Review: Wake by Amanda Hocking

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.

My Review:

Wake is a fabulous story of sirens and their mythological lore.   The characters are stunningly drawn so that they all seem like real, fully developed people.  This is a book that keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen next to the characters.  This book rotates between the third person POVs of sisters, Gemma and Harper. 

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD

Gemma is a girl who loves to spend her time swimming.  She is the fastest on her school swim team, and her coach thinks she may someday be able to go to the Olympics.  Unfortunately, her love for swimming causes her to have some supernatural problems.  She always goes out into the bay at night, much to the dismay of her older sister, Harper.  Gemma also has a romance developing with the boy next door.  His name is Alex, and he has been Harper's friend for years.  He is a couple years older than Gemma, but they make a sweet couple.

Harper is Gemma's protective older sister.  She has become overprotective of Gemma since she was in a car crash with her mom.  Her mom had a traumatic brain injury from that crash, and she lives in a group home now.  She cares about her younger sister, and she doesn't want Gemma to get hurt.  Harper is in denial throughout this book about her feelings for Daniel, a guy she claims she doesn't even like.  He is a good guy who lives on his boat, and he doesn't have a real job, so Harper thinks he's a slacker.  He is also a few years older than Harper.  I hope that there is some romance between these two in the next books.

The sirens were fascinating characters, though not really likeable ones.  Penn, Lexi, and Thea were originally these three really beautiful girls who came to town during tourist season, intriguing the town's residents.  There was something about them that was always creepy to Gemma, even before she found out what they were.  They are the type of people who killed someone to make their siren potion, and they didn't feel any remorse about it.  They also chose Gemma to be a siren, against her will, and without asking her first.  

If you like YA paranormal, read this book.

Katie