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Wake #1
Wake
For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.
She can't tell anybody about what she does they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.
Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant.
She can't tell anybody about what she does they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.
Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant.
210 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2008
About the author
Lisa McMann
60 books6,898 followersLisa McMann lives and writes in the Phoenix area. Her newest middle grade fantasy series is called The Forgotten Five. Book one, Map of Flames, was an instant NYT bestseller. It's about five supernatural kids, raised in a deserted hideout, who enter civilization for the first time to search for a hidden stash left behind by their missing, criminal parents.
Book two, The Invisible Spy, is on sale now! Book three, Rebel Undercover, is coming summer 2023, and book 4 will be out in spring of 2024.
Also out now: CLARICE THE BRAVE. It's a story of hope against all odds, about sibling mice who get separated in a mutiny and vow to find one another again.
Lisa's other books include the NYT bestselling THE UNWANTEDS and UNWANTEDS QUESTS series, the GOING WILD trilogy, the YA paranormal WAKE trilogy, the VISIONS trilogy, CRYER'S CROSS, DEAD TO YOU, and INFINITY RING: The Trap Door.
See what's new and where Lisa will be at her
LinkTree.
You can find more info at Lisa'a website, lisamcmann.com, interact with her on Facebook or Twitter, or ask questions on her Instagram.
Book two, The Invisible Spy, is on sale now! Book three, Rebel Undercover, is coming summer 2023, and book 4 will be out in spring of 2024.
Also out now: CLARICE THE BRAVE. It's a story of hope against all odds, about sibling mice who get separated in a mutiny and vow to find one another again.
Lisa's other books include the NYT bestselling THE UNWANTEDS and UNWANTEDS QUESTS series, the GOING WILD trilogy, the YA paranormal WAKE trilogy, the VISIONS trilogy, CRYER'S CROSS, DEAD TO YOU, and INFINITY RING: The Trap Door.
See what's new and where Lisa will be at her
LinkTree.
You can find more info at Lisa'a website, lisamcmann.com, interact with her on Facebook or Twitter, or ask questions on her Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,678 reviews
December 4, 2013
I picked this one up because the premise sounded so intriguing, but ultimately I thought it was pretty disappointing. The third-person present tense narration really got on my nerves after a while, and the story was told so choppily that I found it hard to really get involved. Not to mention the ridiculous twist towards the end (Spoiler: Her formerly-goth-loser-but-now-suddenly-hot classmate with crazy nightmares turns out to be an undercover cop pretending to be a dealer in order to bust a huge drug operation run by another classmate's father. Um, what?), and the fact that her dreams and why they happen is never really explained, beyond us being told that Janie reads a few dream books from the local library that supposedly solve everything - talk about unsatisfying. Apparently there's a sequel, and maybe it explains more, but I don't think I'll be reading it.
May 18, 2012
I do not understand this book.
I do not understand the writing style.
I do not understand the plot.
And I sure as hell do not understand the appeal.
Everything about this book was choppy, weird, and over in a blink of an eye. Come to think of it, it was reminiscent of a dream, the foggy kind you forget immediately upon waking.
The writing was unnecessarily blunt and in the 3rd person, both of which I consider poor writing decisions. I felt alienated from the story, and I never understood who was acting or who was speaking.
Janie and Cabel were both hot messes. One minute, they were giving each other longing glances, and the next they would huffily avoid each other. Their romance was just too immediate , and I wasn’t really invested in either of the characters enough to feel the sparks fly. McMann tried to make them deep with backstories that just made me go, “huh?”
And the plot. I do not even know what to think. Props for McMann for being original, I guess, but at least a formulaic plot is comprehensible. McMann’s plot was thin and rather ridiculous and it didn’t even BEGIN to answer any of my questions. Seriously, all it did was confuse me, and if the book wasn’t so quick to read, I wouldn’t have made it through.
I’ll read the sequels because they are right here in front of me. But I don't expect to enjoy them.
I do not understand the writing style.
I do not understand the plot.
And I sure as hell do not understand the appeal.
Everything about this book was choppy, weird, and over in a blink of an eye. Come to think of it, it was reminiscent of a dream, the foggy kind you forget immediately upon waking.
The writing was unnecessarily blunt and in the 3rd person, both of which I consider poor writing decisions. I felt alienated from the story, and I never understood who was acting or who was speaking.
Janie and Cabel were both hot messes. One minute, they were giving each other longing glances, and the next they would huffily avoid each other. Their romance was just too immediate , and I wasn’t really invested in either of the characters enough to feel the sparks fly. McMann tried to make them deep with backstories that just made me go, “huh?”
And the plot. I do not even know what to think. Props for McMann for being original, I guess, but at least a formulaic plot is comprehensible. McMann’s plot was thin and rather ridiculous and it didn’t even BEGIN to answer any of my questions. Seriously, all it did was confuse me, and if the book wasn’t so quick to read, I wouldn’t have made it through.
I’ll read the sequels because they are right here in front of me. But I don't expect to enjoy them.
February 2, 2012
3.5 stars
A surprisingly good YA book, a perfect mix of romance, paranormal, and mystery. The writing style is peculiar and won't be everyone's cup of tea. It definitely takes some time to get used to it. But once you get over the present tense 3rd person narration and choppiness, you realize this style actually makes the book more intense and fast moving. The love story is equally powerful and touching and certainly differs from your standard paranormal romance formula. Lastly, kudos to Lisa McMann for skillfully weaving dream-catching into a very fascinating story. A nice departure from the deadbeat vamp/were/fallen angel theme.
After the 3rd reading it is, understandably, not as exciting, but still stands out as a fresh and unique work of YA fiction and retains its affecting power.
A surprisingly good YA book, a perfect mix of romance, paranormal, and mystery. The writing style is peculiar and won't be everyone's cup of tea. It definitely takes some time to get used to it. But once you get over the present tense 3rd person narration and choppiness, you realize this style actually makes the book more intense and fast moving. The love story is equally powerful and touching and certainly differs from your standard paranormal romance formula. Lastly, kudos to Lisa McMann for skillfully weaving dream-catching into a very fascinating story. A nice departure from the deadbeat vamp/were/fallen angel theme.
After the 3rd reading it is, understandably, not as exciting, but still stands out as a fresh and unique work of YA fiction and retains its affecting power.
April 18, 2010
This book is short, sweet and simple.
I think it's the simpleness of the story that gives it the most charm. There are no intricate or twisted plots. Nor is than any great climatic action to this story.
It is a gradual growing of a girl and a boy as they learn to deal with an unusual psychic ability together and face their nightmares.
There isn't much to say about this book. There isn't much plot or pacing to speak of though it doesn't drag on. It's hard for this book to drag on because there simply isn't much of it. I read it in three hours.
