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If I Wake
Will is sixteen year old Lucy’s best friend. Their lives intersect in dreams, where destiny pulls them together through different times in history. Even though their meetings are more real to Lucy than the present, Lucy is uncertain if Will exists outside her mind. Lucy’s mum thinks there is something wrong when Lucy sleeps for days at a time. She is so caught up with finding a cure she doesn’t see the real problem. Lucy is bullied at school and is thinking of ending her life.When the bullying goes too far and Lucy ends up in a coma, only Will can reach her. But how do you live when the only person who can save you doesn’t exist?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2016
78 people are currently reading
10665 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Moyes
9 books213 followersNikki Moyes is a multi-genre writer. Her first book, 'If I Wake' was published in 2016. She was born in Victoria and has moved around Australia amassing an eclectic range of occupations including tallship watch leader, apiarist, rose farm hand, and sandwich artist. In her spare time she learns tissu, static trapeze, and aerial hoop (she couldn’t decide on one) in case she needs to run off and join the circus.
This is my author profile. I sometimes review books on writing but all other books I review under a different account.
This is my author profile. I sometimes review books on writing but all other books I review under a different account.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
August 9, 2018
Hmmm ... where to start? There are two aspects to this book. One I was gripped by, the other unfortunately, couldn’t hold my interest worth a flip.
I went in totally blind and quickly realized I ventured into a genre I never read. I had entered the time travel realm and immediately felt out of my element. By the end of the first chapter I considered closing shop and moving on, which rarely happens.
What made me persevere? The gist of this story revolves around a girl named Lucy. A girl who is bullied mercilessly, feels absolutely no worth and contemplates suicide. A girl who captured my heart.
Lucy escapes cruel reality in her dreams which transports her into the historical past as well as into the future. It is where she meets up with a boy named Will, who treats her with respect. He becomes her friend, her everything. In these dreams, she has significant worth and truly matters to others.
The plot line goes back and forth between her present life and the dreams. I was totally engaged with the here and now, but the time travel scenes ... definitely not my cuppa.
This read certainly evoked quite a few emotions ... mainly sadness, despair for many of our school age children and disgust. Suffice it to say, for me this was not a fun, feel good read, but it was a powerfully significant read, nonetheless, conveying a ‘please, hang in there’ message of hope.
I am in the minority with my rating. There are numerous five star reviews, which I really encourage you read. If I could have gotten my mind to wrap around the time travel approach, my rating would be higher.
Four stars for the “present”
Two stars for the “time travels”
= Three stars overall
May 16, 2018
"There comes a point where it all becomes too much. Where we get too tired to fight anymore. So we give up. That's when the real work begins. To find hope where there seems to be absolutely none at all."
-Grey Anatomy
Life for Lucy is nothing more than a nightmare. At the beginning of the story, she invites her friends to her birthday party. Not a single person shows up and that's when she comes to know that she is not accepted. Only when she sleeps and dreams, she feels alive.
In her dreams, she encounters with a boy named Will, who takes her to the different part of the history. She grows up with him. With his presence in her dreams. Constant bullying and trauma, take their tolls and what happens with her for the next phases has a shattering effect.
Sometimes, you don't even know what is true and which one is dream. This is what an engagement with a book does to you. The protagonist's despair pulls you close into the story and the narrator's convincing and appreciative writing style, pushes you deep into it, until you yourself become Lucy.
Her story is intricate, sensitive and full of dreams, time travels. We get to see the young minds' psychological behavior from a profound perspective.
A good book always makes you live thousands of lives, for me, If I Wake was just that.
There were many things to learn from this book but most of all was to have faith. The message is conveys it truly worthwhile.
And no matter what, there are at least some traces of hope, waiting for people who look for it.
Nikki Moyes has done a fantastic project here spreading her ideas.
A book worth reading and sharing.
October 2, 2016
Although there is no beauty in despair, this book has beauty in sharing the despair of Lucy with the reader. I ached for Lucy, I yearned for her to find Will in whatever year she landed. I felt regret for her when she reawakened in her own time.
A time of bullies, hatred, and cruelty. Lucy walked that fine line of believing that life was no longer worth living and wanting to live a life worth living. My heart broke every time someone was cruel and vicious to her. This book made me feel. And feel deeply, yet through it all, there was this glimmer of hope. this higher purpose calling out to her in every episode of her sleeping while living in a different time.
The characters were so well written that I could envision the animosity that Lucy lived with on a daily basis. I could remember that girl that didn't quite fit in school and was given a mean nickname. I once again remembered the sympathy I felt and the helplessness of the situation. There are some very tough subjects broached in this book and they are handled with sensitivity and realism. The realism was tangible.
This book is for any age group. The story is worth hearing and remembering the message that there is always a ray of hope. Sometimes it is a very slight and narrow ray of hope, but it is there, just try to hold on.
A time of bullies, hatred, and cruelty. Lucy walked that fine line of believing that life was no longer worth living and wanting to live a life worth living. My heart broke every time someone was cruel and vicious to her. This book made me feel. And feel deeply, yet through it all, there was this glimmer of hope. this higher purpose calling out to her in every episode of her sleeping while living in a different time.
The characters were so well written that I could envision the animosity that Lucy lived with on a daily basis. I could remember that girl that didn't quite fit in school and was given a mean nickname. I once again remembered the sympathy I felt and the helplessness of the situation. There are some very tough subjects broached in this book and they are handled with sensitivity and realism. The realism was tangible.
This book is for any age group. The story is worth hearing and remembering the message that there is always a ray of hope. Sometimes it is a very slight and narrow ray of hope, but it is there, just try to hold on.
April 9, 2017
I read this book twice. I thought it quite brilliant. I loved how the author interwove dreams, time travel, and possibly reincarnation to give meaning to life. The book has many layers, one of the signs of a good book, for me.
The main character, Lucy, is dealing with numerous life situations, none of which are good--bullying, a far from ideal home situation, and thoughts of suicide. But her dreams or recollections of past lives, or possibly just guardian angels showing her different life situations guide her through her present life by showing her both the past and the future.
In each life she encounters someone named Will. Although, she feels she is there to save him, he always imparts some specific wisdom to her to guide her in her present life. We are not even sure if what she is experiencing is real, however, one of Will's pearls of wisdom is, "If I can make one person's life better by my being in it, than my life has been real and worthwhile."
The book has a powerful message and I would highly recommend it.
P.S. Loved the formatting
The main character, Lucy, is dealing with numerous life situations, none of which are good--bullying, a far from ideal home situation, and thoughts of suicide. But her dreams or recollections of past lives, or possibly just guardian angels showing her different life situations guide her through her present life by showing her both the past and the future.
In each life she encounters someone named Will. Although, she feels she is there to save him, he always imparts some specific wisdom to her to guide her in her present life. We are not even sure if what she is experiencing is real, however, one of Will's pearls of wisdom is, "If I can make one person's life better by my being in it, than my life has been real and worthwhile."
The book has a powerful message and I would highly recommend it.
P.S. Loved the formatting
April 7, 2017
I loved and I hated this book.
I HATED this book because for about 90%, I was fighting mad, depressed, and shocked at the cruelty that is consistently inflicted upon Lucy. I know this book is about bullying and suicide, but I can't believe so much bad can happen to a person. I don't want to believe it. I want to stay in my happy little cushion of life and pretend this doesn't happen. The reality is that there are people who experience this behavior on a daily basis, and there are those who are tired of the fight.
