Wake - Amanda Hocking

Wake -
Amanda Hocking
Released: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Synopsis: 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.

What it's about: Secrets abound and a group of sirens are wreaking havoc on a little beach-side town. Gemma accidentally gets caught up in the middle of things.

What I thought: While sirens/mermaids aren't exactly a fresh concept these days, Hocking has given us something that tries to scream different. Sure, the story line intrigued me, but the fact that I disliked all the characters so much, just kind of blinded me to everything else. Harper has had to take over the 'mum' role after her own mother gets sent away for special care. She studies too hard, she doesn't play enough and to be honest, she was down-right boring. Especially when there is a hot piece of man-candy trying to get her attention and she keeps blowing him off. More than once. Gemma, on the other hand, was all about swimming, more into the boys and less into the caring. While it wasn't her fault she got caught up in the action, you think she'd have been less oblivious.

Despite all this, the story line was interesting enough to hold my attention through-out the whole book.

The Good: Got to give props to Daniel. He was the one part of the book I actually liked and was interested in!

The Bad: Well, I pretty much said it all above.

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