The characters are complex, compelling and well crafted. Though the character of Cabel has convinced me of one thing that I had already suspected. In literature, we like our men obsessive.
We like them to be doggedly persistent in their chase of our heroines. It's not enough that they summon the courage to attempt to speak or interact to them. It's not enough that they put themselves or their hearts on the the line. They must win us, well and truly.
They have to be obsessed and consumed with us. I think it's a sad reflection on the high expectations that we have on men today, but Cabel is different from the norm.
Because you can actually understand why he would risk everything for the female main character. He's reasonable, lovable, and flawed.
Over all, I love this story though it's not one I'd pick up to read over and over again. It's a nice story to have read and enjoyed. I look forward to reading the sequel.
I think it's the simpleness of the story that gives it the most charm. There are no intricate or twisted plots. Nor is than any great climatic action to this story.
It is a gradual growing of a girl and a boy as they learn to deal with an unusual psychic ability together and face their nightmares.
There isn't much to say about this book. There isn't much plot or pacing to speak of though it doesn't drag on. It's hard for this book to drag on because there simply isn't much of it. I read it in three hours.
The characters are complex, compelling and well crafted. Though the character of Cabel has convinced me of one thing that I had already suspected. In literature, we like our men obsessive.
We like them to be doggedly persistent in their chase of our heroines. It's not enough that they summon the courage to attempt to speak or interact to them. It's not enough that they put themselves or their hearts on the the line. They must win us, well and truly.
They have to be obsessed and consumed with us. I think it's a sad reflection on the high expectations that we have on men today, but Cabel is different from the norm.
Because you can actually understand why he would risk everything for the female main character. He's reasonable, lovable, and flawed.
Over all, I love this story though it's not one I'd pick up to read over and over again. It's a nice story to have read and enjoyed. I look forward to reading the sequel.
March 17, 2008
Janie gets sucked into other people’s dreams. She tries to stop it, but can’t resist the overwhelming pull. She first noticed it happening when she was eight-years-old. Janie has witnessed everything from the typical falling dream and standing naked in front of a crowd dream to World War II battle dreams. Most of the time she is just an observer. Even if the dreamers ask for her help, she can’t manage to do anything.
Janie’s life has been hindered by this "curse." She found out early that sleepovers weren’t good for her. The close proximity of the other girls caused her to experience their dreams and not get any rest for herself. It doesn’t have to be nighttime for this to happen though. Anytime someone around her is asleep - she gets sucked in - at school, on the bus, driving down the road, etc. When she is in someone else’s dream it looks as if she is having a seizure. All she knows is that she loses feeling in her limbs and becomes paralized. The more frightening the dream, the faster the numbness occurs.
Janie has an alcoholic mother, an unknown father, and is extremely poor. She lives on the "wrong" side of town and has one loyal friend. She lives in isolation in order to avoid being stuck in someone’s dream.
A new addition to her life is Cabel. He lives in her neighborhood and seems to be a loner. She has several interactions with him throughout the book, but their lives become intertwined when she has to let him know about her problem while they are on a school trip together and she is stuck on a bus for several hours with her napping classmates being sucked into one dream after another the whole way. Cabel must help her through. This is a comfort to Janie as well as a new stress. She grows to like Cabel very much, but when she begins to get sucked into his gruesome dream and hears some particularly damning rumors about him, she questions her feelings for him.
With the help of an unlikely person she meets at the nursing home (and some books from the library), Janie begins to gain a little control over her "curse." The reader will be sucked into the dreams with Janie. Your heart will go out to her and cheer as she makes her way through life given the obstacles she must overcome. WAKE is a very inventive story and I can’t wait for the sequel.
Janie’s life has been hindered by this "curse." She found out early that sleepovers weren’t good for her. The close proximity of the other girls caused her to experience their dreams and not get any rest for herself. It doesn’t have to be nighttime for this to happen though. Anytime someone around her is asleep - she gets sucked in - at school, on the bus, driving down the road, etc. When she is in someone else’s dream it looks as if she is having a seizure. All she knows is that she loses feeling in her limbs and becomes paralized. The more frightening the dream, the faster the numbness occurs.
Janie has an alcoholic mother, an unknown father, and is extremely poor. She lives on the "wrong" side of town and has one loyal friend. She lives in isolation in order to avoid being stuck in someone’s dream.
A new addition to her life is Cabel. He lives in her neighborhood and seems to be a loner. She has several interactions with him throughout the book, but their lives become intertwined when she has to let him know about her problem while they are on a school trip together and she is stuck on a bus for several hours with her napping classmates being sucked into one dream after another the whole way. Cabel must help her through. This is a comfort to Janie as well as a new stress. She grows to like Cabel very much, but when she begins to get sucked into his gruesome dream and hears some particularly damning rumors about him, she questions her feelings for him.
With the help of an unlikely person she meets at the nursing home (and some books from the library), Janie begins to gain a little control over her "curse." The reader will be sucked into the dreams with Janie. Your heart will go out to her and cheer as she makes her way through life given the obstacles she must overcome. WAKE is a very inventive story and I can’t wait for the sequel.
May 9, 2017
1 Star
Overall:
Oh… this was bad.
I already had low expectations, because it was a random cover buy, but it surpassed them?. The plot seemed so interesting… but the writing was so choppy. The characters were underdeveloped and there wasn't even a plot… it was just bad.
Pros:
Uh… it’s a really cool plot idea? I enjoyed the incorporation of lucid dreaming.
I liked the first few pages? The character of Janie seemed interesting before I realized she was never expanded upon?
Cons:
Everything else. I’m not one to just hate, but this one had so many issues I'm not even sure how to keep track.
The writing style was so absurdly choppy.
Like I get stream of consciousness writing. I get it. But every sentence was a fragmented that restated EVERYTHING. Then the fragments were just broken up further with divisions in time. Then broken into itty chapters and spliced together paragraphs.
None of the characters were ever expanded upon. Cabel just doesn’t make any sense and I don’t understand any of his character’s motivation. I never learned anything about Janie other than how inconvenienced she was by her circumstances. What does she want? What does she enjoy?
What was even the purpose of Carrie’s character? Or Melinda? Or Shay? Or anyone?
There was no plot. At all. Just Janie walking through random dreams and becoming more and more upset by them. Which, sure, it’s distressing. But I expected her to have an idea of how to fix it, discover some horrible secret about someone, meet someone else with the same ability--anything. There was just no plot. Random things just kept happening.
What was that romance even? It came out of nowhere. They don’t even really like or know each other, but she walks in his dream one time and he buys her a snickers and suddenly they're in love…?
There's a whole scene where Janie determines someone is a lesbian because they are dreaming of another female with huge cartoon-esque boobs. Like just seriously massive tits. And then it becomes a joke that continues the rest of the novel
In conclusion:
Overall:
Oh… this was bad.
