{Review+G!veaway} My Merlin Awakening by Priya Ardis

Posted May 21, 2012 by Michelle @ Book Briefs in Blog Tours, Giveaways, Reviews / 47 Comments

Pages: 340 
Publication Date: May 14th 2012 by Ink Lion Books 
Age Group: YA
Source: Blog Tour
Series: My Merlin #2
Challenge(s): Ebook challenge,Young adult reading challenge, 150+ reading challenge, Sophomore Reading challenge, YA Mythology challenge, sensational seconds challenge,Witches and withcraft challenge, Standalone Challenge, ABC challenge

Summary(from Goodreads):

If you haven’t broken the rules, have you really lived? Excalibur has been pulled from the stone, but what does it mean? Arriane (aka Ryan) DuLac doesn’t really care. She’s got bigger problems—as student president, she’s got to put on the Prom. While the Wizard Council debates their next move, she leaves the craziness behind and heads home.
 But she can’t hide forever. Sooner than she’d like Merlin (aka Matt) has her chasing mermaids on the trail of the Fisher King. The wounded King defeated by Merlin’s brother, Vane, in the past holds the key to save the future.
 On the journey, Ryan begins to realize the friends she thought she knew, she may not know at all. At a time of shifting alliances, she must decide whose side she’s on—the brother who struggles to do right or the brother who dares to break the rules? And Ryan must decide who she is—a regular or a champion?
 One wrong decision and her family falls apart. One wrong decision and the world falls apart. No pressure.

You can read my review of the first book in the My Merlin series, My Boyfriend Merlin HERE

I had my whole review written and I lost it all, so now this is take 2.

My Merlin Awakening had some pretty high expectations to live up to. I loved the first book and I was really excited to read this one and I am happy to report that it did not disappoint at all. I loved it just as much, if not more, than the first book. This series is shaping up to be amazing and I am super sad that there is only one book left. Maybe Priya will change her mind and switch it from a trilogy to a series? (well, I have my fingers crossed just in case)

Vane and Matt are perhaps two of the yummiest brothers ever. I really love both of them. I liked Matt a lot more at the start of the first book and only a little more than Vane by the end of the first book. With My Merlin Awakening I was Vane pretty much the whole way. I understand that Matt has it rough, he has to live with visions and he feels the weight of the world on his shoulders and he is really likable. I know he has feelings for Ryan and that he wants to be with her, but there is just something about Vane that won me over. He just gets Ryan and you know that he would do ANYTHING for her. He is super intense and he totally won my heart over pretty much from the start of My Merlin Awakening. I really want Ryan to notice how awesome Vane is, and I think to some extent she does but she is still so hung up on the “what if” with Matt that she doesn’t really give Vane much of a change sometimes. And that makes me feel for him. The poor guy.

The amazing thing about Priya Ardis’ writing is that it totally sucks you into the story and makes you feel like you are a part of it. I felt like I was Ryan, when she was torn with a choice- I was torn. I just totally related to her on every level. To me, that is the mark of a great writer. My Merlin Awakening is such an awesome story. I never wanted it to end, and I am dying to find out what happens next. I will just have to daydream about Vane until the next book comes out…

5/5 Gavels
Read Reviews and Excerpts at:
Author Website: http://www.priyaardis.com/

About the Author:
I love stories of all kinds–but especially the gooey ones that make your nose leak and let your latte go cold. I started my first novel at sixteen, writing in notebooks on a long train ride in India during a hot summer vacation. My favorite Arthurian piece is the poem The Lady of Shalott by Lord Alfred Tennyson and a gorgeous song by Loreena McKennitt. A hopeless romantic, I’m a longtime member of the Romance Writer’s of America.
Connect with Priya Ardis at:
Website: http://www.priyaardis.com/
Blog: http://merlinblogs.priyaardis.com/

Thank you so much to Priya for donating this prize to the tour! 🙂

Enter the rafflecopter to win! One winner will get a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card and a copy of My Merlin Awakening. Two additional winners will also get a copy of My Merlin Awakening.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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47 responses to “{Review+G!veaway} My Merlin Awakening by Priya Ardis”

  7. Emily

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    I love Arthurian tales and anything with Merlin! Such an interesting twist! Can’t wait to read this one!

