As I wrote a few months ago, I was looking forward to reading the new Amanda Hocking book Wake, the first book in her newest Watersong series. I read it last weekend and I was not disappointed.
The story is about the sisters Harper and Gemma. If I had to choose the main character it would be Gemma, but the storylines switch between the girls. I have to say I’m impressed by the way Amanda has made the storylines embrace each other. For example, one minute you’re reading from Gemma’s point-of-view when she is in a conversation with Harper and another person, and the next you’re reading the same conversation from Harper’s point-of-view. It’s awesome! I betrayed myself on reading the previous paragraph sometimes though, because I had to read again to figure out who was talking LOL. That is so awesome! I wish I could change storylines that easy.
About the story, Harper and Gemma are sisters aged 18 and 16. Their mother lives in a home after she was psychically injured in a car-accident, so Harper and Gemma live with their father. One day four beautiful girls arrive in their town, but everybody thinks those girls are a bit creepy. Then one of the four girls disappear and only three remain. The whole town is wondering where the fourth has gone, but no one really knows. And no one dares to ask one of the remaining girls…
At the start the story is just a story about two sisters living their life in a town with three weird girls. Gemma goes for her nightly swim in the bay and discovers she really likes the boy next door Alex. Harper worries about Gemma’s safety when she’s going out of the house and brings her father his lunch almost every day because he forgets to take it to work with him. One night when Gemma is swimming in the bay she sees the three girls dancing and singing in a cave, and from that moment on the girls start trying to get her to join them. Gemma’s not interested, not trusting the creepy too beautiful girls.
But one night she finds herself swimming to the girls, not anything she can do to stop herself. They force her to drink something and after that Gemma doesn’t remember anything from that night. Harper and the others are worried about Gemma: she hasn’t come home that night. Harper asks Daniel – a man who lives on a boot in the bay – to help her find her, and Alex comes along as well. They find Gemma and she’s ok. But soon Gemma finds out something strange is going on with her. She is more beautiful than ever, has this strange hunger she can’t explain and feels like the ocean is calling her to go for a swim. The three girls seem to have something to do with it, and Gemma finds out she is a Siren (sort of evil Mermaid). She doesn’t want this, but according to the girls there is no way out since she drank the liquid. If Gemma was to leave the girls she would die. What does she do? Give everything up and join the Sirens? Or die to prevent hurting people?
This is the Goodreads summary on the book:
“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.” from Goodreads.com
I liked the story a lot, but I’m not really into the Siren/Mermaid thing. That’s why I’d give it four out of five stars, so a thumb and a half up. But I’d like to read the other books in the series, the second book Lullaby coming November 27th!