I already had low expectations, because it was a random cover buy, but it surpassed them?. The plot seemed so interesting… but the writing was so choppy. The characters were underdeveloped and there wasn't even a plot… it was just bad.
Pros:
Uh… it’s a really cool plot idea? I enjoyed the incorporation of lucid dreaming.
I liked the first few pages? The character of Janie seemed interesting before I realized she was never expanded upon?
Cons:
Everything else. I’m not one to just hate, but this one had so many issues I'm not even sure how to keep track.
The writing style was so absurdly choppy.
Like I get stream of consciousness writing. I get it. But every sentence was a fragmented that restated EVERYTHING. Then the fragments were just broken up further with divisions in time. Then broken into itty chapters and spliced together paragraphs.
None of the characters were ever expanded upon. Cabel just doesn’t make any sense and I don’t understand any of his character’s motivation. I never learned anything about Janie other than how inconvenienced she was by her circumstances. What does she want? What does she enjoy?
What was even the purpose of Carrie’s character? Or Melinda? Or Shay? Or anyone?
There was no plot. At all. Just Janie walking through random dreams and becoming more and more upset by them. Which, sure, it’s distressing. But I expected her to have an idea of how to fix it, discover some horrible secret about someone, meet someone else with the same ability--anything. There was just no plot. Random things just kept happening.
What was that romance even? It came out of nowhere. They don’t even really like or know each other, but she walks in his dream one time and he buys her a snickers and suddenly they're in love…?
There's a whole scene where Janie determines someone is a lesbian because they are dreaming of another female with huge cartoon-esque boobs. Like just seriously massive tits. And then it becomes a joke that continues the rest of the novel
In conclusion:
March 6, 2011
I've read countless YA novels in this past year, but Wake is by far my favorite. To be perfectly honest, it's not the story that I like so much - it's very interesting and well thought out, but it was the writing that blew me away. In her review, Tatiana called McMann's writing style flawless, and I must admit I was very intrigued by her choice of words at the time. I understand now exactly what she meant. Wake has a steady rhythm that you can almost feel in your bones while reading. It’s very hard to describe, but very easy to notice once you start reading. I adore its simplicity and unpretentiousness.
Lisa McMann's writing is every linguist's dream. Linguists are usually very sensitive when it comes to language economy, and we especially dislike redundancy. There isn't a single part that is redundant in Wake.
In Delirium, the MC leaves the house in the middle of the night to go to an illegal party and warn her best friend about a raid. While she is on her way to perform this very important task, Lauren Oliver takes the time to describe the streets, and even trash cannes she walks by. That’s pretty much where I lost my interest. Writers tend to dilute their stories with descriptions and unnecessary facts. In literary theory, those parts of a text are called catalysts. Wake is only about 200 pages long, but that’s because there are no catalysts in it. There isn’t a single word that dilutes the core. The sentences are clean and short, almost bare. From my (strictly structuralistic) point of view, that makes them almost perfect.
I'm in love with this book. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
Lisa McMann's writing is every linguist's dream. Linguists are usually very sensitive when it comes to language economy, and we especially dislike redundancy. There isn't a single part that is redundant in Wake.
In Delirium, the MC leaves the house in the middle of the night to go to an illegal party and warn her best friend about a raid. While she is on her way to perform this very important task, Lauren Oliver takes the time to describe the streets, and even trash cannes she walks by. That’s pretty much where I lost my interest. Writers tend to dilute their stories with descriptions and unnecessary facts. In literary theory, those parts of a text are called catalysts. Wake is only about 200 pages long, but that’s because there are no catalysts in it. There isn’t a single word that dilutes the core. The sentences are clean and short, almost bare. From my (strictly structuralistic) point of view, that makes them almost perfect.
I'm in love with this book. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
June 10, 2016
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
It seemed interesting
What I thought
WTF did I just read this book is freakin weird!!! It's like a sequence of dreams with a little plot that's it!! The only reason I finished it was because I was curious to see if it changed. It so didn't and i'm so not reading the sequel, yeah it's so bad i'm not even giving it a chance.
Why this book?
It seemed interesting
What I thought
WTF did I just read this book is freakin weird!!! It's like a sequence of dreams with a little plot that's it!! The only reason I finished it was because I was curious to see if it changed. It so didn't and i'm so not reading the sequel, yeah it's so bad i'm not even giving it a chance.
June 11, 2011
I best get this review out of the way before I start the second book in the series: Fade. In short, the story is about Janie, a girl who finds herself dragged into the dreams of those sleeping around her - a big problem, as you can imagine, in the majority of high school classes. With no idea why she has this strange ability, Janie begins to discover that, not only can she see the dreams happening, she can also interfere and change what happens.
I really liked the story and, surprisingly for a young adult novel, I also liked the romance going on between Janie and Cabel. The characters are interesting and I found the novel to be at times really funny and at others quite sad. I think it's the kind of book that grows on you the further you get. I wasn't overwhelmed with wonder in the first chapter but I noticed that the book quickly got better and better.
What I couldn't get used to and still find really strange when I think back about it, is the fact that the novel is written in 3rd person present tense narrative. It kept confusing me and just seemed rather weird. There were a number of times whilst I was reading the novel where it would say "she did this" or "she did that" and I'd be thinking "who's she? I thought Janie was the only one there... ohhhh". But, on the whole, it doesn't detract from the overall story and I found it a different and enjoyable read. Thanks to readitswapit, I have book 2 already sitting on my shelf. Apparently, though, according to the ever-wise Tatiana book 3 is a no-go. I'll probably stop after Fade.
I really liked the story and, surprisingly for a young adult novel, I also liked the romance going on between Janie and Cabel. The characters are interesting and I found the novel to be at times really funny and at others quite sad. I think it's the kind of book that grows on you the further you get. I wasn't overwhelmed with wonder in the first chapter but I noticed that the book quickly got better and better.
What I couldn't get used to and still find really strange when I think back about it, is the fact that the novel is written in 3rd person present tense narrative. It kept confusing me and just seemed rather weird. There were a number of times whilst I was reading the novel where it would say "she did this" or "she did that" and I'd be thinking "who's she? I thought Janie was the only one there... ohhhh". But, on the whole, it doesn't detract from the overall story and I found it a different and enjoyable read. Thanks to readitswapit, I have book 2 already sitting on my shelf. Apparently, though, according to the ever-wise Tatiana book 3 is a no-go. I'll probably stop after Fade.
