantasy and magic should check out the Awakened.