Title: We Awaken
Author: Calista Lynne
Print Length: 180 pages
Publication Date: July 14, 2016
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Category: YA, F/F, asexual
Victoria Dinham doesn’t have much left to look forward to. Since her father died in a car accident, she lives only to fulfill her dream of being accepted into the Manhattan Dance Conservatory. But soon she finds another reason to look forward to dreams when she encounters an otherworldly girl named Ashlinn, who bears a message from Victoria’s comatose brother. Ashlinn is tasked with conjuring pleasant dreams for humans, and through the course of their nightly meetings in Victoria’s mind, the two become close. Ashlinn also helps Victoria understand asexuality and realize that she, too, is asexual.
But then Victoria needs Ashlinn’s aid outside the realm of dreams, and Ashlinn assumes human form to help Victoria make it to her dance audition. They take the opportunity to explore New York City, their feelings for each other, and the nature of their shared asexuality. But like any dream, it’s too good to last. Ashlinn must shrug off her human guise and resume her duties creating pleasant nighttime visions—or all of humanity will pay the price.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s hard to find good literature with characters expressly identifying as asexual, so that aspect in particular had my interest. I thought the matter of both young women’s sense of self was done well, especially because they had somewhat different feelings surrounding their sexuality.
The story itself is intriguing, even if I wish there had been a bit more world-building. It mostly takes place in the waking human world, but there is a good bit about the dream world as well. I would have loved to know more about the place Ashlinn came from and how she became the bringer of good dreams (and how Semira became the bringer of bad dreams). I can’t say much more without spoilers, but it seems like there’s more to it than what we read on the page.
In the dream world, I was a bit confused as to what exactly the point was for some things. I definitely understood—and appreciated—the need for balance between good and bad dreams. What made me a little uncomfortable was how good dreams seemed to be equated with youth and beauty while bad dreams were equated with age and ugliness. That seemed unnecessary for the plot and not necessarily well thought out.
There were three things which stood out to me that I loved. One, it’s incredibly well-written in terms of the poetic language. It all has a quiet, dreamy quality to it, even the parts in Victoria’s waking life. The prose is lovely and evocative. I thought the flow of the words matched the tone and plot of the book perfectly.
The second thing I loved were the characters. Victoria was easy for me to connect to in her insecurities and worries. She’s an excellent narrator, believable in her imperfections. Ashlinn is a wonderful balance to Victoria with her gentle confidence. And Ellie is the perfect sidekick, free-spirited and fun but the sort of person who has Victoria’s back whether Victoria realizes it or not (she eventually does).
Finally, I thought the emotional aspects were beautifully written. There are some tough subjects handled in here, from family death to fears to suicidal thoughts. Some of the content might even be triggering or upsetting to sensitive readers. However, I never felt that anything was glossed over or avoided or treated glibly. The author uses a light touch to bring readers through the difficult content.
What I think is appealing about this story is the way the real world and the fantasy dream world are a smooth blend of truth and wish fulfillment. There is a part in all of us which longs for the world to be made right when it’s a confusing, painful mess. Ashlinn reaches through the pages to give all of us a good dream where hope always wins out in the end. It may not be reality, but it is why many of us read: to find in the pages of a book what we can’t hope to find in our waking lives.
For beautifully written prose, an excellent primer on asexuality, and an afternoon’s escape into the land of dreams, this gets 8/10 fountain pens.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/We-Awaken-Calista-Lynne/dp/1634769953/
Calista Lynne is a perpetual runaway and glitter addict who grew up on the American East Coast and is currently studying in London. She is having difficulty adjusting to the lack of Oxford commas across the pond and writes because it always seemed to make more sense than mathematics.
Look for her near the caffeinated beverages.
Today I’m chatting with Calista Lynne about writing, life, and her current project. Welcome! Let’s talk a little about We Awaken.
What inspired you to write this story?
I wanted to write the representation I wish I had seen growing up. My novel is about two asexual females in a same sex relationship and they do get a happy ending. The ultimate goal was to speak frankly about asexuality and bring a greater understanding of it to a larger audience.
My other inspirations were fairytales and dreams. This is Young Adult Magical Realism, after all.
Is there a character you feel especially connected to? Why?
There are aspects of myself throughout the book but one character who I sort of look like is Ellie. She has white, spiky hair and wears pleather. I didn’t look like her while I was writing the book but a few months after I just gradually ended up cutting my hair even shorter and buying a whole lot of bleach. It wasn’t intentional but I looked in the mirror one day and realized something seemed familiar.
What was the hardest part of writing this?
The beginning. I spent ages stewing over how to start it without weighing down the audience with a lot of backstory. Eventually I got there, but I read a ton of examples of first lines before coming up with my own.
Choose a favorite line or short passage. What do you like about it?
I’m not sure if it’s my favorite but one passage that sticks out in my memory is when the main character, Victoria, is trying to distract her friend who is getting a tattoo with a story from when they were growing up. She says “You told me how you hate daffodils because they’re morbid. They stick around for a month making everything lemon drop yellow, then die and get replaced by worse flowers. How the hell does an elementary schooler grasp the concept of beauty not being permanent?”
Flowers are a running theme throughout the story, if the cover doesn’t make that obvious enough.
Tell us a little about any upcoming projects.
Soon I’m going to begin work on a middle grade novel involving fairies and time distortion. It is going to take quite a bit of research but I’m very excited! The story is fun enough that I’ll definitely have a good time writing it, no matter how long that takes.
How has your life changed since becoming a published author?
Strangely enough, it’s has less writing in it. Now I spend a lot of time promoting this novel and speaking with people who enjoyed the book and whatnot. I promise I’ll get back to being a novelist soon, though! I have a fantastic idea I’m dying to get down.
If you could take a time machine back 10 years, what would you tell your past self?
Enjoy your emo phase while it lasts but please don’t dye your hair orange and brown. I’m sure someone out there can pull it off but I am not them.
What do you hope people say about you after you’re gone?
I hope they say I was kind and gave good hugs. It’d be cool if people would reminisce over my glitter and pink Doc Martens because those two fashion statements are as much a part of my personality as anything else.
Word Sprints!
- Reusable or disposable grocery bags? Reusable. I live in London and they charge for bags.
- Musical theater or rock concert? Musical theatre.
- What’s your favorite book? American Gods by Neil Gaiman
- What’s your favorite ice cream? Coffee
- What’s your favorite movie? The Princess and the Frog
