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    Wake
    Wake
    Wake
    Audiobook7 hours

    Wake

    Written by Amanda Hocking

    Narrated by Nicola Barber

    3.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.
    Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it's Gemma who's attracted theirs. She's the one they've chosen to be part of their group.
    Gemma seems to have it all—she's carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He's always been just a friend, but this summer they've taken their relationship to the next level, and now there's no going back. Then one night, Gemma's ordinary life changes forever. She's taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.
    Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she's is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Audio
    Release dateAug 7, 2012
    ISBN9781427222152
    Author

    Amanda Hocking

    Amanda Hocking lives in Minnesota, had never sold a book before April 2010 and has now sold over a million. According to the Observer, she is now 'the most spectacular example of an author striking gold through ebooks'. Amanda is a self-confessed 'Obsessive tweeter. John Hughes mourner. Batman devotee. Unicorn enthusiast. Muppet activist.' Her books include the Trylle Trilogy, the Watersong series and the Kanin Chronicles.

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    Reviews for Wake

    3.5/5

    204 ratings44 reviews

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    • 3/5
      The book is not great but the narrator is FANTASTIC!
    • 4/5
      I have yet to read Amanda Hocking's Trylle Trilogy (though I have the first book in my TBR pile), so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story. I figured this book had to do with mermaids just from reading the synopsis and looking at the beautiful cover, but what I didn't know was that "Sirens exist, Mermaids don't.", at least in this story that is how things are.Two sisters, not a bit alike, are trying to make the best of what they have. Gemma is a top notch swimmer with her eyes on the Olympics and Harper is her older sister who sometimes acts more like an overprotective mother. Gemma is always ready to take on the world, while Harper carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. I think I can connect with Harper a little more, since I was more of a motherly older sister growing up. But both girls are great characters.And Amanda Hocking included love interests for both sisters which was nice to see for a change. Gemma has next door neighbour, Alex. The sweet, shy and geeky guy turned hottie. Alex is the perfect first boyfriend, sweet and respectful. And Harper has this awkward start to a relationship with the rugged, Daniel. Daniel is the perfect guy for Harper, he doesn't give up easily and he is there when Harper doesn't even realize that she needs him. I enjoyed reading more about the Harper/Daniel romance in this story and can't wait to find out what happens between them.Now for the villains, the pretty girls (I call them the Mean Girls with fins). Penn, Lexi and Thea are gorgeous, almost too beautiful, and they attract attention of all kinds. Guys will do anything for them. Some have even disappeared after last being seen around the three girls. The girls actually creeped me out from the start, though they make the perfect evil for this story. The mythology surrounding these mean girls/sirens is explained in great detail and I truly enjoyed reading about the old myths.One night of hanging out with Penn, Lexi and Thea and Gemma is changed forever, she just doesn't know how much. She has two choices, both of which are not ideal to Gemma because either way someone's heart will be broken. Gemma really does fight against what has happened to her, but she has to make a choice eventually - want to know what decision she makes? You'll have to pick up a copy of Wake to find out. I am really looking forward to reading Lullaby in November, so I can find out what happens next for Gemma and Harper.
    • 4/5
      I’ve been wanting to read something by Amanda Hocking for a while now and within the first month of 2013 I bought four of her books. I wasn’t sure where to start but I was in the mood for Wake. So I grabbed it off my shelf and read the while book in a day.It’s not a very long book and because the story is so good I just didn’t want to stop reading. I enjoyed Wake so much. I’m not sure why I’m only giving it four stars because I can’t think of a single thing I disliked. I really, really liked it. I just didn’t love it and I wish I knew why that is.Please pick up this book if you haven’t yet. I know I will be picking up the next book in this series, Lullaby. I will also be starting Switched, the first book in Hockings Trylle Trilogy very soon.
    • 3/5
      The first in the Watersong series. Not bad, but nothing to write home about either. Yet another series about mythological/paranormal characters, but I enjoyed that it wasn't vampires/angels/demons/demi-gods/witches/etc. The most appealing aspect for me was the main character's love of swimming and how she feels drawn to the water. The other characters were interesting enough and it ended in a way that made me at least interested in reading the next book to see what happens.