I often wanted to throw my kindle or reach through the pages of the book and throttle Lucy's mother and the teachers/counselor at her school. So many people saw her suffering and DID NOTHING. How heartbreaking. Even one intervention, at any point, by any number of people could have made a difference. No one did.
I was not prepared for the amount of history and the time travel that Lucy escapes to in her mind. It's beautiful and terrifying, haunting and sacrificial, and when you reach the last couple of chapters, its hard not to cry with the emotional roller coaster you've been on. Pearl Harbor becomes one of the most significant of her travels. I have to admit, I felt this particular visit was rushed. I would have liked more time for the characters to interact before the bombs dropped. I suppose, for momentum, it could have slowed the story down, but for as crucial as that scene was I selfishly wanted more.
I LOVED this book for the simple truth it conveys: life is beautiful and its worth sticking around to experience. Sometimes, even if we are lost and broken, we can be used to impact someone else's life in a meaningful way. The novel comes full circle by the end, and stick with it, because the last few chapters are worth it.
Life is worth it. Love is worth it. If there's anything I learned from this story, never give up hope. There is help out there to catch you if you fall and talk you down from the ledge. Don't be afraid to trust, even when you don't have a reason. Not everyone will hurt and hate you. If you look for the light and happiness, eventually you can find it.
I HATED this book because for about 90%, I was fighting mad, depressed, and shocked at the cruelty that is consistently inflicted upon Lucy. I know this book is about bullying and suicide, but I can't believe so much bad can happen to a person. I don't want to believe it. I want to stay in my happy little cushion of life and pretend this doesn't happen. The reality is that there are people who experience this behavior on a daily basis, and there are those who are tired of the fight.
I often wanted to throw my kindle or reach through the pages of the book and throttle Lucy's mother and the teachers/counselor at her school. So many people saw her suffering and DID NOTHING. How heartbreaking. Even one intervention, at any point, by any number of people could have made a difference. No one did.
I was not prepared for the amount of history and the time travel that Lucy escapes to in her mind. It's beautiful and terrifying, haunting and sacrificial, and when you reach the last couple of chapters, its hard not to cry with the emotional roller coaster you've been on. Pearl Harbor becomes one of the most significant of her travels. I have to admit, I felt this particular visit was rushed. I would have liked more time for the characters to interact before the bombs dropped. I suppose, for momentum, it could have slowed the story down, but for as crucial as that scene was I selfishly wanted more.
I LOVED this book for the simple truth it conveys: life is beautiful and its worth sticking around to experience. Sometimes, even if we are lost and broken, we can be used to impact someone else's life in a meaningful way. The novel comes full circle by the end, and stick with it, because the last few chapters are worth it.
Life is worth it. Love is worth it. If there's anything I learned from this story, never give up hope. There is help out there to catch you if you fall and talk you down from the ledge. Don't be afraid to trust, even when you don't have a reason. Not everyone will hurt and hate you. If you look for the light and happiness, eventually you can find it.
March 15, 2017
I've had a couple of people express concern that this book will be similar to 'If I Stay'. It's actually very different from Gayle Forman's book.
'If I Wake' is similar in theme to 'Thirteen Reasons Why' by Jay Asher (without glorifying suicide), or for a better depiction of depression, "My Heart and Other Black Holes' by Jasmine Warga (without the unrealistic, love saving you from depression).
'If I Wake' also has a magical realism slant to the story, similar to 'Before I Fall' by Lauren Oliver or 'Dreamslip' by Brian Caswell.
My book has a theme of bullying, depression, and suicide, but first and foremost, it is about the story. I hope you enjoy it :)
'If I Wake' is similar in theme to 'Thirteen Reasons Why' by Jay Asher (without glorifying suicide), or for a better depiction of depression, "My Heart and Other Black Holes' by Jasmine Warga (without the unrealistic, love saving you from depression).
'If I Wake' also has a magical realism slant to the story, similar to 'Before I Fall' by Lauren Oliver or 'Dreamslip' by Brian Caswell.
My book has a theme of bullying, depression, and suicide, but first and foremost, it is about the story. I hope you enjoy it :)
December 19, 2021
3.000000 stars. maybe 2.99. don’t feel like doing a review, so i’ll just answer this: would i recommend?
no.
thank you for your time 👍
no.
thank you for your time 👍
July 24, 2017
I know it might not seem like it from the way I rate and review books, but I don't actually go into any book thinking I'm going to dislike it. The synopsis and premise are usually what'll spur me to pick up a book, and that was the case here. I was intrigued by the "dream friend" aspect of the story, and hoped that it would provide an interesting backdrop for exploring the themes of bullying and suicide. Unfortunately, it did not; I found the book to be problematic and potentially dangerous.
I wish there had been more critical reviews of this book on Goodreads so I would've known what I was getting myself into. Aside from some low ratings, there were (at the time of my reading of the book) no critical reviews. After posting some of my initial thoughts in my Goodreads status updates and receiving ad hominem attacks (ironic, considering one of the messages of this book is about being kind because you don't know what another person is going through in their life), I wondered if perhaps I wasn't the only one who'd been harassed for not liking this. In any case, I've tried to write the sort of review that I wish I had seen before I decided to pick up this book. I might've saved myself some grief.
Going in, I felt the premise had some merit, so I was almost immediately frustrated by the poor quality of the writing. If a book is just bad all around, with a stupid plot and lousy characters from the beginning, I won't care so much. But when there's a glimmer of something, some spark of potential, it's really sad when it doesn't work out. Even worse is when that spark gets obliterated by bad creative choices and the urge to send a preachy message.
I had problems right away, but I was willing to overlook them and see where the story would take me. From the start, I was confused. The book is written almost entirely in the present tense, even though it incorporates recent flashbacks, ancient flashbacks, and even a flash forward. At times, the narrative jumps between these times quite rapidly, making it difficult to tell where and when the main character is. Adding to my confusion is the fact that Lucy (the narrator) starts out the story referring to herself in the third person. I guess the author wanted to start the story with an air of mystery, but all it did was confuse me, and since the third-person perspective wasn't repeated again, it came off as little more than a cheap trick.
I didn't understand what was going on in the story with Lucy and Will, and I'm still not entirely sure. Lucy may have been some sort of hologram. She went back into the past to interact with Will, staying until she died... at which point, her body there would vanish and she'd wake up back in her own time. I can work with that. Will, on the other hand, made no sense. For a while, I thought he was reincarnating over and over... and yet, that theory went out the window in the later part of the book. See, Will shows up in all these different time periods. His name is usually a variation on "Will" and he looks similar enough in all of his incarnations that Lucy always recognizes him.
I've read stories with a similar fantasy premise before (see below), so I thought I knew what I was getting into. But this was just so badly done that... Well, let's see. Lucy supposedly went into a coma every year on her birthday (since age 11) and met with Will in the past. The thing is, we're only told about the instances at ages 11, 13, and 16. There was another brief one in England that the author seemed to have forgotten about, and the other missing instances were mentioned later (in one sentence). I thought this part of the story could've been fleshed out a little more. There was an awful lot of glossing over, including where Lucy apparently almost drowned in her bathtub and got pneumonia... but the only reason we even know about that is because she tells us (again, in one sentence). I found it really difficult to care about the characters because everything was so detached and unemotional. Reading the synopsis, I'd expected this to be a romance. But, aside from one kiss, there was little else. The characters didn't even have any chemistry. It's not entirely surprising, though, since Lucy was one of the weakest characters I've read in a while. She's defined almost entirely by her victimhood. The Wills are likewise bland. They exist seemingly to be there for Lucy and smile at her and... well, I don't really know what else. The villains are all ridiculously evil; there are no shades of grey.
