Awakenings by The Book Smugglers

Awakenings Reviews

• 
  Nicky Kyle

  I aim to write a more coherent, detailed review later once I've had some time to process (and wipe my tears!) but for now, suffice to say that this is an incredible collection of some of the best short stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading. The first one (which I read last, and which is responsible for aforementioned current tears) is the only one I've read before, and while I plan to have more to say about the others once I've thought about them a bit more, honestly the first one alone is worth the price of admission. This is a story that anyone who has ever longed to find their own magical doorway -- or, as the title itself plays off, waited longingly for the magical letter which would invite them to that oh-so-special school of wands and witches -- and grown past the ages where people get to begin those sorts of adventures without so much as a whisper from a talking cat or moving portrait or postal owl. This is a story for all of us whose childhood reading promised magic while reality delivered only mundanity. If you were one of those kids who couldn't help hoping, even though you knew it wasn't REALLY possible, that SOME DAY.......well, this story is for you. It will reach right to your heart and pull all those feelings out and wrap you up in a soothing (but far from saccharine) hug of catharsis. You will probably cry, so have tissues handy. You will definitely be touched. And you will then proceed to share this book with everyone you know who also waited for those impossible letters that never came because in lieu of those portals and possibilities opening before us at last, this story really and truly is the next best thing.