Wake

June 18, 2012
The inaugural title in the four-book Watersong series by Hocking (the Trylle series) will please her fans and likely win her new ones. Sixteen-year-old Gemma Fisher is happy—she’s a star on the swim team, her family is loving and supportive, and the crush-worthy boy next door returns her interest. The only downside: three gorgeous but creepy new girls who have her in their sights. One night, Gemma is lured into joining the girls at a campfire by the water; she wakes up the next morning bruised and battered with no clear memories of what happened, but discovers she has supernatural healing abilities and is a far better swimmer than she realized. The girls tell Gemma stories of gods, goddesses, and curses that are actually blessings, but Gemma (rightly) suspects that some important information has been left out. While Hocking’s writing isn’t always polished (the foreshadowing can be painfully heavy), the well-structured story and strong characters carry readers over the rough spots. A cliffhanger ending sets up the next book, Lullaby, due six months later. Ages 12–up. Agent: Steven Axelrod, the Axelrod Agency.

June 15, 2012
In self-publishing phenom Hocking's (Ascend, 2012) disappointing foray into new paranormal territory, one night of partying on the beach leaves 16-year-old Gemma with more than a hangover. When the initial fog of her late night at the cove with a trio of sirens (more frequently, and unimaginatively, referred to as "weird pretty girls") wears off, Gemma discovers that she is stronger, faster and more beautiful than ever. (Readers might have found this transformation more compelling if Gemma weren't already strong and beautiful, also graceful and endowed with honey-colored eyes.) Now she just has to choose between the life she loves and the lure of her newfound mythical powers. The question is, will readers care? The "should I stay or should I go" tension at the heart of the story would be a lot more effective if the ties that bind Gemma's broken family together were more fully developed. Her father is practically nonexistent. Her mother, mentally impaired and incapable of taking care of anyone, including herself, lives in an assisted-care facility. The only constant is Gemma's older sister Harper, whose need to look out for her feels more like an obsessive yearning for control than real emotion. In the end, it's secondary characters, like the girls' love interests, who will sustain readers determined to make it to the final page. Whether they'll feel motivated to pick up the next three books is anyone's guess. (Paranormal romance. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2012) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2012

Gr 7-10-Gemma loves the water. She's on the swim team, and even when she's not swimming for sport, she's floating in Anthemusa Bay late at night, enjoying the peace, the quiet, and the magical feeling of the endless ocean. Her family doesn't understand. Her father lets her go-as long as she's home by curfew-but Harper, her overprotective older sister, worries way too much. Harper fears things like drowning and kidnappers, while what she should really worry about are the four beautiful girls who arrived in their small coastal town of Capri just before tourist season started. Teenagers begin to disappear in nearby towns. Harper should question why there are now only three of the unearthly beauties, and she should be terrified that they've taken an interest in Gemma. This first in a projected quartet is a paranormal romantic thriller based on mythological creatures-sirens. It's sure to capture readers' interest with its tightly woven plot, descriptive writing, and realistic characters. While not really a mystery, there are unknown elements that will keep readers guessing and riveted to every page right up to the end. Order extra copies of this novel, because it won't stay on your shelves long.Heather Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2012
Grades 6-9 Self-publishing phenom Hocking has crossed over to publisher St. Martin's for her second series, Watersong. In this, the first title, she riffs on the Sirens of Greek and Roman mythology, placing three hauntingly beautiful young womenPenn, Lexi, and Theain a seaside town on Anthemusa Bay. With their seductive voices and bodies, they lure teenage boys as well as Gemma, star swimmer on her high-school team. Gemma has always been drawn to the bay and the freedom it offers as an alternative to the forced structure of the pool and practice. She is the obvious choice to join this scary mermaid band, but her older sister, Harper, is determined to save her from her fate. Much like Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed series, Hocking's novel effectively melds myth and contemporary teen life. High school, family, young love, and mythology all combine to create an easy-to-read paranormal suspense story that will have fans eagerly awaiting new installments, which are promised every six months for the next two years. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Hocking has sold more than a million copies of her self-published titles. St. Martin's is pulling out all the stops for this new series, with a major six-figure marketing campaign and an announced market distribution of 500,000 copies.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2013
Sixteen-year-old Gemma parties with three beautiful but mysterious girls one night in a cove and receives their powers; she's lured away with them, but protective older sister Harper senses something otherworldly and sinister and will stop at nothing to get Gemma back. Siren mythology is evoked decently in these two volumes, but the characters lack depth and underdeveloped backstories lessen tension.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)