Early on, Lucy made a comment about her suicide attempt that threw up a great big red flag. I kept it in mind, but waited to see if she would come around and not be so... well, stupid:
Deciding to commit suicide to punish a bully. Sounds healthy, right? In the end, though, Lucy never really realized this was wrong, and even more ridiculous was the fact that "this" wasn't even an actual suicide attempt.
I have so many problems with this aspect of the story. Lucy's life was absolute hell... to the point of it being completely unrealistic. At times, I wondered if her real life was another one of the dreams, since it seemed to be something out of The Twilight Zone. Her school was like an asylum populated by psychopaths. Everyone was cruel for no reason. The teachers were clueless, and kind of cruel themselves. Lucy's mother was ridiculous. She obviously couldn't read people--even her own daughter's tears didn't seem to faze her--and she appeared to have no empathy at all. She didn't date anyone for sixteen years, and then she took up with a walking plot device named Frank, a lovely specimen who continually smirked at Lucy, groped her mother in front of her, whispered things like, "No one wants you. You're good for nothing. Do us all a favour; stop hanging around and just die," and even kicked a feeble old man in a wheelchair. (Yeah... we get it. Frank's a bad dude.) Then there was the amusing (if it weren't so disturbing) talk with the school counsellor after suicide:
The problem is that this pretty much negates what's in the author's note. If you're feeling suicidal, talk to someone: a friend, a family member, a psychiatrist, a counsellor. Right... Like Lucy's school counsellor who doesn't even want to talk about suicide? What is she there for, then?
Aside from the disturbing lack of care the suicide angle was handled with, this book was just poorly written. It was in dire need of a good editor. No, scratch that. Any editor. There were comma splices everywhere... and then where there should've been commas, there weren't any. There were plenty of misspellings, too, and some words that were just plain wrong (including one rather amusing use of "extract" where the author meant "extricate"). Some things weren't explained The comas were medically ridiculous. (At one point, someone mentions organ donation, and Frank wants life support switched off. As far as I could tell, there was no life support. Maybe Frank is one of those people who thinks "pulling the plug" means simply switching off the heart monitor.) The book comes across as self-published, though I'm not sure if it is or not (the publisher has a self-publishing division). In any case, the writing is juvenile, weak, and riddled with errors. Reading this was an exhausting task.
All in all, I wouldn't recommend this one, either for the fantasy aspect or for the suicide/bullying theme. For some better books with the "dream friend", reincarnation, or time travel premises, have a look at these:
Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer
Dream Boy by Mary Crockett & Madelyn Rosenberg
Marianne Dreams by Catherine Storr
Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn
Quotable moment:
http://theladybugreads.blogspot.ca/20...
I wish there had been more critical reviews of this book on Goodreads so I would've known what I was getting myself into. Aside from some low ratings, there were (at the time of my reading of the book) no critical reviews. After posting some of my initial thoughts in my Goodreads status updates and receiving ad hominem attacks (ironic, considering one of the messages of this book is about being kind because you don't know what another person is going through in their life), I wondered if perhaps I wasn't the only one who'd been harassed for not liking this. In any case, I've tried to write the sort of review that I wish I had seen before I decided to pick up this book. I might've saved myself some grief.
Going in, I felt the premise had some merit, so I was almost immediately frustrated by the poor quality of the writing. If a book is just bad all around, with a stupid plot and lousy characters from the beginning, I won't care so much. But when there's a glimmer of something, some spark of potential, it's really sad when it doesn't work out. Even worse is when that spark gets obliterated by bad creative choices and the urge to send a preachy message.
I had problems right away, but I was willing to overlook them and see where the story would take me. From the start, I was confused. The book is written almost entirely in the present tense, even though it incorporates recent flashbacks, ancient flashbacks, and even a flash forward. At times, the narrative jumps between these times quite rapidly, making it difficult to tell where and when the main character is. Adding to my confusion is the fact that Lucy (the narrator) starts out the story referring to herself in the third person. I guess the author wanted to start the story with an air of mystery, but all it did was confuse me, and since the third-person perspective wasn't repeated again, it came off as little more than a cheap trick.
I didn't understand what was going on in the story with Lucy and Will, and I'm still not entirely sure. Lucy may have been some sort of hologram. She went back into the past to interact with Will, staying until she died... at which point, her body there would vanish and she'd wake up back in her own time. I can work with that. Will, on the other hand, made no sense. For a while, I thought he was reincarnating over and over... and yet, that theory went out the window in the later part of the book. See, Will shows up in all these different time periods. His name is usually a variation on "Will" and he looks similar enough in all of his incarnations that Lucy always recognizes him.
I've read stories with a similar fantasy premise before (see below), so I thought I knew what I was getting into. But this was just so badly done that... Well, let's see. Lucy supposedly went into a coma every year on her birthday (since age 11) and met with Will in the past. The thing is, we're only told about the instances at ages 11, 13, and 16. There was another brief one in England that the author seemed to have forgotten about, and the other missing instances were mentioned later (in one sentence). I thought this part of the story could've been fleshed out a little more. There was an awful lot of glossing over, including where Lucy apparently almost drowned in her bathtub and got pneumonia... but the only reason we even know about that is because she tells us (again, in one sentence). I found it really difficult to care about the characters because everything was so detached and unemotional. Reading the synopsis, I'd expected this to be a romance. But, aside from one kiss, there was little else. The characters didn't even have any chemistry. It's not entirely surprising, though, since Lucy was one of the weakest characters I've read in a while. She's defined almost entirely by her victimhood. The Wills are likewise bland. They exist seemingly to be there for Lucy and smile at her and... well, I don't really know what else. The villains are all ridiculously evil; there are no shades of grey.
Early on, Lucy made a comment about her suicide attempt that threw up a great big red flag. I kept it in mind, but waited to see if she would come around and not be so... well, stupid:
I did this to make her and her friends pay for their continued abuse - and to stop the endless emotional pain.
Deciding to commit suicide to punish a bully. Sounds healthy, right? In the end, though, Lucy never really realized this was wrong, and even more ridiculous was the fact that "this" wasn't even an actual suicide attempt.
I have so many problems with this aspect of the story. Lucy's life was absolute hell... to the point of it being completely unrealistic. At times, I wondered if her real life was another one of the dreams, since it seemed to be something out of The Twilight Zone. Her school was like an asylum populated by psychopaths. Everyone was cruel for no reason. The teachers were clueless, and kind of cruel themselves. Lucy's mother was ridiculous. She obviously couldn't read people--even her own daughter's tears didn't seem to faze her--and she appeared to have no empathy at all. She didn't date anyone for sixteen years, and then she took up with a walking plot device named Frank, a lovely specimen who continually smirked at Lucy, groped her mother in front of her, whispered things like, "No one wants you. You're good for nothing. Do us all a favour; stop hanging around and just die," and even kicked a feeble old man in a wheelchair. (Yeah... we get it. Frank's a bad dude.) Then there was the amusing (if it weren't so disturbing) talk with the school counsellor after suicide:
"How did she die?" The words leave my mouth without me realising I moved my lips.
