Bel Reviews: Amanda Hocking's - "Lullaby"

I finally got my slack behind around to reading this charming book. Actually I had to read book one, Wake, first so Lullaby would make sense. I suggest you do the same as this isn’t really a series forgiving enough to be able to pick up from anywhere. Definitely get your ducks in a row.

The story is told from 2 perspectives. Gemma is dealing with the fall out from Wake and Harper is picking up the pieces from back home (that’s as much as I can go into without massive spoilers).

There are a few things I adored about the Watersong books.

I like how Amanda Hocking approaches the idea of a family unit dealing with a loved one suffering from a brain injury. At no stage is there a truly harsh word spoken to their mother. I love how they cope in their own ways with the tragic nature of how the brain injury has affected the ‘normal’ family dynamic, and they make it work.

I found I was pleased that the character with the large tattoo on his back, Daniel, is pretty much just a regular guy. In most books I’ve read in the past, tattoos equated to a bad person. Someone who couldn’t be trusted and would sooner kick your grandmother than wish you a good morning. Daniel is a kind hearted, hard working, sweet, gentleman. Which probably more accurately represents the majority of people with tattoos.

Lastly the element of Lullaby I enjoyed the most was the road trip scene. Sure the guys were talking about Harper, but they were doing so in a respectful way. I think far too many times when two male characters are conversing about a love interest, the talk turns a tad lecherous and demeaning to the girl at the heart of their banter. Yay for women’s rights!

The one thing that had me a little ~scrunched face~ was the sudden psychic connection Harper and Gemma have for one moment in the book. I don’t recall it being there at any other stage and it was perhaps just a little too convenient to be a smooth addition to the mix. We will see how it is carried through into book 3, Tidal due out in June 2013.

This is a light read with the decent message of respecting your family, and very light on with the damsel in distress stuff. There’s romance, suspense and sirens/ evil mermaids. Sounds like the perfect summer read to me. Remember to pack it when you’re heading to the beach.

http://amandahocking.blogspot.com.au/

Paperback, 352 pages

Published December 6th 2012 by Tor (first published November 27th 2012)

ISBN 1447205731 (ISBN13: 9781447205739)