    • 5/5
      First, let me say this is the first book that I had read by Amanda Hocking. Cover: I really enjoyed this cover. I love that this cover is an underwater cover that also shows you the above water world as well with the lighthouse and the moon. I absolutely love the blue color on the cover. Character: I think I have a love/hate relationship with the main characters Gemma and Harper. I love Gemma and the fact that she was just living a normal everyday life with her swim practices and dealing with her mother who is ill. She gets turned into a siren not by choice, now she has to deal with this new supernatural life. However, the real love/hate I have is with Harper. I love that she wants to be protective of Gemma and her father, Brian. But at the same time I honestly love Harper more when Daniel starting coming into the picture. I understand that she wants to protect her sister since she practically raised Gemma but she also needs to learn to let Gemma live a little (and I’m referring to before Gemma was turned siren). Also the girls (Penn, Lexi, and Thea) I don’t really like them because they do seem creepy. Amanda Hocking did an excellent job in making them creepy. Plot: I did enjoy this story as it is also my first mermaid/siren story that I’ve read. I like how Amanda Hocking created the details of Gemma finding the green scales in the shower, and she found more along the way. I also like that the death in the boys of the town are disappearing and nobody really puts the pieces together that the killings started when the 3 girls showed up in town. I really like that the ending was left open for sequels which I liked. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Overall: I highly recommend this book, and I think it is a great read! It’s mysterious, creepy, yet exciting read.
    • 4/5
      Sixteen-year-old Gemma is the star on her swim team, has a loving family, and a potential boyfriend living next door, but all that changes when she meets three beautiful, creepy girls. One night, Gemma encounters the girls on a beach, she awakes the next morning bruised and unable to recall what happened. Gemma discovers new abilities (healing and strength) and she has a choice to make that will change her life forever. This is the first book in a promising new series from Amanda Hocking.
    • 5/5
      Originally posted on Lovey Dovey BooksWake is an exquisite and intense introduction to Amanda Hocking's new series, Watersong! Amanda has already proved she's mastered the art of original storytelling in her unforgettable Trylle Trilogy, and the trend continues in Watersong.Wake is written in third person perspective, more prominently switching between sisters Gemma and Harper Fisher, throughout the whole novel. The style gives readers the opportunity to see beneath the surface of both sisters as they dance around danger in the form of three beautiful strangers. Penn, Lexi, and Thea are the epitome of evil and it's quite easy to hate them. They ruinously burst into Gemma's life and hometown, Capri, without any regret for the trouble they cause.Amanda keeps the mystery rolling throughout the novel. Even when the truth comes out about what Gemma becomes and what Penn, Lexi, and Thea want with her, the puzzle still isn't complete. The characters are mostly kept in the dark and it's interesting that they have gut instincts about the danger that surrounds them, but they never actively do anything about it until it's too late. Gemma finally tries to take a stand against Penn, Lexi, and Thea, and the strength she keeps under wraps peeks through. The scenes where Gemma, or even Harper, speak up and make their suspicions known are heart-pounding and just plain awesome!Wake is graced with not one, but two love interests. For Gemma, it's Alex, the sweet, geeky boy next door who is so unlike Amanda's usual male leads. Harper, on the other hand, is blessed with a love-hate relationship with slacker Daniel, who is much more like the usual male lead in teen fiction. Gemma and Harper are complete opposites so it's no surprise that their love interests would be as well.The vow that Wake ends with is enough to wish for Lullaby, book two of the Watersong series to get here a little faster! Amanda will no doubt push the story past its limits in surprises and action. *ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*
    • 3/5
      I thought this book was OK. I wasn't sure where Hocking was going with it. I also had a hard time figuring out who was supposed to be the main character. From the back cover, it should be Gemma but she followed Harper more. Truth be told, I liked Harper better. I thought Gemma was a little selfish. Halfway through the book, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue the series. But then Harper's relationship with Daniel started getting good and interesting and the story started picking up all the way around. By the end, I wanted more.
    • 4/5
      I’ve been wanting to read something by Amanda Hocking for a while now and within the first month of 2013 I bought four of her books. I wasn’t sure where to start but I was in the mood for Wake. So I grabbed it off my shelf and read the while book in a day.

