Heather’s Bookshelf: The Past Awakens
Author: Ali Kaden
Released: 08/22/22
Genre: Adult Horror/Thriller
“Adrian’s own encounters with the dead that followed mirrored his experience with Nadia. While every soul’s pain is unique, its story different, all of them lay buried under layers of torment. Using his gift as his mother had done, he lifted those sediments to free them from bondage. In doing so, the hauntings stopped, the living were comforted, and the dead could finally rest.”
“The Past Awakens: Baneford Book 1” introduces Evelyn, a real estate agent living in Baneford, a small New England town. The town’s history can be traced back as an early colonial settlement three hundred years ago, but that’s not all the past holds.
Evelyn’s proud of the work she’s done, starting and growing a real estate business employing several successful agents. She’s called to a listing where she hosts an open house. The event goes well until a neighbor inquires about the sudden vacancy and then there’s the feeling in the basement…
A disturbing event at Evelyn’s place and then an encounter at a second residence is enough to convince her that something’s very wrong in these houses. Seeking help, she confides in her bestie, Casey, and takes the help offered from Adrian, a Vrăjitor who came to town after seeing Evelyn in his dreams.
Researching Baneford’s history, Adrian and Evelyn find a connection to something more terrible than they could have imagined. Will they be able to discover the past to save the present or will they succumb to a malevolent spirit determined to continue his reign of terror.
Trigger Warning: violence, reference to car accident, murder (including child death), horror/haunting references, sexual situations, animal death, reference to suicide, rape
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The main protagonist of Evelyn is endearing with clear motivations, emotions, and fears. Her friendship with Casey is intertwined in the story in a natural and sweet way that also adds much to both of their characters. Casey’s optimism also adds a bit of levity to the beginning of the book and the Christmas scene was a well-written love letter to the importance of family. Adrian’s history is also quite clear with interesting memories peppering his background with his mother. However, I couldn’t quite get ahold of his true emotions or feelings in relation to Evelyn- obligation, convenience, adoration, infatuation? His dialogue is kind of flat and hard to get a connection to. My main trouble with the story though, was the ending. It felt a little too rushed and abrupt for me. However, I know this is book 1 of 3 and the ending may be just a setup for the sequels. The book is listed as a thriller but felt more in the horror genre for me- especially with some of the content and references to Hendrick’s past and offenses. There are several scenes when I wondered if I should be reading this book before bed, but the plot had me hooked and I couldn’t help but to keep reading. I especially enjoyed the historical/mystery aspects to the book and leaning about what had happened in Baneford’s past. An intriguing start to this series, with some seriously spooky parts.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
First in a trilogy, this tale highlights an endearing protagonist and the history of her town while not shying away from some seriously spooky horror.
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