...
"That's not important," she says.
...
"She killed herself," I say. It's not a question. I've never felt so alone in my life.
"We don't talk about things like that!" the counsellor gasps.
The problem is that this pretty much negates what's in the author's note. If you're feeling suicidal, talk to someone: a friend, a family member, a psychiatrist, a counsellor. Right... Like Lucy's school counsellor who doesn't even want to talk about suicide? What is she there for, then?
Aside from the disturbing lack of care the suicide angle was handled with, this book was just poorly written. It was in dire need of a good editor. No, scratch that. Any editor. There were comma splices everywhere... and then where there should've been commas, there weren't any. There were plenty of misspellings, too, and some words that were just plain wrong (including one rather amusing use of "extract" where the author meant "extricate"). Some things weren't explained The comas were medically ridiculous. (At one point, someone mentions organ donation, and Frank wants life support switched off. As far as I could tell, there was no life support. Maybe Frank is one of those people who thinks "pulling the plug" means simply switching off the heart monitor.) The book comes across as self-published, though I'm not sure if it is or not (the publisher has a self-publishing division). In any case, the writing is juvenile, weak, and riddled with errors. Reading this was an exhausting task.
All in all, I wouldn't recommend this one, either for the fantasy aspect or for the suicide/bullying theme. For some better books with the "dream friend", reincarnation, or time travel premises, have a look at these:
Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer
Dream Boy by Mary Crockett & Madelyn Rosenberg
Marianne Dreams by Catherine Storr
Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn
Quotable moment:
I am Lucy.
My body lies on the hospital bed being watched over by Mum. My mind has left the room and I'm in Will's world one final time. Sometimes I'm called back into the hospital room, although I don't know why. It's never happened before, but then this is the first time I've ever tried to kill myself.
Occasionally I wonder what would happen, if I wake.
http://theladybugreads.blogspot.ca/20...
September 12, 2016
This is a well-written, passionate book about love, mental illness and the best and worst of human behaviour on a sensitive young mind.
Essentially the story of a high school girl, Lucy, the book charts her meetings with her best friend Will at different periods of history (birth of humankind, medieval England, etc). All the while Lucy is lying in a coma after attempting suicide and we - like Lucy´s family and the medical establishment in the ´real world´ are never quite sure what tricks Lucy´s mind is playing on her.
There´s great realism for me in the school scenes: Lucy suffers some brutal bullying from her schoolmates and it´s pretty obvious that Ms Moyes has her finger right on the pulse when it comes to describing Lucy´s existence and why she feels as she does. Her homelife is equally well-drawn and throughout the novel the author is in control of the language and story. You feel like you´re in the company of a good writer with something to say, which is refreshing: you feel like the author feels the book is important and so you must.
This is a good book to anyone, Young Adult or otherwise, who is interested in the travails of a sensitive mind in the modern world, and the weaving in of the historical elements makes it interesting too for anyone who likes a bit of history, as I do.
For those wondering if Lucy wakes, if Will exists or how the whole thing ties together - grab a copy now and satisfy your curiosity.
Essentially the story of a high school girl, Lucy, the book charts her meetings with her best friend Will at different periods of history (birth of humankind, medieval England, etc). All the while Lucy is lying in a coma after attempting suicide and we - like Lucy´s family and the medical establishment in the ´real world´ are never quite sure what tricks Lucy´s mind is playing on her.
There´s great realism for me in the school scenes: Lucy suffers some brutal bullying from her schoolmates and it´s pretty obvious that Ms Moyes has her finger right on the pulse when it comes to describing Lucy´s existence and why she feels as she does. Her homelife is equally well-drawn and throughout the novel the author is in control of the language and story. You feel like you´re in the company of a good writer with something to say, which is refreshing: you feel like the author feels the book is important and so you must.
This is a good book to anyone, Young Adult or otherwise, who is interested in the travails of a sensitive mind in the modern world, and the weaving in of the historical elements makes it interesting too for anyone who likes a bit of history, as I do.
For those wondering if Lucy wakes, if Will exists or how the whole thing ties together - grab a copy now and satisfy your curiosity.
October 15, 2016
A Wake-Up Call!
Lucy, aka Lucy Janette Phillips, or LJ pivots from the memory she retains of turning eleven, inviting her classmates to a birthday party no one attends, and ridiculed about it.
Over the years, school is a living hell. The only relief forthcoming is when Lucy sleeps for days at a time and dreams. In each of her dreams she reconnects with Will as destiny aligns their paths throughout different times in history.
Henceforth, up until the age of seventeen, the constant barrage of being taunted, bullied, and ostracized takes its toll on Lucy’s self-esteem. Such despair is unmitigated by a weak and ineffective mother who hasn’t the vaguest idea of the daily trauma Lucy undergoes at school. As Lucy’s reality grows bleaker, she contemplates taking her own life.
The author effectively allows Lucy to speak her mind from the moment the reader first encounters her in a comatose state on a hospital bed. And, so, the words are plain-spoken without frills or fanfare to get in her way. Every bit of dialogue or introspective thought conveys her pain and suffering:
“The mind does strange things when confronted with sights it doesn’t want to process, sometimes leading to actions that would be deemed inappropriate at any other time.”
“A sense of relief settles over me after my decision. Every time I am shoved or tripped or have belongings stolen throughout the school day, I remain calm. There is an end to this. One day, this push will be the last.”
Throughout the story, I wanted to know how Lucy ended up in a coma, and fretted over whether or not she would awaken. It is the reader’s quest to find out.
The author’s infusion of authentic and intricate details pertaining to historic events in each time travel, dream sequence made me feel like I was there with Lucy.
This book is a wake-up call! A call to arms in self-preservation, put forth so succinctly by the author:
“Stand up for yourself and others. Don’t let bullies succeed, but also know when it is best to run away and fight another day. Be brave. When you’re going through hell, keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. You have to be strong and extremely brave and then one day you will look back on that pain and it will be a memory. It will hurt like hell and feel like it will never end, but it does. Eventually.”
Lucy, aka Lucy Janette Phillips, or LJ pivots from the memory she retains of turning eleven, inviting her classmates to a birthday party no one attends, and ridiculed about it.
Over the years, school is a living hell. The only relief forthcoming is when Lucy sleeps for days at a time and dreams. In each of her dreams she reconnects with Will as destiny aligns their paths throughout different times in history.
Henceforth, up until the age of seventeen, the constant barrage of being taunted, bullied, and ostracized takes its toll on Lucy’s self-esteem. Such despair is unmitigated by a weak and ineffective mother who hasn’t the vaguest idea of the daily trauma Lucy undergoes at school. As Lucy’s reality grows bleaker, she contemplates taking her own life.
The author effectively allows Lucy to speak her mind from the moment the reader first encounters her in a comatose state on a hospital bed. And, so, the words are plain-spoken without frills or fanfare to get in her way. Every bit of dialogue or introspective thought conveys her pain and suffering:
“The mind does strange things when confronted with sights it doesn’t want to process, sometimes leading to actions that would be deemed inappropriate at any other time.”