      It’s not a very long book and because the story is so good I just didn’t want to stop reading. I enjoyed Wake so much. I’m not sure why I’m only giving it four stars because I can’t think of a single thing I disliked. I really, really liked it. I just didn’t love it and I wish I knew why that is.

      Please pick up this book if you haven’t yet. I know I will be picking up the next book in this series, Lullaby. I will also be starting Switched, the first book in Hockings Trylle Trilogy very soon.
    • 2/5
      Amanda Hocking’s first traditionally published work, Wake, is the first in a series of books about Gemma. Gemma loves the water and everything about it. She’s a great swimmer with her eyes on the Olympics. In her little island town she meets three girls - Penn, Thea and Lexi - with a strange secret. As Gemma gets more entangled in their lives she is faced with a difficult decision that might cost her own life.

      Amanda Hocking has a knack for taking myths and making them her own, she’s very imaginative and even though I wasn’t a super fan of her trolls or vampire books, I wanted to see how being published the traditional way would shape her as an author. To be honest, I was a little disappointed with Wake.

      One of the main things that I disliked about the story is the continuous use of unnecessary descriptions that I can only assume was placed there as padding. I didn’t think it necessary to let the reader know every step the characters took, especially when it was something we could assume and when it wasn’t pertinent to the furthering the plot. Some of this over describing spoiled, more than enhanced, some key scenes; I found myself pulled out of the story instead of being engaged.

      We meet a lot of characters, and it was nice to see the family involved in the protagonist’s life. There were a lot of switching perspectives, and while it worked in some areas, I thought, the fact that we saw everything from everyone’s point of view took away from the mystery of the story a bit.

      Overall, I think this is one of her better stories, it’s a quick read for a rainy day or a beach day. I can’t say I saw much difference between this and her self-published work, but, the plot itself was interesting enough to keep me reading.

      [received an ARC at BEA]
    • 4/5
      Background: Gemma is a normal girl, except that she is obsessed with swimming, but how else is she going to make it to the Olympics? This summer Gemma is thrown a loop when three girls appear in her small town, making her and others uncomfortable. They invite Gemma to hang out with then and she begins to uncover their darkest secrets.

      Review: I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy Audiobook to listen to and it was great to listen to now because it is summer and I have been watching some of the Olympic swimming. So everything just kind of fell into place.
      I was surprised at how well Hocking pulled me in, I was immediately drawn to both Gemma and her sister Harper, even though they are two completely different types of people. The suspense was masterful! I had some idea of what was happening and then I was completely thrown off guard by details.

      At first I thought I was reading another love story with supernaturals in it, but in reality this was so different, yes there is a love story and yes there are supernaturals, BUT this was far closer to a horror movie than a frilly, make you swoon supernatural love tale....

      The characters are great. Harper, Gemma's sister, is the protector. Gemma is the fearless jock, and Penn, Lexi, and Thea are hot and just plain creepy. It was a good mix to have.

      I think that if you like focus on the supernatural in a creepy way, this is for you. If you are looking for a love tale, there is a little of that but...not really. Either way, great summer read.
    • 4/5
      Gemma has confidence and a love for the water. When boys begin going missing, Gemma's sister, Harper, forbids her to go on her nightly swims in the bay.

      The family dynamic stands out in this book. Harper has practically raised Gemma since their mother's accident. Both girls live with their father. He's not very present, unless something happens. He's guarded with this feelings, and you never really know how he is coping. The sisters are pretty close, and I admire their relationship.

      The creepy girls in town annoyed the hell out me, but also freaked me out. They are almost stalker-ish. They are used to getting what they want, and Gemma proves to be difficult for them.

      Daniel and Alex are the dominant male characters. Alex is worried about the sudden change in Gemma's character. Daniel keeps bugging Harper for a date. These are loyal guys and willing to do what they can to help the girls. Although, I wonder about Daniel's past and why he can resist the call.
      All in all, I did like this book, and will be picking up Lullaby. It's a great spin on mermaids. They aren't content all the time. They are deadly, and monsters. The only question left is, what will happen to Gemma?
    • 5/5
      Oh my gosh, I am not even sure where to begin with this one. First of all, the cover art is absolutely amazing. I know they say you should not judge a book by it's cover, but with this one, you almost cannot help it. It is almost as if the cover has it's own siren song of sorts, and it calls out to you and you cannot ignore the amazing look and feel of the book and the pages!

      I know that sounds dorky and I really try not to get all fangirl when reading and reviewing books. I try to remain objective. With this particular author, that is really hard for me because I just really love her books and I am inspired by her as an author, as well.

      Wake is so completely different than anything else you have ever read. The story is gripping and when you begin to read and get into the meat of it, you will not be able to walk away. I found myself stealing time from other activities just to read a few more pages.

      Wake brings us a unique, entirely original type of novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat and almost gasping for breath at the turns and twists the story takes.

      What seems like a simple small bay town holds a very deep, dark secret and no one could have seen it coming, especially not Gemma. But when she gets sucked into the mysterious world she never knew existed, you will find your heart pounding, and your head shaking with "What the Hell just happened?"

      My regular readers know I always comment on the editing. I found exactly 2 little tiny errors in this one, omitted little connector words. Even for a traditionally published work, I usually find more than that, so Kudos to Ms. Hocking and whoever her editor is at St. Martin's!

      In short, if you have not yet read this book, you need to. If you are a fan of young adult fantasy novels, mythology, strange tales, this is the book for you. Fair warning, though, if you are on the sensitive side, there are a few instances of swear words, so be prepared for that!

      In summary, I love this book, and think you will, too.
    • 3/5
      It begins with a boring
      narration and the thrilling
      part just started almost in the
      middle of the story.

