Review ~ Wake by Amanda Hocking

Wake (Watersong #1)
by Amanda Hocking
YA Paranormal Romance
Published: August 7th 2012
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

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 forced to choose between staying with those she loves-or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

My Review: 

**2 Stars**

MY OVERVIEW: I had such high expectations for this book upon reading the synopsis. I have also heard great things about the author. However, I was very disappointed with Wake.

PROS: I liked Harper and Daniel's relationship and how it changed through the book and the experiences they went through.

CONS: Gemma was annoying. She also wasn't a believable character. There are three girls that creep her out and yet she goes to hang out with them. Then, once they tell her that she is a Siren, Gemma is all, "Ok, cool - wait, no I don't want to be one." There isn't ever a point where she doesn't believe they exist and that it is not possible. I also felt like it was set up for something bigger to happen with Daniel, but it didn't.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: The book just fell flat. I don't plan on reading the rest of the series, however I will pick up another book by this author.

Review ~ Forgive My Fins by Terry Lynn Childs (Note: Couldn't finish)

Forgive My Fins (Fins #1)
by Terry Lynn Childs
YA Paranormal Romance
Published: May 19th 2010
Goodreads Link

Blurb:

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it's not that she has a huge crush on a gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you're a normal teenage girl, but when you're half human, half mermaid like Lily, there's no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily's mermaid identity is a secret that can't get out, since she's not just any mermaid - she's a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn't feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she's been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems - like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher - but it has that one major perk - Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren't really the casula dating type - when they "bond," it's for life.

When Lily's attempt to win Brody's love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

My Some-what Review: 

**1 Star**

I am sorry to say that I couldn't finish this book. I gave it to 164 pages before I put it down.

I couldn't connect with the main character and found her very annoying. All she cared about was a guy that she barely ever talked to, and who hardly ever talked to her.

Review ~ The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1)
by Kady Cross
YA Steampunk Romance
Published: May 24th 2011
Goodreads Link

Blurb:

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one... except the "thing" inside her. When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finely, she fights back. And wins. But no "normal" Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch....

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of "them." The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, and American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help-and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on-even if it seems no one believes her.

My Review:

**3.5 Stars**

MY OVERVIEW: I was originally going to give this book a 4 star review, then upon consideration decided to go with a 3.5. I picked up this book hoping for a lot of steampunk, and instead got a lot of awkward romance.

PROS: I really enjoyed the steampunk aspects of the book, as well as the mystery. In my opinion Emily is the stronges and most developed character. She seemed to have some depth that the other characters lacked. Except for maybe Sam. His character was pretty complex.

CONS: It was hard to get a good understanding of who Finley was. Because of her personality separation, you never really get a good grasp on her. She was also getting annoying with her "I like Griffin. No, I like Jack Dandy. I can't be with Griffin. I shouldn't be with Jack." Arg. Love triangle.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Will I read the next one? Probably, but it is somewhat low on my priority list. I will most likely pick it up when I feel like reading a steampunk-lite book.

~ April Review Recap ~

~* April Review Recap *~

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 
    ~ 3 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Dystopia Reading Challenge (book 5 of 24) 
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 5 of 15)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
    ~ 2.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Dystopia Reading Challenge (book 6 of 24)
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 6 of 15) 

The Rising by Kelley Armstrong
    ~ 4.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 7 of 15)
    ~ Paranormal Reading Challenge (Werewolves/Shifters)

Blood and Snow by RaShelle Workman
    ~ 3.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Does not meet any challenge

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
    ~ 4.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Dystopia Reading Challenge (book 7 of 24)
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 7 of 15)

Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum
    ~ 2.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Debut Authors (book 4 of 12)
    ~ Dystopia Reading Challenge (book 8 of 24)

Boundless by Cynthia Hand
    ~ 4.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 8 of 15)
    ~ Paranormal Reading Challenge (Angels/Nephilim)