“A sense of relief settles over me after my decision. Every time I am shoved or tripped or have belongings stolen throughout the school day, I remain calm. There is an end to this. One day, this push will be the last.”
Throughout the story, I wanted to know how Lucy ended up in a coma, and fretted over whether or not she would awaken. It is the reader’s quest to find out.
The author’s infusion of authentic and intricate details pertaining to historic events in each time travel, dream sequence made me feel like I was there with Lucy.
This book is a wake-up call! A call to arms in self-preservation, put forth so succinctly by the author:
“Stand up for yourself and others. Don’t let bullies succeed, but also know when it is best to run away and fight another day. Be brave. When you’re going through hell, keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. You have to be strong and extremely brave and then one day you will look back on that pain and it will be a memory. It will hurt like hell and feel like it will never end, but it does. Eventually.”
November 22, 2016
'If I Wake' by Nikki Moyes is a really powerful and confronting book that speaks directly to the issues of bullying, peer pressure and suicide among kids and teens.
It's a journey through Lucy's world of despair that is punctuated by moments of joy and hope along the way. Her times of escape are a respite for both Lucy and the reader.
As someone who still grieves one of my own senior high students who took her own life just five months ago, I found this really compelling reading. I wept and, at times, sobbed. I felt angry and defensive, feeling very protective of Lucy and her alternate realities. Lucy isn't flawless; in fact, she's portrayed quite realistically. While she's not perfect, she certainly doesn't deserve the cards she gets dealt by either her peers or her family.
"If I Wake' made me want to reach into the world of the book and change things to give Lucy some hope for her future. To be honest, I wanted to be able to mete justice on some of the characters. This worked very effectively in keeping me hooked right to the end of the book.
However, that's not how life works. 'If I Wake' demonstrates that the responsibility lies with those who make life so desperately hard for others, and that their behaviour cannot be excused, regardless of whatever might be going on in their own lives.
Eventually, in something of a coup for the author, I was led to experience some compassion for the personal circumstances of some - but only some - of the characters who gave Lucy such a difficult life. This is really a testament to the power of Moyes' writing.
I recommend 'If I Wake' for every teen, every parent, and every teacher. I'd love to see it on every school's reading list.
Six stars out of five for 'If I Wake'.
Don't tell me I can't do that. I was never good at counting.
It's a journey through Lucy's world of despair that is punctuated by moments of joy and hope along the way. Her times of escape are a respite for both Lucy and the reader.
As someone who still grieves one of my own senior high students who took her own life just five months ago, I found this really compelling reading. I wept and, at times, sobbed. I felt angry and defensive, feeling very protective of Lucy and her alternate realities. Lucy isn't flawless; in fact, she's portrayed quite realistically. While she's not perfect, she certainly doesn't deserve the cards she gets dealt by either her peers or her family.
"If I Wake' made me want to reach into the world of the book and change things to give Lucy some hope for her future. To be honest, I wanted to be able to mete justice on some of the characters. This worked very effectively in keeping me hooked right to the end of the book.
However, that's not how life works. 'If I Wake' demonstrates that the responsibility lies with those who make life so desperately hard for others, and that their behaviour cannot be excused, regardless of whatever might be going on in their own lives.
Eventually, in something of a coup for the author, I was led to experience some compassion for the personal circumstances of some - but only some - of the characters who gave Lucy such a difficult life. This is really a testament to the power of Moyes' writing.
I recommend 'If I Wake' for every teen, every parent, and every teacher. I'd love to see it on every school's reading list.
Six stars out of five for 'If I Wake'.
Don't tell me I can't do that. I was never good at counting.
June 14, 2017
This is an incredibly well-written, sensitive story about a subject that is still taboo for most of us - suicide.
Lucy is a teenage girl who has always had a tough time at school from bullies, to the point where she feels like an outsider, practically invisible to everyone around her. But every year, on her birthday, she falls asleep and wakes to find herself in a different time period, ranging from prehistoric times to the future. The one constant is Will, who she saves every time from certain death, only to die herself and wake up again in the present.
You can't help feeling sorry for Lucy, her life is so desperately sad and she is so alone. Even her own mother can't understand what is going on and seems to abandon her. The school bullies are realistically portrayed, their snide remarks and spiteful actions gradually wearing Lucy down until she can't take any more.
This book should be a must-read for all teenagers and be added to every school's reading list, if only to show how our actions affect other people in different ways and to help us be more understanding of what others are going through.
Lucy is a teenage girl who has always had a tough time at school from bullies, to the point where she feels like an outsider, practically invisible to everyone around her. But every year, on her birthday, she falls asleep and wakes to find herself in a different time period, ranging from prehistoric times to the future. The one constant is Will, who she saves every time from certain death, only to die herself and wake up again in the present.
You can't help feeling sorry for Lucy, her life is so desperately sad and she is so alone. Even her own mother can't understand what is going on and seems to abandon her. The school bullies are realistically portrayed, their snide remarks and spiteful actions gradually wearing Lucy down until she can't take any more.
This book should be a must-read for all teenagers and be added to every school's reading list, if only to show how our actions affect other people in different ways and to help us be more understanding of what others are going through.
June 21, 2017
Every once in a while, you are lucky enough to come across a story that manages to weave a nice tale while dealing with sensitive issues. If I Wake is one such stroke of luck. While the issues of bullying and teen suicide are not the primary focus of the storyline, Author Nikki Moyes works them into this time travel / parallel being tale that allows the reader to experience those everyday travesties of real life, and understand them in a way that they could never imagine.
If I Wake takes the reader on a journey through several time periods, with the main protagonist, Lucy. We get to experience Lucy's tale first-hand as she passes in and out of each period. A very gripping, and heart-wrenching, read.
If I Wake takes the reader on a journey through several time periods, with the main protagonist, Lucy. We get to experience Lucy's tale first-hand as she passes in and out of each period. A very gripping, and heart-wrenching, read.
July 23, 2020
"The Elders say we should not compare ourselves to others, otherwise we may become vain and bitter. Always there will be greater and lesser persons than ourselves."
Nikki Moyes managed to write one of the best books I've ever read. It is indescribable, like something you just know it's good. It's so close to reality that I almost teared up when I finished it. I felt every single emotion that Lucy described and I cannot really explain this phenomenon. I felt closure to the main character, closure to every single event that happened in this book. I also have to note the author's profound knowledge of history, which made this book even better.
Bullying was always a sensitive subject for me because I had contact with it multiple times in my life, so I totally understood Lucy, even if she was a teenager and I'm a 21-year-old young adult (who is supposed to open up her eyes about the "difficult times" that teenagers have). Her searching for Will in dreams, her purpose being fulfilled in the end, her helpless persona who became a hero in her dreams brought me way close to what Nikki wanted to say. Lucy is not a weak character, she is just a light that was covered by multiple blankets of reality.
The story of Lucy and Will is one that deserves to be known by way more people. I recommend this book to everyone, it is a book that more people should know about!
P.S: I must remark the striking resemblance between this book and one of my favorite video-games, Life is Strange. Both main characters switch between realities, in which they are the only hero, saving the persons they love.
Nikki Moyes managed to write one of the best books I've ever read. It is indescribable, like something you just know it's good. It's so close to reality that I almost teared up when I finished it. I felt every single emotion that Lucy described and I cannot really explain this phenomenon. I felt closure to the main character, closure to every single event that happened in this book. I also have to note the author's profound knowledge of history, which made this book even better.
