Reviewed by Maureen Dangarembizi for Readers' Favorite
Sentinals Awaken is the first book in Helen Garraway’s The Sentinals series. As captain of the King’s Rangers, Jerrol Haven’s job is to make sure everything in the kingdom of Remargaren is kept safe and secure. When he discovers treasonous acts committed by Chancellor Isseran, the third most powerful man in the kingdom, he has no idea of the scope of the conspiracy he has uncovered. The crown prince accuses him of treason and Jerrol is forced to flee. On the run, Jerrol is plagued by visions and signs of things he thought were mere myths. Lady Leyandrii, the deity that sundered the veil three thousand years ago, needs him to save a kingdom beset by its most ancient enemies. Jerrol must race against time and countless enemies in order to awaken the kingdom’s Guardian Sentinals.
Helen Garraway introduces a magically unique world in this fast-paced fantasy epic. The magic system in this book is different yet familiar. The age-old battle of good versus evil is grandly portrayed in the struggle between the Sentinals and the Ascenders. This is a recipe that makes epic tales so breathtaking and Sentinals Awaken doesn’t disappoint. Jerrol is a great protagonist from the beginning, a fighter and a man of principle. His life is filled with danger and near catastrophes that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. This enjoyable book reminded me of Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb in terms of premise. I was sad to reach the end of the story and hope to read more books in this series.