      If you're thinking that this
      whole thing has to do about
      mermaids. Sort of, but its not.
      They call themselves 'sirens'.
      Sirens are greek mythological
      creatures who were once
      human but cursed by a
      goddess. They are shape-
      shifters, they can turn into a
      mermaid with those sharp
      teeths, or turn into a giant
      bird, and back to human
      form. But what they eat?
      Humans.

      I have read all Rick Riordan's
      greek mythology books. And
      it seems that sirens are never
      appeared or somehow aren't
      emphasized in his works (Im
      sorry because Rick's
      characters have already
      encountered gazillion of
      monsters, so I can't
      remember them all). So
      WAKE caught my attention.

      I somehow liked how the
      story went. It was just that
      there were some cliche parts
      like a group of perfect hot
      girls came to your place out
      of nowhere. And mysterious
      crimes started to happen. And
      if I were just a little girl
      maybe I could appreciate the
      love teams between Gemma
      and Alex, and Harper and
      Daniel. It was not that
      appealing. I just didn't find it
      romantic at all.

      This was not that bad.
      Just that it didn't excite my interest. But it still a good book.
    • 3/5
      2.5 stars. It was OK but I found myself getting bored in parts.
    • 4/5
      For fans of Amanda Hocking's Trylle series, you might find Wake a little lacking of the magical charm she set in her other books, but Wake was still a tremendously wonderful read. In fact, right after I read it, I bought the second book, Lullaby, and read it that same day.

      In the goodreads description, all you hear about is Gemma, Gemma, Gemma, when, in actuality, Wake is about Gemma AND her sister, Harper. They are both the stars of this book. I was a fan of Harper (maybe because she reminds me of myself) rather than Gemma. Also, I am head-over-heels for her love interest Daniel (especially after Lullaby). Harper is responsible, kind, loving, and smart. When their Mother became unstable after a traumatic car crash, Harper became the head of the family, looking after her dad and sister.

      Just because I liked Harper better doesn't mean I didn't like Gemma. Gemma is also a wonderful character. She is brave and loyal and loves her family. Gemma goes out for night swims in the ocean, trains hard in the pool, and hopes to go to the olympics. She wants to avoid the creepy group of girls at all cost. Especially since the teenage boy disappearances could be linked to Penn and her crew. Alex, Gemma's neighbor is a good character, but wasn't as interesting as Daniel. But at least he seemed real, unlike some characters in books. Amanda Hocking is truly good at making her characters come alive.

      The town Harper and Gemma live in is well developed. We see a lot of it and it's people. Harper works at the library with her friend, Gemma swims at the pool, Daniel lives on a boat at the dock and their Dad works near there, across the street from the library is Pearl's diner where Harper and Daniel eat lunch, Briar Ridge, the group home their mother stays at, and the bay where Gemma takes her night swims. I feel right at home in the town in Wake.

      Wake was a tad slow. "Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different - Goodreads" This scene happens when we are already halfway done with the book!

      The book is well written and funny! Here is one of my favorite excerpts:

      “I didn’t actually mean for you to keep apologizing. I know it was an accident.”
      “I know, but…” She shook her head. “I didn’t even properly thank you for helping out my sister, and then I attacked you with your own ice cream.”
      “That’s true. You are a menace and must be stopped.”
      “I know you’re teasing, but I feel bad.”
      “No, I’m dead serious. I should report you for your abhorrent behavior,” Daniel said with a straight face, telling her the same thing she’d told him the day before.
      “Now you’re making me feel worse.” Harper looked down at her shoes and balled up the wet napkins in her hands.
      “That’s my plan,” Daniel said. “I like to guilt pretty girls into going out with me.”
      “Smooth.” Harper narrowed her eyes at him, unsure if he was kidding or not.
      “That’s what the ladies tell me.” He grinned at her, and his hazel eyes had a gleam to them.”

      He is kinda aggravating, huh? I, like Harper, didn't like him at all until that scene. But after that... well... *swoon*

      Well, I really thought Wake was wonderful. Not as wonderful as the Trylle series but still wonderful. Next I am going to read her Vampire series.(My blood approves)