Bullying was always a sensitive subject for me because I had contact with it multiple times in my life, so I totally understood Lucy, even if she was a teenager and I'm a 21-year-old young adult (who is supposed to open up her eyes about the "difficult times" that teenagers have). Her searching for Will in dreams, her purpose being fulfilled in the end, her helpless persona who became a hero in her dreams brought me way close to what Nikki wanted to say. Lucy is not a weak character, she is just a light that was covered by multiple blankets of reality.
The story of Lucy and Will is one that deserves to be known by way more people. I recommend this book to everyone, it is a book that more people should know about!
P.S: I must remark the striking resemblance between this book and one of my favorite video-games, Life is Strange. Both main characters switch between realities, in which they are the only hero, saving the persons they love.
February 3, 2017
How do I review this book? Well, that's probably the hardest question of all. How about I say I've never seen anything like it before in my life. And coming from an individual educated in literature, formally and otherwise, that's saying something. Brilliant falls show. Five stars? How about ten? How about fifteen? This book doesn't deserve anything less than the eye level shelf of any bookstore. I know
Ms. Moyes describes If I Wake as YA fiction, but I'd argue that point. I am definitely not a young adult. There's a pain in this book which you seldom see in writing. It's palatable. As if the characters are part of the author herself, from her own past, and maybe that is indeed the case. Focused on bullying, self esteem (or lack thereof) and suicide, it fires on all cylinders across the board. For a first novel, it is nothing short of a miracle. It should be mandatory reading for all kids in high school, and a few adults I can think of as well.
All in all, let me just say this. I have never been so thrilled to have experienced the birth of a great author, and a wonderful, joyful, thoughtful book, that I have no doubt whatsoever will soon will become a household name.
Ms. Moyes describes If I Wake as YA fiction, but I'd argue that point. I am definitely not a young adult. There's a pain in this book which you seldom see in writing. It's palatable. As if the characters are part of the author herself, from her own past, and maybe that is indeed the case. Focused on bullying, self esteem (or lack thereof) and suicide, it fires on all cylinders across the board. For a first novel, it is nothing short of a miracle. It should be mandatory reading for all kids in high school, and a few adults I can think of as well.
All in all, let me just say this. I have never been so thrilled to have experienced the birth of a great author, and a wonderful, joyful, thoughtful book, that I have no doubt whatsoever will soon will become a household name.
May 30, 2017
This is my first read of this Author Nikki Moyes and I was intrigued to read the story if I wake, from the reviews. It is described as a Young Adult novel (I can see why) but make no mistakes this is a powerful story to read as an Adult. It is unlike anything I’ve ever read before and the Author does for me, the impossible, she weaves, fantasy, history, the main character leading different lives through time, all in one seamless story. You may think it sounds like a weird mash up but trust me it’s not. Having recently watched the series, Thirteen reasons why, I found this novel taking on the same powerful and desperately sad issues but by weaving it with writers magic it draws you in and won’t let go. It is narrated from the MC’s perspective but I felt I came to know all the other characters through her eyes. Wonderful, wonderful job, I wish I could give this book more than five stars!
July 17, 2020
MINDBLOWN.
WOW, i didn't expected it to be one of my favorite book and it did, it goes way beyond my expectation wow wow wow wow. Seriously i would give the author standing ovation & throw myself to hug her.
She pick up the topic that society used to avoid to talk about but now starting to change, we start to talk about mental illness, bullying, and suicide to make people aware and prevent it, to help each other not to discriminate or stigmatized. In my opinion Nikki Moyes did a wonderful job by writing this book, mental illness combine with time travel and lil bit of history reminder, it's so inspiring and eye opening.
Our main character, Lucy, a 16 yo girl living with her single mother that trying to fulfill the role but sadly not enough. Lucy's been bullied since 11 yo, she has no friends, no one to talk to, her mom busy working to support their life to notice and properly caring about Lucy's mental health. Every year on her birthday Lucy slip from reality to her dreams, where she meet Will, a boy her age, the only one she consider friends that always make her feels better, the only one that help her going through her days and looking forward for another birthday for them to meet again. Lucy is depressed but no one notice, no one care, at the age 16 she thought & planning to committed suicide but before she could do it an accident happened that make her goes into coma and.. no one knows what would happen in future.
I like Lucy, i like her character and i can sympathize with her so much. I know what's depression like and to feel like you want to give up & nothing worth living anymore. People around her is the big factor of her depression, the bullying, the lack of attention she receive from her only parent when she need it most, people's ignorance, and having no one to confide or talk to only make it worst. I really dislike Lucy's mother maybe hate her a bit, yes she's trying to help Lucy but she focused on 'how to fix Lucy' & 'find doctor/anyone that can help Lucy' without providing emotional support for her and for not standing up for her & acknowledge her effort.
Beware: Big spoiler, Big NO NO if you haven't read it .
I usually have little hard time understanding how the time travel works in each book since there's several theory about it (like affecting future, happened in another universe, or not affecting future) but i really enjoy the time travel in this book. I really love the ending, she really deserve happiness after all she's been through. Nikki Moyes successfully makes me super expressive while i read this book, i grin like an idiot, jumped, frown, content smile, and i shed tears too, you played my heart so well, thank you for the experience totally won't forget it.
I like how the author make each character have their flaws, that they're imperfect even though they seems 'normal', they all have flaws behind their facade. Seriously people please stop bullying, verbally or physically it hurts regardless, they might seems fine but they're not, you affect them somehow, beside it only emphasize your insecurities. Help each other, be kind, be nice, smile to people it might make their days better.
This book is really great, i would recommended it to anyone and i wish many more people would read this book, so for anyone who interest or considering to read it: Go read it! don't let it sit long in your to read list.
WOW, i didn't expected it to be one of my favorite book and it did, it goes way beyond my expectation wow wow wow wow. Seriously i would give the author standing ovation & throw myself to hug her.
She pick up the topic that society used to avoid to talk about but now starting to change, we start to talk about mental illness, bullying, and suicide to make people aware and prevent it, to help each other not to discriminate or stigmatized. In my opinion Nikki Moyes did a wonderful job by writing this book, mental illness combine with time travel and lil bit of history reminder, it's so inspiring and eye opening.
Our main character, Lucy, a 16 yo girl living with her single mother that trying to fulfill the role but sadly not enough. Lucy's been bullied since 11 yo, she has no friends, no one to talk to, her mom busy working to support their life to notice and properly caring about Lucy's mental health. Every year on her birthday Lucy slip from reality to her dreams, where she meet Will, a boy her age, the only one she consider friends that always make her feels better, the only one that help her going through her days and looking forward for another birthday for them to meet again. Lucy is depressed but no one notice, no one care, at the age 16 she thought & planning to committed suicide but before she could do it an accident happened that make her goes into coma and.. no one knows what would happen in future.
I like Lucy, i like her character and i can sympathize with her so much. I know what's depression like and to feel like you want to give up & nothing worth living anymore. People around her is the big factor of her depression, the bullying, the lack of attention she receive from her only parent when she need it most, people's ignorance, and having no one to confide or talk to only make it worst. I really dislike Lucy's mother maybe hate her a bit, yes she's trying to help Lucy but she focused on 'how to fix Lucy' & 'find doctor/anyone that can help Lucy' without providing emotional support for her and for not standing up for her & acknowledge her effort.
