Wake by Abria Mattina - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

Jan 15, 2013 Amber's Reading Room rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-favorites, romance, ya

I'm not invisible. I have desires. I want to be touched and held and told that I'm worth something. I am not pitiful. I am better than you can imagine. I have talents. I have successes and failures. I love my life. I sometimes feel dissatisfied with the world. I come from a place of love, not death. I am special. I matter. I can be the most interesting person in the room. I can blend in and that's okay. I'm somebody. I'm a nobody. I feel deeply and I want to be allowed to show it. I don't want...more

9 likes · like · see review

Feb 29, 2012 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-ya-standalone-challenge, 2012-must-reads, feb-2012

First I MUST start this review off by saying I HAVE NEVER read a book that had so many things tie in to one thing. Abria has done a PHENOMENAL job of weaving a story of love,loss and secrets. Where decisions are made and consequences are suffered. I was so emotional reading this book because I had just finished another book that dealt with Cancer and loss.

Jem was a very interesting character for me because he was a snarky little thing. He was angry and confused and hurt and scared all in one and...more First I MUST start this review off by saying I HAVE NEVER read a book that had so many things tie in to one thing. Abria has done a PHENOMENAL job of weaving a story of love,loss and secrets. Where decisions are made and consequences are suffered. I was so emotional reading this book because I had just finished another book that dealt with Cancer and loss.

Jem was a very interesting character for me because he was a snarky little thing. He was angry and confused and hurt and scared all in one and hid it well from his family and friends. He is very close to his little sister and they share every thing and she even gives up her room so he can have privacy when he is sick. He is in remission from the cancer but he is sick from all the medicine and very cranky.

Then Jem starts school again after thr treatments but his heart just isn't there because he is always tired and sick. But he keeps going to school and it is there that he meets the new girl Willa. Although he finds out she is not new at all because she used to live there but then she moved away and now she is back. They start off with a lot of banter and snarkiness between them because Willa dishes out what he gives her. They have this love hate relationship and go through a lot together.

Willa has secrets and she is willing to go to the grave with them because all she wants to do is forget. She moves in with her brother to start a new life and move on from the death of her sister from Cancer. She becomes friends with Jem and treats him like he is not sick. They share a lot in common and they are good for one another. Willa realizes that Jem needs her in so many ways and she is willing to help him.

This story was so heart wrenching and so intense that at times I was laughing and crying all in one. This is a must read because it delves into emotions and situations that may arise for so many teens that are sick or who have family members that sre sick. It will take you on an emotional ride and in the end it will leave you breathless.

While I was reading this book a song came to mind that reminded me of Jem and Willa. My Love by Sia and here is the link to the video http://youtu.be/mtM_cc4SPJI (less)

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 06, 2012 Joanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: real-life-issues, young-adult, favorites, dark-disturbing

The book had my emotions going up and down

There are not many books that i finish and then after, feel emotionally exhausted. i can probably count the ones that do, on one hand.

love, humour, sex, self harm, euthanasia, dying, grieving, drugs

'Wake' not only has a gritty storyline but it is witty, moving and beautifully written. the different perspectives of the same days of the week provide different perspectives of the main characters 'Jem' and 'Willa'.

What i love about both characters is t...more

3 likes · like · see review

Dec 06, 2011 aobibliophile™ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival. - Winston Churchill

in her desire to start a new life, Willa Kirk goes back to her hometown of Smith Falls, Ontario to live with her older brother Frank. she meets Jem Harper who is on remission from cancer and as their relationship progresses, their lives and of those around them will never be the same.
author Abria Mattina's novel is certainly a hefty one and it deals with a lot of subject matter - disease,...more We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival. - Winston Churchill

in her desire to start a new life, Willa Kirk goes back to her hometown of Smith Falls, Ontario to live with her older brother Frank. she meets Jem Harper who is on remission from cancer and as their relationship progresses, their lives and of those around them will never be the same.
author Abria Mattina's novel is certainly a hefty one and it deals with a lot of subject matter - disease, teenage angst, suicide, sex, family dynamics, friendship, intimacy, homosexuality and deep dark secrets.
initially, Willa's and Jem's voices speak alternately. later on in the book, Elise's voice, Jem's sister, is heard. each has a story to tell and through these different points of view, the reader gets a clear picture of what is going on.
the language is contemporary and very graphic especially the dialogs between Willa and Jem. the exchanges are raw, heavy and very emotional and affected me in more ways than one particularly Jem's battle with cancer. his struggle reminded me so much of my Mom whom i lost to the Big C a couple of years ago. memories of those times spent in clinics and hospitals with her kept recurring in my mind.
although this was not an easy read for me, i have only high praises for this book. it is is well researched, brilliantly written and filled with flesh and blood characters that leap off from its 700 plus pages.
do not let that number and the heavy themes daunt you or keep you from grabbing a copy of this must read novel. i assure you that the time spent reading this phenomenal book is worth every letter, word, sentence, paragraph and punctuation mark.

Disclosure of Material Connection:a copy was provided by the author. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Dec 19, 2011 H.Lee rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was not sure what to expect when I first started reading this book and please do not judge a book by its cover! Many of us do, myself includedand I have found many GREAT books that I would not have really paid much attention to just by the cover. This one included!

