The Awakening by Nora Roberts: Book Review

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The Awakening is the first book in The Dragon Heart Legacy, a fantasy romance trilogy by Nora Roberts.

If you’re a “Nora” fan, you’ll know that she has written many different series, and a lot of them are groups of three books, or trilogies, like this one.

I’ve read every Nora Roberts book in existence, except the Chronicles of the One trilogy, which just wasn’t my cup of tea. When I first saw The Awakening, I was afraid that, for me, it would end up with the same fate as “Chronicles”. You can find a complete list of all her books in my Nora Roberts Books In Order guide.

But I must admit, I prejudged The Awakening before reading it. And oh, how wrong I was! Here’s what I thought of the book – and why I ended up reading it twice.

My Take: I went into The Awakening wondering whether its heavier fantasy elements would be too much for me, since fantasy normally isn’t my genre. Instead, I loved the Irish setting, Breen and Marco, and the magical world Nora Roberts created around them. In fact, I enjoyed it enough to read it twice – and liked it just as much the second time. My verdict: REREAD. If you enjoy Nora Roberts but aren’t sure about dragons, faeries, portals, and other fantasy elements, don’t make the same mistake I almost did by dismissing this one too quickly.

The Awakening by Nora Roberts

So, another series by Nora Roberts!

The Awakening is the first book in the three-book Dragon Heart Legacy trilogy, followed by The Becoming and The Choice.

Honestly, I almost overlooked this particular series.

What It’s About

Breen Kelly is struggling with student debt and a career she never wanted when she discovers something astonishing: her mother has been hiding an investment account in Breen’s name worth millions of dollars.

The discovery gives Breen the freedom to travel to Ireland, where questions about her father and the stories he told her as a child begin taking on an entirely new meaning. Before long, Breen discovers a portal to Talamh – a magical world filled with faeries, dragons, and secrets about her own identity and destiny.

What begins as an escape from Breen’s ordinary life becomes something much larger as she discovers that the magical stories she grew up hearing may not have been stories at all.

The Awakening – What I Liked

Well, the first thing I liked about this book was the Irish setting.

I know, a lot of books are set in Ireland, and some may find that boring after a while. But I must admit, I have a secret love affair with Ireland, and reading a book set there just somehow transports me right across the Atlantic, where I can imagine I live.

The main character, Breen Kelly, was instantly likable. Another favorite character for me was Breen’s best friend Marco and their little “family” of coworkers and friends. No more on that right now. You need to read The Awakening to meet Breen, Marco, and the gang.

The Awakening – What I Didn’t Like

There wasn’t really anything in the book that I didn’t like.

I almost overlooked this series because it seemed too “fantasy” for me. Normally, I’m not a fantasy reader. So, when I realized that there were going to be some fantasy elements in this book (faeries, dragons), well, I didn’t like that.

But I’m sorry to say that I misjudged the book before I even started reading it simply because of the fantasy elements.

I ended up loving everything in this book.

The Awakening – Read, ReRead, or Reconsider?

And now for my 3 Rs of book reviews. Read, ReRead, or Reconsider?

What is my honest opinion of The Awakening?

Well, since I just finished this book for the second time, apparently my opinion is that this is a ReRead!

I originally reread The Awakening before starting The Becoming, because I wanted to refresh my memory of the first book before continuing the trilogy. I loved The Awakening just as much the second time I read it as I did the first.

I’ve reviewed the second and third books in The Dragon Heart Legacy series already, so you can check out my thoughts about The Becoming and The Choice whenever you’re ready!

Frequently Asked Questions About The Awakening by Nora Roberts

Is The Awakening Worth Reading?

The Awakening surprised me in the best possible way. I nearly skipped it because I wasn’t sure I wanted another fantasy-heavy Nora Roberts series, but Breen’s story, the Irish setting, and the world of Talamh completely won me over.

The fact that I enjoyed it just as much on my second read probably says everything you need to know about my recommendation. If you’re a Nora Roberts reader who has been hesitant about The Dragon Heart Legacy because of the fantasy elements, I’d give The Awakening a chance.

What to Read Next

• The Becoming by Nora Roberts – continue Breen’s story with the second Dragon Heart Legacy book.
• The Choice by Nora Roberts – my review of the trilogy’s final book.

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