Lullaby

Written by Amanda Hocking

Narrated by Nicola Barber

Harper only wanted a safe, normal life. But when her younger sister Gemma runs off with a dangerous clique of beautiful girls, Penn, Thea, and Lexi, everything changes. Vowing to get her sister back no matter what the cost, Harper must face dangers unlike any she's ever experienced. Fortunately, she has Daniel by her side, a gorgeous guy who's devoted to helping her find her sister—and who's immune to the girls' dark powers.

While Harper searches for her sister, Gemma struggles to adjust to her new life. Gemma's powers are growing by the day, and the longer she lives with her new "sisters," the harder it is to resist entering their magical world. It's a realm both dark and beautiful, and where she's plagued by strange hungers and unspeakable needs. Just as she's drifting far away from her old life, Harper and Daniel find her...but no one can deny how much she's changed. All she wants is to return to her family and the mortal world, but how can she do that when she's become something else entirely—and will they still love her once they learn the truth?
Prepare to fall under the spell of Lullaby, the second book in the Watersong series from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Nov 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781427229526

Amanda Hocking

Amanda Hocking lives in Minnesota, had never sold a book before April 2010 and has now sold over a million. According to the Observer, she is now 'the most spectacular example of an author striking gold through ebooks'. Amanda is a self-confessed 'Obsessive tweeter. John Hughes mourner. Batman devotee. Unicorn enthusiast. Muppet activist.' Her books include the Trylle Trilogy, the Watersong series and the Kanin Chronicles.

Reviews for Lullaby

[abouttoread_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While I didn’t love Wake, I certainly liked it enough to continue the series and after reading Lullaby I am glad I did. My problem with Wake was that there were no surprises since everything was revealed in the jacket description—which I suppose isn’t really a problem with Wake, so much as the synopsis. Lullaby, however, was less predictable and I find myself being sucked into Hocking’s world and getting attached to her characters.Harper will always be the character I relate to most because she is very much an older sister. She worries a lot about her sister and wants to make sure she is ok in every sense of the word. That said I am much more laid back than Harper (ha! a word that is never used to describe me), which only goes to show how badly Harper needs to let her hair down—precisely why I love Daniel.We didn’t really know Daniel all that well in Wake, but the short story “Forgotten Lyrics” had a lot of Daniel in it, so we got to know him fairly well. He has been through so much and is exactly what Harper needs. First of all he will put up with her—enough said. Second of all, he has been through a sibling-related tragedy and is well suited to help Harper cope.As far as the plot goes, I really loved getting a peak into the sirens world. I do not like Lexi or Penn, but Thea isn’t so bad. And, let’s be honest, it’s fun to read about bad people. They are just so selfish and it is interesting to read about how they spend their days. That topped off with mythology and we have a winner!

Even though we are considerably farther into the mythology then we were in Wake, I get the feeling that we are just scratching the tip of the ice berg. There is clearly so much more to be revealed—more than the sirens themselves even realize. I have a feeling that I am going to love what Hocking does with siren mythology, but we will have to wait for Tidal to be released in April 2013 to find out for sure.

[theonlinelibrarian · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book isn't bad, but it suffers a kind of identity crisis. Is it suspense? mystery? something more introspective? I'm not sure. It's a first novel, so maybe subsequent ones will have a better focus.

[sparkleponies · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The second in the Watersong trilogy and was on par with the first book. This one didn't have quite as much action, but there was still a bit of blood and gore as Gemma fights her new Siren instincts. I felt more invested in the various characters by the end of this one (I think Daniel is my favorite so far) but still nothing that blew my mind. Quite possibly, the first two could have been condensed into one book as they are very quick reads. I think I will still read the 3rd in the trilogy just to see what happens.

[jaylia3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With its small town, seaside setting and its myth-laced but down to earth story of two equally interesting and appealing sisters now in full motion, I enjoyed this second book in the Watersong series even more than the first. Lullaby picks up right where Wake left off. Gemma didn’t ask to become a siren, but when she’s forced into it by three others who share that fate she flees with them. She’s determined to protect her family and friends from the harm the sirens cause, so she’s following their orders to put as much distance as she can between them and her loved ones. Gemma’s responsible older sister Harper is determined too--determined to find Gemma and bring her back. She’s helped by Alex, her longtime best friend who recently confused things a little by becoming Gemma’s boyfriend, and Daniel, a disturbingly appealing boy Harper is not sure she should trust. Amanda Hocking has the knack of making you care about all four of them. The story will continue in Tidal--can't wait.

