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Publication
Simon Pulse (2008), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 224 pages
Description
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.
User reviews
LibraryThing member FlowerFairy
Yet another book I was very excited to read as I had heard so many great things. And I was so very disappointed. The main characters had all the emotional range and depth of a dead beetle. The story idea was great, but the writing, I'm sorry to say, was awful.
LibraryThing member DevourerOfBooks
For Janie Hannagan, life is a dream. Unfortunately, it isn’t HER dream.
Whenever Janie is within a certain proximity of someone who is asleep, she falls into their dreams. This is a bigger problem than it sounds when you’re in high school and your classmates begin to fall asleep in school with
“Wake” is oh-so-very high school: appearances are everything; the ‘cool’ kids can’t be bothered with people like Janie; and love is a heart-wrenching, tortured experience. I enjoy young adult fiction very much, but only when it is something more than just high school. I love the way Laurie Halse Anderson deals with real, tough problems in books like “Winter Girls,” I adore Westerfeld’s social commentary in the “Uglies” series, and Markus Zusak’s use depiction of WWII in “The Book Thief” is awesome. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel that “Wake” had a lot of depth. Sure, there was a message about looking beyond appearances and not letting preconceived notions make you judge people. Plus there was a little about believing in yourself. None of that is really unique for a young adult book, though.
The style totally bothered me as well, everything was very choppy. I’m nearly 100% positive that this was a deliberate choice by the author to mimic the disorienting state of dreams. In other words, it wasn’t because she is a bad writer, but the choice just didn’t work for me at all.
It sounds like I’ve been bashing this book for the entire review, but it really isn’t a bad book. It is entertaining and a very quick read. I wouldn’t caution you against picking this up or anything like that, but I also wouldn’t recommend anyone rush out and read it. Of course, if you’re more interested in the premise of falling into dreams than I was, you might really enjoy it.
Whenever Janie is within a certain proximity of someone who is asleep, she falls into their dreams. This is a bigger problem than it sounds when you’re in high school and your classmates begin to fall asleep in school with
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increasing regularity. Particularly if you often have something resembling a seizure while you are in someone else’s dream.“Wake” is oh-so-very high school: appearances are everything; the ‘cool’ kids can’t be bothered with people like Janie; and love is a heart-wrenching, tortured experience. I enjoy young adult fiction very much, but only when it is something more than just high school. I love the way Laurie Halse Anderson deals with real, tough problems in books like “Winter Girls,” I adore Westerfeld’s social commentary in the “Uglies” series, and Markus Zusak’s use depiction of WWII in “The Book Thief” is awesome. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel that “Wake” had a lot of depth. Sure, there was a message about looking beyond appearances and not letting preconceived notions make you judge people. Plus there was a little about believing in yourself. None of that is really unique for a young adult book, though.
The style totally bothered me as well, everything was very choppy. I’m nearly 100% positive that this was a deliberate choice by the author to mimic the disorienting state of dreams. In other words, it wasn’t because she is a bad writer, but the choice just didn’t work for me at all.
It sounds like I’ve been bashing this book for the entire review, but it really isn’t a bad book. It is entertaining and a very quick read. I wouldn’t caution you against picking this up or anything like that, but I also wouldn’t recommend anyone rush out and read it. Of course, if you’re more interested in the premise of falling into dreams than I was, you might really enjoy it.
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LibraryThing member vanedow
Your dreams are not your own.
Imagine yourself forced to watch the dreams of everyone around you. Every embarrassing moment, every sexy encounter, every nightmare. That is exactly the curse 18 year old Janie has experienced since she was 8 years old. Privy to information she doesn't want, and unable
I really came to this book with no expectations. I had a basic idea what the story was about, but that's it. And I was happily surprised. This is a fast, fun, pleasantly creepy read. Kind-hearted Janie is an extremely likeable main character, and the troubled outcast Cabel (I keep wanting to call him CaLEB, but that's not it) is a great counterpoint to keep the tension on. There's a bit of a romance, which is always a plus in my opinion (Warning: there's enough sexual content that I wouldn't recommend this book for younger teens). But my favorite feature of this book was simply the very cool concept of entering other people's dreams... I wouldn't want to be able to do it, but it makes for interesting reading.