      4/5 stars
    • 3/5
      Gemma Fisher gets a rude "awakening" in this tale of cursed Sirens who need a new pod mate. It is a touch melodramatic, but given the content matter, that's a given. The characters are real, if not as fully developed as I'd like. My favorite character is the seaside bum, Daniel. I look forward to getting to know him better in Lullaby.
    • 3/5
      This is pretty much the typical YA paranormal story. It's kind of like that 90s movie "The Craft" meets "The Little Mermaid." Overall, very mediocre story and writing and the characters were all dumb as posts. No interest at all in reading the other three in this series.
    • 4/5
      Absolutely loved this book! The author's writing skills have come a long way from where they were with her first novel, Switched. The characters are developed fully, the storyline held my interest from the very first page and there was just enough creepiness to make it chilling. A few parts were too gross for my tastes and I could of lived without those parts. Overall a great read.
    • 4/5
      This is the first book in Hocking's Watersong series, and it's mostly about a girl called Gemma. She's a brilliant swimmer and local beauty (the natural lovely kind, not a primped and preened prima donna) who loves nothing more than taking off for nighttime swims in the bay, marvelling at the stars and basking in the ocean waves. Of late she has found her moonlit peace disturbed by the town's newest residents: three hypnotically stunning young women who take to the deserted beach at night to sing and dance by firelight. Found dishevelled and alone on the sand one morning, Gemma knows only that she was invited to join Penn, Lexie and Thea on the beach the previous night, and something is now different. Who are the girls? How will all this affect her growing relationship with the boy next door? Meanwhile, her older sister Harper is battling a local beach bum while trying to keep one eye on Gemma's safety, and the community is rocked as several local boys disappear without a trace...

      As you may have guessed by now, this is a novel about sirens, which is one of the things that attracted me to it in the first place. I really enjoyed the siren mythology, explained to Gemma by the girls during another night by the fire on the beach, and the way the less savoury elements of their story are gradually revealed, much to Gemma's horror. The siren plot made a nice change from the usual 'paranormal trinity' of vampires, angels and shifters!

      The characters aren't massively fleshed out - the focus is more on the plot and mythology, at least in this first book - but I very much liked Daniel, Harper's dockside nemesis, who lives on his boat and delights in teasing her at every opportunity. The relationship between Harper and Gemma was quite realistic, and convincing enough to have me welling up at least once as Harper blindly fought to help her sister. I found the description quite repetitive at times (it's very obvious that something's amiss from the first appearance of the sirens) but seeing the various elements of their mythology coming together kept me turning the pages. After some of the recent novels I've read, one thing I DID appreciate was the fact that it was refreshingly typo-free, although I did spot a stray 'who's' instead of 'whose' at one point, which is a silly mistake.

      All in all it was a good fluffy YA read, perfect for summer reading at the beach or by the pool. It felt right to be reading it on holiday, by water, stopping for the occasional dip every now and again! The end of the novel paved the way nicely for the (presumably more brutal) books to come, and since I got home I've already bought the three remaining Watersong novels: Lullaby, Tidal and Elegy. I want to delve deeper into the sirens' mythological history, find out what's next for Gemma, and see how Harper fares trying to rescue her sister from the sirens' clutches...
    • 4/5
      Gemma is a young, very likable girl. She has a sister and father who care about her. Gemma loves the water. She is on the swim team and loves to train everyday, but not just in a pool, her favorite place is the ocean. Gemma share a very close relationship with her sister. I absolutely loved this aspect of the book. Harper is trying to help raise Gemma during the absence of her mother. Sometimes she can be a little overbearing, but she truly does love Gemma and wants what is best for her. They are different in a few ways too. Harper is very overprotective and wants everything to be set, where as Gemma is just this carefree spirit. She finds they good in everyone. We don’t see much of their father, he works alot which is why Harper feels responsible for Gemma. I feel that Gemma and Harpers characters are strong smart, and very likable.

      The boys in both of these girls lives are really great. First we have Daniel who works and lives down at the docks where their father works. He is the hot, bad boy, but is really a really nice guy too. Alex is the neighbor and is best friends with Harper. I think the best part of romance in this book, is the fact that Harper ends up liking Daniel the bad boy, and Gemma with Alex. I did really enjoy the relationships that both Gemma and Harper have. I thought Gemma and Alex were sweet and Harper and Daniel were great too. You couldn’t ask for better guys.

      Where they live, there has been strange disappearances, and no one can explain them. And then there’s the 3 girls that are new to town, and they don’t really fit in for some reason. We have Penn, Lexi and Thea. When Gemma goes and hangs out with them, everything in her life is turned upside down. But she so much faster at swimming that ever before, and so much stronger. When Gemma learns the truth about what has happened to her and what she has become, she is devastated. She has to choose to stay and deal with the consequences or leave her family and her boyfriend. A decision that could mean life or death. I don’t wish that on anyone. Gemma is a smart girl and will make the right decision. I am intrigued with the story.

      This is a unique take on a mermaid type story. It was very descriptive, never leaving us confused on just how the girls came to be. This was set up very well for the story to continue, and it is quite an intriguing plot too. I really can’t wait to see how the story continues on Lullaby. Overall I was very pleased with this. It was also my first book from Amanda Hocking, and it did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend picking this one up and reading it for sure.

