Anew: Book One: Awakened by Josie Litton Publisher: Self-Published on January 12, 2015
Genres: Dystopia, Erotica, Romance
Pages: 316
Format: eBook
Source: Review Request
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
From NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Josie Litton, the erotic retelling of "Sleeping Beauty' that will change your idea of fairy tales forever.
A beautiful young woman awakens in the garden of a secluded palazzo with no knowledge of who she is or how she came to be there. For the man who walks out of the darkness to claim her, she is at once the ultimate challenge and the greatest temptation.
Haunted by terrifying memories of another existence, Amelia is caught between passionate desire for Ian and longing to discover her true self. Even as he is determined to possess her body and soul, Ian's need to protect Amelia plunges him into a confrontation with his tormented past.
Beyond the sanctuary of the palazzo lies the glittering world city where together they face the challenges of a society on the edge of cataclysmic change. Surrounded by sensual excess that conceals seething rebellion, Amelia and Ian will discover that love has become the ultimate threat to survival.
At A Glance
Started out interested then…nothing.
The Good
I loved the concept and the slight resemblance to Sleeping Beauty. Why Amelia can’t remember anything about her past is quite chilling. And when Amelia’s true identity is revealed, it’s devastating. I don’t think I could function after finding that out. But she soldiers on, even finding a semblance of a life despite her circumstances.
Ian was a tortured character in a lot of ways. He also has a past that he refuses to let Amelia see, which only pushes her away. But Ian is a good guy, even if he is a little rough sometimes. The world in Anew is amazing. I loved the civil unrest and dangers lurking at every corner. One slip and Amelia’s world can crumble.
The Bad
I was so into this book in the beginning, but soon realized there wasn’t much to it. It got really slow and nothing of interest happened. Amelia wants to resist Ian, but she can’t. Ian wants to resist Amelia, but he can’t. End of story. Come on! That’s not enough to make up a good story. We get a peek at the Anew world and the problems in it which was great, but they didn’t really lead to anything.
Then that ending. Seriously? You guys know I hate non-endings. This one had a mega non-ending. It just stopped right in the middle of the story. Which meant there was no big event, no climax (well, no non-sexual climax), no bump in the road. Nothing. I am still confused by this. What an fascinating story to waste on that ending.
The Snuggly
I felt like Amelia had very little choice in her attraction to Ian so when they had sex, I didn’t feel super okay with it. It’s hard to explain without giving too much away. They have amazingly hot sex, don’t get me wrong, but because of Amelia’s circumstances, it didn’t feel right.
Final Thoughts
I will not be continuing this series. I feel really let own right now. The concept was pretty good, but nothing substantial was done with it. Not really recommended.
Quotes
“What did you expect me to do? No matter what you want to believe, I’m a human being. I have a mind and a will of my own.” With all the scorn I can muster, I add, “This idea you have that I’m a piece of property is nothing short of repellant. You do not own me. No one can. Not ever.”
“When I woke up and realized I have no idea who I am…I was afraid, even panicky. Instead, I felt removed from own emotions, as though insulated from them in some strange way. And then, once you appeared, it got worse. I seemed to have no will of my own…With all of that I don’t know about myself, I’m still certain that being so compliant isn’t natural for me.”
Braine
Bad bird, bad book. Too bad your dating didn’t pay off 🙁
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, not so good book at all.
Melliane
Oh too bad that it started that well to end like that…. the idea was nice. I didn’t know about this one but maybe I’ll pass.
Jennifer Bielman
Such high hopes too.
Anna
I know when I read the blurb I was planning to buy this one. But your right a story needs depth. 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
Jennifer Bielman
I even did a giveaway for this one a while back, I really though it was going to be amazing.
kimbacaffeinate
I loved the premise, its a bummer that not much happened and it basically fell apart.
Jennifer Bielman
It really did fall apart, well put.
kindlemom1
Darn, this sounded like it had a lot of potential but just didn’t follow through.
Thanks for the honest review!
Jennifer Bielman
No follow through at all.
Lekeisha
Darnit! I was so looking forward to this book!
Jennifer Bielman
Me too!!!! I love anything Sleeping Beauty.
Red Iza
I’d never heard about it but after reading your review, I don’t regret it 😉
Jennifer Bielman
lol, yeah, I wouldn’t either.
Keionda @Keionda Hearts Books
This sounds suspiciously like one of those ‘instalove’ stories. (BTW, I despise them.) And the fact that when the characters finally did ‘do the deed’ it lacked feeling because you probably couldn’t connect with the characters on a deeper level which is a crying shame. *Sits in corner and sobs all day* Also, Happy early Blogoversary. Woot woot! 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, insta-love is a no no for me too.
Shane Morgan (@itchingforbooks)
This one is new to me. I like the blurb and the cover. Sorry you felt let down and that you didn’t enjoy it for the most part. Seems interesting though. Thanks for your honest review.
Jennifer Bielman
It was interesting in some parts.
Sharon - Obsession with Books
What a shame! it’s always so disappointing when a book starts off well but ends up being a disappointment, the premise does sound interesting.
A lovely review! Sharon – Obsession with Books
Jennifer Bielman
That’s the worst too, I rather is be bad from the beginning.
Olivia
Ah, it’s a shame this one was slow moving because it seems like if the pace picked up this one could’ve been a really good novel. I am looking forward to trying this, especially because now I know the world building is done well and that the reveal is intriguing.
Jennifer Bielman
Pretty much. I do wonder what book 2 entails.