The Awakened: Book One

The Awakened: Book One by Jason Tesar

THE HISTORY: Over five thousand years ago, a renegade faction of angels abandoned the spiritual realm and began their inhabitation of earth. Worshiped as gods for their wisdom and power, they corrupted the realm of the physical and forever altered the course of history.

THE PROPHECY: Amidst the chaos of a dying world, a lone voice foretold the awakening of a warrior who would bring an end to this evil perpetrated against all of creation. But with the cataclysmic destruction of earth and rebirth of humanity, the prophecy went unfulfilled and eventually faded from the memory of our kind—until now!

THE AWAKENED: The physical dimension is fractured. What remain now are numerous fragmented worlds moving simultaneously through time, sharing a common history, connected only by a guarded portal. On a parallel earth, in the city of Bastul, Colonel Adair Lorus disappears while investigating the death of an informant, triggering a series of events which will tear his family apart and set in motion the resolution of an ancient struggle. Kael, sentenced to death after rising up against the cruel leadership of his new step-father, is rescued from prison and trained in the arts of war by a mystical order of clerics. Excelling in every aspect of his training, Kael inwardly struggles to give himself fully to the methods of his new family, or the god they worship. Maeryn, bitter over the disappearance of her husband and supposed execution of her son, fears for her life at the hands of her newly appointed husband. Finding comfort and purpose in her unborn child, she determines to undermine his authority by reaching out to an underground social movement known as the Resistance. After being forced from his home, Kael’s former mentor, Saba, uncovers a clue to Adair’s disappearance. Sensing a connection to his own forgotten past, Saba begins an investigation which leads to the discovery of a secret military organization operating within the Orudan Empire.

In book one of his debut series, Jason Tesar delves into the heart of an ancient legend, embarking on an epic saga that will journey from earth’s mythological past to its post-apocalyptic future, blending the genres of fantasy, sci-fi, and military/political suspense.

Jason Tesar’s debut novel, The Awakened: Book One, is intriguing as well as compelling. As it is with natural, one seemingly insignificant event has rippling effects that tears a family apart; creating three distinct simultaneous narratives that drive this first book. Yet, the catalyst event is always at the back of my mine. What happen to Adair?

This one event brings about great changes for Maeryn, Kael (my favorite), and Saba. Each character is complex and driving forces behind the overall narrative. Telling their story at the same time Tesar knows exactly when to switch between his characters and show that motivating narrative that makes books like Harry Potter so compelling to read.

The religion is enthralling as Christianity, and has many similarities that ground the story in a world that is totally relatable to ours. As the Muslim call GOD, Allah, the people of this reality call theirs the All Powerful, not to dissimilar to some of the names with call our GOD. It's also eerie how Tesar brings his narrative together; it forms a symmetry of nature.

This book engaged me as a reader and will any fan of fantasy/scifi. I'm always trying to figure out how the events a writer tells you will relate to the overall story and this doesn't disappoint. It was two in the morning, I had insomnia, I was planning to read until I fall asleep. Sleep was coming, and I wanted to get to the last chapter, when I realize the past, present, and future events were starting to converge... all those that have read it will know. The anticipation of my questions being answered and my curiosity sated driving the sleep from my body.

Anyone that is a fan of fantasy will be a fan of The Awakened: Book One. I look forward to reading the next chapter in this series.

I give The Awakening: Book One 5 out 5.