Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Review: Wake by Amanda Hocking

From Back Cover: 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 Rating: 3.5 hearts

Thoughts on the Novel: After seeing all the positive reviews for Amanda Hocking’s Trylle trilogy, I really wanted to give her writing a try. Thankfully, Wake came out at the right time because rather than trying to catch up on another series, I could start fresh with a brand new one.

Although the synopsis of Wake makes it seem like there’s only one protagonist, it actually has two – Gemma and her older sister Harper. The sibling relationship was probably my favourite aspect of the book because even though the girls argue with each other, it’s obvious that they love one another too. In terms of them as individuals, I found Harper the easier one to relate to because she was a lot more like me in personality whereas Gemma was the more impulsive one. I also thought Gemma was stubborn and selfish for going swimming in the bay at night in spite of Harper’s and their dad’s concerns about it being dangerous.

Another thing that I liked was that both girls got their own romances that were free of instant love. However, I also thought that the love interests were sort of unremarkable – despite feeling like that there’s still more to Daniel than meets the eye – and that the romances were kind of bland.  

Overall, while I wasn’t blown by Wake, I did like it enough that I will be reading the sequel, Lullaby. I felt like the story had just started to pick up steam when it abruptly ended!

Wake was released on August 7, 2012 by St. Martin’s Press.

Comments About the Cover: Compared to all the gorgeous covers out there, I feel like Wake’s is rather ordinary. 

In exchange for an honest review, this book was received from the publisher (Raincoast Books) for free.

10 comments:

  1. I've got a friend who keeps telling me that I need to read the Trylle series but I'm a bit skeptical about her writing. Perhaps now that there is an editor involved it shouldn't be too bad and since you're planning on reading the sequel, I'm going to take it as a good sign. I'll put this on my maybe pile and get around to it eventually. I have some serious catching up to do!

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  2. I haven't read any of Amanda Hocking's series yet, but I read a lot of so/so reviews on this one since it's come out and before on the ARC's. I was hoping this would be a great series. But I think I'll try one of her other books first.

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  3. I have always enjoyed Amanda Hocking's books, so I think this will be a good read for me. Although it didn't blow you away, I'm glad you enjoyed it enough to want to carry on with the series. Great review as always! :)

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  4. I haven't read the Trylle trilogy either Z, so I was looking forward to starting fresh with this one too. I love that the romances are not of the instant variety, but I'm a little bummed the love interests aren't more captivating. I always like my fictional boys to be infinitely memorable, but I guess that can't always happen. Fabulous review as always!

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  5. I felt the same way about this book. I liked the sisters and the two romances, but it was just getting going when it abruptly ended with a cliffhanger and that really annoyed and frustrated me!

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  6. I haven't read anything by Amanda Hocking, but I've been seeing Wake around and on GR a lot. I dunno, but the MC's sound annoying for my liking especially Gemma. I dislike stubborn, impulsive and selfish characters. I have a feeling that this book would meet my wall more than once if I ever decide to read it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Z! :]

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  7. I still need to read an Amanda Hocking book too, despite the fact that I know she has a lot of dedicated fans. Not sure if Wake will be the series of hers that I'll start with. I do quite like sister stories - mainly because we don't get to see a lot of them - but I'm not sure I really have the time to fit in a book that is missing the Wow Factor. Perhaps I'll add it to my "maybe" list - thanks for the review, Zahida!

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  8. Great review! I haven't read anything by Hocking yet- but I have heard a lot about her books. Wake sounds good and I like the cover a lot. I am not sure which of her books I will start with- I may start with a series that is alread out so that I don't have to wait for the books to come out. :) Thanks for sharing!
    ~Jess

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  9. What is up with all the abrupt endings! They are killing me. *sighs*

    Despite her popularity, I have yet to read anything by Hocking. I do have book one in the Trylle series, but like you, the idea starting yet another series I'm seriously behind on is overwhelming. And though I like the sound of the sister relationship, I'm not sure about the bland love interests thing. But I'll have to make myself read something by Hocking soon, I mean the girl is from Texas after all. LOL

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  10. Ah, I'm reading this soon. I'm glad you enjoyed it overall! I have a weakness for mermaids...

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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