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loverofromance 's review for:

Pure Awakening by Aja James
4.25
adventurous challenging tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
Pure Awakening is a novella in the "Pure/Dark Ones" series. And yeah I skipped over these books haha and I was instructed I was in error and that I MUST read these books. Now I haven't had a issue with Sophia like I know other readers of this series have, I mean her prologue in Pure Healing still CRACKS ME UP!! But I also was content waiting for her to grow up and mature into herself throughout the series. So the novella's are part of her story and hopefully we see her get a HEA. Pure Awakening is where we get to see the background of Sophia, some flashbacks, and seeing the first tensions between Sophia and the one she loves..Dalair but also get some elements dealing with the "creature".

My Outlook
I will be honest in that even though I don't have any particular issue with Sophia, I also haven't a invested interest in her either but after reading this one, I do want to see more of her and Dalair's book and seeing them find their path together. There is actually quite a bit that happens in this short one but fair warning there isn't a HEA in this one. Hopefully we get it at the end of their story which I believe is in Pure Providence but I could be wrong haha This is really the first half of their story and we see the beginnings of it. It was really fascinating see this develop as it did. I found myself so intrigued in them as a pair because you know that there is so much to their story. I also found the setup of them being kidnapped by the "creature" to be interesting especially in what happens to Dalair. It can really be heartbreaking to see what he was before and then how he is changed and the way in which Sophia deals with that change. Its definitely a story that will keep you on edge all the way through and even if you had previous issues with the characters, this novella will really make them come alive for the reader and have you itching for more. Aja James really worked her magic on this one because I don't know how long I can wait to read the finale. :) Typical behavior from this author though, what does one do? (LOL)

Overall View
I found Pure Awakening to be a tantalizing read that kept me on the edge, in my feels and wanting so much more for this pairing!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building: 5
Cover: 3
Hero: 5
Heroine: 4
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels:4
Ending: 3
Overall View: 4.25