[pacey1927 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed "Wake" and purchased "Lullaby" for my kindle right away. The book takes up where the first left off. Gemma leaves with the three sirens who created her in an effort to keep her sister Harper and her boyfriend Alex safe. The book alternates different character's perspectives and for the most part this worked. I enjoyed reading about how Alex, Harper and Daniel tried to find and save Gemma. They just refused to give up on her. So did Gemma's dad. His anguish literally leaps off the pages. Also heartbreaking were the scenes in the hospital/home with Gemma's mom. She isn't all their mentally but she knows something has happened to her daughter.Meanwhile Gemma is living in a big, fancy house by the water. She is fighting what she is becoming. Their were several interesting altercations between Gemma and the other siren's, especially evil Penn. But I have to say that several SHOCKING things happen in this book. I just didn't think Hocking would take Gemma to the places she is forced to go in this book. How will Gemma move forward from what she has become? What she has done? So I give kudos to Hocking for keeping the suprises coming.I love Daniel and every scene with him is entertaining. I feel like he could just leap from the page and be real. However the flip side is that Alex isn't nearly as three dimensional. I'd like to see his personality develop more. He was better written in "Wake". Harper is realistic but she just isn't as likeable as Gemma. Harper is very focused and driven by her need to protect and care for her father and sister. It blinds her to all the other things she could have in life if she let herself (hm...Daniel?).These pages flew by and the book took almost no time to read and enjoy. My complaint is that the conflict resolution was far to simple. Talking it out??? That is the big climax? No, thanks. I hated that about "Breaking Dawn" as well and it was no more satisfying in this novel. I do have high hopes for the remaining two books. As of right now, I will still be interested enough to pre-order them as well.

[titania86_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Gemma has abandoned her family to run off with sirens Penn, Lexie, and Thea in order to keep her family safe and stay alive. She wants nothing to do with them, but doesn't want to put her family in danger. Avowed to punish herself, Gemma refuses to give in to her siren desires and becomes weak and starved. Her deep and strong urges become harder to ignore as she becomes more and more weak. Over time, she changes from the girl she was at home, hard at work and innocent. Harper is frantic to find Gemma and take care of her father. She picks up the pieces Gemma left behind: Alex, her and Gemma's dad, and dealing with the death of a close family friend. If Harper finds her, will Gemma still be the same girl that left? Or has she changed drastically because of the evil nature of the mythological creature she is now?Wake, the first book in the series, was ok, but it definitely had its flaws. Lullaby is a slight improvement. Gemma is slightly less annoying. The first book had her acting quite childishly and annoying, making me relate to her more mature sister Harper. This installment has her coming to grips with her new state as a siren and trying to abstain from the pleasurable aspects and the more monstrous aspects of siren nature. She pushes the limits of what her body can take to keep her sense of morality, even if her nature tends towards evil. The other sirens are more fleshed out than the last book. Penn views humans as toys to be used and discarded or as food. She is incredibly manipulative, jealous, and vindictive. Lexie proves to be the nicest, extending advice and help to Gemma. I find her the most interesting because despite her evil nature, she manages to still be good, giving some shades of grey to the previously black and white world. Harper is an awesome character, even if she isn't mystical or mythical. She stays home to pick up the pieces Gemma left behind and works relentlessly to find Gemma. The only annoying thing is that she keeps trying to push Daniel away because of what she perceives to be what is right. I'm fairly certain they will end up together, so this predictable back and forth is unnecessary.I really enjoyed the horror aspects of this book. For a romantic and mythical story, there is a surprising amount of blood and gore. I would have thought this would put the target audience off, but the reception for the first book was pretty positive The stilted conversations that annoyed me in the first novel are much improved here. They flow more naturally and made the book more engaging and made me want to read it. There was one point in the book where the the characters act without thinking about the ramifications and then just sit around doing nothing. Very frustrating, but it was the only glaring flaw in an otherwise enjoyable narrative.Lullaby is a decided improvement over Wake. I enjoyed the story and the deeper, more complex characters. I am interested to see what happens in the next book, Tidal.

[the1butterfly · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't get Harper's whole "I can't love Daniel and help my sister!" I also don't get Gemma's "I can't enjoy being me!" Gemma could do better trying to figure out how to be what she's become than hating herself for it. Given that no one is accepting it, they're going to have to think of something for how to break the curse next time.

[folkeb_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“Lullaby” is the second book in The Watersong Series. Gemma has run away with the other sirens in order to protect the ones she loves. Her sister Harper, their neighbor Alex and Daniel from the dock, go on a man hunt to find her. This book is fast paced and has you on the edge of your seat the entire time with cliff hangers at the end of every chapter. The story line is easy to follow and the characters are relatable. This story provides action, romance, humor and a hint of mystery. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a little adventure and wants an easy read. Caitlin L.