Awakening Animus

By Denis LaFreniere

While they sat stunned against their cold limestone pillars, blankly gazing at the barely flickering Earth Crystal, five adolescents from across Animus were frightened awake, the words "Smith Gully" ringing in their ears.

Rich, ambitious, and beautifully told, Awakening Animus is the story of "The Five"-Elior, Gaia, Asa, Frona, and Bodhi-five young individuals from across the kingdom of Animus called in a dream to the town of Smith Gully. There, they will meet Belinay the Shaman and Roshan the Master Teacher of the Chase Institute, who will guide them through the journey of uncovering their unique inner strengths in an aim to turn back the tide of a darkness engulfing Animus.

They will face their fears in the Caves of Phobos, journey through the past at the Docket Tower, and confront the things that have been holding each of them back, from Gaia's sense of inadequacy to Bodhi's lack of faith in others. In so doing, they seek to liberate the kingdom from rampant social decay and environmental devastation, overthrowing a sinister plot to overtake it.

Richly populated with a cast of original characters and full of wisdom on meaningful real-world issues, Awakening Animus is testament to cultivating our own inner strengths, and how doing so lifts the world along with us, making a better place for all.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 103836292X
• ISBN13: 9781038362926
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: FriesenPress
• Length: 402 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 13 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary