The Awakening is the first book in M.L. Lacy’s Chrysalis saga; it follows 32 years old Bree Campbell who learns the truth about her past and the prophecy about her future. As she is the last Chosen one, who is predicted to either die or fulfil her destiny.
It has a riveting plot line, that has both well thought out and original. The plot line has so many fascinating and surprising twists that are unforeseeable, that this book is impossible to stop reading.
The Awakening has well developed characters that have flaws making them, both realistic and interesting. M.L. lacy has effortlessly blended an entire world of Magicals, such as vampires, werewolves and demons in ordinary society. Often with books that have vampires in them, authors try to combine as many myths and legends as possible, whereas M.L. Lacy as dismissed the myths that would diminish the storyline and instead adds original ideas to make the fascinating and complex Magicals.
One of the many interesting components of this novel would be how some Magicals have the ability to telepathically move items around and to ‘fold space’. It is impossible to think of any flaws in this addictive book, which leaves readers wanting to know what happens next.
In conclusion, The Awakening is a delight to read with well developed characters, plotlines and world. It is both an original and extremely addictive novel that is one of the best recent debut novels.

A few years back, my husband and I ordered a butterfly garden for our small son and it was interesting to see how the caterpillars developed their chrysalis, the stage where the transformation to a butterfly begins. The title of this story is amazingly appropriate as Bree is in the beginning stages of this ‘cocoon of transformation’ as she learns of her true identity. When she was a small child, her parents hid magic from her and dismissed any unexplainable instances she would witness. During her teenage years when she finds her true love, her parents intervene and sent her love away. She moves on with her life and is tricked into marrying a man that is by all standards, evil as he is abusive, drugs her to get his way and more.

Later, her family persuades her to go with her grandmother to Las Vegas. With the plan to just lay low; her world is turned upside down with the people she meets for her grandmother’s reunion. Within the week’s time of her stay, she learns she is a ‘chosen one’ and in being so, has the weight of the magical world riding on her shoulders. And, she may or may not survive the transformation from mortal to magical. She also becomes aware that a few people have always been a part of her life since birth and their relation to her, and she is finally reunited with her lost soul-mate, Steven. Those around her begin to realize that Bree is not only the last of the line of being a ‘chosen one’, but that she is stronger than even they suspected before her ‘change’. They do not give her enough trust to allow her the freedom to embrace her new path and challenges, including her face-off with Esmeralda, the powerful sorceress that plans for her demise.

‘Chrysalis: Awakening’ has fast become a standing favorite in my paranormal preferences. I have read many that fall into the paranormal/ paranormal romance genre, yet M.L. Lacy has combined the best of this and fantasy unlike any other I have read. I found that I could not put this book down as it was engaging from the start with suspense, mystery, romance and so much more! It is not too often that I feel ‘swept up’ in a story; but in this one, I felt as if I was right there with Bree and her experiences. ( )

I was interested in this book because the main character is 32. It's nice to read about a character that is closer to my age. Unfortunately, the plot moves at a soap opera pace. It's mostly people talking with some smut thrown in. It's a waste of valuable reading time so I dropped it. ( )