A fast-paced, cryptic blend of puzzles, scavenger hunts, and mafia entanglements, Awaken the Dawn delivers on all fronts. The writing is crisp and engaging, and the narration is well done, making the story nearly impossible to put down. I especially appreciated how the author weaves in elements of Romanian history alongside insights into their culture, adding depth without slowing the pace. I will definitely be picking up book two. Overall, 4.75/5.

Thank you to NetGalley and And Fire Books for the ARC.

Awaken the Dawn by Ellis P. Popa is a gripping and emotionally charged read that pulled me in from the start. The characters are compelling, the stakes feel real, and the story balances tension and heart beautifully. A powerful, immersive novel and an easy five-star read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of Awaken the Dead by Ellis K. Popa

This audiobook completely absorbed me. Awaken the Dead is a dark, atmospheric and thought-provoking thriller that balances psychological depth with tense, gripping pacing. From the opening chapters I was drawn into a world that is eerie, unpredictable and richly layered, and the story stayed with me long after I finished listening.

The plot centres on a chilling mystery that slowly unravels through the perspectives of its flawed, compelling characters. Popa doesn’t shy away from difficult themes, and there’s a raw emotional core to the narrative that makes the stakes feel very real. What could have felt like a straight supernatural or suspense novel is instead infused with introspection, moral ambiguity and questions about identity and memory that gave the story real depth.

The audiobook narration was consistently excellent. The delivery captured the tone and mood perfectly, bringing nuance to the characters and enhancing the unsettling atmosphere of the story. The shifts in tension and emotion were handled with skill, making the listening experience immersive and intensely engaging — it felt like being pulled deeper into the world rather than just following a story.

This isn’t an easy or comfortable listen, but it is bold, intelligent and undeniably compelling. Awaken the Dead is the kind of audiobook that burrows into your thoughts and lingers. A dark, memorable and beautifully crafted. A very well deserved five stars.

Awaken the Dawn pulled me in fast and kept the pages turning. A grieving teen, a cryptic scavenger hunt left behind by her father, and a mystery that turns dangerous—this story blends thriller tension, emotional depth, and romance really well. Kat’s anxiety and guilt felt raw and believable, and I loved how the clues slowly unraveled both a family secret and a much darker truth. The Romania setting adds atmosphere, the puzzle-solving was engaging, and Maksim was the perfect morally-gray, charming counterpart. Suspenseful, heartfelt, and satisfying from start to finish.

This was a great book to listen to! I was hooked from the very first chapter, and kept my interest throughout! I loved the characters and the many twists! Overall a 5 star book for me!