Book Review: Lullaby by Amanda Hocking

Title: Lullaby
Author: Amanda Hocking
First Published: November 27th 2012

Genre: YA, Sirens, Greek Mythology
Pages: 290
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

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?

Book Review: Wake by Amanda Hocking

Title: Wake
Author: Amanda Hocking
First published: August 7th 2012

Genre: YA, Memairds/Sirens
Pages: 309
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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.

My review
 3.5 stars
I've never read anything by Amanda Hocking before. A lot of people seem to love her writing, a lot of people seem to quite hate it. I think I'm somewhere in between. But, more of a lover, than a hater.

Wake tells the story of two sisters, Harper and Gemma living in a small place, full of tourists, with their father Brian. Their mother suffered brain damage in a car accident and is not living with them. The most popular among the tourists that season are the four sisters, who are beautiful, strange and dangerous.

The book is told from the point of view of both Harper and Gemma. I think I had a little problem with that. Most of the times I was confused because I could remember Gemma telling a story about her past, then Harper would tell a similliar one, and most of the times I was like " Didn't she already tell that?" 

My favorite character of them all is Alex, Harper's friend and Gemma's boyfriend. I think that he is different from a lot of the guys in today's YA lit. He's caring, kind of geeky, shy. 

What I loved about this book is the mythology behind Penn, Thea and Lexi's story. I think the chapter when they told Gemma their history is my favorite one.

Although the book was slow at times, I read it in two sittigs, because I was eager to find out what would happen next. I think it's a good start to a great series. I can't wait to read Lullaby, which I think would be better than Wake, because it has so many questions to answer, left in the first book.

                             3.5 stars