Review: Wake (Watersong, #1) by Amanda Hocking

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.

I'm just going to say it....Amanda Hocking can do no wrong.  Each and every one of her series that I've gotten the chance to read instantly sucks me in and refuses to let me go.  I was smarter this time around and decided that when I bought this series opener, that I was also going to pick up the second installment as well.  It's always a risk when you're unfamiliar with the series and whether or not you'll like it, but when it comes to Hocking's writing I have more than a little faith.  I wasn't disappointed.

So Hocking is pretty much making her way through the fantasy genre and trying to hit on at least all of the main characters.  She's already dealt with vampires in her My Blood Approves series, trolls in her Trylle series, and now sirens in Watersong.  I'm not sure what she'll move on to next, but for now I'm hooked on the sirens.  I always enjoy how she introduces her characters.  It never feels like she's setting a stage for readers, but instead feels like you're in on the action as well.  Gemma, Alex, Harper and Daniel were all fantastic.  The bombshell trio was not.  They're great characters, but thanks to Hocking's talent, she's already got me on board and well aware of how bad these girls really are.

I'm thrilled that Hocking's talent isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and really looking forward to continuing on with this series.

I gave Wake (Watersong, #1) 4 shamrocks!!!!

In My Mailbox (79)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?

For Review:

Purgatory Reign by L.M. Preston (Thanks to Phenomenal One Press)

Peter Saint’s life stinks. But things are about to get much worst. First, his parents are murdered in front of him. Then another victim dies in his arms. Visions plague Peter with warnings that something wants him for a sinister cause. It desires the one thing that Peter refuses to give—his blood. Peter carries within him the one gift or curse that could unlock a secret to destroy the human race. On the run with Angel, a scruffy kid, Peter starts to unravel the mystery. It’s the one treasure the heavens sought to hide from the world. Unfortunately, when Peter finds the answer that he hopes will save the girl he loves, he opens the door to a great evil that happens to be salivating to meet him.

The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher (Thanks to Gallery Books)

First it was SLUT scribbled all over Lizzie Hart’s locker.

But one week after Lizzie kills herself, SUICIDE SLUT replaces it—in Lizzie's looping scrawl.

Lizzie’s reputation is destroyed when she's caught in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night. With the whole school turned against her, and Angie not speaking to her, Lizzie takes her own life. But someone isn’t letting her go quietly. As graffiti and photocopies of Lizzie’s diary plaster the school, Angie begins a relentless investigation into who, exactly, made Lizzie feel she didn’t deserve to keep living. And while she claims she simply wants to punish Lizzie’s tormentors, Angie's own anguish over abandoning her best friend will drive her deep into the dark, twisted side of Verity High—and she might not be able to pull herself back out.

Debut author Chelsea Pitcher daringly depicts the harsh reality of modern high schools, where one bad decision can ruin a reputation, and one cruel word can ruin a life. Angie’s quest for the truth behind Lizzie’s suicide is addictive and thrilling, and her razor-sharp wit and fierce sleuthing skills makes her impossible not to root for—even when it becomes clear that both avenging Lizzie and avoiding self-destruction might not be possible.

Wake (Watersong, #1) by Amanda Hocking

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.

Lullaby (Watersong, #2) by Amanda Hocking

Harper only wanted a safe, normal life. But when her younger sister Gemma runs off with a dangerous clique of beautiful girls, Penn, Thea, and Lexi, everything changes. Vowing to get her sister back no matter what the cost, Harper must face dangers unlike any she's ever experienced. Fortunately, she has Daniel by her side, a gorgeous guy who's devoted to helping her find her sister—and who's immune to the girls' dark powers. 

While Harper searches for her sister, Gemma struggles to adjust to her new life.  Gemma's powers are growing by the day, and the longer she lives with her new "sisters," the harder it is to resist entering their magical world.  It's a realm both dark and beautiful, and where she's plagued by strange hungers and unspeakable needs.  Just as she's drifting far away from her old life,  Harper and Daniel find her...but no one can deny how much she's changed.  All she wants is to return to her family and the mortal world, but how can she do that when she's become something else entirely—and will they still love her once they learn the truth?

Prepare to fall under the spell of Lullaby, the second book in the Watersong series from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 

An iconic novel dressed in a fierce design by acclaimed fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo. See the other titles in the couture-inspired collection: Jane Eyre, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dracula, The Scarlet Letter and Wuthering Heights.

Ruben Toledo’s breathtaking drawings have appeared in such high-fashion magazines as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Visionaire. Now he’s turning his talented hand to illustrating the gorgeous deluxe editions of three of the most beloved novels in literature. Here Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of Mr. Darcy, Hester Prynne’s fateful letter “A”, and Catherine Earnshaw’s wanderings on the Yorkshire moors are transformed into witty and surreal landscapes to appeal to the novels’ aficionados and the most discerning designer’s eyes. 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

An iconic novel dressed in a fierce design by acclaimed fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo. See the other titles in the couture-inspired collection: The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dracula, The Scarlet Letter, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice.

One of the best novels ever written, in a chic new deluxe edition Orphaned Jane Eyre endures an unhappy childhood, hated by her aunt and cousins and then sent to comfortless Lowood School. But life there improves and Jane stays on as a teacher, though she still longs for love and friendship. At Mr Rochester's house, where she goes to work as a governess, she hopes she might have found them - until she learns the terrible secret of the attic.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

An iconic novel dressed in a fierce design by acclaimed fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo

Ruben Toledo’s breathtaking drawings have appeared in such high-fashion magazines as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Visionaire. Now he’s turning his talented hand to illustrating the gorgeous deluxe editions of three of the most beloved novels in literature. Here Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of Mr. Darcy, Hester Prynne’s fateful letter “A”, and Catherine Earnshaw’s wanderings on the Yorkshire moors are transformed into witty and surreal landscapes to appeal to the novels’ aficionados and the most discerning designer’s eyes.