Willa and Jem have a lot in common, but they share a lot of differences also. They get placed together as project partners in Sociology class and neither are too thrilled about it. I loved their bantering back & forth during thei...more I was not sure what to expect when I first started reading this book and please do not judge a book by its cover! Many of us do, myself includedand I have found many GREAT books that I would not have really paid much attention to just by the cover. This one included!

Willa and Jem have a lot in common, but they share a lot of differences also. They get placed together as project partners in Sociology class and neither are too thrilled about it. I loved their bantering back & forth during their very first conversations. I guess that I should mention that Jem is in remission of Cancer and Willa had lost her sister to cancer. Jem still wallows in pity and hates the fact that people tip toe around him. He quickly learns that Willa will do no such thing and just treats him like she would treat anyone else. He loves it! Willa is still trying to recover from losing her sister, but she holds a major secret that she had never told anyone. She likes Jem, but tries to stay away when he starts to get too clingy.

The two go on a rocky path between fighting their differences in opinion and trying to work through each of their demons together as well as individually. There will need to be a lot of forgiveness and a lot of hope for the two to come together and finally be able to live the life they were meant to!

My favorite character was Ava, she was very snarky and a wise a$$. I loved every minute with her! She told it just like she saw it. No sugar-coating needed and if you didn’t like it…oh well!

There are many serious issues that this book deals with besides love..there is the aspect of cancer, assisted suicide and suicide itself. I really liked the depiction of each of these scenarios and felt that the writer had hit the nail on the head. I would suggest this book for a very mature teen!

“I like you,” he insists

“I believe you.”

“Willa?”

“Yeah?”

“I think I’m gonna throw up.”

Holding his head over the basin while he pukes, I can’t help but think: this is exactly how we first met. Green Jell-O included.

(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 28, 2013 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: made-me-cry, heroes-that-need-a-hug

Brilliant.

This was a highly emotional read that allows you to get inside the head of a cancer patient in remission and in the head of a young girl with demons from her past that she has to overcome.

The course that their relationship takes is full of highs and lows...At times you'll be laughing, enjoying the dry humor and banter of Jem and Willa, and other times your eyes will water because you can actually feel Jem's loneliness and desperation for a friend, or anyone who can understand him.

This...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 17, 2013 Joss Baker rated it 5 of 5 stars

WAKE is a raw and unflinchingly honest presentation of the lives of two people (and their families) affected in two different ways by cancer; one 'surviving' and one who lost someone they loved. Gradually, the two find one another and learn from each other as you watch them grow (and fall), overcoming their challenges together. It is by no means easy and at times it seems like every step forward is a massive leap back, but that's the thing about this book- it doesn't lie or sugarcoat.

One of my...more

like · see review

Feb 28, 2013 Bella rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of the main things I loved about Wake is that it's just so achingly real. Abria has tackled a gritty topic here, and portrays the hardships of life after cancer in such a realistically moving way. Every time I read this book (and I have read this book many many times!) I still feel such an emotional connection to it, and it still carries such an emotional punch. It's just so easy to become invested in these characters and you truly care about their situation.

None of the characters in the bo...more One of the main things I loved about Wake is that it's just so achingly real. Abria has tackled a gritty topic here, and portrays the hardships of life after cancer in such a realistically moving way. Every time I read this book (and I have read this book many many times!) I still feel such an emotional connection to it, and it still carries such an emotional punch. It's just so easy to become invested in these characters and you truly care about their situation.

None of the characters in the book are saints. They are not perfect, and at times they can be downright unreasonable and petty. Willa and Jem have so much anger and hurt in themselves that it manifests itself in a variety of ways. Nothing is plain sailing in the book - and I love that. It's so indicative of real life. We mess up, we do stupid things, we lash out at others, but that doesn't make us any less of a person. These complexities are what make us human, and it doesn't detract from the beauty within us all.

I just love the fact that Jem and Willa have great banter between them. In my life, I've often found that the best relationships with others are ones where you feel comfortable teasing each other in a way that may seem incomprehensible to others looking in from the outside. Their conversations have made me laugh and made me cry, and the book as a whole is just so beautifully written.

That being said, the book could do with some further editing. The edition I read (purchased from Amazon last summer) contained some basic errors, as well as references to Seattle rather than Ottawa. I'm not sure whether these have been corrected in later editions

Some people complain about the length of this book. Yes, Wake is long, and for some people that may be a problem. However, I loved it! I was so captivated by the characters that I never felt like the story was dragging, and it definitely never felt too long to me. I could absolutely read a lot more of this book and still not get bored. It's a beautiful read, and what you find within all the pages is wonderful.

I've rambled on enough here, but there's still so much more I could say about Wake. It's witty, moving, gritty and beautiful and one of my favourite books. I can't recommend it enough - take a chance on Wake, and read it. I did, and I haven't looked back. (less)

like · see review

Jan 30, 2013 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

~We only crave peace when we don't have it. When it's shattered by the chaos of that thing called life.~

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!

WOW!!

I wasn't expecting to be as emotionally invested in Willa and Jems story as I was. I was held by the first few chapters & couldn't let go. It was a constant up & down for me, & my heart broke...for both of them. This was real & dark. It was so gripping and moving that everyone needs to experience this.