My only real complaint about this book is the lack of a unifying plot line. There's a bit of a story thrown in at the end, but it felt like an afterthought. The book was interesting enough that I didn't mind, but I'm interested to see where McMann takes this story with the sequel, Fade.
Imagine yourself forced to watch the dreams of everyone around you. Every embarrassing moment, every sexy encounter, every nightmare. That is exactly the curse 18 year old Janie has experienced since she was 8 years old. Privy to information she doesn't want, and unable
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to escape the terrifying nightmares, Janie thinks she might lose her mind.I really came to this book with no expectations. I had a basic idea what the story was about, but that's it. And I was happily surprised. This is a fast, fun, pleasantly creepy read. Kind-hearted Janie is an extremely likeable main character, and the troubled outcast Cabel (I keep wanting to call him CaLEB, but that's not it) is a great counterpoint to keep the tension on. There's a bit of a romance, which is always a plus in my opinion (Warning: there's enough sexual content that I wouldn't recommend this book for younger teens). But my favorite feature of this book was simply the very cool concept of entering other people's dreams... I wouldn't want to be able to do it, but it makes for interesting reading.
My only real complaint about this book is the lack of a unifying plot line. There's a bit of a story thrown in at the end, but it felt like an afterthought. The book was interesting enough that I didn't mind, but I'm interested to see where McMann takes this story with the sequel, Fade.
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LibraryThing member elissajanine
This was a pretty cute book, based on the concept of a girl who gets sucked into other people's dreams and has to learn how to control and use this ability. It was a quick and engaging read, with a typical YA voice and tone. There's a little bit of everything--realistic teen problems, romance, a
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teensy bit of danger and intrigue, and then the whole paranormal aspect, of course. And it was totally set up for a sequel/series. The details of the plot are a little improbable and quite...safe, but I will recommend it to my students for sure. Show Less
LibraryThing member midnighttwilight101
Janie is just like every other seventeen year old, except that she gets sucked into other peoples dreams. She's been in almost every type of dream; the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, the sex-crazed dreams, and the horrible drowning death dreams. She has to keep this power a
Usually after i read an amazing book like the Host was any other book i read right after pales in comparison. Which is why i was surprised when i was drawn into Wake so quickly and fully. The characters are amazingly portrayed, and her "powers" of going into other peoples dreams were very understandable. I never wanted this book to end, yet i finished it in 1 day. I can't wait until the next two books in the series come out.
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secret for fear of them thinking she's crazy. The dreams are fine for her to deal with, but the nightmares are starting to kill her. One night she falls into a horrible nightmare and for the first time for Janie she is not only watching the dream--she is a part of it.Usually after i read an amazing book like the Host was any other book i read right after pales in comparison. Which is why i was surprised when i was drawn into Wake so quickly and fully. The characters are amazingly portrayed, and her "powers" of going into other peoples dreams were very understandable. I never wanted this book to end, yet i finished it in 1 day. I can't wait until the next two books in the series come out.
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LibraryThing member arsmith
good. good! i just wish it had been longer; i read it all in one day. need more!
LibraryThing member tyuiop159
An awesome book; Lisa McMann has written her first book and it it incredible! Her witting style is original and it shows thought Wake. The idea that people can travel/go into other people's dreams is a common idea, but Lisa McMann made it different from any other book with the same structure.
LibraryThing member simplykatie
still trying to digest this book. it's a decent read and i'm going to order it for the library because my teens cannot get enough supernatural stuff, but i'm still not thrilled with the explanation of the mythology. the writing is strong, but the ending just came out of left field and doesn't
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really feel plausible. that's about it. Show Less
LibraryThing member xhollishx
Janie has been going into people's dreams since she was young. When someone has a door open, or is sleeping near her, she can jump into the dream, even if she doesn't want too. Her best friend Carrie has no knowledge of this, as Janie doesn't tell a soul. Just when she sees someone fall asleep in
This book will cause you to use your brain. I love Janie's attitude and her solitude. Cable is a loveable kind of guy, but you will be angered at him when Shay steps into the picture. It's terrible to say, but I hated Shay most of the book. I think that Cable is the only one who can keep Janie sane and you will love him for that. But, never fear, in the end, it will all come together. And you will be waiting (like me, of course) for your second dose of the book, because FADE (the sequal) is scheduled to come out around February 2009. I'll be in line for that one!