Countdown: 2012 Releases (9)

You guys know the drill by now...I'm always on the lookout for new finds and exciting new reads and below are just a few that I've come across lately. With how busy everyone gets if I don't write the titles down immediately I'll never be able to remember them later when I'm ready to download a new book to my kindle, or in the store wondering which shelf to look through first. So by posting these countdowns I give myself one more place to look when I need to be reminded of the titles I'm looking forward to.

And as always if you guys hear of any that you haven't seen me post let me know. Like I said, I only have so much time to search for future reads on my own, and to be honest, the majority of my favorite titles I owe to friends/bloggers/author recommendations. So leave a comment, shoot me an email, etc... if there are any books or authors you think I should have on my radar.

Countdown Pick #1: Immortal City (Immortal City, #1) by Scott Speer (04/03/2012)

L.A. Candy meets the mystery and romance of Fallen in this sensational debut

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He’s days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone’s obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect—everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy’s the one girl in Angel City who doesn’t breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn’t recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson’s scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi—and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels’ wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat ... and this time it’s up to Maddy to save Jackson.

This one sounds like so much fun! I was drawn to it by the cover admittedly and anything with Angels is usually a pretty big temptation that is almost impossible to resist but check it out...Angels are among us and apparently more famous than celebrities. Not sure how Speer will paint this completely crazy and yet alluring picture, but I'm anxious to see what he's got in mind. The idea that Angels are followed around like movie stars and people compete and go to crazy lengths to get the more popular Angel to watch over them sounds ridiculous but also wildly creative and sure to be an enjoyable ride. So hopefully Maddy can pull this one off and manage to save Jackson because this one sounds like too much fun to miss out on.

Countdown Pick #2: Keep Holding on by Susane Colasanti (06/14/2012)

Chew.
Swallow.
Chew.
Swallow.
Don't look up.
Lunch is the worst, but there's no safe place at school for Noelle. Keeping her mortifying home life a secret and trying to ignore the kids who make her life miserable are Noelle's survival strategies. Her emotionally distant boyfriend, Matt, isn't the one she really wants to be with. But there's no way she could ever be with Julian Porter.

When Julian starts talking to her, Noelle is terrified. It seems safer to stay with Matt than risk a broken heart. But when the bullying of a friend goes too far, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself - and for everything that makes her keep holding on.

This one sounds like a tough but very moving read if you ask me. Everyone has either been picked on themselves growing up or seen it happen. It's awful and unfortunately something that will likely never go away. So while this might not be a very upbeat sort of story, hopefully it will be a moving one with a message to take away after the final pages are read. Although we're not read into what kind of family situation Noelle is dealing with, it obviously doesn't sound good and the idea that she has that to deal with on top of everything else is a tough pill to swallow. I can only hope that she gets a happy ending well deserved.

Countdown Pick #3: Once (Eve, #2) by Anna Carey (07/03/2012)

Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet.

I can't even describe how much I wish I had this upcoming release in my hands this very second! When I finished Eve, I couldn't believe the way Carey decided to end it and I was crushed! It literally pained me that I wouldn't know what happened next until the second installment came out and I wasn't sure when that was going to be. But even now, July is so far away and all I want is to know what's going to happen with Eve and Caleb and if they'll be able to be together, and find their much deserved happily ever after. And I must say this synopsis has shocked me, I can't believe after all that work Eve is going to end up in the City of Sand after all! How that's going to work out I have no clue but it is sure to be a crazy adventure in the making and once again I can already see myself on the edge of my seat dying to know what happens next!

Countdown Pick #4: The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols ( 12/06/2011)

Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.

Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

OK OK, I know this isn't a 2012 release but I love Echols' writing so much that I couldn't resist, and it's not out until December so technically it's countdown worthy, but not a 2012 release. So please excuse the sneak in on my part, but who isn't excited about this one huh? Another Echols release and of course romance is involved. This one sounds a bit tricky but Echols has a way of writing so that her readers are with her every step of the way and so invested in her characters that if things don't work out well we're all devastated. So fingers crossed Gemma gets her act together and figures this whole sticky situation out so everyone gets their wish. Obviously that's a lot easier said than done but I'm hoping Echols works her magic and makes it happen for us.

Countdown Pick #5: Wake (Watersong, #1) by Amanda Hocking (08/21/2012)

Lose yourself in the magic of Watersong, an unforgettable new series about two sisters who nearly lose their lives - and their loves - when they fall under the spell of three beautiful but deadly sirens.

First in a four-book paranormal romance YA series from bestselling author, Amanda Hocking.

I can only say that 2012 is really starting to look up for me in the reading department. I can't believe how many releases are coming out from my favorite authors. Of course I'm excited to read some debuts and books by authors that are previously unknown to me, but there's something special about future releases coming out by an author you already know you love and can't get enough of. So when I saw that Amanda Hocking is not only coming out with one new series in the new year, but TWO, I was beyond ecstatic! I can't believe my luck. Once again I can only hope that her new releases and series' will be just as good and loved as much as her My Blood Approves series, but I can't see it turning out any other way. So jump on the bandwagon with me and get excited because Hocking is sure going to deliver in 2012.