Awakening

Awakening

By S.J. Bolton (or Sharon Bolton)
Published: Minotaur Books, 2009
Pages: 393
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Amazon, Goodreads

All around the room, the creatures watched me with their round, black pupiles, their slender bodies swaying to and fro, tracking my movements, their tiny tongues working overtime, flickering in and out, tasting the air, tasting me. Foe or food? They weren't sure.

About the book: Veterinary surgeon Clara Denning is young and intelligent, but an almost recluse because of a horrid scar that leaves her disfigured. Her expertise is needed when a local man dies of a snake bite, but she's alarmed to learn that the victim's body has an unusually high concentration of snake venom, meaning the victim's killer is human. Clara unravels sinister links to an ritual, an abandoned house, and a fifty-year tragedy that's left survivors secretive. Someone still wants the truth buried, though, even if they have to kill for it.

Awakening is an intriguing, cozy-up-by-the-fire mystery read. Throughout the story, you can't guess who the killer will be until the climax. This book stands out in the mystery genre because SNAKES are used to kill people, and it takes place in rural England. Bolton gives the backdrop a very gothic-literature-like-vibe that I immensely enjoyed. I can tell Bolton conducted thorough research before writing this gem - it feels so believable to me. Not only does Awakening contain snakes, but the story also deals with religious fervor. I was surprised that the Church of Latter Rain and the Church of God with Signs Following really did exist, and mostly followed doctrines discussed in Bolton's novel.

OK, so Awakening speaks to me in another way as well - Clara, who was horribly disfigured following a childhood accident when her mother was neglecting her. I, like Clara, am very introverted and oftentimes a near recluse because I tire of being around people easily. As the story progresses, Clara learns that others don't see the way she often sees herself: as a monster. Awakening makes a statement about beauty being in the eyes of the beholder; Sean and Matt viewed her as attractive, despite her very unattractive scars. I always enjoy books like Awakening, that are more than just another mystery novel. Clara is also a headstrong, intelligent, strong woman, which is ALWAYS my favorite kind of protagonist.

The one complaint I do have is the novel was slow at times. About halfway through, I almost DNF'ed but I figured I was more than 50% done with it and it wasn't like it was bad so I just continued to read it. I still really enjoyed it, though, and I plan to check out the author's other works, too!

RATING (out of five puppies):