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class, she braces herself for their dream. But when she starts going into a nightmare, where she's alone and behind a shed, she starts getting worried. Whose dream is she in and what is happening in it? When she meets Cable, the loner turned heart throb at school, she finally has someone that she can lean on. That is, until Cable starts hanging out with the popular students, especially a party girl named Shay. When Carrie informs Janie that Cable is hanging out with Shay and selling drugs, Janie doesn't talk to him and has to deal with her "dream dropping" by herself.This book will cause you to use your brain. I love Janie's attitude and her solitude. Cable is a loveable kind of guy, but you will be angered at him when Shay steps into the picture. It's terrible to say, but I hated Shay most of the book. I think that Cable is the only one who can keep Janie sane and you will love him for that. But, never fear, in the end, it will all come together. And you will be waiting (like me, of course) for your second dose of the book, because FADE (the sequal) is scheduled to come out around February 2009. I'll be in line for that one!
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LibraryThing member BookWhisperer
This book was a breathe of fresh air. I have not read a book of this nature before. This dreams was an awesome catcher. I read this book in five hours. Everytime I would try to put it down for a minute it drew me back. Caleb was an awesome twist especially undercover. With it words Lisa McMann made
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the picture perfect boyfriend. Concerned, caring, and willing to give everything for you. I am looking forward to reading the second book soon. Show Less
LibraryThing member jbarry
Close your eyes. Try to remember your best dream. The one that when you woke up, you wanted to go right back to sleep and see what happened next. The one that when you tried to explain how awesome it was to someone, you just couldn't find the words. Now try to remember your weirdest dream. The one
Open your eyes! Don't worry, all those dreams are safe in your head, unless you fall asleep next to 17 year old Janie. Janie is a dreamcatcher, has been since she was 8. She slips in and out people's dreams and can do nothing but sit there and witness all the good, the weird and the very scary. She can't control it, all she can do it try to finish her senior year of high school, stay out of the way of her alcoholic mother and avoid anyone who looks sleepy. But this year isn't going quite so smoothly, especially when Cabel, stoner turned dreamboat, enters her life, and she enters the dream of a seriously twisted stranger. Janie just wants to move on and move out, wants to get to the bottom of the nightmare, and can't help but falling head of heels for the silent and dreamy Cabel.
A fabulous, quick and unique read, guanteed hit with teens, I can't wait for Fade!
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where everyone was talking backwards or had extra toes. When you woke up, you had to count your fingers and look around you, just to make sure no one else saw the odd stuff that was floating around in your head. Now remember your worst dream, worst nightmare. The one you tried to wake up from, and when you sat up in bed, you were shivering, or even screaming. The one you never ever wanted to have again, but just couldn't avoid thinking about.Open your eyes! Don't worry, all those dreams are safe in your head, unless you fall asleep next to 17 year old Janie. Janie is a dreamcatcher, has been since she was 8. She slips in and out people's dreams and can do nothing but sit there and witness all the good, the weird and the very scary. She can't control it, all she can do it try to finish her senior year of high school, stay out of the way of her alcoholic mother and avoid anyone who looks sleepy. But this year isn't going quite so smoothly, especially when Cabel, stoner turned dreamboat, enters her life, and she enters the dream of a seriously twisted stranger. Janie just wants to move on and move out, wants to get to the bottom of the nightmare, and can't help but falling head of heels for the silent and dreamy Cabel.
A fabulous, quick and unique read, guanteed hit with teens, I can't wait for Fade!
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LibraryThing member kayceel
An incredibly fast read (a mere couple of hours), Wake is good fun. Imagine being sucked into the dreams of anyone sleeping near you: sleepovers take on a whole new meaning, eh? Since the age of eight, Janie has been involuntarily pulled into others' dreams. The guy sitting next to her in class
This also means Janie unwillingly learns secret things about the people around her: the rich girl in love with Janie best friend, Carrie; the old man in the nursing home who regrets throwing his son out; her best friend's recurring nightmare about a young boy drowning in a river. It's not until she gets sucked into the dream of a loner classmate, and discovers he's dreaming about her, that she wonders if she *can* tell someone else about her...gift.
