Lullaby (Watersong)
Readers who devoured Wake (2012) will jump right into the second novel in the Watersong series as it picks up and runs. Harper is determined to find Gemma, who is realizing that being a siren is more dangerous than she imagined. The alternating narration builds suspense and allows the sisters’ individual stories and characters to develop. Harper is the levelheaded, determined older sister, while Gemma struggles with impulses and consequences. When she finally gives in to her hunger, feeding on a human heart, Gemma is horrified with herself and determined to break free, despite being overcome by her feast’s druglike positive effects (her hair, skin, and voice become even lovelier). Harper brings Gemma back to Capri, where Alex and Daniel prove to be an enticing challenge, unlike the men the sirens have encountered before. Pithy banter and humor interwoven with suspenseful supernatural and sweetly romantic elements will satisfy fans of this quick-moving, easy-to-read series.      HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Hocking’s history as a self-publishing phenom made her name well-known and St. Martin’s hopes to keep it that way—massive marketing campaigns are expected. Grades 6-9. --Heather Booth