Wake by Lisa McMann

Most people enjoy falling asleep and dreaming. But that is not the case for Janie. On the other hand, for Janie, dreams are the things of nightmares.

Ever since she was 8 years old - Janie has found that she gets "sucked" into other people's dreams and she has no way of controlling it. Now at 17, she is completely fed up with dreams. She has been present for all sorts of sexual dreams, the falling dreams, the walking naked around school dream. And the worst part of it all, she is only there as an observer. Most of the time the dreamer doesn't even know that she is there. But if by chance the dreamer asks for her help, there is nothing she can do.

She has had no other choice but to come to terms with knowing that slumber parties, early morning school field trips, and even driving her car at night are NOT very good ideas. See if someone is to see Janie while in the grasp of a dream she'll seem to be in the midst of a seizure, unseeing with no feeling in her arms or legs.

When boy-next-door Cabel finds out about her "gift/curse", Janie finds someone that she can actually discuss her problem with. But Cabel is rumored to be a pothead and a dealer... and let's not even go into what he dreams about.

I really liked the way Wake is written. Ms. McMann uses these short, choppy sentences, almost like diary entries, for Janie's "awake" moments. But when she is in the grasp of a dream - the sentences get longer, more flowing and descriptive. It did take me a bit to get used to the present tense, 3rd person narration - but once you get over that you realize this style actually gives it that intense, fast-paced feel.

Janie, our unlikely heroine, was such a great character. Her mother is an alcoholic, her father is not in the picture, she lives on the bad side of town, and to top it off, she lives an isolated life because of the dreams. She struggles to work in an old-folks home in order to raise money for college. I truly felt her frustrations and her pain over her dysfunctional life... and her lack of sleep.

Janie and Cabel were so good together. Their love was so sweet and innocent. Each needed the other to balance them out. The ups and downs of their relationship were the heart of this story and what I couldn't get enough of. I can't wait to see what the next step will be.

Wake is the first book of a trilogy - it introduces you to Janie, her ability and gives you a glimpse of just how far she might be able to go someday if she were to control and use it - it is intriguing, exhilarating and addictive. I can't wait to get my hands on FADE.