BB Book Tours: Review & Giveaway - Wake by Amanda Hocking

I am really pleased to be able to participate in the Wake (Watersong #1) by Amanda Hocking's blog tour hosted by the wonderful Ashley at the Bookish Brunette.

Author: Amanda Hocking

Series: Watersong

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: St Martin’s Press

Release Date: 7^th August 2012

Source: St. Martin’s Press for BB Book Tours

Amazon: Wake

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Synopsis. (Goodreads)

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

Author Bio:

Amanda Hocking : I live in Minnesota with my dog, two cats, two fish, and my roommate/assistant /platonic lifemate, Eric. I actually live in Austin, a.k.a. SPAMTown, USA. They invented SPAM here, and the town is quite proud of it. (Here’s a vlog with a fun tour of the SPAM museum: here.)

I do many things, most of them lame and boring, but the thing I get paid to do is write young adult books.

All three books in my Trylle Trilogy - Switched,Torn, and Ascend - were originally self-published, but were re-released with St. Martin’s and Pan Macmillan internationally with new bonus content in early 2012. The trilogy has also made the USA Today Bestseller list, the New York Times Bestseller list, and was recently optioned for a film by Media Rights Capital with District 9 screenwriter Terri Tatchell adapting the books for screen.

St. Martin’s and Pan Macmillan recently acquired my new young adult four-book series Watersong, with the first book Wake coming out in August 2012. My zombie series, The Hollows, is being adapted into a graphic novel by Dynamite.

I also enjoy Red Bull, Jim Henson, Batman, Jane Austen, Star Wars legos, and I absolutely hate long walks on the beach out of my intense fear/hatred of wet sand.

Review: 3 ½ out of 5 stars

Wake by Amanda Hocking is the first book in the Watersong Series and follows the story of two sisters living in a small coastal town, Gemma and Harper, both having distinct personalities and interests.

Gemma was the carefree, vibrant and fun loving sister with a determination to swim daily with the hopes of someday competing at the Olympics whilst Harper was the practical mother hen with a serious and protective side, I enjoyed the banter between them but also the love and friendship they shared, Ms. Hocking wrote two completely different characters but they complimented each other well. Their bond is one of the things I loved about this story.

The plot surrounds the mysterious deaths of a few locals and the arrival of three extremely beautiful girls, Penn, Lexi and Thea who are cursed Sirens out to recruit another into their little group.  They were selfish and uncaring and they changed Gemma's life in a way which was unforgivable but it is of course their nature which was pure evil; as they uncover the truth behind what Gemma has become, it also comes with a sacrifice – to choose between staying with those she loves or enter a world filled with darkness and unimaginable secrets. 

I found the siren mythology to be fascinating and although I didn't find Penn, Lexi and Thea endearing or likeable whatsoever due to their evil ways, they were written well; I don’t think I have read about sirens prior to this so Wake was a nice introduction.

Both of the sisters have a love interest, Gemma with the boy next door, Alex and Harper with Daniel, I enjoyed both but found I was more intrigued by Harper/Daniel, their initial meeting was a classic (and embarrassing) and I found his persistence and her reluctance quite cute. I felt the Gemma/Alex relationship felt forced and a tad unbelievable, but he was really sweet.

What let it down for me was a lot of story was predictable; there was no real element of surprise which I always enjoy and the alternating POV’s at times in odd sections baffled me and made the story confusing.

The concept was certainly interesting as was the mythology; it starts off full throttle and more or less stays that way until it comes to an abrupt end.

This was my first Amanda Hocking book and I enjoyed the intense drama, sweet romance and difficult decisions the characters had to make and despite the few things mentioned above, I quite liked it. Ms. Hocking’s writing was smooth and enjoyable and I think Wake is a great start to what will be a popular new series.

Lullaby (Watersong, #2) - the second book in the Watersong series follows Harper and  Gemma as they go even deeper into a dark new world.  

Coming November 27, 2012

Giveaway:

Amanda is kindly giving away a Hardcover of Wake, to enter:

• US only
• You must be at least 13 years old to enter
• Giveaway will end on the 17^th August at 11:59pm EST

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