The Awakening is the first book in M.L. Lacy’s Chrysalis saga; it follows 32 years old Bree Campbell who learns the truth about her past and the prophecy about her future. As she is the last Chosen one, who is predicted to either die or fulfil her destiny.
It has a riveting plot line, that has both well thought out and original. The plot line has so many fascinating and surprising twists that are unforeseeable, that this book is impossible to stop reading.
The Awakening has well developed characters that have flaws making them, both realistic and interesting. M.L. lacy has effortlessly blended an entire world of Magicals, such as vampires, werewolves and demons in ordinary society. Often with books that have vampires in them, authors try to combine as many myths and legends as possible, whereas M.L. Lacy as dismissed the myths that would diminish the storyline and instead adds original ideas to make the fascinating and complex Magicals.
One of the many interesting components of this novel would be how some Magicals have the ability to telepathically move items around and to ‘fold space’. It is impossible to think of any flaws in this addictive book, which leaves readers wanting to know what happens next.
In conclusion, The Awakening is a delight to read with well developed characters, plotlines and world. It is both an original and extremely addictive novel that is one of the best recent debut novels.

Source: Doni Miller
Date: 10/03/2009

BOOK ONE CHRYSALIS--THE AWAKENING, By M. L. Lacy
Authorhouse, April 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4389-5984-9(e)
978-1-4389-5985-6(sc)

"All families have secrets. But at 32 years old, Bree Campbell is discovering that her entire life has been a secret. Like most people, it never occurred to her to question her mortality; that is until she learns that she is a mortal born into a family of Magicals and begins to question everything and everyone in her life. As the doors to Bree’s new world fly open and she finally hears the prophecy told at her birth she must face the revelation that she is a Chosen One; the last and greatest of a long line of Chosen Ones. And if this were not overwhelming enough, she has been charged with saving the earth by repairing the cosmic tear that binds the mortal world she has always known and the Magical world she is just now discovering. But the real question lies in whether Bree will survive the long transformation into the powerful Druid Sorceress that is her destiny or die in the process as many before her have gone. Bree’s journey will not be an easy one. She must face the realities of her new life and her new family; a clan of vampires who have been charged with protecting her for all of her mortal life. They have chosen her as a leader in their clan, a position that has really complicated things for her. For no sooner than Bree is finally reunited with her long lost love, Steven, Bree must learn how to navigate the jealousies and emotions within her new family. While Bree tries to free herself from her past, including her cruel and lethal husband, she must determine who she can truly trust. And while her clan loves her immensely, they will continually try to stand in her way; all in the name of protecting her from those set upon her death. Bree’s arch nemesis is Esmeralda, a powerful sorceress in her own right who will stop at nothing until this Chosen One is dead."

Above description provided by Amazon.com


This is a fascinating and captivating story of love, passion, politics, and magic. The characters are colorful, vibrant and believable, even the ones you never see. The first hundred pages are a bit slow, and could use a good proofreading (see excerpt below). But do not let that deter you. The early sections are highly descriptive in providing the background of the main characters. There is not a lot of plot development. But in short order, the book picks up and BAM, you find yourself in the thick of the story.

The author blends many legends and myths, and it works. She writes like an artist, with bright colors and crisp details when needed, and careful contrasting use of shadowy glimses of things to come.

"Riverside Geyser had just started its spectacular display. Strong bursts jettisoned the hot water and the cold air caused steam to rise in union with its spray out over the river.
I could feel the power of the eruption course though (sic) my body. I felt the earth shudder as the force of the water made its way up through its tubing and through the opening. I had always felt the ground shudder here, but now I was more aware of it. My entire body felt the vibration of the earth. My feet tingled from the sensation.
The wind blew the spray in our direction and I covered my camera with my cloak to protect it. I let the geyser mist sweep over me.
I watched the hill behind the geyser. Mule deer grazed undaunted by the earth's forceful bursts. They didn't watch; they had seen it many times before.
In the copse of trees just off to the left, I watched as a dark cloud moved about. Steven took no notice of the shape. It hovered in the trees and then was gone."


There is no graphic sex. But the book is still sensual with the characters' passions (both good and bad) clearly displayed. Bree, in particularly, is an incredibly strong female lead character. It is very refreshing to find a mature heroine.

This story burns brightly. Book two cannot come soon enough.

