Wake by Amanda Hocking ARC Blog Tour

As a new fan to Amanda Hocking, I am thrilled to be apart of this unofficial blog tour hosted Sarah at Inklings Read, who also provided me a copy of the book.  I heard about Wake a long time ago and was excited about it, even though I hadn't read the synopsis yet.

The Synopsis:
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 Thoughts:
Once I actually read the synopsis of this book, I was instantly intrigued by the idea of sirens.  I've always been a fan of Greek mythology--any mythology, actually--and eagerly delved into the book, wondering what story Amanda Hocking would tell.
Gemma is not your average girl next door.  Her life and passion is swimming and her spirit for the most part is wild and free.  She's beautiful and smart and is everything the three sisters are looking for.  What I found to be super cute was the relationship that builds between Gemma and Alex, a geeky kid that lives next door.  They were both dorky and sweet at the same time, and a relief from most of the lusty and passionate romances that are becoming increasingly common in the book world.
The writing was not what I expected it to be.  Not only was it in third person, but it was also omniscient, letting readers into the minds of more than one character's at a time.  In the beginning I found it a bit confusing, but as the story wore on, it became easier to distinguish what Amanda was writing at times.  Not that it was very confusing or anything; I just had to pay closer attention to what I was reading.  However, I must give Amanda Hocking credit for tackling this kind of writing because it is a hard one at that.
And I do not believe that the synopsis gives this book the credit it deserves.  Yes, the story is all of those mentioned, but in no way does it give you the slightest peak into the world Gemma, her sister Harper, Alex, and Daniel, that hot guy that lives on a boat, live in.  In no way would I have imagined where the story led its readers to.  It was both creative and refreshing to read.  It wasn't a tale about mermaids and it wasn't about vampires or werewolves.  It was something new that had me enjoying every page. 
Wake, although I found it a bit predictable, was entertaining and surprisingly dark.  Mystery and secrets hung around the three sisters and all over the small town.  Amanda Hocking once again had me enjoying her writing and the world she created before my eyes.  I loved the connection Gemma had with her sister Harper, and my heart warmed over the love they both had for their family and friends.  Wake was also about the growth and strength of the characters.  I enjoyed watching the characters grow and admired it, even.
Overall, Wake was a great story that rightfully earned four out of five stars from me.  Amanda did not fail me with this new tale, and I certainly will be looking out for when the next book in the series comes out.
And with that, this is the end of the first stop on the blog tour!

Also, here's an exclusive clip of the Wake audiobook! Just click here.