Wake Unto Me [Paperback]

"Some people say that love itself is the most powerful magic"

I waited a while before writing this review because I was hoping the words would come to me. I could easily say that this book was amazing, or incredible but those seem so simple compared to what the book really was. This book was...Stunning. It soared way beyond the expectations I had for it. There are so many characteristics about this book that I loved.

The Storyline: I obviously loved the book because of it's unique storyline, but Lisa Cach created something so much more than a simple story. She created such a beautiful world that it was nearly impossible to stop reading. You are whisped away back and forth between 16th century and 21st century France. The more Caitlyn learns and discovers of the castle and her surroundings, the more the book comes alive.

Characters: It has been a long time since I came across such incredibly vivid characters in a book. Each character had something to offer to the story and the book itself. It would have been incomplete had just one character been missing. It is hard to believe that Caitlyn, Raphael and the Chateau de la Fortune are fictional. They were so vibrant and alive. I immediately fell in love with Caitlyn and Raphael, it is hard to put into words what kind of characters they are. They are truly special, and will stay with you long after you've finished reading the book.

It's magical. The author created an enchanting, ghostly world, while taking you on a intense hunt for treasure. My mind was running wild trying to figure out the clues and mystery myself. Each time I would think I had figured it out, a twist came out of nowhere and took me in a completely different direction. The most magical aspect of this book though is the love story. It is one of the most romantic love story's I have come across in a long time. Falling in love with a man in your dreams? Sounds hard to pull off but the author did it flawlessly. Every flutter and heart ache Caitlyn felt, you could feel too. Like I said before, Raphael was unlike any character I have read, his words leaped off the pages. Caitlyn and Raphael's love was beautiful and tragic all at once.

I could go on and on about this book but I won't. There is so much wonderful in Wake Unto Me that it should be discovered by you while reading it. This is a must, must read! I will definitely be re-reading it again in the future. Chateau de la Fortune is a place I want to revisit.

What I liked: Hmm...Everything!
What I disliked: That it ended. I can only hope that there will be another book, so I can read more about Caitlyn, Raphael and the Sisterhood of Fortuna.

SUMMARY: Caitlyn is not like other girls. She wakes every morning from vivid, horrifying nightmares, and is haunted by them throughout the day. None of her friends or family members understand what she's going through. The only person who would understand--her mother--is dead. When Caitlyn receives an invitation to attend a boarding school in France, she jumps at the chance, hoping things will be different. However, at the Chateau de la Fortune, Caitlyn's dreams become even more vivid, and she soon finds herself trying to unlock the secrets that her school houses.

MY THOUGHTS: When I first read the back cover of Wake Unto Me, I had my doubts about the book. It seemed like an average paranormal romance. Well, I'm happy to say that Wake Unto Me was much, much more than I expected.

Wake Unto Me has its (crazy adorable) moments of romance, but its main focus is on solving a mystery. The pieces of the puzzle were well researched and rounded; I found myself amazed at the solution to each clue. It was exciting to read about Caitlyn and Raphael's deductions, and the references to the Knights Templar made my history-loving heart sing.

Caitlyn was a great protagonist; though I didn't enjoy the fact that she was always moping around after not being able to see Raphael, she was otherwise very solid. I liked that even though she was an outsider, she didn't have a jaded outlook on life; she was always thinking positively. Caitlyn's powers were really neat, too; I enjoyed her dreams and the eventual revelation as to what she truly was.

Lisa Cach's writing in Wake Unto Me is gorgeous. Her writing style was very appropriate for the setting; the third-person narration is elegant and descriptive, and the addition of French and Italian words made the book feel exotic and all the more enticing.

I would definitely recommend Wake Unto Me to anyone looking for an exciting mystery with a few added bonuses--a beautiful yet creepy foreign setting and a delicious romance. I, for one, enjoyed the book quite a bit, and the intriguing story will certainly be swirling around my brain for a while.

This is a must read. Forget the classifications: YA, paranormal romance. This is quite simply an enjoyable read. Not being a typical reader of this genre, I was skeptical but soon won over by the beautiful language and compelling story. This is a story teller at the peek of her skills.

I highly encourage others to join me and take the plunge. You're welcome, to those who do.