This Book put me through the ringer!

Yes is w...more

like · see review

Sep 11, 2012 Albert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall Feedback: When I first started to check this book out the page number scared me. I mean over 700 pages in one book, but I took the chance and you should too. I agree with other reviews of this particular novel that it could have been cut down a bit if some of the narrative were taken out or maybe the author could seperate it into two distinct novels but I have to say that the story overall keeps the readers attention enough to get through all 759 pages of writing. Also while looking into...more Overall Feedback: When I first started to check this book out the page number scared me. I mean over 700 pages in one book, but I took the chance and you should too. I agree with other reviews of this particular novel that it could have been cut down a bit if some of the narrative were taken out or maybe the author could seperate it into two distinct novels but I have to say that the story overall keeps the readers attention enough to get through all 759 pages of writing. Also while looking into some of the background of this one I noticed that it started out as fan fiction and I saw that a review was given based on this fact. I myself do not like fan fiction but I also know that all stories start somewhere and that is where this one started. As far as this current version of this novel I would have to recommend that everyone grab a copy and give it a try. The struggle of the characters will pull you in and maybe just one more reader will change their own perception of what they can make it through. I will warn that this is YA but with strong sexual situations and language usage.

Point of View: The switching between points of view staggered me at first as there were many but the author is able to guide the reader through the switches and keep the story from becoming unfocused.

Voice: For me the author was conveying a message of do not give up and that things can always get worse. I may have missed the mark but that is my opinion.

Character: There are so many characters in this novel that it was hard to make sense of them all at first. Although I acknowledged all the characters I decided to pay attention to the main two only. This may have hurt the story a bit but it made for less character confusion.

Plot: Everyone will be able to relate to the cancer and somewhat to the big reveal of Willa but I think some of the plot causes too much of a fight with what a reader will accept and what they are unwilling to allow. I do not think that there was enough to hurt the story but I think the author should pay a little more attention to this detail in the next one.

Dialogue: With the characters I paid attention to I thought they related well but I do however think there social interaction with each other was a bit obtuse.

Pacing: The author wrote such a large piece that she had to make sure the pace did not drag. There are a few places that will have you skipping ahead but the author does well to keep them at a minimul.

Setting: In 759 pages you as the reader will not have any issue with the setting.

Continuity: Very well written without leaving behind any detail that would have made a reader scratch their head and feel disappointed.(less)

like · see review

Sep 09, 2012 Camila Aracellis rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review was originally posted on Books Down My Pillow
There are stories that I love as those that are about diseases, of course, I do not enjoy reading about the life of someone who is sick, but how they handle their changes. This is an issue that strikes a chord in me, because I know what it is to have a chronic disease, which causes it ,and how can you get to hate you because of this. Something very similar happens in this story, Jem recently had a battle against cancer and is now in remiss...more

like · see review

Jul 20, 2012 Steph LJ rated it 1 of 5 stars

I did not enjoy this book... not at all.

The author claims a degree in English Literature, yet consistently breaks the I/me rule. This is one of the easiest and common rules of grammar, and if a published author delivers a work with this mistake I find it unforgivible. Was there even a proof reader or editor involved? It is just unacceptable for I to see this error. (see how annoying that is?)

Then there is the problem of the characters and their sad drama. Willa is a damaged smartass living with...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 16, 2012 Krissy P (Kris) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow, Wake was absolutely fantastic. This incredibly engaging and totally addicting book kept me reading long into the early morning hours. It is a beautifully written, compelling, emotional and sometimes humorous story of two very damaged souls who fall in love in the midst of illness and tragedy.

Jem Harper is in cancer remission. He has been at this school since his cancer was first discovered and has no friends. He is lonely and miserable, tired and sick. He is no longer the popular, gorgeous...more

like · see review

Dec 20, 2012 Gemma rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book. Same sort of feel as The Sea of Tranquillity.
To begin with a cliché this book was an emotional rollercoaster with highs and lows, laughter and tears however I loved every minute of it. Due to the length it took me two days to read however if I didn't have to work I would have forgone sleep to read it in one sitting.

It follows two characters Jem and Willa who are both as messed up as each other for different reasons and the relationship that develops between them is so sweet and...more

like · see review

Sep 08, 2012 Marissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I want to say first, that I really enjoyed reading this truly amazing novel, and am glad to have read it!

To me, I saw this story to have messages of self-acceptance, loving yourself (even when you think it's impossible and not an option), and forgiveness. There are so many stirred up emotions, when we first meet Jem Harper and Willa Kirk in a high school classroom, in Smith Falls, Ontario. Jem has recently had a battle of cancer, and is now in recovery mode. Willa was sent to live with her twent...more I want to say first, that I really enjoyed reading this truly amazing novel, and am glad to have read it!

