The Book Resort Reviews: Wake ~ Lisa McMann

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
Pub. Date: December 2008
ISBN-13: 9781416974475
Age Range: Young Adult
224pp

Synopsis

Not all dreams are sweet.
For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.
She can't tell anybody about what she does — they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.
Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

Wow!!! Double Wow!!! Lisa McMann has "it". She has the "it" factor that comes effortlessly in raw, natural, magical talent.

Let me break it down, Lisa McMann is a painter of words.

She doesn't have to "tell" her story. Lisa lets Janie make you feel the story & become a part of her world. Yes, you become Jaine.

In a literary world saturated by vamps & the emerging soaking of faeries, zombies & what not, Lisa McMann didn't just break the mold... she shattered it.

Wake is an electrifying, fast-paced, emotionally gripping page turner!!!

The characters were well fleshed & not tossed in as fillers.

Lisa McMann did a brilliant job making everyone three-dimensional. No Melba Toast characters sprinkled in -- think thick, crusty,delicious sourdough bread.

Jaine is an intelligent character ~ finally.

Sadly, there are some heroines who lack common sense, you wonder ~ or shake your head & roll your eyes~ where are all the strong female characters?

It isn't all about getting lost in a guy's eyes. Nor is it "does he/doesn't he" or "will he/won't he" that pepper some YA books.

Janie is an empowering role model. How refreshing to find Janie a kick butt gal w/ integrity.

Janie wasn't gushing over the latest designer handbag, lip gloss or getting all caught up in the clique scene.

Jaine is definitely someone to look up to & respect. Cabe is _____. You know -- smile = ).

I found myself wishing this was written when I was in my teens... It's been 12 years since I was a teen. lol.

I think this book is a must read. I would definitely assign this to my students if I taught 6th grade & up.

I love the way Lisa wrote Cabe -- he wasn't cookie cutter fluff.

Psst! The only fluff Lisa McMann knows about is what you do to your pillow =}.

I felt all of Janie's emotional trauma. I want to know more about Janie & her world -- even her mom.

Am I the only one who thought mom needed a sit down w/ Oprah & a Dr. Phil intervention. lol.

Lisa McMann blazed her own path w/ this phenomenal debut. No sugar toppings are added & the authentic narration is edgy, fresh & remarkable!!! INCREDIBLE!!!

I would be remiss if I didn't give Lisa McMann the accolades she deserves --from my point of view --Wake is a much better read than Twilight.

I know I'm not the only one to think it... just brassy enough to say it ;].

A must to read this Summer, so hurry up & add it to your beach bag.

Wake & Fade are on sale now so scoop them up.

Gone will be released 2/10.

Psst! Am I the only one hoping this will go beyond the three scheduled books?

http://lisamcmann.com/index.html