    Reply
  10. Priya

    Greetings!

    Just stopping by to say hello. Thank you for the lovely comments and I’m thrilled everyone is intrigued by the Merlin in today’s time concept 🙂

    @Lei- Yup, anything with magic is fun! Gads, do I miss Harry Potter. Why did JK have to go off and write a literary piece? I was hoping for Harry’s son’s books! Alas, will have to keep my fingers crossed!

    @Kate & Heidi- I’m so stoked that Michelle loved it. It’s such a pleasure to read when someone enjoys the book 🙂

    @Little Miss Becky & Shauna- Merlin all the way! I love the BBC series but obviously I can’t get enough (so I had to go write one!)

    @Emily- I’m so glad you like the twist. It was risky bringing in Merlin to today’s time but hey, if you had to date a wizard, which would you choose?

    @Dana – I love the cover too, but I’m biased 🙂 The thing that drew me to this piece was the girl with a dress and tennis shoes… and the wonderfully vulnerable expression on her face. I thought it fit Ryan very well.

    @Carrie – He he. *evil laugh* I’m glad you said you like brothers because the choice will be tough!

    Thank you to Michelle for being such an amazing person to work with! Good luck, everyone, on the giveaway!

    Priya

    Reply
  15. PuttPutt1198Eve

    This sounds like an absolutely crazy, wonderful book with Excalibur, the Fisher King, mermaids, etc., WOW! So interesting that I definitely want to read it to see how all these characters and elements come together. Thanks for the chance to win it!

    Reply
  21. Dynie

    Excaliber, Merlin, etc how wonderful can it be. It’s a fairytale in the present time. I can’t wait to read this and I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. Thank you for this awesome story.

    Reply
  22. NoraA

    I love magic stories, and I love Arthurian style books. I think I’m going to enjoy reading this, no matter how I get a copy.

    Reply
  23. Phoenix Carvelli

    What a wonderful giveaway! I have seen so many great reviews for this book and series. I can’t wait to read it! We all need a bit of magic in our lives!
    PhoenixCarvelli at gmail dot com

    Reply
  29. Priya

    Wow, ladies. I’m blown away by the enthusiasm. I’m looking forward to seeing what you think of My Merlin!

    Good luck on the giveaway 🙂

    Reply
  31. Becky Johnson

    Once again I think I’ve been sleeping in a cave; I didn’t realise there was going to be a 2nd book – doh! I loved My Boyfriend Merlin nad can’t wait to read what Priya Ardis has in store for us.
    Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

    Reply
  32. Lori Thomas

    I enjoy reading about Arthur & Merlin. This sounds like a great series!!!

    ctymice at gmail dot com

    Reply
  35. Julie Witt

    I am so psyched to read this series!! I have the first book on my Kindle and I can’t wait to read it! I’ve heard awesome things about both of these books and since I love any retelling of Merlin and King Arthur, I’m sure I’m going to love it as much as everyone else does! Thanks so much for your well written review and for the chance to win a copy of this book:)

    Reply
  36. zapkode.marie

    {i’m following your blog}

    I am leaving this note to let you know that I am following you. If you aren’t already following me can you please return the favor and leave a comment on my most recent entry. Please and thank you! 🙂

    {http://www.justonemorechapter.net}

    Reply
  37. SweetMarie83

    Ooh, this sounds like EXACTLY my type of series! I am obsessed with anything Arthurian, and there just aren’t enough YA books out there to feed my obsession. Thanks for a chance to win! 🙂

    Reply
  38. Amy B

    I love everything Arthurian and was totally stricken with the summary, not to mention your whole review! Thanks for the review (and giveaway!)

    Reply
  39. Suz Reads

    This series sounds amazing! I love reading about Arthur, Merlin and that whole story so these books really appeal to me!

    Reply
  43. Kelly

    How have I not heard of this series!? I love Merlin and The Sword in the Stone. If nothing else, thanks for bringing this to my attention!!

    Reply
  44. Stella Ex Libris

    I remember when I first read the blurb that my initial thought was how exciting this books sounded 😀 (but now I’m also amazed by its beautiful cover! bravo!) Interesting to see how many interpretations and new versions the original myth inspired 🙂

    Congrats on your release Priya and good luck! 🙂

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

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