I Shall Awaken

Selected for the CBC Fall 2022 Showcase: Stranger Than Fiction.

"Dora’s village is turned upside down when three missing people return in this novel translated from the Czech. Seventeen-year-old Dora Lautner has been labelled “crazy” ever since four of her friends—Sonya, Tom, Astrid, and Astrid’s little brother, Max—disappeared from day care 12 years ago while she was left behind, unable to say what happened. As the community begins the winter solstice festival of Korochun, during which the dead may walk among the living, Astrid and Tom reappear, unable to remember what transpired, along with a comatose Sonya. Max, however, is nowhere to be found. While people assume that Gustaw Linhart, their suspected kidnapper, set them free upon his recent release from an asylum, Astrid, Dora, and Tom aren’t so sure. When the traditional bonfire refuses to light and dead animals begin to turn up around the village, talk begins of a curse. During the 12 days of the festival, Dora, Tom, and Astrid must solve the mystery of the abduction and the returnees’ arrival in order to wake up Sonya and find Max before it is too late. The novel is eerie and atmospheric, with a plot drawn from the worst childhood fears of monsters under the bed. The final revelation of the truth behind the mystery does nothing to diminish the horror; if anything, it makes it even scarier. The measured pace is interrupted by bursts of terrifying action, keeping readers in suspense. An intense, absorbing novel that will have readers jumping at shadows. (Horror. 13-18)" ―Kirkus Reviews

"The mystery of four missing children emerges when three of them suddenly appear twelve years later. The fact they have no memory of their disappearance allows readers to wonder, but the question of what happened to the fourth boy Max adds a twist. Astrid is determined to save her brother but that requires an understanding of what happened. A twelve-day deadline creates additional suspense as days go by. Dora was with the kids when they disappeared from kindergarten nap time, but no one knows why she was left behind. People think she’s crazy when they hear her account of the events so she’s now reluctant to share what she saw. The whole plot focuses on Astrid’s efforts to solve the mystery, find her little brother, and bring him safely home. The kids receive mixed reactions when they reappear, but the general public is consistently rude, nosy, and opinionated. Astrid’s mother has been ill since her disappearance, and her uncle, cousin, and grandmother are not happy to see Astrid return. Dora’s father becomes very angry and violent when her friends come back, and Sophia’s mother already had her declared legally dead years earlier. The village is male-dominated and the Elders set rules and pass judgment for all citizens to follow. The strict atmosphere is stifling and suffocates the young people. The teens find little understanding and support to help them heal. The story has an air of the supernatural, but the author keeps any specifics vague for the first half of the book. Children wear tattoos to guard against evil spirits and spells are cast at bedtime to ward off demons. Astrid suffers nightmares to the point that she’s afraid she’ll be attacked by shadowy creatures if she falls asleep. The ceremonial bonfire lit during a holiday celebration goes out and villagers are unable to get it relit. A dead cat is found among its ashes and other animals start dying around town and in the woods. Something evil has clearly targeted the town, but what? The truth behind Max’s disappearance is a huge, expected twist as the plot nears its climax." ―YA Books Central

"There are so few YA horror novels out there and I am so happy that I stumbled upon this one. The author used such a unique storyline and included Slavic gods which I was completely new to, didn’t have any previous knowledge of, but absolutely loved it. I definitely will be adding this to my physical bookshelf on release day." ―Taylor S, Reviewer

"I stumbled across this book while looking for a new book to read that tied in tales of the gods. I loved that this brought in the Slavic gods - I haven't found a lot of stories that do. It also was YA horror, which was a huge bonus! The disappearances of children, and reappearance hinted to something more sinister lurking out there. I can't wait to be able to share this book with my students that love horror, and the old tales! I don't have enough in my classroom library that crossover. But first, my priority is adding this book to my personal library. A fantastic book with equally gorgeous art. 5/5." ―Jennifer J, Educator

"Dora's four friends went missing 12 years ago during nap time at kindergarten. No one has believed what she saw, blaming the disappearances on the local loony man. A few days after he is released from his sentence, three of the four return; aged normally and unaware of how they got there or where they had been. Why did only three return and where have they been this whole time? And are they to blame for the sudden stroke of bad luck the village now faces? I Shall Awaken was a great quick read. While told from many points of view it didn't jar the reader and helped propel the story forward. Mythical/wise women of the village help our main characters navigate lost memories and myths that should have never been forgotten. While the ending left a little to be lacking, it was nice to be able to allow the reader their own take on what happens after the epilogue. I really enjoyed this story but the reread value is what brings it down to 4 stars. Recommended for readers 10+ who love a good mystery along with a bit of magic." ―Kristin S, Reviewer

"From “the Czech Stephen King”, Kateřina Šardická’s YA horror novel I Shall Awaken is firmly rooted in folklore, and fear of the old gods. Following their mysterious disappearance as children, Astrid, Tom, and Sonya return 12 years later, with no memory of the incident. However, Astrid’s brother Max did not return with them, and Astrid desperately tries to figure out his rescue, while dealing with the abusive family to whom she has returned.  The unnamed village in which the novel is set is full of secrets, from weird witch-like characters, to forbidden forests, and a myriad of ghosts. I love the world Šardická has created; it just drips with dread from the first page. The central female characters in this book are particularly strong. Astrid’s defiance in the face of authority, and the literal unknown, is incredible. This girl faces potential death in order to rescue her brother. The story takes a while to build; Šardická builds a sense of foreboding that really pays off when things speed into the break-neck final chapters. The horror is incredibly disturbing, and I experienced the rare phenomenon of a “jump scare” in a book. I love that this is a YA book, and if young readers embrace this level of terror, I think there is an incredible amount of hope for the future." ―Tracey T, Reviewer

"In a small unnamed village demons are feared and superstitions rule the villagers’ lives. The village has very good reasons to be afraid. Twelve years ago, four six-year old children disappeared from their locked kindergarten classroom during naptime. Sonia, Tom and Astrid along with her little brother, Max were taken away; only Dora knows what happened but no one believed her. Suddenly during the first night of the winter solstice, the most dangerous time for the villagers when the veil between the real world and the otherworld is thinnest, three of the missing children, now young adults, return naked, covered in mud and with no memory of what has happened to them over the last 12 years. Then things get frightening, nightmares seem to come to life and the animals in the forest around them are dying. Astrid wants to go back for Max, but where does she go and how will she get there? The story is mostly told through Dora and Astrid and their home lives are almost as horrible as their nightmares making the reader sympathize with them. Reading this novel by a Czech author, translated into English, featuring folklore and legends of a different culture is a great way for readers to expand their reading horizons, and this is a good book to start with." ―Youth Services Book Review

"An interesting and unique horror story that has a bit of a Midsommar vibe to it. Definitely good for fans of horror movies or folk horror." ―NetGalley-Librarian

"I loved this novel. It's a twisted tale of loss, friendship and guilt but the narrative and story will keep you hooked. Four children disappear from their kindergarten class while taking a nap. Twelve years later they reappear out of the blue with no memory of what took place. This story is set in an unknown location in an unknown time period and that keeps us on our toes. This town believes strongly in curses, magic, and gods, and the sudden reappearance of these children (now adults) causes some to believe the town is cursed. If these young people can't figure out what's happened to them, the consequences could be dire. This is a mystery of sorts, wrapped in the supernatural and sucks you right in from the beginning. I highly recommend it! My review will be coming soon to my Horror Reads YouTube channel." ―NetGalley-Reviewer

"What a weird and haunting story! This was translated from Czech and the translation was done very well. I really enjoyed this one." —Sarah N., NetGalley-Reviewer