December 20, 2016
First read in February of 2009, Wake is one of those rare gems that I keep coming back to. In spite of the later ruin of the series, truly Gone was atrocious, Wake still possesses some element of reading magic for me. I suppose it doesn’t hurt that it only takes two hours to read either. Quick read status or no, Wake can boast of containing not one, but two fantastically imperfect characters, a unique and heart breaking supernatural element, and a mystery that never dulls, even after multiple re-reads. The writing is sparse, befitting of the story, and is rather lovely in its own cold, lonesome way. I would recommend Wake to anyone, just stop the series after Fade.
March 25, 2011
Before I start this one, just know that I LIKED IT. I don't love it as much as many of my Goodreads friends but this could be because I started out listening to this and finished the last 30-40 pages in book form. I'm glad I did so because I can say that I liked this book loads more in audio format. I'm fairly sure the writing style just wasn't doing it for me.
You know when you are trying to write a paper for school and you are a couple pages short? You start playing around with the margins, change the font around, block quote a few times, and ta-da! You're suddenly at the length requirement. That's what this book felt like--a substandard research paper. Sure, it was enjoyable but when you hold it up against other YA lit, it falls short because it's missing something. (40 more pages)The central characters were well done but the brevity of the book made me want more in terms of plot development and several of the side characters were brought up but they didn't add much nor do we learn much about them. Frustrating. Also, though I enjoyed the development of Janie and Cabel's relationship, it was lacking the attraction for me.
The pacing is lightning speed--I think someone could read this in an hour and a half, no joke. I'll finish this series because the story is interesting and it won't take much time. Honestly, though, I'm sorry to say I could really take it or leave it.
You know when you are trying to write a paper for school and you are a couple pages short? You start playing around with the margins, change the font around, block quote a few times, and ta-da! You're suddenly at the length requirement. That's what this book felt like--a substandard research paper. Sure, it was enjoyable but when you hold it up against other YA lit, it falls short because it's missing something. (40 more pages)The central characters were well done but the brevity of the book made me want more in terms of plot development and several of the side characters were brought up but they didn't add much nor do we learn much about them. Frustrating. Also, though I enjoyed the development of Janie and Cabel's relationship, it was lacking the attraction for me.
The pacing is lightning speed--I think someone could read this in an hour and a half, no joke. I'll finish this series because the story is interesting and it won't take much time. Honestly, though, I'm sorry to say I could really take it or leave it.
March 21, 2008
The light, spare prose in Wake takes getting used to, and while compulsively readable, doesn’t always match up to the weight if its subject matter, or the potential gravity in some of its characters. But Wake does create something different: a mix between the fantastic-premise-meets-teen set-up of books like Twilight, and plot devices that will gather fans of Sixth Sense and Ghost Whisperer. However critical you want to be, there is no getting around that where Wake improves over similar books is in passing on 7/8ths of the over-extended romantic drama that bogs its better known predecessors down. You’re left with a lean, enjoyable, well-plotted drama, and a main character, Janie, who maintains a firmer grip on herself and her friendships.
A pleasant surprise with this novel was its set-up for a sequel: not in the possibility, which seems nearly inevitable for YA fiction, but in the route taken to it, preparing the reader for a different sort of series. Twilight this is not, but Wake has an opportunity to send a few young readers toward the darker streets traveled by Dennis Lehane and Patricia Cornwell, which is company, I think, of higher caliber.
A pleasant surprise with this novel was its set-up for a sequel: not in the possibility, which seems nearly inevitable for YA fiction, but in the route taken to it, preparing the reader for a different sort of series. Twilight this is not, but Wake has an opportunity to send a few young readers toward the darker streets traveled by Dennis Lehane and Patricia Cornwell, which is company, I think, of higher caliber.
March 4, 2015
I think I'm too old for this young adult book. I just didn't like the abrupt sentence structure and simplistic thought process of the characters. To me, it just isn't well written and the characters aren't bright. Janie is seventeen and has been dealing with getting into other people's dreams for years. She hates it, can't control it, and wonders how she will ever survive. Oh, and then the boy Cabel comes along. He's trouble (maybe) and Janie does the typical teenage angst thing by liking him, getting mad at him, and then ignoring him. Come on, girl--that is so 1980's teen lit! So to me, there's no "lyrical" going on--and I won't read the sequel. I think this will be popular with the lower level readers of my high school who don't want to think much as they read.
September 2, 2018
http://www.writingis.fun/%D0%B1%D0%B4...
Добре признавам - началото на историята беше доста нескопосано написано. Но след това всъщност историята става не само интересна, но и с доста голям потенциал за развитие в другите 2 части - довечера започвам 2-рата - четат се за няколко часа - доста отпускащо. :)
Добре признавам - началото на историята беше доста нескопосано написано. Но след това всъщност историята става не само интересна, но и с доста голям потенциал за развитие в другите 2 части - довечера започвам 2-рата - четат се за няколко часа - доста отпускащо. :)
March 29, 2009
Finally picked this book up at Barnes and Noble last night and once I started reading I couldn't put it down. Well, okay, I slept for awhile last night, but I didn't sleep very well, actually, and I had some really odd dreams... Just finished the book. I haven't been that totally consumed by a book, YA or not, in a really long time. Loved it!!
Highly recommend this book for anyone who likes fast-paced, well-written, and extremely original young adult fiction.
Lisa McMann is definitely a talent to watch! Can't wait to read her next one, FADE.
Highly recommend this book for anyone who likes fast-paced, well-written, and extremely original young adult fiction.
Lisa McMann is definitely a talent to watch! Can't wait to read her next one, FADE.
November 17, 2012
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
Dreams can usually be categorized as our source of entertainment while we are sleeping. Although we sometimes may not remember them, they often take us on a journey that we may (or may not) want to happen. For Janie Hannagan, though, dreams are her worst nightmares.
Not like any other normal teenage girl, Janie witnesses the dreams that anyone within close proximity is dreaming. Of course, she doesn't really want this to happen, but it has been going on ever since she was eight. Janie is able to see the ordinary dreams, from falling to drowning to going to work without wearing any pants. Along with that, she is able to see people's secrets and what they desire the most.
There is nothing Janie can do about this but to just keep the knowledge to herself. That all changes when Cable, the guy who everyone thought was a pothead and a dealer, enters her life as she enters his dreams. Half the time, the dreams are somewhat sweet and romantic, but then other times she witnesses the nightmares that have been haunting him.
As Janie tries to sort out not only his dreams but her own feelings for Cable, she learns that the only way to survive her reactions towards other people's dreams is to control them -- and to help the people complete the tasks that they so desperately want to accomplish.
Every now and then a novel gets published and becomes a work of art that we all will long remember. WAKE is one of those novels that is not only unique but also mesmerizing and exhilarating. With her debut novel, Lisa McMann creates something that will be on our minds and change the way we think about what we read.
Dreams can usually be categorized as our source of entertainment while we are sleeping. Although we sometimes may not remember them, they often take us on a journey that we may (or may not) want to happen. For Janie Hannagan, though, dreams are her worst nightmares.