To me, I saw this story to have messages of self-acceptance, loving yourself (even when you think it's impossible and not an option), and forgiveness. There are so many stirred up emotions, when we first meet Jem Harper and Willa Kirk in a high school classroom, in Smith Falls, Ontario. Jem has recently had a battle of cancer, and is now in recovery mode. Willa was sent to live with her twenty-five year old brother, basically kicked out of her real home, by her parents, to hopefully have a fresh new start, to not continue on a reckless/dark path, she was on the past two years... These two 18 year olds (that happen to share the same birthday!) are set up to be project partners in their social studies class, and at once, there is definitely a sense of distaste between these two; they actually can't stand each other. Is it because of Jem's insistent bad attitude, not just towards Willa, but towards anything else really or is it Willa's take no sh** attitude? Well these two just collide at first. Then, through their mandatory project, they have to now work with each other, and freely trade insults with each other, and sometimes there are hurtful words. Now after a short few weeks, these two have an interesting sort of friendship where they actually...wait...like to spend time together? Could there be more? Other than a possible relationship, there are real life situations that these two have faced, and now they are in a process that perhaps only them together can get through, but can they truly do it together and what lies ahead?...

Honestly, this was a moving story for me. There was just so much going on, and I loved it! What really just turned me on, were the characters. They were seriously written, developed well. Their personalities were sometimes familiar, and they were just believable. I love Jem. He is a young man that has been through so much. He was definitely a realistic character. His sense of humor, and Willa's, meshed pretty well, and at times, I found myself to laugh out loud a few times; the dialogue was just really humorous, and their lines, again, seemed realistic, like what people their age would say. Anyway, we know Jem has battled cancer, and now he is in the remission process, recovery stage, and at this time he feels physically week at times, and reading his POV was just so needed, and helpful, to really understand what he went through, and is going through. In general, I liked how we primarily read his and Willa's POV. At times if I was reading Willa's POV and she was having an intense scene with Jem, then later we would go next to Jem's POV and we actually sometimes go back to that intense scene I was thinking earlier, a scene I would think I need to know what he thought too, and we get to read his thoughts; so you see that at times throughout the story.

Willa, now I really liked her as well. She is someone that lost an older sister to cancer a few years prior, and knows a bit of what Jem goes through. I thought she was nurturing, but a feisty, tough as nails gal, that went through a stage of problems after her sister's passing, and it's very intriguing to read about her past, including a shocking secret that she has not really told anyone, until now. There are other minor characters that just fit so well into this story, including Jem's younger sister that seems to be a huge fan of Harry Potter, which was pretty cool and relatable!

This is a long read, but to me I find this story to be so worth reading! I felt myself just getting into the story, and once you start it, you really will not and cannot stop! I really enjoyed that these two characters sharing their love of music, and you read some pretty good playlists. What I also liked, okay loved, was the writing! There was a great flow, and I just can't wait to read more from this Indie Author; she has true writing talent that can be seen written on the pages. I really look for stories that have that believable aspects to them, and this one had it all over!

Now, I don't want to give too much away, but I dived into this novel, not so sure what to expect, and let me say, the ending, is not, well, not really what I was expecting, and to me, that's a good thing!! This is a story that has some light, humorous, witty type moments, but then there are darker and gritty moments, and you wonder, if there is any possible hope, but what can definitely be seen here, is love, and that was one of my favorite aspects, as read here, love can perhaps be the answer to all wounds/scars, and that to me, is what made this story even more beautiful. (less)

like · see review

Apr 10, 2013 Morgane Soustre rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've wanted to write a review for this book since I finished it but first, I had to take a deep breathe, stop crying and let some time pass before I could even think straight.

This book took me by surprise, twisted my guts and changed me.

I've never been that emotional after reading and while reading a book.
Abria Mattina created a masterpiece, a book that I will encourage my children to read.
It's painfully honest and simple. It tells it all without it been too much or too little. You just don't g...more

like · see review

May 05, 2012 Lindsey rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Sep 02, 2012 Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Mallory Anne-Marie by: Full Moon Bites Blog Tours

Shelves: armchair-canada, september-2012-reads, september-reading-challenge-ntoyab, lpsummerreadchallenge

Originally reviewed for the Wake Blog Tour on Sept. 2, 2012:

