Wake (Watersong #1) by Amanda Hocking
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 7th August 2012
Pages: 309
Main Characters: Gemma, Harper
Date Started: 7th August 2012
Date Finished: 12th August 2012
Rating Given: ***
Blurb from Goodreads:
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.When I read the Trylle series which is also written by Amanda Hocking I knew that I would jump at any chance to read her other books. I was so glad when St. Martin's Press sent me a review copy and then they also sent me a Hardback copy as well so a huge thank you to them.
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.
The cover I have always liked but when I was sent a finished hardcopy I fell in love with it. The reason why this hardback copy was better was because the part of the cover that was under the water had a smooth feel to it but also when you moved it in the light it gave a rainbow effect it just looked stunning.
This is my fourth book that I have read by Amanda Hocking and what she does that not many authors do is she has a slow build up in the first book but then the tension explodes by the finale book (well I'm hoping that's the case with this series as it happened with the Trylle series). I love that she puts a twist on the legend of the Mermaids or Siren in this case. She also tells the story from both the sisters point of view which is nice to see what each other are thinking. Hocking was also very good at describing certain scenes which at one point had me feeling a bit ill myself.
With this book being a slow build up it did take awhile before I even knew anything it took until about halfway through before anything interesting happened but I do have faith in this series to continue with it. I did find that there wasn't enough light relief in this book apart from when a particular character was involved. By the time it was coming up to the last couple of chapters I really got into the story and I am looking forward to find out where it's going to go from that particular ending.
The characters I found very similar to the characters from the Trylle series especially Gemma she seemed a lot like the female main character in Hocking's other series. The reason why I think that is because Gemma is annoying and seems spoilt and everyone would do anything for her but I am hoping that she will grow into a better person throughout the series which I'm sure she will as there was an improvement by the end of the book. Harper was supposed to be her older sister but not by many years but she acted more like her mother which I did get why that was I just didn't like she felt she couldn't just relax. My favourite characters where the boys Alex and Daniel who wasn't in it as much as I would have liked. I think Daniel had more of an edge as he was really funny but he was also sweet I have a feeling we will get to know him more throughout this series as there seems to be something about him. There is also three girls called Penn, Thea and Lexi and for the most they seem like they are not nice people but I do think there is a nicer side to Lexi.
Overall a good start to building up this particular world but I am hoping that the series will improve.
