Don't worry if you don't win. I'll be hosting two other giveaways on Twitter and IG as well. I hope you all have fun entering! Giveaway starts today December 8th and ends December 24th. Winner will be chosen on Christmas and the prize will be shipped out after christmas.
Since I've been raving and talking non-stop about The Awakened your probably wondering what it's about. And if I gave you my description I'd most likely talk about it for more than 5 hours or so.
The Awakened Synopsis
Zoey Valentine is concerned with two things: surviving the multitude of self-defense classes her dad makes her take and avoiding Ash Matthews.
That is, until the Z virus hits, wiping out a third of the population in a matter of weeks. If that weren’t frightening enough, the bodies of the victims disappear and suddenly reappear, awakened from their dead state. They’re faster, smarter, and they work together to get the one thing they crave, human flesh.
The United States is in a panic and then the government decides the unthinkable: to bomb every major city overrun with the awakened.
Now Zoey is on the run, with her dad and Ash, desperate to find a place of safety amongst the ruined remains of the country.
Now that you know along the lines about The Awakened. I suggest you pick up a copy.. Just saying.. You won't be disappointed! Anyways here is my review of The Awakened. To be honest I couldn't find enough words to express my feelings for The Awakened in my review. And so many things and emotions happened throughout the book, that The Awakened ended up taking me out of my reading slump and putting me back into a whole other realm of a reading slump.
Living in New York, Zoey Valentine is only concerned with two things... Surviving through several intense self- defense classes that her New York chief police dad puts her in, and Ash Matthews.
Plowing her way through senior year of high school,self defense classes/gun classes her life only gets harder when Ash Matthews is around. Trying to stay completely away from him, Zoey spends her time helping her friend Madison decorate for the fall dance that the seniors are having.
All until shit hits the fan and the party goes completely wrong. Knowing something isn't right Zoey soon realizes that most of the kids are sick, with what looks like food poisoning.
With everything that's completely a disaster Madison and Zoey convince themselves that all of the seniors got sick off of the cupcakes.Several weeks go by and it seems like people are still sick, and getting worse.
Forcing herself to think that everything is fine, Zoey presumes to go to school and of course making it her goal to stay as far away from Ash Matthews as possible.
Realizing that it's not just food poisoning, Frank (Zoey's dad) makes it his job to protect everyone. Especially his daughter and her best friends.
Things are getting scary and weird for Zoey. Most of her friends she went to school with are dying from what people call "The Z virus". Being cooped up in her house hanging out with Ash and Madison isn't bad at all... Maybe hanging out with Ash was. But she had more to worry about because people were dying left and right. Things were wrong. Very very wrong.
They all found out the hard way.. when Zoey's best friend Madison gets the Z virus and dies,all hell breaks loose in Zoey's world.
Both Ash and Zoey don't know what's in store for them when Madison comes back from death. And when she comes back.. She isn't normal. She's hungry,strong,fast,smart,and manipulative.
That's when it finally dawns on Zoey, Frank, and Ash. There are zombie like humans that are out to kill and there's nowhere safe to go. Not even the mountains and the peaceful forests are safe.
So many feelings had gone through me while I was reading "The Awakened". But for the most part I was so enthralled in this novel I had to buy a physical copy. The way that Sara Elizabeth Santana delivers the story is truly remarkable. It was at a great fast pace but it also had such great descriptive aspects to it, that it really felt like the story was never ending! Which is great since I never wanted it to end! The development is so outstanding! At the beginning of the novel, we go through learning about the main characters life, but soon after that we're sucked into a world of suspense that makes you feel as scared,adrenalized,and determined in your everyday life.
I'm not sure if I'm an easily scared person. But the way that Sara Elizabeth describes and executes the overall story and "Awakened" literally kept me up the entire night.
The characters were equally amazing!
I love how caring Frank was! He truly is the ultimate dream father!
Zoey was amazing as well! She was fierce,determined,outgoing,and strong. But as we get to know her throughout the novel we learn that she's also scared,caring,sweet,lonely,and even sad.
Ash overall is the character I admire. Just because he and Zoey have always picked on each other throughout elementary school through high school. And I really liked how secretly in love he is with Zoey. I love that both male characters (Frank,and Ash) are both willing to die by protecting Zoey.
The romance between Ash and Zoey was juicy! And I loved every bit of tension that rolled off of the two in "The Awakened".
