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- Title: Awakening: The Dragon Heart Legacy, Book 1
- Author: Nora Roberts
- Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
- Length: 15:27:27
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 24/11/2020
- Publisher: Macmillan Audio
- Genre: Romance, Romantasy
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
The first time I heard Barrie Kreinik’s voice wrap around Nora Roberts’ words in “Awakening: The Dragon Heart Legacy”, I was transported back to that moonlit night in Oaxaca when Abuela Rosa told us folktales of shape-shifting nahuales. There’s a particular magic when a skilled narrator becomes the bridge between worlds – just as Breen Kelly discovers when she steps through that portal in Galway.
Roberts’ foray into romantasy feels like coming home to both my anthropology studies and my love for immersive travel writing. The parallel worlds of Philadelphia and Talamh unfold with such tactile detail – you can smell the damp earth of the Irish countryside, feel the weight of Breen’s student debt anxiety, and taste the metallic tang of dragon magic in the air. It reminds me of crossing the Atacama while listening to García Márquez; the landscape and magic become inseparable companions.
Kreinik’s narration is a masterclass in vocal alchemy. Her transitions between Breen’s modern American cadence and the lilting musicality of Talamh’s inhabitants create an aural portal as effective as any in the story. The way she captures Keegan’s gruff warrior-poet duality particularly stands out – there’s a roughness to his voice that still carries the weight of ancient prophecies.
The story’s themes of self-discovery resonate deeply with my own journeys. Breen’s financial windfall mirroring my own life-changing decision to leave corporate life for travel writing; that moment when you realize the path before you was never yours to walk. Roberts handles this transformation with her signature emotional intelligence, though fantasy purists might find the Philadelphia sections slower than the Talamh adventures.
Compared to similar romantasy hybrids like “A Court of Thorns and Roses”, Roberts brings her trademark focus on grounded character development. Where other authors might rush to the magical fireworks, she lets us sit with Breen in her cubicle despair, making her eventual awakening (pun intended) more satisfying. The romantic elements develop gradually – this is no insta-love fantasy, but a slow burn worthy of the best travel romances.
Audio production quality is stellar, with subtle musical cues enhancing but never overpowering the narration. The 14-hour runtime feels expansive yet intimate – perfect for a long train journey or nights when you want to be transported. My only critique is that some battle sequences could benefit from more dynamic pacing, though this may be intentional to maintain the story’s lyrical quality.
For listeners new to romantasy, this makes an excellent gateway. The familiar Roberts romance elements ease you into the fantasy aspects, much like a trusted guide leading you into unfamiliar territory. And for seasoned fantasy fans, there’s enough fresh world-building (those dragon heart revelations!) to satisfy.
As I write this from a Lisbon café, listening to the waves crash just beyond these ancient streets, I’m struck by how “Awakening” captures that traveler’s dual reality – the person you were at home and who you become when you answer the call of adventure. Breen’s journey, like all great trips, changes her in ways she couldn’t predict.
May your next journey – whether through pages or portals – be transformative,
Marcus Rivera
