Awakening

At what point does a young adult book stop being a young adult book? Especially when its cover is reminiscent of the genre, its protagonist is a young character, it features some romance, the language is (relatively) clean, and it features similar dystopian themes? This is a question I pondered while reading Jacob M. Callcut’s Awakening. It features many of the trappings young adult readers love (as do mature readers of young adult fiction), yet throughout the book, it feels like anything but a young adult book.

If you’re a young adult, considering purchasing Awakening for a young adult, or enjoy young adult novels for the relative innocence they tend to offer, I would suggest steering clear of the book. Although the novel is largely devoid of sex and adult situations, Awakening takes multiple opportunities to focus on its protagonist’s sexuality. Not in the sense that it’s exploring this, but in its sexualisation of her, commenting on her body, and removing parts of her clothing throughout various situations. Making matters worse, the character is fifteen-years-old. Rather than empowering the character, the book is written via the male gaze and almost feels as though it’s leering at a teenager. The book features menstruation, and while a young adult book touching upon this subject matter could add depth to the story, when written by a male author, and one who sexualises its protagonist, it feels disingenuous at best.

Despite Awakening sharing many hallmarks of the young adult genre, given the subject matter, it’s entirely possible it isn’t written for young adults. If this is the case, I don’t know who the target audience is. Throughout the majority of the book’s 375 paperback pages (or estimated 377 eBook pages) that aren’t objectifying its protagonist, it presents a science fiction story written seriously. This is to the point where the prose is heavier than readers would normally find in books aimed at younger readers. The prose is wordy, delving into the characters and world, written with self-seriousness that drags the reader along. While it’s written well on a technical level, the prose doesn’t elicit an enjoyable sensation. Instead, it feels as though it’s written with a serious science fiction mindset while telling a story with an essentially quaint resolution.

As heavy as the prose is, the dialogue is less so. There isn’t a particularly large amount of it, and the characters tend to speak in short bursts. The characters sound distinct from one another and have their individual voices. These voices don’t sound particularly natural. Instead of sounding like young people, they instead sound as though they’re impersonating young people.

The characters themselves are enjoyable, but the story doesn’t let them breathe as it attributes a large amount of weight to the story; something that literally weighs the characters down. The protagonist (who I’m not naming, given her story) is pleasant to follow. However, the book doesn’t delve into her character deeply, and predominantly focuses her on the here and now, rather than examining what makes her tick. Her character arc is enjoyable, told through a coming of age story. Throughout the book, the characters react to the events around them as the story progresses, and this prevents the book from delving further into them. While this impacts the protagonist to a degree, it’s particularly pertinent to Awakening’s supporting characters.

A large factor in Awakening not delving into its protagonist’s character is due to her memories having been erased. The character doesn’t know who she is or what drives her, and the novel doesn’t touch upon this outside of her putting the pieces together. While this makes it difficult to connect with the character, the concept is realised well, with the revelations of who she is rolled out at a steady pace. Should the author write a sequel to Awakening (it feels as though it’s the first part of a series, although there’s no mention of it on the cover or in the book’s marketing), it would provide a great opportunity to delve into her further.

Stolen memories only account for part of the book’s plot and link into the overarching narrative. It takes the familiar concept of a future where humanity has expanded beyond the confines of the Earth and adds a dystopian, cyberpunk-type edge. A central family has control of the Solar System’s resources, capitalising on humanity’s need for them. The plot works well, drawing the reader into the world and the protagonist’s connection to the larger story. For the most part, the narrative is reasonably dark. As the book progresses and more is revealed about its protagonist, however, it takes a lighter tone. The result is an ending that’s twee in comparison, and at odds with the rest of the book’s tone.

While I’m reasonably certain Awakening is aimed at younger readers, there’s enough material in it to make me question that assumption. It’s a story about self-discovery that would appeal to young adult readers if it wasn’t mired in sexualising its protagonist and written in such a heavy-handed style. While the story being told is fundamentally an enjoyable one, and its mystery intriguing, the tonal shift when all is revealed—the most “young adult” part of the book—undercuts it.

Favourite Passage

Never, in what of the fifteen years of memories I possess, have I been less secure, less at home than now.

Here I am barreling toward my nemesis’ home, with the passed out and beaten body of a guard bumping around in the vehicle’s storage space, courtesy of the sibylline woman next to me in the driver’s seat, a million questions bouncing between my ears. Despite her commitment otherwise, the woman has yet answered a drip of them.

Awakening, Chapter Ten

Awakening was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest review.

Awakening is available in paperback and eBook, from retailers, including—but not limited to—Amazon.

Note: I do not post scores for reviews on this website, but do post them on my Amazon and Goodreads reviews:

• Amazon
• Goodreads

You can follow Jacob M. Callcut online, via:

• Official website
• Instagram
• Goodreads

Interested in purchasing Awakening?

Please find a link below; please note I do not collect any proceeds from the sale.

Awakening