Beware: Big spoiler, Big NO NO if you haven't read it .
I usually have little hard time understanding how the time travel works in each book since there's several theory about it (like affecting future, happened in another universe, or not affecting future) but i really enjoy the time travel in this book. I really love the ending, she really deserve happiness after all she's been through. Nikki Moyes successfully makes me super expressive while i read this book, i grin like an idiot, jumped, frown, content smile, and i shed tears too, you played my heart so well, thank you for the experience totally won't forget it.
I like how the author make each character have their flaws, that they're imperfect even though they seems 'normal', they all have flaws behind their facade. Seriously people please stop bullying, verbally or physically it hurts regardless, they might seems fine but they're not, you affect them somehow, beside it only emphasize your insecurities. Help each other, be kind, be nice, smile to people it might make their days better.
This book is really great, i would recommended it to anyone and i wish many more people would read this book, so for anyone who interest or considering to read it: Go read it! don't let it sit long in your to read list.
April 21, 2017
**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**
While the traveling back in time aspect is great, for me it was all about the bullying. And this is a beautiful story about how your actions impact a person. It was so hard for me to watch Lucy get beaten down in her everyday life. I remember thinking to myself that this can't happen in real life because there is no way people could be so cruel.
I absolutely loved trying to figure out what the dream world had to do with the real world. And I'll admit, I really didn't figure it out until the last chapter. It was like this big eureka moment for me where I put it all together and my mind was blown a bit because it was a great link. (And I don't want to say more because I think it's a great thing for the readers to figure out on their own).
Lucy's character evolution is fantastic, even if some of the moments were disheartening. It was so hard for me to watch this girl get beaten down (in the real world) at every turn for no reason at all. (Why are people so cruel?!?) Which is why I liked those moments in the dreams where she literally transforms into a confident person before your eyes. It was great to see her have those moments of joy in her life.
This is just a fabulous story about the multi-layered impact bullying can have on a person. Such a beautiful novel.
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: http://wp.me/p7hLUw-24v
Actual Rating: 5/5
February 10, 2017
Lucy is a girl who gets bullied at school. Bullied a lot. Especially by four mean girls and their friends. She tries to become as invisible as possible and make it through each day. Most of the time she’s alone, with no friends, and no other family except for a mom who’s always at work.
The only joy in life is her imaginary friend Will. Will comes into her life after a traumatic event and she gets to see him each year on her birthday – but only in her dreams. Will teaches her about family, faith, bravery, kindness, and love during their adventures in historic events in the distant past. Throughout the book, the reader doesn’t know if Lucy will be alive at the end.
The characters in this book are so real, they could be students walking the halls in any school today. The author brilliantly and consistently carries Lucy’s dream family through history starting in the prehistoric past.
Each time Lucy goes to see Will in her dreams, they don’t recognize her, but she recognizes them. And each time, Lucy is there to save Will’s life and give up her own.
If I Wake delivers a powerful message that will touch the hearts of so many who are being bullied or have been bullied in the past. This book should be required reading for students, parents, and anyone who works with youth. By going through sorrow and joy with Lucy, the reader understands how hurtful and damaging bullying can be, and gains strength to stand up to bullies or stop being one themselves.
The ending to the book is outstanding in its unexpected turn of events. The book gives the reader hope if they are being bullied, helping them to see that they are important, even if they don’t feel like it.
The book is aimed at the young adult reader, but adults will also be taken in by the story and Lucy’s sarcastic humor: “No one has ever been excited to see me before, perhaps he thinks I’m someone else.”
The only joy in life is her imaginary friend Will. Will comes into her life after a traumatic event and she gets to see him each year on her birthday – but only in her dreams. Will teaches her about family, faith, bravery, kindness, and love during their adventures in historic events in the distant past. Throughout the book, the reader doesn’t know if Lucy will be alive at the end.
The characters in this book are so real, they could be students walking the halls in any school today. The author brilliantly and consistently carries Lucy’s dream family through history starting in the prehistoric past.
Each time Lucy goes to see Will in her dreams, they don’t recognize her, but she recognizes them. And each time, Lucy is there to save Will’s life and give up her own.
If I Wake delivers a powerful message that will touch the hearts of so many who are being bullied or have been bullied in the past. This book should be required reading for students, parents, and anyone who works with youth. By going through sorrow and joy with Lucy, the reader understands how hurtful and damaging bullying can be, and gains strength to stand up to bullies or stop being one themselves.
The ending to the book is outstanding in its unexpected turn of events. The book gives the reader hope if they are being bullied, helping them to see that they are important, even if they don’t feel like it.
The book is aimed at the young adult reader, but adults will also be taken in by the story and Lucy’s sarcastic humor: “No one has ever been excited to see me before, perhaps he thinks I’m someone else.”
June 12, 2017
I read this book in 2 days, because I couldn't put it down (or turn it off, since I read it through my Kindle app). Starting out took a little bit of extra attention, because there is little context provided about Lucy's life and the people in it. But that slow pace quickly turned into an adventure.
I love how the author chose a very wide range of times/ages and events to which Lucy traveled in her dreams. I love history so it was fun to read this version of it. A modern girl, cast aside from everyone in this world can feel important and valuable in a different setting.
The focus of the book, specifically the existence of bullying and the threat of suicide and depression in children and teens, was not just sad, but disappointing that we as humans can't help others, and instead attack them. I was able to connect with Lucy, as I too have had my share of being bullied, though certainly not to the extreme of Lucy's experiences.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, time travel, adventure and most of all to those who want a perspective into the troubling and dark world of people who need an extra dose of love from the rest of us.
I love how the author chose a very wide range of times/ages and events to which Lucy traveled in her dreams. I love history so it was fun to read this version of it. A modern girl, cast aside from everyone in this world can feel important and valuable in a different setting.
The focus of the book, specifically the existence of bullying and the threat of suicide and depression in children and teens, was not just sad, but disappointing that we as humans can't help others, and instead attack them. I was able to connect with Lucy, as I too have had my share of being bullied, though certainly not to the extreme of Lucy's experiences.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, time travel, adventure and most of all to those who want a perspective into the troubling and dark world of people who need an extra dose of love from the rest of us.
January 6, 2017
I was lucky enough to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway and I loved it. It was not what I was expecting, it was better. I loved how immersed the character got when she awoke in her alternate realities, and I would have loved to have read more of these. The overall story was quite sad and you really felt like you wanted to step in and help Lucy, or read that someone noticed or cared enough to reach out to her.
The book left me telling others about it, and I have already lent it to someone else who was intrigued about the storyline. I hope she likes it as much as I did.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an open mind, and even those who don't, to see if it could open it!
I did find the last 'episode' a bit confusing, but it made enough sense for me to get the overall storyline, but that might be because I was in that much of a hurry to find out how it ends I rushed it?
Easily a 5 star read, I completed over 2 days. Hope you enjoy it too!
The book left me telling others about it, and I have already lent it to someone else who was intrigued about the storyline. I hope she likes it as much as I did.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an open mind, and even those who don't, to see if it could open it!
I did find the last 'episode' a bit confusing, but it made enough sense for me to get the overall storyline, but that might be because I was in that much of a hurry to find out how it ends I rushed it?
Easily a 5 star read, I completed over 2 days. Hope you enjoy it too!