Not like any other normal teenage girl, Janie witnesses the dreams that anyone within close proximity is dreaming. Of course, she doesn't really want this to happen, but it has been going on ever since she was eight. Janie is able to see the ordinary dreams, from falling to drowning to going to work without wearing any pants. Along with that, she is able to see people's secrets and what they desire the most.
There is nothing Janie can do about this but to just keep the knowledge to herself. That all changes when Cable, the guy who everyone thought was a pothead and a dealer, enters her life as she enters his dreams. Half the time, the dreams are somewhat sweet and romantic, but then other times she witnesses the nightmares that have been haunting him.
As Janie tries to sort out not only his dreams but her own feelings for Cable, she learns that the only way to survive her reactions towards other people's dreams is to control them -- and to help the people complete the tasks that they so desperately want to accomplish.
Every now and then a novel gets published and becomes a work of art that we all will long remember. WAKE is one of those novels that is not only unique but also mesmerizing and exhilarating. With her debut novel, Lisa McMann creates something that will be on our minds and change the way we think about what we read.
July 31, 2017
This book went from random, confusing and pointless to freaking epic and intriguing, just to end up as a huge predictable cliche that 10 year olds could find highly enjoyable.
Nothing else to add, your honor.
I rest my case.
Nothing else to add, your honor.
I rest my case.
November 27, 2024
Very fast read and an interesting premise--the main protagonist finds that if anyone falls asleep around her, she gets pulled into their dreams accidentally. The main characters are likable enough. I mainly enjoyed reading about the various dream worlds she enters--I wish they had been more vivid. In fact overall that's my main concern--the story has potentially fascinating subject matter but very bland, basic execution. It's quick though--only takes a few hours to read.
February 10, 2017
I liked the idea behind the story okay, but there were more F words in this YA book than any of the adult novels I've read. It just wasn't necessary. This book contained a lot of content that just wasn't appropriate for teen readers. I'm also not a huge fan of the writing format. I'm not sure if it wasn't just to cover up the fact that maybe the writer isn't all that good at writing.
July 22, 2009
"Wake" is about Janie Hannagan, a girl who has had the ability to see and experience other people's dreams since the age of eight. It is a haunting ability that keeps her sleepless late at night, and burns her concentration when she attempts to do numerous other tasks. Then one day, she meets Cabel, a loner that seems to be the black horse in their high school. Little does she know that he has the ability to change her life forever.
I had high expectations for this book. Maybe that's why I'm giving it such a low score, because I thought it would be really good, but it let me down. The sentence structures were not well mantained, having a sentence fragment every few paragraphs is okay, but having them constantly repeating one after the other was just... horrible. The characters weren't developed very well, which was another huge dissapointment. In fact, the only thing I probably did like was plot... it was interesting and was the reason why I kept reading the novel. What I have learned during the process of reading this novel is to never assume the likelihood of enjoying a book before you read it.
I had high expectations for this book. Maybe that's why I'm giving it such a low score, because I thought it would be really good, but it let me down. The sentence structures were not well mantained, having a sentence fragment every few paragraphs is okay, but having them constantly repeating one after the other was just... horrible. The characters weren't developed very well, which was another huge dissapointment. In fact, the only thing I probably did like was plot... it was interesting and was the reason why I kept reading the novel. What I have learned during the process of reading this novel is to never assume the likelihood of enjoying a book before you read it.
January 26, 2011
I wonder why I keep doing this to myself. I could be doing Calculus homework. I could be writing my novel. Instead, I devote my time to reading badly written YA fantasy. Perhaps I just like to procrastinate.
I wish these authors would quit being so crafty. It's like they only focus on the first few pages of their books. Conveniently, those first few pages are the ones that show up on the book previews.
Luckily, I didn't have very high expectations for Wake. It was just sitting on my desktop and I was bored. Two hours later and I'm still bored.
I didn't have a problem with the writing style. It's written in third person present, like Loser. However, this writing style is misused. I've said this before and I'll say it again -- Third Person Narration is For Plot Driven Stories! First Person narration is for character driven stories!
Harry Potter was not a character driven series. That's why it was written in third person narration. No one cared about Harry, they just wanted the mystery.
Catcher in the Rye is not a plot driven story. It relies on it's characters. Holden's voice is what drives the story.
Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction are typically written in third person because they rely on plot and setting while Contemporary is typically written in first person because it relies on it's characters.
I know what you're thinking. Cory, this is a fantasy novel. Why are you complaining?
This isn't a fantasy novel. Sure, it has fantasy elements, but it's really just Contemporary. Janie is our main character. We're drawn into the story from her experiences. Therefor, we should have access to her thoughts first hand. This book has no plot. It's just Janie wandering from one dream to the next. But the book read like an Educational Psychology textbook. Here's an example:
I was halfway expecting questions to start appearing at the end of every chapter.
Lisa McMann did a Meyer. She pulled a plot out of nowhere in the last fifty pages. Maybe that's why I skimmed the last fifty pages. I just didn't care about what happened next.
I'm not a big Orson Scott Card fan, but his novel Magic Street has the exact same premise as this, and we actually get explanations for why things happen. You know, those little things that authors give us when they're not trying to string us along for the sequel. I hate choppy, forced, ambiguous endings. And just to spite her, I'm not going to read the sequels.
It's not like this book had anything going for it outside of the premise. Janie isn't a very compelling character. I could care less about her. Her romance with Cabel was bland. In fact, I found him somewhat annoying. You'll be rolling your eyes when you find out what he's really up to. The romance felt like it was thrown in for Janie to have a love-interest.
Her mother was the only interesting character. I wanted to know what was up with her.
Carrie was also annoying. I didn't even get why the lesbian sub-plot was needed. If anything, that was more interesting than the main plot.
Why don't we find out anything about Janie's powers? What was the deal with Martha? Who is Captain? These questions aren't answered. I doubt they'll be answered in the sequel.
Like Going Bovine, the first few pages are pretty good. But once you get into the story, you wish that you'd just picked up something else. 1.5 stars.
I wish these authors would quit being so crafty. It's like they only focus on the first few pages of their books. Conveniently, those first few pages are the ones that show up on the book previews.
Luckily, I didn't have very high expectations for Wake. It was just sitting on my desktop and I was bored. Two hours later and I'm still bored.
I didn't have a problem with the writing style. It's written in third person present, like Loser. However, this writing style is misused. I've said this before and I'll say it again -- Third Person Narration is For Plot Driven Stories! First Person narration is for character driven stories!
Harry Potter was not a character driven series. That's why it was written in third person narration. No one cared about Harry, they just wanted the mystery.
Catcher in the Rye is not a plot driven story. It relies on it's characters. Holden's voice is what drives the story.
Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction are typically written in third person because they rely on plot and setting while Contemporary is typically written in first person because it relies on it's characters.
I know what you're thinking. Cory, this is a fantasy novel. Why are you complaining?
This isn't a fantasy novel. Sure, it has fantasy elements, but it's really just Contemporary. Janie is our main character. We're drawn into the story from her experiences. Therefor, we should have access to her thoughts first hand. This book has no plot. It's just Janie wandering from one dream to the next. But the book read like an Educational Psychology textbook. Here's an example:
Janie is sixteen. She buys her own clothing now. Often she buys food, too. The welfare check covers the rent and the booze, and not much else.
Two years ago, Janie started working a few hours after school and on the weekends at Heather Nursing Home. Now she works full-time for the summer.
I was halfway expecting questions to start appearing at the end of every chapter.
Lisa McMann did a Meyer. She pulled a plot out of nowhere in the last fifty pages. Maybe that's why I skimmed the last fifty pages. I just didn't care about what happened next.
I'm not a big Orson Scott Card fan, but his novel Magic Street has the exact same premise as this, and we actually get explanations for why things happen. You know, those little things that authors give us when they're not trying to string us along for the sequel. I hate choppy, forced, ambiguous endings. And just to spite her, I'm not going to read the sequels.
It's not like this book had anything going for it outside of the premise. Janie isn't a very compelling character. I could care less about her. Her romance with Cabel was bland. In fact, I found him somewhat annoying. You'll be rolling your eyes when you find out what he's really up to. The romance felt like it was thrown in for Janie to have a love-interest.
Her mother was the only interesting character. I wanted to know what was up with her.
Carrie was also annoying. I didn't even get why the lesbian sub-plot was needed. If anything, that was more interesting than the main plot.
Why don't we find out anything about Janie's powers? What was the deal with Martha? Who is Captain? These questions aren't answered. I doubt they'll be answered in the sequel.
Like Going Bovine, the first few pages are pretty good. But once you get into the story, you wish that you'd just picked up something else. 1.5 stars.
Read
November 14, 2017This book was a very interesting read. The format was different than usual and I liked that. I enjoyed the surprise with the hero at the end. I can't imagine being stuck with a super power like that one. It would be so hard to deal with. If you're a fan of Insomnia by J.R. Johansson, then check this one out.
May 27, 2008
I found this book at Barnes and Noble months before it was supposed to be published!!
It was hilarious! I was just looking through the YA section and found this book. It looked so good! I regret that I didn't try to buy it that day. Gosh! Anywho, I went home to found out more information about the book and author and found out that it hadn't been published yet! Yet, I found it at Barnes and Noble! I really really regret not buying it that day!! Geez! That would have been cool!
I emailed Lisa telling her about my story. She got a kick out of it and we agreed on me going out the next day to see if it was still there. I reported that it wasn't so she said that it must have been a mistake.
I was wondering though, so, do book stores own books months in advance from the publishing date? if they do, then why wait for the publishing day? if the book is done early then gosh darn it publish it early! why make the world wait?!??!?!
so yeah, i was mad, because i got so excited about the book by then. yet, i had to wait like everyone else. i had to wait about two months. man, that felt like forever. so i advertised WAKE at my school on the publishing day saying, "WAKE by Lisa McMann is out! Go buy it today! It's so good! I've been talking to her for a few months and it seems like this book is going to do real well."
As you may have guessed I ran out that day to get my copy of the book. I made sure to read the book mostly at school for more publicity. it sure worked! my noticed that my friend was interested in the book because i kept annoying everyone about and so i convinced her to read it. she loved it! i couldn't wait until she was finished reading it so we could talk about it. all we could talk about was hott Cabel....mmmm....he is lovely.
Of course I'm extremely excited about FADE the sequel. I am advertising the books still and trying to make it popular at my school. I'm trying to help out Lisa because i care so much about this book and her success.
It was hilarious! I was just looking through the YA section and found this book. It looked so good! I regret that I didn't try to buy it that day. Gosh! Anywho, I went home to found out more information about the book and author and found out that it hadn't been published yet! Yet, I found it at Barnes and Noble! I really really regret not buying it that day!! Geez! That would have been cool!
I emailed Lisa telling her about my story. She got a kick out of it and we agreed on me going out the next day to see if it was still there. I reported that it wasn't so she said that it must have been a mistake.
I was wondering though, so, do book stores own books months in advance from the publishing date? if they do, then why wait for the publishing day? if the book is done early then gosh darn it publish it early! why make the world wait?!??!?!
so yeah, i was mad, because i got so excited about the book by then. yet, i had to wait like everyone else. i had to wait about two months. man, that felt like forever. so i advertised WAKE at my school on the publishing day saying, "WAKE by Lisa McMann is out! Go buy it today! It's so good! I've been talking to her for a few months and it seems like this book is going to do real well."
As you may have guessed I ran out that day to get my copy of the book. I made sure to read the book mostly at school for more publicity. it sure worked! my noticed that my friend was interested in the book because i kept annoying everyone about and so i convinced her to read it. she loved it! i couldn't wait until she was finished reading it so we could talk about it. all we could talk about was hott Cabel....mmmm....he is lovely.
Of course I'm extremely excited about FADE the sequel. I am advertising the books still and trying to make it popular at my school. I'm trying to help out Lisa because i care so much about this book and her success.
May 25, 2010
This would technically get 4.5 stars...I am bouncing back and forth between giving it five..... oh man, feel the presure....
This book was so good. It was devoured in 1 day, 1 sitting at that.
Janie is a dream hopper, not her own, but everyone else's. No explanation, no rhyme or reason, she just is. It is beginning to take over her life and frigthen her... but, she realizes that she can help the dreamer. I don't know what to say without giving away too many details, but w-o-w!
I am super stoaked to read "Fade".
Gotta go dig through my book box NOW!
This book was so good. It was devoured in 1 day, 1 sitting at that.
Janie is a dream hopper, not her own, but everyone else's. No explanation, no rhyme or reason, she just is. It is beginning to take over her life and frigthen her... but, she realizes that she can help the dreamer. I don't know what to say without giving away too many details, but w-o-w!
I am super stoaked to read "Fade".
Gotta go dig through my book box NOW!
December 7, 2010
Jaine has a gift! Or rather a curse!! She can watch other people's dreams, if anyone in her proximity is dreaming, she get's sucked in his dream, she can't avoided it. And then she meets Campel and realises that not only she can watch his dreams but participate in them.
