Wake by Amanda Hocking

 

Wake (Watersong Series #1)
By: Amanda Hocking
ISBN: 9781429956581
Length: 307 Pages
Reason: Received an ARC from work

Good Reads Summary: 

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

Review:

 

With stories of mermaids and sirens on the rise I dove into the opportunity to read Wake, not to mention the hype Amanda Hocking was getting from her Trylle Trilogy.  I was expecting this book to have the main components of all young adult books; a love triangle with sappy romantics. However, to my surprise, this book lacked them both. Not to say that there was no romance. Gemma, the main protagonist, still has a crush and acts much more like a real teenager, slowly getting involved with another for the first time. Gemma’s sister, Harper, also has a fun surprise romance. I was shocked at how natural the romances seemed and was left cheering for them to work out. 

The characters are easily relatable, and lack some depth. Gemma loves to swim and is training to be in the Olympics. Harper is an overbearing motherly type, from basically raising Gemma and taking care of their father who works long days at the docks. Alex and Daniel are the main love interest to the books leading ladies. Then there are the “Mean Girls”; Penn, Thea, and Lexi. They are the typical popular girls and are perfection in every manner. The boys in the town seem to swoon at every sight of them while the girls hate them.  

The main drama begins after Gemma spends time with these three girls. After the first time they hang out, Gemma wakes up the next morning and strange things begin to happen to her. This is the point in which the story begins to take off. 

I did have some issues with Wake. I found that the authors POV seemed a little conflicted at times. Mid paragraph we would stop following Gemma and switch to Harper. This bothered me a little because the transitions seemed force and at times abrupt and more often than I would have liked. The story also seems to be filled with people who look “perfect”. Everyone seems to be beautiful and sculpted.  Even the geek Alex has a fit body. In my opinion this should not have been. When Gemma goes through her transformation, she is supposed to hit the height of beauty, however because she is already at such attractiveness it is hard for the viewer to see a transition. 

Overall I felt that the story was flat, the characters were clearly taken from a model (maybe not Gemma), and that every move the book took I was able to predict.  Though the book was a fast read I did not find myself clawing to get my hands on it every time I set it down.  With the beach aspect and the overall lightness I think it would make a great beach read.  

I will not be knocking down the doors for the sequels; however, if I come across them I might think twice and give the series a second chance.

The Perks of being a Wallflower

I have read some other books just have not had time to post a review. I am currently reading Perks of being a Wallflower. Thought I would do a book review and than a book to movie review. movie is coming out 9/20.