Mum's Monday: Awakened by James S. Murray with Darren Wearmouth

At the start of this book it highlights the importance of a thorough survey before digging a subway train tunnel. The realism and the right level of suspense is really well written and yes everything is perfect. The pavilion has everything you would want as a passenger using the Z Train in New York city.

All the awaiting dignities and press, you would expect to see on such an occasion, want now on this maiden run of the train, is the train and passengers to arrive. Sadly, although the train does arrive the passengers have been replaced by lots of blood splatters inside the train carriage. This is a fast paced story.

This story also highlights the fine line between keeping a man, not just any man, in this case the president of the United States of America safe and a president wanting to put his countries people first. This reminds me of a captain on a sinking ship. The captain is the last one to leave or goes done with his ship, either way putting his passengers and crew first.

The aftermath of what was witnessed when the train pulled in at the station is realistic. The suspense is still there as in they now have to suffer a methane leak. This goes on enough to make it intriguing and make me as the reader want to read on.

Within the rescue people’s psyche is the need to rescue. It is written in an intelligent way so that the two men entering from the New Jersey side of the Hudson river, yes they find the breach in the tunnel but are cleverly lured to a false rescue mission, using the over-whelming need to help installed in the men. This is written in an in-depth, brilliant way.

At the start of chapter twelve the swat team are entering the New Jersey side of the subway tunnel. This made me want to shout at the book ‘No’, even though me as the reader gets a sense of what is going to happen, there is still the sense of intrigue to make you read on.

Well, the ones trapped are now aware that it isn’t terrorists that they are dealing with. It is sad to see Mr Munoz have his past bought up, especially at a time where I would agree with Mr Munoz’s character the way it is written as an inappropriate time.

It is clever that the creatures, not only attack they can imitate human voices, this confuses things and adds depth to the story, making it not just a blood bath.

In chapter sixteen it shows the importance of not cutting corners on a job, however, long it takes, in this case, three years, the truth comes out in the end.

There seems to be a glimmer of hope, but it does make me question ‘Can help/ rescue arrive before the oxygen tanks run out?’

In chapter eighteen the authorities are continuing to find ways of deterring the monsters. This is nice to read as it gives me as the reader the hope that at least some people will survive the creatures and get out alive.

It is clever in chapter twenty how it comes to light that the president is made to look involved in the reason the creatures have been awakened. The president was not going to be black mailed by Van Ness. It is also clever how other real life events have been linked to Van Ness as well. It just goes to show when something happens, who knows the exact truth, and what really happened at the time and behind the scenes. This is good at getting you thinking where fiction meets fact. The research to enhance this story has been very well done. By the end of chapter twenty we see it confirmed as to what deters the creatures, giving me as the reader more hope that the trapped characters can get out alive, ones that deserve to in some of the character’s eyes anyway, unfortunately it is not wise to go up against the president.

In chapters twenty-one and twenty-two we see two very different approaches to the attack, first the swat team are taking a slow, controlled measured approach, whereas Sal is taking a ‘Gun-Ho’ approach and driving the diesel train straight into the tunnel. This second approach is fool-hardy and sadly, I don’t think will end well. There is a life lesson to learn in this part.

It is well thought-out as to what powers and types of attack the creatures have. Flament knows more than he is letting on, I hope he is a good guy, it looks like it.

I do like how they can combat the creatures, although, it is a simple solution, it still had to be worked out and sometimes the simple ways are the most effective. Making this story somewhat realistic.

The story the president tells about the ‘Foundation’ is a very interesting one. it is brilliant how it all comes together, in chapter twenty-four.

In chapter twenty-five the connection of the women as to why they were captured is a well thought-out idea. At this point it is unclear as to the significance of why? But it is still a good idea.

In chapter thirty-three although positive it is still intense to read, the suspense builds as the rescue barely goes to plan.

In chapter thirty-four it is clever how ancient carvings are linked to the creatures. The history lesson is really well interweaved into the story. We know this book is a work of fiction but with all the real life references this book could be real, even believable. The research for this book has been really well done. There is so much to give this story depth.

Overall this book keeps you reading and wanting to read more.