Awakening, 2nd edition [Kindle Edition]

Ray N. Kuili (Author)

Book Description

AWAKENING is currently #25 in Kindle Literary Fiction

AWAKENING is a story of eleven rising-star managers who gather together in a secluded luxury lodge for a mysterious five-day leadership training course. Asked to pick a leader from amongst themselves, they soon realize that nothing is what it seems at this place, where managers are compared to ancient conquerors and one corporate taboo after another gets broken.

As the group exercise progresses rapidly from a friendly election to a twisted web of no-holds-barred power plays, the players don't realize that soon some of them will be facing the harshest challenge of their lives. The unconventional workshop is about to take a very dangerous turn, testing the values and characters of its participants in the most brutal ways and presenting them with the ultimate question: how high a price are they willing to pay for power?

The 2nd edition has been professionally edited and extended to include a richer back story.

ALSO BY RAY N. KUILI

OVERDOSE: A story of a bank robbery, a psychoactive drug and a changed life

Follow Ray on Twitter @raynkuili for updates and news.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Awakening, written by Ray N. Kuili, is the story of various management level business people whose thirst for power and drive to succeed lead them to a mysterious and secluded training seminar. This page turner is exciting for the underlying tensions between the characters, which makes it almost psychological in nature. Themes of conquest and thirst for power are apparent, and re-emerge within the plot again and again. Such themes ask the reader not only to ponder the characters' drives and aspirations, but also to question their own base desires. From the times of Napoleon to the modern cut-throat business world, Kuili asks the age old question: how far will someone go to become truly powerful? This thriller is wonderfully descriptive, fast paced, and complex. It boasts believable characters and a setting that is both bizarre and intriguing.

...

Without giving too much away, the ending leaves the reader positively shaken. With a twist that is just as curious as the rest of the story, I was left entertained yet contemplative. This is truly one of the more admirable qualities of this novel. It does not simply serve as a good read, but one that leaves the reader thinking about broader issues. Awakening is a novel I would recommend for those who are looking for a thriller that is unique and powerful in its own right.

 - OneTitle Magazine

Product Details

• File Size: 735 KB
• Print Length: 385 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Think Books; 2 edition (November 12, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008K4CO8E
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,248 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing October 8, 2012

By daayawa

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Wow. I'll begin by saying that I read a lot, and have never taken the time to review a book before. This one is amazing enough that I had to let others know about it.

The story was confusing at the beginning, as it switches back and forth among several points of view. But as the story progresses, we get to know the characters and it he confusion lessens. I say lessens because it does not completely go away. The book is meant to be confusing, to evoke thought.

I don't want to give it away, but the last revelation we receive is as amazing as the rest of the book. The main character is referred to as a genius, and to write from the viewpoint of a genius, one must be a genius. I was shocked to find out that I had been drawn in as well...I better stop now or I'll give it away.

This book is free right now in the Kindle version, and I strongly recommend that you get it now. Or later. Or anytime - this book is a must read.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and exciting new venture for Ray Kuili August 1, 2012

By Lori Anderson

Format:Kindle Edition

*** Edited to raise rating due to editing changes.

I was given a copy of this book by the author and was honored to asked to read it! Ray has a good book on his hands that needs a little bit of editing to tighten it up -- but the story is quite interesting.

If you're in middle management, this book will appeal to you. Imagine you're an up-and-coming manager on the fast track to great things in your company. You're hand-picked to attend a week-long retreat in the mountains to learn how to be a leader. Sounds like what most of us in business have had to endure at one point or another, right?

Oh, so wrong! This retreat is run by a small group of men who act as silent observers. The trick -- only one person can be voted as the leader. The business men (and women) have to decide who will go back to their work with a "bad report card" and who will win. Basically, don't get voted off the island.

The book delves a bit into each of the managers' psyches -- what makes them tick, what skills they possess. Once the Survivor-like game starts, it's anyone's guess as to who will win -- and how.

There were a few parts in the book where I started to drift a little but they were brief and with a little editing, they'll disappear. I can see the premise of this book becoming a movie -- it's got action and secrecy and a surprise ending.

Best wishes with the sales of your book, Ray!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Exciting but needed some editing! October 16, 2012

By Iowagirl

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed this book and really wish it had more reviews. I read for many hours to see "how it all turned out." I would have given it 4 stars but there were so many grammatical errors that many parts had to be reread to make sense. It's already quite an intricate plot that I had to reread parts anyway without worrying about added or misused words. It took me about 1/3 of the book to get all the characters straight but it was worth it. Lastly, I wouldn't call the ending a shocker as readers have to suspect that all is not what it seems!

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