    • 4/5
      This is a young adult paranormal read. Wake is the first in a series which has a few secrets that are reveled throughout the book. Brings in legends along with Greek mythology. As with most young adult stories; does she pick the boy or not?
    • 4/5
      Quite enjoyed this. Amanda Hocking has become a favorite of mine. Good for those wanting mythology based reads and some romance.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book (Wake) and read it in one sitting. It ended too quick for me. I wanted to read more. There is a cliff-hanger at the end that has made me wish that winter of 2013 was tomorrow so I can keep on reading. (That's when the second book in the series comes out.) "Wake" leaves you wondering who you can confide in and what sacrifice really means. Love, death, craziness and the supernatural is very real for Gemma, a 16 yr old girl who now is forced to belive in amazing and evil girls because they are all she can turn to for answers and survival. I want to know what happens to her next and does she get a HEA? Amanda Hocking is a great story-teller and I will be looking into reading her other series.
    • 1/5
      Note: The “Best of 2012” tag refers to books I received at work for our Best of the Year program. I put those under one tag so I can find my reviews easily. It does not reflect my actual opinion.

      I give Amanda Hocking credit for one thing—she knows how to market her books. Given that I did pay .99 for Switched just to see what the fuss was about, I’d say it worked. It also backfired on my case, because I detested Switched and refused to read another book by her. And if I didn’t have to read Wake for work, I would have ignored it and never added it to my shelves at all.

      But I did have to read Wake. And I even thought to myself, “Well, maybe that she’s got an editor and more publishing experience, maybe it’s not as bad as the first one was.” And I will also say this about Amanda Hocking. I don’t think she’s a terrible writer. I think she’s an excessively mediocre writer who can come up with ideas but can’t characterize or develop a plot for the life of her. Wake follows the same exact paranormal formula that Switched did: Girl finds out/develops supernatural abilities. One hundred pages of nothing happening. Love interest. Girl abandons normal life. Cliffhanger.

      That alone knocked this book down to two stars for me. Nothing happens for half the book. And then Gemma gets turned into a mermaid. Then another seventy pages of nothing happening. To use two of the most horrifying words in the Whedonverse, “Bored now.”

      What really raises my ire and marked Amanda Hocking on my “Never again” list of authors are four reasons:

      1. Gemma’s swimming career: She had to be an Olympic hopeful. I get why Gemma had to like swimming; obviously, you can’t have a mermaid novel with an aquaphobic mermaid. (Although that would be infinitely more interesting.) But she had to make Gemma a competitive swimmer. Okay, look. I swam for two years in middle school, because I liked to swim. And I quit because I realized that I’m not a good athlete and not very competitive and the competition took the fun out of it. All Gemma being on the swim team accomplishes is that hey, she’s getting faster and stronger! That’s it. Nothing more.

      The Olympic hopeful bit pissed me off, because she plays up into it every time it gets mentioned. And by the way, just swimming at all hours of the day does not make a strong swimming. There is weight training, dieting…I really want to give this to my old swim coach and see him go into a rage fit over Gemma’s training regime throughout the day.

      2. Everyone is an idiot: This is one of those books that gives YA a bad name. Everyone in this book carries the idiot ball and it hurts and insults my intelligence. Examples:

      -Every time the character Bernie shows up, we have to be reminded that Gemma and Harper’s dad is friends with him and the girls spent summers on his island. Not once. Every time he’s mentioned.

      -Apparently, four boys have gone missing in the last two months. No one is worried about this at all. Until it’s plot important.

      -These wonderful gems from Gemma’s mouth:
      (In regards to Greek mythology): “Those are really ridiculous names,” Gemma commented. “Didn’t anybody go by Mary or Judy back then?”

      “I know, right?” Lexi laughed. “Things are so much easier to spell now.”

      *hisses*

      And,

      “So, what is the blood of a mortal?” Gemma asked. “Is that like tears?”

      “No, that’s blood.” Penn looked at her like she was a moron.

      NO KIDDING.
      3. The mythology

      Let me state this once and for all for anyone wanting to bring in Greek mythology in their mermaid book.

      SIRENS ARE NOT FUCKING MERMAIDS.

      The irony is I’ve been so used to the “sirens = mermaids” confusion because it’s so fucking prevalent in media. I hate it, but I deal with it. And it would have been fine here if the mermaids said something along the lines of “Oh, we prefer sirens because we are so omg hip and cool.” But no. No. When you bring in actual mythology and still throw in the mermaid bit YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG. AND NO. You do not get points because your ‘sirens’ have an alternate bird form. You still used actual Greek myth to set up your backstory.