Review of Wake by Abria Mattina
An incredibly complex novel, the first adjective that comes to mind to describe “Wake” is-simply wonderful. I totally loved this book; each and every time a character revealed an emotional denouement, or a clue to personality, or a bit of backstory, I would think “Okay, that must be as deep as we’ll go with this individual,” but oh, how blissfully wrong that was! Ms. Mattina deftly and accurately demonstra...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 03, 2013 CJ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wake was a fabulous read for me. It gripped me from early on. There are 4 things that stood out for me that made this story different from all other books out there involving two teenagers who are messed up. I will be the first to admit that some of these differences people will not like, they won’t work for everyone, but they worked great for me.
1. I was always wondering if this book would have a happy ending or not. Jem, the hero, is in remission from cancer, it is very early days. I was frequ...more Wake was a fabulous read for me. It gripped me from early on. There are 4 things that stood out for me that made this story different from all other books out there involving two teenagers who are messed up. I will be the first to admit that some of these differences people will not like, they won’t work for everyone, but they worked great for me.
1. I was always wondering if this book would have a happy ending or not. Jem, the hero, is in remission from cancer, it is very early days. I was frequently worried that he was going to die. I’m not going to say if he does or not, but this anxiousness I had for his wellbeing throughout the whole book worked for me. It made me so caught up in his story, I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen to him. Some people may hate this feeling of worrying about not getting a happy ending. It didn’t bother me for this story, it made it feel more real.
2. Jem and Willa (the heroine), who also has huge issues due to her sister dying of cancer and her own depression, are also very different from other characters. They could be very unlikable characters at times. They were both rude, cold, closed off, defensive, and attention seeking at times. But they were just so interesting and real, and even though they had these unlikable characteristics they were so engaging to read. I can understand why someone would say they find them hard to like. But this was why I liked them even more, because I became invested in what made them who they were. I found their story fascinating. I couldn’t wait to find out how they were going to breakdown each other’s defences and ultimately help each other.
3. This is a long book. There is a lot of time to actually get to know the characters, for them to develop a real relationship, for them to actually get to know each other. Nothing is rushed in this book. It is not one big problem after another after another. It is like life, where sometimes not a lot happens, but then things do. As a reader you get time to breathe and take in everything that is happening. It really is a slow burn. I can see some people saying that the book is slow because of this, but for me I loved the pacing. Another thing that was great about the pacing was that when something bad did happen it did not take up more of the book then the good stuff. The story was written in a way that time seemed to travel at the same pace, it was not like half the book is two months then the second is two days. It was even, just like life.
4. You get a great insight into how the actions/behaviour/illness of the main characters affects the people around them. These characters have people around them that love them, support them, and want what is best for them. That was great.
Will I read it again? Yes
(less)

like · see review

Aug 14, 2012 Chelsea Maulden rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bought-from-amazon, summer-12

If you are looking for a book that makes you experience every emotion (sometimes all at once), a book that is completely original, and a book that will keep you encased in Willa and Jem's world long after the final page.... Then read this book NOW!

Willa is an angry 18 year old girl who is sent away to live with her brother. Willa is undergoing many personal demons; including grieving the death of her sister Tessa, who had terminal cancer. Jem is also 18 and is also angry. Jem is in remission. No...more If you are looking for a book that makes you experience every emotion (sometimes all at once), a book that is completely original, and a book that will keep you encased in Willa and Jem's world long after the final page.... Then read this book NOW!

Willa is an angry 18 year old girl who is sent away to live with her brother. Willa is undergoing many personal demons; including grieving the death of her sister Tessa, who had terminal cancer. Jem is also 18 and is also angry. Jem is in remission. Now normally when you hear someone is in remission you think "the battle has been won", and yes, Jem is cancer free but the war has only just begun for Jem. Willa becomes Jem’s Social Studies partner when she transfers to his school and the love/hate relationship of epic proportions begins!

Wake by Abria Mattina is 759 pages long and is currently on Amazon for 2.99. I would pay so much more for this book had I known what I would personally take from the book after reading it. This is a LONG book (I’m talking took me more than two days to finish it and I only put it down when I had to long). I do think this book could have been cut down and made shorter but I’m glad it wasn’t.
This is one of those stories that has it all, but the best thing about this story is how unique it is.

I do want to put a warning out there for people who hate books where the characters experience self-loathing. Willa hates herself for her past and Jem hates himself for what fighting cancer has left of him. I felt this story handled the self-hatred wonderfully, but I do know people who do not like reading a book where the characters “wine about their lives” and this book has a good bit of that (but seriously if you lived their lives I bet you would do the same).

Everything about this book was so honest and real which to me was one of the best things about this book. I would recommend this book to anyone (above the age of 16ish) who is looking for a truly great book that you will not want to put down.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 17, 2012 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fiction, ya-children

I really enjoyed this book. It's a story of love, loss, and letting people get close to us when we need it. It's quite long (according to Goodreads.com, it's 727 pages) but it's worth the journey.

The characters definitely stand out for me in this book. Jem has had a lot of upsets recently in his life. Recently declared cancer-free, he's still dealing with the news. Even if the cancer is gone, he certainly doesn't look like he did before he had cancer. He struggles with still feeling sick with th...more

like · see review

May 22, 2013 Amanda Kieckbusch-Brown rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was an emotional book for me to read. I have several family members who have went though different stages of cancer, some made it some did not. No, I wasn't present like I was in this book to see what they went through during remission, and I am so overjoyed there was a happy ending to this.

Jem Harper is in remission from having Acute Myeloid Leukemia. AML is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the...more This was an emotional book for me to read. I have several family members who have went though different stages of cancer, some made it some did not. No, I wasn't present like I was in this book to see what they went through during remission, and I am so overjoyed there was a happy ending to this.

Jem Harper is in remission from having Acute Myeloid Leukemia. AML is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. Jem's sister Elise, was able to be a donor to save her brother's life.

Willa Kirk is a girl that befriends Jem in a class they have together. It starts as a love hate relationship, that grows into something more. Willa knows what Jem is going through due to her sister having Lymphnoma. But she carries a heavy secret that might scare Jem away forever.

Willa knows what it takes to help Jem get better. Jem loves the soups she makes, and starts to gain weight. Jem is self conscious due to not having any hair, cause of all his treatments with chemo, or his port he had to wear due to dialysis. Willa helps break down his barriers little by little and shows him that is okay not to wear a wool hat all the time. That and no matter what scars or machines you have on, you are always beautiful.

