Wake by Lisa McMann

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pub.Date: March 4th 2008
Age Range: 12 and up
Pages: 210
Series: Dream Catcher
Format: paperback
Source of copy: from the publisher - Simon Pulse Aus

Ever since she was eight years old, high school student Janie Hannagan has been uncontrollably drawn into other people's dreams, but it is not until she befriends an elderly nursing home patient and becomes involved with an enigmatic fellow-student that she discovers her true power.


An intoxicating read, a promising beginning for a series about dream catching. With very intriguing concept and twell-planned details, Wake is a perfect book for fans of paranormal and romance as well.

Needless to say, the premise of the book is the richest feature of Wake, also the next two books in the series. The narrator doesn't dream of people's secrets, she doesn't sneak into their dreams either. She is, against her will, forced to witness others' deepest darkest desires and fears of all time. Also, she has no control over the power at all.

Lisa McMann's style of writing is, in my opinion, calm but very mysterious. The descriptions of the dreams, especially the sex-crazed ones, are very well-written and elegant. It gives the exact feeling of being in dreams - vague, clueless and almost powerless. The story is not action-packed nor magic-packed. It digs the land of emotions, self-exploration more. I like the situation that the author puts Janie through, specifically how she finds out about her special ability. It's natural and convincing.

Janie is a...balanced female lead. She isn't the meek tight but I have yet to see her strong side. She's a hardworking, kind girl who just wants to live a normal life. I have so much sympathy for her because her family doesn't seem to care about her at all and with her secret she's so lonely. The only problem about her is that I don't understand why Janie falls for Cabel so fast. (How come this seems to happen all the time in like...almost every book?) I believe that she and Cabel have crushes on each other, but love? No way. Although I have to say that Cabel has a very unique way to confess to Janie.

Overall, this is a very nice first book of the series. If it's a single book I don't think I might be that impressed. But everything just begins and Wake's success is that it makes the readers want more and more. What do you say? Want to give it a try? Bet you'll like it.

Rating: 4/5