Dora’s village is turned upside down when three missing people return in this novel translated from the Czech. Seventeen-year-old Dora Lautner has been labelled “crazy” ever since four of her friends—Sonya, Tom, Astrid, and Astrid’s little brother, Max—disappeared from day care 12 years ago while she was left behind, unable to say what happened. As the community begins the winter solstice festival of Korochun, during which the dead may walk among the living, Astrid and Tom reappear, unable to remember what transpired, along with a comatose Sonya. Max, however, is nowhere to be found. While people assume that Gustaw Linhart, their suspected kidnapper, set them free upon his recent release from an asylum, Astrid, Dora, and Tom aren’t so sure. When the traditional bonfire refuses to light and dead animals begin to turn up around the village, talk begins of a curse. During the 12 days of the festival, Dora, Tom, and Astrid must solve the mystery of the abduction and the returnees’ arrival in order to wake up Sonya and find Max before it is too late. The novel is eerie and atmospheric, with a plot drawn from the worst childhood fears of monsters under the bed. The final revelation of the truth behind the mystery does nothing to diminish the horror; if anything, it makes it even scarier. The measured pace is interrupted by bursts of terrifying action, keeping readers in suspense.
An intense, absorbing novel that will have readers jumping at shadows. (Horror. 13-18)
- Kirkus
There are so few YA horror novels out there and I am so
happy that I stumbled upon this one. The author used such a unique storyline
and included Slavic gods which I was completely new to, didn’t have any
previous knowledge of, but absolutely loved it. I definitely will be adding
this to my physical bookshelf on release day. - Taylor S, Reviewer
I stumbled across this book while looking for a new book to
read that tied in tales of the gods. I loved that this brought in the Slavic
gods - I haven't found a lot of stories that do.
It also was YA horror, which was a huge bonus! The disappearances of children,
and reappearance hinted to something more sinister lurking out there.
I can't wait to be able to share this book with my students that love horror,
and the old tales! I don't have enough in my classroom library that crossover.
But first, my priority is adding this book to my personal library.
A fantastic book with equally gorgeous art. 5/5.
- Jennifer J, Educator
Dora's four friends went missing 12 years ago during nap
time at kindergarten. No one has believed what she saw, blaming the
disappearances on the local loony man. A few days after he is released from his
sentence, three of the four return; aged normally and unaware of how they got
there or where they had been. Why did only three return and where have they
been this whole time? And are they to blame for the sudden stroke of bad luck
the village now faces? I Shall Awaken was a great quick read. While told from
many points of view it didn't jar the reader and helped propel the story
forward. Mythical/wise women of the village help our main characters navigate
lost memories and myths that should have never been forgotten. While the ending
left a little to be lacking, it was nice to be able to allow the reader their
own take on what happens after the epilogue. I really enjoyed this story but
the reread value is what brings it down to 4 stars. Recommended for readers 10+
who love a good mystery along with a bit of magic. - Kristin S, Reviewer
From “the Czech Stephen King”, Kateřina Šardická’s YA horror
novel I Shall Awaken is firmly rooted in folklore, and fear of the old gods.
Following their mysterious disappearance as children, Astrid, Tom, and Sonya
return 12 years later, with no memory of the incident. However, Astrid’s
brother Max did not return with them, and Astrid desperately tries to figure
out his rescue, while dealing with the abusive family to whom she has returned. The unnamed village in which the novel is set
is full of secrets, from weird witch-like characters, to forbidden forests, and
a myriad of ghosts. I love the world Šardická has created; it just drips with
dread from the first page. The central female characters in this book are
particularly strong. Astrid’s defiance in the face of authority, and the
literal unknown, is incredible. This girl faces potential death in order to
rescue her brother. The story takes a while to build; Šardická builds a sense
of foreboding that really pays off when things speed into the break-neck final
chapters. The horror is incredibly disturbing, and I experienced the rare
phenomenon of a “jump scare” in a book. I love that this is a YA book, and if
young readers embrace this level of terror, I think there is an incredible
amount of hope for the future. - Tracey T, Reviewer
In a small unnamed village demons are feared and
superstitions rule the villagers’ lives. The village has very good reasons to
be afraid. Twelve years ago, four six-year old children disappeared from their
locked kindergarten classroom during naptime. Sonia, Tom and Astrid along with
her little brother, Max were taken away; only Dora knows what happened but no
one believed her. Suddenly during the first night of the winter solstice, the
most dangerous time for the villagers when the veil between the real world and
the otherworld is thinnest, three of the missing children, now young adults,
return naked, covered in mud and with no memory of what has happened to them
over the last 12 years. Then things get frightening, nightmares seem to come to
life and the animals in the forest around them are dying. Astrid wants to go
back for Max, but where does she go and how will she get there? The story is
mostly told through Dora and Astrid and their home lives are almost as horrible
as their nightmares making the reader sympathize with them. Reading this novel
by a Czech author, translated into English, featuring folklore and legends of a
different culture is a great way for readers to expand their reading horizons,
and this is a good book to start with. - Youth Services Book Review