This was a great read, and includes just about everything I enjoy: an unpopular girl with an unexpected "power"; a surprisingly hot loner boy who might just have an unrequited crush; and an undercover mission. My only disappointment was that McMann's writing style - spare and succinct - didn't dwell enough on the *cozy* moments Janie shares with her love interest! : )
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nods off and begins having a nightmare? Janie's body goes numb and she blacks out, only to wake up, moments later, in the guy's nightmare, experiencing it right along with him. Not surprisingly, this causes problems for Janie, even after she realizes she can stop the effect by keeping distance, in the form of closed doors, between she and the sleepers.This also means Janie unwillingly learns secret things about the people around her: the rich girl in love with Janie best friend, Carrie; the old man in the nursing home who regrets throwing his son out; her best friend's recurring nightmare about a young boy drowning in a river. It's not until she gets sucked into the dream of a loner classmate, and discovers he's dreaming about her, that she wonders if she *can* tell someone else about her...gift.
This was a great read, and includes just about everything I enjoy: an unpopular girl with an unexpected "power"; a surprisingly hot loner boy who might just have an unrequited crush; and an undercover mission. My only disappointment was that McMann's writing style - spare and succinct - didn't dwell enough on the *cozy* moments Janie shares with her love interest! : )
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LibraryThing member Aerrin99
This book is a delightful and quick read.
Although the book is short, it's also packed-full with emotion and characters I cared about and Stuff that Happens. Having just come off a rather long book that somehow didn't manage to do any of these things, it was delightfully refreshing.
I really love
This is a story with emotional impact - there's love and pain and loss and nightmares and wishes and neglectful parents and best friends and everything that you get in dreams, and in life, too.
It's written with a very unique style. The sentences are short, choppy, straight to the point. This might annoy some, but for me, they worked very well as a stylistic choice. They made the emotional impact starker, drove the point home more fully, and kept the pace ripping forward so I couldn't put the book down. They also serve to convey Janie's confusion and exhaustion and inward struggles very well.
Now Janie knows what else she's missing. She grunts when Carrie nudges her arm.
Gets up.
Two more classes.
Janie is weary. And she has to work a full shift tonight.
Apparently things get worse before they get better.
If they ever get better.
Janie's doubtful.
I was a bit sad that this book went by so quickly, and I can't wait to grab the sequel.
Although the book is short, it's also packed-full with emotion and characters I cared about and Stuff that Happens. Having just come off a rather long book that somehow didn't manage to do any of these things, it was delightfully refreshing.
I really love
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fiction that takes a preposterous 'what if' scenario and then runs with it, all the way, through good and bad, and really explores the consequences. 'Wake' does that for Janie, who can (in fact, /must/) fall into the dreams of those around her. This is a story with emotional impact - there's love and pain and loss and nightmares and wishes and neglectful parents and best friends and everything that you get in dreams, and in life, too.
It's written with a very unique style. The sentences are short, choppy, straight to the point. This might annoy some, but for me, they worked very well as a stylistic choice. They made the emotional impact starker, drove the point home more fully, and kept the pace ripping forward so I couldn't put the book down. They also serve to convey Janie's confusion and exhaustion and inward struggles very well.
Now Janie knows what else she's missing. She grunts when Carrie nudges her arm.
Gets up.
Two more classes.
Janie is weary. And she has to work a full shift tonight.
Apparently things get worse before they get better.
If they ever get better.
Janie's doubtful.
I was a bit sad that this book went by so quickly, and I can't wait to grab the sequel.
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LibraryThing member kellyoliva
This is one of my favorite books. The protagonist has an unusual disorder: she falls into the dreams of anyone who is physically close to her. This causes all sorts of problems, especially since the main character tends to find herself in the middle of other people's nightmares. This is an amazing
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read and it is followed by a second book called Fade. Show Less
LibraryThing member lenoreva
17 year old Janie feels like she’s cursed. Not only is she dirt poor with an unemployed drunk for a mother, she also gets sucked into other people’s dreams if they fall asleep in her vicinity. Afraid of what would happen if someone found out about her ability, she tries to cope with it as best
Wake is at its heart a classic “superhero” origin story. Janie may not wear a cape, but she does have a “superpower” that she has to come to terms with and learn to control during the course of the novel.
Janie is often exhausted physically and emotionally due to all her dream excursions, so her attitude is pretty no nonsense. She does just enough to get by – at home, at school and at her job at a nursing home. The writing style really reflects this, with short, choppy sentences that don’t beat around any bushes.
