get animated / become fresh and vivid / come to life

be lively / be animated / come to life

take *something as the truth

believe

believe / believing / accept [a story] as true / trusting / put confidence in / giving credence to / faith / placing reliance / putting confidence in / acceptance / place faith / putting faith / placing faith / trust / put faith / having confidence / give credence to / have confidence

astound / stun / create a sensation / startle / shock / electrify

be hesitant about / hang back / hesitate / be reluctant to / balk

recoil / balk at / cringe / flinch / be overwhelmed by / shrink back

wince / shrink back / flinch / be intimidated / be daunted / falter / quail / be disheartened

wince / shrink back / flinch / be intimidated / be daunted / falter / quail / be disheartened