Awakening (The Geis #1) by Christy Dorrity - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from the author as part of the Girls on Fire box set in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Awakening (The Geis #1)
Author: Christy Dorrity
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: Because some Celtic stories won’t be contained in myth . . .

A little magic has always run in sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery's family—at least that’s what she’s been told. McKayla’s eccentric Aunt Avril travels the world as a psychic for the FBI, and her mother can make amazing delicacies out of the most basic of ingredients. But McKayla doesn't think for a second that the magic is real—it’s just good storytelling. Besides, McKayla doesn’t need magic. She recently moved to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming, and already she has a best friend, a solo in her upcoming ballet recital—and the gorgeous guy in her physics class keeps looking her way.

When an unexpected fascination with Irish dance leads McKayla to seek instruction from the mute, crippled janitor at her high school, she learns that her family is not the only one with unexplained abilities. 

After Aunt Avril comes to Star Valley in pursuit of a supernatural killer, people begin disappearing, and the lives of those McKayla holds most dear are threatened. When the janitor reveals that an ancient curse, known as a geis, has awakened deadly powers that defy explanation, McKayla is forced to come to terms with what is real and what is fantasy.

A thrilling debut novel based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy rife with magic, romance, and mystery.

Why?: Celtic mythology and magic? And it all starts with Irish dance? Yes please! This sounds like it's going to be the start of an epic series. I'm not really all that familiar with Celtic mythology, but I'm always willing to learn! 

Expectations: I definitely expect a pretty fast-paced and intense story with a strong female lead, but other than that I'm not really sure. I've never read anything by Christy Dorrity and I haven't really read many books based on Celtic myths. I'm expecting a new and exciting experience! 

Judging a book by its cover: This book has such a creepy cover, and I love it! Her fingers are super weird looking (maybe reptilian? I'm not entirely sure), and she looks like a ghost. I love the way her blue eyes are the only color on the cover since it makes them pop. I would be really likely to pick up this book based solely on the cover. 


--Ashley