Kristine Jones
on Books.by
Powered by Books.by
Some stories are chosen. Others are written for you.
Aster never asked for the Mothers’ attention—nor the power they forced upon her. But their Gifts do not come gently. They carve, they consume, and they bind her to a destiny she does not yet understand.
At first, it feels like strength. Like purpose.
But power always demands a cost.
As the bond between Aster and her sisters—Violet and Zinnia—begins to fracture, that cost reveals itself in ways none of them are prepared to face. Secrets deepen. Loyalties shift. And the line between devotion and destruction grows dangerously thin.
Because the Mothers do not give without purpose.
And when Aster is faced with a choice that will alter not only her fate, but the lives of those she loves most, she will learn a truth far more dangerous than power itself:
Some destinies demand to be fulfilled—no matter the cost.
Perfect for readers who enjoy epic fantasy with emotional depth, complex sisterhood, and the slow unraveling of destiny.
Free worldwide shipping
About the Book
Destiny's Awakening is the first installment in a planned trilogy, and the introduction to the world and magic systems that will flow throughout the series.
The Black Dahlia Series explores choice and consequence, head vs heart, and what one person might be willing to sacrifice for the greater good.
While the decision to join the Mothers' bargain may come easily, what follows may not.
Praise for Destiny's Awakening
Grips the heartstrings and takes you for a ride throughout! A tale of sisterhood, family, and sacrifices, our MC builds a new future for her people with the help of the Mothers. We are brought into her new world as it is built facing all adversities with her.
This story isn't just a tale, it's an entire experience. I went in expecting a fantasy adventure - and there are elements of that, sure - but it really is much deeper than that. This is almost genre-bending in the way it combines the backdrop of a fantasy setting & plot against a multi-generational story that spans decades. I really couldn’t put the book down because I had to know what was going to happen next. The descriptions in this story are amazing. Right from the first visit to the Mothers, I was entranced. I felt like I could see Monassa so clearly, and it gave me so many different feelings - sometimes it was eerie, sometimes magical, sometimes hopeful. This was SO creative and translated really well on the page. I hated the conflict but I think that’s when the whole story clicked for me: this wasn’t necessarily about magic powers, but rather about choices, consequences, and blind faith. If a reader goes in understanding that as the main point, they will REALLY enjoy it. Lastly, do not skip the look ahead to book 2: this book sets the foundation, but I think we’re really going to get cooking in the next one. It made me SO excited.
Reading this book brought along a lot of different emotions. I’ve never read a book quite like this one. I love the sisterhood bond that is a huge aspect throughout the book. It heartbreaking and tragic the lives these sisters each endure. Kristin jones paints the scenery seamlessly. It’s so easy to visualize the characters, where they are and what is around them. Emerging myself into the scene as a read. This book made me cry. Made me angry. Made me giggle and tingle. It’s heart breaking and beautiful. It’s tragic and dark at times. I have this book a 4/5 due to some confusion in unresolved characters and plot points that o hope will come up in book two. I also personally would like more action and purpose to the Consari. Overall a great read that is different and engaging with vivid scenery and character depth.
Destiny’s Awakening is basically a six star read for me - hands down the best advanced reader edition I’ve read this year and I hope it’s incredibly successful for the author! I am 1000% invested in book 2, especially after experiencing the founding of the Consari, witnessing the Faustian drama, and getting a sneak peek of Book 2 after the epilogue. I love how the author wrote this as a memoir. It absolutely felt that way in a heartfelt, personal way. It leaves room for various interpretations beyond Aster’s experience but also feels like a primary source account. I can only imagine how this will set us up for the future. I am absolutely in awe of how the author has crafted this world, how she’s made me literally freaking cry (multiple times!) over these characters because I fell so so connected to them and their story. TL;DR: This is a must read for those who love slice of life, matriarchal societies, and sisterly bonds. It starts off quite cozy and filled with very fluffy moments (the good kind!) throughout. That said, it does have some darker elements that add depth and angst. Overall, this is a well-balanced fic with thoughtfully developed characters and emotional moments that will have you reaching for the tissues
Overall, this was an emotional ride. The highs were high and the lows were low. The story does have some romance, but no spice. It's perfect for people who enjoy feel-good stories with some added heartbreak. I have so much more I could say, but I'll leave my review at that. I can't wait for books 2 and 3 to be released!
