Author: Amanda Hocking
Genre: YA paranormal fantasy
Published: August 7th 2012
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pages: 309
Source: Purchased Hardback
Goodreads Summary:
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.
My Rating of this Book – DNF (Did Not Finish)
My Review:
Though I don’t usually review book I don’t finish, I felt I needed to with this particular novel. Reflecting back, I’m actually surprised I made it as far as page 102 before divorcing Wake. When I first picked it up in the bookstore, the concept was enticing. However, three pages into the novel and I was already disappointed.
First thing I noticed was that the novel lacked focus. One minute I was thinking and feeling what Gemma is thinking and feeling, and suddenly, in the next sentence, I was in Alex’s head, thinking and feeling what he did. Now, I’m not completely against this style. But in this case, being in multiple characters’ heads in the same chapter, at the exact same time, gave me a headache.
Then there was the issue of who’s really the main character? Based on the summary and the first chapter, I thought the main character would be Gemma. However, as I continued to read, it seemed more like Harper, her older sister, was actually the dominate character. The moment she stepped into the pages, the focus was immediately on her.
Despite these challenges, I continued to read. It wasn’t until after the ceremony – the one which is supposed to change Gemma’s entire life – occurred that I finally stopped. If I thought I was disappointed before, I was definitely disappointed after this. I expected a little more focus here, a little more intrigue. I needed something that would capture me and drag me into the pages of Wake. I hoped and prayed for it! But the chapter was just a complete turn off, instead. And that was when my expectations completely died.
It’s sad to say I won’t be reading the rest of this series. This just isn’t my kind of novel.
Kelsey Ketch 