      OH. And btw. YOU DO NOT REFER TO PERSEPHONE AS A BITCH. It’s a fucking stupid thing to throw in the backstory. If you wanted Lexi to be justified in hating the gods, here’s a really good reason: Most of the Greek pantheon were assholes. You didn’t have to throw in the fact that they couldn’t be bothered to find Persephone—and in fact, that makes me like the mermaids less. (Do not slander Persephone. She is awesome and better than this tripe. *loves on Persephone*)

      (Btw, I have very little issues with people playing with Greek mythology—hell, *I’ve* done it. Even when it’s something like Disney’s Hercules that so badly messes up the source material, I can take it on its own merits. But when you use actual myth in the book and still fuck it up--*frustrated scream*)

      The mythology alone could’ve knocked this down to one star for me. But then Hocking has to go and pull this:

      4. Gemma and Harper’s mother

      WOW. Wow. I don’t even. I think this is the lowest way to make ineffectual parents in a YA novel ever. Apparently, brain damage gives you the mentality of a thirteen year old girl, right down to the temper tantrums and being a Belieber. It’s another stupid excuse to shove tragic backstory for the characters, and it really pisses me off more because it’s an insulting way to do so.

      Switched had already left a bad taste in my mouth. But, as noted above, I was willing to give Wake a fair shot, despite my previous disinterest. Having now read it, I can honestly say that I will not be as willing to read another book by Amanda Hocking in the future.
    • 4/5
      Great book featuring two equally interesting sisters living in what would be an idyllic small town by the ocean if it weren’t for three creepy but beautiful girls who are hanging around. In the water those creepy girls transform into what looks like mermaids but they’re actually sirens, overly attractive sea monsters who lure teenage boys to their deaths. Gemma, one of the sisters, is being pursued by the sirens, but her sister Harper is determined to keep Gemma out of trouble. Both sisters are portrayed sympathetically--a nice touch--and it’s a well balanced story with a mythological backstory, good pacing, and the early stages of young love.
    • 2/5
      Hmmm....I had a hard time with this book. I really did not enjoy the character of Gemma. On the other hand, I did like her sister, Harper and the relationship between the two sisters. I also liked the character of Daniel. Honestly, those two characters are the only reason I gave this book 2 stars. I will most likely read the second book only because I am interested in seeing where Harper and Daniel end up.
    • 3/5
      I just love mermaid stories. Make it a story about killer mermaids and I'm even more entranced. I had a lot of fun reading Wake by Amanda Hocking.

      While the plot didn't amaze me, I was intrigued. I hate to say this, but there is only so much you can do with a story about sirens. It was everything I expected it to be, and very little more. Now, don't take that the wrong way. I did enjoy it; it just didn't break the mold.

      Gemma was a decent character. She was strong and beautiful-- perfect bait for a gang of deadly sirens. I know the majority of the story focused on Gemma and her plight, but I was really more interested in Daniel. He was mysterious and fun. He had this aura of bad-boy swirling around him that had me hooked from the beginning. Alex was that "boy next door" kind of character, which worked well with being Gemma's love interest. Gemma's sister was also decent as far as foils go. Overall, the characters were all balanced out and did a nice job of supporting one another-- but I'm still team Daniel.

      What review of a book about mermaids would be complete without mentioning the main characters? These sirens were not all singing crabs and sunshine. These girls were hard-core. Penn is certainly the most vicious of the three. Talia came across as aloof and uninterested. I'm sure there will be more to that in future books. What I did enjoy about this book is that the focus really wasn't on sparkling mermaid tails. Yes, it was mentioned a few times, but not as much as you would think. There was certainly an underlying mystery that was more prevalent to the plot. The mythology that was subtly introduced was also used in a very clever way. I am curious to see how Gemma and the other unravel that mystery in future books.

      Overall, Wake was a fun read. It was quick and had enough romance to make it a page turner. (Very clean romance by the way.) I feel like this was a nice introduction to the upcoming books, which will probably have more plot twists in store.
    • 5/5
      Gemma is a very beautiful girl & loves the sea. It gives her freedom, and she feels safe there. Gemma then starts falling in love with the boy next door, Alex, who was always the best friend, but this summer, they have decided to take their relationship to the next level. Harper, her sister, has a caring bone inside her, and has looked after Gemma ever since their Mum had a terrible accident. Three strange girls have arrived in town. They are fearless, gorgeous and enticing, and although they have captured everyone's attention, it's Gemma they are interested in, and they want her to be part of their group. One night, Gemma decides to take a swim, when she finds the three girls having a party on the cove. They invite her, and draw her in into drinking a mysterious concoction. The next morning, Gemma wakes up feeling different, and immediately knows something is wrong. Gemma is faster, stronger and beautiful than before. As she tries to uncover the truth, she ends up being torn between leaving her family, or going off with the strange girls, and entering a world with so many different possibilities.


