Awaken the Dawn. The Awaken Saga, #1

An apprehensive teen discovers a secret that lures her into the snare of a ruthless crime boss. Can she survive his twisted game?When her father dies during a business trip to Romania, Kat Barrett blames herself for their failed relationship. She's been holding a grudge, keeping him at arm's length, and never even said "I love you" when he left... But regret is just the beginning of her problems. Kat is teetering on the brink of anxiety and depression, and as her grief deepens, she becomes haunted by strange dreams about the crash that took her father's life.
Then one day a package arrives. It appears to be from her father and contains a list of familiar-looking clues - one of his classic scavenger hunts. Desperate for answers, Kat follows the clues to Romania and meets a local named Maksim, a reformed criminal with the perfect skill set for decoding the mystery. Romance wasn't on the itinerary, but when Kat teams up with this European heartthrob, her love life takes an unexpected detour.
As Kat and Maksim work together, solving the clues and growing ever closer with each success, the scavenger hunt uncovers a dark secret Kat's dreams have been pointing to, something Maksim's old crime ring has been hiding all along. Kat has walked into a trap. Can she beat these ruthless men to the final clue - and solve it - before she suffers the same fate as her father?Awaken the Dawn is a multi-award-winning YA novel that will keep you guessing until the final, breathtaking conclusion.
If you enjoy puzzle mysteries, international intrigue, and an epic slow-burn romance, you'll love this twisty thrill ride. Buy Awaken the Dawn and unlock the scavenger hunt's dark secret today. Worldwide Praise"(Simply) one of the best books I've ever read." - Heather Brown, Book Girl Brown Reviews (US) ??????????"Ellis K. Popa (delivers) an amazing story full of mystery, intrigue and romance." - John Benedict, Bestselling Author of Adrenaline (US) ??????????"Go ahead, go add this to your TBR!" - Books with Cats (Cyprus)"Popa's prose is smart, arresting, and tightly woven." - The BookLife Prize"A gripping and unforgettable read that heralds Popa as a rising star in the genre..." - Elicia Meairs, Netgalley (US) ??????????"Kat was amazing and a kick-ass character." - Kriti, This Reader Girl (India) ??????????"I loved the twists in the tale." - Helen F., Librarian (UK) ????????"The book was absolutely amazing and I couldn't get enough of it.
I can't wait to see what happens next." - Scarlet Le Clair, Netgalley (UK) ??????????Notable AwardsStorytrade Awards:~ Best YA Adventure - WINNER~ Best Debut - FinalistFirebird Int'l Book Awards:~ Best Debut - WINNER~ Best Suspense - WINNER~ Multicultural Fiction - 2nd Place~ Best Plot Twist - 2nd PlaceThe Selfies (London Book Fair) - ShortlistThe BookLife Prize - Top 5 (YA/Middle Grade)IAN Book of the Year - Finalist: Outstanding New Adult NovelClue Awards - Finalist*The Wishing Shelf (UK) - FinalistPage Turner Awards (UK):~ Culture Award - Shortlist~ Best Book Award - FinalistKiller Nashville Readers Choice - FinalistCascade Awards - WINNERBlue Seal Awards - WINNER