Awoke: The Unseen War is a work of fiction in the paranormal, adventure, and action subgenres, and is the start of a brand-new series. The work is intended for young adult and new adult reading audiences. Penned by author K. T. Conte, the story follows Katya Stevens as she confronts the haunting realities of her eighteenth birthday, moving from a mere rite of passage to an awakening into a realm where the dead persist, and the delicate balance between life and death hangs in the balance. Katya's ability to see the departed thrusts her into a world of mysteries and cosmic battles, with Gregor, a mysterious Grim Reaper, by her side. The narrative unfolds the complexities of The Want, spirits distorted by their defiance of the natural transition to the afterlife.

Author K. T. Conte has crafted an immersive experience into a world that blends the supernatural with the challenges of early adulthood, taking readers on a powerful journey of self-discovery as they unlock an exciting new realm. The story transcends the boundaries of traditional fantasy with interesting twists on popular tropes, and I enjoyed the atmospheric lexical choices that perfectly match the setting to the mood of each scene. The work is delicate in its emotional theming, touching on ideas of destiny, self-discovery, and the battle between hope and chaos, but always keeping Katya and her emotional journey in focus. Conte's storytelling grips you with its cinematically described action sequences, and I enjoyed the pacing of the plot that never leaves you waiting for more action. Overall, I would certainly recommend Awoke as an exciting adventure into the delicate tapestry of life, death, and the unseen forces that shape our existence.

Katya Stevens is an intelligent young woman who appreciates the company of her close friends and looks forward to life beyond high school. She has doubts about the direction her current relationship is taking but that is not as disturbing as the health scare she has been experiencing recently. When she meets a handsome young man who informs her that there is a relationship between her affliction and the recent spate of earthquakes around the world, Katya is reluctant to believe this. But when he invites her to journey with him and see for herself, she realizes she must make a decision that will permanently change her life. Find out what choice she makes in K.T. Conte’s Awoke.

A teenager discovers that her supposed ailment holds the key to preventing an extinction-level event in K.T. Conte’s Awoke. This novel is the latest installment in The Unseen War series and introduces us to a supernatural battle being fought for the souls on the planet. The characters have interesting backstories but what stands out with them is the attention to detail that Conte puts into their crafting to make the overall story quite believable. An excellent example of this would be the Kyrios structure and personnel which is easy to accept and understand. Even though the very idea of Katya getting seriously involved with the Grim Reaper pushes the limits of even the most creative mind, it is balanced by the end-to-end action that comes from her encounters with the 'wanters' as she wields her Vis. Conte’s incredibly vivid storytelling brings Awoke to life in a one-of-a-kind way that supernatural genre purists will fall in love with.

Being Kyrios is a calling. The Kyrios function in the hybrid world of living and dead as wardens. They also help maintain the balance between the realms. Recently, things have been getting out of hand in the living realm with weather changes, volcanic eruptions that seem unlikely, and random tremors. Katya has a special gift. Since she was a child, she saw things no one else could, something that made her parents take her to therapy. Since the tremors began, Katya has been experiencing visions. On Amie's birthday, she meets Gregor, who seems to know exactly what she is capable of. To find out how things unfold, pick up a copy of Awoke: The Unseen War by K.T. Conte.

Awoke by K. T. Conte takes readers on a gripping journey filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep one on the edge of their seat. The writing style is highly engaging, and the steady narration kept me intrigued and entertained. I loved how vivid Conte was with the descriptions of events and places, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening. The seamless flow of the plotline also ensured that there was no room for confusion for the reader. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about some of the issues affecting the world currently, such as climate change and the impact of the Internet on people. The characters are well-developed, and the readers will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language used, making the book accessible to all readers. I am looking forward to reading something else by Conte.

In Awoke by K. T. Conte, eighteen-year-old Katya, burdened with unpredictable visions, faces disruptions during a night out with friends as her supernatural abilities attract attention. She meets Gregor, a Kyrios, who offers to help Katya with her unique concentration of "Vis." Katya's past begins to resurface, including her powers and brushes with Want entities. This does nothing to help Katya's life in the “real world,” where she faces bullying, but Gregor guides her to a realm beyond the living, where Kyrios Generals explain her part in preventing chaos by the havoc-wreaking Want. She begins training to control her uncontrolled Vis, requesting Gregor as her guardian. Her secrets, friendships, duty, emotions, and even a bit of romance are tested as Katya learns more about her role as the Balancer and undergoes continued training, questioning her motives, Want nature, and the true extent of her powers.

Awoke by K. T. Conte takes older, coming-of-age young adult issues and amplifies them in a fantasy setting. Katya is exceptional as a protagonist for many reasons, but Conte does not make it easy for her, and the harshness of internal conflict is matched only by some impossible decisions. These impacts on Katya's journey set the book apart. Katya is also a woman of color who, for all of her supernatural capabilities, is still vulnerable and human, and as a person of color raising daughters, the importance of this cannot be stressed enough. The writing itself is clean and well-executed, and Conte's world-building is exceptional. In this story, we not only visualize the surroundings but also feel the atmosphere, with one immersive scene painting a picture of a serene lake with tree-lined shores, an ethereal mist, and a dreamy atmosphere. Overall, this is an engrossing and solid first entry into Conte's The Unseen War series, and I look forward to following it wherever she takes us next. Very highly recommended.