The experience of reading this novel whould be safe to say that can only be compared with a thrilling and scary ride on a VERY fast rollercoaster (and this comes from someone who absolutely LOVES rollercoasters)! This is probably not a book for everyone, the prose is succinct, spare and sharp. The narration is fast-paced and feels episodic. Some will hate it, others will love it!! Personally, I couldn't put it down. I thought all this elements made the book excellent. Because what is Jaine's life if not a series of episodes as she jumps from dreams to reality and back? We watch her struggle everyday because when someone sleeps in class, behind her on the bus, or even has a nightmare and she’s driving by, she goes into something of a seizure, blind and paralyzed in body, she has to endure the entire dream with the dreamer in her mind. As Janie grows older, this becomes more of a problem, especially in her study hall and at her job as an assistant at a nursing home. She's constantly, tired and hungry and has noone to turn to and tell the truth because she fears that they'll think she's crazy!
What I also enjoyed in this novel apart from the writing style was Jaine herself -who felt very real to me- and her relationship with Campel, because first and foremost, this is a character book. I also liked the depiction of teenagers, it was realistic: they swear, drink alcoohol, have sex, do drugs and party and have all the usual teenage angst as teens are supposed to. If I had a problem with this novel I guess it would be the revelations about Campel's life... let's just say that it calls for suspension of disbelief!! But that's a pet peeve of mine! Now I can't wait to read the rest of the series to see how it resolutes!!
The experience of reading this novel whould be safe to say that can only be compared with a thrilling and scary ride on a VERY fast rollercoaster (and this comes from someone who absolutely LOVES rollercoasters)! This is probably not a book for everyone, the prose is succinct, spare and sharp. The narration is fast-paced and feels episodic. Some will hate it, others will love it!! Personally, I couldn't put it down. I thought all this elements made the book excellent. Because what is Jaine's life if not a series of episodes as she jumps from dreams to reality and back? We watch her struggle everyday because when someone sleeps in class, behind her on the bus, or even has a nightmare and she’s driving by, she goes into something of a seizure, blind and paralyzed in body, she has to endure the entire dream with the dreamer in her mind. As Janie grows older, this becomes more of a problem, especially in her study hall and at her job as an assistant at a nursing home. She's constantly, tired and hungry and has noone to turn to and tell the truth because she fears that they'll think she's crazy!
What I also enjoyed in this novel apart from the writing style was Jaine herself -who felt very real to me- and her relationship with Campel, because first and foremost, this is a character book. I also liked the depiction of teenagers, it was realistic: they swear, drink alcoohol, have sex, do drugs and party and have all the usual teenage angst as teens are supposed to. If I had a problem with this novel I guess it would be the revelations about Campel's life... let's just say that it calls for suspension of disbelief!! But that's a pet peeve of mine! Now I can't wait to read the rest of the series to see how it resolutes!!
October 26, 2008
What an enthralling story! I can’t wait for the rest of this series! I’d heard good things about Wake and I wasn’t disappointed at all!
Janie has a gift, although it seems to be more of a curse. She can visit people in their dreams, well actually she is sucked into peoples dreams, and it is rather impossible to escape. She fist discovers her talent at the age of eight, but doesn’t realize the magnitude of her ability until she is older.
Janie grew up in Fieldridge, Michigan. Her mother is an alcoholic and she is often reminded of her "white trash" status at school. While these are obstacles, I think these are the things that makes Janie the strong character that she is. Janie’s only friend is a girl named Carrie, that moved in next door. But Janie doesn’t even trust Carrie with her secret. The only person that knows about Janie’s ability is a boy named Cabel. Janie has been in Cabel’s dreams and she thinks she knows him and even trusts him despite his horrific dreams. But then Janie finds things out about Cabel that would haunt even her dreams. She tries to avoid him, but Cabel’s pleas reach her through one of his dreams. Somehow she finds the strength to trust him and find out the truth behind his bad boy image. Now Janie may be able to use her ability for something good.
Wake was quick paced and thrilling! The characters were well developed and the relationship between Janie and Cabel constantly kept me guessing. I was really hoping that Cabel wasn’t just a big jerk! I felt the emotional trauma that Janie was forced to face and it made me respect her character even more. If you still haven’t read Wake, this is one of those books you don’t want to miss. I know I will be anxiously awaiting Fade! (Feb. 2009)
Janie has a gift, although it seems to be more of a curse. She can visit people in their dreams, well actually she is sucked into peoples dreams, and it is rather impossible to escape. She fist discovers her talent at the age of eight, but doesn’t realize the magnitude of her ability until she is older.
Janie grew up in Fieldridge, Michigan. Her mother is an alcoholic and she is often reminded of her "white trash" status at school. While these are obstacles, I think these are the things that makes Janie the strong character that she is. Janie’s only friend is a girl named Carrie, that moved in next door. But Janie doesn’t even trust Carrie with her secret. The only person that knows about Janie’s ability is a boy named Cabel. Janie has been in Cabel’s dreams and she thinks she knows him and even trusts him despite his horrific dreams. But then Janie finds things out about Cabel that would haunt even her dreams. She tries to avoid him, but Cabel’s pleas reach her through one of his dreams. Somehow she finds the strength to trust him and find out the truth behind his bad boy image. Now Janie may be able to use her ability for something good.
Wake was quick paced and thrilling! The characters were well developed and the relationship between Janie and Cabel constantly kept me guessing. I was really hoping that Cabel wasn’t just a big jerk! I felt the emotional trauma that Janie was forced to face and it made me respect her character even more. If you still haven’t read Wake, this is one of those books you don’t want to miss. I know I will be anxiously awaiting Fade! (Feb. 2009)
March 18, 2019
Ha cumplido completamente con lo que esperaba de él. Quería desconectar, algo ligero, sencillo y que se saliera de lo que han sido mis últimas lecturas.
Desde que los ocho años Janie sufre una extraña condición que hace su vida realmente difícil y es que no puede estar cerca de alguien que duerme ya que si eso sucede Janie se ve arrastrada al interior de los sueños de esa persona. Siempre es una espectadora invisible, no puede hacer nada durante estas experiencias pero tampoco puede salir de ellas y lo peor de todo son las pesadillas que la pueden llegar a hacer convulsionar a su “yo físico”. Debido a esta especie de maldición Janie tiene una vida social muy limitada y su futuro está condicionado también.
El otro protagonista, Cabel, es un chico con una historia de lo más triste y con muchos secretos que Janie descubrirá visitando sus sueños. Ambos empiezan a cruzar sus caminos y a poco a poco forjar una amistad que termina en romance. Me han gustado como pareja porque ambos tiene muchos puntos en común (como por ejemplo el guardar secretos y el haber llevado una vida llena de privaciones y malas experiencias) y personalidades que se complementan.
