Lullaby (Watersong #2)
By Amanda Hocking
November 27, 2012
Ages 12 and up
St. Martin’s Griffin
Reviewed: ARC from Publisher
Author’s Website
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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?
JENNA’S REVIEW
LULLABY, book 2 in the Watersong series by Amanda Hocking, progresses the story about a girl who becomes dragged into the life of a siren that lives to kill. The story moves forward at a pace much like the first book, only allowing for some greater depth and deeper emotion. As I said in my review of WAKE, if you liked Hocking’s Trylle series, you will find even more to love about this one. If you don’t care for mermaid/siren stories, but appreciate contemporaries about growing up and finding love in dire situations, you may still find something to like here.
I found myself liking LULLABY more than I did the first book, WAKE. This book doesn’t suffer that “second book syndrome” that many series do, perhaps because the first book felt like it was mostly build-up with very little actually happening (other than exposition of the characters) until the very end. Yes, the series still feels like it’s building up to something bigger, and with each page you turn you feel like maybe, just maybe, on the next page that “something big” will happen… but it doesn’t. Not to say that what is occurring within these pages isn’t exciting, there’s just the ever-present feeling that “something more” should be happening.
I found myself liking Gemma more within these pages than I did Harper. That’s a complete 180 from how I felt while reading the first book. In these pages, Harper spends most of her time looking for ways to get Gemma back from the sirens and trying to push away a boy who she is definitely attracted to (in order to keep him “safe”, go figure). But it’s the time we spend with Gemma that enthralled this reader. Watching her come to terms with her new siren status and living with the girls (in a house that they have overrun with the owner still in it, no less) gives her some depth as a character that was not present in the first book. She is completely alone, and you can sense her fear over what she may become. Surprisingly, a sympathetic companionship of sort develops between her and another character, which also lends to greater depth about the history of the sirens. Yay for depth about the mythology! That’s JUST what I was hoping for out of this story! Was it enough? Not really, but it gives me the hope to look forward to more in future installments.
Once again, the book finishes off with a major climatic scene, providing a couple of twists to the story (that may change everything) and (although to a lesser extent than book one) a teeth-grinding cliffhanger. And almost as a signature touch of Amanda’s, there are also some creeptastic scenes scattered throughout that easily compete with the most horrifying parts of book one. Which characters live and which do not is up in the air… Although certainly not the most exciting mermaid/siren story out there, I have gotten invested in these characters enough that I absolutely MUST know what becomes of them.
So if you are already a fan of Hocking’s earlier works and have already read the first book in this series, I recommend that you pick up book two, LULLABY, when it drops in stores. Much like the covers become better and more beautiful with each installment, so too does the story itself.
Plot: 8
Characters: 9
Setting: 8
Pacing: 9
Style: 8
Grade: 92
Check out the amazing trailer for this series!
THE GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win an ARC of LULLABY!
Open to US/Canada residents aged 13 and older only.
Giveaway ends at midnight on Tuesday, November 20, 2012.
Based on your review, I definitely want to read this series. And I loved the trailer! It looks scary. Thanks for the giveaway!
I like the review. I haven’t read Wake yet, but this review helps me kinda gear up to read Wake.
I thought it was a really good review, it got me excited to read this book! Thanks for the great review and giveaway!
Great review! This book definitely sounds interesting- I will be looking forward to reading it
Thanks for your thoughts! I really think I need to check out this series soon! It looks really good! Also thanks for the giveaway!
This is a great review and so is the one of wake. I have Wake and I need to add it to my immediate read list. I have yet to read a book by Amanda, but I’m sure I’ll love her books.
I completely agree with your review! I get what you mean with it feeling like something is supposed to happen but doesn’t. This isn’t the most exciting mermaid story out there, nevertheless still one I enjoy. :)
Great review!
Brilliant review! I did enjoy reading Hockings’ Trylle trilogy and I have been pining for book one since it came out. Good to know that Lullaby is even better! :)
Thanks for the giveaway!
The first book was great. Can’t wait to see where the story goes now that all the characters and background is established. Plus I absolutely love Greek Mythology!
I have not yet read Wake (though I should!) and am glad that Lullaby doesn’t have “second book syndrome”! I love how you easily built up your criticism of the book and had the points to back it up, and how well laid out the entire review was! Love!
Your review made want to pick up this series. I had doubts before but now I’m sure. Thanks!
Love the review. I Love Amanda Hocking. I have been read all her books. Wake is a great book can’t wait to read lullaby!
Great giveaway! Thanks so much!
I honestly can’t wait! I feel so behind having yet to read WAKE. It sounds amazing. I just need to get my hands on it. LOL> :D Great review as always Jenna!
I have loved almost all of Amanda Hocking’s books. This was a great review! Well written and truthful! Thanks for the giveaway,
Brittany
Fantastic Giveaway :)
I fell in love with this cover and can’t wait to read this one :)