The tone is on the dark side, but I liked that as Janie works through her issues, she also starts expand her personal interactions – even enough to include a love interest. Janie’s relationship with broken boy Cabel is one of the more touching I’ve read.
I’m glad I waited to read this until I got the sequel, because as soon as I turned the last page, I was eager to dive into Fade.
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she can all alone. But the stakes are raised when she falls into someone’s gruesome nightmare and sees herself as a participant. Will she ever be able to just live a normal life?Wake is at its heart a classic “superhero” origin story. Janie may not wear a cape, but she does have a “superpower” that she has to come to terms with and learn to control during the course of the novel.
Janie is often exhausted physically and emotionally due to all her dream excursions, so her attitude is pretty no nonsense. She does just enough to get by – at home, at school and at her job at a nursing home. The writing style really reflects this, with short, choppy sentences that don’t beat around any bushes.
The tone is on the dark side, but I liked that as Janie works through her issues, she also starts expand her personal interactions – even enough to include a love interest. Janie’s relationship with broken boy Cabel is one of the more touching I’ve read.
I’m glad I waited to read this until I got the sequel, because as soon as I turned the last page, I was eager to dive into Fade.
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LibraryThing member krissa
I LOVED this book. I grabbed it at the library yesterday, and finished it this morning. It feels good to find a book that sucks you in so completely. I kept putting it down to try and explain to DH. I don’t think he got it. May have to make him read it. Heh. I liked it, because it seemed to me to
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really stand out from what I have been reading lately (if I every read anything like it). I like books that feel fresh and explore new territory. I like that Janie was never totally perfect, or imperfect, like some characters of late. She was responsible, except made some mistakes. If there was one thing that bugged me, it was Janie crying all the time. Course if I had as little sleep as this girl did, I would be too. And the fact that she never let Cable talk. She never asked questions (of which I myself had (and would have had) by the million. But I see this as necessary to further the plot, and reasonable teenage girl behaviour. I see that the sequel Fade is being released this month, and can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Show Less
LibraryThing member Polo.Pony
"Wake" by Lisa McMann
Janie is almost normal, the one thing that separates her from everyone else is her ability to be inside of other peoples dreams. At first she sees it as a terrible thing, and regrets it happening. However, things get more difficult the higher grade she enters and when she
I enjoyed reading "Wake" it was one of those books that you constantly are reading! However, after finishing, I was asking myself "what were the main points of the story?" However, I still really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading "Fade!"
Janie is almost normal, the one thing that separates her from everyone else is her ability to be inside of other peoples dreams. At first she sees it as a terrible thing, and regrets it happening. However, things get more difficult the higher grade she enters and when she
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starts working at the nursing home to earn money for college. When a lady at the nursing home dies, she also leaves Janie a note about her dreams and a good hunk of money for college. Janie learns that its not so bad to be in other peoples dreams, and she even learns how to help them out in their dreams. She even figures out how to use them to help solve a mystery that involves drugs. Throughout the story, Janie also has to struggle through boy problems and they learn some important things about each other. What will happen with the rest of the story? Thats for you to find out!I enjoyed reading "Wake" it was one of those books that you constantly are reading! However, after finishing, I was asking myself "what were the main points of the story?" However, I still really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading "Fade!"
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LibraryThing member Runa
I think this book has restored my faith in YA. I've only started browsing the booksites, and already I'm noticing a large amount of people criticizing the narration style, to which I say, "HUH?!" While I found Wake just a tad bit too description-heavy for my tastes, the narration was still some of
Rating: 5/5
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the best I've read in a really long time, and I only wish more authors wrote like this. The characters are heartbreakingly human, particularly Cabel, and I just want to learn more! More about them, more about who they are, who they will be, where it all began. I'd like to learn the origin of Janie's ability, and why she's chosen to have it. I really cannot wait to read Fade, and I hope Ms. McMann doesn't ever break up the amazing [crimefighting] duo! Rating: 5/5
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LibraryThing member mdomsky
Janie can't help it. She's constantly being pulled into other people's dreams, and the older she gets, the more of a liability it becomes. How can she drive a car, get a job, or even keep normal friendships? And how is she ever going to survive the horrible nightmares? She can't trust anyone with
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her secret, but the risk of exposure grows every day, until she is forced to trust the handsome, mysterious young man whose nightmares make her shudder. Show Less
LibraryThing member skstiles612
All of us have had dreams both good and bad. Some we try to pull ourselves out of and can't. Imagine you are sitting somewhere and suddenly you are pulled into someone else's dream. This is what happens to Janie Hannagan, and she has absolutely no control over it. Janie has had this problem since
To try and explain anything besides what I have written would be giving so much away. I will say that I immediately pulled out the sequel and read it. This book was and absolute must read for those who like the twisted mind type of read.