May 16, 2017
Wow! This is one of the most powerful YA stories I’ve read since Thirteen Reasons Why. In this story, we’re introduced to Lucy, a loner longing to have just one friend. Even her own mother doesn’t seem close to her. On her eleventh birthday, Lucy goes into a deep sleep where she first meets Will, named Wu, and from there her birthdays become a marker. It’s only then that she is able to see Will, her only friend, through various periods in time.
Lucy is a well-developed character. She shows both flaws and strengths and my heart really went out to her whenever something bad happened to her. I loved the way that even though she had given up on herself, she went all out to save Will at every possible chance. This book was fantastic in the way it combined both realities into one to create the perfect ending. I would definitely recommend this fantastic story!
Lucy is a well-developed character. She shows both flaws and strengths and my heart really went out to her whenever something bad happened to her. I loved the way that even though she had given up on herself, she went all out to save Will at every possible chance. This book was fantastic in the way it combined both realities into one to create the perfect ending. I would definitely recommend this fantastic story!
January 30, 2017
I had gotten this book in exchange for a review from the author and must Ii say this story is beautiful in every sense. Lucy, or lu or LJ the main character is called travels to a world every year on her birthday since she was eleven saving wu, will, William or bill all one person. This story held so much emotion, she thought she was useless but she had a purpose she never knew. Being picked on, bullied, losing a friend, nearly committing suicide; she has been through it all and yet she still had found the strength to save will. This story deserves to be a best seller. It was amazing, well written and it makes you think twice. I love it and will definitely recommend it.
January 17, 2017
This is an important book I think everyone should read. I'll admit that I first I thought the storyline was too similar to "If I Stay," but upon reading further I can't believe that thought ever crossed my mind. I enjoyed this book so much more. The plot is truly unique, with plenty of fantasy and adventure, and even more depth, emotion, and power. It will motivate you to be a better person, and to see the good in others. I feel so many things when I think about this book, it's hard to put them into words in a review. Just get it. Just read it. You'll be glad you did.
August 14, 2019
Loved this book! It wasn't what I was expecting, but I still found it immensely enjoyable. The author really knows how to write a good sad story that can resonate with readers who may be going through the same depression and bullying that the main character Lucy was going through. By the end, it also gave me hope; hope that one day it truly can get better if you hang on long enough. And that maybe, just maybe, your dreams really can come true no matter how impossible they may seem.
October 3, 2016
What a deep and meaningful book this is. It had so many components that I loved. There was meeting Will in different places and times all the way back to before what we consider civilization. It was wonderfully paced and kept me reading wanting to know more about this unique couple and their connection. If you are a history buff like me, you will love this too. It makes for an amazing tale.
May 23, 2017
This is a beautifully written, deeply emotional book centered around depression and suicide. The plot is brilliant, containing a bit of fantasy and what the reader will have to guess at as being time travel or dreaming; this is unlike anything I've read before and I couldn't stay away from it. Excellent book!
May 29, 2019
Have you ever had a very vivid dream? A dream so vivid that it feels like it is really happening. One that you wake up from very disoriented, trying to figure out where you are. What if you really lived another life when you went to sleep? This book explores this idea and I think the author does a fabulous job of it. I was pulled into this story so deeply that I really didn't want to stop just to sleep, even though my body desperately needed it.
Lucy
I felt so bad for Lucy. Her home life wasn't much to speak of and being bullied at school didn't help. She didn't have a place that she felt she belonged and was safe.
Will
I really liked Will in all his personas. He always made room for her in his life no matter the time era. I think I would have liked to see a bit of romance between them.
Overall, a great concept that was executed superbly. I would definitely read more by this author.
Lucy
I felt so bad for Lucy. Her home life wasn't much to speak of and being bullied at school didn't help. She didn't have a place that she felt she belonged and was safe.
Will
I really liked Will in all his personas. He always made room for her in his life no matter the time era. I think I would have liked to see a bit of romance between them.
Overall, a great concept that was executed superbly. I would definitely read more by this author.
July 24, 2020
"Surround yourself with family and treasure your time together. Family aren’t always blood. They’re the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones that accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what."
If I Wake is a book that I definitely did not expect to enjoy so much. My girlfriend recommended it to me and the short synopsis I read caught my attention, but I proceeded expecting this to be a classic teenager drama sort of book. My impression lingered for the first few pages, but soon after I understood I was wrong.
This was an unexpectedly deep book, on many levels, including psychological, historical, metaphysical even, perhaps. The author masterfully portrays the thoughts of Lucy, the protagonist, relative to her age throughout the story and makes you feel like you are literally inside her head for the whole trip.
Bullying is one of the major themes of this book and, to someone who was never bullied, the episodes may seem extreme and unrealistic, but it's quite the opposite. The bullying episodes in this book are real, messed up things that happen everyday to the downtrodden. Light is also shed on the correlation between bullying and depression. I hope this book can be a candle in the dark for anyone dealing with depression and a breath of insight for those who have friends going through depression or even for the bullies who cause it, may they see the error of their ways.
I was also surprised by the author's extensive knowledge of history. It is very visible throughout the book and it is something I deeply appreciate.
On a metaphysical level, the many planes of existence that Lucy keeps switching between will not only keep you on your toes, but also blow your mind. I stepped into this book expecting something simplistic, I was definitely not expecting this level of depth and complexity.
All in all, this is, I think, one of the very few books I've rated 5 stars, and for good reason. It was, perhaps, one of the best books I've ever read and it managed to break my reader's block (if such a thing exists). I was barely able to put down this book (metaphorically speaking, I actually read it as an ebook).
If I Wake is a book that I definitely did not expect to enjoy so much. My girlfriend recommended it to me and the short synopsis I read caught my attention, but I proceeded expecting this to be a classic teenager drama sort of book. My impression lingered for the first few pages, but soon after I understood I was wrong.
This was an unexpectedly deep book, on many levels, including psychological, historical, metaphysical even, perhaps. The author masterfully portrays the thoughts of Lucy, the protagonist, relative to her age throughout the story and makes you feel like you are literally inside her head for the whole trip.
Bullying is one of the major themes of this book and, to someone who was never bullied, the episodes may seem extreme and unrealistic, but it's quite the opposite. The bullying episodes in this book are real, messed up things that happen everyday to the downtrodden. Light is also shed on the correlation between bullying and depression. I hope this book can be a candle in the dark for anyone dealing with depression and a breath of insight for those who have friends going through depression or even for the bullies who cause it, may they see the error of their ways.
I was also surprised by the author's extensive knowledge of history. It is very visible throughout the book and it is something I deeply appreciate.
On a metaphysical level, the many planes of existence that Lucy keeps switching between will not only keep you on your toes, but also blow your mind. I stepped into this book expecting something simplistic, I was definitely not expecting this level of depth and complexity.
All in all, this is, I think, one of the very few books I've rated 5 stars, and for good reason. It was, perhaps, one of the best books I've ever read and it managed to break my reader's block (if such a thing exists). I was barely able to put down this book (metaphorically speaking, I actually read it as an ebook).
June 4, 2019
Nikki Moyes delivers a tale of depression, bullying, suicide, hope and friendship in this unique and powerful tale. For Lucy the lines between dreams and reality are blured and her only true friend may not be real. This story travels through history, the ups and downs of life, and friendship.
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