Usually in the paranormal world, vampires and shapeshifters are two very separate creatures. However, in Kendra Leigh Castle’s Dark Awakening, she breaks all those barriers, creating a highly unique world where vampires are shapeshifters.
For centuries, shapeshifting vampire Tynan MacGillivray has prowled the night as an outcast, valued only for his ferocious hunting skills. When a feud among the immortals escalates into all-out war, he is ordered by his ruthless queen to locate a Seer-a human woman with a special gift-who can secure victory for their clan. Ty’s search leads him to a quiet New England town, but once he has the Seer in his grasp, her touch awakens within him a hunger like he’s never known . . .
Lily Quinn has always been different. Since childhood, she’s had vivid nightmares and an eerie sixth sense. When a sexy, silver-eyed stranger demands her help, Lily plunges into a new world of danger and sensuality. With Ty, she discovers sizzling passions she cannot deny and powers she cannot control. Soon, it is clear that Lily is much more than a Seer-she holds the key to ancient secrets and unthinkable destruction. But will a vampire’s vow of eternal protection stop these evil forces . . . or unleash her dark destiny?
There are five different linages of vampires in Castle’s new series and Dark Awakening introduces us to the Caith Sith, which have the power to transform into cats. Unfortunately the ruling class, the Ptolemy, enslaved the Cait Sith, forcing them to either hide in squalor or work as slaves. There were very few Cait Siths who were treated with any respect, one of them being Ty due to a reason that he doesn’t like to talk about.
My favorite character was Ty because he evolved the most. At first, he was stubborn and narrow minded, refusing to see that the world he was living in was not the good place he optimistically thought it was. Throughout Dark Awakening, he slowly began to see his world for what it really was. Lily on the other hand, wasn’t quite as narrow minded and easily accepted the paranormal into her life, probably due to her own psychic abilities that she still wasn’t completely in control of.
Despite it’s interesting and unique characters, the plot was a fairly typical PNR storyline and was easy to figure out what would happen next. However, the action and chemistry between Ty and Lily was enough to keep readers engaged in the story. Dark Awakening was a thrilling start to a new series, packed with action, romance and unique, shapeshifting vampires. It had the perfect balance of world building and plot.
Also reviewed by: Fiction Vixen, Romancing the Dark Side, Caught in a FAB Romance, Paranormal Haven, The Bookpushers