The characters and plot drew me in, and I found myself wanting to continue discovering where the journey would lead. I could see the heart of the story and the care Kristine Jones put into creating it. The writing has an engaging quality, and the world and characters were intriguing enough to keep me invested whenever the formatting allowed the story to flow naturally. Overall, this was an enjoyable read with an interesting premise. If you're looking for a new fantasy with engaging characters and a compelling adventure, this is one to keep an eye on.
Every day, we face choices that can lead us down many paths: some good, some bad, and some great. Nothing is ever certain. That is Destiny's Awakening. This story followed the paths of three sisters and their extended family. Each one grew and made choices that shaped their future along the way. The detail and love that went into describing the characters and environments truly brought everything to life. I couldn't help but connect with all of them in so many different ways, taking me on an emotional rollercoaster the whole way through. I cannot wait for the next book to continue the adventure. If you are looking to connect with characters who will challenge you emotionally on the paths they take, this book is great for you.
Just shy of 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the world building. The relationship of the sisters had me flying through the pages as well. Definitely some heartwarming and heart wrenching moments. Some political vs religious drama hinted at as well. I’m intrigued to see how that plays out in the series.
Destiny’s Awakening is a magical fairytale that takes a heartbreaking turn, full of sorrow, poignant goodbyes, and bittersweet hope. Bringing legends to life, Kristine Jones has crafted a beautiful world with vivid characters and compelling tragedy. Fair warning, once the hits start coming, grab the tissues! I eagerly await the continuation of this new series!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There were moments when I was smiling ear to ear at the interactions between the sisters and others. I also adored Lysander and the relationship he had with Aster throughout the story. Kristine Jones writes very well. I enjoyed her writing style, the characters kept me engaged, and the world she created was so vivid that I could imagine every moment as it unfolded. This was also the first e-book I have read in a long time, and I am so glad I chose this one! I cannot wait for Book 2!
Destiny's Awakening is a unique offering that I am not sure falls under fantasy or romance. The novel is written as a memoir from the FMC. The novel follows her throughout her life, its almost a whole world building prequel to the later books in the series if I were to guess based on the later sneak peek of the second in the series. This is a closed door as far as spice level goes with really only a few kisses and innuendo on page. You will experience many different emotions and probably want a tissue a few times. The novel covers a 40+ year time spand and has many time jumps. I am excited to see more from this author as I really enjoyed this unique perspective and the world that was built.
I had such a wonderful time reading Destiny's Awakening. The story begins with a slower pace, giving you time to settle into the world, get to know the characters, and really appreciate the relationships being built. It never felt boring to me—it felt intentional. That slower start made everything that came later hit so much harder. And then...Chapter 49 happened. Absolutely not. If you've read it, you know. One of my favorite parts of this book was the relationship between the sisters. Their love for one another felt genuine, supportive, and incredibly heartfelt. It's refreshing to read a fantasy where those family bonds are given so much care, and they ended up being one of the emotional anchors of the story for me. I also loved the way the story is told through the lens of a memoir. It gave the book a unique feel and made me even more invested in seeing how everything unfolded. And can we talk about Lysander for a second? No shadow daddies here—get yourself a Lysander. He completely won me over. Kristine Jones has created a beautiful fantasy filled with heart, hope, and characters you'll genuinely care about. By the time I reached the end, I was completely invested in their journey and already looking forward to seeing what comes next. If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with strong emotional moments, meaningful family relationships, and a romance that grows naturally alongside the story, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
The Author