      This is the first book I have ever read from the author Amanda Hocking. It is the first book in the 'Watersong' series. I have heard a load of good things about this new series from her, and I decided to take the plunge, and I'm glad I did.
      All the characters are like-able in this. The story mainly revolves around the two sisters Gemma and Harper, and the things that their life encounters. I feel sorry for both of them because their Mum had a terrible accident, and is now in a home where they occasionally visit her, normally on a Saturday. The Mum has to be constantly reminded who they are and why they're there upon every visit. You then have the three mysterious girls: Penn, Lexi and Thea. They seem to have a certain danger about them, and when they enter a room all eyes are on them. The Dad only plays a minor part in this story, as he is normally working a lot, and he tends to be very forgetful with his lunch for work, which Harper normally makes for him and brings to him. Finally, you have the two guy interests of the sisters. Alex is the typical friend who suddenly becomes hot, and he begins his relationship with Gemma. Daniel lives on a boat by the dock, which was left to him. There are definite romantic sparks between Harper and Daniel, but because Harper is going to study in a couple of months, she is holding back.
      There is a nice size to this book. The chapters aren't too short, nor too long. Not a lot happens in this novel, and it probably seems that way as it is being spread across a series.
      I wouldn't say there was anything I disliked about the story, as I do enjoy books about mermaids and sirens, etc. I can't wait to read the next book from this series.
      I really like the cover design to this. Not only is it blue, which is my favourite colour, but it holds a certain mystery behind it.
      Overall, I give this book five stars because I liked the storyline, would recommend, and would most definitely read again, if given the time.
      Add this book to your "to read" list, because I give it two thumbs up.

      Happy reading =)
    • 3/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

      Quick & Dirty: Another mermaid series that falls flat in the plot and has shallow characters, but the world-building is something a reader can get invested in.

      Opening Sentence: The engine made a bizarre chugging sound, like a dying robot llama, followed by an ominous click-click.

      The Review:

      I was pleasantly surprised by Wake. Told between the alternating perspectives of two sisters, Harper and Gemma, their relationship is really what drives the plot of the story. When Gemma spends the night hanging out with Penn, Thea and Lexi, only to wake up feeling changed. Most people shy away from the three beautiful strangers, and as Gemma tries to find out what happened to her that night, she begins to learn why. With a new boyfriend and loving family, Gemma’s choices through the novel might just break the only relationships she cares about.

      The siren-basis for Wake and the Watersong Quartet is exceptionally well-explored and really my favorite part of the book. Based in myth, Hocking doesn’t pull punches when it comes to real sirens. This isn’t The Little Mermaid. It’s a battle of kill-or-be-killed and Gemma’s choices in Wake (and Lullaby) are going to define her life. Gemma wants to do what’s right, but if it means dying herself, what choice does she have?

      Gemma lives for the water, pretty much revolving her life around swimming. The younger sister, she’s carefree and beautiful, leaving Harper to take on the role of protective, mothering older sister. A little cliché, but it’s easy for the reader to see they love each other. The fact they care about each other is what makes the reader see past the shallow cliché and invest in them. The two POVs are well done, even if there are a few points where you get confused about who’s speaking.

      The love interests for both girls are different, yet loveable. Alex, the geeky boy-next-door- who’s sexy and sweet ends up matching with Gemma. Their relationship seems a little bit forced and a little too insta-love for me to really get invested in them. Then there’s Daniel, Harper’s love interest, who’s somehow immune to the siren’s powers. Their relationship is clumsy and a little awkward and completely perfect. He’s funny and I found myself enjoying scenes with Daniel more than others in the book. I fell a bit in love with him when I saw how much he cared for Harper, because why can’t real guys be that perfect?

      The writing isn’t the best it could be, but I love the way Hocking gives the reader both the main character’s thoughts and feelings as well as the secondary characters. It’s written in the third person with multiple perspectives, so we get to see the story from all sides. The novel picks up speed towards the end as the truth about the siren myth is explored and hard choices have to be made. If you like The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, this series strikes the same chord. I hope to see the characters develop more in Lullaby so their unique, and if the plot pans out the way it’s hinted at in Wake the rest of this series has a lot of promise.

      Notable Scene:

      “You look…good,” Harper said, for lack of a better word.

      Gemma glanced down, looking herself over, but she knew what Harper meant. She’d already noticed it today. While she’d never been prone to acne, her skin was smoother, and it almost appeared to be glowing. She’d gone beyond her usual scope of pretty into something almost supernatural.

      “I’ve just been using a different moisturizer,” Gemma shrugged, trying to play it off.

      “Really?” Harper asked.

      “No, actually”—Gemma sighed and rubbed her forehead—“that’s what I came in here to talk to you about.”

      “You came to talk to me about moisturizer?” Harper raised an eyebrow.

      “No it’s not moisturizer.”

      FTC Advisory: St. Martin’s Press/Macmillan provided me with a copy of Wake. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.