ARC Review and Giveaway: Wake By Amanda Hocking

Title: Wake

Author: Amanda Hocking

Series: Watersong #1

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: August 7, 2012

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 REVIEW

Wake by Amanda Hocking is a captivating start to a brand new series. In the world of young adult books, it is hard to find something that is new and unique, but yet again Amanda Hocking does it. I first fell in love with Amanda’s work while reading Hollowland. Something about the way Amanda creates worlds draws you in, and holds your attention. With the Wake, the paranormal element is sirens, just like the sirens of old mythology.

 Gemma is an avid swimmer hoping to make it to the Olympics one day, and spends her days training in a pool. Her favorite thing to do though is to take nightly swims in the bay around her town of Capri. Everything seems fine, until the tourist season starts, and three mysterious girls show up. No one knows what to make of the girls, because they are supermodel gorgeous but something just feels off. After spending the night with them, she knows something is really off. Gemma discovers she is stronger and faster in the water than ever before. After asking Penn, Thea, and Lexie (the three mysterious girls) what is going on with her, she discovers she is a siren. Just like the sirens of mythology, she can lure men to her with a simple song.

The problem is Gemma does not want to be a siren, she just want to spend the summer training and getting to explore her new relationship with the boy next door, Alex. While Gemma is more carefree and willing to take risks, her older sister, Harper, has a plan set aside for college and her life and thinks Gemma should too. Harper likes to play mother to Gemma, which means they do not always get along. To make matters more complicated, Harper is Alex’s best friend. Through all that in with sirens, and you are sure to have a bit of an explosive mix.

Even if you have never read anything by Amanda Hocking, Wake is a great way to introduce yourself to her marvelous work. Wake has a siren’s song of its own which has left me wanting more. I am now pining after the next book in the series Lullaby, which releases in November 27, 2012. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review**

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Since I want to celebrate the release of such a wonderful book,
I am giving a way one copy of Wake by Amanda Hocking. This Giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL as long as Book Depository ships to you!!
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