Gone by Lisa McMann

Book review #42
Gone by Lisa McMann
Rating: Four stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

OPEN YOUR EYES.

Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she’d made her peace with it. But she can’t handle dragging Cabel down with her. She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He’s amazing. And she’s a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves: She has to disappear. And it’s going to kill them both.

Then a stranger enters her life — and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she’d ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the lesser of two evils. And time is running out.... 

I just spent the last two hours watching Janie making the important decision of her life. It definitely was one intense ride. I went in not excepting to love Gone due to the mixed reviews, but it thankfully exceeded my expectations. I'm still not quite sure how I feel though. One thing is for sure though-I'm sad that the series is over. Good-byes are definitely not my thing and it was hard saying bye to one of my favorite couples.

Janie has a lot going on lately. After discovering some important information about her ability that could affect her life forever, she is left having to make the biggest decision ever. Having amazing Cabel by her side is making it even harder to decide. While vacationing with Cabel she receives a panicked phone call from her friend warning her that her  mom is in the hospital. Rushing over there she discovers it isn't her mom that's in trouble, but another family member.With Janie having someone like this reappearing her life- things aren't ever going to be the same...

The aspects that I love from Wake and Fade weren't there, but they were replaced with other things just as wonderful. Gone didn't have the crime scenes that I loved or the intense drama. But there were way more dreams that were intense as ever- I was even a bit scared. And surprisingly there was some humor added.

The best part was getting the chance to discover more of Janie's personal life and internal conflicts. You got a better look at her mom, who was kind of crazy. You also got a lot of background information on her family history. The added character was a really nice touch, I thought it really completed the series. Janie and Cabel were still going strong, despite the heavy conflicts they faced.

There were a minor problem I had with Gone. I literally fell in love with Wake and Fade which distracted me from the unique writing style. Since there wasn't much action in this one, I noticed the writing more...which kind of bothered me. It just took awhile to get used to.

Overall, Gone was an awesome ending to a truly wonderful series. I personally enjoyed the ending. I'm so happy that I got a chance to read this series. I recommend reading this series to anyone! It is so unique and extraordinary that it's a shame for you to miss out on.

Fade by Lisa McMann

Book Review #26
Fade by Lisa McMann
Rating: Five stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)

SOME NIGHTMARES NEVER END.

For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck. Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open -- but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.

Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability -- and it's bleak. Seriously, brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd feared....

After being blown away from reading Wake (link takes you to my review), I thought nothing could top it. I was wrong. I almost can't describe how satisfied I am with Fade. I feel so comforted and completely engaged in the Wake series that I never want it to end. My favorite couple-Janie and Cabel were back this time and better than ever. Now that they are officially together, you get to see whole other side to them. Basically Fade took all the amazing things Wake had, but added with the crime fighting mystery that I absolutely love.

Janie uses her dream catching abilities to join Cabel to solve crimes. Due to the fact that this job puts Janie in danger causes Cabel to start becoming uncomfortable about his feelings towards the new arrangement. The main case in the story is a major sex scandal at Fieldridge High. Janie and Cabel spend most of their time trying to solve the case. Although the crime was a big part of the story, it was only half of the enjoyment. Janie learns to better control of abilities, while Cabel struggles with his own internal struggle. Compromising decisions are made, relationships grow, and the suspense will keep you guessing from the beginning to the end.

I have to say that Janie and Cabel are officially two of my favorite characters. Janie is such a strong heroine, who never gives up, despite the difficult life she suffers from. I simply admired Janie for all the accomplishments she gets done. Oh and then there is Cabel. Cabel is just amazing! He is always there for Janie, despite where their relationship stands at the time. Alone both Janie and Cabel are great, but together they are just so much better.

The writing combined with the scenes were so powerful and vivid. The scenes suck you in and never let go. Particularity the scenes at the party, when Janie was getting tipsy, you actually started to feel a little out of it yourself. The writing is definitely not traditional, but it works just right for the story. Without a dull moment, Fade will be impossible to put down.

I"m am so happy that Fade went way above my expectations. Intensity, romance, complex lovable characters, are only a few of the components in Fade. I'm so glad I picked up this series. I can't wait to see what happens next. I think everyone should-no needs to check out this series, because if not then you are definitely missing out.

Wake by Lisa McMann

Book Review #22
Wake by Lisa McMann
Rating: Five stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from the back of the book)

For seventeen-year old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does-they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she was a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant...

I"m trying to decide where I should start this review. First of all, WOW! Wake is extraordinary and unlike anything I've ever come across. Not to sound corny, but reading Wake was like having a really good dream the sucks you in leaving you never wanting to wake up. I literally could not put this book down, luckily for me it wasn't very long so I got to finish it in an hour or two. I've heard wonderful things about Wake, but I wasn't expecting myself to fall in love. Wake was intense, romantic, and full of craziness.

Janie Hannigan is a senior in high school living in Michigan. Her mother is an alcoholic which is one of the reasons Janie is known as "white trash" around town. Janie is average in the sense of being a hard worker and working to get to college, but aside from the regular teenager she has a n extraordinary "gift". Ever since she was little, she has been pulled into other people's dreams the moment they doze off. When she is in someone else’s dream it looks as if she is having a seizure.  She becomes numb and loses any feeling in her limbs. As time passed, Janie has learned to live with her "gift" and has even come to accepted it. Although one day she is pulled into a horrifying dream unlike anything she has ever experienced in the past.  Janie isn't just seeing  dreams anymore; she's become an active participant.

In the beginning of the book Janie only has one loyal friend; next door neighbor Carrie. Later on Janie meets Cabel, the only person who Janie has told about her "gift". Not only has Janie seen Cabel’s dreams, but
she finds that she appears in them as well, and that he is aware of her presence in his dreams. From what Janie has seen through his dreams added with rumors around school, she tries to avoid him. Cabel finds a way to get through to Janie and she finds out the truth behind his image (which was a twist). Cabel helps Janie and together they realize the Janie has more power and control over her abilities. 

I absolutely loved Cabel. At first I was reluctant to like him because of his "bad boy" image, but once you discover the truth behind his motives, you can't help but love him. Cabel is caring, sweet, and just right for Janie. Together their relationship kept me on edge, but in the end left me satisfied.

Wake isn't just a book about a girl falling into other people's dream, it is much more deep than that. Wake has crime-fighting, mystery, romance. The intense plot makes up for the not so amazing writing. Set in the present tense combined with being a quick read, Wake is definitely a book not to miss. Lucky for me, I don't have to wait for the sequel to come out (Fade)! If you haven't picked this one up yet, you most definitely should.