Jem teaches Willa that it is okay to forgive someone for their mistakes, no matter big or small.

There was a part in the story that really scared me. He became sick... er...sicker (since his immune system was already low, and being on dialysis didn't help). I really though he wasn't going to make it at one point. And I thought that since Willa went through the same thing (in a way) with her sister, she was going to bolt.

This book was full of emotions. Laughter, hate, sadness, shock, love... Tears flowed during several parts of this book. I think the ending really had my tears flowing. Not the sad ones, but happy ones. Everyone loves a happy ending, and this one certainly deserved one!

Easy to read, easy to follow. All the characters were very loveable. Maybe except for Luke. I didn't like him much.

If you want a great book with the feeling you are sitting right there on the sidelines, this is the book you should read. I have a book hangover due to reading this book! (Can't start another one due to this one always being on my mind) I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!(less)

like · see review

Jan 10, 2013 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: new-adult, reality

If you are looking for a book that is truly unique, utterly realistic, that will make you laugh at loud, and cringe in equal measure, then this book is for you. Wake is likely the most realistic book I have ever read. I was completely immersed in the lives of Mattina's characters, and they felt so real. I almost forgot I was reading about fictional people.

Wake tells the story of two damaged people as they slowly heal, regress, and heal again. Wake takes place over six months and the reader is tr...more If you are looking for a book that is truly unique, utterly realistic, that will make you laugh at loud, and cringe in equal measure, then this book is for you. Wake is likely the most realistic book I have ever read. I was completely immersed in the lives of Mattina's characters, and they felt so real. I almost forgot I was reading about fictional people.

Wake tells the story of two damaged people as they slowly heal, regress, and heal again. Wake takes place over six months and the reader is treated to alternating viewpoints as Willa and Jem meet, antagonize, become friends and more. Their story of recovery and learning to love themselves and each other is not a fairy tale but instead a realistic portrayal of two people's journey to heal themselves. This book made me laugh out loud, cry, cringe and sigh. Mattina somehow balances the saccharine sweet, the uncomfortable, and the realities of illness into a book that mimics life, and brought out visceral reactions in this reader.

I thought the dialogue was spot on believable and often hilarious. The characters were well developed and likable—even when they were doing or saying unlikeable things. Willa and Jem were great narrators. Jem, with his vulnerability and humour, was my favourite though :). This book is really long, and some readers, I imagine, will find the day to day life of Jem and Willa too repetitive for their liking. How many more times will Jem puke, Willa make soup or Elise watch Harry Potter? Not enough times says this reader *slams fist.* Much to my complete surprise given the length and content of this book, I found the pacing to be just right and my attention never flagged. I was so invested in these characters and so caught up in their lives that the book didn't feel that long.

Jem is in remission in this book and I found this to be an incredibly accurate look at cancer and serious family illness. I don't know what experiences or research Mattina went through, but this book struck me as far more accurate than any book I have read about cancer and its effects on families, friendships, and individuals. I was reminded of the Goodreads darling The Fault in our Stars by John Green while I was reading Wake, and while I certainly enjoyed Green's book I would absolutely recommend Wake over it. I felt that Green's characters and book were consciously constructed, deliberate and so obviously fictional. Wake, however, tells the story of people, with phlegm and kisses, and insults and endearments in about equal measure. I miss Jem and Willa and Elise and...

(less)

like · see review

Aug 31, 2012 Paula Mitchell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: virtual-book-tour, e-book, for-review, read-in-2012

What an incredible story. Willa Kirk is a girl returning back home to Smith Falls after leaving for St. John's and she winds up in class next to Cancer Boy Jem Harper. Willa having her own dark secrets having to do with her sister, thought she was making a clean break when she is connecting to Jem Harper who's in remission and still fighting through a transplant from his sister.

This was a raw look at what it can look like from a teen's point of view. We see the anger and sacredness of Jem Harper...more

like · see review

Jun 09, 2012 Liz at Fictional Candy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

This book was fantastic!!!! Seriously, it was so good, if I could give it more than 5 stars, I definitely would. In fact, I’ve already gotten one friend to purchase a copy for himself, and I am anxiously waiting to hear his thoughts on it. Don’t let the high page count scare you off! It almost scared me off, I’ll admit it. I kept delaying reading this book. Funny how something like that can scare you. BUT I made a huge mistake in waiting. Honestly, I don’t think the cover or the blurb do the con...more This book was fantastic!!!! Seriously, it was so good, if I could give it more than 5 stars, I definitely would. In fact, I’ve already gotten one friend to purchase a copy for himself, and I am anxiously waiting to hear his thoughts on it. Don’t let the high page count scare you off! It almost scared me off, I’ll admit it. I kept delaying reading this book. Funny how something like that can scare you. BUT I made a huge mistake in waiting. Honestly, I don’t think the cover or the blurb do the contents of this story justice. No, I have no clue how I would change either one lol. I should also note that I powered through this book in one weekend – I couldn’t help it, it was that good. I literally had double vision from eye strain while grocery shopping! And it was totally worth it!

