Review LULLABY by AMANDA HOCKING @MacKidsBooks @amanda_hocking

Book Description

Release Date: November 27, 2012 | Series: Watersong Novels (Book 2)

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.

About the Author

AMANDA HOCKING is the New York Times bestselling author of the Trylle trilogy and a lifelong Minnesotan. After selling over a million copies of her books, primarily in eBook format, she became the exemplar of self-publishing success in the digital age. This is the second book in her new Watersong series with St. Martin's Press.

SOURCE  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS 
LOVED IT

****spoilers if you haven't read Wake****

This book picks up right after the ending of Wake.  Gemma has gone with the other three sirens since their leader, Penn, has threatened harm to her family and friends.  The story centers much more around her older sister, Harper, and Harper's quest to find Gemma and bring her to safety.  This one alternates between Harper and Gemma's point of view.  Penn is probably the most evil mean girl I have ever read about and again this story continues with  the Slasher Movie goodness.  There were a lot of "don't do it" and "something bad is going to happen here" type shouts from me.  I read this quick and easy read in about 3 hours, so yes, it really kept my attention!

I am glad I got to know Harper a bit better and Hocking does a wonderful job filling out her character.  Like all second books in a series, this one is a bit more quiet and not so full of action until I was left hanging at the end of the book.  Of course, that is just to keep me reading the rest of the series.
Even Gemma becomes more authentic in this installment. The boys surrounding the girls, Alex and Daniel try their best to help Harper out getting Gemma back home.  They may have a few gifts of their own that might help Gemma but those are only alluded to towards the end of the book.  

I also loved Marcy, Harper's coworker at the library and her snarky comments. Not everything works like she thinks it should and that is part of Marcy's charm.  Now, if Harper can get over the fact that she can't be responsible for Gemma any more than this series will take off.  I did miss Nathalie, the girls' mother, not having that strong in this one. I hope she makes more of an appearance in the next.   I think I enjoyed this one more than the first since the writing seemed to flow a bit better and it was as cartoony as the first.  Parents there is some heavy petting, mentions of alcohol, although no drinking and some violence.  

Details Reading level: Ages 12 and up Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (November 27, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 1250005655 ISBN-13: 978-1250005656

REVIEW: Wake by Amanda Hocking @StMartinsPress

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2012

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.

About the Author

AMANDA HOCKING is the author of the New York Times bestselling Trylle trilogy and six additional self-published novels. She made international headlines by selling over a million copies of her self-published books, primarily in eBook format.  She lives in Minnesota, where she’s at work on the next book in the Watersong series.

SOURCE: Around the World ARC Tours

MY THOUGHTS

REALLY LIKED IT

This would be a totally awesome slasher movie.  Yeah, that was my first impression.  The story centers around two sisters, each different, but still sisters.  Of course, like in true Disney fashion, the mother is gone, although in this case, the mother has survived a devastating car accident that left her with a brain injury and she has just reverted to acting like a fourteen year old. I think (hope) she needs to be developed a bit further in the next book since she is so whimsical, yet insightful. 

Harper is the older one who runs the household taking care of her younger sister Gemma and the father, who is also pretty nonexistent again in Disney-like fashion. While Harper has to be strong to keep the family together and seems super OCD in running things just the right way, she is also pretty wise and sensitive.  She is *perfect* with a scholarship on the way, works part time at the library, cooks and cleans while watching out for Gemma. My wish is that she plays a stronger role in the next installment.

Gemma loves to swim and she is striving to make the Olympics as well as getting her own scholarship. She is sheltered by her sister and has pretty much bowed to her sister's wishes in being a good girl.  While she is growing up, she has had a major crush on the boy next door, Alex who is a nerd.  When her affections are finally returned, she meets up with three girls who are vacationing on her small home island and things may fall apart.  These girls are movie star beautiful and they know it.  They also have an evil secret and need Gemma in order to survive.  Without going into major plot points here, just assume they get their way and Gemma is taken to the dark side in order to protect her loved ones.

OK, so far so good.  The girls are actually sirens (NOT all are necessarily mermaids) and need Gemma to survive, so she has been duly threatened and coerced to participate in their evil way of life.   All perfect parts of a good story with the best of B movies mixed in and you may find yourself screaming at Gemma, "Don't go with those girls!"  just like you would at a movie screen.  I found the dialogue a bit forced, but the action made up for it.  There is violence, some drug references, a few kissed but nothing that hasn't been seen in a good horror flick.  I think that the storyline has a good base in mythology and hope the next one doesn't disappoint.  

Details Reading level: Ages 12 and up Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (August 7, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 1250008123 ISBN-13: 978-1250008121 If you are planning to pre order this book, consider using my link to support BookHounds