Candidate For Best of 2018
5 out of 5 stars
Awakened doesn’t waste any time. We meet a tunnel boring operator and are thrown (almost literally) into the chasm that is to be the introduction of this intense story. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this but I knew within the first few pages what I was in for.
The first third of this book was really done. We meet some characters and are quickly/partially introduced to the monsters of the story. The line that the survivors and the affected take (terrorism) made perfect sense when things like Murray and Wearmouth describe aren’t supposed to exist. I particularly liked the “Jaws-like” “there is something there but we can’t see it” aspect of it. In the beginning, we’re not sure if it’s because they don’t like light or for some other reason – but it definitely adds to the tension and horror in Awakened.
This book reminded me of a few other books that I’ve read including “Hell Holes” by Donald Firesmith and “Broken Shells” by Michael Patrick Hicks. Not enough to make me dislike this book at all. I thought that they had a unique enough story that was worth reading.
The interweaving storylines, changing of characters, and the deep state/conspiracy theory part of the books kept me riveted to this book. I couldn’t let it down. I ended up finishing it in a traffic jam today and I was mad that I didn’t have more story to listen to!
Overall, I thought that Awakened was an excellent book that will probably make my Best of 2018. I enjoyed it that much.
Book Description:
After years of waiting, New York’s newest subway line is finally ready, an express train that connects the city with the burgeoning communities across the Hudson River. The shining jewel of this state-of-the-art line is a breathtaking visitors’ pavilion beneath the river. Major dignitaries, including New York City’s Mayor and the President of the United States, are in attendance for the inaugural run, as the first train slowly pulls in.
Under the station’s bright ceiling lights, the shiny silver cars gleam. But as the train comes closer into view, a far different scene becomes visible.
All the train’s cars are empty.
All the cars’ interiors are drenched in blood.
As chaos descends, all those in the pavilion scramble to get out. But the horror is only beginning. High levels of deadly methane fill the tunnels. The structure begins to flood. For those who don’t drown, choke or spark an explosion, another terrifying danger awaits—the thing that killed all those people on the train. It’s out there…and it’s coming.
There’s something living beneath New York City, and it’s not happy we’ve woken it up.
Awakened by Darren Wearmouth, James S. Murray
Narrator: James S. Murray
Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
Series: Awakened #1
Published by HarperAudio on June 26th 2018
Genres: Horror, Thriller
Pages: 304
Format: Audiobook
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Also by this author: First Activation, Second Activation, Sixth Cycle, The Brink, Obliteration, Don't Move, The Stowaway
Also in this series: The Brink, Obliteration