Let’s start with the facts about this story. It is about Jem (short for Jeremiah) and Willa, two high school students with more pain in their history than any person should have to deal with. The story alternates between both of their point of views, sometimes both going over the same scene from their own point of view. This worked SO well for this story. It kept it fresh and moving. Right from the beginning of this story I was captured by the whole tone and easy flow.

First we have Jem. Jem is in remission from cancer. He is relatively new at his high school, so he doesn’t really have any strong relationships with people there. He does, however, have incredibly strong and powerful relationships with the people within his family. I loved them all, and I couldn’t wait until I could come over to their house and integrate myself into the Harper family. I firmly believe without their love and support Jem would not have survived the diseased that ravaged his young body. Aside from that, Jem is a bit of a snarky pessimist – a new thing for him. But he has just survived something so painful and it has stolen so much from him, you can’t blame him. But even further, he is a deep and caring person. He has a wicked sense of humor and I would totally want to be his friend.

“… And before you try any other small talk: yes, I really did move here from Newfoundland; no, you may not borrow my car, homework, or money; black is my favorite color and the Stones feed it to the Beetles. Okay?” -Willa

Next, and certainly not least, Willa. Willa has just moved back to Smiths Falls. She is a bit quirky, and cancer has also touched her family. She is no stranger to the pain and fear that the disease brings to not only the patient, but everyone around them. But she has this wonderfully warm and caring side that she just really doesn’t give herself credit for. So many times I just wanted her to see what a terrific person she is, but when you have secrets like hers it can be hard to see what is right in front of you.

Willa and Jem become lab partners in Social Studies. It begins as a horrible and annoying friendship of circumstance. Both are annoyed by the other, but you can tell there is something else there just swimming beneath the surface. And then a friendship begins; a complex, beautiful, enchanting, scary and frightening friendship. I really believe that Willa was a huge part in Jem’s recovery, and her sincerity and sensitivity were integral to him becoming him again. Their road is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. But through the entire book I was constantly pulling for them. I wanted them to work through his attitude, her ability to shut down, all of the mountains before them. I fell in love with these characters. I didn’t do the math, but you get a nearly daily account of their days for several months. It really gives you a chance to get to know them. I mean, you get to know these characters on such a basic level you feel like you’ve known them forever. When they hurt, so do you. And when they smile it puts you over the moon. This book was definitely magical and touching, and I was sad when it was over. But I WILL read it again. I have a feeling this is a book where you learn something new every time you read it. I wish it was in print, but I don’t believe it is. Another thing, if you are a foodie, make sure to check out Abria’s website while you read the book. Food plays a huge part in this story, and she is awesome enough to have the recipes on her site!

I really believe this book is a hit, and you will too. So I hope you give it a chance. Don’t let the long length scare you off, it goes fast. In fact, I’m thinking sometime in the near future I will be including this book in a giveaway because when I find something I love, I have to share it with everyone! If you have already read it – please come talk to me!! I really need someone I can gush over the wonderfulness of it all with!

Edit: Yes, it is in print on Lulu.com
(less)

like · see review

Dec 10, 2011 Vivian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Being a teenager is difficult. Being a teenager trying to start over is double hard. Willa Kirk is only 18 years old but is trying to restart her life in her old hometown in the middle of her senior year at high school. Jem Harper is trying to deal with the stigma of being known as the "cancer guy." All he wants is to get better and get through the school year. These two teens are the heart and soul of Wake by Abria Mattina.

There's some typical teenage angst in Wake but not much of it is because...more Being a teenager is difficult. Being a teenager trying to start over is double hard. Willa Kirk is only 18 years old but is trying to restart her life in her old hometown in the middle of her senior year at high school. Jem Harper is trying to deal with the stigma of being known as the "cancer guy." All he wants is to get better and get through the school year. These two teens are the heart and soul of Wake by Abria Mattina.

There's some typical teenage angst in Wake but not much of it is because of Willa or Jem. These two start with an antagonistic relationship that quickly develops into an antagonistic friendship. They are both outsiders trying to strike a balance with their families and school. Jem is recovering from cancer treatment and a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately the cancer is in remission, unfortunately all of the medications he's on cause him to continually suffer from extreme nausea. His diet is limited to soup, Jell-O, and smoothies and he often has difficulties with these items. Jem has had a truly rough year. His family relocated from Ottawa to Smiths Falls (a small town) and he was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the move. His entire persona in this new town is as the "cancer guy." His friends from his hometown aren't quite sure how to deal with his diagnosis but they're too far away to be a support system.

Willa's situation is somewhat similar to Jem's in that she is also dealing with being the new kid without really being the new kid. She grew up in Smiths Falls but her family had moved out of the province. Now she's dealing with the death of her older sister, Tessa, and some bad decisions that resulted in a brief psychiatric hospitalization. Her parents can’t quite deal with her problems since they came so quickly after Tessa's death, so she's shipped off to stay with her older brother Frank.

Much of the story takes place over the course of six months and is told in alternating voices by Jem and Willa. The same time periods are presented in alternating perspectives which add to our understanding of Jem and Willa. The reader is allowed to see the development from both points of view and provides a better understanding of both characters. There are also a few chapters told from the perspective of Jem's sister Elise and brother Eric toward the end, along with one chapter by Frank early in the book and these provide additional insight into the action within the story.

