Fresh & New: Wake - Amanda Hocking

Wake by Amanda Hocking
Date Released: August 7, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 309 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: For Review from St. Martin's Press
Rating: LOVED
Series: (Watersong #1)

Goodreads Synopsis: 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.

From Goodreads

Wake was one book I had to pick up since I loved Amanda Hocking's Trylle series! Wake was definitely way better and was a fresh, exciting, and enticing take on mermaids and sirens in YA! I was completely hooked by Wake and was enthralled at the world Amanda Hocking created! 

Amanda Hocking definitely kicks up her writing and plot lines in Wake! Gemma and Harper, both live in a beach esque neighborhood filled with the docks, the ocean, and the water. There also happens the be three new girls in town: Penn, Lexi, and Thea that Gemma and Harper know they shouldn't mess with. Now you thinking..wow can this get cliche a bit? Amanda Hocking adds a twist and her characters and I knew I was in for a great series. The characters had life to them and a spunk that I loved. I do want growth with the cast in the next book, but I was blown away on how far ahead this book was compared to the Trylle series. The dual perspective with Gemma and Harper worked wonders for the book. I loved seeing how each sister had their own personality. The characters make the Wake come enthralling!

I was so expecting this...*truth face*

I honestly thought the mermaid/siren part of Wake was going to be off the charts cliche but thankfully it wasn't! Also, it wasn't mermaids but focused on mythology and sirens, which was like a total intsa like! The story the girls told Gemma was really intriguing! The action towards the end was really cool too. I love it when all these characters come together and find the enemy out, it just takes the stress out on me when characters start to realize that...or is that just me? 

Wake also had a few things I didn't like such as a character driven book and the concept needed work. Wake could have been taken into a deeper approach and needed to be developed a bit more. The good thing was that it wasn't romance driven! YES YES YES! I know! I didn't get that from reading the book, it was more of depth that could have been developed more in the next book! Overall, Wake is a book I loved and I'm already reading Lullaby right now! Pick it up if you want a new start to a promising series, and I'm sure you'll pick up any of her books soon!




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