El estilo de narración de la autora es muy básico, me ha recordado mucho a “Los Juegos del Hambre”, pero mientras que este último no fui capaz de seguir la serie más allá del primer libro, Lisa McMann cuenta con un plus de adicción en su estilo que compensa lo sencillo de su pluma así que como todo es muy “salseante” el libro te lo acabas bebiendo y quieres más, esto me ha recordado a trilogías como Los Royals de Erin Watt o incluso El príncipe cautivo de C.S.Pacat. Novelas sin muchas pretensiones que simplemente pretenden y consiguen entretener. Es por eso que ya he empezado el segundo tomo y muy probable lea también el tercero, son cortitos, perfectos para refrescarse entre lecturas más densas.
Desde que los ocho años Janie sufre una extraña condición que hace su vida realmente difícil y es que no puede estar cerca de alguien que duerme ya que si eso sucede Janie se ve arrastrada al interior de los sueños de esa persona. Siempre es una espectadora invisible, no puede hacer nada durante estas experiencias pero tampoco puede salir de ellas y lo peor de todo son las pesadillas que la pueden llegar a hacer convulsionar a su “yo físico”. Debido a esta especie de maldición Janie tiene una vida social muy limitada y su futuro está condicionado también.
El otro protagonista, Cabel, es un chico con una historia de lo más triste y con muchos secretos que Janie descubrirá visitando sus sueños. Ambos empiezan a cruzar sus caminos y a poco a poco forjar una amistad que termina en romance. Me han gustado como pareja porque ambos tiene muchos puntos en común (como por ejemplo el guardar secretos y el haber llevado una vida llena de privaciones y malas experiencias) y personalidades que se complementan.
El estilo de narración de la autora es muy básico, me ha recordado mucho a “Los Juegos del Hambre”, pero mientras que este último no fui capaz de seguir la serie más allá del primer libro, Lisa McMann cuenta con un plus de adicción en su estilo que compensa lo sencillo de su pluma así que como todo es muy “salseante” el libro te lo acabas bebiendo y quieres más, esto me ha recordado a trilogías como Los Royals de Erin Watt o incluso El príncipe cautivo de C.S.Pacat. Novelas sin muchas pretensiones que simplemente pretenden y consiguen entretener. Es por eso que ya he empezado el segundo tomo y muy probable lea también el tercero, son cortitos, perfectos para refrescarse entre lecturas más densas.
April 13, 2017
Sueña, es un libro sin grandes pretensiones, corto y de fácil lectura. Un volumen que se lee enseguida y que consigue engancharte de forma inmediata.
Desde luego cuenta con una trama original, innovadora y diferente, que despierta curiosidad. ¿Quién no ha querido saber alguna vez lo que sueñan los demás?, el mundo de los sueños es bastante desconocido, pero con Janie descubriremos que los sueños pueden llegar a ser terribles.
Una de las peores cosas de la novela es la narración. Escrito en forma de diario con frases cortas y sin llegar a profundizar en los diálogos, los personajes, ni sus sentimientos, explicándolo todo de forma superficial. Tampoco cuenta con descripciones de los personajes ni de los paisajes, quizás en esto se explayé un poco más con los sueños. Se me hizo muy complicado adaptarme a la forma de escribir de Lisa y creo que a muchos otros les ha pasado lo mismo.
Reseña completa: http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com....
Desde luego cuenta con una trama original, innovadora y diferente, que despierta curiosidad. ¿Quién no ha querido saber alguna vez lo que sueñan los demás?, el mundo de los sueños es bastante desconocido, pero con Janie descubriremos que los sueños pueden llegar a ser terribles.
Una de las peores cosas de la novela es la narración. Escrito en forma de diario con frases cortas y sin llegar a profundizar en los diálogos, los personajes, ni sus sentimientos, explicándolo todo de forma superficial. Tampoco cuenta con descripciones de los personajes ni de los paisajes, quizás en esto se explayé un poco más con los sueños. Se me hizo muy complicado adaptarme a la forma de escribir de Lisa y creo que a muchos otros les ha pasado lo mismo.
Reseña completa: http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com....
January 2, 2015
If I were able able to describe this book two words, it would be; Dull & Boring. I was expecting this book being full of adventure and crazing mental drama. Instead I read a book with great characters but had a horrible plot. Honestly this could have been so much better if there were some action and real drama happening in this book
When I finished the book I didn't even realized that reached the climax. The book felt so incomplete. Like the height of this book was so stupid and pointless. What kind of a book has a climax about a girl finding out about a boy's deep secret(when even the secret wasn't even a big deal or that crazy). I thought the climax would ... I don't something more along the lines of this:
-Main character finds the truth behind her powers
-Finally understands her moms pain and struggle
-Maybe there is a deeper meaning into her powers
But no, instead we get a simple problem and answer. I felt like if the book was more lengthy and had a better climax, then it would great.
It was kind of hard to relate with these characters even though there was nothing complicated about them. Janie is a 17 year old girl who has the power of going into peoples dreams when they are in the same room as Janie. She has an alcoholic mother who doesn't pay that much attention to Janie. Janie wants to go to college and get a better life. I couldn't relate to her because the way the author wrote the book and described feelings, it made it impossible to relate. Then there's Caleb who got left back and sells drugs. It really didn't make sense on how they fell in to love and how their relationship works out. Like it didn't even seem like they build up a bound. IN my opinion their relationship went down like this:
Janie: hey there
Caleb: hey
Janie: so hows life
Caleb: good, how about we become girlfriend and boyfriend
Janie: oh ok
Over all this book could have been an epic read if only the author put together a better plot and more drama. I was really disappointed on reading this. I don't think that I will be continuing on reading the second and third book.
March 29, 2011
Hmmm… this probably shouldn't be a review but "private notes" since it's mostly some semi-random thoughts thrown together. But I'm trying to be a good scout and leave at least "some" impressions in every review so when I come back a year later, I can remember the reasons for my rating.
I can't give this book more than 3 stars because I found it too short. I don't know about the rest of the trilogy but this definitely reads as part of one. The plot wasn't about anything spectacular and there's not a big climax; it just sort of builds slowly toward the logical conclusion. Other than that, though, it was pretty good.
From other reviews I've read, it seems that people either love or hate the writing's style without much middle ground. I'm in the first group. The 3rd person narration takes some getting used to but nothing too serious.
What McMann does best, though, is "showing" us the characters. She tells us very little about everyone and yet, by the time you reach the end, you have a clear understanding of all of them.
I can't give this book more than 3 stars because I found it too short. I don't know about the rest of the trilogy but this definitely reads as part of one. The plot wasn't about anything spectacular and there's not a big climax; it just sort of builds slowly toward the logical conclusion. Other than that, though, it was pretty good.
From other reviews I've read, it seems that people either love or hate the writing's style without much middle ground. I'm in the first group. The 3rd person narration takes some getting used to but nothing too serious.
What McMann does best, though, is "showing" us the characters. She tells us very little about everyone and yet, by the time you reach the end, you have a clear understanding of all of them.
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