Finally got my hands on a copy of Fire Emblem: Awakening. I'm only a few chapters in, but I do have a few thoughts to share...
Pros:
The game is gorgeous. Great graphics and cutscenes that look great in 3D, too. The battle animations look quite sharp as well.
Grinding is actually pretty doable, a rarity in Fire Emblem. It's possible to get an endless supply of gold/exp very early on. It's just time-consuming.
The classic "death is permanent" feature that serves as the series signature can be turned off, making the game a bit more forgiving.
Your tactician actually plays an active role in the battles now. Normally, characters just interact with your avatar between battles, but it feels like you're getting a free, solid character right off the bat.
The story is good so far. The main villain is a remorseless dick, but he's almost sympathetic. The kingdom you're fighting for actually waged a genocidal crusade against his people just one generation prior. Surprise, surprise, they're pissed, and have genocide on their minds, now. The characters have personality, too, though there are a few types you see all the time in gaming.
There is a boatload of DLC - free and paid - that gives you replay able maps, the ability to buy good weapons, and recruit characters from previous Fire Emblem games. From a nostalgia standpoint, it's a dream come true for the hardcore fans of the series. The fact that new material is added on a regular basis helps keep it fresh. It just feels like there is so much to do.
Cons: That paid DLC is pricey. I'm a diehard, so I dropped the $14 (Yep.) to buy all three major packs, which will cover future DLC, too. It gives you a boatload of material, but it's still a steep price in addition to the price of the game itself.
The voice acting is good, but most of the dialogue for each line is introduced by a grunt or "Hmm", rather than a proper reading of the whole line. It can be grating.