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she was eight years old. It has gotten worse as time has gone on. She is pulled into one dream that when she sees it reminds me of Edward Scissorhands. She is beginning to think she is a freak and will be alone forever. Enter Cabel Strumheller. One kindness is repaid by another and Janie and Cabel become friends. Drawn into Cabel's dreams Janie learns that he hides some secrets as well. As their friendship blossoms into a romance Cabel is forced to share some of those secrets or else give up their relationship. Sharing the secrets will mean drawing Janie into the world formed by those secrets, and possible danger.To try and explain anything besides what I have written would be giving so much away. I will say that I immediately pulled out the sequel and read it. This book was and absolute must read for those who like the twisted mind type of read.
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LibraryThing member stephxsu
Every time someone near her falls asleep, Janie Hannagan gets sucked into their dreams. This is hardly fun at all, as most people's dreams consist of falling, nudity, or sex, and, while Janie is technically awake through these experiences, she's blind to the real world. Talk about an uncomfortable
Janie's troubles only continue to escalate when she starts to fall into the once troubled, now sexy Cabel Strumheller's dreams...and finds that she appears in them as well, and that he, too, is aware of her presence in his dreams. There may be more to her ability to fall into people's dreams than Janie realizes, more power than she realizes she has. So begins a new chapter of Janie's life, one where she learns to control her abilities and use them for good.
What WAKE lacks in good writing and interesting characters, it makes up in a stunning story idea. McMann's writing style is straightforward and succinct in an almost ethereal manner. This, while effective in exposition, does not work as well when the plot really needs to get going, and I felt like I was missing what was going on between Janie and Cabel as their relationship developed.
Cabel, whom I at first thought to be some sort of Marcus Flutie incarnate, is sadly underdeveloped; I do not understand his motivations nor his attraction to Janie. Janie passes through in a little better shape, as the self-motivated "white trash" girl who learns to rely only on herself, which is why I was upset when she seemed to lose perspective when things with Cabel hit some bumps.
WAKE works fairly well as a stand-alone novel, but thanks to its fascinating premise, I think I am going to pick up the next book in the series, FADE, and see if Janie, Cabel, and the situation they're in become clearer to me over time.
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lifestyle.Janie's troubles only continue to escalate when she starts to fall into the once troubled, now sexy Cabel Strumheller's dreams...and finds that she appears in them as well, and that he, too, is aware of her presence in his dreams. There may be more to her ability to fall into people's dreams than Janie realizes, more power than she realizes she has. So begins a new chapter of Janie's life, one where she learns to control her abilities and use them for good.
What WAKE lacks in good writing and interesting characters, it makes up in a stunning story idea. McMann's writing style is straightforward and succinct in an almost ethereal manner. This, while effective in exposition, does not work as well when the plot really needs to get going, and I felt like I was missing what was going on between Janie and Cabel as their relationship developed.
Cabel, whom I at first thought to be some sort of Marcus Flutie incarnate, is sadly underdeveloped; I do not understand his motivations nor his attraction to Janie. Janie passes through in a little better shape, as the self-motivated "white trash" girl who learns to rely only on herself, which is why I was upset when she seemed to lose perspective when things with Cabel hit some bumps.
WAKE works fairly well as a stand-alone novel, but thanks to its fascinating premise, I think I am going to pick up the next book in the series, FADE, and see if Janie, Cabel, and the situation they're in become clearer to me over time.
