Wake

Wake (Dreamcatcher Trilogy)
By Lisa McMann
2008
210 pages
Book 1

Summary: Seventeen year old Janie has a big problem; she can see into other people’s dreams. Not only is it annoying (how many falling dreams can you stand, really?) but she doesn’t have control over when they happen. Usually they are nothing more than a huge inconvenience, but when she enters into someone’s gruesome nightmare things take on a whole new level of scary. Will she find out the identity of the dreamer, and will mysterious Cabel still like her if he finds out her secret?

Review: Wake was an unexpected read. The writing it very stylized with short choppy sentences and the story is structured around a time line. While it serves to move the reader along at a quick pace, it does limit the amount of depth the novel can reach. This will no doubt frustrate some readers, but I found the writing style unique and refreshing. While I would have liked more depth to the story and the characters, I was happy to be along for the ride. The concept of dream watching is interesting, and I liked how McMann jumped into the story without a lot of background explanation. The elements of mystery and romance will make this book appeal to a wide audience. The style of writing and fast paced plot will also make it accessible to reluctant readers. A very fast and enjoyable read.

Also by Lisa McMann: Cryer’s Cross (Feb 2011)

If you liked Wake you might also enjoy: Deadly Little Secrets by Laurie Faria Stolarz, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, Sleepless by Cyn Balog, Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling, Evermore by Alyson Noel

Additional Info: There are two more books in the series: Fade and Gone. There will be a movie, possibly with Miley Cyrus as lead.

Non-fiction Connection: Dreams: Close Your Eyes and Open your Mind by Tucker Shaw

Author website: http://lisamcmann.com/

Rating: W3/4 C2.5/4 P3/4 O3/4 PP3.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level: JS – low level for reading but somewhat mature elements.