Wake is filled with secrets revealed, self-acceptance and love. Jem is fortunate that he has unconditional love and support from his family but he still needs to be seen as an individual that has something to offer. Willa doesn't really have the support of her family although her brother Frank is trying. She is dealing with a lot of guilt over her past actions and wants to be accepted for who she is, warts and all. There's a lot going on in Wake and Ms. Mattina does a fantastic job at providing the reader with the information necessary to see the big picture. I didn't like this story initially as I couldn't really see, or appreciate, where it was going, but by the time I was a little more than one-third of the through I was hooked. I wanted to see what was going to happen, if anything, between Jem and Willa. This isn't a traditional YA coming-of-age story nor is it a traditional teen love story; it is a little of both and so much more.
(less)

like · see review

Sep 10, 2012 Jude rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, want

Wow, Wake was... wow. Insanely long, but not long. Sometimes books seem to drag on and on and you're just thinking When will this end? even if they are not long you still fell like they're huge. Wake was actually long, but I just wanted more and more and more. Books are small chapters of the characters lives. Wake was many chapters for Willa and Jem and I loved it and I could easily read another book about them.

I got to know the characters inside and out completely. Their points of view, their p...more

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 24, 2012 Raum rated it 5 of 5 stars

Abria Mattina had a great courage choosing this subject, but she also shows that she can tell this story, also in its more difficult parts, without false pity, never in a banal way. The main characters' stories are revealed step by step, because there are things that can't be said to everyone and anytime, but only out of trust (and trust is a delicate thing to earn and to keep). This story made me cry and think and even laugh in the same page. There's a lot of dark humor, that I can compare to D...more

like · see review

Sep 19, 2012 Nelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was the first independent book I ever read and the reason I fell in love with this kind of books. The writing is so fresh and the story is OH SO BEAUTIFUL!! All the conflicts and feelings just were so real, so true that you could feel all the fear, longing and loneliness and also the love starting to grow. I recommend this book to all my friends even though it is not as famous as my other 5 star books. The mix of characters is incredible, I ADORE Elise, really, she is the cherry in my...more

like · see review

Sep 19, 2012 Ana♥ Beach Bum Reads rated it 5 of 5 stars

Having gone through such trials and tribulations at such a young age is tough stuff. Jem Harper is in remission from cancer and his only friend in this new town is his little sister Elise. That is, until Willa Kirk walks into his life and turns his world upside down. Both coming to terms with who they are and living life as best as they could, both Willa and Jem find themselves in the mist of teenage problems as well as life's problems weighing on their teenage shoulders.

Wow. Where to start? Wa...more Having gone through such trials and tribulations at such a young age is tough stuff. Jem Harper is in remission from cancer and his only friend in this new town is his little sister Elise. That is, until Willa Kirk walks into his life and turns his world upside down. Both coming to terms with who they are and living life as best as they could, both Willa and Jem find themselves in the mist of teenage problems as well as life's problems weighing on their teenage shoulders.

Wow. Where to start? Wake is an amazing book that captures you from the beginning and keeps you turning the page until you realized that you actually read all 759 pages! Wake is pretty lengthy but well worth the read, it captures the environment, emotions, hell, life in general when it comes to cancer patients and the families and friends of those with cancer. From teenage perspectives no less! I felt that Abria Mattina definitely captured these emotions perfectly, pulling you along with Jem Harpers story as well as Willa Kirks. Willa has lost her sister to cancer and her family's dynamic is totally different from that of Jems' loving and very supportive family. Willa's family seems to have taken a real beating when her sister passed away from cancer and has turned their world upside down, which leaves Willa in a state of guilt... I'll stop there, cause I don't want to give any spoilers, but cancer has pretty much torn this family apart whereas Jems family, cancer has made them stronger and brought them closer together.

I liked that this book was fairly easy to read, regardless of the intimidating length. Although, a small chunk could have been tossed out and the book still would have been great. I also liked that this book was in different POV's. We get to see different angels from this story, from Jems perspective as a cancer patient to Willa who has been through this whole cancer ordeal with her sister and then going through it again with Jem. I also liked that Jems character is struggling with who he was before cancer and now that he's in remission, how he wants to be who he was and be able to hang out and party and having a good time with his friends like he used to do, instead of worrying about the consequences on his body the following morning. I loved all the characters in this book, I feel they were all important in portraying different emotions and reactions to cancer, which played out really well as I continued to read. Jems friends wanting him to be who he was before and are either ignoring the fact that he did have cancer and is still recovering, to his parents and siblings who are worried sick but both are struggling with it in their own ways. What I didn't like about this book... gah, nothing? I absolutely loved this book. But again, the length did set me back a bit.

I would definitely recommend this book. It touches on, pretty much every perspective when it comes to cancer. All the trials and tribulations that comes with it. It's a tough road and this book was a bit tough at times to read, but I think it's definitely worth it. (less)

like · see review

title link	preview: Wake
avg rating	preview: Wake Goodreads rating: 4.29 (471 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12895713-wake?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1318833070l/12895713.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12895713-wake?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Wake by Abria Mattina[/url]

Wake

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Abria Mattina

Books by Abria Mattina

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Wake

Quotes from Wake