The writing style that Sara Elizabeth Santana uses in "The Awakened" reminds me a lot of Jennifer L. Armentrout just because Sara has the same talent that Jennifer has in the way of drawing in the reader. Plus the romance was killer. I also feel that Sara has a little bit of Melissa Wright's talent in her too just because they both do an outstanding job of creating a beautiful world to go with their story.
The Awakened isn't your average "Zombie" novel.It's much bigger than that. Sara Elizabeth Santana creates her own world. That breaks you, and builds you up. And it makes you want more.
1 * How long have you been writing?
Since I was about 9 years old. That’s when I realized that writing was an actual job!
2* What inspired you to start writing?
Someone told me I was good at it. I loved to read but I never thought about being on the other side until someone said I was good at it. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.
3* How did you get the AWESOME opportunity to work with Ben from Oftomes Publishing Company?
It was honestly just an amazing opportunity at the right time. I had been looking for an agent for the book for over a year and had over a hundred rejections. I had tried indie publishers. I wasn’t ready to give up exactly but I had written a new adult romance and was going to set aside The Awakened to focus on that. I follow Ben and saw about his company and thought “why not?” And it worked out. Ben is amazing and I honestly can’t imagine a better home for my book.
4* What locations in the world inspired some of the settings in your novel “The Awakened”?
Have you been to any of the locations?
Well, most of it is based on real world places. I had to do a lot of research since I had never been to most of these places. The biggest one is a setting that we get to see VERY briefly at the end of the book and it is based off a real location that I visited about 7 years ago and one that I LOVED and has obviously stuck with me.
5* Out of Zoey, Ash,Frank,Madison, and Bandit. which character can you relate to the most?
Zoey for sure. FOR sure. Its crazy. I tend to put little personality traits into my characters, usually without thinking about it. But I definitely try not to make a character just like me. That’s weird. But Zoey is very much me without me realizing it and I definitely relate to her.
6* What does your writing space look and consist of?
Honestly, I don’t necessarily need to be in a certain spot. I write in my room. I write in the dining room. I write at a coffee shop. I used to write on my breaks at work. I’m not particularly picky. I usually just have to have a bottle of water (stay hydrated!) and some sort of noise, whether its music or Netflix or something.
7* Who are some authors,friends,family e.c.t.. who’ve inspired you to become a writer?
There are so many people. I couldn’t even begin to name them. My best friends, my family. SO many authors over the years. I think the biggest inspiration honestly came from myself and I’m so lucky to have the insane amount of support that I do.
8*Do you plan to write a sequel to “The Awakened”?
Yes! The series is planned as two books.
9* When writing what’s some of your favorite comfort/thinking food and beverages?
I need noise. I grew up with five younger siblings and a HUGE family that comes over unannounced all the time haha. I’m used to chaos and noise and so now I can’t work without it! So music or a movie or Netflix is usually something I need. And a bottle of water. Snacks sometimes come into play but usually just water.
10* During the time when your not writing what do you find yourself doing?
Lots of reading. Lots of working lol. Lots of hanging out with my friends, going to book events, eating food and just having a great time together.
11* How did you get your idea or what inspired you to write “The Awakened”?
Personally, I’m not a zombie fan. I don’t find anything scary about zombies. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t like the idea of undead people trying to eat me…but they’re always so slow! And they have no intelligence. I thought adding intelligence, speaking, speed…that makes them scary. Plus I wrote a short story about a zombie and thought, huh, maybe I can do something with this. And it became a scene in the novel, though it changed a bit.
12* What are three major things that you are thankful that happened this year?
Getting The Awakened published. Going on a epic road trip to meet some fabulous authors at RT back in May. And I’m thankful for every single person who supports me. Every. Single. One.
13* What’s one book that you’ve read countless times and still continue to read?
Oh lots of them! I’ve read the Harry Potter series so many times, I’ve lost count. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare. Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I like rereading.
14* Any last words to your fans and readers?
You guys are awesome. Seriously. The fact that even one (and MORE) want to read this book just is so surreal and amazing to me. I adore you all so much. Virtual cupcakes to all!
Now I want a cupcake so bad!! Maybe even the ones that were apart of the fall dance scene in The Awakened?
Anyways I hope you all loved the tour and the interview I did with Sara Elizabeth Santana!
If you want to know a little more about the author of The Awakened please click here to view her page!!!
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