Awaken the Dawn

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

“Ellis K. Popa (delivers) an amazing story full of mystery, intrigue and romance.” – John Benedict, Bestselling Author of Adrenaline

“Popa’s prose is smart, arresting, and tightly woven.” – The BookLife Prize

“Go ahead, go add this to your TBR!” – Books with Cats (Europe)

“A gripping and unforgettable read that heralds Popa as a rising star in the genre…” – Elicia Meairs, Netgalley

“This (is) simply one of the best books I’ve ever read.” – BookGirlBrown Reviews, Bookfluencer (US)

“Kat was amazing and a kick-ass character.” – Kriti, This Reader Girl (India)

“The story is action packed (and) 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 Awards

Cascade Awards – WINNER
Blue Seal Awards– WINNER
Storytrade Awards:
~ Best YA Adventure – WINNER
~ Best Debut – Finalist
Firebird Book Awards:
~ Best Debut – WINNER
~ Best Suspense – WINNER
~ Multicultural Fiction – 2nd Place
~ Plot Twist – 2nd Place
The Selfies (sponsored by London Book Fair) – Shortlist: Top 8
The BookLife Prize – Top 5 (YA/Middle Grade)
IAN Book of the Year – Finalist: Outstanding New Adult Novel
The Wishing Shelf (UK) – Finalist
Page Turner Awards (UK):
~ Culture Award – Shortlist
~ Best Book Award – Finalist
Clue Awards – Semifinalist*
Killer Nashville Readers Choice – Finalist: Top 6 (All Crime Genres)
The Claymores – Finalist: Top 6 (YA Crime Fiction)
Silver Falchion – Top Pick
Write2Publish Awards – 2nd Place