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LibraryThing member allthesedarnbooks
I loved this YA novel! Janie has a complicated life. She lives on the wrong side of the tracks with her neglectful, alcoholic mother and works long hours at a nursing home to save money for college. Her biggest problem, however, is that she is sucked into other people's dreams. If someone is asleep
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and dreaming within close proximity to her, she enters their dreams unwillingly, leaving her body in a seizure-like state. The dreams are often common, often unpleasantly intimate, and sometimes terrifying nightmares. As Janie learns to deal with and control her powers, she also becomes closer to a mysterious boy named Cabel. Exciting and unputdownable, this fantasy thriller is a great read, and I've already reserved the sequel, Fade. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member bigorangemichael
What if you had the ability to enter into other people's dreams? One first glance, it seems like it might be a pretty cool little power and insight into your friends and family.
And while having this ability may seem cool to Janie Hannagan at first, we quickly find that it's more a burden. Janie is
And that doesn't even cover the disturbing dream she witnesses for her friend and potential new boyfriend Caleb.
With "Wake," Lisa McCann weaves a fascinating story that draws the readers into Janie's plight slowly, in an almost dream-like fashion. McCann uses short, direct sentences while Janie is awake, saving the longer, more flowing prose for Janie's being part of people's dreams. It makes an effective tool for readers to know if they are in the dream world with Janie or not (though the book does help by having both worlds appear in different typefaces, as well). "Wake" is the first book of a trilogy and it is content to estabish Janie, her ability and begin to scratch the surface of what the ability is and how Janie could learn to control and use it.
It definitely left me intrigued enough to want to find out more about Janie and Caleb in the next novel, "Fade."
And while having this ability may seem cool to Janie Hannagan at first, we quickly find that it's more a burden. Janie is
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constantly aware of being sucked into people's dreams becuase in doing so, she falls asleep as well. Couple that with the dreamer potentially realizing Janie is there and has seen some subconsious desire, thought or random dream and the ability soon begins to take a toll. Janie is pulled into dreams during classes at school, while working at a local nursing home and even while driving. And that doesn't even cover the disturbing dream she witnesses for her friend and potential new boyfriend Caleb.
With "Wake," Lisa McCann weaves a fascinating story that draws the readers into Janie's plight slowly, in an almost dream-like fashion. McCann uses short, direct sentences while Janie is awake, saving the longer, more flowing prose for Janie's being part of people's dreams. It makes an effective tool for readers to know if they are in the dream world with Janie or not (though the book does help by having both worlds appear in different typefaces, as well). "Wake" is the first book of a trilogy and it is content to estabish Janie, her ability and begin to scratch the surface of what the ability is and how Janie could learn to control and use it.
It definitely left me intrigued enough to want to find out more about Janie and Caleb in the next novel, "Fade."
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LibraryThing member ohioyalibrarian
If you are a teen you might love this book. The premise is interesting: the protagonist can't help but be pulled into other people's dreams when they are asleep near her. Given the number of high school students who fall asleep during study hall every day, this makes her privy to the fears, hopes
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and fantasies of many. Often, this provides her with way too much information. She'd rather just not know. But recently, she's been witness to some frightening dreams of her current crush that make her very curious to figure out what is going on with him. Does he know she sees him in his dreams? You will be left wanting to turn the pages pretty quickly to solve this one. And while I did turn the pages quickly, I didn't love the book. I felt that there was gratuitous sex and f-word that didn't fit with the overall flavor of the book. It put me off a bit. But lots of people love this book, so if it sounds up your alley, give it a try and see for yourself! Show Less
LibraryThing member theepicrat
WAKE is a one-of-a-kind story that keeps you in suspense, wondering if Janie will ever conquer her unwanted dream-crashing, aching to see if she will find a worthy knight-in-shining-armor in Cabel the school bad boy, wistfully comparing it to Veronica Mars if Miss Mars had any psychic ability,
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absolutey itching like mad to get a copy of FADE immediately to find out what does happen to Janie! Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Honor Book — 2011)
Gateway Readers Award (Nominee — 3rd Place — 2011)
Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2011)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee — 2010)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Recommended — 2012)
Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers (Nominee — 2010)
South Carolina Book Awards (Nominee — Young Adult Book Award — 2010)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Top Ten — 2009)
Young Adult Favorites Award (2010)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
224 p.; 8.2 inches
ISBN
1416974474 / 9781416974475
Local notes
17-year-old Janie who has a rare ability to see other people's dreams whether she wants to or not. The episodes are growing more frequent, and the dreams she falls into vary from boring to sexy to disturbing. When she is drawn into a classmate's nightmare, Janie is forced to address her ability and how it may affect her future.
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