With all the YA books being put on the shelves these days, it’s becoming more and more important to check out new writers, old writers (old as in previously published, not old as in Ms. Nelder from the public school library) and more importantly, local writers.  When I say local, I mean writers who are from your neck of the woods, your home town, your city, your stompin’ grounds.  I live in a relatively small Northern Ontario city (150,000) compared to closer areas like Toronto, Barrie, Vaughan, etc.  So, when a local writer gets herself a book deal, it’s a wonderful thing.  Hally Willmott, local, born and raised in Sudbury where I live, recently got herself quite a great shot with Limitless Publishing and I couldn’t be more happy for her.  Especially since she’s sort of in my line of work too!  Her first novel, Awakenings is a fantastic debut.  Think of Harry Potter meets fairies meets Twilight.

Here’s the jacket blurb:

When sixteen-year old Jacey Adison’s parents tell her they must move again, she has never questioned their life style. Until now. When Jacey was two, her parents fled the protection of their birthplace, the mystical dimension of Nemele. Leaving was the only solution her parents believed might allow them to keep their family together and alive.

The Adisons have been running from a sect of iniquitous beings from Nemele who covet Jacey. Her parents have repressed their adversaries’ relentless tracking efforts by not utilizing their own mystical powers. They have chosen to conceal themselves within the only realm they knew they’d be able to survive. They are living under their self-imposed powerless sanctions on Earth, which constitutes the nineteenth nation of Nemele.

Her parents have never revealed their true identities to Jacey, consequently keeping her true lineage and unique birthright from her. Jacey’s family has pretended to be non-magical humans as a ploy to prevent an ancient omnipotent entity from killing more innocent beings in its relentless quest to possess Jacey.

Nemele’s inhabitants have been the elemental architectural guides of a number of nations throughout the cosmos. As Elemental Governors, they’ve influenced the evolution of eighteen other realms throughout the galaxy. Air, earth, wind, fire and water are gifted to each member within the Nemelite Society. It is during their Awakening, or adolescent stage of development, that their talents emerge.

Every legend, myth and folklore human beings have believed in and have worshiped since the beginning of time originate within Nemele. Representatives from each of the nineteen nations form the Guild of Elders, a federation to oversee and rule Nemele. From Greek Gods to shape –shifting dragons, all exist.

Born as an anomaly, Jacey possesses rare abilities that both virtuous and corrupt entities seek to use as their own. Should either side prevail, Jacey may be the saviour or downfall of every world within Nemele’s domains. Blindly thrust into life and death situations, Jacey learns of her true powers within her dreaming and conscious states.

The book is a great read with a fresh and unique voice.  I congratulate Hally on what I think, is a great contribution to the YA genre and a story anyone would find intriguing.  I’m on book two as we speak, Revelations  and it’s starting out to be a wonderful series.  Yup, I read that. 🙂