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Thursday, January 23, 2014

Book Review (ARC): Wakeworld (The Between #2) by Kerry Schafer

Wakeworld (The Between #2)
By: Kerry Schafer

Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Release: January 28th 2014
Publisher: Ace

Vivian Maylor is trying to hold it together. But her attempts to build a life with the man she loves seem doomed by the dragon inside her yearning to break free. Vivian is a dreamshifter, the last line of defense between reality and the dreamworld, and the only one of her kind.

Weston Jennings also believes he is the only one of his kind. He fears his powers as a dreamshifter, and resists learning to control them. After suffering a tragic loss, Weston heads deep into the woods of the Pacific Northwest to embrace a safe life of solitude. But when a terrible mistake leads to an innocent’s death, his guilt drives him to his former home, where he encounters what he never thought he would find: another shifter.

Now Vivian and Weston must work together to defeat a new threat to the dreamworld.


Wakeworld is the second book in this series and not having read book one, jumping into Wakeworld was not a difficult leap, although it is obvious there are major world building events and introductions to the character profiles that are missed. Even with this, the story is beautifully written and the characters come alive making this reader want to know more about the Dreamworld, the Between, and penguin guardians. Yes, you read that right penguin guardian or familiar whatever he really is. 

There is a world of dreaming, the between, and a wakeworld, which is the world of our current reality. In the dream world war is always on the horizon, as the evil queen wants to destroy all worlds and all that is beautiful, and this is starting to leak over into the Wakeworld. There are magical creatures, sorcerers, dragons, giants, and of course a broken champion. I really liked Vivian, Weston and Zee and enjoyed following their journeys through the tale. There is plenty of action throughout the book, heartache, as well as determination that shines in our heroes and makes you want to know them even better. Of course Poe is the calm in the storm and I do love me some Poe, well who wouldn't love a giant penguin who is always calm, never says a thing, and leans up against you when you need a hug. 

 The story is told from multiple point of views that at times switches and can become confusing if you are not paying attention, so be aware that if this is not your reading preference. Bottom line, Wakeworld is a unique and very well written book and I would definitely recommend it to speculative fiction fans, and although it is not an absolute necessity, would recommend starting with book one Between if you are able, as there are moments in this installment I think would be better appreciated with more of the back story. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger and I am definitely looking forward to what happens next. I received this book from NetGalley.

4 Sheep





Denise Z

About the Author:
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Kerry Schafer is licensed both as a Mental Health Professional and an RN, and spends most of her daylight hours helping people–usually even with a smile. In books, she gets to blow stuff up, preferably with something more interesting than a bomb. Dragons are good; exploding giant slime toads are even better. She has published two novels with Ace Books: BETWEEN, which was released in January 2013, and WAKEWORLD, slated to hit stores in January 2014. She is also the author of THE DREAM WARS novellas, available where electronic books are sold.

Kerry and her Viking live in Colville, Washington, in a little house surrounded by rocks, trees, and gangs of deer and wild turkeys.
click images to go to amazon page

5 comments:

  1. Sounds like a couple of good books to read. Thanks for the great review.

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  2. Thank you for the review I must go find these here I come kobo

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  3. Awesome Review Denise! I had not heard of this one but now my interest has been perked! I like that you could jump in at this point and not have to read the previous book. But I might go back and read it anyway :)

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    1. I do think it would have been better with reading book one first, but I really loved the characters - they were my cuppa. Thank you for letting me join in the fun!

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