Abducted by Wake

I recently checked out the audio versions of Wake and Fade, the first and second books in a series by Lisa McMann. From the minute I put the first disc of Wake on in my car I was completely sucked in. I loved it from the very beginning! I loved Janie! I loved Cabel! I loved it all! And I can't wait to finish the entire series! 

The hardest thing for an author to accomplish and for a reader to review is the tone of the novel or the voice of the character. It is incredibly difficult to explain why one thing rubs you one way and something else is completely different. For example, in my review on Monday for 13 Little Blue Envelopes, I commented that one of the things I struggled with in the book was that I didn't really care much for the characters. I didn't hate them, but I didn't love them either, they were just...fine. I don't know why I didn't care about Ginny (the main character in 13 LBE), and I don't know why I instantly loved Janie (the main character in Wake)! But I did!

From the minute the book started I knew I was going to like Janie, and luckily she proved to be a very strong and determined heroine. Janie has the unique ability to be sucked into other peoples dreams, however like many YA leading ladies, she also suffers from having non-involved parents (although I do have a theory about Janie's mom that I am interested in seeing if it comes to play in the future two novels), a slightly self-involved best friend (who does have some charming moments), and of course boy trouble! 

But don't worry! There is no love triangle here! Janie gets involved with a boy named Cabel, who I also loved instantly! Again, I don't know why, I just did! He was sweet, and protective. He has a very dark past, and he has been through a lot, but I really believe that he cares for Janie and they are really good for each other. And what can I say, I always root for the outsider to get the girl! When Cabel stood up Janie for their first "date" I was literally yelling at him through my car stereo! "Cabel, how could you!?!" Almost, exactly one year ago, Tevya  over at Reading Lark posted about Mr. Cabel Strumheller on her blog and included this image for him. Now, I don't know who that is, but he is the perfect Cabel! Good pick Tevya!

As far as the series goes, I think Wake was the perfect introduction. Like I mentioned earlier, Janie has the ability to get inside other people's dreams. However, when we meet her she really has no control over her gift. She doesn't understand it or how she could possibly use it to her advantage. All she has done so far is set up her life with all possible precautions to minimize the affects of her ability. But then, she meets Cabel, and for the first time in her life she lets someone in. After that, a whole new world is opened up in front of her. Although I am extremely excited to see where the rest of this series is going to go, I do feel like this first novel could stand all on its own. 

Overall, was the book perfect? No. Were some of the plot twists a little out there? Yeah, a little. Did I mind? Heck No!!! I was so into Janie and Cabel that the butterflies in my stomach was doing cartwheels, I didn't care what they did! Other people may not care for Janie and Cabel as much as I did (their loss) but I do think the book is still worth the read!

I'm giving Wake by Lisa McMann an abduction rating of...