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Awaken the Dawn

A cryptic puzzle. A family secret. A deadly betrayal.

Narrated by Savannah Gilmore

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Book 1 of The Awaken Saga

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Pub Date 19 May 2026 | Archive Date 21 Feb 2026


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Description

When her father dies during a business trip to Romania, Kat Barrett blames herself for their failed relationship. She's been holding a grudge, keeping him at arm's length, and never even said "I love you" when he left... But regret is just the beginning of her problems. Kat is teetering on the brink of anxiety and depression, and as her grief deepens, she becomes haunted by strange dreams about the crash that took her father's life.

Then one day a package arrives. It appears to be from her father and contains a list of familiar-looking clues — one of his classic scavenger hunts. Desperate for answers, Kat follows the clues to Romania and meets a local named Maksim, a reformed criminal with the perfect skill set for decoding the mystery. Romance wasn’t on the itinerary, but when Kat teams up with this European heartthrob, her love life takes an unexpected detour.

As Kat and Maksim work together, solving the clues and growing ever closer with each success, the scavenger hunt uncovers a dark secret Kat's dreams have been pointing to, something Maksim's old crime ring has been hiding all along. Kat has walked into a trap. Can she beat these ruthless men to the final clue — and solve it — before she suffers the same fate as her father?

Awaken the Dawn is a multi-award-winning New Adult novel that will keep you guessing until the final, breathtaking conclusion. If you enjoy puzzle mysteries, international intrigue, and an epic slow-burn romance, you'll love this twisty thrill ride.

When her father dies during a business trip to Romania, Kat Barrett blames herself for their failed relationship. She's been holding a grudge, keeping him at arm's length, and never even said "I love...


Advance Praise

"Ellis K. Popa (delivers) an amazing story full of mystery, intrigue and romance." - John Benedict, Bestselling Author of Adrenaline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Popa's prose is smart, arresting, and tightly woven." - The BookLife Prize

"A gripping and unforgettable read that heralds Popa as a rising star in the genre..." - Elicia Meairs, Netgalley (US) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"This (is) simply one of the best books I’ve ever read." - Heather, Book Girl Brown Reviews (US) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Kat was amazing and a kick-ass character." - Kriti, This Reader Girl (India) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“A fast-paced mystery with a strong, likeable protagonist to root for." - The Wishing Shelf (UK) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The book thrilled me . . . . I can't wait to read the sequel.”
- Sophia, Goodreads (Croatia)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“This book is an adrenaline rush, with every twist sharper than the last.” - Alexandria W, Bookstagram (US) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"I loved the twists in the tale." - Helen Foxhall, Librarian (UK) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Go ahead, go add this to your TBR!" - Books with Cats (Cyprus) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“(Popa) builds a world charged with grief, secrets, and the urgent need to uncover the truth.” - John Randall, Postmodernism and Beyond (US) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"The book was absolutely amazing and I couldn't get enough of it. I can't wait to see what happens next." - Scarlet Le Clair, Netgalley (UK) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Ellis K. Popa (delivers) an amazing story full of mystery, intrigue and romance." - John Benedict, Bestselling Author of Adrenaline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Popa's prose is smart, arresting, and tightly woven." -...


Available Editions

EDITION Audiobook
ISBN 9781962180160
PRICE US$12.95 (USD)
DURATION 13 Hours, 4 Minutes, 39 Seconds

Available on NetGalley

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