{Review} Wake by Amanda Hocking

Wake 
by Amanda Hocking
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Series: Watersong (#1)
Pages: 309
Source: Gift
Available as of August 7, 2012
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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.

Rating:

My Review:

First, I LOVE Amanda Hocking! All of her books are wonderful and if you haven't read them, you should. Wake is by far my favorite. She created a mythical world that gripped me from page one.

Gemma is the swim team star. She practices daily and heads to the bay at night for a relaxing swim. Her sister, Harper, doesn't like when she goes for her night swims, but their dad, Brian, is okay with it as long as she's back by curfew. One missed curfew throws Gemma's life out of control. What will she choose in the end? Life or death?

When I'd heard Amanda Hocking had a new book coming out I started jumping up and down. Wake didn't disappoint. While the ending was a tiny bit sad, I knew it wasn't the end and a lot could happen in the next book, Lullaby. Every detail leading to the end was awesome. I was hooked an never wanted to put the book down. I loved that we got insight into Harper's life also. For years she has taken the role as "mom" and she finally begins to live a little.

Overall, Wake was everything I hoped it would be and more. It was exciting and kept me dying to know what would happen next. If you love books with mythology and paranormal characters, you will probably enjoy this one. 

Waiting on Wednesday #9

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

This week I'm waiting for.....

Wake
by Amanda Hocking


To Be Released on August 7, 2012


Summary:
Beautiful. 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, Thea, and Lexi have caught everyone's attention, including the eye of practical Harper. But it's her sister, Gemma, they've chosen to be part of their group.

Sixteen-year-old Gemma seems to have it all - carefree, pretty, and falling in love with the boy next door. But her greatest passion has always been the water. She craves late night swims under the stars, where she can be alone yet belong to the sea. Lately she's had company. Penn, Thea, and Lexi spend their nights dancing, singing, and partying on the cove--and one night Gemma joins them. When she wakes up groggy on the beach the next morning, she knows something has changed.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. As she uncovers the truth about her new mythical powers, Gemma is forced to choose between staying with those she loves or entering a dark world brimming with unimaginable secrets

Why I'm waiting:  

I LOVE Amanda Hocking!  I read all of her books, except for the zombie ones, when I first got my Nook last year.  If this is any bit as good as her Trylle Trilogy, then I am in for a wonderful ride!  I can't wait.

What are you waiting for?

{Review} Switched by Amanda Hocking

Switched
by Amanda Hocking
Series:  Trylle (#1)
Self Published
Pages:  504 (ebook version)
Source:  Self Purchased

Version currently available:
Publisher:  St. Martin's Griffin 
Pages:  293 - paperback
Available as of January 3, 2012

When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - a world both beautiful and frightening, and Wendy's not sure she wants to be a part of it.

My Rating: 

Review:

This is the first book I purchased when I received my nook on January 31, 2011 (my birthday!). I have never been a big fan of reading since elementary school when a girl in the 5th grade told me reading was stupid. It was then, with only one chapter of Charlotte's Web left to read, that I put books down and stopped reading. Switched did much to change my outlook.  

When I picked this book up I couldn't put it down. I was drawn into the world of Trylle, an immersion that was impossible to break. I'm not sure if it was because the prologue set the stage in drastic clarity or if it was the way I could picture every moment like I was a bystander, but the relationships and tribulations that follow are believable and easy to fall into. Because of this, I stepped into Wendy's' shoes and left my own behind.

Lost in the familiarity, I don't feel like I was fully introduced to some of the main characters. This could be due to the author wanting the characters to grow and change throughout the trilogy or because they don't play a big part. Wendy, the main character, is a 15 year old girl who feels she doesn't fit in with others her age. She is often bratty, selfish and sometimes whinny like most adolescence. She is thrown into a new life where she must mature and embrace her destiny. Matt, her older brother, would do anything in his power to help and protect her.  He is the ideal big brother but otherwise his character lacks depth. Finn is set on bringing Wendy to her rightful home no matter what it takes and often defies authority. As her assigned tracker, he is put in the position to guide her through her journey. Her biological mother, Elora, is cold and distant, refusing to form a bond with her own blood for reasons we have yet to learn.  

The first time I read this book I loved Finn; as such, I frequently overlooked his demeanor toward Wendy. After a second reading, I feel like they bring out the worst in each other. Wendy's internal dialogue revolves around Finn and his temperament which is often a product of her discourse.

While reading this book, I had questions about Elora, Wendy's relationship with Finn, and secondary characters' involvement. Because this is the start of a trilogy, very few of these questions are answered by the closing of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Switched and would recommend it to anyone with a penchant for YA paranormal fiction. However, it is not a book that ends at a solid point, more like an uphill marathon caught by a cliffhanger. If you do read this book, I recommend reading Torn and Ascend following completion of Switched.