Reviewed by Doni Miller, St. Louis, 10/3/09

Source: RebeccasReads
Date: 6/2009

Chrysalis - The Awakening, Book 1
M. L. Lacy
AuthorHouse (2009)
ISBN 978-1438959856
Reviewed by Gina Holland for RebeccasReads (6/09)
"Chrysalis - The Awakening” by M.L. Lacy is one of the best novels I have read in quite
a while. In this Book 1 version of "Chrysalis -The Awakening," Lacy brings to life the
coming together of Magicals, Vampires and even a few Werewolves. The Magicals are a
lovely, enchanting mixture of sorceresses and humans. There are Traditional Vampires,
who are your blood sucking, human killing Vampires. Then there is what I would call the
good Vampires. These Vampires are the protectors of the Chosen One and have been in
all of Bree Campbell's mortal life. They crave blood just as the Traditionals, however,
they choose not to kill humans to get what they desire, and have ways of getting blood
from a different source. They drink their blood in glasses just as humans would drink
water. I was delighted to meet all sides of the characters in this story.
Aubrey Marie - Bree - The Chosen One. Bree is the last, and the greatest, in a long line of
Chosen Ones. She was chosen before her birth to become leader of this world. Bree was
to transform from human to full Magical, Sorceress, and Leader, at an earlier time. But
because of one evil person, Esmeralda, a powerful Sorceress who wants to rid the world
of humans, threatens Bree’s family with terrible things if they don’t keep her lover,
Steven, who is a clan member and Bree’s long lost love, away from her. Unknown to
Bree, she has always been protected by her clan. But Bree takes a different path, marries
an evil man, and begins a horrible life of beatings and mental abuse. Bree’s memory of
her clan, her lover, and everything she is supposed to become is taken from her so that
she doesn’t remember until the time is right. After Bree finally rids herself of this brutal
man, her husband, she finds her way back to where she belongs. Bree’s newly acquired
family is counting on her to save the world, but is she strong enough, wise enough, and
clever enough, to rid the world of evil, or will Esmeralda bring her down and rid the
world of all humans?
Lacy did a terrific job with "Chrysalis - The Awakening." She has chosen her characters
well, and brought them all to life for us in this novel. Once I started reading, I just could
not put the book down! I am so looking forward to Book Two if she so chooses to write
it. I hope I am one of the first to get it and read about the continuing story of Bree, her
clan and their Magical World. I recommend this novel to adults and young adults of all
genders. The story is just magnificent. I may even read it all over again! Thank you for
writing this novel for the readers who will really enjoy the story. I am looking forward to
more of your writings!

G. A. Bixler
Independent Professional Book Reviewer
Author's Representative
bookreviewers.org
http://ipbookreviewer-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/
May 29, 2009


Book 1 of a new series by M. L. Lacy, Chrysalis: The Awakening, is an intriguing addition to the fantasy genre. With nearly 600 pages, that read very easily and quickly, I highly recommend you start this series right now, as Bree awakens!

No, Aubrey Marie Campbell has not been “asleep;” rather, she has been a mortal since birth and now is her time to “transition” into the magical realm. You see she is A Chosen One—in fact, she is the “last” of the Chosen Ones and if she fails in her mission, both the mortal and magical worlds will ultimately be destroyed. I plan on following this series! It is well written and Book 1 has established a firm understanding of the storyline, the primary characters, and what will be happening; and entertains and pulls readers in so that they want more. I personally hope we don’t have to wait too long for the follow up!

As the last Chosen One, Bree’s life has been in danger since she was born. Her parents were constantly threatened so that Bree’s childhood was constantly more and more confining and restrictive. She was separated from her “intended” and, instead, married to a sadistic mortal that constantly abused and tormented her, even to the point of “sharing” her with his male friends. Finally, when she became pregnant, was beaten, lost the baby and was then unable to have further children, Bree gathered her strength and filed for divorce.

While Bree was made to suffer during her childhood, she was not left totally on her own. There were many that stood guard over her, even at night while she slept—although they could not be seen!

Now her grandmother has invited her to a “reunion” of old friends and although she was not interested in going, fearing that her friends would all be the same age as her grandmother, she finally gives in and, once there, finds that there are many of her own age. One in particular greatly attracts her. Oops, shall I highlight here that memory of her old friends, especially Steven, her intended mate, had been magically erased, so that when she now meets them, she does not remember their earlier relationship. Actually, it was the interaction between the characters at this point that I especially enjoyed since Bree had felt for many years that there was perhaps something wrong with her—she heard voices, she healed quickly, even from the continuous abuse from her husband, and she had been restricted from so much activity by her parents, she had assumed that she was mentally ill! This part is funny and sad—sad to realize what parents, even parents with magical abilities, can do to a child.

For Bree’s rival, Esmeralda, did indeed threaten—and everybody knew that she would follow through on her threats! But now Bree was finding her own strength and much of her early life had been explained. Bree’s first confrontation with Esmeralda is excitingly funny—because by now of course, readers are all supporting Bree’s new reign and looking forward to her final transition, when she gains her full powers!

Hey, everybody needs a little magic in their lives—you know, clans of vampires, a few werewolves, a giant or two, witches, elves, and wizards—Oh My! Seriously, readers, if you love fantasy, then you will indeed enjoy Chrysalis: The Awakening by M. L. Lacy