Review: Wake by Amanda Hocking

Wake (Watersong #1) by Amanda Hocking

Published: August 7, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 309

Received: eARC for blog tour

Buy Now: Amazon | Book Depository

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.

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. 

About the author:

I live in Minnesota with my dog, two cats, two fish, and my roommate/assistant/platonic lifemate, Eric. I actually live in Austin, a.k.a. SPAMTown, USA. They invented SPAM here, and the town is quite proud of it. (Here’s a vlog with a fun tour of the SPAM museum: here.)

I do many things, most of them lame and boring, but the thing I get paid to do is write young adult books. All three books in my Trylle Trilogy - Switched, Torn, and Ascend - were originally self-published, but were re-released with St. Martin’s and Pan Macmillan internationally with new bonus content in early 2012. The trilogy has also made the USA Today Bestseller list, the New York Times Bestseller list, and was recently optioned for a film by Media Rights Capital with District 9 screenwriter Terri Tatchell adapting the books for screen. St. Martin’s and Pan Macmillan recently acquired my new young adult four-book series Watersong, with the first book Wake coming out in August 2012. My zombie series, The Hollows, is being adapted into a graphic novel by Dynamite.

I also enjoy Red Bull, Jim Henson, Batman, Jane Austen, Star Wars legos, and I absolutely hate long walks on the beach out of my intense fear/hatred of wet sand.